Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds
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Russian Federation Vernacular name: Piskulka (transliteration from Russian); Gilljobás (Lappish/Sami) The following section is based on information presented in UNEP/WCMC 2004, updated by V. Morozov in 2005 (pers. comm.) Aikio et al. (2000) concluded that the status (precise breeding and moulting areas, numbers and trends) of birds nesting on the Kola Peninsula of north-westernmost Russia was unclear and that more detailed research was required. A field expedition to the Lake Enozero area in June 2001 gathered some additional information and the report on this work concludes: “it is still possible that the total Lesser White-fronted Goose breeding population of the whole Kola peninsula could be perhaps some tens of pairs, taking into account the huge area of potentially suitable and mostly intact breeding habitat” (Timonen & Tolvanen 2004). Satellite telemetry and marking programmes and field surveys (Tolvanen 1998) suggest that the Kanin Peninsula may be a key autumn moulting/staging area for the whole Fennoscandian breeding population (Lorentsen et al., 1998) Within European Russia the population was estimated to be about 500 to 1,000 birds in 1990 (Morozov 1995). A more recent review summarised the population for the European tundra at the same level (Morozov & Syroechkovski, 2002). Low numbers and a declining trend have been noted for the Bolshezemelskaya tundra, though little habitat change has been observed over 15 years (Morozov, 1999). European Russia still holds a viable population of Lesser White-fronted Geese, although the distribution area has contracted, particularly in the Polar Ural region (Morozov, 1999). The most recent data suggest that the Polar Ural population has fluctuated in line with the decreases noted in other parts of the European tundra. Despite a viable breeding population and no obvious changes in the condition of the breeding area the population of European Russia has decreased in size and range (Morozov 2003). Although satellite telemetry has recently tracked one bird to Iraq the wintering grounds of 80% of the Western main population are unknown. Satellite tracking has also reconfirmed the importance of the Samur Delta (Syroechkovskiy 2005). The Taimyr Peninsula is one of the key breeding areas for the Western main population. Satellite telemetry has shown the Ob river valley to be a key flyway. A network of waterbodies within the Kuma-Manych Basin are used as stopover sites both in spring and autumn, with a maximum of 13,800 birds recorded in 1995 (Bliznyuk, 2000). In the Nizheneye Dvuobye, within Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Districts, the birds use the flooded meadows, floodplains and scrub along the Ob River during autumn. Many thousands of individuals have occurred in the east of Chelyabinsk region during autumn migration (Zakharov and Migun, 1997; Gordienko, 2001), while in spring hundreds of birds have been observed with a maximum of 500-800 recorded (Korovin, 1997). Some staging areas are also known from the eastern shores of the Sea of Azov. (Lorentsen et al., 1999; Morozov & Syroechkovski, 2002). Artiukhov (2003) noted that the Lesser White-fronted Goose comprised 0.5% of all geese migrating through the Bryansk Oblast in spring, but there have been no records in autumn since about 1980. Bulgakov and Grishanov (2000) recorded 100 Lesser White-fronted Geese migrating through Kaliningrad in spring 2000. Some individuals were recorded in spring between 1987 and 2002 in the north of European Russia: on the Faustovo floodplain, Moscow Oblast; on Oka river flood-plain in Ryazan’ Oblast; at the Rybinsk reservoir in Yaroslavl Oblast; near to St. Petersburg in Leningrad Oblast; in Kargopol District in Arkhangelsk Oblast; and on Olonets fields in the Republic of Karelia (Morozov & Syroechkovski, 2002). The species is listed in the Russian Red Data Book Sweden (EU) Vernacular name: Fjällgås (Swedish); Gilljobás (Lappish/Sami) Formerly bred in large numbers, but wild population now thought to be extinct and there have been no breeding records during the last 10 years. However, the historical spring flyway was probably from Finland across the Baltic Sea/ Bay of Bothnia and along the Swedish coastline. There were important