Changes in numbers and distribution of staging and wintering goose populations in Sweden, 1977/78 - 1998/99.

• Main Author: Nilsson, Leif
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sveriges Ornitologiska Förening 2000
• Subjects: Zoology; Ecology; Canada; Anser fabalis
• Online Access: https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/fd254386-6d01-40c8-af5e-a399829572a5

Regular goose counts have been undertaken in Swedensince 1977/78 as a part of the International Goose Countsorganised by Wetlands International. The main counts areundertaken in October and November, covering all sites ofimportance for Bean Goose Anser fabalis and in Januarywhen all sites are covered. September counts of GreylagGoose Anser anser will be published separately. In October,the major part of the World population of the TaigaBean Goose Anser fabalis fabalis is found in Sweden. Thepopulation increased from about 20,000 in 1960 to 80,000in 1989, after that it has decreased to about 50,000. Duringthe study period Bean Goose numbers decreased markedlyin the southernmost part of Sweden, whereas numbersincreased at sites further north in southern Sweden. Thespecies also established new important staging areas. Thischange in distribution was probably related to differencesin hunting pressure between different regions and to changesin agriculture. Staging populations of White-fronted GooseAnser albifrons also increased during the period reflectingchanges in the much bigger population south of the Baltic.Marked increase in numbers and a spread to new sites werealso noted among staging Greylag Geese, Canada GeeseBranta canadensis and Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsisreflecting increased breeding populations in south Sweden.