Species no. 1: Mute Swan Cygnus olor€¦ · residents. 2,3 SK Mixing of wintering and migrating...

Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 31 *

Species no. 1: Mute Swan Cygnus olor Distribution: The Mute Swan breeds in the temperate regions of Europe and Asia. It has been introduced in many European countries and in most cases it is not possible to distinguish between these feral and wild birds. It has also been introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Movements: A large part of the European breeding population is sedentary (e.g. that of the British Isles and the Netherlands), or dispersive at most. The breeding population of North- and East-central Europe and Asia is entirely migratory. Large numbers winter in the Baltic area of Denmark and Germany and in the north of the Black Sea. There is a considerable moult migration in summer, starting from June onwards. Population size and trends: The European breeding population holds 86,000-120,000 pairs and is increasing (BirdLife Int. 2004A). 70,000-90,000 pairs breed in EU27 (BirdLife Int. 2004A, 2004B). Within Europe three main wintering populations can be distinguished (Delany & Scott 2006):

• The British/Irish breeding population, together holding almost 41,700 individuals,

• The North-west/Central European breeding population, holding 250,000 individuals,

• The Black Sea/South-east Europe breeding population, holding 45,000 individuals.

These populations may be split up further, but there is some exchange between them, depending, among others, on the severity of the winter. Biological and behavioural aspects: The clutch size is usually 5-8 eggs; incubation 35-41 days; full flight of young birds at 120-150 days. Some broods accompany parents to wintering area; brood: 1.



Movements

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

MIGRANT Member State RESIDENT Breeding Passage Wintering

FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR



Definition of period of reproduction


Member State Period of reproduction begins with

Comments References

FI Occupation of breeding sites

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

SE Occupation of breeding sites

10, 11

EE Construction of nest LV LT Occupation of breeding

sites 3,5,6,7

PL Occupation of breeding sites

2,3

SK Construction of nest 1,2 CZ Construction of nest DK Construction of the nest UK Construction of the nest 2 IE Construction of the nest 1, 4, 6 DE Occupation of breeding

sites Nuptial parade occurs up to 7 months before occupation of breeding sites

4, 11

NL Construction of the nest Long-term monogamy 28 BE Construction of the nest 3 LU HU Construction of the nest AT Occupation of breeding

sites Paired for several years; long family bond until winter

1, 2

SI Construction of the nest FR 17 ES PT IT Construction of the nest 2, 14, 16, 26,

27, 28 MT GR CY RO 1 BG Construction of the nest 6 HR Construction of the nest 15



Period of reproduction


J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions 1) The reproduction period starts with the occupation of the breeding sites where it is

mainly migratory (FI, SE) and with the construction of the nest in other situations. The reproduction period ends with the full flight of young birds, despite long family bonds.

2) The end of the reproduction period ranges from the 1st decade of August (EE) to the 2nd decade of November (CZ and UK). The longest reproduction periods occur where the populations are nearly or entirely resident (CZ, UK, IE, DE).



Prenuptial migration


Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds?

Member State

YES NO References

FI Partial migrant in the southern and south-western coastal and archipelago areas

1, 2, 3, 4

SE X1 1, 10, 11 EE Mixing of wintering and migrating birds LV Mixing of migrants and non-breeders LT Mixing of wintering, migrating birds as well as

non breeding individuals. Breeding population is mainly resident but some move away, wintering birds form northern countries also occur.

5,7

PL Increasing number of wintering birds and residents.

2,3

SK Mixing of wintering and migrating birds CZ Mixing of wintering, migrat. and breeding

birds. Most breeding birds sedentary.

DK Mainly sedentary2. Additional birds from Baltic. 5 UK Little or no migrants 1 IE DE X 4, 12 NL Occurrence of 'Danish' birds during hard

winters

BE Mixing of wintering birds & breeders 3 LU HU Mixing of wintering and migrating birds,

breeding population is mainly resident but some move away, wintering birds from northern countries also exist.

AT Mixing of wintering birds & breeders 3 SI Mixing of wintering birds & breeders FR ES PT IT Mixing of small wintering population with local

residents 2, 14, 16, 26, 27,

28 MT GR CY RO 1 BG X 15, 19 HR Partially sedentary. Mixing of wintering and

breeding birds. 12, 15

1 Must be difficult if breeding birds are migratory and Finnish birds winter in Swedish waters. 2 Ringed birds have been recorded from Dutch waters in winter.



