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Hakemistosivulle

Anser erythropus

Observations / Havaintoja

part 1: Diagrams

Click for larger charts

Lemming years in dark / Sopulivuodet tummalla.

Autumn total, Norway. Norjassa syksyllä.	Autumn juvenils, Norway. Norjan syyspoikaset.
Spring total, Norway. Norjan keväthavainnot.	Spring estimate, western Estonia. Kevät, Viro.
Winter in Hortobagy, Hungary. Unkarin Hortobagyssa talvella.	Spring, Oulu area, Finland. Oulun seudun keväthavainnot.

part 2: Details / Yksityiskohtia

2007 onwards / alkaen

2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001

Recent and older observations of the Lesser White-fronted Goose in inverse chronolgical order

Viimeaikaisia ja vanhempiakin kiljuhanhihavaintoja käänteisessä aikajärjestyksessä

Fjällgåsobservationer i omväd tidsordning

 

Observations announced by:

B:Bongariliitto

BL: Bertus de Lange

EES:E.E.Syroechkovski jr

EK: Erkki Kellomäki

CA:Cor van Aart

GH: Gert Huijzers

GO:Gerard Ouwenseel

JM:Jamshid Mansoori

MT: Maire Toming

PA: Pentti Alho

PT: Petteri Tolvanen

RH:Remco Hofland

SY: Sergey Yerokhov

TA: www.piskulka.net

VM: Vladimir Morozov

WWF / WWW: WWF Web-info

ÅA: Åke Andersson

(Click here for a map of the Netherlands)

(Click here for Norwegian compiled observations "Piskulka page")

(Click here for the pages of Tarsiger.com, called "all recent Lesser white-fronted goose Observations)

Finnish summaries in green

 

2008 alkaen muut kuin Ruotsin kiljuhanhet tässä Piskulka-sivulla

2007

• Spring in Norway
  • 26 May valdak Marshes Finnmark, Norway 11 LWfG pairs and three single birds so far. TA
  • 20 May, Valdak Marshes, Finnmark, Norway 10 LWfG pairs and three single birds so far. TA
  • 10 May, Valdak Marshes, Finnmark, Norway: The first two pairs for the spring arrived today! TA
• Spring in Estonia, Finland and Sweden
  • 13-14 May, Siikajoki, Säärenperä, Finland: 0 LWfG present. TA
  • 11 May, Tahu, Noarootsi, Estonia: A flock 8 LWfG present, possibly all of them new individuals. TA
  • 10 May, Siikajoki, Säärenperä, Finland: So far totally 9 individuals (8 ad, 1 2cy) on Finnish Bothnian Bay coast this May. TA
  • 5 May, Liminka, Virkkula, Finland: One 2nd-calendar-year LWfG north of Temmesjoki river mouth. TA
  • 3 May, Haeska, Ridala, Estonia: A flock of 11 LWfG present TA
  • 3 May, Siikajoki, Säärenperä, Finland: The first LWfG for the Finnish Bothnian Bay coast: one adult pair. TA
  • April - 2 May, Läänemaa, Estonia: 13 LWfG present: simultaneously also the flock of 11 birds in Haeska, and two more adults at Taebla, Kirimäe. TA
• Winter/spring in Hungary
  • 5 April 2007, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary The flock of 43 LWfG is still present, including the satellite marked ones and 5 more colour ringed. TA
  • Sum of maxima at other (more than 10) sites: 46.
• Winter in Poland
  • 20 March 2007, Narew Valley, Poland One LWfG observed at Kurpiki, in a flock of 30.000 geese (Source: Tomek Kulakowski / Eurobirdnet).
• Winter in Russia
  • 16-18 March, 2007, Manych Lake, Kalmykia, LWfG obserevd four times. At least 99 individuals were observed. TA
• Winter in Syria
  • 21 February, 2007, Lake Jabbul, Syria 54 LWfG observed (Source: Observer Ahmed Abdallah, comm. by Anssi Kullberg by way of Aki Arkiomaa, via TA ).
  • 11 February, 2007, Buhayrat al-Basil, Syria 8 LWfG counted. The original count produced 18, but recounts reduced the number of the surely identified individuals into 8. Possibly 10 more left the lake with some flocks of WfG flying off (Source: Anssi Kullbergvia TA ). Exists own report (pdf 800KB) by Annsi Kullberg.
• Winter in Greece
  • 6 March, 2007, Evros Delta, Greece The large flock (ca 45-49 ind) still present in Evros, including the male Finn. TA
  • 3-4 March, 2007, Evros Delta, Greece 49 LWfG observed; the 11 birds since January + 38 new arrivals. The satellite marked pair among the 11 group, additionally four color ringed birds in the 38 flock. TA.
  • 20-21 February, 2007, Evros Delta, Greece The main flock up to 38 LWfG (Source: Eleni Makriyanni via TA.).
  • 2 -20 January, 2007, Evros Delta, Greece Since 1 January, total 11 LWfG (Source: Didier Vangeluwevia TA).

2006

• December in Hungary and Greece
  • 29 December, 2006, Greece 9 LWfG at Evros Delta. Also the Nestos Delta and Lake Ismarida area were surveyed, but no geese observed there. Intensive hunting was recorded around the Lake Ismarida, that is known as a staging site of the LWfG (Source: Didier Vangeluwe and Eleni Makriyanni/Evros and Maria Panayotopoulou/Nestos and Ismarida by way of Yannis Tsougrakis via TA.).
  • 28 December, 2006, Evros Delta, Greece 9 LWfG present, including the pair (Finn and Nieida) with the satellite transmitters (Source: Didier Vangeluwe via TA).
  • 21 December, 2006, Lake Tisza area, Hungary 1 adult LWfG (Source: T. Zalai, comm. by János Tar via TA ).
  • 21 December, 2006, Greece 31 LWfG still present at Lake Kerkini, including the pair with transmitters. (Source: Thodoros Naziridis/Kerkini and Eleni Makriyanni/Evros by way of Yannis Tsougrakis via TA ).
  • 6 -22 December, 2006, Hungary Altogether 6 adult LWfG observed at three different sites: 2 at Viragoskut fishpond, Hortobágy (obs. János Tar); 2 at Elep fishpond (obs A. Szilagyi); 2 at Biharugra (obs. G. Simai) (Source: János Tar via TA ).
• Autumn in Greece
  • 28 November, 2006, Lake Kerkini, Greece 42 Lessers observed. The two antennas were seen again. At least 4 birds in the large flock were juveniles (Source: LWfG Life project team).
  • 1 November, 2006, Lake Kerkini, Greece 20 lesser white-fronted geese were oberved in the mouth of the river at Lake Kerkini (Birdlife IBA GR020») by Thodoros Naziridis. (Source: Yannis Tsougrakis via TA ).
• Autumn in Hungary
  • Other Hungarian sites total: 5+1+1
  • 24-27 October, 2006, Hortobágy, Hungary A flock of 22 LWfG observed in the evening at Kondás (Hortobágyi-halastó) (Source: János Tar via TA ).
  • 21 September, -2. Oct 2006, Hortobágy, Hungary. A flock of 19 birds (12 ad. + 7 juv.) at Kondás (Hortobágyi-halastó) in the morning. (Source: János Tar v).
• Autumn in Estonia
  • 28 September, 2006, Tartumaa, Puhja, Tännassilma, Estonia One unringed adult LWfG in a large flock of other geese. (Source: Risto Karvonen & Heikki Holmström via TA ).
  • 22 September, 2006, Noarootsi, Silma Nature Reserve, Estonia. An adult pair at Tahu. (Source: Risto Karvonen & Heikki Holmström via TA ).
• Autumn in Germany and Austria
  • 5-7 November, 2006, Lake Zicksee, Neusiedler See/Seewinkel, Austria Two adult LWfG present, obviously a pair (Source: Johannes Laber via TA).
  • 22 September, 2006, Altfriedland fish ponds, Eastern Brandenburg , Germany 11 Lesser White-fronts (5 ad 6 juv: 2 ad with 4 juv, 1 ad with 2 juv, 1 ad pair). All unringed. This is the most important site for Lesser White-fronts of wild origin in Germany with lots of observations during the last years. The present record is the highest ever count for the state Brandenburg! (Source: S. Fahl & M. Fiddicke communicated by Thomas Heinicke ).
• Autumn in Norway
  • Varanger Fjord, Norway. No LWfG seen this year. (Source: Jyrki Pynnönen via TA.).
  • 21 August, 2006, Valdak Marshes, Norway One flock with totally 43 LWfG was seen at the Valdak Marshes in the evening. The flock consisted of 20 adults and 23 juveniles. TA.
• Spring in Norway
  • 03 June, 2006, Valdak Marshes, Norway Totally 16 pairs, one single adult and at least five 2cy birds have been observed at the marshes. Maximum number observed today was 6 birds TA
  • 15 May, 2006, Sirbma, Tana River Valley, Norway One unringed 2cy LWfG present in the morning (Source: Pekka Komi & Markku O. Saarinen via TA.).
  • 12 May, 2006, Valdak Marshes, Two pairs TA.
• Spring in Estonia, Finland and Sweden
  • 14 May, 2006, Siikajoki, Säärenperä, Finland. It seems (before final conclusions made from video recordings) that total number at Sääri in spring 2006 was 8 ind. (consisting of 4 pairs, all adults). M (Source: LWfG Life project team).
  • 13 May, 2006, SE Finland Two observations of one (possibly same?) single LWfG from SE Finland. The bird was seen in Virolahti, Harvaja, Finland 1 migrating NE at 05:35 (Obs: Markus Lampinen & et al., Source: Lintutiedotus) and then seen in Kesälahti Särkivaara, migrating N at 07:50 (Obs: Petri Hottola, Source: Lintutiedotus).
  • 11 May, 2006, Salme, Rahuste, Estonia One LWfG migrating. The bird was seen in a large flock of Barnacle Goose; this plus the fact that the site (on SW part of the Saaremaa island) is situated quite much W of the regular sites of the wild LWfG, points towards swedish reintro origin.
  • 11 May, 2006, Ridala, Haeska, Estonia 14 LWfG present (Source: Maire Toming via TA.).
  • 10-11 May, 2006, Siikajoki, Säärenperä, Finland 6 LWfG present (Source: Aappo Luukkonen via TA.).
  • 7 May, 2006, Vitskärsudden, Obbola, Västerbotten, Sweden One adult LWfG together with 8 Bean Geese and 1 Pink-footed Goose, came on migration from E, continued towards north and the Ume River Delta (Source: Per Hansson, Ume River Delta Field Station and SLU-Umeå). - It could probably be the same bird that was seen migrating north with 8 Bean Geese at Pyhäjoki, Parhalahti on 29 April (and observed shortly also in the Liminganlahti area, Finland, some days later); possibly of Swedish reintroduction origin.
  • 6 -9 May, 2006, Siikajoki, Säärenperä, Finland 2 ad, the first for this spring (Source: Aappo Luukkonen via TA.).
  • 5-6 May, 2006, Ridala, Haeska, 2 individuals have probably left for migration. (Source: Heikki Holmström via TA.).
  • 29 April, 2006, Pyhäjoki, Parhalahti, Finland One LWfG migrating north in a flock of eight Bean Geese at 09:00 (Source: Reijo Kylmänen & Petri Lampila / Lintutiedotus).
  • 24-28 April, 2006, Ridala, Haeska. Flock of 27 LWfG. Two colour ringed [the ring read from above] (Red-White left leg - which was ringed at the Valdak Marshes in spring 2002. White-yellow left leg: not observed since January 2005. (Source: WWF Finland LWfG working group via TA.).
  • 23-25 April, 2006, Mustasaari Finland One adult LWfG (Source: Lintutiedotus).
  • 21 April, 2006, Valmaotsa, Tartumaa, Estonia One 2cy LWfG observed (Source: Uku Paal & Riho Kinks ).
• Spring in Hungary
  • 8 April 2006, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary 28 LWfG observed (Source: Emri T. - Zöld B. - Futó R.- Lisztes A.... /www.birding.hu).
  • 3+3+2 observed at other locations.
• Winter (jan-feb) in Hungary
  • 3+3+1+3 observed at various locations.
• Winter in Greece
  • 21-27 February 2006, Evros Delta Up to 37 individuals including at least two 2cy were seen at Dimitriades area. One colour ring read: Orange yellow right leg. (Source: Eleni Makrigianni via TA.).
  • 19 February 2006, Evros Delta, Greece The flock was relocated in the same spot as it was seen at in mid January. There were 32 individuals including at least 3 first-winter but they were in high grasses and so very difficult to see. Three of them wore colour rings: orange/yellow right, red/white left and black/red left (Source: Didier Vangeluwe).
  • 17. jan - 18. feb No observations of LWfG. The core areas at Evros are frozen. For a short period the hunting was banned at Evros due to total frost. No snow, but extreme low temperatures, strong winds. Geese have flooded Greece and have been reported from several places like islands and even southern areas like north Peloponnisos. Intensive hunting and/or poaching. So far all the LWfG reports (including North East Aegean islands) are negative. (Source: Yannis Tsougrakis via TA.).
  • 10-11 January 2006, Evros Delta, Greece 40 LWfG were seen in the same area as last winter. There were 7 goslings in the flock, and four birds had colour rings (Source: Didier Vangeluwe).
• Winter in Austria
  • 11 February 2006, Lake Neusiedl, Austria 2ad LWfG in one flock and 1juv (1st Winter) in another flock of White-fronts. The juvenile was not with the 2ad (Source: Dr. Johannes Laber by way of Petteri Tolvanen via TA.).
  • 11 February 2006, Burgenland, Austria 3 LWfG observed (source: www.tarsiger.com).
  • 14 January 2006, Lake Neusiedl, Austria Six adults among the white-fronts (Source: Dr. Johannes Laber by way of Petteri Tolvanen via TA ).
• Winter in Poland
  • 14 January 2006, Poland Two wintering Lesser White-fronted Geese were watched at a short distance near Rus (Biebrza Valley) (Source: Tomek Kulakowski by way of Yannis Tsougrakis via TA).

2005

• December in Hungary and Greece TA.
  • 2-10 December, Pusztaszer, Csongrád, Hungary 9 LWfG were observed in the Büdös-széki puszta area (source: www.birding.hu).
  • Other Hungarian observations sum 5
  • Evros Delta, Greece 38 LWfG were observed, of which five birds had colour rings (Source: Yannis Tsougrakis via TA.).
  • Lake Kerkini, Greece 30 LWfG were observed of which 25 adults and one juvenile. Four birds were not aged (It is likely that they also were juveniles but it couldn't be confirmed). Observation conditions were not good enough for reading colour rings (Source: Thodoros Naziridis, conveyed by Yannis Tsougrakis via TA.).
• October-November, Hungary &endash; from the web site www.birding.hu and piskulka page
  • Hortobágy, Hungary 20 birds was also seen today in the Hortobágy Halasto fish ponds.
  • Other observations of up to 3 birds, sum 29.
• Autumn Japan TA.
  • November, Japan There have been more than usual Lesser White-fronted Geese in Japan this winter with a flock of 44-45 at one locality in the north and several other smaller groups and records as far south as the southern islands (Source: Mark Brazil by way of orientalbirding@yahoogroups.com).
• Autumn Greece TA.
  • 6-13 November, Evros Delta, Greece 9 LWfG were observed, of which one ringed individual had its steel ring read by telescope by Petros Platis (wildlife ecologist of Hunting Federation of Macedonia & Thrace) (Source: Christos Sokos).
  • 1-29 November, Lake Kerkini, Greece 30 LWfG were observed together with 10 WfG (Source: Thodoros Naziridis, conveyed by Yannis Tsougrakis via TA.).
• Autumn in Poland (November 02, 2005)
  • This year seems to be special for this species because we've already had 10-13 individuals including a flock of 6 with 3 juv rarely seen these days compared to 1-2 in previous years. I had a close look at 7 of them and they were definitaly not ringed. The area is called Barycz River Valley and is situated in the south-west part of Poland in Lower Silesia. It's famous for its fish-ponds and the reserve called 'Stawy Milickie' - Milicz fish-ponds Reserve.WieslawLenkiewicz
• Autumn in Estonia TA.
  •  05 October 2005, Haeska, Ridala, Estonia Today 2 adult Lesser White-fronted Geese in a mixed flock of other geese. The birds were obviously a pair without young. It was not possible to identify if the birds were ringed .The birds were amongst the Anser geese and were not associated with the barnacle geese, so probably the two birds belong to the original population. (Source: Margit Nöhrer and Helga Loschy from Austria, conveyed by Maire Toming via TA.).
• Autumn in Norway TA.
  • 6 September 2005, Valdak Marshes, Porsanger, Norway SUMMARY Altogether 32 LWfG staging in the area, of which 16 juveniles. This confirmes that the breeding success in 2005 has been relatively bad. (Source: NOF LWfG project).
  • 27 August 2005, Valdak Marshes. No Lesser white-fronted geese have been seen since 21 August. The reason can partly be attributed to a poacher that was hunting harbour seals within the nature reserve. (Source: NOF LWfG project).
  • 21 August 2005, Valdak Marshes, Autumn staging period started. 25 (9 ad. + 16 juveniles) (Source: NOF LWfG project).
• Spring in Norway TA.
  • 25 May, Valdak Marshes, Totally 29 LWfG seen today. Five birds with colour rings. Three second calendar year birds seen. (Source: NOF LWfG project).
  • May 13 , Porsanger, The first LWfG pair arrived in the morning at the Valdak Marshes. (Source: NOF LWfG project)
• Spring in Finland Net info B Updated May 16.
  • Kevään kiljuhanhihavainnot Bongariliiton verkosta. Oulun seudun yhteismäärä on 8 yksilöä. Lisäksi yksi lintu Eurajoella huhtikuun alussa
  • May 13 , Säärenperä :7 LWfG still present. One of them was ringed at the Valdak Marshes, May 2002. There has also been seen (in addition to this flock) one LWfG of unknown age in Liminganlahti area, in a flock of Pink-feet, and it is possibly a new individual (the 8th one for Oulu region this spring). (Source: Petteri Tolvanen / WWF Finland LWfG project).
  • Apr. 1-4 Eurajoki. Yksi renkaaton kiljuhanhi oleili pelloilla metsä-, meri-, kanadanhanhien sekä joutsen joukossa. Linnun löysi Esko ja Tarja Roström. One ad. Staging on field in Eurajoki, Western Finland in company of A. anser, B. canadensis and C. cygnus. B
• Spring Estonia
  • A preliminary estimate of the number of staging LWfG in Estonia this spring was: minimum 24 - maximum 29 individuals in the period 19 April - 6 May; of these only one 2cy. The Haeska flock (14 ind.) left in the evening (21:30) on 6 May (and was present until that), so the observations (3 May, 5-6 May) were different individuals (Source: WWF Finland LWfG project). Kevään kokonaisarvio Virosta on 24-29 yksilöä.
• Spring Hungary
  • April17, Hortobágy, Hungary One LWfG was observed in Hortobágy-Halastó, Hajdú-Bihar by Berényi Zsombor, BécsyLászló, Horváth... (source: www.birding.hu ).
  • April 14, Hortobágy, Hungary 35 LWfG was observed in Hortobágy-Halastó, Hajdú-Bihar by Ifj. Oláh János, Ecsedi Z.,Szûcs Lóri (source: www.birding.hu ).
• Winter 2004-2005 in the Netherlands.
  • Talven havainnot Alankomaissa. Paras päiväsumma pohjoisessa oli oman retkikuntamme 62 yksilöä lokakuun 25. päivänä Anjumissa. Etelässä tehtiin koko talven ennätys 70 laskemalla yhteen Strijenin 51 ja Korendijkin 19 lintua vuoden vaihteessa. Compiled by BL, tanslation LK. Please, check the list behind this link (Word) or this link(html) for completeness.
  • Anjum , de Kolken and around Tibma (Thank You, Gerard Ouweneel)
    • 2004: Oct 1 first 8 exx, then numbers rising to Oct 14-10 : 21 exx , Oct 18-10 : 53 exx. The maximum was 62 exx on Oct 25, observed by a group of Finns. The latest fall observation was Nov 11 28 exx local.
    • 2005: During mid winter the Anjum area was more or less "empty" ( 2 birds on Feb 4); only beginning in March the numbers started to rise again: 11 exx on Mar 13 up to a maximum of 19 birds on Mar 19, and then down again.
  • Oude Land van Strijen
    • 2004: First in Het Oude Land were seen on Nov 1, and immediately 20 exx ! On Nov 7 the number had risen to 33 exx . (At Anjum still 28 exx were local on 11 November). These 33 were about to be come the maximum, until "suudenly" on Dec 30 a total of 51 birds were counted! since the general opinion (based on ring readings) is, that there is no exchange of birds between Het Oude land and Korendijk, where at this time a maximum of 19 exx were sitting (see Korendijk). Is fo, then in mid winter 70 LWfG were staying in SW Netherlands!
    • 2005: Because of the migration of LWfG in direction Petten (see there) and Hardinxveld-Giessendam the progress of the numbers at Strijen is difficult to determine (and this is an understatement!) In any case there were 36 birds present on Jan 2. One week later still 34 amd then less again. Feb 23 no more than 24 were staying in the polder at Oude Land .
  • Korendijkse Slikken / Westerse Laagjes
    • 2004: Here appear 4 LWfG on 28 Nov, and their number rose to 19 exx on Dec 19. At the time of 51 birds in het Oude Land ( 30 december) 17 - 18 exx were sitting at Korendijk. The only LWfG at the Westerse Laagjes (on 12 december) got a lot of publicitysince it was the first observation of a Finnish one! (therefore named Finni!). On 29 I heard while observing 17 LWfG at Korendijkse Slikken, that Finni had also been seen at Den Bommel! Later in winter Finni was also seen at Walcheren .....
    • 2005: The general picture at Korendijk stayed unchangend in mid winter: during the whole period, 19 birds were present. On Mar 5 their number had fallen to 9 , but after the sudden "cow-invasion" in the beginning of March, their number jumped to 17 on Mar 1. Of later events I have no information.
  • Petten
    • 2004: Petten seemed to have lost in importance for the LWfG. I have only 2 observations, 2 exx on Nov 27 and 5 exx on Dec 12.
    • 2005: And that was all a false idea!: On Jan 17 LWfG were staying in in de polder behind Putten, and the flock was growing until it reached 32 on Feb 4! Here, the birds were easy to observe and a lot of (known) rings could be read. (Among them Finni!). The last remarkable number here was 15 exx on Mar 14.
  • Other observations (day-month)

