Portal to the Lesser White-fronted Goose

- by the Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose project

Literature type: General

Journal: Linnut-vuosikirja

Volume: 2021 , Pages: 24-31

Language: Finnish in Finnish with English summary

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Full reference: Tolvanen, P., Karvonen R., Aarvak T, Øien I.J., Kaartinen, R., Lampila P. & Mikander, N. 2022. Kolmenumeroisiin yksilömääriin – kiljuhanhen suojelu 2015–2021. [Conservation of the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus in 2015-2021.], Linnut-vuosikirja: 2021, 24-31

Keywords: Finland, trend, numbers, conservation, gsm-telemetry, migration routes

Abstract:

The critically endangered Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus population is currently estimated to number roughly 100 individuals. Following a dramatic long-term decline to only some 10 breeding pairs in 2007–2008, the population has since slowly been increasing. The spring staging of the population on the Finnish Bothnian Bay coast has been monitored by the WWF Finland Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project since 1985. In spring 2017, 124 individuals were counted, which was the highest number during the history of the monitoring. The Bothnian Bay coast was historically also an important autumn staging area and since 2020, the geese have again been staging in the area also during autumn migration. Breeding of the species has not been recorded in Finland since 1995, but the likelihood of locating breeding pairs again in Finnish Lapland is considered to be increasing, as the Norwegian breeding population is growing. As a part of the current international Lesser White-fronted Goose EU LIFE project (wwf.fi/lwfg), environmental DNA is being used to map potential breeding sites in Finland.

Literature type: Scientific

Journal: Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

Volume: 5 , Pages: 1062-1066

Language: English

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Full reference: Mammadov, A. 2017. Survey of lesser white-fronted goose Anser erythropus in Nakhchivan of Azerbaijan during 20-24 January 2015. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 5: 1062-1066

Keywords: Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan, wintering, Aras reservoir

Abstract:

A field survey of the Aras water reservoir within Nakhchivan Autonomic Republic and the adjoining flood-plain area of the Aras River valley within Sadarak district near the border of Iran and Turkey was carried out i 20-24 January 2015. Only four small flocks of Lesser White-fronted Geese were located, of which the biggest being 80 individuals. However, these observations together with tracking and location data on satellite transmitter tagged birds proves that at least for the LWfG the whole area of the Aras River valley from the border of Turkey to the Aras reservoir dam serves as a wintering ground. Considering their high significance, the wetlands of the Aras reservoir and Sadarak district should be assigned the status of highly protected area. The survey also covered the numbers and distribution of other water bird species in the area. Within Azerbaijan part, more than 25000 waterfowl and shorebirds winters, which qualifies this important area to the list of important RAMSAR wetlands.

Literature type: Report

Language: English

Full reference: Bragin, E. 2017. Technical report on the project "safe flyways: monitoring threatened waterbirds along Central Asian site network" supported by CMS Small Grant Program. , NGO Naurzum, report 25 pp.

Keywords: Kazakhstan, counts, 2015, Kustanay

Literature type: Report

Language: English

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Full reference: Morozov, V.V., Øien, I.J. & Aarvak, T. 2016. Monitoring and satellite tracking of Lesser White-fronted Geese from the Russian European tundra in Russia in 2015. , NOF-BirdLife Norway - Report 2-2016. 13pp.

Keywords: Polar Urals, Bolshezemelskaya Tundra, Bolshaya Rogovaya River, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, production

Abstract:

Fieldwork was carried out between 6th June and 10th August 2015 at the western macro-slope of the Polar Urals and the eastern Bolshezemelskaya Tundra, Russia. In the Bolshaya Rogovaya River basin area, only one LWfG pair with five juveniles was located. However, the numbers of Bean Geese were high, with 92 adults and at least 58 juveniles in the same area. In the Polar Urals, Lesser White-fronted Geese were found on the rivers or watershed lakes in June, but repeated observations carried out in July and early August did not confirm the presence of LWfG, but also here many broods of Bean Goose were observed. Altogether, three broods of LWfG were found in one flock. One adult male was caught by a hoop net during fieldwork and equipped with a solar powered GPS satellite transmitter. This male LWfG migrated southwards along the Ob river valley, through Kazakhstan, but instead of crossing over to the western side of the Caspian Sea as expected, he was tracked to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. This is the first time that a Lesser White-fronted Goose has been tracked to this probably very important wintering area which is situated in the border area between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. By 7th January 2016 the bird was still alive and with a functioning transmitter.

