Greater Snow Geese on Bylot Island, Northwest Territories, 1983

A survey of brood rearing and molting greater snow geese (Anser caerulescens atlanticus) was conducted on a $1,600-\text{km}^{2}$ lowland plain on Bylot Island, Northwest Territories, Canada, during late July and early August 1983. The area was subdivided into 400 2- × 2-km plots, each classified as either dense, moderate, or sparse in terms of expected brood density. Eighty-three plots were surveyed from a helicopter and all groups of geese encountered were photographed for subsequent counting. The total population was 47,500 ± 16.3% (95% CI) geese of which 24,200 were goslings, 15,120 were adult parents, and 8,180 were subadults or unsuccessful breeders. Approximately 16% of the greater snow goose breeding population occurred on the study area, which makes it the most important breeding area for that race. The technique was efficient, accurate, and cost effective.