Observations in 2002
31 August, Valdak, Norway The autumn staging period for the LWfG is almost over at the Valdak Marshes as they will soon continue their migration further to the Kanin Peninsula in Russia. So far have 62 LWfG been seen (34 goslings and 28 adults).
22 August, Valdak & Varangerfjord, Norway After commenced breeding the first group of LWfG arrived at the Valdak Marshes some days ago. Last evening a flock of 52 LWfG was seen. The production seems to be good as at least eight pairs brought goslings. In the flock were also seven geese with colour rings. One of these was the female with the Green-Black combination (see e.g. recent news from 13 May). She had with her the male and four goslings.
In Varangerfjord, no geese has been seen so far.
24 May, Valdak, Norway Good news for the Fennoscandian LWfG population is that the first winter survival of LWfG born last year seems to be high. Last years monitoring at the Valdak Marshes revealed a relatively good production of juveniles (altogether 38 juveniles were counted during early autumn). By today (24 May) 14 second calendar year LWfG have been seen at the Valdak Marshes. Quite few adult pairs have arrived so far and it is expected that both more 2cy and adult birds will come during the remaining days of May.
13 May, Valdak, Norway The first LWfG arrived at the Valdak Marshes on 8 May, one week earlier than normal for this staging area. By 13 May, 14 individuals have been seen. These were four adult pairs and six second calendar year birds. Two of the adults wore colour leg rings. One of them, a female with a Green-Black combination on the right leg has also been seen earlier this spring in Hungary, Estonia, Finland and now, at the Valdak Marshes in Norway where she was ringed in May 2000.
The green-black female that has been seen at several sites and occations. The picture was made by the WWF-Finland Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project based on digital video tapes taken in the staging areas in Estonia and Finland in 2001.
In the evening 12 May, a successful catch with cannon net was carried out. Six LWfG, including the above mentioned female was caught.
1 May, Estonia & Hungary By 29 April at least 22 LWfG have been seen in the Matsalu and the Haapsalu bays in Estonia. Most of them has been recorded on digital video for later identification. One of the LWfG was carrying colour rings. In Hungary the last observation of LWfG was on 25 April when six birds were observed. None of them were carrying colour rings. This observation brings the count for the Hortobágy area up in a total of 60 observed LWfG this spring.
2 April, Hortobágy, Hungary Yesterday, 1 April, Jarmo Pääläinen called from Hungary. In addition to the flock of 53 LWfGs one single individual had been seen at Hortobágy a few days ago. At 1 April the flock seen consisted of “only” 44 LWfG. Six of the big flock were carrying Norwegian leg colour rings. (Juha Markkola)
