Use of round straw bales as nesting sites by Canada Geese. JF Giroux

CD# 2 file GIR014.PDF

Round hay bales were evaluated as nesting sites for Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in the 3 prairie provinces from 1977 to 1979. One hundred and seven (22%) of 496 bales were used for nesting, and nest success averaged 85%. Older bales that had been placed on end were used to a greater extent than the other bales. The type of straw did not have a marked influence on the use but flax straw bales persisted for longer periods (up to 5 years) than wheat straw bales. Flax straw bales used as nesting structures should be tightly compressed and doubled wrapped with polypropylene twine. They may be wrapped again with 5 cm mesh stucco wire to reduce damage by muskrats (Ondatra zibethica). Bales should be placed on end and straw on top should be loosened to provide accessible nesting material for geese. They should be placed in wetlands that have 2 or more ha of open water and stable water levels. Within the wetland,bales should be located at least 45 m from shore in a minimum depth of 40 cm