SANDHILL CRANES OF COASTAL BRITISH COLUMBIA: RESULTS OF HELICOPTER SURVEYS AND PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS OF HABITAT USE

Authors

KRISTA ROESSINGH, University of Victoria
BRIONY PENN, University of Victoria

Date of this Version

2010

Document Type

Article

Citation

Roessingh, K., and B. Penn. Sandhill cranes of coastal British Columbia: Results of helicopter surveys and preliminary observations of habitat use. In: Hartup, Barry K., ed., Proceedings of the Eleventh North American Crane Workshop, Sep 23-27, 2008, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin (Baraboo, WI: North American Crane Working Group, 2010), pp. 1-8.

Comments

Reproduced by permission of the North American Crane Working Group.

Abstract

A pilot study on sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) was conducted on the central coast of British Columbia in May 2006, followed by 2 summers of inventory and observation in 2007 and 2008. Fieldwork consisted of gathering local knowledge of crane locales, helicopter and boat surveys, and observations from blinds. We located 29 nest sites on 14 different islands and 1 mainland peninsula, as well as several beach foraging areas and bog roost sites. Observed average crane and nest density in areas of suitable habitat was 0.21/km² and 0.044/km², respectively, for 2007 and 2008. Nest and roost sites were found within 1.25 km of the shoreline, on the inner and outer islands between 51°38' N and 54°00' N where blanket mire complex occurs. Territory of breeding pairs we observed in the Bella Bella area consisted of beach or estuary, forest and upland bog, and nearby marshes and lakes.