(Anser fabalis)
Bean Geese are an important game species that nest in Eurasian taiga and tundra areas. There are currently about 2,000 Bean Goose breeding pairs in Finland. The preferred areas for Bean Goose in Finland are the northern spring bogs, which are important as both breeding and moulting areas. Two subspecies of Bean Goose are found in Finland: Taiga Bean Goose (Anser fabalis fabalis) that nest in Finland are classified as vulnerable, and the Tundra Bean Goose (Anser fabalis rossicus) that migrate through Finland to northern Russia are classified as endangered.
As the number of suitable breeding mires declines, the goose population has decreased. One of the reasons for the decline of the Bean Goose has been proposed to be the increase in the number of Whooper Swans, but there is not enough research data on this yet. In recent years, restrictions have been imposed on the hunting of Bean Geese in order to rebuild populations. Most of the Finnish Bean Geese overwinter in southern Sweden, where they can move further south in harsh winters. More than half of Bean Geese die in their first year of age, and hunting is the most important cause of death. The oldest Finnish Bean Geese have lived over 19 years, according to ringing data.
Text: Jukka Jokimäki & Marja-Liisa Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki
Read more about Bean Goose:
Flying Arctis -frontpage.