Brant (Branta bernicla) is in the Ducks, Geese, and Swans family (Anatidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 13,495 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: winter visitor. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Brant: observations by month (U.S.)
About Brant
The brant, also known as the brent goose (Branta bernicla) is a species of goose of the genus Branta. The black brant is an American subspecies.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Brant by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 3,431 | April | Nov–May |
| California | 3,177 | January | Nov–May |
| New Jersey | 1,633 | March | Nov–May |
| Massachusetts | 1,619 | April | Nov–May |
| Washington | 941 | March | Jan–Apr |
| Connecticut | 809 | April | Feb–May |
| Rhode Island | 446 | April | Nov–May |
| Maryland | 263 | February | Nov–Mar |
| Delaware | 208 | February | Dec–Mar |
| Oregon | 202 | November | Nov–Jan |
| Alaska | 162 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Virginia | 146 | February | Dec–Mar |
| Maine | 65 | February | Jan–Mar |
| Colorado | 47 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Ohio | 42 | November | Nov–Jan |
| Hawaii | 37 | February | Nov–Apr |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | November | Oct–Nov |
| Vermont | 34 | November | Oct–Nov |
| Illinois | 32 | January | Jan–Jan |
| New Mexico | 29 | January | Jan–Feb |
| Michigan | 24 | October | Oct–Nov |
| Texas | 21 | November | Nov–Nov |
| Florida | 20 | January | Dec–Jan |
| New Hampshire | 13 | November | Oct–Nov |
| Arizona | 9 | May | May–May |
| North Carolina | 9 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Wisconsin | 7 | November | Oct–Dec |
| Idaho | 5 | November | Nov–Nov |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
Mallard
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
American Wigeon
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Duck
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Brant?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from November to May.
Where is Brant most often seen?
The most observations come from New York, California, New Jersey.