Ross' Goose and Lesser Snow Goose colonies in the central Canadian Arctic

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Kerbes, R. H., McLandress, M. R., Smith, G. E. J., Beyersbergen, G. W., Godwin, B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1983
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Arctic; Queen Maud Gulf
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z83-021; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z83-021

A total of 133 700 nesting Ross' Geese and Lesser Snow Geese (Anser rossii and Anser c. caerulescens), in 30 colonies, were photographed in the central Canadian Arctic, Queen Maud Gulf, N.W.T., in June 1976. Estimated species totals were 77 300 Ross' Geese and 56 400 Lesser Snow Geese (of which 15% were blue phase). Species totals were calculated from a photographic census of all Ross' Geese and white phase Snow Geese combined with assumptions based on the estimated proportion of blue phase Snow Geese in each of the 10 largest colonies and the estimated proportion of Ross' Geese in the largest colony. Comparison with a previous visual nesting inventory suggested that from 1967 to 1976 Ross' Geese doubled in number while Lesser Snow Geese increased fivefold. Nesting resources do not appear to be limited.