Canada Geese of the Churchill River Basin in North-Central Manitoba

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Abstract
Nesting and molting Canada geese (Branta canadensis) were studied along and near the Churchill River, Manitoba [Canada], between Southern Indian Lake and the Hudson Bay Lowlands in 1969 and 1970. This was west of the known major breeding range of B. c. interior and may be altered by hydroelectric developments. Geese were continuously distributed on backwater lakes and on ponds in drainage systems directly connected to the river. Their distribution was contiguous with geese in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, and they were morphologically indistinguishable from B. c. interior. Band recoveries indicated that the study area lay in a zone of transition between geese migrating to Missouri [USA] from the Lowlands and geese migrating through the Central Flyway. Geese from the Churchill River, especially west of Fidler Lake (96.degree. 52'' W longitude) contribute a relatively small number of birds compared to production in the Lowlands, but they probably make up a significant portion of large Canada geese using the eastern Central Flyway. Nesting was on low profile sedge-willow (Carex-Salix) islands on the river and on marsh and fen bordered ponds on creek drainages. Densities of geese diminished rapidly away from the Churchill River. Brood rearing habitat was sparse and limited mainly to sedge growth along shorelines and backwater bays.

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