Period of prenuptial migration


J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT FR SI ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions 1) Departure from wintering grounds or arrival of first migrants (FI, SE) marks the

beginning of the prenuptial migration. The mixing of local residents with wintering migratory birds in Central and Eastern Europe makes it difficult to identify of the migration start.

2) Beginning of prenuptial migration ranges from the 1st decade of February (BG, SI) to the 1st decade of March (FI, IT, EE).



Species no. 2: Bean Goose Anser fabalis fabalis and A. f. serrirostris (formerly A. f. rossicus) Distribution: Palearctic, breeding widely across northern Eurasia and wintering in southern Europe, Central Asia east to China and Japan. Two subspecies occur in the European Union:

A. f. fabalis which breeds in the taiga zone in northern Fennoscandia eastwards through northern Russia and western Siberia and winters mainly in Sweden, but also around the Baltic Sea (Poland, eastern Germany), and in low numbers further south. During severe winters the geese move further south(west). A. f. serrirostris breeds in the tundra zone of Northern Siberia and winters mainly in western and Central Europe, occasionally reaching Morocco and Algeria.

Movements: Birds from the Fennoscandia breeding population spend the winter mainly in southern Sweden and North-east Denmark. At the onset of cold weather they move further south(west). Bean Geese breeding in western Siberia winters mainly along the Baltic coast in eastern Germany; during severe weather, these birds also move west, to western Germany and The Netherlands. Peak numbers of A. f. fabalis occur at the staging areas in Sweden between October and March and at the winter quarters in southern Sweden and Denmark in January and February. Anser .f. serrirostris migrates south of the Baltic Sea to staging areas in eastern Germany and Poland, from which one group moves on the wintering areas in The Netherlands, western Germany and, rarely, France. Another group migrates to the Central European floodplains of Hungary, Czech and Slovak Republics and Austria. Anser f. serrirostris begins the autumn migration during the first half of September and the birds arrive on their winter quarter in Poland, Germany and The Netherlands in November and December. Birds begin to leave the Netherlands as early as February, returning to Germany and Poland and also reaching Central Europe. There is a rapid departure from these areas in March. Population size and trends: The North-west European population (fabalis) holds about 140,000 breeding pairs (mainly in Russia) and is believed to be stable (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The population breeding in the EU holds 2300-3200 pairs and shows a decline (BirdLife Int. 2004B). The following numbers of the two subspecies (fabalis and serrirostris) winter in Europe (Delany & Scott 2006):

fabalis: wintering in NW Europe/EU 70,000-90,000 individuals serrirostris: wintering in Europe/EU 600,000 individuals.

Biological and behavioural aspects: The clutch size is usually 4-6 eggs; incubation is 27-29 days; fledging period c. 40 days. Young stay with parents through first autumn and winter; brood: 1.



Movements

Bean Goose Anser fabalis


FI SE EE Few LV Few LT Few PL SK CZ DK UK IE Few DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT Few IT MT GR CY RO BG HR





Member State

Period of reproduction begins with

Comments References

FI Occupation breeding sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SE Occupation breeding sites 4, 6, 7, 11 EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR






Comments and conclusions 1) Although pairing occurs in preview winter, it is considered that the period of reproduction begins with the occupation of the breeding sites. 2) Since young maintain family bonds until the following winter, one could consider that the end of the period of reproduction coincides with the end of the fledging period – full flight of young birds. In SE and FI, the end of the period of reproduction occurs on the 1st decade of August.






Member State

YES NO References

FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE Recent changes in migration

patterns. The species uses staging areas in Central SE more

frequently during March and April than before

4, 6, 7, 11

EE X LV 6 LT Difficult to separate local

movements of winter population from returning migrants.

