VOGELWELT 129: 269 – 280 (2008) 269

Analysis of historical observations of Fennoscandian Lesser White- fronted Geese Anser erythropus in and the West Palearctic

Johan H. Mooij, Per Hansson, Hakon Kampe-Persson & Leif Nilsson

Mooij, J. H., P. Hansson, H. Kampe-Persson & L. Nilsson 2008: Analysis of historical observa- tions of Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus in Sweden and the West Palearctic. Vogelwelt 129: 269–280. Recent telemetry studies and older Finnish studies have purported that the remnants of the Fen- noscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose population (currently estimated at about 20 breeding pairs) first migrate east to the Kanin Peninsula or the mouth of Ob river, and even as far as the eastern part of the Taimyr Peninsula to moult. Subsequently, they migrate via northern Russia and the Baltic States to eastern Germany and from there via Hungary to Greece. It has also been suggested that the birds of the re-established Swedish Lesser White-front Goose population were imprinted on a completely new migratory route by their Barnacle Goose foster-parents. To study if this view is correct, historical literature sources as well as observations of Lesser White-fronted Geese in Sweden were collected and analysed. To exclude birds of the re-established Swedish population only data of the period 1900 – 1981 were used. A total of 353 observations of more than 3,600 individuals were collected and analysed. These data were insufficient to delineate exact migration routes within the Atlantic flyway, south of the former breeding range. Regular occurrence at frequently checked sites, and numbers involved as well, still in the 1960s, strongly indicated, however, that such routes have existed. Consequently, there is no scientific basis to state that the Swedish re-established Lesser White-fronted Geese follow an unnatural migration route. Instead, it is likely that these birds revived a traditional migration route.

Key words: Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus, historical migration patterns, migration over Sweden.