    • 9-10 Breskens , 1 bird
    • 31-10 Schiermonnikoog , 1 bird
    • 11-11 Tholen , 1 bird
    • 14-11 Friesland Buitendijks , 3 bird s
    • 15-11 Doesburg , 1 bird
    • 27-11 Tienhoven , 2 bird s
    • 30-11 Kampereiland , 9 birds (!!)
    • 4 -12 Bethunepolder , 1 bird
    • 6-12 Ferwoude , 1 bird
    • 13-12 Fochteloerveen , 1 bird
    • 19-12 Stevensweert , 1 bird
    • 28-12 Doniaburen , 2 birds
    • 9-1 Amerongen , 1 bird
    • 11-1 Workum , 3 birds
    • 15-1 Bleskensgraaf , 5 birds
    • 13-2 Bilderdam , 1 bird
    • Veendam , 1 of 2 birds
    • Mijdrecht , 1 bird
    • 3-3 Flevopolder , 1 bird
    • 14-3 Garrelsweer , 5 birds
    • 10-4 Schiermonnikoog , 1 bird

    • Beside these "loose" observations, there was the remarkable appearing of first 14 and later 26 LWfG at Hardinxveld-Giessendam on Feb 25 and 26. These can well have been birds from het Oude Land at Strijen.
    • Only once, on Feb 16 februari , wee 7 LWfG seen in polder Biert . These were probably on a short visit from Korendijk.
• Satellite tracking Project. Russia->Kazakhstan->Azerbaijan->Iraq. SEE 2004!
• Jan. 08 Iran Uroomiyeh Lake 2 LWfG in Islam abad Wetland exactly south of the lake. Also in between 300 Greylag, I saw 2 (number updated) LWfG in Bujagh wetland yesterday. Again I will go to Fereydoun Kenar wetlands complex this week for mid-winter count, and will inform you of any L.W.F.G. observation. JM Click here for full report . Kaksi kiljuhanhea Uroomieh- järven eteläpuolisilla kosteikoilla ja edellisenä päivänä kaksi (2) Bujaghin kosteikossa.
• Iran (Power-point presentation by Jamshid Mansoori at Lammi 2005)

2004

• The Netherlands in winter 2004-2005: SEE 2005!
• SUMMARY Alkmaaer/Netherlands behind this link. Tässä on linkki Alankomaiden Alkmaaerin alueen kiljuhanhihavaintoihin.
• Dec 30 Netherlands 51 LWG's near Strijen, 17 near Petten and 17 near Goudswaard. That makes 75 total. GO
• Dec 27 Netherlands Finny is still here. Stad aan het Haringvliet, Zuid-Holland, Nederland. [43-24-42] between 3000 Branta leucopsis. This LWfG had Finny's rings. CA
• Dec 12 Netherlands I am living in the south-western part of the Netherlands, about 30 km south-west of Rotterdam on the island the Hoeksche Waard. In winter time our area has a good reputation for LWfG. There are two areas, the best spot is Het Oude Land van Strijen in the centre and the Korendijksche Slikken (KS) at the south-west end. I live near the latter. Here the KS and several other areas nearby are the wintering area for many thousands of Barnacle Geese. Same was last Sunday, it was at the Westerse Laagjes, close to the KS. Here a I found a juvenile LWfG with a unknown colour ring combination. Enclosed some pictures I took. Does the bird belong to the Finnish project? (Yess, this LWFG was released in Finland this year. Was given the name "Finny" by the discoverer.) ------ I was lucky, because I found it quite easily near the road at the edge of a group of 8000 Barnacles. Due to the unknown ring-combination I was extra alert and eager to take some pictures, though the light was poor because of the early morning and fog. I am extra glad, knowing now what it means for you and your friends. GH Lappiin kesällä 2004 valkoposkipoikueessa istutettu kiljuhanhenpoikanen on havaittu Alankomaissa. Satelliittilähettimellä varustetut emot ovat kateissa.
• Sep--Oct. Kazakhstan Kustanai Oblast, North-West Kazakhstan. The first LWFG were registered on Sep. 12-15 at Kulykol lake, the maximum by September 21-22. On September 23 most birds left the lake. Table: The number of Lesser White-fronted Goose and other goose species found between September 28 &endash; October 8, 2004:

  • 	Lake	A.ery	A.alb.	A. ans.	B.ruf.	A.sp.	Total
    1	Zhaman-Kamyshovoye	13	880	2610	795	3370	7668
    2	Zhaksy-Zharkol	257	415	2370	525	2180	5747
    3	Kkhak	41	320	755	268	-	1384
    4	Bozshakol	8	557	453	99	-	1117
    5	Tontegir	-	1071	3249	290	-	4610
    6	Biyesoigan	-	-	-	3140	-	3140
    7	Koibagar	268	3249	891	5580	-	9988
    8	Alabota	22	3000	640	560	-	4222
    9	Sulukol	-	122	-	85	-	207
    10	Akbai	46	256	-	70	-	372
    11	Batpakkol	7	1250	600	230	-	2087
    12	Supolynsor	19	1275	780	340		2414
    13	Kulykol	198	4800	9015	610	-	14623
    	Sum	879	17195	21363	12592	5550	57579

    Lesser White-fronted Geese were counted 3 times less than in 2003 and 11 times less than in 2002. This reflects environmental conditions at the stopover sites of Lesser White-fronted Goose and can be used for the comparative analysis of suitability of each of these lakes. The number of Lesser White-fronted Geese registered by us (879 birds) makes 1,5% of the total number of all obseved geese. This is the lowest figure for the last 8 years in autumn in this region, in the previous years the number ranged from 2,7 to 3,3%. Click here for full report .Kiljuhanhien määrä Kasakstanin syyslaskennassa oli kolmasosa viimevuotisesta ja alle kymmenesosa vuoden 2002 määrästä. Syynä ovat ilmeisesti elinympäristöjen muutokset, etenkin järvien kuivuminen. Kiljuhanhien osuus kaikista hanhista on laskenut 1,5%:iin oltuaan aikaisempina vuosina välillä 2,7--3,3%. Linkin takana on täysi raportti englanniksi.
• Summer/ autumn Norway
  • Aug 26 Norway Valdak Marshes, Porsangen Fjord, 27 LWfG staging (Source: T.Aarvak & I.J.Øien).
  • Aug 25 Norway Valdak Marshes, Porsangen Fjord, 17 LWfG, 6 young and 11 adults. (Source: T.Aarvak & I.J.Øien).
• Summer/ autumn Russia
  • 20-21 July --> Satellite tracking Project. Russia->Kazakhstan->Azerbaijan->Iraq. VM has caught and radio tagged three LWFGs on Polar Ural tundra. Birds can be followed on http://www.piskulka.net . VM:n satelliittiilähettimin (laitteet ja seuranta:WWF) varustaman kolmen kiljuhanhen vaiheet. Kaksi (Numerot --65 ja --66) lensi Kazakstaniin. ja katosi. Kulykol-järvi ei suosiossa. Kolmas ( --77) on jatkanut Azerbaidstanin kautta Irakiin .
  • Selected tracking results:
    • The first LWfG started the migration south on Aug. 30 2004, moved southwards in the Ob River and having staged for some time, arrived in the Kustanay Region in northern , see Yerokhov's Report) In November the bird had left Kazakhstan for Azerbaijan, known to host 5-6000 wintering LWfG. From there it flew to the corner of Turkey, Iran ans Azerbaijan and - still in November - to Iraq, where it stayed around Bahghdad and for mid winter in the Tigris delta. By the end of March 2005 spring migration started. The bird staged among other places at Kizlyarskiy Bay in Dagestan. April 23 the bird was back in the Kustanay Region. 20.05.2005 the bird finally came back to the site where it was caught. For the first time the whole migratory journey of a LWfG has been mapped. Congratulations to all involved but especially to Vladimir Morozov who caught the bird and mounted the satellite transmitter in the Polar Urals during summmer 2004! In August 2005 the transmitter still operates.
    • The second LWfG migrated in September via the staging area in the lower Ob River to Lake Ayke in Aktybinskaya Region, northern Kazakstan and from there another 75 km southwest where it was lost in October.
    • The third LWfG followed the same route and was lost in early October.
  • All in all one of three made it back to the breeding area.
• Summer/ autumn Sweden
  • Aug. 18 Hybrid A. erythropus x Branta leucopsis in Gävle, Sweden at horse trotting track. Both parents with 3 young. Risteymä!
• Spring Norway
  • 21 May 2004, Valdak 31 LWfG have been identified. Of these are quite many young birds (2cy), and four birds have colour leg rings (ringed at this site in earlier years) T.A.
• Spring Finland
  • Net info B Updated May 2. Kevään kiljuhanhihavainnot Bongariliiton verkosta:
  • May 20 Helsinki Lauttasaari 1 ad (stayed a short time) hetken p Kassarin rannassa, lähti v 06:54 ohtmi
  • Apr. 20 Hämeenkyrö Sarkkilanjärvi 3:n metsähanhen seurassa (one in company ov 3 A.fabalis) N klo 10.3 10:49 sapet
  • Apr. 16 Kristiinankaupunki Perus 1 ad p (on field) Peruksentie 305 pellolla. Löysi Raimo 21:19 korka
  • Apr. 12 Kalajoki Pitkäsenkylä hetken (stayed a short time on fields) p lähti 9 a fab kanssa N klo 9 09:43 pudse
  • Apr. 12 Lohtaja Marinkainen Kipponpauhan pellot. Lintu juuri muuto 08:27 uusto
• Spring Estonia
  • May 03. Estonia Ridala Haeska a22p Haeskan pelloilla.19:15 tolpe B
  • April - May Estonia total This spring we (together with Finnish WWF working group and birders) have found 26-29 wild lessers staging in Western-Estonia, plus one ind. from the Swedish farm. The Swedish colour-ringed bird was seen in Matsalu in May 15 and 16. The exact number of LWfG will be known after the checking the videotapes. Virossa kevään saldo 26-29 "villiä" ja 1 värirengastettu Ruotsin kantaa. Tarkat luvut katsotaan myöhemmin videoilta vertaamalla vatsalaikkuja. MT
  • April 16. First 1 LWfG on Klooster Fields = eastern end of Matsalu Bay. (2002 first observation was on Apr 16., 2003 on Apr 23) Virossa kevään ensimmäinen. Mika Bruun via WWF / PT
• February: Syria
  • A very probable LWF Goose in Syria. Unfortunately in flight and bad weather conditions. 1 probable ay Jabbul SE S Shore W134/135 (11.2). Assessment of status: winter visitor, usually in low numbers but with a significant population on Sabkhat al-Jabbul. Here full report Syyriassa todennäköinen kiljuhanhihavainto. Alue on aika tutkimaton. 2004 Syria Wetland Expedition via TA
• Winter: Belgium
  • In the last winters LWfG regularly winters in Belgium 1-3 birds. http://www.natuurpunt.be/ac.asp?ID=159 . Viime vuosina on talvehtinut säännöllisesti 1-3 kiljuhanhea Belgiassa.
• Winter: Netherlands
  • Distribution of Lesser White-fronted Geese (A. erythropus) in the Netherlands this winter is as follows, with [most recent sighting]: Tämän talven havaintoyhteenveto Alankomaista Summa noin 80. [viimeisin havainto hakasulkeissa] . RH/EK/verkko
    • - 35 Oude Land van Strijen, Strijen (Zuid-Holland) [late Dec (joulun maissa)](with a
    • maximum of 45 on Nov 15th (maksimi 45 kpl 15.11.2003))
    • - 10 Korendijkse Slikken, Goudswaard (Zuid-Holland)[Jan 1st] (1.1.2004)
    • - 12 Anjum (Friesland) [Nov 30th(30.11.2003)](usually, these birds stage at Anjum and then fly to Korendijkse Slikken, Goudswaard. Tavallisesti nämä linnut muuttavat tankattuaan keskitalvella Korendijkse Slikkeniin))
    • - 9 adults Polder L, Burgervlotbrug, near Petten (Noord-Holland)[Dec 31st (31.12.2003)]
    • - 2 Zurich (Friesland)[Jan 1st], with also a Black Brant (Branta
    • nigricans) present
    • - 1 1st-winter along Slikweg, Prunjepolder near Zierikzee (Zeeland)[Dec 31st (31.12.2003) ]
    • - 4 Garrelsweer (Groningen), reported only once in late 2003 (vain 1 havainto loppuvuodesta )
    • - 2 Vinkeveen / Mijdrecht (Utrecht)[Dec (joulukuu)]
    • - 1-2 Schiermonnikoog island or opposite N coast of (Friesland)[Dec (joulukuu) ]
    • - 1 Uitdam (Noord-Holland)[Dec? (joulukuu) ?]
    • - 3 1st-winters in (Noord-Brabant) [Dec? (uusi alue!, joulukuu) ?]

    Most probably, several unfound/unreported birds are present in Flevoland;

    Zeeland; Drenthe; along Ijssel river (Overijssel) and in SE Noord-Brabant /

    N Limburg. Numbers of geese (mostly Greater White-fronted Goose (A.

    albifrons); in SE Noord-Brabant / N Limburg and Drenthe also Tundra Bean

    Goose (A. serrirostris) and Taiga Bean Goose (A. fabalis) can number in the

    10,000s, while birder densities are low.

    Todennäköisesti useita lisää Flevolandissa ja muissa mainituissa paikoissa, joissa on 10 000-määrin muita hanhia ja suhteellisen

    vähän havaitsijoita.

• Winter Greece
  • 5 January 2004, Evros Delta, Greece During the first days of January 2004, 52 Lesser White-fronted Geese including one with a colour ring (marked at Valdak in 2002) were observed in the saltmarshes surrounding the Drana Lagoon in the Evros Delta, Greece. The observation was done through a survey of wintering LWfG which is supported by the LIFE Nature program "Restoration and Conservation Management of Drana Lagoon in the Evros Delta". Didier Vangeluwe TA

