Greylag Goose

(Anser anser)

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Least Concern

Population size: 2020: 14-27 pairs (2007: 5-15 pairs)

Distribution pattern

Extremely rare nesting species with a small population. With very limited distribution, in some places along the Danube River (Orsoya and Kalimok fishponds, Belenski Marshes, Malak Preslavets Marsh, Garvan Marsh, and Srebarna Lake) and along the Black Sea coast, where it breeds regularly in Durankulak Lake and occasionally – in Vaya Lake. Possible breeding habitat in a marsh along the Suha River in Dobrudzha.

Population estimation for the period 2013 – 2020: During the period 2013-2020, the species was not found in six squares, where it was found before the year 2013. Deterioration of some of the habitats explains the disappearance of the species, but in most such squares, the species was never definitely established as breeding.

Population size in Special Protection Areas of Natura 2000: 14-27 pairs (100% of the population). The highest numbers have been registered in the SPAs “Belene Islands Complex” (6-9 pairs), “Srebarna” (6-9 pairs) and “Kalimok Complex” (2-5 pairs).

Comparative distribution of the species compared to the first breeding birds atlas (Iankov, 2007): Breeding locality until 2007 | Breeding locality until 2007, confirmed after 2015 – | New breeding locality after 2015. – The breeding localities after 2015 are identified on a base of raw data from smartbirds.org.

Habitats

Breeds in bogs and marshes, in water fringe vegetation, favouring large and quiet wetlands, free of human presence and with extensive reed beds, or flooded old willow forests (alluvial and riverine forests and brush).

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Threats

Drainage of wetlands, changes in the water levels and in the hydrological regime of water bodies during the breeding season, disturbance, poaching.

Svilen Chesmedjiev, Vladimir Mladenov