About the Icelandic-breeding Goose Census

The Icelandic-breeding Goose Census (IGC) estimates the population size of the Greenland/Iceland Pink-footed Goose and Iceland Greylag Goose, and provides information on the distribution of the geese during autumn and early winter in the UK.

The IGC is an annual survey that consists of two coordinated counts: one in October and one in November. Sites holding Pink-footed Geese are covered in both October and November, whilst sites holding Greylag Geese are mainly covered in November. Spring counts take place once every three years, helping to identify the key sites being used by both species.

When is the Icelandic-breeding Goose Census?

The next IGC dates are:

• 18/19 October 2025
• 22/23 November 2025

What does an IGC survey entail?

The IGC involves two coordinated site-based surveys, one in October and one in November.

Surveyors need to:

• Count all Pink-footed and Greylag Geese seen at their site;
• Optionally, mark flocks, flightlines and vantage points on an online map. 

Counts are primarily of roosting birds. They are ideally conducted at dawn as birds leave the roost, but dusk roost counts are made at some sites. Exceptionally, daytime counts of feeding birds are made in areas where roost sites are poorly known or inaccessible, or too few counters exist in order to provide coordinated coverage of roost sites. 

How do I get involved?

If you live in an area where Pink-footed Geese or Icelandic Greylag Geese occur and you would like to take part, please contact the GSMP Office at gsmp@bto.org who can put you in touch with the relevant GSMP Local Organiser. You can also request a site on the vacant IGC site map.

Find an IGC site to count

You can view available sites on the vacant IGC site map.

Register your interest in a site

Once you have found a vacant square, you can register your interest in surveying via the vacant IGC site map: 

1. Select a vacant site on the map
2. Complete the form for the vacant site. This will send an email to the IGC Local Organiser for that region.
3. The local Organiser will get in touch to talk to you about the survey and sites available before allocating a site to you. 

Register with the GSMP Online portal

Once you have been allocated a site, you will need to register with 'GSMP Online' if you have not done so already for other GSMP surveys. This is an online portal where you view and enter your survey data, and access helpful resources. 

If you already have a MyBTO account:

• Log in to MyBTO
• Then look for the Goose & Swan Monitoring Programme under "Sign Up for Projects" and click "Register".

If you don't have a MyBTO account:

• Create a free MyBTO account
• Then look for the Goose & Swan Monitoring Programme under "Sign Up for Projects" and click "Register"

Resources

BTO provides Health and Safety information for volunteers, which we recommend you read before starting your surveys.

Record submission

We have produced a guide to using GSMP online to enter your counts:

• Guide to GSMP Online