Goosanders were first discovered to have colonised the UK in Perthshire in 1871, and spread from Scotland into northern England in the 1940s (Holloway 1996). Between the first two breeding atlases, the species expanded its range in northern England, and colonised Wales and southwest England. WBS samples became large enough for annual monitoring in 1980, and show sustained population increase, apart from a slight dip in the late 1990s. The BTO's two national surveys of sawbills demonstrated an average increase in population size of 3% per annum between 1987 and 1997 (Rehfisch et al. 1999). There has been considerable further range expansion since 1990 (Balmer et al. 2013). Reasons for the colonisation of the UK, and the subsequent range expansion and population increase, are unknown. The species' winter trend in Britain, comprising British breeders and continental visitors, rose steeply from the late 1960s and peaked in the mid 1990s, before falling back, and now stands at early 1990s levels (WeBS: Frost et al. 2020).

The winter range of the Goosander has increased by 87% since the 1981–84 Winter Atlas. Gains are apparent throughout and are particularly noticeable in Ireland, Wales and central and southern England.

Bird Atlas distribution change maps show how bird distributions have changed through time. Coloured upward-pointing triangles show places apparently colonised over the period; grey downward-pointing triangles show places apparently vacated. Shading show places occupied.

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

Goosanders are present year-round, with higher reporting in winter when they can be seen at large waterbodies.

Weekly pattern of occurrence

The graph shows when the species is present in the UK, with taller bars indicating a higher likelihood of encountering the species in appropriate regions and habitats.