Human Disturbances to Waterfowl
Annotated Bibliography
Use of specific areas by brant (Branta bernicla) and daily flight activity were influenced by tidal level, food availability, time of day, and particularly by hunting disturbance. Areas affected by human activity were used at lower densities than areas without these disturbances. Brant reacted to open-water hunting by leaving the Bay and flying to the ocean where there was little food. Brant were particularly susceptible to disturbance by aircraft, especially helicopters. Flights below 300 m often caused flocks to move to the ocean. Denying the birds an undisturbed feeding place during the day could result in a loss of energy and a lowering of body weight at a time when they need to prepare for northward migration and breeding.
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