15 October 2009

By Paul Clenaghan Countryside Management Delivery Branch, DARD

Migratory birds, such as whooper swans, leave their breeding grounds in Iceland around now and fly non-stop, a distance of some 900 miles, to reach our shores for winter feeding sites. During October, 85% of the world’s population of Brent geese make Strangford Lough their home. After the breeding season in the arctic zone of Northern Canada, the Brent goose begins a journey south, over Greenland and via Iceland, before reaching County Down, a distance of 3000 miles.

You do not have to travel far within the landscape of Northern Ireland to find a location where swans and geese can feed for the winter. Winter feeding sites of significance for swans include; Lough Foyle, Lough Neagh, Lough Beg and Upper Lough Erne. While pale-bellied Brent geese can be found in large numbers in Strangford Lough, the migratory greylag geese find suitable habitats to overwinter at the Foyle and Portmore Lough. Activities of intensive agricultural production can limit the availability of natural feeding grounds. However DARD’s agri-environment schemes encourage farmers and landowners to provide suitable wildlife habitats. One option within these schemes is to provide winter feeding sites for migratory birds.

Agri-environment scheme participants can choose to enter land into the ‘Winter feeding for geese and swans’ option. Land must be regularly used by migratory birds such as; whooper swans, Bewick's swans, Greenland white-fronted geese, pale-bellied Brent geese or migratory greylag geese. It is a requirement to have a minimum of 25 migratory birds per hectare to qualify for the option.

Land which is classified for winter feeding for swans and geese must not be grazed by livestock between 1 October to 31 March. During this period pesticides must not be applied. Slurry, farmyard manure, lime or other organic manure must not be applied to these sites between 15 September and 31 March. In addition to this, field activities such as cultivation, drainage, rolling or re-seeding is not permitted during this restricted period.

Swans and geese are welcome visitors and contribute to the rich biodiversity within our local landscape. For more information on their winter feeding sites please contact Countryside Management Delivery Branch staff at your local DARD Office.

Notes to Editors

1. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619.

2.  A copy of the photo that issued with this article is available on request from the Press Office.