2003

• Fall / winter Iran
  • Dec14.-15. Iran Uroomiyeh lake Islam abad wetland (exactly about 20km. south west of the lake). 3 Lesser White-fronted goose and 97 Greylag goose, 16 Marbled Teal and 4 Ferruginous Duck. Uroomiyeh-järveltä 20 km pohjoiseen Islam abadin kosteikolla Iranissa kolme kiljuhanhea joulukuussa. (JM).
  • December Dashte-moghan very north west of Iran, near Aras river. 7 L.W.F.Goose among a group of Greylag. Observation by Mr. Khalighizadeh who is helping JM in the surveys. Dashte-Moghanin kosteikoilla luoteis-Iranissa 7 kiljuhanhea joulukuussa. (JM)
  • November Jamshid Mansoori could arrange three teams of experts for Lesser White-fronted Goose survey in different areas. JM has visited three damgahs in Fereydoun Kenar twice since October and at last I have seen 6 L.W.F. Geese among a group of 17 White-fronted Geese and many Greylag Geese in main Fereydoun Kebar Damgah. Also three Siberian Cranes, two adult and one Juvenile. The other two teams which have visited Dashte-Moghan and the wetlands of southern Uromiyeh Lake could not see any Lesser-White-fronted goose. <birdlifeiran@yahoo.com > Fereydoun Kenarissa 6 kiljuhanhea lokakuussa. JM
• November Cyprus
  • 23 Nov: A new species for the island are 3 adult Lesser White-fronted Geese at the Akhna Dam on the east of the island. Present from at least Friday the 21st Nov 03 and still present today. From: Jeff Gordon <j.gordon@CYTANET.COM.CY> Kyproksella havaittu maalle uusi laji: 3 kiljuhanhea.
• November / Netherlands and Germany.
  • Our member Eero Peltonen and our Friend Erkki Kellomäki have visited the wintering LWf>g in the Netherlands and Germany. Click here for photos and list. Jäsenemme Eero Peltonen ja ystävämme Erkki Kellomäki ovat retkeilleet Alankomaiden ja Saksan talvisilla kiljukaspaikoilla. Matkakertomus kuvineen ja havainnot ovat tässä
• October / Netherlands.
  • General information: The best place (to see thousands of geese) is the Anjummer Kolken. To find the lesser white-fronts , you have to go to a very small place (actually about 3 or 4 farms) called Tibma . Normally the LWF 's are grazing in the area around Tibma . Be aware that the geese are sometimes mixed with white-fronts , but more often they tend to stay in a seperate group , consisting of only LWF's. This year, peak numbers have been 61 around 20th October, but more recently there were reports of 40-45 individuals. Seabirds in our country are very weather-dependent ( best conditions with North-West winds) , so you need to be  lucky; if the wind is from the right direction , you can try at Lauwersoog ( by far the best place is Westkapelle , but this is roughly 350 Km to the South........). September-October  are the best months. Pohjois-Hollannin parhaat kiljuhanhipaikat ovat Anjumin seudulla, etenkin Tibma, joka on ihan pikkukylä siellä. Tänä syksynä on ollut parhaimmillaan 61 kikljukasta kerrallaan. Nyt sesonki on menossa ohi ja linnut siirtyvät etelämmäs. BL
• Autumn Netherlands
  • 11-Oct Tibma, westkant Lauwersmeergebied Province: Friesland : Lesser White-fronted Goose / Dwerggans / Anser erythropus Date: Coordinates: Observer: Vogellijn/ Jelger Helder Comments: 32 vogels.Details Image of Lesser White-front: Hollannissa ensimmäiset 32 havaittu! Lisäksi kiljukkaan kuva toiselta sivulta. Kertomus tässä. Kiljuhanhikuva tässä: EK / net
• Autumn Sweden:
  • Svaipa, At least 8 nests and 20 fledglings are reported from the Svaipa area this year. Most of the birds are already in the Netherlands. Årets produktion i Svaipa med omgivning är ännu något oklar. Vi anser oss ha fog för att hävda att det var minst 8 kullar med sammanlagt 20 ungar. Men det kan ha varit ytterligare någon unge. Flertalet är nu rapporterade från Holland. Ruotsista Svaipan alueelta on havainnot ainakin 8 pesinnästä ja 20 poikasesta, joista useimmat jo onkin havaittu Hollannissa. ÅA
• Autumn Kazakhstan.
  • Sep 23 Tomas Aarvark (Norway), Sami Timonen & Aki Arkiomaa (WWF Finland) came on 23 Sep 2003 to Kulykol Lake in order to catch Lesser White-fronts by two rocket nets (7x12 meters). They liked to put satellite transmitters on geese. Tomas Aarvark (Norway), Sami Timonen & Aki Arkiomaa (WWF Finland) tulivat 23.09.2003 Kulykol-järvelle pyydystämään kahdella rakettiverkolla (7x12 m) kiljukkaita jotta voisivat kiinnittää satellittiilähettimiä linnuille. EK
  • Sep 14 &endash; 28 Kazakhstan expedition (Kasakstanin tutkimusretki &endash; 14-27.09.2003) Sergey Yerokhov, Nikolai Bereozikov, Natalia Ripatti observed approx 1.500 A.ery at lake Kulukol. Here photos and list. Noin 1.500 kiljuhanhea tavattiin talvehtimassa Kulukol-järvellä Kasakstanissa. Kuvat havainnot ovat tässä EK
• Autumn Hungary
  • Sep 22 Hortobagy, 39 LWfG were observed in the Fishponds. Four were colour ringed (ringed at Valdak, Norway). TA
• Autumn Russia.
  • Sep 7 - 14 Kargopol region, Russia - An important bird area in NW Russia: A Finnish-Russian Joint-Expedition crewed by Hame Regional Environment Centre, Finnish Environment Institute and the Bird Ringing Centre of Moscow visited in Kargopol Region, Arhangel oblast, continuing inventories in this well-known but scanty documented Russian IBA-area, important for staging cranes and geese.Total number of bird species recognised during the Kargopol Expedition 2003 was 168. Thousands of White-fronts (Anser albifrons) and Bean Geese (A. fabalis) were seen daily. The rush of the Brent Goose (Branta bernicla) and Barnacle Goose (B. leucopsis) began at the end of research period. Small geese - the size of Lesser White-fronted Geese (Anser erythropus) - occured very few. Sorry to find out that shotguns were superior in finding Lesser White-fronts. In one village were shot totally 31 geese during the hunting season (1-10 May) and 7 of them were Lesser White-fronts. It was told recently that near the airport of St. Petersburg (Pulkova) were shot in May 2003 four (4) geese by a group of foreign hunters. One goose in the bag was the Lesser White-front. If these two events should be generalized the Lesser White-front is really easy to shoot or it is more numerous than we imagined. Unfortunately the first alternative may be the right one. Click here for story in Bulletin. EK
  • Syyskuun 7, - 14. KARGOPOL - TÄRKEÄ LINTUALUE LUOTEIS-VENÄJÄLLÄ Suomalais-venäläinen tutkimusretkikunta Hämeen ympäristökeskuksesta, Suomen ympäristökeskuksesta ja Moskovan Rengastuskeskuksesta teki tutkimustyötä Kargopolin piirissä, Arkangelin läänissä niukasti tutkitussa IBA-kohteessa (Tärkeä Lintu Alue). Tutkimusretkikunta havaitsi maastotyönsä aikana 2003 168 lintulajia. Kargopolin piirissä sijaitsevat hanhien ja kurkin muuton kannalta pohjoisimmat merkittävän suuret peltoalueet. Tuhansia tundrahanhia (Anser albifrons) ja metsähanhia (A. fabalis) nähtiin päivittäin, pääasiassa lennossa. Sepelhanhen (Branta bernicla) ja valkoposkihanhen (B. leucopsis) muuttoryntäys alkoi tutkimusjakson lopussa. Retkikunta toivoi näkevänsä myös kiljuhanhia (Anser erythropus) mutta pieniä hanhia esiintyi hyvin vähän. Ikävä todeta, että haulikot olivat ylivoimaisia kiljuhanhien etsinnässä. Eräässä kylässä ammuttiin yhteensä 31 hanhea metsästyskauden (1-10.toukokuuta) aikana ja 7 niistä oli kiljuhanhia..Aunuksessa toukokuussa pidetyssä vesilintututkijain kokouksessa kerrotiin, että lähellä Pietarin lentokenttää (Pulkova) oli eräs ulkomaalaisten metsästäjien ryhmä ampunut toukokuussa 2003 neljä (4) hanhea. Yksi hanhista oli ollut kiljuhanhi. Jos näiden kahden tapauksen perusteella pitäisi yleistää, kiljuhanhi on todella helppo ammuttava tai niitä on paljon enemmän kuin uskommekaan. Ensimmäinen vaihtoehto on valitettavasti oikea. Napsauta tästä, niin saat koko jutun lehdestämme EK
• Autumn Norway.
