Abundance and Distribution of Molting Geese in the Vicinity of Teshekpuk Lake, Alaska, July 2016

Abundance and Distribution of Molting Geese in the vicinity of Teshekpuk Lake, Alaska, July 2016

Brad S. Shults and Tamara K. Zeller U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Management, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503

ABSTRACT: This report summarizes the 35th annual, aerial survey of molting geese conducted near Teshekpuk Lake on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska (ACP). The survey was conducted between 11 and 14 July 2016. Total geese observed in the Teshekpuk Lake Traditional Survey Area, Cape Simpson, and Piasuk River Delta were 88,824 (82,737 adults and 6,087 goslings). Species composition of adult geese counted across the survey area was: Paciﬁc black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans)(26%), Taverner’s cackling goose (Branta hutchinsii taverneri)(19%), greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons frontalis)(39%), and lesser snow goose (Anser caerulescens caerulescens)(16%). Within the Teshekpuk Lake Traditional Survey Area, we recorded 2,243 observations totaling 66,022 geese (61,998 adults and 4,024 goslings). Total counts of adults and (goslings) in the Traditional Survey Area by species were: Paciﬁc black brant 12,089 (79), Taverner’s cackling goose 13,414 (43), greater white-fronted goose 28,079 (3,521), and lesser snow goose 8,416 (381).

KEY WORDS: aerial survey, Alaska, Anser albifrons frontalis, Anser caerulescens caerulescens, Branta bernicla nigricans, Branta hutchinsii taverneri, greater white-fronted goose, lesser snow goose, molting geese, National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, NPR-A, Paciﬁc black brant, Taverner’s cackling goose, Teshekpuk Lake.

January 2018

INTRODUCTION The significance of the Teshekpuk Lake area to molting geese was first documented by Henry (Hank) Hansen and Jim King in 1957 (King 1970), and the importance of the area as goose molting habitat was affirmed by the Secretary of Interior in 1977 with the establishment of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area (TLSA) within the larger National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (Fig. 1). Within the TLSA, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) identified the area north and east of Teshekpuk Lake as a biologically sensitive Goose Molting Area (U.S. BLM 2008; Fig. 1). The documented importance of the Teshekpuk Lake area to molting geese has been one of the primary justifications for protecting the TLSA from oil and gas leasing (U.S. BLM 2008, 2013). From 1998 to 2008, no leasing was considered in the TLSA, in part, because of the sensitivity to disturbance of molting geese using the area. In 2008, a Record of Decision by BLM stated the area was intended for leasing, but only after a 10-yr delay (U.S. BLM 2008). Under that scenario, lease sales would have been allowed starting in 2018. However, in 2013, a new Record of Decision returned the status of most of the TLSA to no leasing, with a concurrent moratorium on construction of non-safety related infrastructure (U.S. BLM 2013). Accordingly, the 2013 Record of Decision by the BLM also changed the status of the Cape Simpson and Piasuk River Delta areas to no leasing, although infrastructure will be allowed (U.S. BLM 2013).

1 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 Initial waterfowl surveys in the Teshekpuk Lake area were conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) from 1976-78. Following these surveys and a 3-year hiatus (i.e., 1979-1981), the survey has been conducted annually since 1982. The long-term survey area is referred to as the Traditional Survey Area (Fig. 1). In 2010, 5 additional locations were identified as important molting areas as a result of studies conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Alaska Science Center (ASC)(Flint et al. 2008, Lewis et al. 2009). Based on this research and in an effort to specifically monitor brant abundance and use of areas outside of the Traditional Survey Area, these 5 new areas were preliminarily surveyed in 2010; however, only 4 of these areas were permanently added to the overall TLSA survey area after the initial 2010 surveys (Mallek 2011).

The primary goal of the molting goose survey is to monitor the abundance and distribution of 4 species of geese (i.e., Pacific black brant [Branta bernicla nigricans], Taverner’s cackling goose [Branta hutchinsii taverneri], greater white-fronted goose [Anser albifrons frontalis], and lesser snow goose [Anser caerulescens caerulescens]) during their flightless wing molt in the area north and east of Teshekpuk Lake. Specific objectives include: 1) acquiring annual minimum counts and locations of adult geese and goslings, 2) documenting relative species composition, 3) measuring annual local production, and 4) obtaining opportunistic counts and locations of loons (i.e., Pacific [Gavia pacifica], red-throated [Gavia stellata], and yellow-billed [Gavia adamsii]) and tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus). A secondary goal of the survey is to detect regional shifts in distribution by periodically monitoring numbers of molting geese in 4 additional areas between Cape Simpson and the Colville River Delta (Fig. 1).

