Saving wetlands for wildlife & people
Saving wetlands for wildlife & people
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A number of non-native goose and swan species are established in the UK. The monitoring of most is conducted through the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) and the Naturalised Goose Survey, and annual records of breeding are also collated for many species by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. Follow the link below to reach more information about these species: Black Swan Swan Goose Bar-headed Goose Snow Goose Emperor Goose Canada Goose Barnacle Goose Red-breasted Goose Egyptian Goose
Global population estimate 100,000-1,000,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2006). Status Least Concern (IUCN 2008). Native range The Black Swan occurs in western, eastern and southeastern Australia, Tasmania, and southern New Guinea. It was also introduced into New Zealand in 1864, and is now widespread throughout both islands. UK status Black Swans in the UK originate from collections of captive birds and escapes are still thought to be relatively regular. The 2003/04 Wetland Bird Survey recorded a maximum of 49 birds at 73 sites. Counts in recent years suggest an overall stabilisation in the number of BlackSwans in the UK (Collier et al. 2005). It is an occasional breeder, with four breeding and three non-breeding pairs recoded in seven counties during 2000 (Ogilvie et al. 2002) and at least nine breeding pairs in 2001 (Ogilvie et al. 2003), but just two pairs in 2002 (Ogilvie et al. 2004).
Global population estimate 60,000-100,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2006). Status Vulnerable (IUCN 2008). Experienced significant declines in recent decades due to over-hunting and habitat loss. Native range Breeding: largely in the border area between Russia, Mongolia and mainland China. A poorly known population also appears to breed in eastern Kazakhstan. Wintering: North Korea, South Korea, central China, and occasionally Japan and Taiwan. UK status All records of Swan Goose in the UK relate to escapes from captivity. The Wetland Bird Survey in 2003/04 reported a maximum of 11 individuals at seven sites (Collier et al. 2005). The domesticated form of this species, commonly known as Chinese Goose, is more frequently found in a semi-feral state at small ponds, which are infrequently surveyed as part of WeBS.
Global population estimate 52,000-60,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2006). Status Least Concern (IUCN 2008). However, the population is in decline due to flooding of breeding sites, persecution and egg collecting, and heavy predation. Furthermore, approximately 10% of the global population died in a single outbreak of avian influenza at Lake Qinghai, China, in spring 2005. Native range The Bar-headed Goose has a large native range. It breeds throughout southern Asia, with the bulk of the population crossing the Himalayas to overwinter in the northern half of the Indian subcontinent, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. UK status The Bar-headed Goose is commonly kept in ornamental waterfowl collections and birds seen in the UK are all escapees. In 1991, 85 individuals were recorded at 23 localities (Delany 1992). The Wetland Bird Survey 2003/04 revealed a UK maximum count of 44 birds at 40 sites. The majority of records are of single birds, with very few breeding attempts reported (Ogilvie et al. 2002) suggesting low population viability dependent on continued escapes. However, there is some evidence that the species is slowly becoming more established, with 1-2 pairs breeding in 2001 (Ogilvie et al. 2003) and up to five pairs in 2002 (Ogilvie et al. 2004).
Global population estimate 7,600,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2006). Status Least Concern (IUCN 2008). Native range Breeding: found throughout Arctic North America, with an isolated population on Wrangle Island off coast of northeast Siberia. Wintering: the nominate race A. c. caerulescens winters chiefly along the Gulf coast of the USA. More western populations occur in central California, Mexico and other regions of the southern USA. The race A. c. atlanticus is found along the Atlantic coast of the USA. UK status Both races (A. c. caerulescens and A. c. atlanticus) occur in a wild state almost annually in Scotland and occasionally in England, usually accompanying flocks of other geese such as Pink-footed Goose. It is therefore difficult to establish the true status of most birds in the UK, as some birds are undoubtedly escapes from waterfowl collections or offspring from feral populations. The Naturalised Goose Survey 2000 revealed a total of 86 individuals at 17 sites (Rowell et al. 2004), although this total did not include the self-sustaining population in Argyll (see below). WeBS counts in 2003/04 revealed a maximum UK count of 49 birds at 21 sites, most of which related to escaped or feral birds (Collier et al. 2005). Collier et al. (2005) also reported a decline in the number of sites occupied over recent years. A self-sustaining flock of 30-40 feral birds exists on the islands of Mull and Coll in Argyll (Ogilvie et al. 2002). Many of this flock were colour-marked in 2002, but no records away from the immediate vicinity of Coll have been subsequently reported, suggesting that records elsewhere in the UK do not relate to birds from Coll. Occasional breeding also occurs elsewhere, notably at Stratfield Saye, Hampshire (Ogilvie et al. 2004).
