The population of pink footed goose in Iceland has grown to 400,000 individuals. As their numbers have grown the geese, which traditionally nest in the highlands and on heaths high up in the mountains, have begun to nest closer to human settlements.
The geese hunting season started at midnight in most parts of the country. Hunters are reminded that it is illegal to shoot birds which have not yet learned to fly.
All goose species seem to be doing well
Arnór Sigfússon an ornithologist who spoke to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service argues that all goose species in Iceland seem to be in good shape. The two most important goose populations in Iceland, the pink footed goose and the graylag goose, have both grown in recent years. Barnacle geese have also been multiplying.
The pink footed goose population currently stands around 400,000 individuals while the graylag goose is estimated to be 90,000 individuals. The numbers of barnacle geese have grown to at least 600-700.
Pink footed geese taking over
Traditionally pink footed geese and graylag geese have split nesting areas between them, the pink footed geese nesting in the central highlands and on heaths, and the graylag goose nesting in lowlands. The name of the pink footed goose in Icelandic reflects this, Heiðagæs, which literally means heath-goose. Due to the growth of the population of pink footed geese they have begun to nest closer to human settlement, especially in Northern Iceland. In Skagafjörður bay the geese can now be seen in areas close to the ring road.
Barnacle geese have also been nesting in greater numbers in Iceland. The geese which nest in South Eastern Iceland come from Greenland where their population is estimated at 80,000.
The population of pink footed goose in Iceland has grown to 400,000 individuals. As their numbers have grown the geese, which traditionally nest in the highlands and on heaths high up in the mountains, have begun to nest closer to human settlements.
The geese hunting season started at midnight in most parts of the country. Hunters are reminded that it is illegal to shoot birds which have not yet learned to fly.
All goose species seem to be doing well
Arnór Sigfússon an ornithologist who spoke to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service argues that all goose species in Iceland seem to be in good shape. The two most important goose populations in Iceland, the pink footed goose and the graylag goose, have both grown in recent years. Barnacle geese have also been multiplying.
The pink footed goose population currently stands around 400,000 individuals while the graylag goose is estimated to be 90,000 individuals. The numbers of barnacle geese have grown to at least 600-700.
Pink footed geese taking over
Traditionally pink footed geese and graylag geese have split nesting areas between them, the pink footed geese nesting in the central highlands and on heaths, and the graylag goose nesting in lowlands. The name of the pink footed goose in Icelandic reflects this, Heiðagæs, which literally means heath-goose. Due to the growth of the population of pink footed geese they have begun to nest closer to human settlement, especially in Northern Iceland. In Skagafjörður bay the geese can now be seen in areas close to the ring road.
Barnacle geese have also been nesting in greater numbers in Iceland. The geese which nest in South Eastern Iceland come from Greenland where their population is estimated at 80,000.
