Portal to the Lesser White-fronted Goose

Recent observations

Note that some observation data can also be found at the "Recent news page»". The observations will be added according to observation dates and not when received at www.piskulka.net

RECENT:

31 Decmeber 2008, Havel floodplain near Weseram, Potsdam-Mittelmark,state Brandenburg, Germany 3 adult LWFG (one pair + a single adult) among Tundra Beans and Greater Whitefronts. Source: Bodo Kreisel, conveyed by Thomas Heinicke.

30 December 2008, Lake Durankulak, Bulgaria Two adult LWfG grazing on a cereal crop field near the northern part of the Durankulak lake (northeastern corner of Bulgaria). Source: Dimiter Georgiev.

28 December 2008, Lake Kerkini, Greece 43 Lesser White-fronts + 155 Greater White-fronts at Trigono. Source: Theodoros Nazaridis conveyed by Yannis Tsougrakis/LWfG Life project team.

28 December 2008, Evros Delta, Greece No LWfG present, but 400 Greater White-fronts and 1 Red-breasted Goose. Source: Eleni Makriyanni, conveyed by Yannis Tsougrakis/ LWfG Life project team.

18-23 December, Sachsen, Germany 2 adults. Source: Rare bird records from Germany 12/2008
Data from Club300 Germany www.club300.de.

19 December 2008, north of Ihrhove, Dollard, Germany 1 unringed LWfG mixed in flocks of White-froneted Geese. Source: Helmut Kruckenberg.

13 December 2008, Seewinkel/Neusiedler See, Austria 14ad LWfG observed! All of them unringed and despite intensive search no young bird. These figures are really interesting, since if you include the birds on the Hungarian side of the Neusiedler See, the area is meanwhile a recognisable site for LWfG (all of them probably of the western main population/European Russia – ringed birds have never been seen and the migration time is late compared to Fennoscandian birds). Source: Johannes Laber.

5-9 December 2008, Seewinkel/Neusiedler See, Austria 2-3 LWfG observed. Source: Johannes Laber.

6 & 7 December 2008, Saint Brieuc, Côtes d'Armor, France 2 adults observed flying (no rings). Source: Eric Briens & Michel Plestan.

6 December 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 13 LWfG (incl two families with 2 and 3 juv) present, all of them unringed. Source: Előd Szász & Ádám Tamás, conveyed by János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

30 November- 5 December, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany 1 adult. Source: Rare bird records from Germany 12/2008
Data from Club300 Germany www.club300.de.

4 December 2008, Lake Kerkini, Greece At least 40 Lesser White-fronts, 124 Greater White-fronts and 14 Greylags at Mandraki. Theodoros Nazaridis conveyed by Yannis Tsougrakis/LWfG Life project team.

27 November - 2 December 2008, Seewinkel/Neusiedler See, Austria 1 ad stayed, maybe same ind. as on 2-15/11. Source: Johannes Laber.

30 November 2008 Kaszyce, Dolny Slask, Poland 1 adult LWfG in a flock of Tundra Beans observed and photographed. Source: W. Lenkiewicz.

27 November 2008, Lake Kerkini, Greece 45 Lesser White-fronts, including 4 colour ringed individuals (the same individuals that were staging in Hortobágy, Hungary, earlier this autumn) and 4 juveniles (in one brood) at Mandraki. Theodoros Nazaridis and the LWfG Life project meeting team.

23 November 2008 Barycz River Valley, Ruda Milicka, Dolny Slask, Poland 1 juv. LWfG in a flock of Tundra Beans observed and photographed. Source: W. Lenkiewicz.

18 November 2008, near Oldendorp, Dollard, Germany 1 unringed LWfG mixed in flocks of White-froneted Geese. Source: Helmut Kruckenberg.

2-15 November 2008, Seewinkel/Neusiedler See, Austria 1 ad stayed in the area. Source: Johannes Laber.

11 November 2008, Jamnik, Dolny Slask, Poland 1 ad. observed & photographed. Source: T. Szymala, W. Lenkiewicz

10 November 2008, Lake Kerkini, Greece 34 Lesser White-fronts, 40 Greater White-fronts and 8 specifically unidentified birds in a flock of 82 geese present at the Strymonas River mouth. Theodoros Nazaridis conveyed by Yannis Tsougrakis/LWfG Life project team.

4 November 2008, Wolin, Pomorze Zachodnie, Poland 1 adult observed & photographed. Source: Z. Kajzer, conveyed by W. Lenkiewicz.

3 November 2008, Lake Kerkini, Greece 30-34 LWfG in a flock of 39 geese, found today. The first LWfG in Greece for this autumn. Theodoros Nazaridis conveyed by Yannis Tsougrakis/LWfG Life project team.