Global population estimate 84,500 individuals (Wetlands International 2006). Status Near Threatened (IUCN 2008). Native range Breeding: Coastal saltmarshes in Alaska, USA and small numbers along the coast of northeast Siberia. Wintering: Along ice-free coasts of the Aleutian Islands, with smaller numbers in Canada and the Gulf of Alaska. UK status The Emperor Goose is present in the UK as a captive escape that occasionally breeds. Fourteen were recorded during the Naturalised Goose Survey 2000 (Rowell et al. 2004), 11 of which were in Essex. The Wetland Bird Survey 2003/04 (Collier et al. 2005) found a minimum of 23 birds, including a flock of up to 21 at Walney Island, Morecambe Bay that has been present for several years (Collier et al. 2005). In total, Emperor Geese were reported at nine sites during 2003/04 (Collier et al. 2005). Breeding has only been reported in one year, 2001, when three pairs bred at two sites: two pairs at Walney Island, and a third pair in Surrey (Ogilvie et al. 2003).
Global population estimate 6,400,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2006). Status Least Concern (IUCN 2008). Native range Breeding: On tundra across much of North America, from the Aleutian Islands and Alaska, and east to the Atlantic Coast and western Greenland. Wintering: Across the whole of southern North America, north on the Pacific coast to British Colombia, and south to Mexico. UK Status Introduced as an ornamental wildfowl in the 17th century, numbers of Canada Geese in Britain remained low until the 1950s when wildfowlers transported the species across the country to try and relieve local conflicts. This unknowingly created centres for a population explosion. The species is now widespread throughout England and Wales, the southern and central lowlands of Scotland, and sporadically north to Orkney. Its distribution is still localised in Northern Ireland. Winter monitoring through the Wetland Bird Survey and annual breeding-season monitoring through the Breeding Bird Survey shows a continuing long-term increase in numbers. The most recent UK population estimate is 82,550 adults in 1999 (Baker et al. 2006).
Monitoring The species is counted through the Wetland Bird Survey, the Breeding Bird Survey, the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey, and the Naturalised Goose Survey.
Global population estimate 503,400 individuals (Wetlands International 2006). Status Least Concern (IUCN 2008). Native range Three discrete populations: Greenland: Breeds in eastern Greenland and winters in western Britain and Ireland, largely on Islay. Svalbard: Breeds in the Svalbard Archipelago and winters on the Solway Firth. North Russia/East Baltic: Breeds in northern Russia and islands in the Baltic Sea, winters in northwest Europe, predominantly in the Netherlands. UK status Both the Greenland and Svalbard populations overwinter in the UK. In addition, small numbers of the wintering North Russia/East Baltic population occasionally make it to the British east coast, accompanying other goose species during cold weather influxes. In addition to the wild winter migrants, there is a well established naturalised population with a substantial and increasing number of breeding pairs. Key areas include coastal Suffolk, Hornsea Mere in Humberside, the Willington area of Bedfordshire, and Eversley Cross in Hampshire. During 2003/04, a maximum count of 1,011 was recorded in December by Wetland Bird Survey counters (Collier et al. 2005), the highest total to date. Birds were reported from almost 200 locations. In June and July 2000, 693 birds were counted at 75 sites, of which 19% were juveniles, as part of the Naturalised Goose Survey (Rowell et al. 2004). Ogilvie et al. (2002) reported at least 59 breeding or probably breeding pairs throughout eight counties in 2000.
Global population estimate 38,500 individuals (Wetlands International 2006). Status Endangered (IUCN 2008). Most of the population (80-90%) is concentrated in just five roost sites and as a result of land-use changes to nearby feeding areas, the range of this species is declining further. Native range Breeding: Arctic Russia, mainly on the Taimyr, Gydan and Yamal peninsulas. Wintering: Mainly on the Black Sea coasts in Romania, Bulgaria, and the Ukraine, with 80-90% now found at five roost sites: Shabla and Durankulak in Bulgaria, and Razelm-Sinoe lagoons and Techirghiol in Romania. UK status In the UK, wild Red-breasted Geese occur as very rare vagrants, with a total of 70 accepted records to the end of 2004 (Rogers et al. 2005). Thus, it is often very difficult to determine the provenance of individuals seen in the winter, which are often with flocks of White-fronted Geese or Brent Geese. Other records, typically those during the summer or of particularly tame birds, are more confidently identified as escapes from captivity. Red-breasted Geese were recorded at 12 sites in Great Britain during 2003/04 by WeBS counters (Collier et al. 2005), with a minimum count of five. The Naturalised Goose Survey in 2000 reported three Red-breasted Geese at a single site (Rowell et al. 2004).
Global population estimate 205,000-510,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2006). Status Least Concern (IUCN 2008). Native range Common and widespread throughout tropical Africa with extensive sub-Saharan distribution. Greatest numbers found in eastern and southern Africa. Movements are connected with seasonal dispersal and are most marked in the wet season. UK status The Egyptian Goose was first recorded in Britain in 1678. Historically, free-flying flocks were established on private estates in North Norfolk, Devon, Bedfordshire and East Lothian. The species now inhabits wooded parkland containing areas of water, meadows, pasture, broads and meres. However, only those introduced to North Norfolk and at Rutland Water have established viable populations, probably due to the species’ habit of nesting in the early spring when conditions are unsuitable, meaning productivity is typically low. They are largely sedentary, although some disperse short distances. The current population is estimated at around 700 breeding birds (Ogilvie et al. 2002).
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