5130 x 3407 px | 43,4 x 28,8 cm | 17,1 x 11,4 inches | 300dpi
Aufnahmedatum:
11. März 2008
Ort:
Parksvill beach Vancouver Island BC Canada.
Weitere Informationen:
Brant can be distinguished from Canada Geese by their smaller size; dark brown body with a black head and shorter neck and white collar. West coast birds have a darker belly than those of the east and were once considered a separate species. Unlike the honking calls of Canada Geese, the Brant call is a low, guttural "ruk-ruk" sound. Brant breed in the north, in coastal Alaska and the Canadian Arctic on tundra and coastal islands. During winter, they are found along the Pacific coast and further south into Baja California, Mexico. Brant geese form long-term, monogamous pair-bonds and family units migrate together. Brant rarely stray far from salt water and do not come inland to graze in fields; instead they spend winters in large flocks feeding on coastal mudflats. When Brant arrive in Parksville-Qualicum during spring, they need to rest and feed on the abundant eelgrass, sea lettuce and herring roe to fuel up for the next northward migration. During migration, Brant fly in irregular bunches rather than in lines like other geese. The biggest threat to Brant Geese is the loss and degradation of winter habitats due to human development, encroachment and disturbance. You can help to limit disturbance on the beaches by observing the signs for the seasonal no dog restriction at Parksville Bay, Columbia Beach and Little Qualicum Estuary.
