Movements of Canada Geese Color-Marked Near Southwestern Lake Erie

Abstract

Canada geese (Branta canadensis) utilizing the marshes of southwestern Lake Erie were observed in 1969-70 to ascertain their local movements, flight patterns, area of use, and relationship to the Tennessee Valley population of Canada geese. Geese (n = 989) were color-marked with 7.6-cm (3-inch) vinylite collars according to sex, age, individual, and biweekly period between 15 October and 31 December in 1969 and 1 October and 31 December in 1970. Peak populations of 19,600 geese by mid-October and 21,500 by early November occurred in 1969 and 1970, respectively. Three subflocks were identified on the basis of roosting and feeding locations and corresponded to the three trapping sites where they were marked. Movements of 35 family groups to previously unused areas were inversely proportional to family size. Nearly 40 percent of geese marked in 1969 were seen on the study area in 1970, and 75 percent frequented the same areas. The goose population on the area is increasing more rapidly than is possible by natural reproduction alone. Evidence suggests both a shifting of geese onto the area as well as maintenance of subflock integrity by area and time. A significant, direct relationship existed between roost departure time and both temperature and percent sky cover but not between roost departure time and wind speed. A highly significant, direct relationship existed between numbers of geese killed and both temperature and barometric pressure, but the amount of sky cover and wind did not influence kill. Fall departure of collared geese from the area was gradual in both years, though slower in 1970. Evidence for temporary movement across Lake Erie to Canada, which affected censuses, is presented. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, Alabama, was the principal wintering area of collared birds, which also wintered in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina as well as Ohio. Wintering locations were known for 12 birds for both years. Only 5 of the 12 wintered at the same location both years. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 38(2):275-289 This study was undertaken to ascertain local movements and flight patterns of Canada goose concentrations near southwestern Lake Erie, to learn the factors influencing movements and use of activity areas, to examine dispersal from the area of concentration, and to investigate the relationship of these geese to the Tennessee Valley population. The study encompassed the period July 1969-July 1971; field work took place from late September until early January. Canada geese were uncommon in the Lake Erie marshes until about 1950. Fall populations slowly increased to a peak of about 1,000 birds by the late 1950's. Establishment of the 1,052.6-hectare (2,600-acre) Crane Creek State Wildlife Area in 1951 by the Division of Wildlife, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and, particularly, the 1,943-hectare (4,800-acre) Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in 1961 contributed to the population increase. Most important to the sudden increase in peak fall goose populations, however, was the project cooperatively initiated at the Wildlife Area and the Refuge (adjacent facilities) to reestablish local nesting of giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) in the Lake Erie marsh region. One hundred pairs of pinioned adults were placed in a 16.2-hectare (401A contribution of The Ohio Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit (supported by the U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, The Ohio Division of Wildlife, The Ohio State University, and The Wildlife Management Institute) and Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project, Ohio W-104-R-14. 2 Present address: Wetlands Management Office, P.O.B. 48, Madison, South Dakota 57042. J. Wildl. Manage. 38 (2):1974 275 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.129 on Mon, 18 Apr 2016 06:46:33 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 276 MOVEMENTS OF COLOR-MARKED GEESE Koerner et al.