1. Introduction The Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus is an In 1976, under the lead of Lambart von Essen, the Swed- exclusively Palearctic species, originally breeding in the ish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management southern part of the tundra and forest tundra in Russia as started a project to release Lesser White-fronted Geese in well as in the northern birch forest and mountain tundra Swedish Lapland to support the remnants of the natural in Fennoscandia. Since the first population estimates of population. Since its start in 1981 the project was support- the 1950s, a drastic decrease in numbers was recorded ed by WWF Sweden. In the scope of this project, Lesser from about 100,000 birds (Uspenski 1965) to less than White-fronted Goose eggs were bred by semi-domestic 25,000 in the 1990s (Fox & Madsen 1999). During the Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis, which were known to 1930s, local concentrations of c. 50,000 Lesser White- winter in the . During wing moult of the Bar- fronted Geese were recorded in the Western Palearctic nacle Geese and before the goslings fledged, the young (Ringleben 1957) and during the 1950s, this population Lesser White-fronted Geese were released together with was still estimated at more than 50,000 birds (Uspenski their foster-parents in an original Lesser White-fronted 1965), but in the 1990s numbers recorded in this region Goose breeding habitat in Swedish Lapland. In autumn, during midwinter counts never exceeded 10,000. The Fen- the families migrated to the wintering sites of the Barnacle noscandian population was estimated at more than 10,000 Geese in the Netherlands. Until 1999, 348 Lesser White- birds in the first half of the 20th century, with only 300–500 fronted Geese were released (Andersson & Larsson birds and less than 50 breeding pairs counted in the 1990s 2006). As a result of the project a first breeding pair was (Aarvak et al. 1996, 1997; Scott & Rose 1996; Rose & recorded in Sweden in 1987 (von Essen 1982a, 1991, 1999; Scott 1997; Tolvanen et al. 1998, 1999, 2000a, 2001; von Essen et al. 2000). In 2005, the total Swedish breeding Fox & Madsen 1999; Lorentsen et al. 1999), and about population of re-established birds was estimated at about 20 breeding pairs in 2006 (Øien et al. 2007). 100–120 individuals, and the population showed moder- The Lesser White-fronted Goose population is the ate increase in spite of the fact that releases were stopped smallest goose population in Eurasia and is among the in 1999 (Andersson & Larsson 2006; Koffijberg et al. most endangered bird species in the world. The species is 2005, 2006; Å. Andersson pers. comm.). included in Appendix 1 of the African-Eurasian Waterbird One of the criticisms of the Swedish re-establishment Agreement (AEWA) under the Bonn Convention, in Ap- project is that the released birds have not followed a tra- pendix II of the Bern Convention and in Appendix I of ditional migratory route. Instead, they are said to be led the EU Birds Directive. along a newly installed route, to wintering areas where 270 J. H. Mooij et al: Historical observations of Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese they did not traditionally occur on a regular basis. In order Niethammer (1938) stated that the Lesser White- to get more information about the traditional migratory fronted Goose mainly wintered along the coast of the Black patterns of Lesser White-fronted Geese in Sweden, we Sea in Turkistan, and Iran, India, China, Egypt, Greece, gathered and analysed data on observations of the species Romania and Hungary, where the species frequently was in Sweden from 1900 to 1981. confounded with the Greater White-fronted Goose. Fur- thermore, it was a rare winter guest in the Western Medi- 2. Methods terranean countries, in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Great Britain, Germany and Denmark and Data for this study were collected by Åke Andersson and the was found more often in southern Scandinavia, the Baltic authors, from literature, the Swedish databank “SVALAN” (a reporting system for bird observations in Sweden) and other states, Poland and Bohemia. contacts. During the years 1977/78–1980/81 all important win- Witherby et al. (1939) described the species as a very tering and staging areas for geese in South Sweden were covered rare vagrant for Great Britain, and stated for the distribu- on a monthly basis from September to April. Moreover, intensive tion of the species outside the British Isles: “Breeds in N. studies, including daily counts, were performed on most impor- to 70° N., Sweden (south to Jamtland), N. Finland tant staging areas in the spring seasons of 1977–1979 (Nilsson south to 68° and N. Russia. Also N. Siberia from R. Ob to & Persson 1984). Taimyr and R. Kolyma (rare), but breeding range south of White-fronted and Bean-Geese. In winter in Europe to 3. Results France, Germany, Czech-Slovakia, Hungary, Yugo-Slavia, 3.1. Literature data Greece and S. Russia; also in Asia Minor, Iraq, Persia, Aralo-Caspian region, Turkestan, India, China and Japan. 3.1.1. Occurrence in the West Palearctic according to Accidental in Spain, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, older literature Egypt; also Novaya Zemlya.” Furthermore, it was stated The Lesser White-fronted Goose was described as a spe- that if further research would show that the breeding cies in the 18th century (Linnæus 1758), but at most win- ranges of Greater and Lesser White-fronted Goose did tering sites the species was overlooked until the middle of not overlap, it should be considered to treat both species the 20th century and the migratory routes, staging areas as forms of one species. and wintering sites were poorly known. Dementiev & Gladkov (1952) described the breed- In the middle of the 19th century, Nilsson (1858) re- ing area of the Lesser White-fronted Goose from the Scan- ported that two white-fronted goose species occurred in dinavian Peninsula to Anadyr and stated that in winter the Scandinavia, of which one, “the true mountain goose”, species was found in low numbers and rare in Germany, was breeding there. The breeding species migrated over Belgium, England, France, Hungary and other places in South Sweden in autumn (September and October) and Europe, but frequently on the Balkan Peninsula. in spring (March and April), partly along the coast and Bannerman (1957) presented information about the partly along watercourses in the inland. It was mostly Fennoscandian breeding grounds of the Lesser White- seen in smaller flocks. The other species, said to migrate fronted Goose and mentioned two possible migratory mainly eastwards, was at times found in the southern part routes along the Bothnian Bay, one passing Oulu and the of the peninsula, along the shores of the Baltic Sea, but other Umeå. He described the species as “A winter visitor, also hunted inland. which for long went unrecognized, but which appeared Schlegel (1877) described the Lesser White-fronted fairly regularly in recent years in certain localities, espe- Goose as a subspecies of the Greater White-fronted Goose cially in south-west England and south-west Scotland.” Anser albifrons, but noted that it also could be described From 1945, as Peter Scott started Lesser White-fronted as a separate species. He wrote that the smaller taxon was Goose monitoring in Great Britain, until 1980 the species much rarer than the greater one and that during migra- was annually recorded with one to three birds, associ- tion it was observed everywhere in Europe – including ated with Greater White-fronted Geese at Slimbridge in the Netherlands – in small numbers. Gloucestershire as well as in Bean Goose flocks in Nor- Alphéraky (1904) stated that there cannot be any folk and Scotland (Davis & Scott 1946; Davies 1949; doubt about the fact that the Lesser White-fronted Goose Watson 1955; Smith 1974). These were “undoubtedly is a separate species, but that the delineation of its flyways wild birds” (Ogilvie & Wallace 1975). is difficult, because the species is not separated from the Ringleben (1957) stated that in winter Lesser White- Greater White-fronted Geese at most sites by hunters and fronted Geese are regularely recorded in middle and ornithologists. From the description of the white-fronted southeastern Europe, more seldom in western Germany geese at some sites as being “very small sized” Alphéraky and western Europe, very numerous along the coast of concluded that these must have been Lesser White-fronted the Caspian Sea, regularly in an area from Irak via Iran Geese. He further wrote that the species appeared rarely and China to Japan and seldom in northern India and in Great Britain, more often in Germany, the Netherlands, Egypt. Belgium, France and Spain (Seville region) in autumn and In Naumann (1842) and Stresemann (1961), the winter and more regular in Greece and Turkey in winter. Lesser White-fronted Goose was described as rare and He also quoted Swedish and British ornithologists, who in Frieling (1936) and Niethammer (1938) as a “not found that Lesser White-fronted Geese were breeding rare” and regular migrant and winter guest in Germany, and moulting in Lapland and Finnmark in considerable while Bauer & Glutz von Blotzheim (1968) stated that numbers. the Lesser White-fronted Goose was a regular migrant VOGELWELT 129: 269 – 280 (2008) 271 in the eastern part of the northern European lowlands, vember and April–May), with the largest numbers in the in some years in large flocks. In spite of the fact that the eastern part of the country, where flocks of up to 100 species seemed to be a rare migrant in most of Germany, individuals were recorded. Since the 1950s, numbers de- the species was recorded in most parts of the country. creased considerably and today only few birds are recorded Uspenski (1965) wrote that Lesser White-fronted (Tomiałojċ 1990). Geese wintered in a considerable number of West Euro- In Germany, the species was a regular but more or pean countries, southwestern Asia, south of the Caspian less rare migrant and winter guest in the 19th and first Sea, in the delta of the Nile, southern Japan, Korea and half of the 20th century, but in some years rather large southeastern China. flocks were observed, especially in the eastern part of the In all these publications, a follow-up of Nilsson country, which now partly belongs to Poland (Naumann (1858), regular breeding in Fennoscandia and regular 1842; Frieling 1936; Niethammer 1938; Stresemann wintering in western Europe is documented, but – with 1961; Bauer & Glutz von Blotzheim 1968). Recent Bannerman (1957) as an exception – without any infor- analysis of Lesser White-fronted Goose observations in mation about the migratory routes of the Fennoscandian Germany between 1900 and 2004 showed that the spe- birds. cies is still a regular migrant through Germany and can In Finland, different opinions about the migratory be found on most important goose staging areas in small routes of the Lesser White-fronted Goose population numbers (Heinicke & Mooij 2005; Mooij & Heinicke breeding in Finnish Lapland and northern Norway, ex- 2008). Only about one third of the observed individuals isted in the early 20th century. According to one opinion, could be identified as birds belonging to the re-established the spring migration passed east of Finland, along Ladoga Swedish population and were only observed since the and Onega, to the White Sea, and then to the breeding 1980s at Barnacle Goose sites along the North Sea coast areas, while the main route in autumn passed Oulu (Mun- of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. Only from the sterhjelm 1911, 1913). Other researchers stated that the sites of these birds hybrids with Barnacle geese have been migratory route passed Oulu both in spring and autumn reported. Most of the other Lesser White-fronted Geese (Sandman 1892; Merikallio 1915, 1920). According to were observed among staging Greater White-fronted and Hortling (1929a), the Lesser White-fronted Geese in Bean Geese at the most important goose staging areas in spring reached the Finnish coast after crossing the Gulf the lowland areas of the northern part of Germany. of Finland. The main part of the northern Fennoscandian In the Netherlands, the Lesser White-fronted Goose population migrated along the Finnish west coast, whereas was regarded as a regular guest in small numbers dur- smaller numbers migrated on a broader front across the ing the 19th century (Schlegel 1877), and as a rare spe- Finnish inland, or northeastwards to the White Sea. cies in the period 1900–1968, with a total of 41 records Based on counts in the neighbourhood of Oulu in the during this period, at least another 12 between 1969 and spring of 1913, the (northern?) Fennoscandian popula- 1975 and further 14 between 1976 and 1980. Besides, a tion was estimated to number at least tens of thousands considerable number of observations was never submit- (Merikallio 1915). During 3–4 hours of daily counts ted to the Avifauna Commission for approval (Eykman and no counts over the sea, a total of 1,841 migrating et al. 1941; Kist et al. 1970; van Impe 1982; van den Lesser White-fronted Geese was counted at Kumnäs and Berg & Bosman 1999). Since the 1980s, the number of Ytterö in the spring of 1928 (Hortling 1929b). At Pori, Lesser White-fronted Geese observed in the Netherlands on the Finnish west coast, the number of migrating and increased considerably due to the re-established Swed- staging birds in spring declined from 1,065 in 1953 to nil ish population, wintering in the Netherlands. Although in 1970 (Soikkeli 1973). In autumn, the decline came the majority of the observed birds without doubt belongs earlier, and the species was observed only occasionally by to the re-established Swedish population, a small part of the 1950s (Soikkeli 1960). In the 1960s, only three birds them is considered to belong to other wild populations were observed in autumn, compared to more than 800 in (Koffijberg et al. 2005). spring (Soikkeli 1973). In Belgium, the Lesser White-fronted Goose seems to be a traditional winter guest in small numbers from De- 3.1.2. Occurrence in Western Europe cember to February. In the winter 1959/60 regular goose In the late 19th and early 20th century, the Lesser White- counts started in the coastal area. Since then, single birds, fronted Goose was more often reported during autumn pairs or families were recorded annually. After its start, migration from Denmark, e.g. from Møn, Fyn, Jutland and birds of the Swedish re-establishment project were also Bornholm, than from South Sweden (Rosenius 1937). observed in Flandern (Vlaamse Avifaunacommissie In the 1960s, the species was a regular migrant through 1989; De Smet 2005). Denmark in small numbers, where they were observed in In France, the Lesser White-fronted Goose is a rare flocks of Taiga Bean GeeseAnser fabalis fabalis ringed in species from mid November to mid March. There is one Finnmark and the Netherlands, as well as among Greater record from the 19th century, nine records from the pe- White-fronted Geese ringed in the Netherlands and Eng- riod 1900–1980 and between 1981 and 1997 another four land. In that period, up to 16 Lesser White-fronted Geese observations were reported. One bird was ringed in June were reported shot annually by hunters (Fog 1976, 1977; 1956 in northern Sweden and shot in November 1959 in Jepsen pers.comm.). southwestern France. Another bird was ringed in northern Formerly, the Lesser White-fronted Goose was found Lapland in July 1981 and found dead in December of the everywhere in Poland during migration (September–No- same year along the Atlantic coast of France (Yeatman- 272 J. H. Mooij et al: Historical observations of Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese

Berthelot 1991; Dubois et al. 2000; Fransson & Pet- More recent studies on marked birds and birds with sat- tersson 2001). ellite transmitters indicated that the remaining Fenno- Data from Spain (Persson 2000, 2004; Kampe-Pers- scandian Lesser White-fronted Geese staging in north- son 2004) showed that the Lesser White-fronted Goose ernmost Norway at first migrate in an easterly direction still is a winter guest in the country in low numbers. One to the Kanin Peninsula or the mouth of the Ob river of the haunts, near Seville, was already mentioned by Al- and some of them even fly as far as the eastern part of phéraky (1904). the Taimyr Peninsula to moult (Aarvak & Øien 2003). Subsequently, they migrate via Kazakhstan and Ukraine 3.1.3. The “commonly accepted knowledge” of today to Greece (Øien et al. 2007) or via Northern Russia and Largely based on the afore-mentioned Finnish literature the Baltic States to eastern Germany and from there via data and observations from Finland and northern Sweden Hungary to Greece (Lorentsen et al. 1998). Based on between 1900 and 1980 (Fig. 1), Norderhaug & Nor- these results it was stated that there is no traditional derhaug (1982, 1984) delineated a migratory route of Lesser White-fronted Goose migratory route (for the the species over Finland, which has been quoted in more northernmost population?) along the Swedish coast, and recent literature. In these studies, remarkedly few data that western Europe is not a traditional wintering area from southern Swedish Lapland, Västerbotten and no of the species. As a consequence, it was concluded that data from southern and central Sweden were included, the birds of the re-established Swedish population were probably due to the fact that the Lesser White-fronted imprinted on a completely new migratory route by their Goose was already gone from the southwestern part of its Barnacle Goose foster-parents (Lorentsen et al. 1998, breeding range at that time. However, the authors stated 1999; Aarvak & Øien 2003). that “outside the breeding areas and migration routes, a few Lesser White-fronted Geese are observed more or less 3.1.4. Unconsidered information from Västerbotten, regularly elsewhere in Fennoscandia. One area where the Sweden species is more regularly observed in small numbers is Hansson (2005) made a literature review of Lesser White- Scania. From this part of Sweden there are at least 19 ob- fronted Goose references from the county of Västerbotten, servations from the period 1977–1979. Also a few spring in southern Swedish Lapland, and interviewed at least ten observations from the Bothnian coast of Uppland and old rein deer herders, active in the 1930–1960s. From that Hälsingland indicated the existence of migration along review it was obvious that the decline at Pori coincided the Swedish coast. However, the overwhelming majority with the dramatic decrease of the breeding population in of the data indicated a main migratory route along the the county of Västerbotten, representing the southwest- Finnish coast of the Bothnian Bay used by the remaining ern part of the Fennoscandian population (Delin et al. (and northernmost) breeders of that time. Therefore, these 1957; Curry-Lindahl 1963; Anon. 1981). During the authors confirmed the statement of older Finnish litera- first part of the 20th century, the Lesser White-fronted ture that the main migratory route of Lesser White-fronted Goose was a characteristic species in Västerbotten and Geese from Finnish Lapland followed the Finnish west Norrbotten. Still in the 1950s, flocks of at least 50 birds coast, whereas the breeding birds of northern Norway and were reported from late April to mid May in the deltalands Russia followed a more easterly route through the inland of Ume River and Wachtmeister( 1958; of Finland. In their opinion, the birds reached Sweden by C.-F. Wachtmeister pers. comm.; Ö. Andersson pers. crossing the Bothnian Sea between Åland and Oulu. comm.). The main migration route of the southwestern

Fig. 1: Occurence of the Lesser White-fronted Goose in Northern Fen- Fig. 2: Observations of the Lesser White-fronted Goose in Sweden, noscandia between 1900 and 1980 according to No r d e r h a u g & No r d e r - 1900–1981, divided into three classes: single birds (small dot), 2–5 h a u g (1984). – Zwerggans-Beobachtungen im Norden Fennoskandiens birds (medium-sized dot), more than 5 birds (big dot). – Beobachtungen zwischen 1900 und 1980 nach No r d e r h a u g & No r d e r h a u g (1984). von Zwerggänsen in Schweden, 1900–1980, verteilt über drei Häufigkeits- klassen: Einzelvögel (kleine Punkte), 2–5 Vögel (mittelgroße Punkte), >5 Vögel (große Punkte). VOGELWELT 129: 269 – 280 (2008) 273

Table 1: Distribution of group size classes, observations and observed individuals of the Lesser White-fronted Goose in Sweden over the decennia of the study period, 1900–1981. – Verteilung der Zwerggansbeobachtungen und Zahl der beobachteten Vögel über die Jahrzehnte des Untersuchungszeitraumes 1900–1981.

Number of observations – Anzahl Beobachtungen Number of birds – Birds/observation – Anzahl Vögel Vögel/Beobachtung Group size – Gruppengröße 1–50 51–100 101–500 501–1000 ∑ Dekade – Jahrzehnt 1900–1910 3 1 0 0 4 115 28.8 1911–1920 2 0 0 0 2 2 1.0 1921–1930 13 1 4 0 18 917 50.9 1931–1940 16 0 1 1 18 1,153 64.1 1941–1950 18 1 0 0 19 159 8.4 1951–1960 37 0 0 0 37 409 11.1 1961–1970 87 0 0 0 87 426 4.9 1971–1980 150 0 0 0 150 373 2.5 1981 18 0 0 0 18 51 2.8 ∑ 344 3 5 1 353 3,605 10.2 Share (%)– Anteil (%) 97.5 0.8 1.4 0.3 100

Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese followed a 3.2. Observations in Sweden southeasterly direction over the “Norra ”, the Releases of Lesser White-fronted Geese started in Sweden narrowest sound of the Bothnian Sea between Umeå and in 1981 (von Essen 1982a, 1991, 1996). To exclude the Vaasa (Jägerskiöld & Kolthoff 1926; Haglund 1937, birds of the re-established population, only data of the 1940; von Post 1946). As late as the 1970s, the mountains period up to 1981 were used for this study. In spite of this of Vindelfjällen held the largest Lesser Whitefront popula- restriction, a total of 353 observations with more than tion in Sweden (Anon 1981). 3,600 individuals was collected and analysed (Fig. 2).

Table 2: Temporal and regional distribution of observations and of observed individuals of the Lesser White-fronted Goose in Sweden, 1900–1981 (main areas in bold). – Zeitliche und regionale Verteilung der Beobachtungen und beobachteten Individuen der Zwerggans in Schweden 1900–1981 (wichtigste Gebiete in Fettdruck).

