During the spring of 2000, 57 Canada geese were captured in southeastern Michigan (link to SE study area map) and fitted with either a satellite transmitter or a conventional radio transmitter. Fifteen birds were marked with satellite transmitters and 42 were marked with conventional transmitters.

In the spring of 2001, 77 new geese were captured including 8 birds from the western Lower Peninsula (link to SW study area map) and 25 birds were marked with satellite transmitters while 52 birds were marked with conventional radio transmitters.

The majority of the geese that were captured were nesting females. Most birds were captured at night using a light and hand net; however, occasionally birds can be caught during the day. Once the team came within a few feet of the nest, a large landing net was thrown over the bird (view picture of bird being captured). The captured goose was then fitted with a transmitter attached to a neck collar (view picture of transmitters). About 1/2 of the nests had eggs removed so that we could more easily monitor known failed nests (remember that in addition to non-breeding birds, unsuccessful nesting pairs make the migration north to molt their feathers).

Geese marked with conventional radio transmitters are tracked on a weekly basis by researchers from the ground or air by using a receiver that picks up individual frequencies assigned to each bird (Similar to how we are able to pick up a radio station in the car or at home). Satellite transmitters on the other hand are tracked by orbiting satellites (link to ARGOS for further explanation: www.argosinc.com) every 4 to 8 days. Location estimates are then calculated from the information provided by the orbiting satellites and sent to MSU and DNR researchers through the Internet. These locations are then plotted on a map using a geographic information system computer program.