5,7

PL X 2,3 SK X 1, 4, 5 CZ X DK X UK X 1 IE DE X 4 NL Distinction between local

movements of large winter population and returning migrants

is difficult to made

2, 7, 8

BE X 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LU HU Difficult to separate local

movements of large winter population and returning migrants

AT Overlap with wintering birds Marked annual differences

3, 13, 14, 15

SI FR X 2, 4, 6 ES PT IT X MT GR CY RO 2 BG X 6, 15 HR X 9, 12, 17





FI SE LT SK CZ DK UK NL DE BE LU HU 1 - A. f. fabalis 70

% Few Few

2 - A. f. serrirostris

30%

Few

AT SI FR ES IT HR 1 - A. f. fabalis Few Few 2 - A. f. serrirostris

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI 1 SE 1 EE 1 LV ? ? ? LT 1 PL SK 1-2 CZ 1+2 DK 1 UK 1 EI DE 1 DE 2 NL 1 NL 2 BE 1+2 LU 2 HU 2 AT SI 2 FR 2 ES 2 IT 2 MT CY PT GR RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions

1) Migratory with two subspecies: A. f. fabalis (Northwest Europe) winters mainly in SE and further in LT, DK, UK, NL, DE, BE and A. f. serrirostris (Central and Southwest Europe) winters in DK (very few), HU, NL, DE, BE, FR, AT, IT.



2) Beginning of prenuptial migration is difficult to identify due to the overlap with wintering birds (LT, AT, SE). In SE, recent changes in migration patterns complicate this difficulty. In other MS it is not difficult to identify the beginning of this period.

3) Departure or arrival in SE and FI, of first migrants corresponds to the beginning of the prenuptial migration.

4) Beginning of the prenuptial migration ranges from the 1st decade of February (AT, SI, ES, DE, HU, NL, BE, BG, HR) to the 3rd decade of March (FI, EE), with A. f. fabalis migrating later than A. f. serrirostris.



Species no. 3: Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus Distribution: Confined to the West Palearctic and Greenland this goose has two distinct populations: one is breeding in Iceland and Greenland and the other on Svalbard. Movements: Migratory, wintering at temperate latitudes; sporadically in more southern latitudes during cold winters. Birds breeding in East Greenland and Iceland winter almost entirely in Scotland and England, while birds breeding in Svalbard winter mainly in Denmark, The Netherlands and Belgium. Judging from ringing recoveries, there is only slight interchange of individuals between the two populations. Population size and trends:

• The East Greenland/Iceland population which amounts to 35,000-50,000 breeding pairs or 270,000 individuals (Delany & Scott 2006) winter mainly in Scotland and England.

• The Svalbard population amounts to 12,000-19,000 breeding pairs or 42,000

individuals (Delany & Scott 2006) and mainly winters in Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Both populations have been increasing since at least the 1950's, probably because of increased protection of sites and reduction of hunting. The population breeding in East Greenland and Iceland has increased steadily from only 30,000 individuals in 1950/51. The Svalbard population has increased from 10,000-12,000 individuals in the 1950's. Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: the clutch size is usually 3-6 eggs; incubation 26-27 days; full flight of young birds at c. 56 days and broods 1.



Movements

Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus

MIGRANT Member

State RESIDENT Breeding Passage Wintering FI Few SE Few EE Few LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE Few DE Few NL BE LU Few HU AT SI FR Few ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR Very few




Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus It does not breed in the territory covered by the Birds Directive.




Member

State YES NO References

FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE X 1, 4, 11 EE X LV LT PL SK CZ DK 5 UK X 1 IE X 1, 3 DE NL X 7 BE X 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR X 10, 14, 17, 20






Comments and conclusions 1) Migratory with two distinct flyways: birds breeding in east Greenland and Iceland

winter almost entirely in Scotland and England – but only in small numbers in IE, while birds breeding in Svalbard mainly winter mainly in DK, NL and BE.

2) The prenuptial migration starts with the departure from winter grounds (UK, DK, NL, BE) or the arrival of passage birds (SE and FI).

3) The beginning of the period of prenuptial migration ranges from the 2nd decade of January (BE) to the 1st decade of April (IE).



Species no. 4: Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons Distribution: Holarctic. Breeding at high latitudes in northern Europe, Asia and North America, and wintering in southern Europe, the Middle East, China, Japan south to Mexico. Two subspecies are known in Europe: • The A. a. albifrons breeds in European Arctic Russia and NW Siberia and within Europe winters from Germany to France and Britain and in Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, northeastern Italy and Greece. • The “Greenland White-fronted Goose” A .a. flavirostris breeds exclusively in Greenland and winters in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Movements: Migratory. The autumn migration begins in September and birds belonging to A. a. albifrons reach Germany from early October onwards. Return passage begins in March. The flavirostris birds leave the breeding grounds in September and early October and the first arrive in Ireland at the end of September. Most flavirostris birds leave the wintering grounds between mid-April and the third week of May. Population size and trends: The Greater White-fronted Goose does not breed in the EU. However, birds from the breeding areas in Greenland and northern Russia winter in Europe in large numbers. Birds belonging to the Russian population can be divided into three sub-populations (from Delany & Scott 2006):

• The Baltic – North Sea population has increased from about 60,000 birds in the 1960's to about 1,000,000 (Delany & Scott 2006).

