The goal of the proposed research is to examine the wintering ecology and to provide conservation insight for this subpopulation that historically uses wintering habitat on several NWRs in the Savannah-Santee-Pee Dee ecosystem.
The objectives of the proposed research are to: (1) Determine the wintering distribution of migratory Canada Geese.
The study will conduct in the Santee NWR. The Refuge is within the upper coastal plain region, in Clarendon County, South Carolina. A primary objective of the refuge is to provide winter habitat and protection of waterfowl. Significant waterfowl concentrations winter on and around the Refuge.
Prior to the arrival of migratory geese I the fall, resident goose distribution will be determined through a series of aerial surveys. Distribution, movement patterns, and home range sizes of wintering migratory Canada geese will then be measured through conventional telemetry techniques and through observations of birds with neck collars. The distribution of resident geese and the degree of mixing with migratory geese also will be determined through the use of conventional telemetry and neck collars. Lastly, local land use planning data from conventional telemetry will be analyzed using GIS mapping to determine potential habitat loss impacts.