270 



F. SALOMONSEN 



Table 2. Total numbers of ducks, swans, and coots recorded in Denmark during a winter census 

 in January 1973 (based on ground counts and aerial surveys), compared with estimated 

 flyway populations wintering in western Europe and annual bird harvest in Denmark (after 

 Joensen 1974:23, 155, 168). 



a Not counted. 



b No estimate, but number insignificant. 



c Species totally protected. 



censuses usually give minimum numbers, and 

 certain species especially marine ducks 

 generally go unrecorded, the normal winter 

 population (November to February) of ducks, 

 swans, and coots in Danish waters can 

 scarcely be less than 2 million birds (Joensen 

 1974:156). In Table 2, bird numbers in Den- 

 mark are compared with the estimated winter 

 populations in western Europe, based on the 

 investigation of Atkinson-Willes (1972). 

 When all the winter censuses in Denmark are 

 compared with those for Europe, as was done 

 by Joensen (1974:156), it is evident that 

 Danish waters support about half of all 

 greater scaup (Aythya marila), common 

 goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), red-breasted 

 merganser, mute, whooper (Cygnus cygnus), 

 and tundra swans (C. bewickii) wintering in 



Europe; about one-third of the population of 

 tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) and common 

 merganser; and probably also one-third of the 

 population of common eider and coot (Fulica 

 atra). 



The wintering population of common eider 

 is very large. According to banding records it 

 makes up the greater part of Baltic breeding 

 birds; however, it is not possible to calculate 

 its percentage contribution to the total Euro- 

 pean winter population since its size is un- 

 known in most European countries. Although 

 most of the surface-feeding ducks disappear 

 from Denmark waters in winter, extremely 

 large numbers occur there during the fall mi- 

 gration period. For example, it has been esti- 

 mated that for species like common teal (Anas 

 crecca) and wigeon (A penelope) about one- 



