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Greater snow geese breed around Axel Heiberg, Bylot, Foxe Basin, northern Baffin, and the Ellesmere Islands in Nunavut, Canada, and in Greenland. One can see them if uses online Travelocity coupon codes and books tickets to Canada. Flying from Canadian High Arctic to the Atlantic coast of the United States, fowls stop along the St. Lawrence River outflow to feed in marshes. Greater snow geese move very well on the ground, on the water, and in the air. The greater snow goose prefers extremely shallow water or a wet meadow. Greater snow geese need rocky areas near grassy tundra and places protected from the north by mountains. Mosses and grasses are used for nests, and large bodies of water are needed for flocking. Adult and young birds take meals from different plant parts. Juveniles consume more stems of spikerush (Eleocharis spp.), three-square bulrush (Scirpus americanus) and rush (Juncus spp.). Fullmouthed geese feed mostly rootstocks of three-square bulrush and bulbs of arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.). All the birds victual together in the same parts of the swamps. In recent years it is concluded that bulrush marshes cannot accommodate the increasing number of geese. Geese also use agricultural fields next to wintering areas in order to have access to abundant high quality food. They nest in colonies on dry slopes or floral belts of hills. Females lay at average four eggs. To conserve the greater snow goose Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1943 for the protection of migratory waterfowls. Their population has expanded dramatically in recent years due largely to increased availability of wintering habitat in agricultural areas. There were more than half a million greater snow geese and their number is increasing at 5% per year. Waterfowl managers are concerned about the drastic increases of some populations of North American Arctic nesting geese which results in natural surroundings degradation on many Arctic nesting colonies and staging areas. This damage constitutes a danger to the snow geese and other species living in the same ecosystem. Biologists at many locations across the Arctic noticed increased digression of areas used by most of the “white” geese. Although greater snow geese can significantly affect salt marshes, they may also have good effects. Openings eaten out can provide provide habitat for shorebirds, and roosting places for other waterfowl. Grazing and grubbing may help to recycle nutrients and providing resources for other marsh consumers. Goose grazing may also prevent the invasion of woody plants in certain areas. Snow geese also feed in the freshwater basins which is not damaging but may have some beneficial effects.

Snow Geese