Long-term monitoring of the cycles and success of breeding activity of Canada Geese on Akimiski Island, Nunavut

• Main Author: Abraham, Kenneth F.
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Cryospheric Information Network 2012
• Subjects: Akimiski Island; Bird banding; Breeding colonies; Canada goose; Monitoring; Nesting; Reproductive phenology; Reproductive success; Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program, Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna - Terrestrial; International Polar Year-Arctic Wildlife Observatories Linking Vulnerable EcoSystems; Arctic; Nunavut; Canada; Akimiski island; Canada Goose; Circumpolar biodiversity monitoring program; Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna; International Polar Year
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5443/1738; https://www.polardata.ca/pdcsearch/?doi_id=1738

We have monitored the nesting activity of Canada Geese since 1993. We have monitored productivity measured as goslings per adult, per breeding female, since 1983. For the goose nesting ecology work, we find nests through systematic searches of up to 7 coastal segments on the North shore of Akimiski Island, and follow them through to the end of hatch, including a program of web-tagging individual goslings at hatch. Nests of snow geese were monitored similarly from 1995-2000, but since 2001 have been monitored opportunistically. A GPS location is recorded for all nests found to determine nesting density. Stage of incubation (using float categories) and clutch size, laying sequence if possible, are all recorded at first visits. Active nests are revisited several times to determine predation rates, hatching date and nesting success. During brood-rearing, family size is determined periodically through opportunistic counts of family groups on feeding areas following ArcticWOLVES protocol. Data are available on seasonal progression of brood sizes for 1998-2000. Gosling growth and body condition are measured at banding, as are some adult body size measurements and wing moult variables. Annual aerial surveys of breeding pairs are conducted across the island along fixed transects. Annual goose banding is conducted in the last two weeks of July. ** Data from the IPY years 2007-2009 are available for download. If data are downloaded and used for analyses, it would greatly be appreciated that the principal investigator be informed. : Purpose: To monitor the nesting success of Canada geese breeding on the North shore of Akimiski Island in Nunavut, to determine important covariates of nesting success and to estimate the variability in this vital rate for population monitoring. : Summary: Not Applicable