Human Disturbances to Waterfowl
Annotated Bibliography
The Copper River study led to the conclusion that disturbance by humans during the brood season should be kept at a minimum. Both commercial and sports fishermen were frequent visitors as well as many people who traveled the road for a casual drive, photography, hiking, picnicking, hunting, target shooting, and other recreational activities. Although trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) on the Copper Delta may not have been molested intentionally by the public, the varied and more frequent level of human activity seems to have had a detrimental effect in comparison to more isolated areas. A forced and rapid movement of cygnets from one body of water to another less secure, induced by human intrusion, seemed to be the most important factor causing higher mortality rates. Trumpeter swan broods exited from natal ponds when these areas were disturbed.
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