OUWENEEL GL (1979) Grey-lag Geese Anser anser on Cromstrijen, observations on a haunt along the Hollands Diep. LIMOSA 52 (1): 1-11.

Greylag Goose Anser anser The Hollands Diep-Haringvlietarea is an important haunt for the Greylag Goose Anser anser, of which area the Cromstrijen Estate is the most popular autumn haunt for these geese. Cromstrijen is a vast cultivated area, situated along the northern bank of the Hollands Diep in the Hoekse Waard. At least 60% of the Greylag Geese present in the Hollands DiepHaringvlietarea stay on Cromstrijen. The first geese arrive in August. Between the beginning of October and medio November 4000-7000 Greylag Geese occur. Generally, the third decade of October is the main period. There are indications that many geese stay several weeks on Cromstrijen. N<;:vertheless it is certain a succession in numbers occur. In winter and during springmigration Cromstrijen has little importance. The roosts are on the Hoogezandse Gorzen, which is part of Cromstrijen outdyke situated along the Hollands Diep. Most of the Greylag Geese migrating through the Netherlands are of Scandinavian origin. However, Greylags, marked in the Democratic Republic of Germany have been observed regularly on Cromstrijen. The Greylag Geese on Cromstrijen feed exclusively on arable land, especially on remnants of sugarbeets Beta vulgaris. In the autumn of 1977, 259.000 Greylag Goosedays were spent in the area, of which 188.500 on harvested sugarbeet fields and 57.500 on a green manuring crop Vida spp. A complete change in feeding-habits was observed in the last decades. Formerly Greylags exclusively fed in rushfields and reedfields.After the closure of the Haringvliet in 1970 rushfields disappeared completely. However, Greylag Geese already started to .feed on cultivated areas during the forties and fifties already. Some characteristics ofCromstrijenwhich attract the Greylag Geese are mentioned. The roosts are a part of the area, situated ata short distance from the feeding area. Then, the vastness of the area and the peace and the quietness, as Cromstrijen is closed for the public. The management of Cromstrijen is kindly disposed towards the geese. Shooting of geese is almost negligible. These facts integrated the geese in the daily course of things on Cromstrijen

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