IS CALIFORNIA PISH AND GAME 



Summary 



1. A study was made of nesting Canada Geese on a 15,560 acre 

 area in Honey Cake Valley, California, in 1939 and 1940. Case his- 

 tories were obtained on 160 nests in 1939 and -V.) in 1940. 



2. During both years the nesting season began about March 1st. 

 reached >' s peak by April 15th and ended by May 10th. 



3. In l!):i!», 140 nests contained 713 eggs; an average clutch of 

 5.09. In 1940, 215 nests contained 1,099 eggs; an average of ~>.in. 

 The average incubation period was 28 days. 



4. Elevation above surrounding terrain seemed to be the most 

 important characteristic of nesting sites. Proximity to water was 

 another important requisite, 90 per ceul of the nests being either 

 surrounded by or not more than 30 feet from water. 



5. Eight distinct cover types used by nesting geese were recog- 

 nized. These were tide, marsh, island, haystack, irrigated meadow, 

 muskrat house, canal bank, and willow. Tide, marsh, island, and 

 canal bank were the preferred types. 



6. The fate of 418 nests was determined. Tn 1939, 52.5 per cent 

 and in 1940, 60 per cent of the nests were successful. Predation was 

 responsible for the failure of the majority of unsuccessful nests. Flood, 

 fire, trampling by cattle, and other miscellaneous factors also caused 

 the destruction of nests. 



7. During 1940, a record of e^<x fertility was kept on 127 nests 

 containing 697 eggs; an average clutch of 5.48. Six hundred forty- 

 nine, or 93 per cent of the eggs hatched. 



8. The application of management methods in Honey Lake Valley 

 should result in a larger annual crop of geese. The control of preda- 

 tors, particularly coyotes, during the prenest ing season, the regulation 

 of water levels, and the control of fires are methods that will produce 

 immediate results. 



Literature Cited 



Williams, Cecil S., and Marshall, William II. 



1937. Goose nesting studies on Bear River Migratory Waterfowl 

 Refuge. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 1:77-86. 



Moffitt, James. 



1939. Notes on the distribution of whistling swan and Canada goose 

 in California. Condor. XL1 :9.'!-!)7. 



