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Sensory lateralisation, defined as the separation of functions for processing information from the sensory organs between the hemispheres of the brain, is a variable characteristic of the nervous system influenced by external factors. The plasticity of lateralisation is an important factor influencing the assessment of lateralisation on individual and population levels. We tested the influence of sunlight and time of the day on the visual lateralisation of Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons when following their partners. Most of the individuals showed no preference to observe a partner with one of their eyes. Among the lateralised birds, a significant prevalence of right-eyed individuals was revealed. The highest proportion of lateralised individuals was observed in cloudy conditions. Direct sunlight, particularly in the morning, interfered with the emergence of visual lateralisation. Thus, the effect of sunlight and time of the day on lateralisation in birds should be taken into account when evaluating lateralisation in field observations and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil and gas exploration and development is expanding across the Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) of Alaska, USA. To examine the effects of industrial development on greater white‐fronted geese (Anser albifrons), we monitored nests and nesting behavior within a 4‐km2 study area within 4 km of gravel roads and pads during pre‐development, construction, and operation activities at a new oil development in the National Petroleum Reserve‐Alaska in 2013−2019. We examined distribution, incubation constancy, and nest survival in relation to distance to gravel roads or pads, year and status of development, presence of an ice road the previous winter, and land cover type. Nest density increased throughout the study period, which was consistent with surveys of this species in other regions of the ACP. There was no direct evidence that oil extraction infrastructure and the associated human activity adversely influenced the abundance, distribution, or daily nest survival of greater white‐fronted goose nests. Geese avoided nesting in the alignments of ice roads from the previous winter, and land cover type influenced their nest distribution. Nest age and incubation constancy were important predictors of daily nest survival. The incubation constancy of successful nesters (98.5 ± 0.1% [SE]) was significantly greater than for failed nesters (94.7 ± 0.6%) for all years combined and tended to be greater during the pre‐construction and construction years of 2014 and 2015, compared to when oilfield operations began in 2017 and 2019. Greater‐white fronted geese appear to be tolerant of some levels of industrial activities and the presence of gravel roads did not have a significant effect on nest distribution, incubation constancy, or nest survival. We recommend, however, that indirect effects from ice roads should be explicitly considered in impact assessments because white‐fronted geese avoid nesting in the footprints of the previous winter's ice roads and pads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy facilities are a key part of mitigating climate change, but can pose threats to wild birds and bats, most often through collisions with infrastructure. Understanding collision risk and the factors affecting it can help minimize impacts on wild populations. For wind turbines, flight altitude is a major factor influencing collision risk, and altitude‐selection analyses can evaluate when and why animals fly at certain altitudes under certain conditions.We used GPS tags to track Pacific Flyway geese (Pacific greater white‐fronted goose, tule greater white‐fronted goose and lesser snow goose) on transoceanic migrations between Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the contiguous United States, an area where offshore windfarm development is beginning. We evaluated how geographic and environmental covariates affected (1) whether birds were at rest on the water versus in flight (binomial model) and (2) altitude selection when in flight (similar to a step‐selection framework). We then used a Monte Carlo simulation to predict the probability of flying at each altitude under various conditions, considering both the fly/rest decision and altitude selection.In both spring and fall, geese showed strong selection for altitudes within the expected rotor‐swept zone (20–200 m asl), with 56% of locations expected to be within the rotor‐swept zone under mean daylight conditions and 28% at night. This indicates a high possibility that migrating geese may be at risk of collision when passing through windfarms. Although there was some variation across subspecies, geese were most likely to be within the rotor‐swept zone with little wind or light tailwinds, low clouds, little to no precipitation and moderate to cool air temperatures. Geese were unlikely to be in the rotor‐swept zone at night, when most individuals were at rest on the water.Synthesis and applications. These results could be used to inform windfarm management, including decisions to shut down turbines when collision risk is high. The altitude‐selection framework we demonstrate could facilitate further study of other bird species to develop a holistic view of how windfarms in this area could affect the migratory bird community as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Continental comparisons of migration strategies within and between populations of single species are rare but can be insightful to understand key environmental factors shaping differences in migration systems. We investigated differences in stopover networks and migration strategies between three separate Eurasia Greater White‐fronted Geese (GWFG) Anser albifrons populations to better understand how each overcomes the different topographic challenges faced along their migration routes during spring and autumn. Location: Eurasia. Taxon: Birds. Methods: Using 106 (autumn) and 65 (spring) tracks from tagged GWFG from three Eurasian populations (Baltic‐North Sea [BNS] in the west; East Asia Continental [EAC] and West Pacific [WP] in the east), we generated stopover networks, calculated network metrics, quantified migration parameters and compared variation between populations and seasons. Results: BNS showed largest network size, shortest average geodesic distance in both seasons, shortest migration distances, most stopover sites, longest stopover duration and shortest step length. EAC showed longest migration distance and second maximal flight length (>1600 km). WP showed shortest migration durations and longest maximal flight length (>2500 km). Summering ground arrival dates did not differ between populations. Autumn migration duration was shorter and migration speed faster than in spring in all populations. Main Conclusions: We infer lack of obvious ecological barriers to BNS geese shapes their frequent stopovers of short duration. In contrast, EAC geese face two major ecological barriers (3100 km boreal forest, high mountains, dense human settlement and ocean) and WP geese must pass c. 2400 km of forest, mountains and ocean along their migration corridors, necessitating longer staging and migration segments of greater duration. We conclude that, despite almost identical body plan, all populations respond to radically different topographic challenges, adapting to meet these using different movement strategies, balancing migration schedule and fat accumulation patterns with availability and quality of stopovers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food supply stands out as one of the most critical drivers of population demographics by limiting reproductive rates. In this study, we assessed fluctuations in diet composition and monitored various reproductive parameters over a nine-year period in a Golden Eagle population in an Eastern European peatland. The identification of 2439 prey specimens from 84 species revealed that the studied eagles primarily preyed upon birds (constituting 78.3% of prey numbers and 67.2% of prey biomass) and less on mammals (21.6% and 32.8%, respectively). Grouse emerged as the most important prey group (31% and 27%), followed by waterfowl (17%) and hares (8% and 14%). The most significant prey species, both in terms of numbers and weight, were the Black Grouse, Mountain Hare, Common Crane, and Capercaillie. The share of the Black Grouse decreased, while those of the White-fronted Goose, Roe Deer, and hares increased. The food niche, as measured by the Levins' index, was broad (6.6), and it expanded during the study. On average, 58.3% of Golden Eagle pairs initiated breeding annually, with 69.1% successfully completing it, and 0.41 young per occupied territory were produced annually; there was pronounced interannual variation in reproductive performance. These fluctuations were associated with the shares of White-fronted Goose, Capercaillie, Mountain