  • Aug 31 Norwegian population of Lesser White-fronts is still going down. On 31 Aug 2003 were recognised at Valdak Marsh only 47 specimen (27 goslings in seven broods). Few successful pairs. The brood size is good. More on web site. Norjan kiljukaskanta jatkaa laskuaan. Valdakin levähdyspaikalla elokuun lopussa vain 44 lintua, joista 27 nuorta lintua (7 poikuetta). Lue lisää Norjan nettisivulta: TA
  • 22 August, northern Norway The autumn migration on LWfG have started. So far have 43 individuals been seen at Valdak, while seven birds have been seen at Skj?holmen. TA
• Spring Norway.
  • 22 May, Valdak, Norway Totally 30 Lesser White-fronted Geese have been seen so far at this staging locality. Of them were five individuals with colour rings. The most special one was the female Black-Green which has also been seen in Estonia this spring as well as on several localities in 2002 (see the 2002 observation page). TA
• Spring Estonia.
  • April 23. Estonia First 4 LWfG (one with Norwegian colour ring) on Haeska Fields / Matsalu Bay. (2002 first observation was on Apr 16.) (WWF) TA
• Spring India.
  • April 17. Pradesh, While spending a hot day at Pong Dam sector Nagrota Surian, I noted a smallish, compact goose with a white forehead among 116 grazing Bar-headed Geese. [11 Greylag Geese not far away] I was able to approach it nicely and observe it for a prolonged time. I noted down in my notebook while watching the goose: Very dark head and neck, darkest near to the bill. White fore-head, virtually no white at the sides of the face next to the bill. White forehead, legs pinkish to yellowish. Bill pinkish. Breast quite light [very contrasting with the very dark neck and head], to the side of the breast two grey stripes and also two dark stripes on the belly. Over all quite plump, [compact]. steep forehead. When flying up shows brown upperwings with darker flight-feathers, white line along the middle of the wing towards the tip of the wing spreading out in slight lighter colouration of the wing towards the end. While taking my notes I didn't take notice of the yellow eye-ring. In retrospect however, after having the literature back home, I do remember that it did had a yellow eye-ring. Although I am almost sure that I did see it, it is a bit tricky not having realised and noticing it actually at the spot, so we have to confirm this later from the slides. From: "Jan Willem den Besten" <denbesten888@hotmail.com> via (VM)
• Spring Kazakhstan.
  • March 15. Other group of peoples from Almaty, hunting inspector Nurlan Kikimov including, one week later (15 March) have met a geese concentration &endash; Greylag (1000-1500) and White-fronted (some hundreds) up to 350 km to the West from Almaty at the Tschu river &endash; Andasay point. These two points - Saz flood lake and Andasay point are located at one waterfowl flyway. (SY)
  • March 9. We confirmed before that some number of LWFG are spend the wintering period at the inner wetlands of the Central Asian Republics and in Spring time they are moving across the Syrdarya river basin (Shoshkakol lakes system) and far to the North and North-East. An new additional fact confirm this: 3 specimens of LWFG were observed of the kazkahstan ornithologists F.Karpov, V. Kovshar and O.Belyalov at the semi-desert area in the spring flood plane, joint with the resting flock of Rudy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) about 100 km. to the West from Almaty sity in 9 March 2003. LWFG,s were resting and feeding. They were observed about two hours and stayed at the flood plane after the observers left. Take in account the direction of this local flyway, LWFG,s can go there perhaps from South Kazakhstan Region where migrating waterfowl in spring are reach from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. In addition some detail of this: The LWFG,s were registered at the small spring flood lake near the Saz railway station in the Kopinskay hollow about 80-90 km to the West from Almaty, co-ordinate 430 35N 750 58E. (SY)
• Previous years. Czech Republic
  • Anser erythropus is a very rare migrant and/or winter visitor in the Czech Republic - this situation is the same for decades. It is a species whose observations have to be confirmed by the Czech Rarities Committee. In the last 4 years, there are only 2 records from 2002, 2 records in 2001, and 1 record from 1999 - every time only a single bird.
• March 4. Netherlands
  • A single Lesser White-fronted Goose at Prunjepolder near Zierikzee (Zeeland).
• February-March 2003 Netherlands:
  • 24 Lesser White-fronted Geese (Anser erythropus), two Black Brants (Branta nigricans) and up to 4 Red-breasted Geese (Branta ruficollis) are seen at the Lauwersmeer area (Groningen/Friesland).
  • An estimated 54 individuals are wintering in The Netherlands this winter - of which more than half are colour-ringed birds. (BL)
• Januray. China
  • Kiinassa havaittu 16.600 kiljuhanhea, 118 prosenttia oletetusta kannasta! Two teams surveyed a selection of lakes in Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi and Anhui over a 3-week period in January 2003. The main target species was Dunlin, but we took the opportunity to count all waterbirds seen.Despite significant logistical problems and very foggy weather, we were still able to find 242,000 waterbirds including: 16,600 Lesser White-fronted Goose (118%!!) Those interested in spreadsheets of the counts, site-by-site (with dates/coordinates) and estimated coverage of each lake, should contact me directly markbarter@optusnet.com.au - as should those who would like to discuss the results in more detail.Download "Shorebirds of the Yellow Sea" from: http://www.ea.gov.au/water/wetlands/mwp/yellow-sea.html (PDF file) http://www.wetlands.org/pubs&/SYSwebnote.htm (Word and PDF files) Mark Barter <markbarter@optusnet.com.au>
• January -February 2003. Netherlands LWfG are still around in (very) good numbers! Here are some recent dates and numbers (BL):
  • -max 5 birds , Anjum / Ferwoude and Makkum , Friesland
  • -10 birds at Petten , Noord-Holland
  • -max 19 birds at Korendijkse Slikken , Zuid Holland
  • -max 26 birds at Strijen , Zuid Hollan
  • There are (unconfirmed!) reports of 5 birds at Waterland , Noord Holland
  • and 2 birds at Yerseke , Zeeland.
• January. Iran
  • In search of Lesser-white Fronted Goose, I have visited Fereydoun Kenar last week. I have seen only 3 L.W.F.Geese in flight. The local trapper informed me that there are more than 9 more in the area, but I could not find them.
  • I think it would be interesting for you to explain a little about the Fereydoun Kenar. The area is called Damgah. The method they use it is that a trapper sit in a hide near the wetland and releases wild Mallards which are tamed into the wetland. there is a hide ditch between the wet land and a hidden trap as well. The trapper spread some grains in the ditch and under the trap. As the tamed Mallards making noise and start to eat grains, attract the wild Mallards and bring them under the trap.the man suddenly pull the thread of trap and catch the wild birds. All the tamed Mallards leave the trap from a narrow ditch under the trap.
  • After I came back to Iran I found out that I should visit more areas than we have decided in Spain. The L.W.F.Goose is a migrant bird therefore, in Fereydoun Kenar they stay for a short period in fact for their refueling. It seems that at this time we should search for them in the areas in the south-west of Iran. Also I asked another colleage from Uromiyeh to visit all the important sites of southern parts of Uromiyeh lake. I know that those areas are now under snow and it is unlikely there is no Goose in that areas. However, I will send you a detail report about the surveys next month, and I am waiting for telescope. Please send my regards to all the friends. (JM)