• Central European population has decreased during the 1970's and 1980's and

contracted its wintering range northwards. Today this population number 10.000-40.000 birds (Delany & Scott 2006).

• The SE European - Turkish wintering population numbers 350.000-700.000

geese (Delany & Scott 2006). The Greenland White-fronted Goose population declined to 14,400-16,000 birds between 1950's and 1970's. After that the population has further decreased to an alarming 1700-2000 pairs. More recently the population has increased to an estimated 27,000 individuals (Delany & Scott 2006). Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size usually 5-6 eggs; incubation 27-28 days; fledging period 40-43 days; Brood 1.



Movements

Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons

MIGRANT Member State RESIDENT

Breeding Passage Wintering FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK Few UK IE DE NL BE LU Few Few1 HU AT SI FR Few ES PT IT Few MT GR CY Few RO BG HR

1 Mostly A. fabalis group




Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons This species does not breed in the EU territory covered by the Directive. The sub-species A. a. flavirostris breeds in Greenland, but this Danish territory is not covered by the Birds Directive. This sub-species (wintering in IE and UK) is listed in Annex I.



Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds? Member


FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE Number of wintering birds is unstable

and dependent on winter temperatures. 24

EE X LV 6 LT X PL X 1,2,3 SK X 1,7 CZ X DK 5 UK X 1 IE X 1, 3 DE X 3, 4 NL Distinction between local movements of

large winter population and returning migrants is difficult to made

7

BE X 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LU Regular but rare passage migrant in

very low numbers. Some years winters with A. fabalis groups

HU X AT X 13, 14 SI FR Little data on this species X 2, 4, 6 ES PT IT X MT GR 7 CY RO 2 BG X 6, 15 HR X 9, 17





J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI 1 SE 1 EE 1 LV LT 1 PL SK CZ 1 DK UK 1 UK 2 IE 2 DE 1 NL 1 BE 1 LU HU 1 AT SI 1 FR 1 ES PT IT 1 MT GR CY 1 RO BG HR 1

1 A. a. albifrons 2 A. a. flavirostris Comments and conclusions 1) Migratory with different sub-species having distinct flyways: birds breeding in the

Kanin Peninsula, Northern Russia, (A. a. albifrons) winter in North-western, Central and Eastern Europe, birds breeding in Greenland (A. a. flavirostris) winter in IE and UK.

2) The departure from the wintering areas corresponds to the beginning of the pre-nuptial migration.

3) Beginning of the pre-nuptial migration ranges from the 3rd decade of January (DE, AT, SK) to the 2nd decade of April (FI) for A. a. albifrons; and from the 1st decade (UK) to the 2nd decade of April (IE) for A. a. flavirostris.



Species no. 5: Greylag Goose Anser anser Distribution: Palearctic. Breed widely at boreal and temperate latitudes across Europe, Asia, and wintering south to North Africa, the Middle East, India and Southern China. Two subspecies occur in Europe: birds belonging to the nominate subspecies breed West and North-west Europe, while A .a. rubrirostris breed in East Europe and Asia. Large feral populations have been established from introduced birds in several parts of Western Europe, and some of these populations (e.g. in Belgium) are rubrirostris type birds. Movements: Birds breeding in Iceland winter almost exclusively in Scotland, with only small numbers reaching northern England and Ireland. The main autumn migration is in October and return migration to Iceland takes place from early March to April. Birds breeding in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and western Germany migrate through the Benelux to winter mainly in Spain, but with increasing numbers staying in the Benelux. This population begins its autumn migration in September. The main arrival in Spain occurs in December and numbers begin to decrease there as early as January. Birds breeding in the Eastern Baltic, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Austria have been wintering almost exclusively in Tunisia and Algeria. However last studies show a wintering increased tendency in eastern Austria. The autumn passage takes place from August to November. The birds return to their breeding areas by mid-March. Birds breeding in the Black Sea region and central Turkey undertake only limited movements to wintering areas in coastal regions. Population size and trends The European population consist of 120,000-190,000 pairs of which 66,000–88,000 breed in EU 27 (BirdLife Int. 2004A). Overall the Greylag Goose underwent a large increase during 1990-2000 (BirdLife Int. 2004A). Greylag Geese wintering in Europe can be divided into the following sub-populations (from Delany & Scott 2006): • Birds from Iceland wintering in the UK and Ireland: 87.200 birds, decreasing • Sedentary Northwest Scotland population: 9.600 birds, increasing • Birds from the Northwest Europe wintering in southwest Europe: 500,000 birds,

