While some sea bird populations in Iceland are facing tough times the pink footed geese are doing very well. The geese spend the summers in Iceland and Greenland, wintering primarily in the British Isles. This year the population in Iceland is estimated to count half a million birds, a significant increase since 1990 when it was estimated 230,000 individuals.
The geese hunting season started on August 20. 15,000 birds are shot each year.
Growth since 2000
An ornithologist who spoke to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service said that both of the main goose populations in Iceland, the pink footed geese and the greylag geese, have been growing significantly in recent years, especially after the turn of the century 2000. The reason is that the birds have been able to rear more of their young to adulthood.
The population of greylag geese is estimated at 140,000 individuals.
While some sea bird populations in Iceland are facing tough times the pink footed geese are doing very well. The geese spend the summers in Iceland and Greenland, wintering primarily in the British Isles. This year the population in Iceland is estimated to count half a million birds, a significant increase since 1990 when it was estimated 230,000 individuals.
The geese hunting season started on August 20. 15,000 birds are shot each year.
Growth since 2000
An ornithologist who spoke to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service said that both of the main goose populations in Iceland, the pink footed geese and the greylag geese, have been growing significantly in recent years, especially after the turn of the century 2000. The reason is that the birds have been able to rear more of their young to adulthood.
The population of greylag geese is estimated at 140,000 individuals.
