Human Disturbances to Waterfowl
Annotated Bibliography
A 25-ha lake was selected and a disturbance-free zone created. Two visits per day were made on 39 occasions between 18 September 1982 and 28 February 1983. Canada geese (Branta canadensis) were present only once and the flock was obviously alarmed by the first boat launched and departed immediately. Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope) did not seem to be disturbed by the sailing. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) were affected by the sailing and deserted the lake. People walking, jogging, fishing, or dog walking along the lakeshore had little effect, except when a dog-owner deliberately sent a dog into the water and when the sudden movement of a person breaking into a fast run caused a party of 10 common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) to depart from the lake. During the period before sailing was zoned a low level of disturbance resulted in near total departure of all water birds. During the pre-zoning period, some species such as the green-winged teal (Anas crecca) took flight as soon as a single sailboard or dinghy was launched, while common pochard (Aythya ferina) and tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) followed as soon as the craft approached within about 80 m of the flocks. Common pochard and tufted duck continued to be disturbed by sailing for several weeks (5 weeks in the case of common pochard) after the refuge was zoned. Thus learning probably took place.
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