3 November 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary At least 7 LWfG observed in foggy conditions at the Kondas fishpond; one adult pair with 1 juv, one adult pair without juv, one single adult and one 2-cy bird, all of them unringed. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

2 November 2008, Pusztaszer, Csongrád, Hungary 5 LWfG (one adult pair with 2 juveniles + 1 single adult). A family with 2 juv has not been observed in Hortobágy this autumn. Source: Tamas Nagy conveyed by J ános Tar /LWfG Life project team.

1 November 2008, Radziadz, Dolny Slask, Poland 2 ad. observed & photographed. Source: W. Lenkiewicz.

1 November 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary 25 birds incl. 5 (4+1) juveniles and 2 ringed adults still present at the Kondas fishpond. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

28 October 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary A flock of 24 birds (4 juveniles, 2 colour ringed adults) at the Kondas fishpond. 9 adults birds (incl. 2 colour ringed individuals) of the flock of 33 that was present in Hortobágy from 27 September until 21 October have most likely left for migration. The staging sites at Lake Kerkini, Greece, were also surveyed today, but no LWfG (and only 2 Greater White-fronts) were observed. Source: János Tar; Maria Panayotopoulou, Theodoros Nazaridis/LWfG Life project team.

26 October 2008, Ruda Zmigrodzka, Dolny Slask, Poland 2 unringed adults. Source: observed and photographed by T.Drazny, A.Bujanowicz, W.Lenkiewicz.

25 October 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary 25 birds (incl. 4 juveniles) still present at the Kondas fishpond. The first thousands of Greater White-fronts have arrived in the area. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

23 October 2008, Nākotne, Zemgale, Latvia Single adult bird, staging together with Tundra Beans and White-fronts. It could possible be the same bird seen in the same area during spring 2008. Source: Observed by Hakon Kampe-Persson.

21 October 2008, Woniesc, Wielkopolska, Poland 1 adult seen. Source: observed and photographed by G.Orlowski, conveyed by Wieslaw Lenkiewicz.

21 October 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary The same flock of 33 birds still present, today observed at the Kondas fishpond. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

20 October 2008, Neolithteich/Köthen, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany Single adult LWfG among Tundra Beans and White-fronts; same bird like day before. Source: Observed and photographed by Jürgen Steudtner, conveyed by Thomas Heinicke.

19 October 2008, Neolithteich/Köthen, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany Single adult LWfG among Tundra Beans and White-fronts. Source: Observed by Ingolf Todte, conveyed by Thomas Heinicke.

18 October 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary The same flock of 33 birds (with the same four colour ringed individuals and four juv) still present, today observed at Dinnyés lapos. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

14 October 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary The same flock of 33 birds still present at the Kondas fishpond in the afternoon. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

13 October 2008, Lake Gülper See/Havelland, Brandenburg, Germany 2 adult LWfG (a pair) among Tundra Beans and White-fronts. Source: Observed by Thomas Heinicke.

13 October 2008, Kloostri, Lihula, Estonia 2 adult LWfG present. The first observation of LWfG in Estonia this autumn. Source: Johan Pettersson and Seppo Ekelund

8 October 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary The same flock of 33 birds still present, today observed at the Kondas fishpond. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

The Lesser White-fronted Goose with colour ring orange red (left leg) photographed on the Kondas fishpond, Hortobágy, Hungary in September 2008. © János Tar

2 October 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary The same flock of 33 LWfG (29 ad + 4 juv) present at Dinnyés Lapos in the morning. The same four colour rings read (see 29 September 2008). Source: János Tar, Zoltán Ecsedi & Petteri Tolvanen /LWfG Life project team.

29 September 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary The same flock of 33 LWfG present; 29 adults + 4 juveniles (possibly one brood). Four colour rings read: yellow right leg, red-white right leg, orange red left leg, black left leg. All these four colour rings were also read in August in the Inner Porsangen Fjord, Norway. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team

27 September 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary 33 LWfG present: the flock of 14 individuals in the morning at Dinnyés Lapos and later on Kondas + another new flock of 19 individuals found at the same time on Kondas. Source: János Tar and Zoltán Ecsedi /LWfG Life project team.

25 September 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary The same flock 14 LWfG still present at Dinnyés Lapos. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

24 September 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary The same flock 14 LWfG still present, in the morning at Dinnyés Lapos and later in the afternoon at Kondas. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

22 September 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, HungaryThe first LWfG for this autumn have arrived in Hortobágy: 9 unringed adults were observed at the Kondas fishpond in the morning. In the afternoon, 5 new birds arrived at Kondas fishpond (G.Tihanyi). Thus, the total amount of individuals was 14 individuals. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

4-14 September, Mesna river mouth, Kanin Peninsula, NW Russia Only 2-3 adult LWfG observed in a 10-day survey of this traditional autumn staging site of Fennoscandian LWfG. In a similar survey in August-September 1996, ca 80 LWfG (incl. two birds colour ringed in Finland) were observed in this area. The low number of LWfG this year was most likely due to flooding of the coastal "laida" meadows preferred by the LWfG. Source: T. Aarvak, R. Karvonen, P. Polojärvi & P. Tolvanen/LWfG Life project team.