2002

• Autumn Netherlands
  • Dec 22 2002: After some severe winter weather with a cold spell last 2 weeks!) -up to 34 ind at Oude Land van Strijen , but not seen since about two weeks now -maximum 8 at Korendijkse Slikken , at the moment just 1 ! (see above) -8 ind at Petten , still present at the moment -1 ad(unringed) at Botshol / Utrecht , found yesterday So , at the moment no birds in the Northern part of the Netherlands ; will check the Southern part ( Strijen and Korendijk) next week!----BL
  • Oct 24 2002: --- Anjum and Tibma / Friesland , 36 LWfG ( among them at least 10 juv) , in a 'single-species' flock! There is a report of 40 ind. at the same site last week! Among the numerous white-fronted and barnacle geese , there was also an adult red-breasted goose ! ----- BL
  • Oct 15 2002:--- Anjum rised to 36 ! Highest ever at this site! ----- BL/birdline
  • Oct c/a 10 2002: ---- 20 ind. near Anjum/Friesland and 2 at Korendijkse Slikken /Zuid-Holland ----- BL/birdline
  • Sep 29 2002: ----16 ind , including 8 juveniles at Anjum/Friesland. (The first LWFG of the winter-season)----BL
• Autumn Hungary
  • Sep 28 2002 Hungary, Hortobagy stop-overing site a total of 33 LWfG observed. Almost a dozen were observed to carry Norwegian rings. (Rumor via Erkki Kellomäki)
• Summer 2002: The wild LWfG had a good breeding result, both in Norway and in Sweden.
  • In Norway, 69 exx ( ad+ juv ) were observed,
  • In Sweden approx. 20 juv . (Rumor via Åke Andersson.)
• Winter Netherlands
  • Mar. 16.-17: In Holland some nice spring weather with temperatures up to 15 degrees C! Still some LWfG around!
  • Mar.. 16.-17: 2002 ---- 26 birds at Korendijkse slikken/Goudswaard ---- BL / birdline
  • Mar.. 16.-17 2002 ----13 birds at Anjum/Tibma ---- BL / birdline
  • Mar 1.-2. 2002----We were at Anjum(Northern part of the Netherlands) and saw 11 (unringed) LWFG at a known site near Tibma/Anjum ; this is an important stop -over in October -November , and again (when the geese are returning) in Febuary-March. We were very pleased to find another unringed LWFG between white-fronts in the same area, and I was really excited when I phoned the birdline that evening(saturday 2 th March) . Beside the 12 birds near Anjum , there were still 9 birds at Petten (also a regular site, although I failed to find any goose there last week) and another 21(!!) birds at Korendijkse Slikken , in the south-west . This means that there were 42 LWFG seen in one single day!! The highest single-day count that I know of ! ----- BL
  • Feb 24 2002:--- Petten: no sign of any goose in the whole area , although they were seen on the regular spot last week! (Editor's note: The geese were not gone, see March. 1-2)
  • Feb 24 2002 --- Anjum , in the far north ----- 15 LWFG were present this weekend!
  • Feb 24 2002 ---- 1 bird at Prunjepolder , Zeeland --- BL
  • Feb 22 2002 --- Korendijkse Slikken (southern part of the Netherlands) --- 1 bird ---- via BL
  • Feb.10. 2002 ---- Strijen , -----11 birds ----- birdline BL
  • Feb.10. 2002 ----1 bird at Limburg (southern part of the Netherlands),---- birdline BL
  • Feb. 10. 2002 ----1 ad bird (unringed) on the island of Schiermonnikoog (found by myself), there are very few(if any !)records from the islands! -----BL
  • Feb 2: 2002 ----1 bird with a very obvious , long white-front , long wingsand obvious eye ring but absolutely no belly -markings (as in a first winter bird!) , at Ouddorp . This may well be the Goedereede -bird , because these sites are close to each other! -----BL
  • Feb 2: 2002 ----2 ad , Flevopolder (bird-line-----BL)
  • Jan 30: 2002 ---14 birds (1 juvenile , unringed , 13 ad of which 5 were ringed, I read the codes) , at the regular site at Petten / Noord-Holland -----BL
  • Jan 26:2002----, Mirns , Friesland (internet-site)--- 2 birds
  • Jan 25:2002----- at Petten , Noord Holland---- (only) 3 birds
  • Jan 24: 2002 ----Goedereede , Zeeland---- 1 ad (birdline)
  • Jan 24: 2002 -------Tholen/Stinkgat , Zeeland ---- 1 colour-ringed bird -----(birdline)BL
  • Jan 20 2002 ----- Korendijkse Slikken , Zuid-Holland----- 18 ind -----BL
  • Jan 24 2002 -----Workum/Friesland NL ----- 1 colour-ringed bird-----BL (internet site)
  • Jan 24 2002 -----near Ferwoude/Friesland NL-----up to 3 birds seen -----BL (internet site)
  • Jan 20 2002 ----- Groote Peel , Noord-Brabant NL -----1 ind with a neck-collar -----BL
  • Jan 19 2002 -----Petten , Noord Holland NL 7 ind---BL
  • Jan 19 2002 -----Strijen , Zuid-Holland NL 6 ind---- BL
  • Jan 7 . 2002 ----- Goedereede (Near Korendijk ) NL----- 1 ind -----BL
  • Jan 2002 -----Groesbeek (Near Korendijk ) NL----1 ind -----BL
  • Dec 2001-Jan 2002----Petten , Noord Holland NL----- : first 8 , now(18 Jan '02) 14 birds -----BL
  • Dec 2001-Jan 2002---- Flevoland NL--- 1 ind -----BL

2001

• Dec 2001-Jan 2002----Petten , Noord Holland NL----- : first 8 , now (18 Jan '02) 14 birds -----BL
• Dec 2001-Jan 2002---- Flevoland NL--- 1 ind -----BL
• Dec 2001 ----- Strijen , Zuid Holland NL , -----up to 9 birds, disappeared after freezing weather!----BL
• Oct. 24.2001 -----Anjum/Tibma , Friesland NL-----24 ind , including colour-ringed birds (but to far to see the combinations!)-----BL
• July-Aug 2001 -----Lake Vesijärvi, FIN---- 1 ind in flock of canada geese ----- PA
• Aug 2001 ---- Skjåholmen / Varngerfjord Norway ---- zero LWfG (1:st time in history). ----WWF / WWW

• Summer 2001:
  • A team of the Goose and Swan Study Group of Eastern Europe and North Asia (RGG) carried out an expedition to the Polar Urals (67 02' - 68 28' N; 63 55' - 65 10' E) in Russia. They counted more than 100 LWfG. 7 adults were marked with red color neck-bands with white letters. We hope that new records will be received due to these banded geese.. -- V M --- For more info, see the Bulletin 2002
  • Jun. 2001 ---- Kola peninsula expedition (2 weeks) --- total 4 LWfG ----WWF / WWW
  • May 2001 --- Total migrating number in Oulu region (Finland) below 20. (all time low) ----WWF / WWW
  • (For details on old obs, see Bulletin)

< lauri.v.kahanpaa@jyu.fi> diagrams updated Dec 22 2004