Human Disturbances to Waterfowl
Annotated Bibliography
Factors such as disturbance and changes in food availability may alter the feeding routine of snow geese (Chen caerulescens). One critical factor is the efficiency of feeding in relation to the amount of time available. The time spent in flight, both disturbed and undisturbed, was estimated to be at least 0.25 hrs. However, during periods of excessive wind or harassment this level could increase three-fold. Flight was estimated to constitute 1.0% of all time spent in major activities. Nocturnal feeding occurred both in and out of the hunting season. Fluctuating food availability due to changing tide levels seemed more important than hunter harassment. The early autumn migrants invariably first settled at Brunswick Point in October. This marsh was used both day and night for a short time, but hunting pressure during the day soon forced the snow geese on to Reifel refuge. Suitable conditions encountered at Brunswick apparently caused them to return each night.
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