The Barnacle Goose breeds in dense colonies near the coast and seeks out nest sites where predators have difficulty gaining access.
Location: preferably on small, predator-free islands and skerries, but the species also breeds on cliff ledges, low coastal meadows and nowadays sometimes on rooftops in built-up areas.
Construction: a shallow, down-lined hollow on the ground, lying close to other pairs in the colony.
Breeding: the female normally lays 3–5 eggs, which are incubated for 24–25 days, and the broods are then often merged into large "crèche flocks" led by a few adults.