Hare and Roe Deer in the diet, suggesting that these species may be gaining increasing importance for the Golden Eagle, particularly following the decline of the Black Grouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antibiotic resistance is becoming an increasingly urgent problem for human and animal health due to the widespread use of antibiotics in medicine, veterinary medicine, and agriculture. At the same time, the natural reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant pathogens remain unclear. Wild birds may play a role in this due to their biology. Escherichia coli is a representative indicator pathogen for antibiotic resistance studies. Materials and Methods: In 2020–2021, sampling of feces and cloacal swabs from six species of wild waterfowl (Eurasian wigeon Anas penelope, Eurasian teal Anas crecca, white-fronted goose Anser albifrons, red-breasted goose Rufibrenta ruficollis, graylag goose Anser anser, shelduck Tadorna tadorna) and from two species of domestic waterfowl (ducks and geese) was conducted in the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy regions of Ukraine. Biological material was collected, stored, and transported in cryotubes with transport medium (brain heart infusion broth [BHIB] with the addition of 15% glycerol) in liquid nitrogen. Bacteriological studies were carried out according to standard methods for the isolation and identification of microorganisms. Drug resistance of E. coli was carried out by a standard disk diffusion method. Results: Bacteria representing six families (Enterobacteriaceae, Yersiniaceae, Morganellaceae, Bacillaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae) were isolated from clinically healthy wild birds (wigeon, Eurasian teal, white-fronted goose, red-breasted goose, mallard, graylag goose, shelduck) in the southern regions of Ukraine with isolation rates ranging from 26.7% to 100%. A total of 19 E. coli isolates were cultured from 111 samples from wild birds, and 30 isolates of E. coli were cultured from 32 poultry samples. E. coli was isolated from birds of all species. The prevalence of E. coli ranged from 5.0% to 33.3% in wild waterfowl and from 90.9% to 100% in domestic waterfowl. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli ranged from 10.0% to 31.8% in wild and domestic waterfowl: 3 of 15 (20%) specimens from wild mallard were MDR in the Kherson region, as well as 7 of 22 domestic ducks (31.8%) and 1 of 10 geese (10%) in the Kharkiv and Cherkasy regions. Isolates from wild birds were the most resistant to ampicillin (AMP), amoxiclav (AMC), amoxicillin (AMX), doxycycline (DO), and chloramphenicol (C). Isolates from poultry were resistant to ampicillin, amoxiclav, doxycycline, amoxicillin, chloramphenicol, and enrofloxacin (EX). Most of the other E. coli isolates from wild waterfowl were classified as non-multidrug-resistant (non-MDR) forms. Analysis of antibiotic sensitivity phenotypes showed that only four antibiotic-resistant phenotypes were detected among non-MDR bacteria, whereas among the MDR bacteria, two antibiotic-resistant phenotypes were detected in mallards and six in domestic waterfowl. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that wild waterfowl in Ukraine, which live in natural conditions and do not receive any antimicrobial drugs, are carriers of E. coli that are resistant to a number of antibiotics that are actively used in industrial poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid intensive transformations in the Arctic environment and biota, differences in population trends demonstrated by predominant and widespread Arctic herbivores are of great scientific interest. In this regard, the primary purpose of this study was to perform a comparative assessment of trophic selectivity in the barnacle goose and greater white-fronted goose in the area of their highest reproductive concentrations and estimate the role of competition in their population dynamics. The data indicate that differences in quantitative shares of plants consumed by these species are not sufficient to avoid competition and that the diet of barnacle geese is more selective (i.e., sensitive to food quality and energy consumption). However, the status of a relatively weak competitor contradicts the exponential growth of the barnacle goose population in the study area, as well as its entire Arctic population. We believe that differences in the population dynamics of barnacle goose and greater white-fronted goose are currently determined not by competition in reproductive concentration periods, but by effects exercised by anthropogenic and climatic factors far outside of their nesting range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that when ingested can cause death or sub‐lethal fitness effects. Despite its toxicity, it is still widely used in recreational and management shooting globally. To reduce the impacts of lead on wildfowl, recent European Union legislation has banned the use of lead shot in and around wetlands from 2023. Understanding the effectiveness of such mitigation is vital to inform future policy. On Islay, Scotland, the licensed shooting of Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis to reduce agricultural damage has adhered to the ban on use of lead shot over Ramsar‐designated wetlands legislated in Scotland in 2004. On average 2380 lead cartridges were fired annually between 2005 and 2020 outside designated wetlands, where Barnacle Geese and other wildfowl forage. From faecal samples, it is possible to infer whether birds have ingested lead and are therefore potentially suffering from lead poisoning. After sampling faeces from Barnacle Geese (n = 193) and Greenland White‐fronted Geese Anser albifrons flavirostris (n = 150) we found only four (1.2%) faecal samples with elevated lead levels that may be indicative of lead shot ingestion. Further post‐mortem examinations (n = 102 Barnacle Geese only) and X‐ray of live birds (n = 293) revealed similarly low levels of shot ingestion in both species (post‐mortem < 4%, and X‐ray < 2%), corroborating findings from faecal sample analysis. When subsequently accounting for limited shot retention time within individuals, the proportion of each population ingesting a single lead shot over a winter was estimated at a maximum of 9.4% (Barnacle Geese) and 16.8% (White‐fronted Geese). We propose that high compliance with the ban on using lead shot over wetlands because of carefully controlled shooting management on Islay has led to relatively low instantaneous ingestion rates, probably resulting in minimal lead poisoning mortality. However, ingestion was not eliminated and the potential fitness effect of chronic lead poisoning in both goose populations therefore persists, although use of lead shot in organized shooting has subsequently been discontinued. Recent European Union bans on lead shot use over wetlands may reduce lead ingestion in waterfowl if compliance rates are high, but as foraging often occurs outside wetlands (as in this study), further restrictions including use on other key foraging sites may help to further mitigate the risk of lead poisoning in waterfowl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poyang Lake wetland in the middle and lower Yangtze River floodplain provides important wintering sites for migratory waterbirds. Extreme climatic events and human activities have resulted in the degradation and redistribution of habitat over the last few decades. However, the effects of habitat changes on the abundance of waterbirds remain unclear. We used long-term waterbird monitoring data and Landsat remote-sensing data to characterize changes in abundance and the relationship between habitat variation and abundance. A total of 113 waterbird species were recorded in the wintering period between 1999 and 2021, including 23 globally threatened species. Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides), Bean Goose (Anser fabalis), and Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) were the dominant species. A total of 46 species with more than 6 annual surveys and average abundance >100 were recorded between 1999 and 2021. For most species, the mean abundance across all sub-lakes was higher in the first year than in the last year, and no obvious changes were observed over the last 20 years. The mean abundances of the vulnerable species Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) and White-naped Crane (Grus vipio) significantly declined between 1999 and 2021. No significant changes in the mean abundance of all foraging groups were observed. The area of water bodies increased, and the area of mudflats decreased. For most species with significant changes in abundance, habitat change did not greatly contribute to variation in mean abundance. The reduction in the area of mudflats greatly contributed to declines in the mean abundance of the gray heron (Ardea cinerea) and gadwall (Anas strepera). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fall of 2022, high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) were detected from raptors and geese in Japan, a month earlier than in past years, indicating a shift in detection patterns. In this study, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis on H5N1 HPAIVs detected from six wild birds during the 2022/2023 season to determine their genetic origins. Our findings revealed that these HPAIVs belong to the G2 group within clade 2.3.4.4b, with all isolates classified into three subgroups: G2b, G2d, and G2c. The genetic background of the G2b virus (a peregrine falcon-derived strain) and G2d viruses (two raptors and two geese-derived strains) were the same as those detected in Japan in the 2021/2022 season. Since no HPAI cases were reported in Japan during the summer of 2022, it is probable that migratory birds reintroduced the G2b and G2d viruses. Conversely, the G2c virus (a raptor-derived strain) was first recognized in Japan in the fall of 2022. This strain might share a common ancestor with HPAIVs from Asia and West Siberia observed in the 2021/2022 season. The early migration of waterfowl to Japan in the fall of 2022 could have facilitated the early invasion of HPAIVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Income and capital breeding represent opposing ends of a continuum of reproductive strategies. Quantifying nutrient allocation to reproduction is challenging, but recent advances in compound‐specific stable isotope analysis hold promise for tracing the source of individual compounds allocated to reproduction.Here, we describe a novel approach of using measured carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values of individual amino acids (AAs) in pectoral muscle of egg‐laying females and egg yolk as a useful tool to quantify the reliance on income versus capital breeding in migrating species. We used white‐fronted (Anser albifrons frontalis), lesser snow (A. caerulescens caerulescens) and black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) geese breeding in tundra ecosystems of northern Alaska as model organisms.All three species relied on mixed capital–income breeding strategies, but models based on AA isotope data estimated higher proportional contributions of endogenous resources to yolk synthesis compared to results based on bulk tissue isotope analyses.Tracing income versus capital nutrient allocation in migratory species at the compound level is a major advance from the current 'elemental' perspective obtained from bulk tissue stable isotope analyses. Our framework is applicable to all taxonomic groups, as long as there is a sufficient spatial or temporal isotopic gradient between resources obtained during the breeding and non‐breeding periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrological rhythm of floodplain wetlands affected by natural climate variability and human activities is the driving factor affecting the distribution of herbivorous geese habitats. It has always been challenging to determine its long‐term variation, due to the lack of data on species distribution and broad wetland observation. In this study, the key normalized difference vegetation index threshold range suitable for herbivorous geese, greater white‐fronted geese (Anser albifrons, GWG) and bean geese (Anser fabalis, BG), was discovered by combining GPS tracking data with Landsat satellite data. The suitable habitat area and distribution variation characteristics of GWG and BG from 1982 to 2020 were extracted based on the threshold range. The results showed that the suitable habitat area had a declining trend after 2003, that the distribution had moved toward the lake's center, and that its average elevation had decreased by around 1 m, particularly during the arrival period. The change of herbivorous geese habitat is caused by the continuous drying of Poyang Lake. The study can offer a rational scientific foundation for wetland waterbird protection and watershed hydrological management. Key Points: The changes of herbivorous geese habitats in different periods of wintering in Poyang Lake for about 40 years were extractedThe habitat for herbivorous geese shrank and moved to the lake center after 2003, particularly during the geese arriving periodThe herbivorous geese habitat shrinkage was due to the drying of Poyang Lake [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers generally ascribe demographic drivers in a single sub‐population and presume they are representative. With this information, practitioners implement blanket conservation measures across metapopulations to reverse declines. However, such approaches may not be appropriate in circumstances where sub‐populations are spatiotemporally segregated and exposed to different environmental variation. The Greenland White‐fronted Goose, Anser albifrons flavirostris, is an Arctic‐nesting migrant that largely comprises two sub‐populations (delineated by northerly and southerly breeding areas in west Greenland). The metapopulation has declined since 1999 but this trend is only mirrored in one sub‐population and the causes of this disparity are unclear. Here we compare the drivers and trends of productivity in both sub‐populations using population‐ and individual‐level analysis. We examined how temperature and precipitation influenced population‐level reproductive success over 37 years and whether there was a change in the relationship when metapopulation decline commenced. In addition, we used biologging devices to remotely classify incubation events for 86 bird‐years and modelled how phenology and environmental conditions influenced individual‐level nest survival. Correlations between reproductive success and temperature/precipitation on the breeding grounds have weakened for both sub‐populations. This has resulted in lower reproductive success for the northerly, but not southerly breeding sub‐population, which at the individual‐level appears to be driven by lower nest survival. Earlier breeding ground arrival and less precipitation during incubation increased nest survival in the northerly breeding population, while no factors examined were important for the southerly breeding sub‐population. This suggests reproductive success is driven by different factor(s) in the two sub‐populations. Demographic rates and their environmental drivers differ between the sub‐populations examined here and consequently we encourage further decomposition of demography within metapopulations. This is important for conservation practitioners to consider as bespoke conservation strategies, targeting different limiting factors, may be required for different sub‐populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a historically large degree of philopatry to the Gulf Coastal Plains wintering area in the United States and Mexico, the midcontinent population of greater white‐fronted geese (Anser albifrons) has demonstrated changes in their winter distribution in recent decades, warranting investigation into the timing and magnitude of change. We evaluated spatiotemporal patterns in winter band recovery distribution from 1974–2018 and midwinter waterfowl survey counts for midcontinent greater white‐fronted geese. We used an overlap similarity index to compare annual winter band recovery distributions with a historical reference distribution of 1955–1974, followed by a changepoint analysis to assess the timing and magnitude of distributional change. Our analyses revealed a 2‐stage shift in the distribution of winter band recoveries from midcontinent greater white‐fronted geese that occurred following the 1994–1995 season and the 2009–2010 season. As a result, the spatiotemporal distribution of midcontinent greater white‐fronted goose band recoveries can be explained in 3 distinct time eras: the historical era (1974–1995), the transitional era (1995–2010), and the current era (2010–2018). Patterns in midwinter waterfowl survey counts were consistent with changes in winter band recovery distributions, providing further support that midcontinent greater white‐fronted geese have shifted their core winter distribution nearly 750 km northeast over the last 5 decades from the Gulf Coastal Plain to the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Quantifying the timing and magnitude of this shift in winter distribution of midcontinent greater white‐fronted geese provides clarity to previous patterns in and changes to harvest distribution and could be used to facilitate future decisions regarding harvest management, regulatory frameworks, and habitat conservation planning efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vigilance, a crucial factor affecting the behaviour of birds, is key to the safety of migratory animal flocks against predators and other threats. We examined the vigilance of White-fronted Geese in the Biebrza Basin (NE Poland), one of their major stopover sites in Europe. The study took place during their spring staging, from the end of February until the beginning of April. We found that the