Birds areas and bird conservation in the Olonets plain

Farmland of the Olonets plain is the largest in Europe spring stopping place for white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) and bean geese (F. fabalis). In the period of mass arrival over 110,000 birds a day may sometimes be recorded in the fields around Olonets.

The first geese appear near Olonets from late March to mid April depending on the weather in spring. Maximum abundance is observed in late April - first ten days of May.

Small groups of birds flying low above grass crops can be seen in any point of the horizon. Feeding flocks of 2,000-3,000 (up to 10,000) individuals are not a rare phenomenon here.

The only protected mass stopping place of migrating geese in North Russia is the 8,000 ha of fields in the "Game peace zone" near Olonets. Geese in this area often feed in immediate vicinity of human communities.

One may manage to approach some particularly trusting flocks quite closely

Some geese also tend to "reach for" God

The barbarous practice of burning down last year's grass in the fields is a great trouble for both migrating birds and local fauna

Stopping places of migrating birds are examined by Karelian ornithologists.

A bird tower.

Ornithologist N.V. Lapshin has been studying bird fauna in the Ladoga Lake area since 1967.

Chief gamekeeper of the district Vladimir N. Ignatiev. It is owing to his enthusiastic work that every year geese find a "Peace zone" in the fields around Olonets.

Time to move further North - to the breeding grounds. On May 20-25, having recovered after long flight and stored the necessary amount of energy geese leave the Olonets fields.