Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
In the autumn 2000, the situation changed drastically, and at the November count no less than 54799 Barnacle Geese were recorded in Sweden. This is probably on the low side as a number of sites normally not covered in the goose counts were reported to held some Barnacles. The Barnacles were found over a large part of southern Sweden, but there was a concentration to the southwest corner of Scania, where about 35000 stayed in the Foteviken area. The Barnacles were common already in October with 13 600 counted and close to 1000 remained during the mild winter. Somewhat smaller numbers were counted in the mid-monthly counts of 2002 and 2003, but new record counts were reached in 2006 with 78800 in October and close to 40000 in November. In the autumn of 2007 even higher numbers were counted, the total for October was between 133000 and 150000 counted Barnacles. There are some uncertainties in reports of some large flocks on Öland, whether there was a movement between two days of if there were two different large flocks. Counts in October 2008 and 2010 were also higher than 100 000, whereas counts in 2009 was soewhat lower.
Most Barnacle Geese were counted in Scania but large flocks were also found on Öland and Gotland. In 2004, both October and November totals were around 23000 individuals, the largest flocks being found at the west coast of SW Scania from Barsebäck to Foteviken.
In January, only smaller numbers were found in most years, but in the very mild winters of 2007 and 2008 more than 3100 were founded in south Sweden.
Diagram for October, November and January
