Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Human activity near brood rearing areas undoubtedly adversely affected broods. When brood counts were made, parent Canada geese (Branta canadensis minima) would often outdistance and desert their young, leaving them susceptible to the ever-present glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus). When brood members became separated after being startled by humans or approaching boats, some young may have been lost. The sound of a boat would send Canada goose families fleeing. Disturbances at the time of onset of nesting caused some reduction in nesting density around the author's camp. Desertion was increased as a result of checking nests early in the laying period. Nest trapping of incubating hen Canada geese resulted in desertions. Predation loss may have doubled because of the presence of the author on the Onumtuk study area. A restriction of unnecessary human activity on the waterfowl nesting and brood rearing grounds is needed. Checking nests of cackling geese several times prior to hatch resulted in twice the normal loss of eggs to predators, and boating led to increased predation on young birds.