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Copyright of Canadian Field-Naturalist is the property of Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Accurate and precise population estimates for the forest-dwelling ecotype of Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) are very difficult to obtain because these Caribou are found at very low densities and in small herds dispersed over large areas. In order to suggest a standardized method, data from aerial surveys conducted in 1991 and 1993 (12 000 Km2 blocks) were used to simulate various survey scenarios. Simulations showed that all the major groups of Caribou would have to be found and counted to obtain a confidence interval of ± 20% (α = 0.10). We tested this technique in a survey carried out in winter 1999 in a 42 539 Km2 study site, opting for a total coverage carried out in two phases. In phase one, we used an airplane, flying north-south transects spaced 2.1 km apart so as to detect most Caribou track networks. In phase two, a helicopter was used to count and determine the sex and age classes (calves/adults) of Caribou found in phase one. Using 20 radio-collared Caribou, the visibility rate of Caribou groups (phase one) and that of Caribou within the groups (phase two) were estimated at 0.90 and 0.94 respectively for an overall rate of 0.85 (SE = 0.08; α = 0.10). The corrected density was estimated at 1.6 Caribou per 100 Km2 with a 15% confidence interval (α = 0.10). The survey cost approximately $4/Km2, which is lower than that of two previous surveys ($7/Km2). Two main factors contributed to diminish costs: (1) the use of long-range airplanes (5-7 hours flying range) in phase one to minimize travel between the airports and the study site, and (2) the use of helicopters only in phase two for counting and determining the age and sex of the Caribou. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Field-Naturalist is the property of Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fifty-seven Moose (Alces alces) were monitored by telemetry in eastern Quebec between 1989 and 1991. The 1034 telemetry locations allowedcharacterization of the movement pattern of juvenile Moose and adults of both sexes on a seasonal and yearly basis i.e., summer, fall, winter). The population was characterised by restricted daily movements, large home ranges, and non-migratory animals. The minimum daily movements varied considerably between individuals but were estimated at 0.22 km/day. Summer minimum daily distances differed significantly (P< 0.01) between juveniles (0.34 km/d), adult females (0.14 km/d) andadult males (0.20 km/d). Minimum daily movements were more importantin fall (0.28 km/d) than in winter (0.12 km/d; P < 0.05). In summer,minimum daily movements were intermediate (0.21 km/d) compared to fall and winter values. The total home range size, as estimated with the minimum convex polygon, was 112 km2 and 131 km2 respectively for adult females and males and 66 km2 forjuveniles. On an annual basis, home range sizes did not differ (P > 0.05) between juveniles and adults, nor between adult males and females. For females, the smallest home ranges (19 km2 ) were noted in fall. The space utilisation patterns of Moose in eastern Quebec could be influenced by the low population densities, the absence of efficient predators, the low incidence of lakes, and by the skewed sex-ratio towards females induced by heavy hunting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis) were introduced on Anticosti Island in 1985 and 1986. This introduction provided an opportunity tostudy habitat utilization where low population density did not affect habitat selection. In order to study habitat utilization, eight females and six males were equipped with radio-transmitters. These birdswere located on average once every 1.5 days between 18 May and 9 July 1986 for a total of 91 locations for the females and 103 for the males. Overall, sites used by Spruce Grouse were characterized by a dense shrub layer, particularly during nesting and brooding periods whencompared with control sites. Males used a broader range of habitats when compared with females. The utilization of an open habitat duringthe breeding period compared to the other periods and may be relatedto the greater efficiency of the breeding display in such habitat. After the breeding period, males utilized sites having a denser tree and shrub layers, possibly to reduce predation risk as their flying capacity is reduced during molting. Females nest in sites having similar characteristics to those used by males during this period, seeking sites that can potentially reduce predation risk. Sites utilized during the first week of the brooding period were comparable to those used during the nesting period. However, during the second part of the brooding period, females moved to older stands characterized by lower tree and shrub densities. In the first year following introduction, nesting success was 62.5 percent. Results obtained in this study supported previous findings obtained in other regions and suggested that this introduction will be a success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]