This past season, our team was once again able to fit three individuals of the Greater white-fronted goose species with GPS transmitters. The species usually forms mixed flocks with the globally endangered Red-breasted goose. In this way, the individuals fitted with transmitters provide us with a great deal of information about the movement and behavior of the flocks of both species.
Greater white-fronted geese and Red-breasted geese undertake spectacular migrations before and after the breeding season. To raise their offspring, these tireless travelers head thousands of kilometers to the northeast. Then they head back to spend the harsh winter months in milder conditions. Often, they winter in completely different places than where they were the previous year and have been equipped with a transmitter.
But this year, one of the geese, equipped with a GPS transmitter by our team, returned to Bulgaria. This happened exactly on a special date – International Wetlands Day, February 2, and accordingly to a special place – Atanasovsko Lake near Burgas. After being tagged with GPS, the bird was released precisely in this Ramsar site in February 2025, and here it is again 11 months later. The data provided by the device shows that in 5 hours, the bird traveled 195 km. This is an average of 40 km/h, which the animal maintained throughout this time. If we look at the data from a year ago, we will see that the bird traveled over 13,500 km! And this is only the distance in a straight line, without taking into account local movements.
A very exciting but exhausting journey, after which the birds are in dire need of rest and food. That is why it is important not to disturb them and give them the opportunity to restore their energy reserves. It is wildlife that provides human society with absolutely all the resources it needs to function – from food and water, to medicine, art, and recreation. And to continue to do so, it needs absolutely all of its components. And we just have to give it space.
Greater white-fronted geese and Red-breasted geese undertake spectacular migrations before and after the breeding season. To raise their offspring, these tireless travelers head thousands of kilometers to the northeast. Then they head back to spend the harsh winter months in milder conditions. Often, they winter in completely different places than where they were the previous year and have been equipped with a transmitter.
But this year, one of the geese, equipped with a GPS transmitter by our team, returned to Bulgaria. This happened exactly on a special date – International Wetlands Day, February 2, and accordingly to a special place – Atanasovsko Lake near Burgas. After being tagged with GPS, the bird was released precisely in this Ramsar site in February 2025, and here it is again 11 months later. The data provided by the device shows that in 5 hours, the bird traveled 195 km. This is an average of 40 km/h, which the animal maintained throughout this time. If we look at the data from a year ago, we will see that the bird traveled over 13,500 km! And this is only the distance in a straight line, without taking into account local movements.
A very exciting but exhausting journey, after which the birds are in dire need of rest and food. That is why it is important not to disturb them and give them the opportunity to restore their energy reserves. It is wildlife that provides human society with absolutely all the resources it needs to function – from food and water, to medicine, art, and recreation. And to continue to do so, it needs absolutely all of its components. And we just have to give it space.
.JPG)