13 September 2008, Inner Porsangen Fjord, Norway No LWfG found in a survey of the known sites. Source: Ingar J. Øien/LWfG Life project team.

24 August 2008, Oldereidneset, Porsanger, Norway 40 LWfG present: the flock of 26 individuals (19 ad + 7 juv) observed earlier, and another separate flock of 14 individuals (8 ad + one brood of 6 juv). Source: Ingar J. Øien & T. Aarvak/LWfG Life project team.

22 August 2008, Valdak Marshes, Porsanger, Norway 26 LWfG present; one more adult (2cy+) has joined the flock. Source: Ingar J. Øien & T. Aarvak/LWfG Life project team.

21 August 2008, Valdak Marshes, Porsanger, Norway 25 LWfG present in the evening; 18 adults (including the two colour ringed birds observed on 19 Aug) and 7 juveniles in two broods (3+4). Source: Ingar J. Øien & T. Aarvak/LWfG Life project team.

19 August 2008, Valdak Marshes, Porsanger, Norway Three adult LWfG present on the marshes in the evening, with 119 Greylags. Two of them (a pair?) with colour rings: the male Finn (ringed and satellite tracked in 2006) and a female with yellow leg ring (ringed in 2000, other colour ring lost). The autumn total so far 5 adults. Source: Petri Piisilä & Heikki Holmström/LWfG Life project team.

18 August 2008, Valdak Marshes, Porsanger, Norway The autumn monitoring at the traditional site was started today. In the evening, the first LWfG (an unringed adult pair without juveniles) were observed on the marshes, in flock with 89 Greylag Geese. Source: Petri Piisilä & Heikki Holmström/LWfG Life project team.

First half of June 2008, Finnmark, Norway Preliminary information on the survey of the core breeding area of the Fennoscandian LWfG: at least 12 pairs observed. The area covered by survey was roughly the same as covered in similar surveys in 2006 and 2007, when 10-11 pairs and ca 13 pairs, respectively, were found. Only one Red Fox was observed; during April 2008, 71 foxes were culled in the area by the Norwegian authorities for the protection of the LWfG. Source: Risto Karvonen/LWfG Life project team.

A LWfG at Høyholmen, Tana, 9-10 June. © Dr. Jari Peltomäki

9-10 June 2008, Høyholmen, Tana, Finnmark, Norway An unringed adult LWfG present; a rather tame and fearless individual, photographed from car at a distance of ca 40 m. Source: Dick Forsman.

9 June 2008, Valdak Marshes, Porsanger, Norway The total number of LWfG recorded at the Valdak Marshes this spring was only 25 individuals - the lowest spring total during the monitoring history! This is probably due to very late and cold spring and late greening of the coastal meadows. It is likely that part of the LWfG used this spring other, unknown feeding areas in northern Norway. In the last day of monitoring an adult female in very good body condition showed up at Valdak, indicating that it had used another feeding site nearby. Source: Ingar J. Øien & T. Aarvak/LWfG Life project team.

29 May 2008, Valdak Marshes, Porsanger, Norway 14 Lessers were observed at Valdak today, with a maximum of 16 birds seen yesterday. The total number seen so far is a bit uncertain, bit it is thought that at least 24 birds have been visiting the marshes so far. Source: Ingar J. Øien & T. Aarvak/LWfG Life project team.

21 May 2008, Valdak Marshes, Porsanger, Norway 12 Lessers observed at Valdak in the evening. These where three adult pairs including Finn & Niedia and 6 young birds. This brings the total for Valdak up in 20 individuals. Source: Ingar J. Øien & T. Aarvak/LWfG Life project team.

21 May 2008, Säärenperä, Siikajoki, Finland No lessers in Säärenperä! Source: Ari Leinonen/LWfG Life project team.

20 May 2008, Lahdenperä, Hailuoto, Finland One LWfG migrating north. The first LWfG observed in Hailuoto since many years. Until 1990's, Hailuoto was the main spring staging area of LWfG in Finland. Source: Juha Markkola/Lintutiedotus.

20 May 2008, Säärenperä, Siikajoki, Finland 7 ad LWfG and a wolf Canis lupus hunting them in Säärenperä! Source: Ari Leinonen/LWfG Life project team.

19 May 2008, Estonia 2 ad LWfG were staging on Käina coastal meadow in Hiiumaa Island at 7:40. The Lessers were together with 8 Greylag Geese, legs not visible. Source: Tarvo Valker and Leho Aaslaid, conveyed by Maire Toming/LWfG Life project team.

18 May 2008, Sirbma, Tana, Norway Two ad LWfG present in a flock of ca 650 other Anser geese. The flock was scared (apparently intentionally) away by a all-terrain vehicle driving on the fields. See also 16 May. Source: Harri Taavetti/ Lintutiedotus.

18 May 2008, Säärenperä, Siikajoki, Finland 9 ad LWfG in Säärenperä today, of which six arrived on 16th and three today. Total number observed in the area is now 24. Source: Aappo Luukkonen/LWfG Life project team.

17 May 2008, Uusikylä, Tohmajärvi, E Finland One ad LWfG in a flock of White-fronted Geese. Source: Observed by Petri Hottola, reported by Kimmo Järvinen/Lintutiedotus.

16 May 2008, Sirbma, Tana, Norway Four ad LWfG (two pairs) present in a lagre flock of other Anser geese. There's still lots of snow up in the fjells, and the geese are gathering in the valleys. Source: Petteri Polojärvi/LWfG Life project team.

15 May 2008, Mäntyluoto, Pori, SW Finland One LWfG migrating in a flock of Bean Geese. Source: Pekka Eriksson/Lintutiedotus.

15 May 2008, Valdak Marshes, Porsanger, Norway One new pair of LWfG was seen shortly at the marshes during mid day. The female had yellow colour ring on right leg. This female has also been seen in Finland and Estonia during the spring migration. Source: T. Aarvak/LWfG Life project team.

14 May 2008, Valdak Marshes, Porsanger, Norway Three pairs with lwfg was seen shortly at the marshes during mid day. Among them was Máddu that lost her partner due to poaching in Greece. She arrived with a new male! Source: Ingar J. Øien & T. Aarvak/LWfG Life project team.

13 May 2008, Estonia The goose counts in Estonia are now finished. Today the geese in the whole Matsalu and Silma areas were counted, on land and from air. The final results are not ready, but it`s obvious that almost all geese have left and only barnacles are still here, maybe ca 60 000 (around Matsalu Bay).

Lessers were searched for in Tahu in Sunday evening and today in the morning in Haeska and Tahu. No lessers were observed. They have probably left. Source: Maire Toming/LWfG Life project team.

10 May 2008, Silma Nature Reserve, Noarootsi, Estonia The same flock of 12 adult LWfG on the coastal meadow by the Tahu birdwatching tower. Source: observed by Tarvo Valker, conveyed by Maire Toming /LWfG Life project team .

10 May 2008, Säärenperä, Siikajoki, Finland By today has three flocks with 5 birds in each been seen (all adults). The first flock arrived (probably) on April 27th, and this left on 29th April. The next flock was present from May 2nd untill May 8th. The newest ( probably a new one) flock was found today and thus bringing the total spring sum for the Finnish Bothnian Bay coast to 15 individuals. Source: Aappo Luukkonen/LWfG Life project team.

Finn & Nieida (to the right) in the fields at Silma nature reserve © Aivar Veide

9 May 2008, Silma Nature Reserve, Noarootsi, Estonia The same flock of 12 adult LWfG on the coastal meadow by the Tahu birdwatching tower. Two of them colour ringed: the pair Finn & Nieida, that were satellite tracked in 2006-2007. Source: Aivar Veide.

8 May 2008, Silma Nature Reserve, Noarootsi, Estonia A flock of 6 adult LWfG on the coastal meadow by the Tahu birdwatching tower. One of them colour ringed (but the ring code could not be properly read). Most likely part of the same flock that was observed the day before on Pürksi fields, ca 4 km north-west of Tahu. Source: Jyrki Pynnönen & Jarmo Ahveninen/LWfG Life project team.

7 May 2008, Pürksi, Noarootsi, Estonia

Lesser White-fronted geese & a bean goose in Noarootsi on Pürksi field © Aivar Veide

Four adult Lesser White-fronted Geese (in the font), White-fronted Geese (on the background) & Bean Geese on Pürksi fields, Noarootsi, Estonia © Aivar Veide, 7 May 2008

A flock of 12 LWfG was found in the morning on the fields west of the large cowshed (Pürksi suurfarm), ca 1 km north of the Pürksi village. The area has been surveyed regularly in the period 1-6 May without observations of LWfG. No information yet about possible rings or age of the birds, but all these 12 individuals are evidently new (based on that the flock of 5 adults with the yellow ringed bird has been present on the the Finnish Bothnian Bay coast at least since 4 May). Thus the spring total in Estonia so far is 23 individuals. Source: Aivar Veide and Tarvo Valker by way of Jyrki Pynnönen/LWfG Life project team.

2-8 May 2008, Säärenperä, Siikajoki, Finland A flock of 5 ad LWfG present (but not observed on 5 May). The individual with yellow ring on right leg (see Estonia 22-24 April) has been present at least since 4 May. This confirms that the flockof 5 ind. at Säärenperä on 29 April were different individuals (the flock of 5 ind. with the yellow ringed bird was present in Estonia until 30 April), and thus the total spring sum for the Finnish Bothnian Bay coast so far is 10 individuals. Source: Ari Leinonen and Aappo Luukkonen/LWfG Life project team.