vigilance of White-fronted Geese decreased in the centre of mixed flocks with Greylag Geese. This may be associated with the larger size and wider field of view of Greylag Geese, as well as their territorial behaviour, as some of them belong to the local breeding population. White-fronted Geese can benefit from the group-size effect when they form larger flocks. In the presence of a vigilance stimulus, the individuals in the centre of a flock raised their alertness levels. As the probability of detecting danger is higher in large groups, flock size negatively affected the birds' vigilance. Owing to their different experience and roles (adults care for their broods by being vigilant), adult birds appeared to be vigilant on both grassland and arable land, whereas immatures were vigilant only on arable land, where exposure to predatory pressure was greater. We believe that the lower level of vigilance of White-fronted Geese in large and mixed flocks may give them more time for foraging and, therefore, improve their chances of survival and breeding success during the oncoming spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetland habitat degradation has become more common in recent decades, leading to an increasing occurrence of food shortages for wild animals. Although the direct effects of food shortages on consumers have been well studied, the cascading effects on interspecific interactions remain poorly understood. Targeted research is required to improve our understanding of the impacts of food shortage on animals and to facilitate the development of conservation plans.Here, we used DNA metabarcoding and field observations of goose foraging behaviour to assess the cascading effects of collapse of tubers of Vallisneria spp., the dominant submerged macrophytes at Poyang Lake, China, on the diet of the swan goose (Anser cygnoides) and on the interspecific competition among goose species, the swan goose, the bean goose (Anser fabalis), and the greater white‐fronted goose (Anser albifrons). The metabarcoding analyses were carried out on faecal samples collected in winter 2016/17 and 2018/19, and behavioural observations were conducted in winter 2021/22.Our study elucidated the dietary compositions of the three goose species in greater detail than previously known. When Vallisneria tubers became rare, swan geese switched their foraging focus to Carex spp. and other grassland plants. When tuber abundance rebounded, swan geese resumed tuber foraging, suggesting the superiority of tubers as food for swan geese. Swan geese foraging on Carex, the major foods of bean geese and greater white‐fronted geese, potentially increased interspecific competition among goose species. Swan geese increased their pecking rates while bean geese increased time spent foraging apparently to cope with interspecific competition.Given the severe impacts of tuber collapses on waterbirds and the important role of Poyang Lake in waterbird protection, we advocate restoring submerged macrophytes to provide high quality foods for tuber‐foraging waterbirds.Our study emphasises that, in addition to directly influencing consumers, food collapses may also influence other species through changes in interspecific interactions. Our study also illustrates the importance of behavioural plasticity to cope with interspecific competition and to respond to environment change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escalating conflicts between grassland farming and wintering geese in northern Germany stimulated a long‐term study in order to promote a fair and workable system of compensation of harvest loss. Between 1996 and 2018 standardized experiments were carried out to quantify changes in yield loss and herbage quality. Simultaneously, we weekly monitored the number of geese to relate yield losses to goose numbers and to identify the impact of the different species.Exclosure experiments were established on conventionally managed grasslands. The number of investigated fields differed over the study period (1990s: n = 6, 2000s: n = 14, 2010s: n = 2–18). On each field, we established 12 marked plots (4.5 m2), six with exclosures from early November until the first cut of grass in May and six with access for the geese. In all plots dry biomass and the quality of herbage (contents of energy, crude protein, crude fibre and ash) were determined at first and second harvest.The total goose‐dependent yield losses at first harvest increased from 15% in the year 1996/97 to 50% at the end of the 2010s. The increase corresponds with changes in the maximum numbers and the migratory behaviour of the barnacle goose Branta leucopsis. Yield reductions correlated positively with densities of barnacle geese present in April. In contrast, we found no decline in grassland yields with increasing numbers of greater white‐fronted geese Anser albifrons. In all periods second harvest was not affected.The combined maximum number of both geese which were counted over approximately 23,000 ha of grasslands increased until 2002/03 but levelled off with numbers around 100,000 birds thereafter. While the maximum wintering population of greater white‐fronted geese dropped since 2007/08, the maximum number of barnacle geese increased until mid of 2010s. An increasing proportion of barnacle geese delayed their departure until May.Within each year grazed plots possessed higher energy and crude protein contents than ungrazed controls, suggesting that the geese maximize their potential nutrient intake rate by grazing.Synthesis and applications. The present study reveals a significant increase in goose‐related loss of grassland yields which form the basis for a fair and comprehensible system of compensation payments to affected farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stopover sites are vital to the state of the population of many migratory bird species. The greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons is the most numerous Eurasian goose species, and migrates on a broad front over European Russia. Stopover and staging sites have specific habitat requirements. They are located near open water, have nearby (<5 km) foraging areas, must be open, and lie at least 500 m from the nearest woodland. Extensive agricultural land abandonment in European Russia since 1990 is leading to widespread land cover changes, and may be lowering the availability and perhaps the suitability of stopover sites for greater white-fronted geese. To measure the extent of land cover change, we compiled Landsat images of three areas in European Russia over which geese migrate. The images were taken May 1990, 2002 and 2014, and used to create a scene that covered completely each area in each of these years. We classified each pixel into one of six land cover classes (LCCs: urban, water, arable, grass, peat bog and forest), and tallied the number changing LCC between the successive maps. For ground truthing, we made field visits in June 2014 to 150 locations chosen randomly in advance, and among them, 64 identified as stopover sites recently used by geese. At each, we assessed vegetation composition and cover, successional stage and the duration (in years) since agriculture on the site had been abandoned. The extent of arable land that changed to another classification 1990–2014 was 56%, and was matched closely by the increase in the extent of the 'grassland' and 'forest' categories, as expected if agricultural abandonment allows vegetation succession to proceed. The magnitude of change around identified stopover sites was similar to that in the areas as a whole. The extent of land cover change in the northern part of European Russia is making migration by greater white-fronted geese more challenging, which is consistent with the documented southward shift in stopover site usage. This could lead to abandonment of the route across northern European Russia altogether, in favour of a longer migration around the expanding boreal forest, which is inhospitable for goose species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying relationships between animal behavior and habitat use is essential to understanding animal decision-making. High-resolution location and acceleration data allows unprecedented insights into animal movement and behavior. These data types allow researchers to study the complex linkages between behavioral plasticity and habitat distribution. We used a novel Markov model in a Bayesian framework to quantify the influence of behavioral state frequencies and environmental variables on transitions among landcover types through joint use of location and tri-axial accelerometer data. Data were collected from 56 greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) across seven ecologically distinct winter regions over two years in midcontinent North America. We showed that goose decision-making varied across landcover types, ecoregions, and abiotic conditions, and was influenced by behavior. We found that time spent in specific behaviors