Month – Main regions of observation – Haupbeobachtungsgebiete Observations – Birds – Vögel Birds/observation – Monat Beobachtungen Vögel/Beobachung 1 Skåne, Öland 4 4 1.0 2 Skåne 2 2 1,0 3 Skåne, Halland, Västergötland (Lake Östen), Småland 16 19 1.2 4 Halland, Västergötland (Lake Östen), Småland, Uppland, Västerbot- 46 88 1.9 ten (Skellefteå, Umeå) 5 Uppland, Västerbotten (Skellefteå, Umeå), Norbotten (Luleå), Södra 157 2,864 18.2 Lapland 6 Östergötland (Lake Tåkern), Västergötland (Lake Östen), Södra 26 75 2.9 Lapland 7 Östergötland (Lake Tåkern), Södra Lapland 12 138 11.5 8 Södra Lapland 5 213 42.6 9 Södra Lapland, Norbotten (Luleå), Västerbotten, Västergötland 14 93 6.6 (Lake Östen), Östergotland (Lake Tåkern), Öland 10 Västerbotten (Skellefteå, Umeå), Uppland, Östergötland (Lake 47 72 1.5 Tåkern), Småland, Halland, Skåne, Öland 11 Västergötland (Lake Östen), Östergötland (Lake Tåkern), Småland, 18 24 1.3 Halland, Skåne, Öland 12 Östergötland (Lake Tåkern), Skåne 6 13 2.2 ∑ 353 3,605 10.2 274 J. H. Mooij et al: Historical observations of Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese

3.2.1. Group size 3.2.2. Temporal and regional distribution Group size per observation varied from single birds up to The number of observations as well as the number of Less- 800 individuals. In 43 % of all observations, only single er White-fronted Geese per observation differed during birds were recorded, observations of up to 10 birds were the annual cycle. Most observations and most individuals reported in 87% and of up to 50 birds in more than 97% were recorded at the end of spring migration and the start of all records (Table 1). Groups of more than 100 birds of the breeding season in May. Most birds per observa- were observed on only six occasions (1.7%). tion were recorded at the start of the breeding season in The number of observations increased since the begin- May and at the end of the breeding season in August. The ning of the 20th century. Almost 90% of all observations smallest number of observations, of birds and of birds per were recorded since 1940, but more than 60% of all birds observation was recorded during late autumn, winter and were recorded before 1940. The average number of birds early spring (Table 2). per observation dropped dramatically from more than The distribution of observations showed clear focal 50 in the 1920s and 1930s to about 10 in the 1940s and points during the year, shifting from northern Sweden in 1950s, about 5 in the 1960s and 2–3 in the 1970s and 1980s summer via central Sweden in autumn to southern Sweden (Table 1). in winter, and back again in spring (Table 2, Fig. 3–6). During the breeding season, the highest concentration of observations came from the western part of Västerbot-

Fig. 3: Summer observations (June–August) of Lesser White-fronted Fig. 5: Winter observations (December–February) of Lesser White- Geese in Sweden, 1900–1981 (for dot sizes see Fig. 2). – Sommerbe- fronted Geese in Sweden, 1900–1981 (for dot sizes see Fig. 2). – Win- obachtungen (Juni–August) der Zwerggans in Schweden, 1900–1981 terbeobachtungen (Dezember–Februar) der Zwerggans in Schweden, (Punktgrößen s. Abb. 2). 1900–1981 (Punktgrößen s. Abb. 2).

Fig. 4: Autumn observations (September–November) of Lesser White- Fig. 6: Spring observations (March–May) of Lesser White-fronted Geese fronted Geese in Sweden, 1900–1981 (for dot sizes see Fig. 2). – Herbst- in Sweden, 1900–1981 (for dot sizes see Fig. 2). – Frühjahrsbeobachtun- beobachtungen (September–November) der Zwerggans in Schweden, gen (März–Mai) der Zwerggans in Schweden, 1900–1981 (Punktgrößen 1900–1981 (Punktgrößen s. Abb. 2). s. Abb. 2). VOGELWELT 129: 269 – 280 (2008) 275 ten (Fig. 3), which is the southern part of Swedish Lapland in Lithuanian coastal areas, but since then only smaller and the southwestern part of the former breeding range of flocks were observed there (Švažas 1996, Žalakevičius Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese. In autumn, 1998). Lesser White-fronted Geese were mainly observed in cen- So, when Norderhaug & Norderhaug (1982, 1984) tral and southern Sweden (Fig. 4): between September described an easterly migration of the remaining popu- and October, the focal point of observations shifted from lation of the species, it was based on poor information southern Lapland and the area around Luleå in Norrbot- and done in spite of the large gap of records of staging ten, to Västerbotten in northern Sweden, Uppland in cen- sites along the Central European flyway. Besides, they did tral Sweden as well as Östergötland, Småland, Halland and not take into consideration the possibility of a smaller Skåne in South Sweden, whereas in November observa- proportion of Lesser White-fronted Geese migrating tions were concentrated in South Sweden, especially in along a westerly route as indicated in older literature, e.g. Östergötland, Halland and Skåne. ­Schlegel (1877), Alphéraky (1904), Niethammer Winter observations mainly originated from Skåne (1938) and Witherby et al. (1939). (Fig. 5). During spring migration, the focal point of obser- In the early 1980s, when we tried to delineate the mi- vations shifted again from South Sweden (Skåne, Halland, gratory route(s), the Fennoscandian population already Västergötland, Östergötland and Småland) in March and had lost at least 95% of its former size and most of its April to Uppland and Västerbotten in May (Fig. 6). In May, southern breeding range. In the 1970s, the breeding popu- the first birds were observed in the breeding area in the lation of southern Lapland in principle was already gone, western part of Västerbotten. even if some pairs might have remained in the north- western part of Västerbotten. A large proportion of the 4. Discussion population further north in Sweden was also gone. For this remnant population in northernmost Sweden, Norway A well-known fact regarding the Lesser White-fronted and Finland, the most natural migration went (and still Goose is that it often occurs unnoticed. It is, for instance, goes) through Finland, whereas a southward migration frequently overlooked in flocks of other goose species. through Sweden was a possible option for Lesser White- As a consequence, the number of observed individuals fronted Geese breeding in Southern Lapland and Jämtland is not necessarily the number of individuals that is actu- until the mid 1960s. ally staging in an area. In spite of the fact that up to 16 It seems not to be unusual for the Lesser White-fronted Lesser White-fronted Geese were reported shot annually Goose to migrate in quite small groups. In Finland in by hunters in Denmark during the 1960s (Fog 1977) – i.e. the early 20th century, flock size varied from about ten the actual bag was higher – there are hardly any records individuals to 60–70, occasionally more than 100 (Hort­ of observations of the species from this period. And even ling 1929a), in Hungary in the period 1942–1966, most from the Baltic states, where according to the commonly migrating flocks numbered 10–20 birds (Sterbetz 1968) accepted main migratory route of the Fennoscandian pop- and in Leningrad Oblast in the 1960s and 1970s, flock size ulation all birds must have passed in autumn and spring, reached 30–40 birds (Rezvyi in Noskov 2002). In Swe- information is extremely poor. den, with the exception of a spring flock of 75 individuals, In Estonia, the species was reported as a scarce but the largest migrating flock in autumn numbered 36 birds regular visitor until the 1960s. In the years 1957–1967, and in spring 16 birds during the period 1900–1981 (this a total of 346 individuals were recorded in the Matsalu study), while the average group size was six birds in spring Nature Reserve (Kumari & Jögi 1972). Since then, the and 20 in autumn. The largest flocks were observed along species has been an irregular migrant in the country. No the coast, mainly in Västerbotten. This rather small flock records were confirmed in the 1970s but since 1985 single size makes it difficult to observe Lesser White-fronted birds and small groups have been observed in western Geese in groups of other goose species and makes them Estonia, mainly in flocks of Barnacle Geese, and many easily overlooked. of these were carrying Swedish colour rings (Leibak et With a few exceptions all Lesser White-fronted Geese al. 1994). During surveys in the 1990s, up to 51 birds recorded in Sweden were observed in known and regularly were recorded and it seems that a small number of Lesser monitored goose staging areas by highly motivated goose White-fronted Geese regularly migrates through western observers. For that reason, the sites where Lesser White- Estonia (Tolvanen 1999; Tolvanen et al. 2000b, 2004; fronted Geese were reported were not necessarily the only Pynnönen & Tolvanen 2001). or most important sites for the species. From Latvia, there are only eight records of altogether The considerable increase in observations is no indica- 12 individuals for the period 1900–1981 (LOB 2007). tion of a real increase in numbers, but without doubt is due From Lithuania there are no records of mass migration to the fact that from the mid 1970s an increasing number of the Lesser White-fronted Goose. According to Rau- of ornithologists equipped with telescopes was checking donikis & Shvazhas (1991), Švažas (1996) and Švažas goose flocks for neckbands, which enhanced the chances et al. (1997), historical information about the migration to observe rare geese. of the Lesser White-fronted Goose in Lithuania is poor The commonly cited sentence on page 312 inMerika - until the 1960s, but in “most publications the species was llio (1915) „Antalet af de flyttande fåglarna måste räknas characterized as a very rare and irregular migrant, with åtminstone i tiotal tusen“ (“The number of migrating birds only several single birds or small flocks recorded”. In the must at least be estimated in tens of thousands”) should 1960s, staging flocks of up to 600–800 birds were recorded be understood in the light of the dispute between him and 276 J. H. Mooij et al: Historical observations of Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese

Munsterhjelm. Probably due to criticism on his vague originated from goose staging areas, which are still known estimation, Merikallio felt obliged to present the exact as traditional goose haunts. The seasonal distribution data in his subsequent publication (Merikallio 1920). of the observations over the year indicates migratory Only on two occasions 100 birds or more were seen in movements of the Lesser White-fronted Geese from the this „main stop over site“ around Oulo. It was „still ap- (former) breeding areas in Swedish Lapland in summer, prox 100“ on 26th May 26 1914 and then during this well- along the Swedish coast, crossing via central Sweden to known period on 16th–19th May 1913. On the 18th May South Sweden in autumn and back again along more or he writes (translated from Swedish) „During the entire less the same routes in spring. Between 1930 and 1980 day, almost without interruption, small flocks or separate Lesser White-fronted Geese frequently were reported mi- pairs (in autumn larger flocks) fly towards the north. Some grating through or wintering in South Sweden, especially fishermen, according to whom the Lesser White-fronted in Halland, Öland, Skåne, Småland and Västergötland. Geese migrate every year even in spring, had not until Winter records focused mainly on Småland and Skåne. now observed the arrival. I estimated the number at 500 The overwhelming majority of these birds were observed individuals“. It seems questionable to estimate a passing in flocks of Taiga Bean Geese (Curry-Lindahl 1959; Ed- population of more than 10,000 individuals from this peak berg 1960, 1961, 1965; Lennerstedt 1962; Markgren number of 500 birds, especially since we know that spring 1963; SOF 1978; Alatalo et al. 1985; Huyskens 1986; migration of arctic geese is very concentrated in time. Ekberg & Nilsson 1994). The Taiga Bean Geese of these About the Ume River Delta Haglund (1937) reported sites were a mixture of breeding birds from Swedish Lap- that Taiga Bean Geese were relatively scarce and did not land, Finland and western Russia (Nilsson 1984; Nilsson stay for a long time, while the Lesser White-fronted Geese & Persson 1984; Nilsson & Pirkola 1991), which could during three weeks (late April to Mid May) were com- be an indication of the origin of the Lesser White-fronted mon in the area. During peak occurrence, flocks of up to Geese observed at these sites. “some hundred” individuals were observed. Based on this Norderhaug & Norderhaug (1984) collected data of information a maximum of 200 individuals was estimated Lesser White-fronted Goose from the period 1900–1980, for the area for that period and included in the data base which is comparable with the period of this study. A com- “SVALAN”. Considering the fact that there must have been bination of both data sets shows a more complete picture larger and smaller flocks, the actual maximum day count of the distribution of observations during the period 1900– might easily have reached 400 individuals. Taking into ac- 1981 (Fig. 7). The main difference between these data sets is count that the species was common during three weeks, the that Norderhaug & Norderhaug (1984) only considered total staging population at the Ume River Delta probably data of the last phase of spring migration (May) and the first reached at least 1,000 individuals. Considering the fact that phase of the breeding season (June), which could explain the staging population of Taiga Bean Goose in the 1950s the lack of data from central and southern Sweden in their was estimated at about 5,000 individuals (C.-F. Wacht- data set. By missing several references from Västerbotten, meister pers. comm.) and the Lesser White-fronted Goose they overlooked the importance of the flyway across Norra outnumbered this species, this Swedish area might, at that Kvarken and the interesting correlation between popula- time, have been as important as the Oulo area. tion trends in the southwestern breeding range, western The relatively big average flock size observed in August Finland, the Baltics, Hungary and Greece. indicates that a considerable number of the southwestern subpopulation of the Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese moulted in Swedish Lapland, in the direct vicinity of the breeding area, as stated by Ekman (1922). Such a view is supported by the records of moulting concentra- tions of up to 1,000 birds (Cnattingius 1868), records from Padjelanta of locals catching large numbers of Lesser White-fronted Geese during moult in the 1930s and of sites where up to 400 slaughtered moulters were found (Curry-Lindahl 1959; von Essen 1982b). These records differ markedly from the results of the studies on birds from northern Norway, which were followed by satellite- telemetry and moulted in Norway, or migrated to Siberia to moult (Aarvak et al. 1997, 2000; Lorentsen et al. 1998; Aarvak & Øien 2003). However, it cannot fully be ruled out that this behaviour was a speciality of the northern- most Fennoscandian breeding birds, or is the result of a rather recent change in moulting behaviour, probably due to the fact that the relict of the Fennoscandian popula- tion “imports” at least about 50% of its males from the Fig. 7: Distribution of Lesser White-fronted Goose observations neighbouring Russian breeding population (Ruokonen in Fennoscandia during the period 1900–1981, composed of data from No r d e r h a u g & No r d e r h a u g (1984; red dots) and this study (blue et al. 2004). dots). – Verteilung der Zwerggans-Beobachtungen in Fennoskandien von With the exception of the breeding sites and one 1900–1981, zusammengestellt aus Daten von No r d e r h a u g & No r d e r h a u g migration spot, all observations collected for this study (1984; rote Punkte) und dieser Untersuchung (blaue Punkte). VOGELWELT 129: 269 – 280 (2008) 277

The distribution of observations according to Fig. 7 clearly Bean Geese from Sweden still do, or whether some birds shows that the Lesser White-fronted Geese besides migrat- (after crossing Norra Kvarken) followed the Finnish coast ing over the Bothnian Sea and along the Finnish coast southwards and then migrated back to Sweden over Åland also migrated over South Sweden to some extent. Of our from SW Finland. This passage over Åland and southern data set of 353 observations in Sweden, 140 are from the Bothnian Sea is followed by the Taiga Bean Geese from area south of Norra Kvarken, and 51 of these are from Finland wintering in Sweden and further to the southwest spring migration. (Nilsson 1984; Nilsson & Persson 1984; Nilsson & Data indicate three historical flyways; two passing Fin- Pirkola 1991). land, one via Ume Delta and crossing the Norra Kvarken and the other passing the Oulo area, and one along the 5. Conclusion Swedish Bothnian coast to the south. Available data were insufficient to delineate migration From the available data it is not possible to decide routes within the Atlantic flyway, south of the former which migration route was most important, as the species breeding range. However, regular occurrence at frequently had disappeared from important parts of the breeding checked sites, and numbers involved as well, still in the areas in the south before the boom of field ornitholo- 1960s, strongly indicate that such routes have existed. gists. Nor is it possible, from the observations presented Consequently, there is no scientific basis to state that the here, to decide whether the southwestern subpopulation of Swedish re-established Lesser White-fronted Geese follow the Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese migrated an unnatural migration route. Instead, it is likely that these along the Baltic on the Swedish side, as the breeding Taiga birds revived a traditional migration route.

6. Zusammenfassung Mooij, J. H., P. Hansson, H. Kampe-Persson & L. Nilsson 2008: Analyse von historischen Beobachtungen der fennoskandischen Zwerggans Anser erythropus in Schweden und der westlichen Paläarktis. Vogelwelt 129: 269–280. Basierend auf den Ergebnissen älterer finnischen Studien und diese Arbeit nur Daten der Periode 1900–1981 berücksichtigt. neuerer telemetrischen Studien wurde festgestellt, dass die ver- Insgesamt wurden 353 Meldungen von mehr als 3.600 Individuen bliebene und gegenwärtig auf 20 Brutpaare geschätzte fenno- gesammelt und analysiert. skandische Zwerggans-Population zuerst in östlicher Richtung Die Datenanalyse gab klare Hinweise, dass es eine traditionelle zur Kanin Halbinsel oder zur Mündung des Ob und einige sogar Zwerggans-Zugroute von Lappland, entlang der schwedischen weit östlich bis zur Halbinsel Taimyr fliegen um zu mausern. Küste nach Südschweden gab, von wo die Vögel Schweden im Anschließend wandern sie via Nord-Russland und die Baltischen Spätherbst verlassen, um irgendwo in Europa zu überwintern. Staaten nach Ost-Deutschland und von dort über Ungarn nach Im Frühjahr folgen die Zwerggänse annähernd dem gleichen Griechenland. Es wurde daher angenommen, dass die Vögel Zugweg zurück nach Lappland. Möglicherweise wurde diese der wiedereingebürgerten schwedischen Zwerggans-Population Route von den Brutvögeln der südlichsten fennoskandischen durch ihre Weißwangengans-Pflegeeltern auf einer völlig neuen Brutgebiete, die gegenwärtig verlassen sind, genutzt. Wanderroute nach Westeuropa geprägt wurden. Diese Zugroute existierte lange vor Beginn des schwedischen Um zu untersuchen ob diese Ansicht zutrifft, wurden ältere Wiedereinbürgerungsprojektes. Deshalb kann festgestellt wer- Datenquellen sowie Zwerggans-Meldungen aus Schweden gesam- den, dass diese traditionelle Zwerggansroute durch das schwe- melt und ausgewertet. Um die Vögel der wiedereingebürgerten dische Wiedereinbürgerungsprojekt wahrscheinlich lediglich schwedischen Zwerggans-Population auszuschließen, wurden für wiederbelebt bzw. gestärkt und nicht kreiert wurde.

7. References Aarvak, T & I. J. Øien 2003: Moult and autumn migration of No 12 & Norwegian Ornithological Society, NOF Rapport- non-breeding Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese serie Report No. 1-2000. Anser erythropus mapped by satellite telemetry. Bird Con- Alatalo, M., B.-Å. Andersson, T. Andersson, B. Kumlin & serv. Int. 13: 213–226. S. Lundgren 1985: Fåglar i Södra Älvsborg 1984. Gavia 11: Aarvak, T., I. J. Øien & S. Nagy 1996: The Lesser White-fronted 45–61. Goose Monitoring Programme. Annual Report 1996. Nor- Alphéra­ky, S. 1904: Ge­e­se of Rus­sia. Kut­schnerew & Co, Mo­ wegian Ornithological Society, NOF Rapportserie Report scow. No. 7-1996, Klæbu. Andersson, A. & T. Larsson 2006: Reintroduction of the Lesser Aarvak, T., I. J. Øien, E. E. Syroechkovski Jr. & I. Kostadi- White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus in Swedish Lapland. nova 1997: The Lesser White-fronted Goose Monitoring In: Boere, G. C., C. A. Gailbraith & D. A. Stroud (eds.): Programme. Annual Report 1997. Norwegian Ornithological Waterbirds around the world: p. 635–363. The Stationary Society, NOF Rapportserie Report No. 5-1997, Klæbu. Office, Edinburgh, UK. Aarvak, T., S. Timonen, I. J. Øien, P. Tolvanen & J. Markkola Anon. 1981: Faunaområden i fjällregionen – Kartläggning av 2000: Spring migration of Lesser White-fronted Geese in de hotade djurarternas viktigaste tillflyktsområden. Natur- north-western Europe – an analysis from individual mark- vårdsverkets Meddelande SNV PM 1295. ings. In: Tolvanen, P., I. J. Øien & K. Ruokolainen (eds.): Bau­er, K. M. & Glutz von Blotz­heim, U. N. 1968. Hand­ Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation buch der Vö­gel Mit­teleu­ ­ro­pas. Bd. 2. AkadademischeVer­lags­ project. Annual report 1999: p. 32–33. WWF Finland Report gesesellschaft, Frank­furt/Main. 278 J. H. Mooij et al: Historical observations of Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese

Bannerman, D. A. 1957: The Birds of the British Isles. Vol. 6. Jägerskiöld, L.A. & Kolthoff, G. 1926: Nordens fåglar. Albert Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh. Bonniers Förlag, Stockholm. Cnattingius, A. 1868: Ornithologiska anteckningar. Svenska Kampe-Persson, H. 2004: Is Doñana of importance for the Jägareförbundets Nya Tidskrift 6: 58–63. Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus? Anuario Curry-Lindahl, K. 1959: Våra Fåglar i Norden. Vol. 1. Natur Ornithológico de Doñana 1: 217–225. och Kultur, Stockholm. Kist, J., M. J. Tekke & K. H. Voous 1970: Avifauna van Ne- Curry-Lindahl, K. 1963: Vindeldalen och dess fjäll. Natur i derland. Leiden. Lappland, del I: 480–498. Koffijberg, K., F. Cottaar & H. van der Jeugd 2005: Pleister- Davies, H. 1949: Lesser White-fronted Goose in Norfolk. Brit- plaatsen van Dwergganzen Anser erythropus in Nederland. ish Birds 42: 95. SOVON-informatierapport 2005/06. SOVON Vogelonder- Davis, H. H. & P. Scott 1946: Lesser White-fronted Goose on zoek Nederland, Beek-Ubbergen. the Severn. Brit. Birds 39: 77–79. Koffijberg, K., F. Cottaar & H. van der Jeugd 2006: Toe- Delin, H., H. Myhrberg & S. Svensson 1957: Tärnasjön, name van Dwergganzen in Nederland in 1989–2005. Limosa Ahasjön och Laisan – tre fågelsjöar i Västerbottensfjällen. 79: 107–122. Sveriges Naturs årsbok 48: 136–156. Kumari, E. & A. Jögi 1972: Passage of Geese through the Baltic Dementiev, G. P. & N. A. Gladkov 1952: Birds of the Soviet area. In: Kumari, E. (ed.): Gusi v SSSR: trudy mezvedomst- Union. Vol. 4. 1967 translation, Israel Program for Scientific vennogo sovescanija, Estonija, maj 1970 g. Tartu. Translation, Jerusalem. Leibak, E., V. Lilleleht & H. Veromann 1994: Birds of Estonia. De Smet, G. 2005: Status and origin of rare geese in Belgium. Estonian Academy Publishers, Tallinn. Oriolus 71 Suppl.: 76–89. Lennerstedt, R. 1962: The Bean Geese (Anser fabalis) in North- Dubois P. J., P. Le Maréchal, G. Olioso & P. Yésou 2000: ern Halland (57°25’N, 12°E). Vår Fågelvärld 21: 174–181. Inventaire des oiseaux de France. Avifaune de France mé- LOB 2007: Mazā zoss Anser erythropus. www.putni.nerealitate. tropolitaine. Nathan, Paris. lv. Down-loaded 30 June 2007. Edberg, R. 1960: Fågelsträcket genom Kalmarsund 1958 och Lorentsen, S.-H., I. J. Øien & T. Aarvak 1998: Migration of 1959. Vår Fågelvärld 19: 19–30. Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus Edberg, R. 1961: The migration through the Kalmar Sound in mapped by satellite telemetry. Biol. Conserv. 84: 47–52. 1960. Vår Fågelvärld 20: 47–57. Lorentsen, S.-H., I. J. Øien, T. Aarvak, J. Markkola, L. von Edberg, R. 1965: The migration through the Kalmar Sound in Essen, S. Faragó, V. Morozov, E. Syroechkovsky Jr. & 1961. Vår Fågelvärld 24: 97–106. P. Tolvanen 1999: Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser eryth- Ekberg, B. & L. Nilsson 1994: Skånes fåglar. Signum, Lund. ropus. In: Madsen, J., G. Cracknell & A. D. Fox (eds.): Ekman, S. 1922: Djurvärldens utbredningshistoria på skandina- Goose populations of the Western Palearctic. A review of viska halvön. Bonnier, Stockholm. status and distribution: p. 144–161. Wetlands International Eykman, C., P. A. Hens, F. C. van Heurn, C. G. B. ten Kate, J. Publ. 48: 144–161. G. van Marle, G. van der Meer, M. J. Tekke & T. G. de Markgren, G. 1963: Migrating and wintering geese in Southern Vries 1941: De Nederlandse vogels. Wageningen. Sweden – Ecology and Behaviour Studies. Acta Vertebratica Fog, M. 1976: Passage of geese through Denmark. Bird Migra- 2: 297–418. tion, Talinn: 146–163. Merikallio, E. F. 1915: Fjällgåsens flyttningsväg öfver trakterna Fog, M. 1977: Gänse, Gänseforschung und Gänseprobleme kring Uleåborg. Finlands Jakttidskr. 12: 311–313. Dänemarks. Vogelwelt 98: 121–141. Merikallio, E. 1920: Flyttar fjällgåsen (Anser erythropus L.) Fox, A. D. & J. Madsen 1999: Introduction. In: Madsen, J., G. till Lappland öfver trakterna kring Uleåborg? Finlands Jakt- Cracknell & A. D. Fox (eds.): Goose populations of the tidskr. 15: 81–88, 110–114. Western Palearctic. A review of status and distribution: p. Mooij, J. H. & T. Heinicke 2008: Status, distribution and num- 8–18. Wetlands International Publ. 48. bers of the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus in Fransson, T. & J. Petterson 2001: Svensk ringmärkningsatlas. Germany. Vogelwelt 129: 281–292. Vol 1. Swedish Museum of Natural History/Swedish Orni- Munsterhjelm, L. 1911: Om fågelfaunan i Könkämädalen uti thological Society, Stockholm. . Acta Soc. Fauna Flora Fennica 34(8). Frieling, H. 1936: Exkursionsbuch zum Bestimmen der Vögel Munsterhjelm, L. 1913: Fjällgåsen (Anser erythropus) i Skandi- in freier Natur. Springer Verlag, Berlin. navien och Finland. Tidskr. Jägare Fiskare 1: 1–5. Haglund, B. 1937: Från Kust till kalfjäll – Bilder från Västerbot- Naumann, J. F. 1842: Naturgeschichte der Vögel Deutschland. tens natur och fågelliv. Lars Hökerbergs Bokförlag, Stock- Bd. XI. Leipzig. holm. Niethammer, G. 1938: Handbuch der Deutschen Vogelkunde. Haglund, B. 1940: På vårsträck i Västerbottens skärgård. Svensk Bd. 2. Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Leipzig. Jakt 78: 216–222. Nilsson, L. 1984: Migrations of Fennoscandian Bean Geese Hansson, P. 2005: Kan fjällgåsen, Anser erythropus, någonsin Anser fabalis. Swedish Wildl. Res. 13: 83–106. komma tillbaks till Västerbotten? Fåglar i Västerbotten 30(3): Nilsson, L. & H. Persson 1984: Non-breeding distribution, 2–8. numbers and ecology of Bean Goose Anser fabalis in Swe- Heinicke, T. & J. Mooij 2005: Neue Erkenntnisse zum Auftreten den. Swedish Wildl. Res. 13: 107–170. und Schutz der Zwerggans in Deutschland. – DDA-Wasser- Nilsson, L. & M. K. Pirkola 1991: Migration pattern of Finnish vogelrundbrief August 2005: 10–12. Bean Geese Anser fabalis. Ornis Svecica 1: 69–80. Hortling, I. 1929a: Ornithologisk handbook med beskrivning Nilsson, S. 1858: Skandinavisk fauna, Foglarna. Gleerups, över alla i Finland anträffade fågelarter och raser jämte Lund. avbildningar och enkom utförda ving- och äggmått m.m. Norderhaug, A. & M. Norderhaug 1982: Anser erythropus in samt namnförklaringar. J. Simelii Arvingars Boktryckeri Fennoscandia. Aquila 89: 93–101. AB, Helsingfors. Norderhaug, A. & M. Norderhaug 1984: Status of the Lesser Hortling, I. 1929b: Zum Frühjahrszuge an der Westküste Finn- White-fronted Goose, Anser erythropus, in Fennoscandia. lands. J. Ornithol. Ergänzungsband 2: 93–105. Swedish Wildl. Res. 13: 171–185. Huyskens, P. R. G. 1986: Het Europese Rietganzenprobleem Noskov, G. A. 2002: Red Data Book of Nature of the Leningrad Anser fabalis. Oriolus 52: 105–256. Region. Vol. 3. St. Petersburg. VOGELWELT 129: 269 – 280 (2008) 279

