Arkadiusz Sikora, Zbigniew Kajzer
Ornis Polonica 2018, 59: 211–222
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2018.3.3
Abstract: In 1931–2016 a total of 224 records of 466 individuals of the Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus were made in Pomerania (N Poland). Only two birds were observed in the first half of the 20th century: in 1931 and 1937 near the Gulf of Gdańsk. In 1975–2003 a total of 13 individuals were recorded nine times. During subsequent years the numbers steadily increased, from 10 birds observed in 2004 to 68, 61 and 64 birds in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively. Pink-footed Geese were observed from September to May. The species was most frequently noted in spring (41.8%) and winter (41.2%). Between October and December numbers fluctuated, and from mid-February increased to reach a peak in the first decade of March. Afterwards the numbers declined, and in May the birds were observed only 6 times. Pink-footed Geese were recorded in 105 places, mostly (78.1%) in the western part of Pomerania (eastern part – 20.5%, central part – 1.3%). Observations included single birds (54.6%) or flocks of 2 to 29 individuals (45.4%) mainly mixed with Bean and Greater White-fronted Geese. Before 2009 only 22.5% of all identified birds were found in flocks of more than 3 birds, while in 2010–2016 this proportion reached 40.2%. The largest flock of 29 birds was recorded on 11 January 2015 at Osłonino near the Gulf of Gdańsk. The increase in the numbers of detected Pink-footed Geese in Pomerania is a result of breeding population growth, higher numbers of visitors during the non-breeding season, as well as increased study effort in Pomerania.
Keywords: Anser brachyrhynchus, migration, Pink-footed Goose, wintering
