Field choice of autumn staging and wintering geese in southwestern Sweden 1977/1978–2011/2012

Abstract

Goose counts have been made in September, October, November and January since September 1977. Staging Greylag Geese Anser anser increased from 19,000 in 1984 to 250,000 in 2008–2010, mainly due to a corresponding population growth, and a wintering tradition was established with a maximum of 50,000 in 2008. Staging and wintering White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons increased from less than 3,000 to up to 40,000 and 25,000, respectively, due to a northward shift of the sites. Wintering Canada Geese Branta canadensis increased from less than 10,000 to a peak of 70,000 in 2009–2010, mainly an effect of the growing Swedish population. Staging of the Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis is a new tradition established in autumn 2,000, with no less than 150,000 in 2011. Sweden is the autumn staging area for almost the entire Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis fabalis population that has decreased in recent years. During the same period Tundra Bean Geese A. f. rossicus have started to stage in larger numbers, the overall counts of Bean Geese giving an impression of stability in recent years.