Ogilvie, M. A. & D. I. M. Wallace 1975: Field identification Tolvanen, P., K. Ruokolainen, J. Markkola & R. Karvo- of grey geese. Brit. Birds 68: 57–67. nen 1998: Finish Lesser White-fronted Goose Conserva- Øien, I. J., T. Aarvak & M. Ekker 2007: Imre er død – leve tion Project. Annual Report 1997. WWF Finland report 9, dverggåsa! Vår Fuglefauna 30: 26–28. Helsinki. Persson, H. 2000: Occurence of the Lesser White-fronted Tolvanen, P., I. J. Øien & K. Ruokolainen 1999: Fennoscandian Goose in Spain, up to 1999. In: Tolvanen, P., I. J. Øien & K. Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Annual Ruokolainen (eds.): Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Report 1998. WWF Finland report 10, Helsinki & Norwe- Goose conservation project – Annual report 1999: p. 51–52. gian Ornithological Society, NOF Rapportserie Report No. WWF Finland Report No 13 & Norwegian Ornithological 1-1999, Klæbu. Society, NOF Rapportserie Report No 1-2001. Tolvanen, P., I. J. Øien & K. Ruokolainen 2000a: Fennos- Persson, H. 2004: Lesser White-fronted Geese shot in Spain. candian Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. In: Aarvak, T. & S . Timonen (eds.): Fennoscandian Lesser Annual report 1999. WWF Finland Report No 12, Helsinki White-fronted Goose conservation project – Annual report & Norwegian Ornithological Society, NOF Rapportserie 2001–2003: p. 50. WWF Finland Report No 20 & Norwe- Report No. 1-2000, Klæbu. gian Ornithological Society, NOF Rapportserie Report No Tolvanen, P., R. Karvonen, P. Pynnönen & A. Leito 2000b: 1-2004. Monitoring of Lesser White-fronted Geese in western Esto- Pynnönen, J. & P. Tolvanen 2001: Monitoring of Lesser White- nia in 1999. In: Tolvanen, P., I. J. Øien & K. Ruokolainen fronted Geese in western Estonia in spring 2000. In: Tolva- (2000): Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose conser- nen, P., I. J. Øien & K. Ruokolainen (eds.): Fennoscandian vation project. Annual report 1999: p. 18–21. WWF Finland Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Annual Report No 12 & Norwegian Ornithological Society, NOF Report 2000: p. 10–11. WWF Finland Report No 13 & Nor- Rapportserie Report No. 1-2000: 18–21. wegian Ornithological Society, NOF Rapportserie Report Tolvanen, P., I. J. Øien & K. Ruokolainen 2001: Fennoscandian No. 1-2001. Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Annual Raudonikis, L. & S. Shvazhas 1991: A short note on goose Report 2000. WWF Finland Report No 13, Helsinki & Nor- migration in Lithuania. Ardea 79: 123–124. wegian Ornithological Society, NOF Rapportserie Report Ringleben, H. 1957: Die Wildgänse Europas. Ziemsen Verlag, No. 1-2001, Klæbu. Wittenberg Lutherstadt. Tolvanen, P., M. Toming & J. Pynnönen 2004: Monitoring of Rose, P. M. & D. A. Scott 1997: Waterfowl Population Estimates Lesser White-fronted Geese in western Estonia in 2001– – Second Edition. Wetlands International Publication 44. 2003. In: Aarvak, T. & S. Timonen (eds.): Fennoscandian Rosenius, P. 1937: Sveriges fåglar och fågelbon. Vol. 4. C. W. K. Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Report Gleerups förlag, Lund. 2001-2003: 9–13. WWF Finland Report No 20 & Norwe- Ruokonen, M., L. Kvist, T. Aarvak, J. Markkola, V. V. Moro- gian Ornithological Society, NOF Rapportserie report No. zov, I. J. Øien, E. E. Syroechkovsky Jr., P. Tolvanen & J. 1-2004. Lumme 2004: Population genetic structure and conservation Tomiałojċ, L. 1990: Ptaki Polski. Rozmieszczenie i liczebnosc. of the lesser white-fronted goose Anser erythropus. Conserv. Pánstwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe, Warszawa. Genetics 5: 501–512. Uspenski, S.M. 1965: Die Wildgänse Nordeurasiens. Ziemsen Sandman, J. A. 1892: Fogelfaunan på Karlö. Medd. Soc. Fauna Verlag, Wittenberg-Lutherstadt. Flora Fennica 17. van den Berg, A. B. & C. A. W. Bosman 1999: Rare Birds of the Schle­gel, H. 1877: De Vo­gels van Ne­der­land. Fun­ke, Am­ster­ Netherlands, Avifauna van Nederland 1. GMB Uitgeverij & dam. Stichting Uitgeverij van de KNNV, Haarlem & Utrecht. Scott, D. A. & P. M. Rose 1996: Atlas of Anatidae Populations van Impe, J. 1982: The Lesser White-fronted Goose in the south in Africa and Western Eurasia. Wetlands International Pub- of the province of Zeeland (Netherlands). Veldornithol. Ti- lication 41. jdschr. 5: 130–140. Smith, F. R. 1974: Report on rare birds in Great Britain in Vlaamse Avifaunacommissie 1989: Vogels in Vlaanderen. 1973 (with additions for ten previous years). Brit. Birds 67: Voorkomen en Verspreiding. C. I. P. Koninklijke Bibliotheek 310–348. Albert I, Bornhem. SOF 1978: Sveriges fåglar. Stockholm. von Essen, L. 1982a: An effort to reintroduce the Lesser White- Soikkeli, M. 1960: Hanhien ja joutsenen muutosta Porin ran- fronted Goose Anser erythropus into the Scandinavian nikkoseudulla. Luonnon Tutkija 64: 1–5. Mountains. Aquila 89:103–105. Soikkeli, M 1973: Decrease in numbers of migrating Lesser von Essen, L. 1982b: Ett försök att återinplantera fjällgåsen i White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus in Finland. Finnish den skandinaviska fjällkedjan. Vår Fågelvärld, Supplement Game Res. 33: 28–30. 9: 109–110. Sterbetz, I. 1968: Der Zug der Zwerggans auf der Ungarischen von Essen, L. 1991: A note on the Lesser White-fronted Goose Puszta. Ardea 56: 259–266. Anser erythropus in Sweden and the result of a re-introduc- Stresemann, E. 1961: Exkursionsfauna von Deutschland. Wir- tion scheme. Ardea 79: 305–306. beltiere. Volk und Wissen Volkseigener Verlag, Berlin. von Essen, L. 1996: Reintroduction of lesser white-fronted geese Švažas, S. 1996: The Lesser White-fronted Goose in Lithua- (Anser erythropus) in Swedish Lapland (1981–1991). Gibier nia. Wetlands International Goose Specialist Group Bull. Faune Sauvage, Game Wildl. 13: 1169–1180. 7: 8–9. von Essen, L. 1999: The Swedish reintroduction project of Švažas, S., V. Stanevicius & M. Čepulis 1997: The status, num- Lesser White-fronted Geese. In: Tolvanen P., I. J. Øien & bers and distribution of swans and geese in Lithuania. Acta K. Ruokolainen (eds.): Fennoscandian Lesser White- Zool. Lituanica Ornithol. 6: 66–78. fronted Goose conservation project. Annual Report 1998: Tolvanen, P. 1999: A spring staging area for Lesser White-front- 53–55. WWF Finland report 10 & Norwegian Ornithological ed Geese recovered in Matsalu, Estonia. In: Tolvanen, P., Society, NOF Rapportserie Report no. 1-1999. I. J. Øien & K. Ruokolainen (eds.): Fennoscandian Lesser von Essen, L., A. Bylin & B. Fagerström 2000: The Swed- White-fronted Goose conservation project. Annual Report ish project on re-establishment of the Lesser White-fronted 1998: p. 15–18. WWF Finland Report 10 & Norwegian Orni- Goose in Swedish Lapland – a summary for 1999. In: Tolva- thological Society, NOF Rapportserie Report No. 1-1999. nen, P, I. J. Øien & K. Ruokolainen (eds.): Fennoscandian 280 J. H. Mooij et al: Historical observations of Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Geese

Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Annual Witherby, H. F., F. C. R. Jourdain, N. F. Ticehurst & B. W. report 1999: 52–53. WWF Finland Report No 12 & Nor- Tucker 1939: The Handbook of British Birds. Vol. III. With- wegian Ornithological Society, NOF Rapportserie Report erby, London. No. 1-2000. Yeatman-Berthelot, D. 1991: Atlas des Oiseaux de France en von Post, G. H. 1946: Fågellivet på öar, skär och stränder längs hiver. SEOF, Paris Västerbottens kust. Västerbotten 27: 66–83. Žalakevičius, M. 1998: Results of the long-term waterfowl Wachtmeister, C.- F. 1958: Umetraktens fåglar – en översikt. migration research in Lithuania. Acta Zoologica Lituanica Västerbotten 39: 9–37. Ornithologica 8, special issue: 15–18. Watson, D. 1955: Lesser White-fronted Goose in Kirkcudbright. Brit. Birds 48: 323–325.

Johan H. Mooij, Biologische Station im Kreis Wesel, Freybergweg 9, D-46483 Wesel, Germany; E-Mail: [email protected] Per Hansson, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SLU, Dept. of Forest Ecology and Management, S-901 83 Umeå (Sweden); E-mail: [email protected] Hakon Kampe-Persson, University of Lund, Department of Animal Ecology, Allarp 414-19, S-295 91 Bromölla (Sweden); E-Mail: [email protected] Leif Nilsson, University of Lund, Department of Ecology, Ekologihuset, S-223 62 Lund, (Sweden); E-Mail: [email protected]