strong increase • Mainly sedentary population in Black Sea/Turkey (mostly birds breeding in Russia

and Ukraine): 85,000 birds, trend unknown. Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size: usually 4-6 eggs (3-12); incubation: 27-28 days; Fledging period: 50-60 days; brood 1.



Movements

Greylag Goose Anser anser


FI SE + Feral EE Few LV Few LT PL SK CZ DK UK + Feral IE Introduced feral DE Introduced feral NL + Feral BE Introduced feral LU Few HU AT Introduced feral SI New breeder Few FR ES PT IT Introduced MT GR CY Few RO BG BG HR SI: New breeder, probably from the Italian (introduced) population.





Member State

Period of reproduction begins with

Comments References

FI Occupation breeding sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SE Occupation breeding sites 3, 4, 5 EE Construction of the nest LV LT Occupation of breeding

sites (100-150 pairs) 5,6,7

PL Occupation of breeding sites

2, 3

SK Occupation breeding sites Small number (15-50 pairs)

1, 4

CZ Occupation breeding sites DK Occupation breeding sites 1, 4 UK Occupation breeding sites 1 IE Occupation breeding sites Pairs before occupation of

breeding sites 1, 2, 3

DE Occupation breeding sites Nuptial parade before occupation of breeding sites. Independence of young after first winter.

1

NL Construction of the nest 19 BE Occupation breeding sites Pairs before occupation of

breeding sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

LU HU Occupation of breeding

sites

AT Occupation breeding sites Pairing long before breeding (± lifelong). Long dependence of young (until following winter)

2, 3, 14, 15

SI Construction of nest FR Occupation breeding sites 1, 4, 6 ES PT IT Construction of the nest MT GR CY RO 3 BG Occupation breeding sites 6 HR Occupation breeding sites 23





J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C

FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

BE - reproduction during January and 1st decade of February corresponds to the introduced population DE - breeding northwest/southwest European population Comments and conclusions 1) It breeds at boreal and temperate latitudes across Europe and Asia. Birds breeding

in Northwest Scotland are sedentary or locally dispersive. 2) The period of reproduction begins with the occupation of the breeding sites,

although pairing occurs in autumn/winter before occupation of breeding sites. 3) Since young maintain family bonds until the following winter, one could consider

that the end of the period of reproduction coincides with the end of the fledging period – full flight of young birds. End of the period of reproduction ranges from the 3rd decade of June (DK, HU, AT, BG) to the 3rd decade of August (PL).






Member


FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE Geographical extension of SE in

the south-north direction results in a very elongated starting period for the arrival.

4, 5

EE X LV LT In some places (Nemunas Delta

region) local breeders mix with birds on migration.

3,5

PL X 2,3 SK Overlap of wintering and

migratory populations 1, 4

CZ Overlap of wintering and migratory populations in mild winters.

UK 1, 2 IE X 1, 3 DE Migratory and resident specimens

occur at the same places 1, 2

NL Distinction between local movements of large winter population and returning migrants is difficult to made

7, 37

BE Mixing of resident feral birds with wintering birds

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

LU Small numbers HU X AT Overlap with breeding and

wintering birds; strong annual differences

3

SI FR X 2, 4, 6 ES X 2 PT X IT Where resident and wintering

birds mix X

MT GR CY RO 2 BG The local birds mix with migrants 6 HR X 12





FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE A. a. anser

A. a. rubirostris

Few feral

LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HRA. a. anser

Few

A. a. rubirostris

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CUK 1 IE 1 SE 2 DK 2 EE 1 LV LT PL SK CZ DE 2 NL 2 BE 2 LU 2 HU FR 2 ES 2 PT 2 FI 3 AT 3 SI 3 IT 3 MT GR CY ? ? RO BG HR 3

