Andrzej Wuczyński, Bartosz Smyk
Ornis Polonica 2010, 51: 204–219
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2010.3.3
Abstract: Last records of geese populations migrating and wintering in Lower Silesia come from the 1990s. In November, January and March 2009–2010 morning censuses were conducted during periods of peak abundance of geese in Lower Silesia. These peaks corresponded with the time of their autumn migration, wintering, and spring migration, respectively. A total of 72 000–75 000 individuals was recorded in November, 7 000–8 000 in January, and 120 000–130 000 in March (excluding Anser anser). Extremely high geese numbers in March and low in January resulted probably from non-typical weather conditions. A total of 8 geese species from the genera Anser and Branta was recorded. During each census the most abundant were the Bean Goose A. fabalis and White-fronted Goose A. albifrons. The share of the latter species in mixed flocks varied throughout the year, and constituted 9.3% in November, 0.3% in January and 13.9% in March. The key role of the three formerly known sites of geese concentration (the Otmuchowski Reservoir, the Mietkowski Reservoir, the Barycz Valley) was confirmed. This study indicates that Lower Silesia is now one of the most important stopover sites for geese in central Europe.
