Bean Goose (Anser fabalis)

Key Details

Taxonomic Groups: Vertebrate > bird > Bird
Red List Status: Endangered (Non-breeding) [EN(nbr)]
D5 Status: Included in the baseline Red List Index for England (Wilkins, Wilson & Brown, 2022)
Section 41 Status: (not listed)
Taxa Included Synonym: Taiga Bean Goose, Anser f. fabalis; Tundra Bean Goose, Anser f. rossicus, Anser serrirostris
UKSI Recommended Name: Anser fabalis/serrirostris
UKSI Recommended Authority: (not specified)
UKSI Recommended Qualifier: (none specified)
Red List Citation: Stanbury et al., 2021
Notes on taxonomy/listing: (none)

Criteria

Question 1: Does species need conservation or recovery in England?
Response: Yes
Justification: Eng WeBS trends (25 yr -97%, 10 yr -92%)
Question 2: Does recovery/ conservation depend on species-specific actions?
Response: Yes
Justification: Climate change impacts driving change. Site protection required.
Question 3: At a landscape scale, would the species benefit from untargeted habitat management to increase habitat mosaics, structural diversity, or particular successional stages?
Response: Yes
Justification: Provide grazing habitat in known and suitable wintering areas

Species Assessment

Current step on the Species Recovery Curve (SRC): 7. Best approach adopted at appropriate scales
Recovery potential/expectation: Low - Climate change
National Monitoring Resource: Structured - sufficient
Species Comments: Climate change may be a factor

Key Actions

Key Action 1

Proposed Action: Consider and as appropriate implement the recommendations of the SPA Reviews for this species. This should include both outstanding actions from the 2001 SPA Review and any additional recommendations of the 2016 Review. Up to date evidence is also required.

Action targets: 7. Best approach adopted at appropriate scales

Action type: Site protection

Duration: >10 years

Scale of Implementation: ≤ 5 sites

High priority sites:

Comments:

Key Action 2

Proposed Action: Investigate potential to re-establish a Scandinavian breeding ground to north of England flyway/population unit

Action targets: 6. Recovery solutions trialled

Action type: Scientific research

Duration: 3-5 years

Scale of Implementation: National

High priority sites: Solway Basin

Comments:

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Acknowledgment:
Data used on this website are adapted from Threatened species recovery actions 2025 baseline (JP065): Technical report and spreadsheet user guide (Natural England, 2025). Available here.