explained variation in the probability of transitioning among habitats, revealing unique behavioral responses from geese among different habitats. Combining GPS and acceleration data allowed unique study of potential influences of an ongoing large-scale range shift in the wintering distribution of a migratory bird across midcontinent North America. We anticipate that behavioral adaptations among variable landscapes is a likely mechanism explaining goose use of highly variable ecosystems during winter in ways which optimize their persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arctic-nesting geese face energetic challenges during spring migration, including ecological barriers and weather conditions (e.g., precipitation and temperature), which in long-lived species can lead to a trade-off to defer reproduction in favor of greater survival. We used GPS location and acceleration data collected from 35 greater white-fronted geese of the North American midcontinent and Greenland populations at spring migration stopovers, and novel applications of Bayesian dynamic linear models to test daily effects of minimum temperature and precipitation on energy expenditure (i.e., overall dynamic body acceleration, ODBA) and proportion of time spent feeding (PTF), then examined the daily and additive importance of ODBA and PTF on probability of breeding deferral using stochastic antecedent models. We expected distinct responses in behavior and probability of breeding deferral between and within populations due to differences in stopover area availability. Time-varying coefficients of weather conditions were variable between ODBA and PTF, and often did not show consistent patterns among birds, indicating plasticity in how individuals respond to conditions. An increase in antecedent ODBA was associated with a slightly increased probability of deferral in midcontinent geese but not Greenland geese. Probability of deferral decreased with increased PTF in both populations. We did not detect any differentially important time periods. These results suggest either that movements and behavior throughout spring migration do not explain breeding deferral or that ecological linkages between bird decisions during spring and subsequent breeding deferral were different between populations and across migration but occurred at different time scales than those we examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass capture of flightless geese during the summer is a common trapping technique to obtain large numbers of individuals for research and marking, but few studies have assessed the impacts of this method on the survival of after‐hatch‐year geese. We evaluated the effects of holding time and captured flock size on the survival of >26,000 subadult (second yr) and adult (≥third yr) greater white‐fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) banded in Alaska, USA, 1999–2017. We constructed models with and without capture effects to analyze our band‐recovery data and used Akaike's Information Criterion to rank our model set. Models that included both capture‐related variables ranked highest. Longer individual holding times negatively affected survival during the first year after banding, and effects were greatest during the earliest years of our study when holding times were generally longer and protocols to minimize negative capture effects were less refined. There was a positive relationship between survival and captured flock size. We suggest practitioners reduce holding times of geese during mass captures to the extent practicable and continually evaluate and refine their methods to minimize negative capture effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding relationships between infection and wildlife movement patterns is important for predicting pathogen spread, especially for multispecies pathogens and those that can spread to humans and domestic animals, such as avian influenza viruses (AIVs). Although infection with low pathogenic AIVs is generally considered asymptomatic in wild birds, prior work has shown that influenza‐infected birds occasionally delay migration and/or reduce local movements relative to their uninfected counterparts. However, most observational research to date has focused on a few species in northern Europe; given that influenza viruses are widespread globally and outbreaks of highly pathogenic strains are increasingly common, it is important to explore influenza–movement relationships across more species and regions. Here, we used telemetry data to investigate relationships between influenza infection and movement behavior in 165 individuals from four species of North American waterfowl that overwinter in California, USA. We studied both large‐scale migratory and local overwintering movements and found that relationships between influenza infection and movement patterns varied among species. Northern pintails (Anas acuta) with antibodies to avian influenza, indicating prior infection, made migratory stopovers that averaged 12 days longer than those with no influenza antibodies. In contrast, greater white‐fronted geese (Anser albifrons) with antibodies to avian influenza made migratory stopovers that averaged 15 days shorter than those with no antibodies. Canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) that were actively infected with influenza upon capture in the winter delayed spring migration by an average of 28 days relative to birds that were uninfected at the time of capture. At the local scale, northern pintails and canvasbacks that were actively infected with influenza used areas that were 7.6 and 4.9 times smaller than those of uninfected ducks, respectively, during the period of presumed active influenza infection. We found no evidence for an influence of active influenza infection on local movements of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). These results suggest that avian influenza can influence waterfowl movements and illustrate that the relationships between avian influenza infection and wild bird movements are context‐ and species‐dependent. More generally, understanding and predicting the spread of multihost pathogens requires studying multiple taxa across space and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) is one of the most relevant bacterial pathogens of commercial waterfowl from clinical and economic points of view. Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of RA infection in different types of commercial poultry in Poland and verify the potential role of wild geese as vectors of this pathogen. We tested a total of 126 poultry flocks, including geese (N = 20), ducks (N = 42), turkeys (N = 64) and 19 wild geese, including greater white-fronted geese (N = 9), greylag geese (N = 5) and Taiga bean geese (N = 5). Tracheal swabs were examined for RA using a PCR targeting a conserved region of the 16S rRNA gene. Selected PCR products were sequenced to perform the phylogenetic analysis. Among the commercial poultry, the highest RA prevalence was found in flocks of ducks (35.7%) and geese (30.0%), whereas the lowest one was found in turkeys (3.2%). Most tested wild geese (94.7%) were RA positive. The phylogenetic analysis showed relatively low genetic diversity of the sequences analyzed, which gathered in two clusters of the phylogenetic tree, and the minimum nucleotide identity was 98.6%. Our results would support the contention that RA isolates from commercial poultry circulate in wild bird populations but are not transmitted back to poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, conflict between geese and agriculture has increased. Management practices to limit this conflict include concentrating geese in protected areas, derogation shooting or population reduction. To justify such management, we need to understand their effects on goose‐related damages, which requires an understanding of how yield loss is influenced by goose abundance and species interactions.We combined data from monthly goose counts and GPS‐tracked geese to estimate grazing pressures by barnacle, white‐fronted and greylag geese on agricultural grassland in Fryslân, the Netherlands. Using linear mixed models, we related this to damages assessed by professional inspectors.Our results show a positive nonlinear relationship between yield loss and barnacle goose grazing pressure, where assessed damage increases with a decelerating rate as grazing pressure increases. For white‐fronted geese, we find a negative relationship, while for greylag geese both positive and negative relationships occur. For each species, the relationship is influenced by the abundance of the other two.For barnacle geese, the relationship can be explained by selection of fields offering the best balance between food intake and energy expenditure, and by grass regrowth, with highest grazing pressures occurring over a longer time period. The results for the other species are likely due to spatial and temporal differences in foraging preferences compared to barnacle geese, where larger species avoid areas with highest damages.Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that decreasing herbivore abundance may not translate directly to decreased yield loss, and management tools such as population reduction or derogation shooting should be used with care. Management aimed at concentrating geese in refuges could help to alleviate farmer–goose conflict, although further studies are required to determine if it would lead to damage reduction. We also find that not all species contribute equally to agricultural damage; care should be taken to ensure wildlife management targets the right species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration schedules and the timing of other annual events (e.g., pair formation and molt) can affect the distribution of genetic diversity as much as where these events occur. The greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) is a circumpolar goose species, exhibiting temporal and spatial variation of events among populations during the annual cycle. Previous range-wide genetic assessments of the nuclear genome based on eight microsatellite loci suggest a single, largely panmictic population despite up to five subspecies currently recognized based on phenotypic differences. We used double digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD-seq) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data to re-evaluate estimates of spatial genomic structure and to characterize how past and present processes have shaped the patterns of genetic diversity and connectivity across the Arctic and subarctic. We uncovered previously undetected inter-population differentiation with genetic clusters corresponding to sampling locales associated with current management groups. We further observed subtle genetic clustering within each management unit that can be at least partially explained by the timing and directionality of migration events along with other behaviors during the annual cycle. The Tule Goose (A. a. elgasi) and Greenland subspecies (A. a. flavirostris) showed the highest level of divergence among all sampling locales investigated. The recovery of previously undetected broad and fine-scale spatial structure suggests that the strong cultural transmission of migratory behavior restricts gene flow across portions of the species' range. Our data further highlight the importance of re-evaluating previous assessments conducted based on a small number of highly variable genetic markers in phenotypically diverse species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food resources are key limiting factors for migratory waterbirds, and the foraging strategies adopted by herbivorous waterbirds are affected by food availability in wetland habitats. The greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) is mainly dependent on Carex in the lower and middle Yangtze River floodplain. Exploring the relationship between the growth conditions of Carex and the foraging strategies adopted by wintering greater white-fronted geese has important ecological implications for habitat protection and management. In this study, scan sampling and focal animal sampling were used to record the foraging behaviors of greater white-fronted geese wintering at Shengjin Lake, and the plant height and water content of Carex were surveyed simultaneously. The relationship between plant characteristics and foraging behaviors was tested using a linear regression equation. The results showed that Carex had two growth periods at Shengjin Lake, and the pecking rate and foraging time budget of greater white-fronted geese were higher during these two periods. Plant characteristics were positively correlated with goose foraging behaviors. The strategic adjustment of the foraging behaviors adopted by wintering greater white-fronted geese was consistent with the growth stage of Carex, which is the optimal foraging window for greater white-fronted geese. During the foraging windows, geese changed their foraging strategies to obtain more energy in order to guarantee successful wintering and migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has become an important cause of the loss of bird habitat and changes in bird migration and reproduction. The lesser white-fronted goose (Anser erythropus) has a wide range of migratory habits and is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. In this study, the distribution of suitable breeding grounds for the lesser white-fronted goose was assessed in Siberia, Russia, using a combination of satellite tracking and climate change data. The characteristics of the distribution of suitable breeding sites under different climate scenarios in the future were predicted using the Maxent model, and protection gaps were assessed. The analysis showed that under the background of future climate change, temperature and precipitation will be the main climatic factors affecting the distribution of breeding grounds, and the area associated with suitable breeding habitats will present a decreasing trend. Areas listed as an optimal habitat only accounted for 3.22% of the protected distribution; however, 1,029,386.341 km2 of optimal habitat was observed outside the protected area. Obtaining species distribution data is important for developing habitat protection in remote areas. The results presented here can provide a basis for developing species-specific habitat management strategies and indicate that additional attention should be focused on protecting open spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In summer 2016, we observed premature feather malformation among goslings of greater white-fronted goose (Anser alb. albifrons), between 7 and 10 weeks of age on family gathering areas on Kolguev Island, Russia, the most important breeding island in the Western Palearctic. Rarely reported in wild birds, to our knowledge, this phenomenon has not been recorded in wild geese of this species, despite continuous ringing and marking of thousands of wild geese across Northern Europe and Arctic Siberia. This feather malformations were documented in 36 unfledged goslings showing weak feather basis, deformed or unevenly grown wing feathers or even dead feather buds. Approximately about one-third of all chicks were affected. Feather malformations like this, causing flightless chicks as a result, have never been noticed in any other of our 12 study years since 2006. The lesion was characterised by soft feather buds, weak or incomplete wing feathers and lack of feather development. No other abnormalities were observed in the goslings, so goslings did not differ in weight or body sizes. Affected fledglings never became airworthy and were killed in large numbers by predators or at latest perished during the Arctic winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat availability determines the distribution of migratory waterfowl along their flyway, which further influences the transmission and spatial spread of avian influenza viruses (AIVs). The extensive habitat loss in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) may have potentially altered the virus spread and transmission, but those consequences are rarely studied. We constructed 6 fall migration networks that differed in their level of habitat loss, wherein an increase in habitat loss resulted in smaller networks with fewer sites and links. We integrated an agent-based model and a susceptible-infected-recovered model to simulate waterfowl migration and AIV transmission. We found that extensive habitat loss in the EAAF can 1) relocate the outbreaks northwards, responding to the distribution changes of wintering waterfowl geese, 2) increase the outbreak risk in remaining sites due to larger goose congregations, and 3) facilitate AIV transmission in the migratory population. In addition, our modeling output was in line with the predictions from the concept of "migratory escape", i.e., the migration allows the geese to "escape" from the location where infection risk is high, affecting the pattern of infection prevalence in the waterfowl population. Our modeling shed light on the potential consequences of habitat loss in spreading and transmitting AIV at the flyway scale and suggested the driving mechanisms behind these effects, indicating the importance of conservation in changing spatial and temporal patterns of AIV outbreaks. Author summary: What are the possible consequences of extensive habitat loss on the spread and transmission of avian influenza viruses (AIVs)? We used a logistic regression model to select the suitable habitats of Greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, which has extensive habitat loss and seasonal passing waterfowl population. We treated these habitats as sites to construct 6 fall migration networks by removing sites in order of habitat loss (i.e., site removal). We then simulated geese migration in these networks and explored the impacts of habitat loss on AIV spread and