30 April 2008, Pürksi, Noarootsi, Estonia A flock of 5 LWfG again present in the morning on the Pürksi fields. The area was surveyed daily on 27-29 April without observations of LWfG. Source: Renno Nellis & Aivar Veide by way of Maire Toming/LWfG Life project team.

30 April 2008, Skippagurra, Tana, Finnmark, Norway One LWfG observed with two Bean Geese. Exceptionally early spring observation this far north. Source: Sauli Koski.

29 April 2008, Säärenperä, Siikajoki, Finland A flock of 5 LWfG observed shortly. No information about age or possible rings. Source: Eino Mikkonen via Aappo Luukkonen/LWfG Life project team.

22-24 April 2008, Silma Nature Reserve, Noarootsi, Estonia The same flock of 5 LWfG still present, observed at the Tahu coastal meadow and on the Pürksi fields. One of them colour ringed (yellow right leg, metal left leg). This suggests that this may not be the same flock that was observed at Haeska on 16 April (see below) as initially thought. Source: Renno Nellis & Aivar Veide by way of Maire Toming; Jyrki Pynnönen & Risto Karvonen/LWfG Life project team.

One adult LWfG (in the background) together with WfG in Nemunas Delta, Lithuania, 19 April 2008. © Petteri Tolvanen

20 April 2008, Silma Nature Reserve, Noarootsi, Estonia A flock of 5 LWfG present in the evening on the coastal meadow by the Tahu birdwatching tower. The coastal meadow in front of the tower is part of the Silma Nature Reserve and access to the meadow is strictly prohibited. Source: Heikki Holmström/LWfG Life project team.

19 April 2008, Nemunas Delta, Klaipėda County, Lithuania An unringed adult LWfG in a large flock of White-fronted Geese on the floodplains ca 2 km southwest of the Šilutė town. Total number of the White-fronted Geese in the delta area was ca 25.000. Source: Riikka Kaartinen, Krister Castren & Petteri Tolvanen/LWfG Life project team.

16 April 2008, Haeska, Ridala, Estonia The first LWfG have already arrived at the traditional site in Haeska; a flock of 5 individuals was found by Aivar Veide in the afternoon. Apparently the same birds (five unringed adults foraging on the Haeska coastal meadow, and eventually disturbed by a White-tailed Eagle) were also reported by Miranda Klaij & Trinus Haitjema. A possible voice observation by Miranda Klaij & Trinus Haitjema the day before could have been the same birds. Source: Maire Toming/LWfG Life project team; Trinus Haitjema.

16 April 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary No LWfG observed in survey this morning. The Fennoscandian flock has most likely left for migration. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

15 April 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary Only 9 LWfG present this morning at Kondas. It seems likely that the main part of the flock has left for migration. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

13 April 2008, Tahkuranna, Pärnumaa, Estonia One unringed adult LWfG in a flock of White-fronted Geese. The first LWfG in Estonia this spring. Source: Lintutiedotus.

11 April 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary 49 LWfG present: flock of 48 LWfG at Rokas + the same 2cy bird (see 8 April) in a flock of the Greater White-fronts. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

8 April 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary 50 LWfG present: the flock of 49 LWfG at the Kondas fishpond and at Ludas-rét + one more 2cy bird in a flock of the Greater White-fronts. It has not been possible to observe and read the leg ring codes recently, because the LWfG have been very shy this spring, and at the feeding site at Ludas-rét high grass prevents observing the legs. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

2 April 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary Flock of 49 LWfG at the Kondas fishpond. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

31 March 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary Flock of 49 LWfG at Ludas-rét. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

28 March 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary Flock of 49 LWfG at the Kondas fishpond; in late afternoon they moved to Ludas-rét. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

25 March 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary Flock of 46 LWfG at the Kondas fishpond. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

21 March 2008, Nākotne, Zemgale, Latvia. Single adult bird, staging together with 51 Tundra Beans and 2 White-fronts. Source: Observed by Hakon Kampe-Persson.

20 March 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary The flock from Evros is already present in Hortobágy! A flock of 46 LWfG was observed on the Kondas fishpond and another 2 together with White-fronted geese: i.e. 48 individuals in total. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

18 March 2008, Elbe lowlands near Mödlich/Prignitz, Brandenburg, Germany Single adult bird (unringed) among Tundra Beans and a few White-fronts. Source: Observed by Thomas Heinicke.

17 March 2008, Greece The main flock of the LWfG has left the Evros Delta; no LWfG were observed in a survey this morning. Also the staging sites at Lake Kerkini were checked today and no LWfG were observed there, either. The spring migration has started! Source: Eleni Makriyanni and Thodoros Naziridis/ LWfG Life project team.

15 March 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila /www.birding.hu.

14 March 2008, Pusztaszer, Csongrád, Hungary 5 Lwfg. Source: Nagy Tamás /www.birding.hu.

14 March 2008, Kardoskút, Békés, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Ecsedi Zoltán, Tar János, Nagy Gyula /www.birding.hu.

14 March 2008, Evros Delta, Greece 54 LWfG still present, behaving restless. Source: Eleni Makriyanni / LWfG Life project team.

12 March 2008, Evros Delta, Greece The flock of 52 LWfG still present. Normally the main flock of LWfG has already left the Evros Delta area by this date. Source: Eleni Makriyanni / LWfG Life project team.

12 March 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 3 Lwfg. Source: Tamás Ádám, Pellinger Attila /www.birding.hu.

10 March 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila /www.birding.hu.

9 March 2008, Nagyiván, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Dr. Kovács Gábor /www.birding.hu.

8 March 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 3 Lwfg. Source: Kárász Balázs, Szász Előd, Tamás Ádám /www.birding.hu.

8 March 2008, near Guttau/Niederschlesischer Oberlausitzkreis, Saxony, Germany, Single adult bird (unringed) photographed. Source: Observed by Steve Klasan, conveyed by Thomas Heinicke.

7 March 2008, Evros Delta, Greece Very strong winds made observations difficult, but even then Finn, Nieida and their 4 juveniles, plus another adult pair (not known if they were ringed or not) with 4 juveniles were seen. Source: Eleni Makriyanni / LWfG Life project team.

7 March 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 3 Lwfg. Source: Tamás Ádám www.birding.hu.

7 March 2008, Pusztaszer, Csongrád, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Nagy Tamás /www.birding.hu.

6 March 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila /www.birding.hu.

6 February until 16 March 2008, near Eschefeld/Leipziger Land, Saxony, Germany Single second calendar-year LWfG (unringed) among Tundra Beans and White-fronts. Source: Observed by Rainer Steinbach, Steffen Wolf, Jürgen Steudtner and others, conveyed by Thomas Heinicke.

4 March 2008, Evros Delta, Greece 54 LWfG present: the same 52 ind. (present since 27 February) plus one adult unringed pair in another group of WfG. Highest count of LWfG in Greece this winter, at least so far. Source: Eleni Makriyanni / LWfG Life project team.

4 March 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 4 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila, Szász Előd, Tamás Ádám /www.birding.hu.

3 March 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary 1 adult LWfG at Kis-kecskés. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

3 March 2008, Sarród, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 3 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila, Vadász Csaba, Bíró... /www.birding.hu.

3 March 2008, Pusztaszer, Csongrád, Hungary 3 Lwfg. Source: Nagy Tamás /www.birding.hu.

2 March 2008, Kunhegyes, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Monoki Ákos, Kiss Ádám /www.birding.hu.

29 February 2008, Tömörkény, Csongrád, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Nagy Tamás /www.birding.hu.

29 February 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 3 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila /www.birding.hu.

28 February 2008, Pusztaszer, Csongrád, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Nagy Tamás /www.birding.hu.

28 February 2008, Lake Kerkini + Evros Delta, Greece Lately the LWfG in Greece has consisted of a stable number of 20 individuals at Kerkini and 24 at Evros. Thodoros Naziridis did not see them at Kerkini during the previous week despite frequent checks and good weather conditions. Didier Vangeluwe was at the Evros Delta and on Monday 25/2 and he saw 30-33 birds at Dimitriadis. No rings were read due to the distance and vegetation. Yesterday 27/2 he counted 52 individuals, and today Eleni Makriyanni also counted 52 individuals and read the rings of Finn and Nieida. It now seems obvious that the birds gather at Evros before their departure to the north. This gathering includes the birds known that were wintering in Greece, but also other birds wintering at other unknown site(s) in Greece or elsewhere. Source: Thodoros Naziridis, Eleni Makriyanni, Didier Vangeluwe, conveyed by Yannis Tsougrakis / LWfG Life project team.

26 February 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary 5 LWfG present: 1 adult at Kis-kecskés (inside the Hortobágy National Park) and 4 adults at Paprét fields (outside of the Hortobágy National Park, ca 1 km south of the Viragoskut fishpond). Altogether, more than 100.000 geese (incl. 58 Red-breasted Geese) present in the Hortobágy area. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

26 February 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Mogyorósi Sándor /www.birding.hu.

24 February 2008, Balatonlelle, Somogy, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Pálinkás A., Főnyedi E., Kovács Gy.,... /www.birding.hu.