staging areas at some places along the coast in northern Sweden and the flyways then followed the river valleys into the country’s interior and the breeding areas in the mountains (fjällen). There are still occasional observations of Lesser Whitefronts along the northern Swedish coastline and along the rivers of northernmost Sweden, as shown by spring/summer records of five individuals in Norbotten county in 2005. These birds almost certainly originate from the Fennoscandian population and not from the reintroduced population, though, as yet, there are no studies to confirm this. The reintroduced birds use more southerly flyways in Sweden. The possibility that a few pairs from the wild Fennoscandian population still breed in Sweden cannot be excluded (M. Björkland, pers comm). Since 1977 a captive-breeding and reintroduction programme has resulted in the establishment of a free-flying population in Swedish Lapland. These birds migrate to The Netherlands, following the flyway of Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) foster parents. The reintroduced population stages on the Swedish coast of the Gulf of Bothnia and at additional inland areas in southern Sweden. Å. Andersson estimates the current size of the reintroduced population at 80-100 birds with 15 breeding pairs (Å. Andersson, pers. comm.). No releases of birds into the wild have been made since 1999, following the discovery of introgressed genes of Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) among the captive stock (Å. Andersson, 2004). The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency considers that observations of one Lesser White-fronted Goose with four young (1979), and of ten Lesser White-fronts without rings (1982) in Lapland (Å Andersson, unpubl. data) could indicate a possibility that a nesting pair of wild origin had remained before the reintroductions started in 1981. Syria Vernacular name: Al-Owaza Alramadeya, or Al-Owaza Al Garaa Al Saghera الأوزة الرمادية / الأوزة الغراء الصغيرة Vagrant, with three records up to 1995. Following the discovery of a Russian satellite-tagged Lesser White-fronted Goose wintering in eastern Syria, an expedition to the region was organised in February 2007 with the aim of visiting and researching three poorly known sites very close to the Iraq border. Unfortunately, the satellite-tagged bird departed for Iraq just prior to the expedition, but many significant findings were made nevertheless. The highlight was the discovery of at least eight, and probably many more, Lesser White-fronts, suggesting that Syria may be an important wintering area for the Western main population (http://www.piskulka.net/Satellite tracking.htm). Further research is required to build on these observations and describe the situation of the species in Syria. Turkey Vernacular name: Küçük sakarca Rare winter visitor, occurring regularly in European Turkey in very small numbers, notably at Saros Körfezi (=‘Saros bay’, recognised by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area, ref. TR101). It is thought that some birds are overlooked owing to poor ornithological coverage of this part of the country and it is likely that the actual distribution of occurrences is wider than presently known. A satellite-tagged bird of the Western main subpopulation, ringed in the Polar Ural region of northern Russia in August 2004, staged briefly at Haçli Lake (an Important Bird Area, ref. TR084) in eastern Turkey in late November 2004 before spending the winter in Iraq. (source: www.piskulka.net/Satellite%20tracking.htm#results). Other records since 1980 as follows:
Source: BirdLife Turkey, pers. comm. Turkmenistan Vernacular name: Kichi sakar gaz Irregular migrant and wintering bird on the Turkmen Sea Shore. The distribution is irregular with observations fluctuating widely during recent years. Average sightings are 330 individuals sighted in November, and circa 115 individauls sighted in in the month of January, the average number of all wintering birds is 165 (Vasiliev et al. 2006). Lesser White-fronted Geese have only occasionally and rarely been reported to occurr at inland water sources. From 1975 to 2003 the maximum number of birds counted was 1850 individuals in November 1999, while in 1982 only 2 birds were seen and no observations were made in the years 1976-1978. 