STUDY AREA Traditional Survey Area The Traditional Survey Area encompasses approximately 2,000 km2 and includes 209 lakes, bays, and shoreline/creek segments north and east of Teshekpuk Lake (Fig. 1). Each lake or water body is identiﬁed by a unique number, and observations are recorded separately for each of these survey units (Fig. 2). Prior to 2005, there were 197 numbered survey units; however, additional lakes, creeks, and shorelines were also surveyed within the Traditional Survey Area, but these data were reported with geographic descriptions of the areas surveyed and did not correspond to uniquely numbered survey units. In 2005, these additional lakes and shoreline/creek segments were uniquely numbered and the total number of survey units increased from 197 to 209 without a corresponding increase in the total area searched. In addition, between 2005 and 2014, some shoreline segments were completed sporadically (e.g., 202, 203, 204, and 205).

Additional Survey Areas In 2010, 5 areas were delineated as survey units at Atigaru Point, Cape Simpson, the Colville River Delta, North Kogru River, and the Piasuk River Delta (Fig. 1). The Atigaru Point survey area encompasses approximately 98 km2 and includes the lakes and shoreline near the point and the oﬀshore Eskimo Islands. The Cape Simpson survey area was delineated into 16 lake, wetland, and estuary survey units spread over 158 km2. The Colville River Delta survey area covers lakes, river channels, and estuaries across 188 km2 of the northwest portion of the river delta. The Piasuk River Delta survey area includes 6 discrete lakes and river estuaries

2 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 Figure 1. Molting goose survey areas and BLM land status designations near Teshekpuk Lake, Alaska.

covering approximately 98 km2. The North Kogru River area was approximately 78 km2 and overlaid portions of existing survey units 204 and 205 that were established in 2005. Because most of this area already occurred within the boundaries of the Traditional Survey Area (i.e., 204 and 205), the North Kogu area counts are no longer reported as separate counts. As a result, there are only 4 additional areas that are periodically surveyed. Since 2010, Cape Simpson and the Piasuk River Delta, (i.e., the areas with the highest abundance of molting brant) have been surveyed annually. The Atigaru and Colville River Delta areas are surveyed every 5 years.

METHODS The 2016 survey was flown in an amphibious-equipped Cessna 206 (N77554). Opti- mum survey altitude and airspeed was 60-90 meters (200-300 feet) above ground level and 80-100 knots (90-115 mph). Observations were collected by both the pilot and right-front seat observer. Geese in small groups were individually counted whereas larger flock sizes were estimated. The goal was to obtain complete coverage of each survey unit within the survey area. Lake size and wind conditions determined optimum flight paths to achieve this goal. For smaller lakes, we navigated a flight path near or over the lake that provided a complete view of the lake and shoreline. Flight paths for larger lakes included a complete shoreline route followed by transects to cover the surface area of the lake. Flight lines for shoreline and creek segments were flown to give the observer the best view of the entire segment. We used program RECORD (Hodges 2001, USFWS unpublished report) operating on tablet

3 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 Figure 2. Molting goose survey units within the Traditional Survey Area.

computers (i.e., Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1™) to record observations. Observations were voice recorded by each observer using a handheld microphone and stored as audio files (i.e., .WAV format). Each observation was automatically linked to geographic coordinates on the GPS equipped tablet computer. The aircraft flight path was also stored by the program. Observations of adult and hatching year geese, swans, and loons were recorded for each unit. Survey units were located using images displayed on a Garmin 396 GPS™ and a paper map with a satellite image of the area and the numbered survey units. A second computer program, TRANSCRIBE (Hodges 2001, USFWS unpublished report) was used to replay audio files and convert the recorded data to text files via keyboard characters coded by species and age class. TRANSCRIBE assigns geographic coordinates to each observation when the data are transcribed and yields a comma delimited text file for each day. Text files are uploaded to spreadsheets for summary analysis and spatial data (e.g., flight lines) are uploaded to a geodatabase.

RESULTS Survey ﬂights were conducted between 11 and 14 July with pilot-observer B. Shults and observer T. Zeller (Fig. 3). Total geese observed in the Teshekpuk Lake Traditional

4 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 Survey Area, Cape Simpson, and Piasuk River Delta were 88,824 (82,737 adults and 6,087 goslings). Species composition of adult geese counted across the survey area was: Paciﬁc black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans)(26%), Taverner’s cackling goose (Branta hutchinsii taverneri)(19%), greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons frontalis)(39%), and lesser snow goose (Anser caerulescens caerulescens)(16%).Total counts of geese, loons, and swans within each survey unit in the Traditional Survey Area are provided in Table 1. Table 2 and Figure 5 illustrate the number of adult geese by species counted from 1982-2016 in the Traditional Survey Area. Summary observation totals for geese and goslings in the Cape Simpson and Piasuk River Delta are provided in Table 3.

Figure 3. Molting goose survey ﬂight lines, 11-14 July 2016.

Traditional Survey Area Survey flights were conducted between 12 and 14 July. Total flight time to complete the survey from a start in Fairbanks, a base of operations in Deadhorse, and a return flight to Anchorage was 37.3 hours. Total flight time spent within the survey areas was 11.5 hours. We recorded 2,243 observations totaling 66,022 geese (61,998 adults and 4,024 goslings). The pilot and observer each recorded 50% of the observations. Relative abundance of adult geese counted within each survey unit varied across the survey area (Fig. 4). Species composition and age-class (i.e., adult vs. gosling) of geese counted was: Pacific black brant (19%) [12,089

5 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 Figure 4. Relative abundance of geese during 2016 and 2015 within the Traditional Survey Area.

6 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 adults and 79 goslings], greater white-fronted goose (45%) [28,079 adults and 3,521 goslings], Taverner’s cackling goose (22%) (13,414 adults and 43 goslings), and lesser snow goose (16%) [8,416 adults and 381 goslings]. Incidental observations of tundra swans totaled 216 adults and 62 cygnets. Paciﬁc loon, red-throated loon, and yellow-billed loon totals were 86, 41, and 10, respectively.

BLBR CACG GWFG SNGO

50000

40000

30000

20000

Number of Molting Adults 10000

1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Year Figure 5. Total adult geese counted by species, 1976−2016, Teshekpuk Lake Traditioanl Survey Area. Additional Survey Areas The Cape Simpson and Piasuk River areas were surveyed on 11 July in approximately 3 hours. We recorded 164 observations totaling 8,565 geese (8,247 adults and 318 goslings) at the Piasuk River, and species composition of adults was 52% Pacific black brant, 6% greater white-fronted goose, and 41% lesser snow goose. Taverner’s cackling geese were less than 1% of total adult geese observed. Total geese observed at Cape Simpson were 14,237 (12,492 adults and 1,745 goslings) in 568 observations, and the adult composition was 40% Pacific black brant, 17% Taverner’s cackling goose, 28% greater white-fronted goose, and 15% lesser snow goose. For both areas, incidental observations of tundra swans totaled 38 adults and 6 cygnet. Pacific loon, red-throated loon, and yellow-billed loon totals were 6, 16, and 2, respectively. Summary data are provided in Table 3.

DISCUSSION Survey ﬂights began 5 days earlier than the mean start date of recent surveys (i.e., 16 July [2003-2016]), and was the earliest start date ever recorded for the survey. The survey ended 5 days earlier (i.e., 14 July) than the mean end date (i.e., 19 July) for the same

7 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 period. In contrast to the timing of the 2015 survey, very few geese were observed ﬂying and therefore, major movements of geese from one survey unit to another during the survey period were unlikely. Given the documented advance in overall phenology and earlier arrival dates of goose species on the Arctic Coastal Plain (Ward et al. 2015), subsequent molting surveys should begin on or before the mean start date to reduce bias as a result of post-molt movement.

Teshekpuk Lake Traditional Survey Area The number of adult geese of all species counted in 2016 was 8% lower than 2015. Compared to 2015, greater white-fronted goose adults counted were down by 31%, whereas cackling goose adults increased by 95%. Black brant adult numbers were similar to 2014 and 2015 and still below the 10-year average of 14,573. Gosling counts for all species were lower in 2016 vs. 2015, but these counts are diﬃcult to evaluate as annual indices of production because goslings are diﬃcult to detect and count accurately.

Additional Survey Areas Adult numbers for cackling geese and greater white-fronted geese on the Piasuk River were similar to 2015, but snow goose numbers increased by 41%. Black brant numbers were 3 times higher in 2016 than 2015, but near the 7-year average of 4,034. Overall, adult goose numbers counted on the Piasuk River were 2 times higher than 2015. Similarly, black brant adult numbers at Cape Simpson were 4 times higher in 2016 than 2015, but near the 7-year average of 5,582. Overall, adult numbers of all species at Cape Simpson were 35% higher than 2015.

Long-term survey data and previous research studies show that the TLSA is important molting habitat not only for brant, but also for Taverner’s cackling, greater white-fronted, and lesser snow geese. These survey data are crucial to monitor molting habitat use and to evaluate changes in abundance and distribution as a result of habitat changes that may be caused by climate change or future resource development.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We recognize Hank Hanson and Jim King (both USFWS-retired) for first documenting the importance of the Teshekpuk Lake area to waterfowl and Rod King (USFWS-MBM Fairbanks retired; 1982-1999) and Ed Mallek (USFWS-MBM Fairbanks; 2000-2013) and their observers for collecting the majority of historical data. We thank the Kanuti NWR and National Park Service staff for providing housing, office, and aircraft support in Bettles. Funding for this survey was provided by the BLM. This document was produced using knitr (https://yihui.name/knitr/) from RStudio (https://www.rstudio.com/). Full report code, including R (https://www.r-project.org/) and MiKTeX (https://miktex.org/) is available at GitHub (https://github.com/bsshults/Teshekpuk-Lake-Molt). The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

8 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 REFERENCES Flint, P.L., E.J. Mallek, R.J. King, A. Schmutz, K.S. Bollinger, and D.V. Derksen. 2008. Changes in abundance and spatial distribution of geese molting near Teshekpuk Lake, Alaska: interspeciﬁc competition or ecological change? Polar Biology 31:549-556. Hodges, J. 2001. Voice/GPS Survey Program Manual. Unpublished Report. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Juneau, Alaska. King J.G. 1970. The swans and geese of Alaska’s arctic slope. Wildfowl 21:11-17. Lewis, T.L., P.L. Flint, J.A. Schmutz, and D.V. Derksen. 2009. Temporal distributions and patterns of habitat use by black brant molting in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area, Alaska. U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska. 124pp. Mallek, E.J. 2011. Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey - 2010. Unpublished Report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks, Alaska. 16pp. U.S. BLM. 2008. Northeast National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska supplemental integrated activity plan, Record of Decision. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Anchorage, Alaska. 99pp. U.S. BLM. 2013. Northeast National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska integrated activity plan, Record of Decision. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Anchorage, Alaska. 106pp. Ward, D. H., J. Helmericks, J.W. Hupp, L. McManus, M. Budde, D. C. Douglas, and K. D. Tape. 2015. Multi-decadal trends in spring arrival of avian migrants to the central Arctic coast of Alaska: eﬀects of environmental and ecological factors. Journal of Avian Biology 46: 1-11.

9 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 Table 1. Number of geese, swans, and loons observed in the Traditional Survey Area, 12-14 July 2016. BLBR = brant, BLBRG = brant gosling, CACG = Taverner’s cackling goose, CACGG = Taverner’s cackling goose gosling, GWFG = white-fronted goose, GWFGG = white-fronted goose gosling, PALO = Paciﬁc loon, RTLO = red-thoated loon, SNGO = snow goose, SNGOG = snow goose gosling, TUSW = tundra swan, TUSWC = tundra swan cygnet, YBLO = yellow-billed loon.

Unit BLBR BLBRG CACG CACGG GWFG GWFGG SNGO SNGOG PALO RTLO YBLO TUSW TUSWC 1 12 248 23 1 3 2 110 4 1 2 3 1 2 4 120 3 77 22 5 2 6 1 7 4 2 2 4 8 119 11 6 4 7 9 2 6 35 6 1 1 4 10 16 5 2 11 1 2 12 2 13 35 14 6 1 15 55 55 16 17 1 18 273 40 2 80 3 2 19 78 47 2 2 20 21 338 2090 300 445 15 1 2 6 22 1 23 15 194 60 24 233 19 1 1 25 105 289 61 50 1 26 74 18 50 2 27 2 3 2 28 30 276 3 29 10 344 10 30 30 150 31 30 60 32 40 2 2 3 33 34 1 1 35 36 190 430 46 2 2 37 60 2 38 165 132 75 43 15 3 39 190 10 40 20 129 50 30 4 1 41 65 7 42 23 40 43 80 141 7 1 44 102 211 47 47 5 2 45 6 4 46 30 81 47 17 237 47 100 48 42 300 48 365 403 74 380 1 4 49 50 51 40 47 147 6 1 52 45 240 164 19 65 8 53 1635 102 83 88 1 54 20 88 27 70 2 2 55 60 1172 573 21 34 1 56 145 3 1 57 20 265 30 58 23 4 4 59

10 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 Table 1. Continued.

Unit BLBR BLBRG CACG CACGG GWFG GWFGG SNGO SNGOG PALO RTLO YBLO TUSW TUSWC 60 29 61 10 398 21 62 44 259 1168 159 85 1 63 35 10 64 2 2 4 2 65 30 66 3 278 92 67 144 31 2 68 33 191 12 55 3 4 69 6 7 70 11 105 35 4 71 1 72 20 186 29 6 73 330 4 2 1 74 55 246 280 1 75 20 10 26 4 1 3 76 30 1 77 170 12 2 5 78 20 150 57 9 79 34 2 2 80 81 4 82 22 28 2 83 347 110 7 3 84 2 85 145 1 86 10 87 15 3 132 4 332 99 185 63 2 88 2 2 89 4 6 1 2 3 90 160 1 91 40 2 3 92 2 4 93 94 6 7 2 95 10 10 484 320 112 165 30 96 45 210 25 97 28 25 1 2 98 5 115 4 7 99 537 703 61 4 3 100 25 195 8 60 101 61 10 102 25 126 4 2 103 175 6 104 80 190 777 4 678 1 2 105 545 2 106 1102 2 345 897 70 3 107 190 960 593 6 2 108 25 167 98 109 200 212 6 90 2 3 110 125 825 14 34 111 25 112 140 87 1 113 244 215 235 10 114 15 280 65 2 5 115 40 116 245 63 5 2 117 880 34 1 118 270 145 12 10 50 119 120 121 115 122 275 119 4 219 186 123 445 50

11 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 Table 1. Continued.

Unit BLBR BLBRG CACG CACGG GWFG GWFGG SNGO SNGOG PALO RTLO YBLO TUSW TUSWC 124 300 35 125 40 125 268 7 126 4 127 128 2 129 130 131 132 255 5 174 27 133 25 30 134 135 20 45 50 10 10 136 70 6 15 2 137 30 20 138 200 139 100 51 30 140 62 100 2 141 156 302 77 44 142 30 160 76 29 10 143 19 2 100 274 3 20 2 144 10 240 11 7 145 215 211 1218 47 244 3 4 146 147 77 6 148 4 8 149 3160 442 415 17 1285 10 4 2 150 41 151 2 152 20 153 154 285 724 67 1 155 10 185 156 2 4 157 158 159 116 11 4 160 27 37 1 3 161 250 85 292 10 97 10 1 162 45 90 10 163 164 1 2 165 125 166 1 167 122 86 4 1 168 20 30 169 10 20 2 3 170 94 100 32 171 303 300 66 3 172 50 334 5 25 3 2 4 173 50 15 35 174 2 2 175 80 130 828 59 176 30 216 18 3 2 2 2 177 175 178 100 179 180 160 64 18 181 180 182 175 55 30 183 184 185 20 186 20 10 10 187 10 60 40

12 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 Table 1. Continued.

Unit BLBR BLBRG CACG CACGG GWFG GWFGG SNGO SNGOG PALO RTLO YBLO TUSW TUSWC 188 5 50 189 190 112 40 191 192 5 1 10 120 5 1 193 175 165 25 1 2 194 2 195 196 197 198 10 18 56 13 199 55 2 70 31 1 1 5 200 304 10 200 195 19 540 201 67 3 2 3 202 125 95 40 208 33 4 7 1 203 20 145 4 68 28 1 3 204 695 370 1185 296 700 15 1 2 4 205 208 8 255 753 28 130 17 1 11 206 82 24 90 20 2 207 57 43 25 10 127 27 1 2 208 15 237 7 230 4 2 2 209 Total 12089 79 13414 43 28079 3521 8416 381 86 41 10 216 62

13 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 Table 2. Summary of geese counted in the Teshekpuk Lake Traditional Survey Area, 1976-2016.

Adults Goslings Year BLBR CACG GWFG SNGO BLBR CACG GWFG SNGO 1976 13,998 12,026 4,791 715 37 11 23 0 1977 21,988 11,946 2,428 259 0 0 11 0 1978 32,732 14,388 1,943 87 5 2 5 0 1982 12,956 10,440 995 81 30 0 65 3 1983 24,597 20,033 2,897 172 2 0 30 0 1984 26,990 26,674 4,151 256 45 7 24 0 1985 15,259 11,252 1,951 123 0 4 18 20 1986 19,102 8,089 3,352 419 0 0 6 0 1987 8,069 8,586 2,822 134 0 0 15 0 1988 8,604 8,405 1,368 150 125 0 42 0 1989 13,324 16,139 3,100 232 14 1 15 0 1990 23,055 12,233 6,142 88 340 0 488 66 1991 12,429 5,408 6,150 251 145 0 725 133 1992 14,899 14,777 11,147 257 54 20 73 0 1993 20,762 6,797 8,613 243 410 0 0 0 1994 20,246 13,829 13,746 299 0 0 0 0 1995 18,931 16,089 9,532 164 63 0 370 34 1996 23,430 16,922 27,549 281 45 50 206 46 1997 21,059 9,091 17,967 786 0 0 0 0 1998 12,048 5,466 13,540 667 68 50 319 145 1999 10,956 1,859 25,700 1,290 20 4 125 175 2000 3,368 8,897 9,869 310 0 10 273 34 2001 37,867 18,301 33,781 2,678 5 18 1,462 57 2002 17,334 13,855 35,171 1,369 50 18 816 89 2003 21,017 15,240 21,432 1,218 165 65 3,729 178 2004 20,122 13,426 30,161 2,365 0 0 767 40 2005 17,344 11,637 27,296 3,914 374 56 4,886 196 2006 17,613 14,583 31,575 3,967 286 76 5,485 1,005 2007 27,109 13,428 45,747 6,626 45 120 2,563 222 2008 19,397 11,890 30,174 4,072 90 15 4,127 570 2009 18,647 18,720 34,944 6,400 37 144 4,249 147 2010 18,212 14,498 26,838 5,468 101 7 4,923 102 2011 18,300 14,208 25,225 4,529 260 3 6,747 665 2012 20,090 18,729 47,805 10,484 1,058 27 8,770 618 2013 23,725 14,708 48,850 11,731 376 268 11,443 50 2014 12,114 11,023 34,199 7,668 337 631 15,112 238 2015 12,814 6,891 40,904 6,635 388 308 8,126 2,018 2016 12,089 13,414 28,079 8,416 79 43 3,521 381 Mean 76-16 18,226 12,734 18,998 2,495 133 52 2,357 190

14 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016 Table 3. Summary of geese counted in the Cape Simpson and Piasuk River survey areas, 2010-2016.

Adults Goslings BLBR CACG GWFG SNGO BLBR CACG GWFG SNGO Piasuk River 2010 5,131 12 217 2,873 10 0 189 8 2011 2,705 12 17 1,336 0 5 0 509 2012 3,733 0 245 3,348 0 0 8 259 2013 7,742 60 792 7,405 0 15 291 234 2014 3,560 43 705 3,383 10 0 663 90 2015 1,047 55 626 2,387 40 5 320 1,688 2016 4,317 34 532 3,364 0 0 204 114 Cape Simpson 2010 5,402 1,024 1,552 294 128 0 716 8 2011 5,095 732 2,115 863 30 10 663 303 2012 7,336 1,207 2,786 664 71 38 1,024 77 2013 8,194 444 3,631 1,440 0 5 596 54 2014 6,796 370 5,568 1,646 206 0 2,244 14 2015 1,218 47 5,830 2,173 0 0 1,698 1,497 2016 5,033 2,079 3,559 1,821 16 11 1,363 355

15 USFWS, MBM-Teshekpuk Lake Molting Goose Survey, 2016