Habitat Selection of Resident Canada Geese in Putnam Co., TN

1. Habitat Selection of Resident Canada Geese in Putnam Co., TN A research project conducted by Marcus Pollard, a senior Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Major at Tennessee Technological University

2. Introduction • The Canada geese population has increased drastically over the past 20 years with the Atlantic Flyway population of resident geese doubling in size between the years of 1989 and 1996 (Sheaffer, Susan E., et. al 2004)(Caccamise, Donald F., Reed, Lisa M. 2000). • When geese reach a certain level of density they can become a drastic nuisance and even a threat to human life through possible contraction of certain diseases(VerCauteren, Kurt C., Lavelle, Michael J., Shively, Kirk J. 2003).

3. Introduction (cont.) • Areas that are overpopulated by geese and that are inhabited by humans are often the site of property damage, and human health and safety concerns that are inflicted by the geese. • Geese damage residential lawns by feeding on the grass to a large degree and by a high rate of defecation and feathers left on the lawns and also agricultural fields reducing profit by farmers in various parts of the country (VerCauteran, Kurt C., Lavelle, Michael J., Shively, Kirk J. 2003)(Borman, Michael M. 2002).

4. Introduction (cont.) • It is our responsibility as managers to provide suitable habitat that will redirect the concentrations of geese in undesired areas. • In order to effectively manage Canada geese, accurate data must be collected (Coluccy, John M. 2002). • One effective method that doesn’t hinder the goose is a neck collar which allows scientists to record data from a distance (Hupp, Jerry W., et. al. 2003).

5. Neck Collars

6. Objective/Hypothesis Statement • Objective: To monitor Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in three areas consisting of grassy and wetland habitat in Putnam Co., TN (Cane Creek Park, The Boring Pond, and the Nursing Home) to determine habitat selection and frequency of occupancy in these areas. • Hypothesis: The Canada geese that are individually recorded will overlap in occupying all three areas but show favoritism to one of the three as opposed to the others. • Null Hypothesis: No favoritism of habitat will be apparent among the Canada geese of Putnam Co., TN.

7. Methods and Materials • Geese were monitored and recorded in three locations by the usage of pre-existing neck collars. They were viewed from a distance through a spotting scope (Coluccy, John M. 2002). • After all data was collected, patterns, if any, were determined.

8. Global Positioning System Images

9. Results • All results are taken on individually identifiable birds only. For data purposes the assumption that all birds present were identified. • No birds were ever recorded at the Nursing Home pond. • (i.e. Figure 1)Cane Creek Park had more birds that chose its habitat at a higher frequency than that of the Boring Pond.

10. Results (cont.) • (i.e. Figure 1)The Boring Pond provided habitat to more birds than that of Cane Creek Park but to a lesser frequency • Only two birds(R41A & R45A) out of the 64 were recorded visiting both Cane Creek Park and the Boring Pond. They visited each location only once.

11. Results Number of Geese Figure 1 Frequency of Occupancy

12. Discussion • My research did display a large population of residential Canada geese in Putnam Co., TN (Sheaffer, Susan E., et. al 2004)(Caccamise, Donald F., Reed, Lisa M. 2000). • The Canada geese in Cane Creek Park can pose a risk due to the concentration of the geese and local attraction of many humans. The severity of the issue has caused the city to implement management practices to lessen risk of negative impact (VerCauteren, Kurt C., Lavelle, Michael J., Shively, Kirk J. 2003).

13. Discussion (cont.) • There is significant evidence of heavy grass destruction and frequent scat occurrence throughout the park(Borman, Michael M. 2002). • The neck collars did not seem to hinder the birds from eating or flying due to the scat frequency, birds visiting two of the three sites, and birds not being present at the site upon observations after originally identifiedOne effective method that doesn’t hinder the goose is a neck collar which allows scientists to record data from a distance (Hupp, Jerry W., et. al. 2003).

14. Conclussion • Areas where the geese were protected by a fenced in area and periodically fed by people that visited the park proved to be a higher frequency of occupancy by the resident geese. This type of habitat is almost impossible to replicate due to the geese having to use very little energy to feed and the factor of minimal predator concern. • Both sites where geese were recorded were surrounded by fence which reduces possible predator encounters.

15. Conclusion (cont.) • Human interaction with the geese are viewed at opposite ends of the spectrum. Some people like the interaction with the geese and some view them as a nuisance. The decision must be one that is locally determined as to whether the geese should continue to be fed and undisturbed in areas which the population is frequent or whether they should be forced off of property and relocated to a more natural setting.

16. Literature Cited Borman, Michael M., Louhaichi, Mounir, Johnson, Douglas E., Krueger, William C., Karow, Russel S., Thomas, David R. 2002. Yield mapping to document goose grazing impacts on winter wheat. Agronomy Journal. 94: 1087-1093. Caccamise, Donald F., Reed, Lisa M. 2000. DISTINGUISHING MIGRATORY AND RESIDENT CANADA GEESE USING STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS. Journal of Wildlife Management. 64: 1084-1091. Coluccy, John M., Drobney, Ronald D., Pace, Richard M., Graber, David A. 2002. CONSEQUENCES OF NECKBAND AND LEGBAND LOSS FROM GIANT CANADA GEESE. Journal of Wildlife Management. 66: 353-360. Hupp, Jerry W., Ruhl, Gretchen A., Pearce, John M., Mulcahy, Daniel M., Tomeo, Martha A. 2003. Effects of implanted radio transmitters with percutaneous antennas on the behavior of Canada Geese. Journal of Field Ornithology. 74: 250-256. Sheaffer, Susan E., Rusch, Donald H., Hamburg, Dale D., Lawrence, Jeffrey S., Zenner, Guy G., Gillespie, Murray M., Caswell, F. Dale, Wilds, Steve, Yaich, Scott C. 2004. Survival, movements, and harvest of eastern prairie population Canada geese. Wildlife Monographs. 156: 1-54. Vercauteren, Kurt C., Lavelle, Michael J., Shively, Kirk J., 2003. Characteristics of grit in Canada goose gizzards. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 31: 265-269.