Aerial surveys of lesser snow and Canada geese.
This project will involve a series of flights using both fixed and rotary winged aircraft and will include banding and sample collecting. Surveys will be done during a) spring staging period, b) nesting period, c) post-hatch period, d) fledging period and e) autumnal staging period. The objectives of these various surveys, which will be conducted along the Hudson and James Bay coastlines, will include: a) estimates of numbers of staging lesser snow and Canada geese in different locations; b) estimates of nesting densities of lesser snow geese at well established and new colonies (blue/white phase ratios will also be recorded); c) estimates of immediate post-hatch breeding success of lesser snow geese and Canada geese and abundance of non-breeders; d) estimates of juvenile success at 4-5 weeks post-hatch, collection of morphometric data and necropsy tissues, banding of adults and juveniles, evidence of Ross' geese in degraded areas; e) estimates of numbers and reproductive success (juvenile to adult ratios) of staging birds.
- revised 10/11/97 -