Nest site selection on Flint Hills impoundments by Canada Geese, Branta canadensis.

Abstract

Twenty-four habitat variables considered important to the selection of a nest site by Canada Geese were evaluated at 59 impoundments (n = 55 stockponds, n = 4 watershed lakes) in northern Greenwood County, Kansas, during the 1989 and 1990 nesting seasons. Impoundments with nesting pairs present, termed "occupied," were compared to impoundments without nesting pairs present, termed "vacant." Eleven pairs of Canada Geese during 1989 and 27 pairs during 1990 produced broods. Twenty-four nests during 1989 and 26 nests during 1990 were located on artificial structures. Occupied impoundment size was significantly larger than vacant impoundment size during both 1989 and 1990 when watershed lakes were included in the analysis (E < 0.05). When watershed lakes were removed from analysis, occupied impoundment size was not significantly larger than vacant impoundment size during 1989, however, occupied impoundment size was significantly larger than vacant impoundment size during 1990. Analysis of 18 habitat variables by stepwise discriminant function analysis indicated that brood use of an impoundment, presence of an artificial structure, impoundment fenced to exclude livestock, and the average distance to the nearest three vacant impoundments explained 49% of the variation between occupied and vacant impoundments during 1989. During 1990, the presence of an artificial structure, brood use of an impoundment, impoundment size, and the percent of shoreline having shrubs explained 41% of the variation between impoundment classes. Thirty-eight vacant impoundments (97.4%) and eight occupied impoundments (13.8%) were correctly classified by discriminant function analysis during 1989; 12 occupied impoundments were misclassified as vacant impoundments. During 1990, 38 vacant impoundments (100%) and 21 occupied impoundments (100%) were correctly classified. Brood use of occupied and vacant impoundments was significantly different during both years. Climatic conditions, previous nesting success, presence of an artificial structure, and brood use of an impoundment, appeared to be important factors influencing nest site selection by Canada Geese.