VOSLAMBER B, ZIJLSTRA M, BEEKMAN JH & LOONEN MJJE (1993) Migration of different populations of Greylag Geese Anser anser through The Netherlands: differences in area preference and timing in 1988. LIMOSA 66 (3): 89-96.

In 1988, the number of Greylag Geese was counted in three important staging areas in The Netherlands: Dollard, Lauwersmeer and Flevoland (fig. 1). In all three areas the geese are present in both spring and autumn on their way from wintering grounds to breeding grounds and vice versa. Dollard and Flevoland have small wintering populations while the number of birds wintering in Lauwersmeer is still smaller. In summer, Oostvaardersplassen is a very important moulting site for nonbreeding Greylags (fig. 2). Individual geese from different populations could be studied using coloured neckbands. There is a clear pattern in the populations using the study sites both in site preference and timing (fig. 3). In autumn, Greylags from Norway arrive first in The Netherlands. They stay longer in each of the study sites than birds from Sweden and former GDR (table 3), and also switch frequently between the areas (table 1). These differences can be related to low food supply and high hunting pressure in Norway. Gradually, the Norwegian geese are accompanied by geese from Sweden and former GDR in both the Dollard and Flevoland. In spring, birds from Sweden and former GDR visit the areas first, followed by the Norwegians in March. These geese also stay longer in this season. Although the distance between Dollard and Lauwersmeer is only 60 km, there is a remarkable difference in the goose-populations visiting these two areas. Lauwersmeer is almost exclusively visited by Norwegian geese. Populations visiting Oostvaardersplassen in summer are of a different origin (eastern Europe) and use the area as a moulting site. The use of marked individuals is vital for understanding migration patterns. Our data clearly show differences in the utilization of staging areas in space and time among various populations of geese. Greylag Goose Anser anser

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