06-11-2003 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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OUT -OF -DOORS Page 2 of 5 We do not know how abundant Canada geese were in pre - european settlement times, but the numerous accounts given by early explorers and the place names of lakes ( there are 36 "Goose Lakes" in Minnesota), suggests that the bird was widespread and common. Yet, by the beginning of this century, breeding geese were lost from the prairies and woodlands stretching from Alberta to the Maine and southward along the east slope of the Rockies to Kansas and then eastward to Tennessee and the Carolinas. In Minnesota, the species declined dramatically during the 1850 to 1900 period when both subsistence and market hunting peaked. The last wild Canada geese breeding in Minnesota were found at Heron Lake in 1933. And as we now know, the early spring return of fat, breeding - season ready birds, and their easily detected calls, made the species both an easily located and prized source of fresh meat and eggs for hungry settlers and natives. This, combined with the fact that Canada geese return to the same marshes each season to nest, resulted in the extirpated of the species from much of its southern range. While the wild birds were declining, small numbers of geese were taken captive from local wild flocks for use as live hunting decoys. When the use of live decoys was banned by the Migratory Bird Treaty in 1916, some flocks were retained by aviculturists. Because the bird readily breeds in captivity, these flocks provided a source for release in unoccupied habitats, beginning in the 1920's. By the 1950's, Canada Goose re- establishment programs were underway by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a host of state wildlife departments. The Minnesota DNR was a leader in this effort, along with private sportsmen's clubs, and individuals. Currently, restored large Canadas are common nesters in the prairie and eastern Canadian provinces, and the northern states Whether they are large or small, Canada geese share numerous traits that make them fascinating and relatively easy to manage. The bird is one of the earliest spring migrants, and first among the midwest waterfowl to return to the breeding grounds. Pairs may be seen standing on the ice next to last year's frozen nest mounds by early March. Eggs are laid as soon as there is open water for mating and snow -free nest sites. It is not unusual for the birds to continue nesting in spite of temperatures as low as 0 F and snowfalls up to 10 inches. Nesting in Minnesota begins in mid -March and in the northern most regions, in mid -June. The goose (the female) builds the nest and incubates the eggs without direct aid from the gander (the male). The male, however, guards the female from disturbance by other mature pairs and assists the goose in protecting the eggs, and later, the goslings. So important is his role, there are no case cited where a female has successfully nested after the death of her mate Pair bonding takes place in spring among young geese, one or two years of age. Once formed, the pair remains steadfast until the death of one of the members. Contrary to popular believe, the survivor normally forms a new bond the following spring, and nests. Nests are typically built on isolated sites separated from adjacent dry land by a moat of open water. Natural or human -made islands, muskrat or beaver lodges, or sedge hummocks are frequently used. A clutch of 5 -6 white eggs is laid at a rate of approximately one egg every 36 hours. The first eggs are buried in the nest materials which consists of whatever fine materials are available at the site. By the completion of laying, the goose has pulled fine, down feathers from her belly area and has incorporated them in the nest. This gray down blanket is used to cover the eggs in her absence, reducing egg cooling by 50% and the likelihood that a passing predator will find the eggs. The female incubates from 97 to 98% of the day and takes but 1 or 2 brief, 10 -15 minute recesses from incubation. Time off the nest is divided almost equally into feeding, bathing, and preening (rearranging and dressing her feathers with oil from her oil gland). The eggs hatch over a 24 -hour period, starting on the 26th day after the last egg is laid. The young remain in the nest and are brooded on the 27th day, with nest departure normally occurring on the morning of the 28th day. -29- http: / /www.fw.umn.edu/research /goose /htmUout.html 4/7/00