Get involved

The IGC monitors the population size and breeding success of the Iceland Greylag Goose and the Greenland/Iceland Pink-footed Goose populations.
The census takes place annually, with one count in each of October and November on pre-determined dates. A coordinated spring count also takes place every three years.
Surveys take place at dawn, dusk or during the day depending on the site. Counts can take a few hours to complete.
Counters must feel confident in identifying Greylag and Pink-footed Geese, and have reasonable experience of counting birds.
Surveys are undertaken at sites in Britain and Ireland.
The survey is coordinated overall by WWT

In Britain and Ireland, the ISC monitors numbers and breeding success of Whooper and Bewick’s Swans.
The census is five-yearly, and comprises one count in January on pre-determined dates.
Surveys take place during the day at most sites. Counts may take a few hours to complete depending on flock size.
Counters must feel confident in identifying Whooper and Bewick’s Swans, and have some experience of counting birds. Some knowledge of how to age birds is also desirable but not essential.
The surveys are coordinated by WWT, in association with BirdWatch Ireland/I-WeBS, and the Irish Whooper Swan Study Group.
The census in Britain and Ireland is coordinated with surveys carried out elsewhere in Europe in order to cover three migratory swan populations: the Icelandic Whooper Swan, the Northwest Mainland Europe Whooper Swan and the Northwest European Bewick’s Swan.
The next census is due to take place in 2025.

Age assessments are undertaken to determine the annual reproductive success of each goose and swan population. The assessments comprise of two measures: the proportion of young (first-winter) birds and the mean brood size.
Assessments are made annually. The months during which assessments are made vary between species, although most take place during autumn and winter.
The skill level required varies between species. Counters must feel confident in identifying and aging the particular species(s) and have reasonable experience counting birds.
The assessments are coordinated by various organisations depending on the species/population.

The census monitors the population size and breeding success of the Greenland White-fronted Goose.
The census takes place annually, with one priority count taking place in autumn and one in spring on pre-determined dates. Monthly counts also take place at some sites.

Counters must feel confident in identifying Greenland White-fronted Geese and have some experience of counting birds. Some knowledge of aging geese may be required, though it is not essential.
The survey is organised by the Greenland White-fronted Goose Study

There are a number of projects that involve the capture and marking of geese and swans with coloured leg rings and/or neck collars. Such projects provide information to researchers on the life of individual birds, such as their migration strategies.
Sightings of colour-marked birds can be provided at any time of year.
No particular skill is required. Observers report the species, the colour of the ring, the code engraved on the ring, and the ring’s position on the bird (e.g. left leg).
Observers will likely require binoculars or a telescope to clearly see the bird(s) and the colour-mark.