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Dutch Birding volume 26 (2004) no 2

2004-2

Ross's Geese in the Netherlands in 1988-2003

In January 1988, two white-morph Ross's Geese Anser rossii were found at Wissenkerke, Zeeland, the Netherlands. Both birds were regularly observed in the following months and following winters, commuting between various well-known goose sites in the south-west and north-east of the country. From 1990 to 1996, only one bird was seen. These two birds constituted the second and third accepted record of Ross's Goose for the Netherlands, after the first in November-December 1985. After two blank years, two Ross's Geese were seen at various sites from late 1998 until at least early 2004; both birds were seen together only once, in January 2000. These birds have been accepted as the fourth and fifth for the Netherlands. In addition, several reports have not been submitted or have been rejected because of known or suspected captive origin. Birds have mostly been associating with Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis. This paper gives a detailed overview of all Dutch records (see table 1) and discusses the identification and status. Although the likelihood of escapes is considerable, the Dutch rarities committee (CDNA) considers Ross's Goose a possible vagrant and therefore regards records of unringed birds not showing unsusual behaviour or other indications of captive origin acceptable.

Max Berlijn, Wilhelminastraat 9, 6285 AS Epen, Nederland
(max.berlijnnn.nl)



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