How do human activities affect migratory birds?
The winter habitat of the “Lesser” Snow Goose is in the southeastern quarter of Texas. Combinations of mild weather, ample winter food supply and protection on numerous wildlife refuges in its wintering range, as well as the bird’s natural wariness, have led to a tripling of the snow goose population in the last decade. The summer nesting range around Hudson’s Bay in Canada is being destroyed by overpopulation of geese. This may lead to a collapse of the habitat’s ability to support the goose population. This can lead to a major die off and nesting failure of the geese and any associated wildlife in this area of Canada. Forest clearing for agriculture and petroleum exploration in Mexico and Central America has decreased the winter habitat of many migrant birds. The great fires of 1998 in Mexico will have, as yet, unknown effects on migrant birds. The fires have likely decreased forest habitat even further though. Migrants that returned that fall encountered decimated habitat and likely
