16 
Table 11. Age structure of fall Aleutian Canada goose populations at Buldir Island, Alaska, 1976-77. 







1976 1977 
Total Percent of Total Percent of 
Age class birds population birds population 
Breeders 276 21.2 342 19.6 
Non-breeding adults 514 39.5 783 44.8 
Fledglings 510 39.3 | 622 35.6 


Table 12. Estimate of breeding pairs of Aleutian Canada geese in four sampling strata and census areas at Buldir Island, 
Alaska in 1977. 






North- South- Inland 
facing facing Tall- Moss- 
sea sea plant willow Sub- Census 
slopes slopes slopes tundra total areas® Total 
Total sample plots 3 20 5 2 30 2 32 
Total nests found 0 20 1 ) 2] 12 33 
Average nests per plot 0) jb 0.2¢ 0 
Average nests per hectare 0 0.25 0.05 0) 
Area in stratum (hectares) 150 960 370 510 1,590 10 1,600 
Estimated total pairs 0 140 19 0 1594 12 171 




aThe census plot by Gull Slide (eight nests) and the 1974-76 average number of nests at Northwest Point (four nests) are added. 
bConfidence Interval (CI) = 0.45 (90% level). 
eCI = 0.31 (90% level). 
dCI (for all strata) = +12.8 nests (90% level). 
by spring 1977 (Table 11). The trend would be for the non- 
breeding yearling and adult category to increase at a pro- 
portionally higher rate until cohorts that have benefited 
particularly from hunting closures reach the breeding age. 
Management Implications 
Knowledge of the nesting chronology, types of habitat 
used, and the size and age structure of this population of 
endangered geese will allow managers to direct and eval- 
uate the results of management efforts. The sample plots 
for estimating nesting density may be rechecked in the 
future to determine trends in the population. 
The rapid increase in Aleutian Canada geese, after hunt- 
ing was reduced, demonstrates that Buldir had a capacity 
to support more geese than were present at the beginning 
of our study. Ultimately, nest sites may become limiting 
at Buldir, but it would be worthwhile to determine the nest- 
ing densities that could occur before that happens. 
The increased population at Buldir provides stock for 
transplanting to other islands from which introduced foxes 
have been removed (Springer et al. 1978). Goslings could 
also be used to restock captive flocks used in the restoration 
project. 
Epilogue 
Since the end of our field studies in 1977, the U.S, Fish 
and Wildlife Service and the State wildlife agencies in 
Alaska, California, and Oregon have continued a coopera- 
tive recovery program for the Aleutian Canada goose. 
Measures taken thus far include fox control in the Aleutian 
Islands, captive propagation of geese and their release, 
transplanting wild geese from Buldir to other islands, and 
- closures to Canada goose hunting in the wintering grounds. 
As a result of this combined effort, the Aleutian Canada 
goose fall population had increased to an estimated 2,600 
birds by 1983 (P. F. Springer, personal communication). 
In addition, a second Aleutian Islands breeding location, 
containing a small population of geese, was recently dis- 
covered (J. L. Trapp and E. P. Bailey, personal communi- 
cation). The Aleutian Canada goose seems to be on a firm 
road toward recovery. 
Acknowledgments 
We extend special thanks to D. L. Spencer, who was 
responsible for obtaining funds for the study and who pro- 
vided encouragement throughout. J. L. Trapp contributed 
