Figure 14. Center-pivot sprinkler irrigated fields between Forsyth and 

 Sanders, feeding areas for large numbers of waterfowl . 



With the onset of colder weather in early November, numbers of geese 

 present in the study area greatly increased (figure 4). Among the geese now 

 entering the area were flocks of small Canada geese of the shortgrass prairie 

 and Richardson's (s. a. hutahinsii) subspecies. Large flocks of migrant 

 geese often contained large and small races of Canada geese intermixed with 

 white-fronted geese and snow geese. One flock of field-feeding geese near 

 Rosebud observed in November 1975 contained a whistling swan [Olor oolumbianus) , 

 The presence of white-fronted geese, snow geese, small races of Canada geese, 

 and Canada geese with orange-tinged heads, necks, and breast feathers was 

 believed to indicate the arrival of flocks of northern migrants. R. L. Eng 

 (1976) agreed that orange-tinged feathers on Canada geese probably resulted 

 from iron deposits on their feathers, a trait common in waterfowl flocks 

 frequenting iron-laden waters of the Arctic. 



Neck-banded geese were reported taken by hunters soon after the water- 

 fowl season opened in October 1975. The presence of a neck band on a hunter- 

 harvested goose may have served as a stronger incentive for the hunter to 

 report his kill. However, three leg bands taken from geese which had lost 

 their neck bands by the time they were shot were reported. This neck band 



43 



