The ringing of Barnacle Geese in Spitsbergen, 1962

Abstract

During the summer of 1962 an expedition consisting of seven students from Oslo University visited the Hornsund area of West Spitsbergen. Ringing and other ornithological field studies were undertaken. Due to unfavourable weather conditions in the area, 1962 was a poor breeding season, and can be described as a partial non-breeding year for the anatidae and the Laridae. One of the projects accomplished, the trapping and ringing of Barnacle Geese, is fully discussed. Of the estimated population of 1100 Barnacles, 685 adult individuals were ringed during four days. This is the first large-scale marking of the species in West Spitsbergen. The terrain, trapping equipment and methods used are described in detail. Observations on the populations of Pinkfooted, Barnacle and Brent Geese in the Hornsund area are included.