 Source of image: www.nbrb.by
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| GREYLAG GOOSE
The non-governmental organization "APB-BirdLife Belarus" (the APB), a Belarusian partner of the world-wide environmental association "BirdLife International", has been running the "Bird of the Year" national campaign since 2000. The main aim of the campaign is to mould public opinion about the importance and necessity of saving birds. The APB's Central Council comprising representatives of the Academy of Sciences, the Belarusian State University, and nature protection institutions votes every year a bird which will receive special attention in the current year. As a rule, such bird is threatened with extinction, and certain conservation measures are required. In the past, White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), White Wagtail (Motacilla alba), Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), House Martin (Delichon urbica), Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa), Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Trush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia), and Great White Egret (Ardea alba) were named bird of the year. During the campaign various contests are held, actions are undertaken, and environmental measures are implemented.
Greylag Goose (Anser anser) was voted bird of the year 2009. It is the only variety of four species of geese found in Belarus which nests therein. Other species - Bean Goose (Anser fabalis), Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus), and White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) - occur only during migration.
Some Greylag Geese winter in Belarus, though their main wintering sites are in Western and Southern Europe. The first geese come back in February and March. When migrating, Greylag Goose - as distinct from other species - do not flock into large gaggles. They inhabit bodies of water which are rarely visited by people and are also found in grassy bogs as well as flood plains where they choose the quietest places. These birds have a lifespan of 40 years.
Greylag Geese pair up, for life under certain conditions. They rarely nest in Belarus. The bird use reed stalks and foliage to build their nests. As a rule, they make nests on a dry hillock among bodies of shallow water, dose to grasslands, or in vast bogs. In late April - early May, each pair produces up to 12 nestlings. More often than not their number ranges from four to six. Young geese grow slowly and therefore the yearlings can be seen flying as late as July.
Unlike domestic geese, Greylag Goose - their ancestor - shows greater agility; swimming and diving come naturally to it. However, it feeds exclusively on land. The bird consumes herbaceous plants, including shoots of grain crops on farmlands.
Greylag Goose is a game species, including in the springtime, although its population in Belarus is small and the bird is on the Red List. Hunting is the main reason why Greylag Goose cannot become commonplace in our country.
S.V. Levy
Expert in Development Issues,
Non-governmental Organization "APB-BirdLife Belarus"
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| Date : 29.09.2009 |
| Metal : Cu/Ni |
| Diameter, mm : 32.00 |
| Weight, g : 13.16 |
| Mintage, St. : 5000 |
Minted by :
RSE "The Kazakhstan mint of NB RK", Ust–Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan |
Design :
O.Novoselova | | | 
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Ebay-Statistic
(Prices in Euro):
| Year |
Count |
Ave
rage |
Min. |
Max. |
| 2006 |
0 |
0,00 |
0,00 |
0,00 |
| 2007 |
0 |
0,00 |
0,00 |
0,00 |
| 2008 |
0 |
0,00 |
0,00 |
0,00 |
| 2009 |
15 |
9,35 |
8,60 |
10,00 |
| 2010 |
16 |
9,96 |
8,00 |
13,00 |
| 2011 |
1 |
8,86 |
8,86 |
8,86 |
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