Tracking geese
Goose migration is well underway and we currently have 2000 Pink-footed Geese roosting on our reserve. Over the next few weeks (weather permitting) the numbers will rise up to a staggering 40,000 becoming one of the best wildlife spectacles in the UK. Last winter and earlier ths summer staff from the WWT with support of Don Energy (Leader in offshore wind power in the UK), have been continuing a study on the impact of wind farms on the wildfowl population. To do this we have been tagging Pink-footed Geese with GPS transmitters. We used GPS/GSM tags to study the birds’ annual migration routes, their daily movements between roosts and feeding areas, and their seasonal movements within Britain. The project aims to monitor the movements of tagged Pink-footed Geese within their winter quarters in Britain. Some of the birds tagged have already turned up in the UK showing direct migration routes, as shown in the map below.
So far the maps are providing incredible in sites to the migration patterns of the geese. For instance, Goose PIFO09 over summered in the north of Greenland 400km south of the north pole. Although they have been noted further north than this it is still incredible to think that some of the geese that roost at Martin Mere have arrived all the way from Greenland!!!
WWT/Dong Energy are extremely grateful for the support given during fieldwork in Iceland by, Ed Burrell, Tom Clare, Alan Leitch, Arnór Þórir Sigfússon, Verkís, Halldor Stefansson and the catching team from the East Iceland Natural History Institute and from Landsvirkjun.
Data and map may not be used without prior written consent of WWT/Dong Energy
