Thompson, Jordan M. (ORCID: 0000-0002-2158-7942) Uher-Koch, Brian D. (ORCID: 0000-0002-1885-0260) 20230315 tabular digital data Anchorage, Alaska U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center Suggested Citation: Thompson, J.M., Uher-Koch, B.D., 2023, Emperor goose (Anser canagicus) nest survival encounter history from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, 1994-2017: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9891BFB https://doi.org/10.5066/P9891BFB These data are in four tables relating to nest visit data of Emperor Geese on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska, 1994-2017. The tables provide: (1) nest visit and hatch success, (2) visit history, (3) capture history, and (4) environmental covariates such as fox and vole abundance and weather data. The code used to conduct the analyses is also included as a text file. These data were collected as part of a multi-year study to determine nest survival rates and factors influencing nest survival of Emperor Geese. 1994 2017 observed Complete None planned Manokinak River, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta National Wildlife Refuge, western Alaska -165.1918 -164.8718 61.2782 61.0822 USGS Metadata Identifier USGS:ASC520 ISO 19115 Topic Category Biota Environment NASA GCMD Earth Science Keyword Thesaurus Animals/vertebrates Birds Ducks/geese/swans Ecological dynamics Species/population interactions Population dynamics USGS CSA Biocomplexity Thesaurus Waterfowl Migratory birds Capture-recapture studies Breeding success Nesting success USGS Thesaurus Wildlife Tundra ecosystems Terrestrial ecosystems None Emperor Goose Anser canagicus USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Alaska Yukon Delta Manokinak River None Emperor goose ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System Unknown online database online ITIS-North America Taxonomic details retrieved January 15, 2023 from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System online database: https://www.itis.gov https://doi.org/10.5066/F7KH0KBK Species were identified by skilled observers in the field based on general appearance of plumage, behavior, and vocalization. Taxonomy is complete for all samples. No vouchers were collected. Kingdom Animalia Subkingdom Bilateria Infrakingdom Deuterostomia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Infraphylum Gnathostomata Superclass Tetrapoda Class Aves Order Anseriformes Family Anatidae Genus Anser Species Anser canagicus Emperor Goose TSN: 175031 No access constraints. No use constraints. These data are marked with a Creative Common CC0 1.0 Universal License and are in the public domain. It is requested that this USGS data release be cited for any subsequent publications that reference or utilize these data. Users are advised to read the dataset's metadata thoroughly to understand appropriate use and data limitations. U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center Mailing and Physical

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Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA 907-786-7000 gs-ak_asc_datamanagers@usgs.gov Additional assistance was provided by the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. Thompson, J.M. Uher-Koch, B.D. Daniels, B.L. Schmutz, J.A. Sedinger, B.S. 2023 journal article Ornithological Applications 125(2):duad008 online Oxford Academic Thompson, J.M., Uher-Koch, B.D., Daniels, B.L., