Richard A. Malecki

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Atlantic Population Canada Geese

Declining numbers of Atlantic Population (AP) Canada geese (Branta canadensis) resulted in the closure of the regular Canada goose hunting season in 1995 in the provinces of Quebec and southeastern Ontario, Canada, and all Atlantic Flyway states except West Virginia and northwestern Pennsylvania. We attached satellite-tracked radiotransmitters to 34 adult females in 1996 and 1997 to refine our understanding of movements to and from the breeding ground in northern Quebec. Geese breeding near the coasts of Hudson Bay and northern Ungava Bay migrated through western Quebec, southeastern Ontario, and central New York to wintering areas in the Chesapeake-Delaware Bay region of the Atlantic Coast. Ceese nesting in the southern Ungava Bay region migrated through central Quebec to the Lake Champlain-Hudson River drainage area of eastern New York and the western section of the New England states. Their winter terminus was primarily north of 40° latitude. Both fall and spring migrations were highly synchronized. Geese left the breeding range in late September and were not available for sport harvest in Canada and the United States until October. All birds were on their winter range by midto late October. Spring migration began in late February from the Chesapeake-Delaware Bay region, with birds staying in central New York and southeastern Ontario during March and April. A major movement north occurred in early May 1997 and 1998, with birds arriving on their breeding grounds within 1-2 wecks. Limited opportunity for subsistence harvest was detected during spring and fall migration periods. Our data support the use of experimental hunting seasons in September and late winter to reduce numbers of resident Canada geese while minimizing the incidental harvest of AP geese.

Estimated survival rates of Canada geese within the Atlantic flyway

Project personnel banded 28,849 Canada geese (Branta canadensis) with aluminum leg bands and individually coded neck bands in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina from 1983 to 1986. The mean annual neck band retention rate was 99.3 * 0.3 (SE)% from retrap data of previously banded geese. The annual survival rate for the flyway was 77.3 3.8% using band-recovery analyses from 1,008 recoveries of 13,331 postseason-banded geese and 70.9 ? 1.3% using mark-resight data. Annual changes in the distribution of wintering geese were caused, in part, by changes in annual survival rate. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 53(1):91-96 The changing winter distribution of Canada geese is a major problem facing managers within the Atlantic flyway (Hankla and Rudolph 1967, Trost and Malecki 1985, Malecki and Trost 1986). During the 1960s, a large percentage of wintering geese shifted northward from North and South Carolina to the Chesapeake region (Del., Md., and Va.) (Trost and Malecki 1985). The distribution of wintering geese appears to be shifting further north from the Chesapeake to the mid-Atlantic region (N.Y., Pa., and N.J.) (Fig. 1). The changing winter distribution may result from differential survival, reproduction, or movement between subpopulations or regions. Differential survival or movement may result from changes in available wintering habitat, changes in diet, proliferation of private sanctuaries, changing weather trends, and increasing numbers of resident geese decoying migrants. Our objective was to determine if changing winter distribution of Canada geese results from differential survival. We thank all state, federal, and private biologists who have banded or observed geese in the Atlantic flyway. Without their hard work, this study would not have been possible. We especially thank J. D. Nichols for assistance with the analysis, S. Sheaffer for computing assistance, and J. E. Hines for Figure 1. We also thank J. D. Nichols, S. Sheaffer, N. B. Barber, M. J. Conroy, and an anonymous referee for reviewing the manuscript. This paper is a contribution of the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Cornell University, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Wildlife Management Institute (USFWS contract 14-16-0009-1524) cooperate with the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.

