The Environment Ministry conducted a survey on wintering birds at about 9,000 locations nationwide in January and found about 308,000 wild geese were observed, a record high and up 78% from 10 years ago. There are more greater white-fronted geese, which account for the majority of geese, apparently caused by rising temperatures in the breeding areas of Russia and other countries, as well as the fact that wild geese now mainly feed on farm products.
About 2,014,100 migratory birds were observed, according to the ministry's Anatidae population census. There were about 1,640,900 ducks, the most, while there were about 65,100 swans, both down about 5% from 10 years ago.
The survey has been conducted every winter since 1970. The survey was conducted by prefectural governments mainly on wild geese and ducks, and the Environment Ministry compiled the results.
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