Geese, and overwintering localities: trends in numbers
There has been a sharp rise in the number of geese in the Netherlands. During wintertime in many areas they are present in large numbers.
Trends in numbers
There are now many more geese than there were in the 1960s, and the increase is continuing. This is true both for all geese species together and for each individual species, such as the barnacle goose (see figure). The only goose to decline in the last 5 years is the brent goose (see figure), but it is still more numerous than it was in the 1960s. The majority of the geese are white-fronted geese and barnacle geese, but bean goose, pink-footed goose, grey-lag goose and brent goose are also involved.
Overwintering localities
The growth in geese numbers has been accompanied by a sharp increase in the number and total area of overwintering localities in the last 40 years. These localities currently comprise about 25% of the area of the Netherlands (see map). The most important are in the lowest parts of the country and in the river region.
The increase in geese numbers has brought about a shift in the overwintering localities. The localities have tripled and the groups are larger: 30% of the localities now shelter groups of 10 000 or more geese, often of different species.
Causes
The geese forage primarily on grassland, where they eat large amounts of grass. Now that grassland is fertilised, the grass is protein-rich and has a longer growing season. The geese benefit from this, the more so because farmers allow them to graze, as part of nature conservation policy. Another reason for the increase in geese is the reduction in wildfowl shooting.
Because of the large numbers of geese involved, the Netherlands is internationally important as a migration and overwintering area for various species. Some researchers question whether the tundra areas where the geese breed are still able to support such large numbers of birds.