IDENTIFICATION OF SOURCE POPULATION FOR GREENLAND CANADA GEESE: GENETIC ASSESSMENT OF A RECENT COLONIZATION

Abstract We used microsatellite markers, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and satellite telemetry to infer the North American geographic origin and racial composition of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) from newly colonized habitats in Greenland. Using likelihood-based assignment tests we determined that multilocus genotypes of Greenland Canada Geese were consistent with the hypothesis of origin from birds of the Atlantic Population breeding around southern Ungava Bay, Quebec, Canada. The Atlantic Population, based on previous studies of seasonal movements and demography, appeared to be reproductively isolated from the North Atlantic Population. We found that these two populations were genetically differentiated based on microsatellite allele and mtDNA haplotype frequencies. Findings of high levels of genetic discordance among North American breeding populations are consistent with migratory movements, despite high levels of distributional overlap of birds from the North Atlantic and Atlantic Populations during migration and on wintering areas. Findings based on genetic markers were concordant with satellite telemetry conducted during spring migration, which showed that birds destined for Greenland migrate through the southern Ungava Bay breeding colony. Genetic differences among these populations are useful for addressing other issues of ecological or management concern. Identificación de la Población Fuente de los Gansos Branta canadensis de Groenlandia: Evaluación Genética de una Colonización Reciente Resumen. Utilizamos marcadores microsatélites, ADN mitocondrial (ADNmt), y telemetría de satélite para inferir el origen geográfico en Norte América y la composición racial de los gansos Branta canadensis en hábitats recientemente colonizados en Groenlandia. Mediante pruebas de asignación basadas en verosimilitud, determinamos que los genotipos multilocus de los gansos de Groenlandia eran consistentes con la hipótesis de origen de aves de la población del Atlántico que se reproduce alrededor del sur de Ungava Bay, Quebec, Canadá. Con base en estudios previos de movimientos estacionales y demografía, la población del Atlántico pareció estar aislada reproductivamente de la población del Atlántico Norte. Encontramos que estas dos poblaciones son genéticamente diferentes en términos de frecuencias alélicas de microsatélites y haplotipos de ADNmt. El hallazgo de altos niveles de discordancia genética entre poblaciones reproductivas norteamericanas es consistente con los movimientos migratorios, a pesar de los altos niveles de superposición de las distribuciones de aves de las poblaciones del Atlántico y el Atlántico Norte durante la migración y en las áreas de invernada. Los resultados basados en los marcadores genéticos concordaron con la telemetría satelital llevada a cabo durante la migración de primavera, la cual mostró que las aves con destino a Groenlandia migran a través del sur de la colonia reproductiva de Ungava Bay. Las diferencias genéticas entre estas poblaciones son útiles para abordar otros asuntos de interés ecológico o de manejo.

A Breeding-Ground Survey of EPP Canada Geese in Northern Manitoba

Aerial surveys flown in northern Manitoba during 1972-77 were used to determine indices of spring breeding populations and distributions of Eastern Prairie Population (EPP) Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Precision within ?20% of the survey results (P = 0.05) was achieved by using stratified random sampling and optimum allocation procedures. Variability among observers was negligible. However, comparisons between counts made from fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters indicated that breedingpair estimates should be multiplied by about 1.4 to adjust for birds not seen. Distribution of nesting geese strongly favored the coastal areas bordering Hudson Bay. A section of tundra habitat comprising less than 8% of the 154,600/km2 survey area contained 44-67% of the total breeding pairs during the 1st 4 years. Average annual nest densities in lowland habitat near the Hudson Bay coast ranged from 0.17-0.32 pairs/km2, whereas more-interior areas seldom exceeded 0.12 pairs/km2. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 45(1):46-53 The Eastern Prairie Population of Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway expanded from approximately 28,000 birds inventoried during winter 1947-48 (Hankla and Rudolph 1967) to >250,000 birds in 1977 (Humburg, unpubl. rep., Mo. Dep. Conserv. Fed. Aid Proj. W-13-R, 1979). Much of this increase is attributed to a sound management program developed through the cooperative efforts of state, provincial, and federal agencies. Changes in landuse practices and an ever-increasing demand for outdoor recreation have required improved methods for monitoring and regulating the goose population. In recent years, attention has focused on the need for expanded research on the EPP breeding grounds. Information on the primary breeding areas of EPP geese, their distribution, and productivity is of great importance in setting annual harvest regulations. Additionally, the ability to detect and respond to changes caused by mans impact on northern nesting areas may be crucial in safeguarding this population. This paper describes the distribution of EPP Canada geese nesting in northern Manitoba. The research was conducted under the auspices of the Missouri Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missouri Department of Conservation, Wildlife Management Institute, and University of Missouri cooperating) and the Eastern Prairie Population Subcommittee of the Mississippi Flyway Council Technical Section. Financial support was provided by the following agencies: Missouri Department of Conservation, Iowa Conservation Commission, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Manitoba Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canadian Wildlife Service, and the Edward K. Love Conservation Foundation. 1 Present address: New York Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Fernow Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. 2 Present address: Canadian Wildlife Service, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6, Canada. 46 J. Wildl. Manage. 45(1):1981 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.129 on Fri, 01 Jul 2016 05:05:03 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms CANADA GEESE IN MANITOBA * Malecki et al. 47 We acknowledge the support and assistance provided by W. R. Goforth, D. H. Rusch, R. D. Sparrowe, R. K. Brace, L. H. Fredrickson, and T. S. Baskett. We also express appreciation to the people of Churchill, Manitoba, without whose help this project could not have been completed in as timely a manner.

