Where to Locate Eelgrass Beds Most Likely to Attract Geese?

Understanding Eelgrass Habitat

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) thrives in areas with low to moderate water currents, abundant nutrients, and stable water levels. Geese, particularly brant, favor eelgrass beds with high densities of vegetation, often exceeding 10 sq ft per acre. In the Pacific Northwest, for example, eelgrass beds in the estuaries of Puget Sound and Willapa Bay support large populations of brant geese.

Location and Identification Techniques

To locate eelgrass beds, use a combination of aerial and ground-based surveys. From the air, look for areas with a distinctive “striped” pattern, created by the eelgrass blades waving in the current. On the ground, use binoculars to scan shallow waters for eelgrass beds, often marked by a mat of dense vegetation. In coastal areas, search for eelgrass beds in protected bays, such as those found in the Gulf of Alaska. When identifying eelgrass beds, look for areas with a mix of eelgrass and other aquatic vegetation, such as shoal grass (Haloudle wrightii) and sea lavender (Limonium carolinianum).

Timing and Management Considerations

Brant geese often arrive at eelgrass beds in late summer and early fall, when the vegetation is at its peak. To manage eelgrass beds for brant geese, consider the following: maintain shallow water levels to prevent eelgrass from becoming submerged; control invasive species, such as sea smoke (Cakile edentula), which can outcompete eelgrass for resources; and avoid using herbicides or other chemical treatments, which can harm eelgrass and other aquatic vegetation.