What they like

Short grass and openness. Wet meadows, floodplains, stubble fields, and a safe islet or dike to sleep on. Give it peace: keep dogs on a leash along ponds and banks. In parks or yards: keep a strip of grass short, but mow in phases. In farmland: leave some stubble after harvest and spare wet corners; that's where they refuel.

Ecological importance

Barnacle geese are the living lawnmowers of winter landscapes. Their grazing keeps grass young and nutritious for more species. They are also prey for foxes and the white‑tailed eagle; that's part of a landscape coming back into balance.

When in the Netherlands

Mostly a winter visitor: roughly October to April. Increasingly, some now also stay through the summer and breed locally.

Status

Common. Population has increased sharply. Quiet and space remain the key.