1 - Iceland/IE/UK flyway 2 - Northwest Europe / Southwest Europe (Atlantic flyway) 3 - Central Europe / North Africa flyway



Comments and conclusions 1) This species is wintering and migratory (passage) in the EU. Birds breeding in:

- Iceland, winter almost exclusively in Scotland (small numbers reach northern England and IE);

- Norway, SE, DK and western DE migrate through NL to winter mainly in ES (also in NL);

- eastern Baltic, PL, CZ, SK and AT winter in North Africa (almost exclusively in three sites).

2) In DK, FR and IE it is not difficult to identify the beginning of the prenuptial migration. In other countries, this is not the case:

- overlap between breeding and wintering birds; strong annual differences; - mixing of resident feral birds with wintering birds; - very elongated starting period for the arrival due to the geographical

extension of the country (SE). 3) Arrival of first migrants or, if before, departure from wintering grounds corresponds

to the beginning of the prenuptial migration. 4) Beginning of prenuptial migration ranges from the 3rd decade of January (SE, DK,

AT, ES, PT, CZ, SK) to the 2nd decade of March (IE). Additional information from: L van den Bergh in Hagemeijer & Blair 1997 (EBCC), Madsen et al. 1999 and Heath & Evans 2000.



Species no. 6: Canada Goose Branta canadensis Distribution: This species from North America was introduced to England in the middle of the 17th century and to Sweden in 1933. It has now colonised Finland, Latvia, Denmark, northern France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany. Twelve subspecies are recognized. In Europe, the main population consists of the large southern subspecies B. c. canadensis, but several other subspecies are involved. Movements: Wild Canada Geese from North America may occur as vagrants in Europe. Feral British birds and those breeding in the Netherlands are relatively sedentary or slightly dispersive. Finnish, Latvian and Swedish birds mostly winter around the Baltic, in Denmark and Germany but may move further south during severe weather. Population size and trends: The feral population of Europe/EU is totalling 35,000-45,000 breeding pairs and shows a small increase (Snow & Perrins 1998). The wintering population is unknown, but probably holds at least 100,000 individuals. Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size usually 5-6 eggs (3-11); incubation 28-30 days; full flight of young birds at 40-48 days; brood: 1.



Movements

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

MIGRANT Member State RESIDENT Breeding Passage Wintering FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK Feral UK Feral IE Feral DE Feral NL Feral BE Feral LU Feral (Few) Few HU AT SI FR Feral ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG Few HR




Canada Goose Branta Canadensis

Member

State Period of reproduction

begins with Comments References

FI Occupation of breeding sites

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

SE Occupation of breeding sites

4, 5

EE LV LT PL 2,3 SK CZ DK 5 UK Display 1 IE Occupation of breeding

sites 4

DE Occupation of breeding sites

Nuptial parade before occupation of breeding sites; young maintain family bonds until after first winter

4

NL Recent introduction: no data

BE Construction of the nest Important feral population

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

LU Construction of the nest HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR






Comments and conclusions 1) Introduced in Europe. 2) The reproduction period starts with the occupation of the breeding sites where it is

mainly migratory (SE, FI) or with the construction of the nest where resident populations exist.

3) The reproduction period ends with the full flight of young birds, ranging from the 2nd decade of July (IE, DE) to the 3rd decade of August (SE).






Member


FI Partial migrant in the southern, south-western and western coastal and archipelago areas

1, 2, 3, 4

SE X 4, 5 EE LV 4 LT PL Irregular visitor and wintering bird 2,3 SK CZ DK 5 UK Resident / non-native 1 IE Resident / non-native DE X 4 NL Recent introduction BE Resident / non-native LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG Two observations 6, 11 HR





J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? HR

Comments and conclusions

1) Wild birds from North America occur as vagrants. 2) Prenuptial migration starts with the departure from wintering grounds (DE) or

the arrival of first migrants (SE, FI). 3) The beginning of the period of prenuptial migration ranges from the 1st decade

of January (DE) to the 3rd decade of March (FI).

Species no. 1: Mute Swan Cygnus olor€¦ · residents. 2,3 SK Mixing of wintering and migrating...

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