Literature type: Report

Language: English

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Full reference: Morozov, V.V, Sultanov, E. & Mammadov, A. 2016. Survey of Lesser White-fronted Geese in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan, in January 2015. , NOF-BirdLife Norway - Report 3-2016. 12pp.

Keywords: Occurrence, survey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Nakhchivan, wintering

Abstract:

We carried out a field survey of wintering Lesser White-fronted Geese in the Aras water reservoir in the Nakhchivan Autonomic Republic in the period 20th-24th January 2015. We also surveyed the adjoining flood-plain area of the Aras River valley within Sadarak district near the border of Iran and Turkey in the same period. Only four small flocks of Lesser White-fronted Geese were located, of which the largest being 80 individuals. These observations together with tracking and location data from satellite transmitter tagged birds proves that the whole area of the Aras River valley from the border of Turkey to the Aras reservoir dam, serves as a wintering ground for the species. Considering their high importance, the wetlands of the Aras reservoir and the Sadarak district should be designated as a strictly protected area.The survey also covered numbers and distribution of other waterbird species in the area. Within the Azerbaijan part, more than 25000 individuals of waterfowl and shorebirds overwinter, which qualifies this important area to the list of important RAMSAR wetlands.

Literature type: General

Journal: Linnut-vuosikirja

Volume: 2014 , Pages: 4-17.

Language: Finnish (In Finnish with English summary)

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Full reference: Tolvanen, P. Markkola, J., Nieminen, P., Kaartinen, R., Øien, I.J., Toming, M., Pynnönen, J., Eskelin, T., Pessa, J. & Mikander, N. 2015. Toivoa ilmassa. 30 vuotta suomalaista kiljuhanhen suojelutyötä. [30 years of Finnish conservation work for the Lesser White-fronted Goose], Linnut-vuosikirja: 2014, 4-17.

Literature type: Book

Language: English

Full reference: Reeber, S. 2015. Wildfowl of Europe, Asia and North America. , Christopher Helm, London

Keywords: Occurrence, status, biology, population

Literature type: Report

Language: English

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Full reference: Morozov, V.V., Aarvak, T. & Øien, I.J. 2015. Satellite tracking of Lesser White-fronted Geese from the East-European tundra in Russia in 2014. , Norsk Ornitologisk Forening - Report 1-2015. 14 pp.

Keywords: satellite transmitter tracking, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, breeding survey

Literature type: Book Chpt

Language: English

Full reference: Mikander, N. 2015. Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus). An elusive traveller. , UNEP/AEWA Secretariat 2015.Stories from the flyway. Bonn, Germany. 184pp.

Keywords: photos, photo book, conservation evidenece

Literature type: Thesis

Language: English

Full reference: Mandila, J.M. 2015. Problems of translocation: case study Lesser White-fronted Goose. , B.Sc. Thesis. Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Freiburg, Germany.

Keywords: reintroduction, evaluation, translocation, thesis, Germany, Sweden

Abstract:

In order to prevent extinction of the endangered Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose (LWfG) population, several translocation attempts have been conducted since 1981. Reintroductions prior to 2010 were based on captive birds. By altering the species migration route, the birds were led from former breeding grounds of the Fennoscandian population to safer wintering grounds in Western Europe. The subsequent detection of introgression from other goose genes among the source population led to further releases being put on hold. However, hybridization may be a natural phenomena among LWfG, although research supporting such a view is scarce and the data used questionable, probably relying on samples from escapees. Furthermore, reintroduction by means of using a non traditional route has been criticised due to the change in habitat selection and feeding behaviour of the released population. More recently, releases have been carried out with pure bred LWfG using the traditional route to Western Europe. Although this supports the view that the migration route used is an earlier traditional one which got lost as a result of the decline in the Fennoscandian population, analysis of the supporting data shows that the evidence is too scarce to make such an assumption. Since reintroduction is threatening the wild LWfG genetically and ecologically due to the adoption of genetic traits and behaviour caused by inter-breeding with the released population, the restricted resources of suitable birds should be kept for possible future supplementation of the Fennoscandian population in accordance with the IUCN Guidelines. Furthermore, in order to maintain the wild population and lead to its recovery to a favourable conservation status, efforts should concentrate on the reduction of threats along the traditional migration route and the restoration of its natural habitats.

Number of results: 15