Establishment and growth of the Lesser Snow Goose, Chen caerulescens caerulescens, nesting colony on Akimiski Island, James Bay, Northwest Territories

Abstract

Lesser Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) have nested on Akimiski Island in James Bay, Northwest Territories, Canada, since at least 1958. Nesting was intermittent until 1967, but annual after 1968. The number of nesting birds present through 1974 was usually less than 200 pairs, but has since increased tenfold. In 1994, 2218 flightless adults with 2590 goslings were present in early August, indicating about 1100 nesting pairs. In 1995, 1996, and 1997, respectively, there were an estimated 1008, 1917, and 1725 nests. Periodic dramatic increases in numbers of nesting pairs cannot be explained by recruitment alone, suggesting that immigrants, presumably delayed migrant birds from more northern colonies, remained to nest on the island. They and/or their progeny apparently developed longer term nesting affinity for the island. Both the proportion of blue morph geese, which averaged 79.6% over 39 years, and leg band recovery distribution attest to a close relationship with Cape Henrietta Maria, Ontario, and Baffin Island, Northwest Territories, nesting colonies.