Dark-bellied Brent Goose x Red-breasted Goose

Dark-bellied Brent Goose x Red-breasted Goose hybrid (with Dark-bellied Brent Geese), Oare Marshes (Kent, UK), 26th December 2012 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo ID: 0212)

Brent Geese are one of the regular carrier species for vagrant Red-breasted Geese in western Europe so the occasional hybrid is not entirely surprising, although they do appear to be rare (as are any Brent x non-Brent hybrids).  They are a very dark hybrid and, like Barnacle Goose x Red-breasted Goose hybrids, the distinctive pattern of Red-breasted Goose is almost completely lost.

Unfortunately as I was watching this from a safe distance to avoid disturbing it, gradually getting closer, a dog-walker passed me and flushed the whole flock off to a much more distant field.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose x Red-breasted Goose hybrid (with Dark-bellied Brent Geese), Oare Marshes (Kent, UK), 26th December 2012 - copyright Dave Appleton

(photo ID: 0212)

Dark-bellied Brent Goose Branta (bernicla) bernicla
Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis