Abstract:
Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) had two different
seasonal patterns of occurrence at Yaquina Estuary. At embayment areas
with eelgrass (Zostera marina), Brant typically arrived between October 22
and November 4, Brant numbers progressively climbed in November, Brant
abundance in December-January was relatively constant, and Brant numbers
often fluctuated greatly during spring migration in February-April. At a
site near the estuary mouth where there was little eelgrass, Brant
customarily only appeared during spring migration.
About 300-500 Brant wintered at the Yaquina in the 1980's, and usually
fewer than 700 Brant were counted during spring migration.
Description:
A. Introduction pg. 724
-- B. Study Areas pg. 724
-- C. Methods pg. 726
-- D. Shortcomings of Observations pg. 727
-- E. Results and Discussion: Censusing Techniques pg. 728
-- F. Results and Discussion: Brant Foraging Behavior and Diet- 730
-- G. Results and Discussion: Nocturnal Brant Behavior pg. 732
-- H. Results and Discussion: Brant Distribution pg. 733
-- I. Results and Discussion: Fall Arrival pg. 735
-- J. Results and Discussion: Brant Abundance in
November-January pg. 736
-- K. Results and Discussion: Are Brant Wintering or
Passing Through? pg. 736
-- L. Results and Discussion: Onset of Spring Migration pg. 738
-- M. Results and Discussion: Brant Fluctuations
during February-May pg. 738
-- N. Results and Discussion: Brant Rarity in June-Early
October pg. 739
-- 0. Results and Discussion: Change in Brant Abundance? pg. 739
-- P. Results and Discussion: Disturbance pg. 743
-- Q. Results and Discussion: Other pg. 745
-- R. Figures and Tables pg. 746
-- S. Acknowledgments pg. 776
-- T. Literature Cited pg. 777