Can Hunting of Translocated Nuisance Canada Geese Reduce Local Conflicts

Abstract Resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) nest or reside in the temperate latitudes of North America. In past years, translocation—the capture and subsequent release of geese at distant locations—has been used to establish resident goose populations and to reduce nuisance problems. However, with new special hunting seasons designed to target resident Canada geese, we can now evaluate translocation as a management tool when hunting is allowed at release sites. We selected 2 study sites, representative of urban and suburban locations with nuisance resident geese, in central and western New York, USA. In June 2003, we translocated 80 neck-banded adult geese, 14 radiomarked adult females, and 83 juveniles 150 km east and southwest from urban and suburban problem sites in western New York to state-owned Wildlife Management Areas. At these same capture sites, we used 151 neck-banded adult geese, 12 radiomarked females, and 100 juveniles as controls to compare dispersal movements and harvest vulnerability to translocated geese. All observations (n = 45) of translocated radiomarked geese were <20 km from release sites, in areas where hunting was permitted. Only 25 of 538 observations (4.6%) of radiomarked geese at control sites were in areas open to hunting. The remainder of observations occurred at nonhunting locations within 10 km of control sites. More translocated adult geese (23.8%) were harvested than control geese (6.6%; χ2 = 12.98, P = 0.0009). More translocated juvenile geese were harvested (22.9%) than juvenile controls (5.0%; χ2 = 12.30, P = 0.0005). Only 7 (8.8%) translocated adult geese returned to the original capture sites during Canada goose hunting seasons. Translocation of adult and juvenile geese in family groups may alleviate nuisance problems at conflict sites through increased harvest, reducing the number of birds returning in subsequent years.

Predicting Breeding Success of Atlantic Population Canada Geese from Meteorological Variables

Management strategies for sustained harvest and long-term viability of Atlantic Population Canada geese (Branta canadensis) require evaluations of annual breeding success before establishing fall harvest regulations. The only quantitative measure of the annual breeding success of this population is the proportion of young geese in the fall harvest that is not available when harvest regulations are set in late July. Because the majority of Atlantic Population Canada geese breed in the sub-arctic regions of the Ungava Peninsula in northern Quebec, spring climatic conditions are potential predictors of annual production for this population. We used tail-fan data from the Maryland harvest to calculate an index of the proportion of young geese (Y,) in the fall population, 1963-94. We used 1963-87 weather data to develop multiple linear regression models to predict Y, and validated these models by predicting Y, for 1988-94. Models with the greatest predictive ability included the average daily mean temperature and the number of days of snowfall in May and June. The final model included 6 parameters and accounted for 78.7% of the total variability in Y, (P = 0.001). This analysis demonstrates the potential use of climatic data to predict an index of annual production derived from harvest age ratios. The usefulness of this technique will depend on periodic assessment of predictive models as more data is gathered, and evaluation of harvest tail-fan surveys as indices to breeding success.

Population Structure of Tundra Swans Wintering in Eastern North America

Abstract Our objective was to determine whether there were subpopulations within the eastern population of tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus columbianus) wintering along the mid-Atlantic coast. Movement rates between regions were substantial enough to result in continual mixing of wintering birds. Thus, we were unable to identify distinct subpopulations based on exclusive use of specific wintering areas. These birds should therefore be monitored, and their harvest managed, as if they were one population.

Hunting vulnerability of local and migrant Canada geese : A reply

Leafloor et al. (1996) accurately identified the assumptions that were described or implied in our study (Lindberg and Malecki 1994) of hunting vulnerability of Canada geese (Branta canadensis). We acknowledge that future studies based on more complete datasets may challenge or refute our assumptions. However, Leafloor et als. (1996) approach left room for error and failed to convince us that our assumptions were unreasonable or that our results were not valid. We contend that their conclusions about vulnerability of Canada geese in northwestern Pennsylvania are poorly founded and potentially misleading.