Gray geese in the pond area: Why your observations now count!

Gray geese in the pond area: Why your observations now count!

Dreba/plothen. thousands of gray geese have gathered in the Dreba-Plothen pond area! These feathered winter guests are not only a fascinating sight, but also an important topic for ornithologists and conservationists. Jürgen Auerswald from the Nature Conservation Association warns: "The development of the gray geese must be documented urgently!"

The gray goose (Anser Anser) has been established as a breeding bird in the region for over a decade, and its spread will continue to increase in the Saale-Orla district. But where do the geese fly when they leave the pond area in May and June? This question remains a mystery! "We do not know where to do their swing mouse," says Auerswald and demands more attention for the geese who are looking for suitable food places.

a look into the past

The settlement of the gray geese began in the 1960s during the GDR era. At the same time, Nordic game goose types such as the seed goose (Anser Fabalis) and the bless goose (Anser albifrons) appear in the region. These winter guests retired to the Dreba-Plothen pond area in 2019 after they had previously overwintered in the field area near Porstendorf and Geroda. "The stocks have exploded in recent years!" Said Auerswald.

Currently over 1000 birds can be observed in the pond area, which frolic on rapeseed fields and tubular areas. But be careful: if the population continues to increase, this could lead to problems for agriculture! "We need reliable data to avoid possible damage," emphasizes Auerswald. Anyone who observes geese can help by reporting important information such as geese, observation location and weather conditions. The data is accepted directly from Auerswald - an opportunity to actively contribute to nature conservation!