NESTING CANADA GEESE IN HONEY LAKE VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 15 



Nest Destruction by Predators 



It is not always easy to place the responsibility for nest destruction 

 upon one particular predator. Most kinds of predators do, however, 

 leave characteristic signs that may be accurately interpreted by an 

 experienced observer. The manner in which different predators rob 

 nests and eat eggs is often characteristic. Tracks, droppings, hair, and 

 feathers all constitute dependable evidence. 



^ov^yjfi^ Coyotes_ were responsible for more nest destruction th an 

 were all other predatorV^ombined. A total of 59 nests were destroyed 

 by coyotes on the study area during the two seasons; 27 nests or 16 

 per cent in 1939, and 32 nests or 13.3 per cent in 1940. In 1940, one 

 goose was killed on her nest by a coyote. 



Fig. 10. Goose nest destroyed by coyote in Honey Lake Valley. Note scattered egg 

 remains and torn up nest lining. Photograph by James D. Stokes. 



The methods employed by coyotes are characteristic and conse- 

 quently their work is readily identifiable. Eggs eaten by coyotes in 

 all cases were found crushed to bits. Nests were alw T ays completely 

 destroyed, and the down lining was scattered in all directions (Fig. 10). 

 In several instances eggs with typical large canine tooth holes in them 

 were found 50 to 75 feet or more from destroyed nests. 



An extreme instance of co,yote predation is illustrated by the case 

 of a coyote that w r aded and swam 50 yards to a sand island, ate 12 eggs 

 from tw T o nests, then scratched sand over five more nests with eggs, 

 causing the geese to desert. 



Of the nests destroyed by coyotes, 46.8 per cent were on islands, 

 31.3 per cent in meadow, 12.5 per cent in tule, and 9.4 per cent in marsh. 



