We came across these two Greenland White-fronted Geese about a fortnight back south of Maam Cross in amongst three Whooper Swans feeding out on open blanket bog. The species has rapidly declined here in this part of Ireland. The following is taken for Mayor Ruttledge's Birds in Counties Galway and Mayo "In April 1989 a synchronised ground and air census of the Connemara bogs located seven flocks of White-fronts, totalling 134 - 137 birds." Even at that stage the number had drastically crashed. It's quite sad to see all of these distinct flocks which used extensive areas of blanket bogs go by the wayside over the last few decades. They were often referred to as the "Bog Geese" by local people. Feral Greylags have now established themselves in some of the former Connemara haunts of the GWFs. Aonghus who covers this area which has had the last remaining flock, has seen their numbers dwindle with each passing year. He only had seven GWFs earlier in the winter and this pair most likely came from that same flock. We were saying that I should get some record shots of them as there may not be another opportunity after leave in April for Greenland...
That's quite sad, Dermot.
ReplyDeleteA sad story. What is the main cause for their decline?
ReplyDeleteThe Cork population went the same way, I remember seeing some at Kilcolman NNR in the late 90s but there are none there now. Though I don't think they were necessarily ever common in the county in historical times, would need to check Ruttledge or Hutchinson to be sure. Seen more at migration points in Cork than in winter.
ReplyDeleteHi Tony, it's not very clear cut like most of these things. There has been some afforestation in some area's of lowland blanket bog in Connemara over the last few decades which may have affected them. They have been protected in Ireland for 30+ years now so shooting isn't really a factor here, may have been a issue in Iceland and Greenland in more recent times? The single biggest factor is that the breeding success of the population in Greenland has been extremely poor with very few individuals actually breeding in their life time. A bit more info here http://www.wexfordwildfowlreserve.ie/GreenlandWhite-frontedGeese.html
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