24 February 2008, Raczyce, Wielkopolska, Poland 1 ad. Lwfg. Source: Observed by R. Kaczmarek best, Wieslaw Lenkiewicz.

23 February 2008, Sroda Wielkopolska, Wielkopolska, Poland 1 ad. Lwfg. Source: Observed by P. Wylegala, conveyed by Wieslaw Lenkiewicz.

11, 12, 15, 21, and 22 February, 2008, Osiek, Dolny Slask, Poland 1 ad. lwfg (2-3 different individuals). Source: Wieslaw Lenkiewicz.

23 February 2008, Geszt, Békés, Hungary 4 Lwfg. Source: Horváth Gábor, Mazula András, Porkoláb... /www.birding.hu.

22 February 2008, Biharugra, Békés, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Durkó Lajos, Hegyesi Attila /www.birding.hu.

22 February 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila /www.birding.hu.

21 February 2008, Pusztaszer, Csongrád, Hungary 4 Lwfg. Source: Nagy Tamás /www.birding.hu.

20 February 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Benei Zsolt, Dr. Hans Steiner /www.birding.hu.

20 February 2008, Soponya, Fejér, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Pahola Virág /www.birding.hu.

20 February 2008, Pusztaszer, Csongrád, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Nagy Tamás /www.birding.hu.

20 February 2008, Seewinkel/Neusiedler See, Austria 4 ad observed. Source: Observed by A.Ranner, conveyed by Johannes Laber.

19 February 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila /www.birding.hu.

17 February 2008, Zsadány, Békés, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Simay Gábor /www.birding.hu.

17 February 2008, Dinnyés, Fejér, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Takács Ádám (Kistaki),Szél László,Kiss... /www.birding.hu.

17 February 2008, Seewinkel/Neusiedler See, Austria 1 ad observed. Source: Observed by Johann Frießer, Sebastian Zinko, Christoph Neger, David Petutschnig, Ernst Albegger, Johann Bartas, Matthias Weißensteiner, Peter Frießer, conveyed by Johannes Laber.

16 February 2008, Seewinkel/Neusiedler See, Austria 1 ad + 1 juv. observed. Source: Johannes Laber.

16 February 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Sebastian Zinko /www.birding.hu.

15 February 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila /www.birding.hu.

15 February 2008, Slonsk, Lubuskie, Poland 1 ad. Lwfg. Source: Observed by Z. Kajzer, conveyed by Wieslaw Lenkiewicz.

15 February 2008, Evros Delta, Greece The same 24 LWfG are still present. Source: Eleni Makriyanni / LWfG Life project team.

14 February 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila /www.birding.hu.

13 February 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Tamás Ádám /www.birding.hu.

10 February 2008, Geszt, Békés, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Horváth G., Molnár Sz., Parkoláb M.,... /www.birding.hu.

10 February 2008, Lake Kerkini + Evros Delta, Greece The same 20 LWfG are still present at Trigono, Lake Kerkini, incl. one juvenile and two colour ringed birds. In the Evros delta have strong winds precluded any observations. Source: Thodoros Naziridis & Eleni Makriyanni, conveyed by Yannis Tsougrakis / LWfG Life project team.

9 February 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary 1 LWfG at Dinnyés-lapos.. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

9 February 2008, Geszt, Békés, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Balla Dániel, Horváth Gábor /www.birding.hu.

8 February 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 4 Lwfg. Source: Tamás Ádám /www.birding.hu.

8 February 2008, Pusztaszer, Csongrád, Hungary 3 Lwfg. Source: Nagy Tamás /www.birding.hu.

6 February 2008, near Eschefeld/Leipziger Land, Saxony, Germany Single second calendar-year LWfG (unringed) among Tundra Beans and White-fronts. Source: Observed by Rainer Steinbach, conveyed by Thomas Heinicke.

6 February 2008, near Neureetz/Märkisch-Oderland, Brandenburg, Germany Single adult LWfG among Tundra Beans, White-fronts and 1 Red-breasted Goose. Source: Observed by Martin Fiddicke, conveyed by Thomas Heinicke.

5 February 2008, Geszt, Békés, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Horváth Gábor /www.birding.hu.

4 February 2008, Isola della Cona, Gorizia, Italy A single LWfg hasbeen present since 29 January. Source: EBN Italy», conveyed by Trinus Haitjema. See pictures of the bird at http://www.ebnitalia.it/gallery/oca_lomi.htm »

3 February 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Horváth Gábor, Tamás Ádám /www.birding.hu.

3 February 2008, Seewinkel/Neusiedler See, Austria 2 ad observed. Source: Johannes Laber.

31 January 2008, near Rühstädt/Prignitz, Brandenburg, Germany Single adult male LWfG (unringed) among Tundra Beans and White-fronts. Source: Observed by Thomas Heinicke.

30 January 2008, Evros Delta, Greece 24 LWfG counted this morning: Finn & Nieida with 4 juveniles, two more adult pairs with 4 juveniles each (one of the adults with yellow ring right leg) + 6 unringed adult birds without juveniles. Source: Eleni Makriyanni / LWfG Life project team.