1986/7 and 1992-1996. However most wetlands in the country possess suitable habitat hence it cannot be ruled out that the species occurred unreported. The most important sites are Turmenbashy, Balkan, Mihkailovskiy and Severo-Cheleken Cay holding more than 50% of all winter counts. The lower basin of the Atrek Delta, formerly equally important for LWfG, has lost its value due to drainage of the area. Vasiliev et al. (2006) provide further information. Ukraine Vernacular name: Mala guska Little has been known about the status of migrating or wintering Lesser White-fronted Geese in Ukraine. Indeed the first recent record was in 1995 (Rusev et al. 1996). Between 1998 and 2005, more detailed counts were conducted in the Azov-Black Sea region, with a peak number of 579 birds in winter 1999/2000 in Crimea and 1,000 in winter 2000-2001 in the vicinity of the Ukrainian-Moldovan border around the Dniester delta and Dniestrovsky liman (Rusev, 2004). Between 1998 and 2000, more detailed counts were conducted in Crimea, with a peak number of 579 birds in winter 1999/2000. A survey was planned for the whole Crimean peninsula in January/February 2002, but this period immediately followed a spell of severe weather, with heavy snowfall and temperatures as low as -28C; consequently only a few Lesser white-fronted Geese were observed. Aarvak et al. 2004b. Uzbekistan Vernacular names: Chinqiroc G’oz, Korag’oz This paragraph based on UNEP/WCMC 2004 has been updated with new information from Elena Kreuzberg-Mukhina (pers. comm.). Some Lesser White-fronted Geese migrate along the shores of the Aral Sea; Uzbekistan is therefore of importance for migrating/staging birds from the Western main subpopulation. Taking together the southern Aral region and lakes Dengizkul and Aydarkul, the migrating and wintering population has previously been estimated at 200 to 2,000 individuals (Red Data Book of Uzbekistan, 2003). However, recent publications have also documented important wintering sites close to the Afghan and Tajikistan border areas in the provinces of Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya (Kreuzberg-Mukhina & Markkola, 2000; Kreuzberg-Mukhina & Lanovenko, 2003). From assessments made by hunters, numbers of small geese in Sukhandarya were estimated to be approximately 2,000 to 4,000, though there are doubts about the reliability of these statistics because of confusion between Lesser and Greater White-fronts (Kreuzberg-Mukhina & Markkola, 2000). Actual winter counts from Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya have been as follows: 144 birds during the winter of 2001, none in 2002, 63 in 2003 and 30 at lake Karakyr in January 2005, while the overall wintering population is estimated as being between several hundreds and several thousands*, based on responses from local hunting inspectorates and hunters themselves during winter 2004/2005 (E. Kreuzberg-Mukhina pers comm). The species is listed in the 2003 Red Data Book of Uzbekistan as ‘Vulnerable, declining’ in view of its global status (Kreuzberg-Mukhina 2003). The expansion of irrigation has led to the creation of artificial wetlands (e.g. water storage reservoirs, waste-water discharge areas), several of which, including lake Karakyr, are of importance for Lesser Whitefronts. On the other hand, it is highly likely that the collapse of the Aral Sea ecosystem, due to massive water diversions for irrigated agriculture, has led to the complete loss and/or severe degradation of former staging and wintering grounds. (b) Status in other AEWA/EU countries The following is a summary of the information provided in UNEP/WCMC 2004, which should be consulted for references to original sources. In the case of AEWA/EU countries not listed in either section (a) or (b) there are no known records of Lesser White-fronted Goose. Afghanistan The only information available is for neighbouring regions of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (E. Kreuzberg, pers comm). Albania Very common in 1940s, but very rare by 1960s. No recent observations. Armenia The species was first documented in Armenia in 1987, when a wounded individual was collected by V. Hakobyan and kept at Yerevan Zoo for almost a year. Data supplied in the Handbook of the Birds of Armenia (M.S. Adamian, D. Klem, Jr. 1999), including records of 50 individuals in 1984 and 