The numbers and distribution of greater snow geese on Bylot Island and near Jungersen Bay, Baffin Island, in 1988 and 1983

Abstract

During August 1988, on the 1600 km2 south plain of Bylot Island, the authors estimated an Anser caerulescens atlanticus population of 26 300 breeding adults, 5400 failed- and non-breeding adults, and 41 400 goslings; the breeding component had increased at 58% from the 1983 survey. In a 274 km2 study area in Jungersen Bay on N Baffin Island, they recorded 2555 adult breeders, 546 failed- and non-breeders, and 4127 goslings; the breeding segment had declined by 15% since 1983. The later date of the survey in 1988, relative to that of 1983, is believed to have been the main cause of a more even distribution of broods among strata on Bylot Island and may have contributed to an underestimation of breeding geese at Jungersen Bay. Both survey areas supported high densities of breeding greater snow geese in both years. Bylot Island supported a similar proportion of the entire greater snow goose breeding population in 1988 (13%) and 1983 (15%). -from Authors