The Norwegian Environment Agency has registered 83 new goslings this year. This is a big contrast to previous years, with only one cub in 2020, four cubs in 2021 and seven last year. – This is fantastic news, which both surprises and makes people happy after many decades of low young production. This year, the critically endangered pygmy goose has had a historic nesting year, says Ellen Hambro, director of the Norwegian Environment Agency. Dramatic decline The pygmy goose was a common bird species in northern Norway until the middle of the last century, with a breeding population of around 10,000 individuals. Later, a dramatic decline followed, as a result of massive hunting, both in Norway and along the migration routes. – The pygmy goose is today critically endangered. In the period from 2000-2023, there have only been 20-35 pairs, and all of them stay in one small breeding area in Finnmark. Since this is the only remaining nesting area in Europe, we in Norway have a special responsibility to take care of this population, says environment director Hambro. Environment director Ellen Hambro says that the pygmy goose is critically endangered. Photo: Geir Mogen The pygmy goose is one of 14 species that have priority species status under the Natural Diversity Act. When a species has been adopted as a priority species, it is forbidden to kill, harm or destroy the priority species. Illegal hunting has been curbed The positive numbers lead to enthusiasm among researchers, authorities and volunteers who have put in a solid effort in the monitoring and conservation work along the entire migration route, from Norway, via Finland, Estonia, Hungary and to Greece where the pygmy goose stays for the winter . – Through a joint EU programme, we believe that we can now see the results of many years of hard work to limit the illegal hunting of the pygmy goose and thus increase the survival of the adult birds, says Hambro. The good small rodent year has produced good results for the pygmy goose. Photo: Knut-Sverre Horn Since the mountain ecosystem, of which the pygmy goose is a part, is affected by climate change, the pygmy goose may experience worse conditions in the years to come. When the winters become less snowy and we get more ice on the ground, we get fewer small rodents, which in turn leads to red foxes and other game preying on an egg and chicks of the pygmy goose. This year there was excitement about whether the good year for small rodents would produce results for the pygmy goose, and it has proved to be true.
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Record year for Norway’s most endangered bird – news Troms and Finnmark
