Home range of a long-distance migrant, the Greenland Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, throughout the annual cycle

Abstract

ABSTRACT Capsule Home range area and foraging distance of the Greenland Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, a long-distance migrant were calculated and activity patterns were described. Aims To understand the use of space by Barnacle Geese throughout the annual cycle, and to inform effective wildlife management and conservation planning. Methods Tracking data from 29 annual cycles from 18 individual Barnacle Geese were analysed to estimate overall (80–99% utilization distribution; UD) and core (50% UD) home ranges using a Brownian bridge kernel method. Maximum and core foraging distance were then estimated from 80–99% UD and 50% UD, respectively. Finally, daily activity patterns, including the location of roosts and foraging sites, were described, along with variability in home range among seasons and between males and females, and spatial and temporal repeatability. Results Overall home range area was approximately 14 km2 in winter, 9.5 km2 in spring, 7 km2 in the nesting period, 43 km2 in the post-nesting period, and 48 km2 in autumn. However, the core area used by the birds was substantially smaller: mean core home range area was approximately 1.5 km2 in winter, 1 km2 in spring, 2 km2 in the nesting period, 7 km2 in the post-nesting period, and 12 km2 in autumn. Maximum foraging distances were approximately 7 km in winter, 5 km in spring, 3.5 km in the nesting period, 15.5 km in the post-nesting period, and 32.5 km in autumn. Core foraging distances were approximately 5.5 km in winter, 3 km in spring, 1 km in the nesting period, 8.5 km in the post-nesting period, and 19.5 km in autumn. Conclusion Although our study focuses on the movements of Barnacle Geese, such data can be used to inform a range of pure and applied ornithological issues, including resource partitioning, human-wildlife conflicts, and the spread of zoonotic disease.