Site fidelity of Icelandic Greylag Geese between winters

Greylag Goose cubs

Greylag Goose cubs

Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Science Article 9

abstract

Britain supports almost the entire Icelandic population of Greylag Geese Anser anser in winter and has a special responsibility for the conservation of these birds. To facilitate the successful management of this population, the aim of this analysis was to ascertain the degree of site fidelity on the wintering grounds in relation to age and sex. Observations of marked Icelandic Greylag Geese suggest that most Greylag Geese are faithful to a region from one winter to the next. No significant differences were found according to age or sex groups. In the light of a recent major shift in the distribution of Icelandic Greylag Geese wintering in Scotland, these results are surprising as they provide evidence of a high level of site fidelity in the non-breeding season.

Robert (Bob) L. Swann and Ivan K. Brockway, Ringing & Migration (2007) 23, 238-242

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