16 individuals in 1986, are unproven (V. Ananian, N. Margaryan, M. Ghasabyan, pers comm.) The species is a migrant and winter visitor (?), occurring mostly at Lake Sevan and wetlands of the Ararat Plains. Records of this bird were made at Lake Sevan in 1995: 1 bird observed in November and 1 observed in December. There have been no records since 1995 (V. Ananian, N. Margaryan, pers. comm.). Given that satellite telemetry has recently confirmed autumn staging at sites in eastern Turkey and Azerbaijan, further research might also demonstrate regular migration through Armenia, including at Lake Sevan, where 26 birds were recorded in 1995. Austria (EU) Irregular passage migrant with three records 1980–1999, including six birds at roost in the Lake Neusiedl area in early November 1999 (van den Bergh, 2000). On 14 January 2006 six adults were seen among Greater White-fronts, also in the Lake Neusiedl region (Source: Dr. J. Laber per P. Tolvanen, reported on http://www.piskulka.net/). Belarus 250 migrants recorded using the Pripyat floodplain in 1995. Belgium (EU) Almost annual observations of birds from the Swedish reintroduction programme. Bosnia & Herzegovina Rare winter visitor. Croatia Rare and irregular winter visitor. Czech Republic (EU) Rare and irregular stop-over migrant on the lakes of southern Moravia, with wintering records from the same area in late 1950s/early 1960s. Cyprus (EU) One recent record (2003) of three birds at one site. Denmark (EU) Rare migrant, with 55 individuals recorded between 1950 and 1998; records since the 1980s are most likely of birds from the reintroduced Swedish population. Egypt Vagrant. Formerly a rare winter visitor, but no recent records. France (EU) Rare vagrant. Georgia Vagrant or very rare and irregular migrant and/or wintering species occurring in small numbers. Since 1972, 26 records involving a minimum of 102 individuals at 12 sites, mostly lakes in the eastern part of the country. 19 of the 26 records were during January or February. (Abuladze 2004). Ireland (EU) Rare vagrant, with just one record. Israel Vagrant; four records 1927–1994. Italy (EU) Irregular winter visitor and passage migrant. Jordan One record of 2–3 birds at one site during winter 1993/1994. Kuwait Vagrant. Latvia (EU) The species is a rare migrant in Latvia, with single individuals seen on migration. A flock of 90 was observed in September 1958 and, more recently, a flock of 43 was seen on 4 October 1996 (Aarvak et al., 1997). Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Has reportedly occurred in the past, but details lacking. Moldova Rare passage migrant recorded from the Lower Prut Laks/Lower Dniester. During the day, geese fly from/back to roost in the Ukrainian Ramsar site Dniestrovsky liman to feeding areas in agricultural fields in Moldova. For example, in winter 2001, 150 birds were seen feeding on Moldovan winter wheat fields (I. Rusev, pers. comm.) Oman A single record, involving one bird, for winter 1993/1994. Serbia & Montenegro In 1973, reported as a rare winter visitor and passage migrant. Spain (EU) In recent years, small numbers of wintering/staging Lesser White-fronted Geese have been recorded, notably from the Doñana area in Andalucía but also from Villafáfila in Castilla-León. With the exception of one individual, all records in Spain fall within the period typical for wintering Norwegian Greylag Goose (Anser anser) and most sightings have been of birds within flocks of Greylag Geese. Two or three of these individuals originated from the Finnish reintroduction scheme, but nothing is known about the origins of the other birds, which were mainly unmarked. It is possible that they belong to the reintroduced Swedish/Dutch population, to the wild Fennoscandian population, or even from further east (Persson, 2004.) though this is considered unlikely by some other experts. Switzerland Vagrant, with no records since the 19th century. United Kingdom (EU) Vagrant, though 89 records for the period 1958 to 2000. Annex 3a List of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of significance for Lesser White-fronted Goose, alphabetically by country; (note that Russian IBAs of importance for the east Siberian population are not included; source: data provided by BirdLife International, March 200529)
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