In the period 22-24 February in Duisburg, Germany a conference of German Geese Ecology Group was held. We were invited via our partners of Le Balkan Bulgaria Foundation that collaborate with one of the organizers – Dr. Helmut Kruckenberg. The Conference was organized by German Ornithological Society and Society of German Aviafaunists with the support of Bird Conservation Committee. The meeting took place at Youth Hostel in Duisburg North Landscape Park on Rhine. The program included following moduels: “Migration and wintering”, “German Breeding birds”, “Breeding and migration of Northern and Arctic geese”, “Behavioural studies” and “Data management”.
Our input was a presentation on results from pilot satellite tracking of wintering Red-breasted geese in Bulgarian Coastal Dobrogea made by Le Balkan Bulgaria Foundation and Green Balkans NGO. The meeting was useful opportunity for contacts and dissemination of publications we have made on Red-breasted geese: Red-breasted geese book by E. Enchev; post cards and envelopes, posters and the children book “The adventures of Brent the Red-breasted goose”. All these were highly acclaimed by the audience that is one of main target groups.
Main topics addressed included studies on geese in Germany where the Greylag goose is the most numerous breeder. Its moulting migrations are studied by means of satellite telemetry and colour rings. As the species has been reintroduced at many sites lack of long-distance migrations is observed mainly in Leipzig and Dresden region. Those breeding in Northern Germany though migrate to neighbouring Netherlands, Denmark, Poland and even reach Sweden. The recovery rate of ringed bird is impressive and that is mainly due to wide number of volunteer observers. Interesting topic was the nesting of Greylag geese in Hamburg region where nests were observed on roofs and trees, too. Behavioural studies presented results from radar study of geese flight height in Northern Germany that included 3 geese species – Greylag, Barnacle and Great White-fronted. Other study carried out in Elbe estuary has concluded that wintering geese do not have negative impact on breeding meadow birds like Lapwing, Godwits, Oystercatchers, etc. The study was made with high resolution satellite tags that provide also data on behavior by special algorithm and is analyzed in relation to other factors that impact meadow birds breeding success.
In international level last developments of the critically endangered Lesser White-fronted geese have been presented in its only breeding site in EU – Sweden where number is approximately 40 birds. Increase of wintering Barnacle, Bean and Great White-fronted geese in Northern Germany is recorded. One of main reasons for that is the increase of breeding geese population in Russia. Results from breeding success of geese on Kolguev Island have been presented where about 200 000 pairs of the three species are breeding.
Useful free mobile app for smartphones called BirdRing and helping reporting of observed colour ringed birds was presented by its developer – Mario Huzinga from Holland.
For additional information:
Dimitar Popov ,e-mail: dpopov@greenbalkans.org
Our input was a presentation on results from pilot satellite tracking of wintering Red-breasted geese in Bulgarian Coastal Dobrogea made by Le Balkan Bulgaria Foundation and Green Balkans NGO. The meeting was useful opportunity for contacts and dissemination of publications we have made on Red-breasted geese: Red-breasted geese book by E. Enchev; post cards and envelopes, posters and the children book “The adventures of Brent the Red-breasted goose”. All these were highly acclaimed by the audience that is one of main target groups.
Main topics addressed included studies on geese in Germany where the Greylag goose is the most numerous breeder. Its moulting migrations are studied by means of satellite telemetry and colour rings. As the species has been reintroduced at many sites lack of long-distance migrations is observed mainly in Leipzig and Dresden region. Those breeding in Northern Germany though migrate to neighbouring Netherlands, Denmark, Poland and even reach Sweden. The recovery rate of ringed bird is impressive and that is mainly due to wide number of volunteer observers. Interesting topic was the nesting of Greylag geese in Hamburg region where nests were observed on roofs and trees, too. Behavioural studies presented results from radar study of geese flight height in Northern Germany that included 3 geese species – Greylag, Barnacle and Great White-fronted. Other study carried out in Elbe estuary has concluded that wintering geese do not have negative impact on breeding meadow birds like Lapwing, Godwits, Oystercatchers, etc. The study was made with high resolution satellite tags that provide also data on behavior by special algorithm and is analyzed in relation to other factors that impact meadow birds breeding success.
In international level last developments of the critically endangered Lesser White-fronted geese have been presented in its only breeding site in EU – Sweden where number is approximately 40 birds. Increase of wintering Barnacle, Bean and Great White-fronted geese in Northern Germany is recorded. One of main reasons for that is the increase of breeding geese population in Russia. Results from breeding success of geese on Kolguev Island have been presented where about 200 000 pairs of the three species are breeding.
Useful free mobile app for smartphones called BirdRing and helping reporting of observed colour ringed birds was presented by its developer – Mario Huzinga from Holland.
For additional information:
Dimitar Popov ,e-mail: dpopov@greenbalkans.org
