Canadian Geese Habitat Observations at Beek’s Bight, Foslom Lake, CA | |||||||||
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Author Chris Vijeh American River College, Geography 350: Data Acquisition in GIS; Fall 2009 Contact Information: llvijeh@msn.com | |||||||||
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Abstract In summary, this study of Canadian geese at Folsom Lake illustrates that a balance of man and wildlife is possible when there is enough space shared between the two. | |||||||||
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Introduction Over the past ten years I have spent many hours hiking, jogging and swimming at Beek's Bight on Folsom Lake in Granite Bay or Placer County. On my excursions through the Bight I have noticed Canadian geese living there and I have always wanted to know more about these black, tan and white birds. With my novice eyes and information from local wildlife experts, I am able to observe and report how these birds live and adapt in a high use public state reservoir by using GPS tracking and waypoints to help validate my observations. | |||||||||
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Beek’s Bight at Folsom Lake, California. |
GPS tracking and waypoints for dry survey area of Canadian geese study. |
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Background The data for this report is current, beginning in October 2009 through December 2009. My field notes are backed up by phone conversations with local Wildlife Biologist, Dale Whitmore of the California Department of Fish and Game and Environmental Scientist, Sally Walters at the California Department Parks and Recreation. Relative observations are supported by waypoints and picture information. Subsequently, wildlife facts, issues and management are presented by the CA DF&G and the CA DP&R. | |||||||||
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Methods The selected area of study can be seen by the yellow GPS tracking dots. I selected the area after observing the geese numerous times. Within the tracking points, I marked waypoints that supported my observations and conclusions. Throughout this project I took about 225 digital pictures. The pictures selected are the most explanatory in reference to the results, analysis and conclusion of this study. | |||||||||
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Results The results of GPS tracking and waypoints is that the Canadian geese observed at Beek's Bight and in general are very adaptive to their environment. I observed the geese grazing on green grasses and three to six inch green shrubs. The geese stayed close to each other in group with one or two standing guard over the others while they ate. The geese would all face the same direction while eating and would all turn 180 degrees in the opposite direction as they progressed while eating. The geese at Beek's Bight are wild and numerous and share this living space with hikers, bikers, joggers, picnickers, fisherman, boaters, dogs, horses, four wheel drivers, and organized events involving many people. The geese use and live in a high traffic area which is also effected by seasonal water levels due to Folsom Lake being a reservoir and the food supply changing seasonally as well. | |||||||||
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Analysis Telephone interviews bring current events and topics of interest concerning the Canadian geese in Northern California up-to-date and shed light on the observations marked by waypoints. Dale Whitmore, veteran wildlife biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game related that the Canadian geese are referred to as winged rats. Ten to fifteen years ago these geese were low in number. Currently, the geese are seen all over this area and some are migratory while others are not. Whether the Canadian geese are migratory or not depends on their mother which goes back to where the mother had to go for green vegetation to eat. These birds follow the food. The geese know how to walk, swim and feed twenty-four hours after birth and grow feathers between six and nine weeks of life. Also, it takes twenty-five days for an egg to hatch. The overpopulation problem is exemplified in a phone interview with Sally Walters, environmental scientist for the California Department of Parks and Recreation. She relates that the geese fly to Lake Natoma, near Folsom Lake, and eat the greens in large numbers and leave lots of waste, which increases the nitrogen content in the lake causing water quality issues. | |||||||||
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Conclusions In conclusion, as is evidenced by the area of study and waypoints, the Canadian geese cohabitate, at least for the time being well with recreational visitors at Beek's Bight. Mr. Whitmore states that the wildlife needs are food, water, shelter and space. Space or diversity of habitat is exemplified with land use practices that do not use the land strictly for one use, such as all for farming or all for industry. Mr. Whitmore spoke of times when pockets of land or marshes were left open for wildlife. Currently, on the table to manage the overpopulation of geese is hunting by permit and waiting for disease to reduce population numbers which does occur naturally. There is no other active policy to manage the large geese numbers and actively reducing them is not considered a politically correct option. Folsom Lake and Beek's Bight has a lot of diverse space. The grassy and watery areas where the geese grazed in October are now barren in December. So, these geese move on in search of food sources to graze. Land use management for wildlife is the best choice for humans coexisting with wildlife. Currently, this is exemplified in the symbiotic habitat and use of space at Beek's Bight for both wildlife and recreational visitors. | |||||||||
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References
| Harricharan, Malika, 2009. Canada goose – Migrations and information. BellaOnline.com Retrieved on November 17, 2009, from http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art3522.asp
| Walters, Sally, 2009. Environmental Scientist for California Department of Parks and Recreation. Phone interview on November 04, 2009.
| Whitmore, Dale, 2009. Wildlife Biologist for California Department of Fish and Game. Phone interview on December 02, 2009.
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