Data from: Variation in age ratio of midcontinent greater white-fronted geese during fall migration

Schock, Wade G., University of Alaska Anchorage

Fischer, Julian B., United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Ely, Craig R., University of Alaska Anchorage

Stehn, Robert A., United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Welker, Jeffrey M., University of Alaska Anchorage

Causey, Douglas, University of Alaska Anchorage

Published Jan 30, 2018 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.28660

Cite this dataset

Schock, Wade G. et al. (2018). Data from: Variation in age ratio of midcontinent greater white-fronted geese during fall migration [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.28660

Abstract

Annual productivity is an important parameter for the management of waterfowl populations. Fall age ratio (juveniles:total birds) is an index of productivity of the preceding breeding season. However, differences in the timing of migration between family groups and nonbreeding birds may bias age-ratio estimates. We examined temporal variation in age ratios of midcontinent greater white-fronted geese Anser albifrons frontalis from interior and northwestern Alaska at a northern autumn staging area near Delta Junction, Alaska. Photographic sampling conducted near Delta Junction resulted in an annual age ratio of 0.388 ± 0.004 (mean ± SE) in 2010 and 0.390 ± 0.001 in 2011. Our study demonstrated temporal variation in age ratios over the duration of the migration period during August and September. We recommend that sampling be conducted for 3-d periods at the beginning, middle, and end of the migration period to account for temporal variation in migration of family groups.

Usage notes

Data A1

Microsoft Excel file which contains raw survey data for midcontinent greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) migrating near Delta Junction Alaska during 2010 and 2011, organized in a single tab, “Data A1 – 2010-2011 Raw Data.” The “2010-2011 Raw Data” tab contains date, time, total adults, total juveniles, total not identified, total sample, proportion of juveniles, age ratio, percent of birds identified and location.

Reference A1

Bromley RG, Rothe TC. 2003. Conservation assessment for the dusky Canada goose (Branta canadensis occidentalis Baird). U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, General Technical Report PNW-GTR-591, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, Oregon, USA.

Reference A2

Kruse KL, compiler. 2014. Central flyway harvest and population survey data book. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lakewood CO.

Reference A3

Lynch JJ, Singleton JR. 1964. Winter appraisals of annual productivity in geese and other water birds. Waterfowl Trust Annual Report 15:114-126.

Reference A4

Marks D, Fischer JB. 2012. Alaska midcontinent greater white-fronted geese-Project updates, 2010-2011 Field Seasons. Unpubl. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report, Migratory Bird Management, Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.

Reference A5

Miller HW, Dzubin A, Sweet JT. 1968. Distribution and mortality of Saskatchewan-banded white-fronted geese. Transactions of the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 33:101-119.

Reference A6

Spindler MA, Lowe JM, Fujikawa JY. 1999. Trends in abundance and productivity of white-fronted geese in the taiga of northwestern and interior Alaska. Report to the Central Flyway Technical Committee. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Koyukuk/Nowitna NWR Complex, Galena, Alaska, U.S.

Reference A7

Spindler MA, Hans MR. 2005. Nesting biology and local movements of female greater white-fronted geese in west-central Alaska. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Galena, Alaska, U.S. 1-8.

Reference A8

Sullivan B. 2010. Management plan for midcontinent greater white-fronted geese. Central Flyway Waterfowl Technical Committee, Denver, Colorado, U.S.

Reference A9

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2016. Waterfowl population status, 2016. U.S. Department of Interior, Washington D.C. USA.

Location

Alaska