Statut hivernal de l'Oie des moissons Anser fabalis en Alsace

The Alsace is one the main wintering area for Bean Geese (Anser fabalis) in France, and on a wider scale in south-western Europe. The main characteristics of the wintering population are given: subspecies (A. f. rossicus), phenology and quantitative importance of wintering birds, spatial repartition of wintering flocks, characteristics of roost and feeding grounds. The wintering population in January varies from 865 to 2500 individuals (50% of the French population) with the maximum counts of between 1200 and 4670 birds. The first birds arrive in October or November but the bulk does no come until mid-December. The birds leave rapidly during March. The long term stability of this population doesn't seem at risk even if conflicts with local farmers can arise locally. The compulsory set aside concerning cereal crops which is part of the new Common Agricultural Policy should settle any arising difficulties.