Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Greylag geese sleep principally in a dry rush-area, however, often on mudflats because of disturbance. Voluntary dispersal within the Beninger Slikken generally did not have a fixed pattern. Greylag geese fled from disturbance to mudflats or adjoining water. In the event of a serious disturbance, they fled to mudflats. Hunting and planes are disturbing factors. During day-time greylag geese are disturbed an average of one-third of the time, and they have to flee four times a day. In stormy weather with high tide, greylag geese flee to grassland outside the dikes. Recent damming up of the estuary in autumn 1970 will be harmful because of fresh water, probably increased pollution, ceasing of tides, and increase of disturbance. Other threats are increase of recreation, industrialization and aerial traffic, and a decrease of refuge.