Summer habitat use and behaviour of Greater Snow Geese Anser caerulescens

摘要: We studied habitat use by Greater Snow Geese in a glacial valley on Bylot Island, Northwest Territories, the most important breeding site for this population. The contains mosaic of polygon wetlands surrounded upland tundra. Twelve types were identified based physical features, and floristic characteristics each was sampled described. Daily visual surveys conducted from 11 July to 16 August 1990 14 km area. Habitat used, group size behaviour recorded all adult-plumaged geese. Wetland habitats grouped into two classes, pond/lake we meadow, other classified as upland. Plant species composition similar wetland classes with dominance graminaceous plants (Dupontia fisheri, Carex aquatilis Eriophorum spp.). Both families non-parental geese significantly preferred ponds lakes throughout summer, probably because high quality food protection predators conferred these habitats. However, there shift toward greater wet meadow latter half season. Although avoided, it used at low level summer families. Because both shifted simultaneously, is related reduced availability rather than changes gosling or physiology. Time spent foraging relatively constant across approximately double (60%) compared parental adults (30%). Adults young alert 20% time less 3% birds.