transmission. We found that extensive habitat loss can cause relocation of the geese and outbreaks and promote the AIV spread and transmission. Our modeling outputs also suggested a "migratory escape" pattern for changing the spatial and temporal pattern of infection prevalence in the population. Overall, our study showed that habitat loss can affect AIV spread and transmission, suggesting the importance of habitat conservation in changing the spatial and temporal pattern of disease prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migratory species are protected under international legislation; their seasonal movements across international borders may therefore present opportunities for understanding how global conservation policies translate to local‐level actions across different socio‐ecological contexts. Moreover, local‐level management of migratory species can reveal how culture and governance affects progress towards achieving global targets. Here, we investigate potential misalignment in the two‐way relationship between global‐level conservation policies (i.e. hunting bans and quotas) and local‐level norms, values and actions (i.e. legal and illegal hunting) in the context of waterfowl hunting in northern Kazakhstan as a case‐study.Northern Kazakhstan is globally important for waterfowl and a key staging area for arctic‐breeding species. Hunting is managed through licences, quotas and seasonal bans under UN‐AEWA intergovernmental agreements. To better understand the local socio‐ecological context of waterfowl hunting, we take a mixed‐methods approach using socio‐ecological surveys, informal discussions and population modelling of a focal migratory goose species to: (a) investigate motivations for hunting in relation to socio‐economic factors; (b) assess knowledge of species' protection status; and (c) predict the population size of Lesser White‐fronted Geese (LWfG; Anser erythropus; IUCN Vulnerable) under different scenarios of survival rates and hunting offtake, to understand how goose population demographics interact with the local socio‐ecological context.Model results showed no evidence that waterfowl hunting is motivated by financial gain; social and cultural importance were stronger factors. The majority of hunters are knowledgeable about species' protection status; however, 11% did not know LWfG are protected, highlighting a key area for increased stakeholder engagement.Simulations of LWfG population growth over a 20‐year period showed LWfG are highly vulnerable to hunting pressure even when survival rates are high. This potential impact of hunting highlights the need for effective regulation along the entire flyway; our survey results show that hunters were generally compliant with newly introduced hunting regulations, showing that effective regulation is possible on a local level.Synthesis and applications. Here, we investigate how global conservation policy and local norms interact to affect the management of a threatened migratory species, which is particularly important for the protection and sustainable management of wildlife that crosses international borders where local contexts may differ. Our study highlights that to be effective and sustainable in the long‐term, global conservation policies must fully integrate local socio‐economic, cultural, governance and environmental contexts, to ensure interventions are equitable across entire species' ranges. This approach is relevant and adaptable for different contexts involving the conservation of wide‐ranging and migratory species, including the 255 migratory waterfowl covered by UN‐AEWA (United Nations Agreement on the Conservation of African‐Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the composition and winter abundance of waterfowl for hunting in a Wildlife Conservation Management Unit (UMA), within the Malaga wetlands complex, Durango, Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: In the winter of 2019, waterfowl for hunting were identified and quantified in an UMA of the Malaga wetlands complex, Durango, Mexico. The birds were counted with the point count methodology in five repetitions, in order to estimate their specific richness and abundance in each one. These variables were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05). Results: A total of 21,620 birds from 18 species were registered. The most frequent families were the Anatidae, Rallidae, and Gruidae. Anser albifrons, A. caerulescens, and Anas crecca were the most abundant species. This abundance increased according to the number of tests. Therefore, the highest proportion of birds was recorded in the last sampling (p < 0.05). Study Limitations/Implications: This study provides baseline demographic information for this group of birds that inhabits the Durango wetlands. However, long-term monitoring is necessary to determine the demographic dynamics of these species. Findings/Conclusions: The study site is diverse and important for the waterfowl for hunting that spend the winter in Durango, Mexico [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are the most important areas for geese to overwinter in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, where about 180,000 geese fly to overwinter each year. Over the past 20 years, the region has experienced extensive and rapid land cover changes that may have exceeded the adaptability of geese, and have led to suitable goose habitat area loss, thereby, reducing the stability of the geese population. In order to identify the suitable goose habitat areas in this region, based on ensemble modeling and satellite tracking data, in this study, we simulated the spatial distribution changes in the suitable goose habitat areas over the past 20 years. The results showed that the suitable goose habitat areas had suffered varying degrees of loss, among which, the lesser white-fronted goose had the greatest suitable goose habitat area loss of over 50%. Moreover, we found that wetlands, lakes, and floodplains were the key components of suitable goose habitat areas, and the categories (land use) showed significant differences in different periods (p < 0.01). This may be one of the main reasons for the decrease in suitable goose habitat areas. The results of this study provide an important reference for the adaptive management and protection of geese in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population growth rates in geese can be sensitive to small changes in survival and/or production of young, and understanding which demographic rates explain more variation in population change can be crucial for implementing effective conservation actions. Here, we show that annual adult survival and production of young (assessed in winter) explained most variation in annual population growth rate across 36 years in Greenland White‐fronted Geese Anser albifrons flavirostris, during which time the population showed a sustained increase followed by a decline. In contrast, there was no strong relationship between annual population growth rate and juvenile survival following autumn migration, suggesting that variation in this demographic parameter contributed little to the population trajectory over the same period. Quantifying the influence of decisions made by Greenland White‐fronted Geese throughout the annual cycle will improve our ability to target seasonal conservation actions that reduce adult mortality and/or increase production of young where possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Migratory birds are natural reservoirs of Blastocystis. • 4.92 % studied migratory birds were confirmed Blastocystis-positive. • Two known zoonotic subtypes ST6 and ST7 were founded in migratory birds, with ST7 being the major subtype. Migratory birds play an important role in the cross-regional transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Assessing the presence of zoonotic pathogens carried by migratory birds is critical for disease control. However, information about Blastocystis infection in the migratory birds is very limited. Thus, we conducted this study with the aim to explore the occurrence, prevalence and subtyping of Blastocystis in four breeds of migratory birds in northeastern China. From October 2022 to April 2023, a total of 427 fresh fecal samples were obtained from four breeds of migratory birds in five nature reserves in northeastern China, and screened for Blastocystis by PCR amplification. Twenty-one (4.92 %) of the studied samples were confirmed Blastocystis -positive, and two known zoonotic subtypes ST6 and ST7 were founded, with ST7 being the major subtype. Until now, we firstly reported the infection status and subtyping of Blastocystis in the migratory Greater White-Fronted Goose, White Stork, Oriental White Stork and Bean Goose in China. More importantly, these findings present further data on the genetic diversity and transmission routes of Blastocystis and further arouse public health concerns about this organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual lateralization arises from the differential processing of information by the two brain hemispheres and can manifest itself in animal behaviour in the form of lateral preferences. Current evidence suggests that social coordination serves as a driving force for the emergence of one‐sided behavioural preferences in the populations. Collective movement is one of the most basic and ubiquitous examples of coordinated behaviour. Very little is known, however, about lateralized social interactions in such a complex and sensory demanding movement mode as flight. In the present study, we aimed at investigating lateralization in parent‐offspring interactions during migratory and nonmigratory flights in greater white‐fronted geese. Analyzing the GPS tracks of 19 goose families, we showed individual lateral preferences in the position of juvenile birds relative to a parent in nearly half of the juveniles. A population‐level preference to follow the mother on her left side was shown in juveniles during migratory flights but not in other analyses. This preference, differently from previous findings in mammals implicating a right eye bias, may be explained by the left hemisphere advantage for the functions involved in following behaviour of migrating birds, e.g., focussed attention. This highlights different drivers of lateralization in collective movement in relation to situation‐specific demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birds, energetics, migration, movement, population connectivity, smoke, telemetry, wildfire Average smoke concentrations within migration flight elevations (<4,000 m) greater than 160 µg m-3 (red) resulted in disruption of typical migratory behavior; including extended at-sea rafting, novel stopover site use, recursive migration paths ("impact points"; yellow circles). Keywords: birds; energetics; migration; movement; population connectivity; smoke; telemetry; wildfire EN birds energetics migration movement population connectivity smoke telemetry wildfire 1 5 5 01/05/22 20220101 NES 220101 In 2020, the fire season affecting the western United States reached unprecedented levels. [Extracted from the article]

The document titled "Results of the January 2021 waterbird census in Slovenia" presents the findings of a waterbird census conducted in Slovenia in January 2021. The census included various species of waterbirds, and the report provides data on the number of waterbirds counted and their distribution across the country. The most abundant species observed during the census were the Mallard, Eurasian Coot, and Cormorant. The document also mentions the absence of any unusual species and highlights population trends of certain bird species in Slovenia. The census recorded a total of 48,223 waterbirds belonging to 63 species, with the highest number observed in the Drava count area. The text also acknowledges the volunteers and local coordinators who made the count possible and provides additional information on climate conditions and river flows. [Extracted from the article]

Background: GPS/GSM tracking data were used to contrast use of (i) habitats and (ii) protected areas between three Arctic-nesting Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons, GWFG) populations throughout the annual cycle. We wished to demonstrate that the East Asian Continental Population (which winters on natural wetlands in the Chinese Yangtze River floodplain and is currently declining) avoids using farmland at multiple wintering sites. We also gathered tracking evidence to support general observations from two increasing population of GWFG, the North Sea-Baltic (which winters in Europe) and the West Pacific (which winter in Korea and Japan) winter mostly within farmland landscapes, using wetlands only for safe night roosts. Methods: We tracked 156 GWFG throughout their annual cycle using GPS/GSM transmitters from these three populations to determine migration routes and stopover staging patterns. We used Brownian Bridge Movement Models to generate summer, winter and migration stopover home ranges which we then overlaid in GIS with land cover and protected area boundary at national level to determine habitat use and degree of protection from nature conservation designated areas. Results: Data confirmed that 73% of European wintering GWFG homes ranges were from within farmland, compared to 59% in Japan and Korea, but just 5% in China, confirming the heavy winter use of agricultural landscapes by GWFG away from China, and avoidance of farmland at multiple sites within the Yangtze River floodplain. The same GWFG used farmland in northeast China in spring and autumn, confirming their experience of exploiting such habitats at other stages of their annual cycle. Chinese wintering birds showed the greatest overlap with protected areas of all three populations, showing current levels of site safeguard are failing to protect this population. Conclusions: Results confirm the need for strategic planning to protect the East Asian Continental GWFG population. While the site protection network in place to protect the species seems adequate, it has failed to stop the declines. Buffalo grazing could serve as one simple strategy to improve the condition of feeding habitats at Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake in the Yangtze, where vast Carex meadows exist. In addition, while we warn against pushing GWFG to winter farmland feeding in China because of the long-term potential to conflict with agricultural interests, we recommend experimental sacrificial, disturbance-free farmland within designated refuge areas adjacent to the Yangtze River floodplain wetland reserves as a manipulative experiment to improve the conservation status of this population in years when natural food sources are limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classical niche theory supports the idea that stable coexistence requires ecological differences between closely related species. However, information on waterbirds coexistence in the entirely landlocked freshwater system of Poyang Lake is not well understood, especially when the available biomass of their food in the area decreases. In this study, we tested the ecological segregation mechanisms in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 wintering periods among eight herbivorous waterbirds (including the Siberian crane Grus leucogeranus, hooded crane Grus monacha, white‐naped crane Grus vipio, common crane Grus grus, greater white‐fronted goose Anser albifrons, bean goose Anser fabalis, swan goose Anser cygnoides, and tundra swan Cygnus columbianus) at Poyang Lake. Using field observations and species niche and foraging habitat selection models, we investigated the abundance, distribution, and food sources of these eight waterbird species to quantify and compare their habitat use and ecological niches. Our results showed that niche segregation among the waterbirds, with respect to food types, time, and spatial location, allow them to coexist and use similar resources. The water level gradually receded in the sub‐lakes of the Poyang Lake, which could provide food sources and various habitats for wintering herbivorous waterbirds to coexist. We demonstrated that the differences in habitat use could mitigate interspecific competition, which may explain the mechanism whereby waterbirds of Poyang Lake coexist during the wintering period, despite considerable overlap in the dietary niches of herbivorous waterbirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the management and productivity of farmland affect foraging behaviour in migrating birds. Crops are increasingly being damaged (and farmers are sustaining ever greater economic losses) as a result of large flocks of waterfowl feeding on them. To investigate the differences in the time budget shared between natural grasslands and arable lands, migrating Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) were filmed using digiscoping equipment at a spring stopover site. Four types of activity were noted in connection with habitat types, bird age, position in the flock and flock size. Foraging was the most common activity in both habitats, but was more common in the grasslands than on arable land. The mean times spent on vigilance, resting and other activities were also significantly different between the two habitat types. GLM analysis showed that young birds spent more time foraging than adults but revealed no differences in foraging times between the age categories in grasslands and arable land. In the latter, geese were more vigilant at the edge of a flock and rested more frequently in its centre. No such differences were found in the grasslands. Only resting time was adversely affected by flock size. These findings, which demonstrate that White-fronted Geese are flexible in their use of food resources, could be useful in agricultural management planning in the light of increasing conflicts with farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]