White-fronted Goose (Bläsgås)

Characteristics:
The White-fronted Goose is a medium-sized goose, slightly smaller than the Bean Goose, measuring 65–78 cm in length with a wingspan up to 165 cm.
It is easily recognised by its grey-brown plumage, white patch on the forehead (“blaze”), orange legs, and black bars across the belly.
The bill is pink and shorter than that of the Greylag or Bean Goose.
In flight, it shows a light grey leading edge on the wings and darker wingtips.
Its call is a high-pitched, musical “lyang-lyang”, faster and higher than the Bean Goose’s deeper honk.

Habitat:
The White-fronted Goose breeds in Arctic regions, mainly in northern Scandinavia, Russia, and Greenland.
In Sweden, it is not a regular breeder, but large flocks stop over during migration in southern Sweden, especially in Skåne, Halland, and Östergötland.
During migration and winter, it prefers farmland, coastal meadows, and wetlands.

Behaviour:
The species is social, alert, and highly wary.
It flies in V-formation, often together with Bean and Greylag Geese.
It frequently feeds and rests in open agricultural fields during migration.

Diet:
The White-fronted Goose is herbivorous, feeding mainly on grasses, seeds, herbs, grain, and roots.
In autumn and winter, it forages in stubble fields and beet fields, feeding on crop residue.

Reproduction:
Breeding takes place in May–July on Arctic tundra, usually near water.
The nest is built on the ground and lined with grass and down.
The female lays 4–6 eggs, incubated for 27–28 days.
The goslings leave the nest shortly after hatching and become fully fledged after 6–7 weeks.

Migration:
The White-fronted Goose is a migratory species.
Birds breeding in northern Europe and western Siberia migrate to Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and northern Germany for the winter.
Migration occurs in October–November, and they return in March–April.

Distribution:
Widespread across northern Europe, Asia, and North America.
In Sweden, it is mainly seen as a migratory and staging species in southern and central regions.

Hunting:
The White-fronted Goose is a game species in Sweden according to the Hunting Ordinance (Bilaga 1), but hunting is restricted to certain areas.
Hunting season:

• Skåne County: 1 October – 31 December
  Protective hunting may be allowed where the species causes crop damage.

Hunting is typically carried out as morning or evening flight hunting, or as field hunting with decoys and blinds.

Firearm class (Sweden):
The species may be hunted with:

• Shotgun, typically using pellet size no. 3–5, or
• Rifle class 3 (used for stalking or single precise shots).

Think for the hunting exam:

• Smaller than Greylag and Bean Goose, with white forehead, pink bill, and black belly bars.
• Seen mainly as a migratory species in southern Sweden.
• Eats grass, grain, and beet crops.
• Flies in V-formation, often mixed with other goose species.
• Breeds in Arctic tundra, 4–6 eggs on ground near water.
• Migratory, winters in Western Europe.
• Game species – hunting limited to October–December in specific counties.
• Hunted with shotgun (no. 3–5) or rifle class 3.
• Wary and flock-living, requires good concealment and patience.