29 January 2008, Tiszacsege, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Szilágyi Attila (Fiteti) /www.birding.hu.

27 January 2008, Wlodarka, Pomorze Zachodnie, Poland 1ad lwfg observed. Source: Z. Kajzer, S.
Guentzel, L. Lawicki, conveyed by Wieslaw Lenkiewicz.

26 January 2008, Dobroslawice, Barycz River Valley, Dolny Slask, Poland 1 imm (the same 2cy as on 19.01.) and 1 ad lwfg observed. Source: Wieslaw Lenkiewicz.

26 January 2008, Hortobágy, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary 6 LWfG present: 2 adults + 2 juveniles at Cserepes, and 2 more adults at Vokonya. Source: János Tar /LWfG Life project team.

26 January 2008, Evros Delta, Greece At least 24-27 LWfG, possibly more (still difficult observation conditions) at Paloukia, including the 2006-2007 satellite tracking pair Finn and Nieida (colour rings read). Source: Maria Panayotopoulou, conveyed by Yannis Tsougrakis/ LWfG Life project team.

26 January 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Árvai Gábor, ifj. Vasuta Gábor,Kocsis... /www.birding.hu.

25 January 2008, Pusztaszer, Csongrád, Hungary 3 Lwfg. Source: Nagy Tamás /www.birding.hu.

25 January 2008, Evros Delta, Greece Probably ca 24 LWfG present. The LWfG have used feeding sites where they are very difficult to observe and count this winter. Source: Eleni Makriyanni, conveyed by Yannis Tsougrakis/ LWfG Life project team.

25 January 2008, Lake Kerkini, Greece 20 LWfG still present at Trigono, incl. one juvenile and two colour ringed birds. It is exceptional, that this many individuals linger at Lake Kerkini in the middle of the winter; normally the whole Fennoscandian flock is in the Evros Delta area this time of year. Source: Thodoros Naziridis, conveyed by Yannis Tsougrakis / LWfG Life project team.

24 January 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 3 Lwfg. Source: Szőke Gábor, Juhász Imre, Novák Gábor,... /www.birding.hu.

23 January 2008, near Parstein/Barnim, Brandenburg, Germany Single adult LWfG (unringed) among Tundra Beans and White-fronts. Probably the same bird was seen a few days before in the Odra polder near Lunow/Barnim, Brandenburg. Source: Observed by Simone Müller, conveyed by Thomas Heinicke.

23 January 2008, Plawidla, Lubuskie, Poland 1 ad. observed. Source: Observed by S. Rubacha, conveyed by Wieslaw Lenkiewicz.

21 January 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Dr. Richard Kvetko, Ján Dobsovic, Szász... /www.birding.hu.

21 January 2008, Nagyhegyes, Hajdú-Bihar, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Szilágyi Attila (Fiteti) /www.birding.hu.

21 January 2008, Geszt, Békés, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Horváth Gábor /www.birding.hu.

20 January 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila, Verseczki Niki, Pintér... /www.birding.hu.

19 January 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Mészáros József (Becher),Pánya Csaba /www.birding.hu.

19 January 2008, Kliszkowice, Barycz River Valley, Dolny Slask, Poland 1 imm 2cy in a flock of Tundras ( probably returning juv from October). Source: Wieslaw Lenkiewicz.

19 January 2008, Bieganow, Lubuskie, Poland 1 ad. lwfg observed . Source: P. Czechowski, conveyed by Wieslaw Lenkiewicz.

18 January 2008, Fertőújlak, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila /www.birding.hu.

16 January 2008, Sarród, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila /www.birding.hu.

13 January 2008, Geszt, Békés, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Vasas András /www.birding.hu.

12 January 2008, Geszt, Békés, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Horváth Gábor, Simay Gábor, Mazula... /www.birding.hu.

7 January 2008, Fertőendréd, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Pellinger Attila, Tamás Ádám /www.birding.hu.

6 January 2008, Naszály, Komárom-Esztergom, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Musicz László /www.birding.hu.

6 January 2008, Lake Kerkini, Greece 8-10 LWfG present (incl. a pair with one juvenile + the two colour ringed birds Black Red left leg and Red White right leg) at the mouth of Strymonas River. Source: Maria Panayotopoulou / LWfG Life project team.

4 January 2008, Evros Delta, Greece Only 2 unringed adult LWfG observed among groups of 2500 White-fronted Geese. Source: Eleni Makriyanni / LWfG Life project team.

2 January 2008, Fertőd, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary 2 Lwfg. Source: Damien & Petra COHEZ /www.birding.hu.

1 January 2008, Zalaszentmihály, Zala, Hungary 1 Lwfg. Source: Németh-Bóka Lajos /www.birding.hu.