Barnacle geese taking over more territory in Finland

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Barnacle geese, a new bird species in Finland, are taking over more territory around Finland. Researcher Markku Mikkola-Roos says that the number of geese in parks in the Helsinki region has increased, and some have been found as far north as North Ostrobothnia.
      This year, the Finnish Environment Institute estimated the population in the Helsinki region at more than 3,500, which is 11 per cent more than a year earlier.
     
Barnacle geese are a protected species. There have been complaints of the mess created in parks by their droppings.
      The geese can sometimes eat grain in fields, and have been known to peck at people if they sense that their young are in danger.
     


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Things may come and things may go, but the barnacle geese are apparently here to stay (15.9.2009)

Helsingin Sanomat