Bonn, 21 October 2009
- Goose experts from 19 countries as well as representatives
from several international organizations gathered at Höllviken,
Sweden from 9 - 13 October 2009 for the 12th meeting of
the IUCN/ Wetlands International Goose Specialist Group.
The meeting was organized and hosted by Leif Nilsson from
the University of Lund, sponsored by the Swedish Environment
Protection Agency and chaired by Bart Ebbinge.

The ambitious program started
off with presentations on goose population estimates in
different countries and areas such as Kolguev Island in
Russia as well as a keynote presentation delivered by Tony
Fox from the National Environmental Research Institute at
Aarhus University on the status of all goose populations
in the Western Palearctic.

Another main topic was the
management of different goose populations. Amongst other
issues, presenters highlighted different management methods
to cope with growing goose populations, such as compensation
schemes for farmers whose fields are regularly depleted
by growing geese flocks.

In addition, the program included
a workshop on Bean Geese, presentations on satellite tracking
and migration as well as trends and information concerning
the breeding of geese. The group also discussed and debated
the future of the goose data base managed by Wetlands International
as well as the future of the group itself.

The meeting location was a
fitting choice as it is known for the abundant spring and
fall migration of birds traveling to and from Scandinavia.
In addition to the intense official programme participants
had the opportunity to go on an excursion to Falsterbo Nature
Reserve to view flocks of migrating birds including a variety
of geese and raptors.

The next meeting of the group
will take place in spring 2011 in Kalmykia, Russia.

The AEWA Secretariat was represented
at the meeting by Technical Officer Sergey Dereliev and
the Coordinator for the Lesser White-fronted Goose, Nina
Mikander.

For more information see the
homepage of the Goose Specialist Group: