Molt Migration of Canada Geese from Crex Meadows, Wisconsin

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Abstract
Molt migrations of Canada geese (B. canadensis) from Crex Meadows, Wisconsin were examined in 1972-1974. Yearling siblings and non-nesting pairs formed flocks in early May and remained together until departure in late May or early June. Flock sizes increased as pairs unsuccessful in raising young left breeding marshes. Ninety-seven percent of the non-nesters and 90% of the unsuccessful nesting pairs migrated by mid-June. Although nesting was 2 wk earlier in 1973 than in 1972 or 1974, departure dates were the same each year. In 1973 and 1974 nearly 58 and 64% of the local spring population left for molting areas. Observations and recoveries of marked birds indicated that some geese molted in northern Manitoba [Canada]. Molters started returning in late Aug., a return migration that continued until nearly Nov. Return of yearlings (48-85%) differed (P < 0.01) between years; older non-nesters and unsuccessful pairs returned in similar proportions (75-100%) each year. By the next spring, homing was similar (88-96%) in all 3 age-classes of molters.

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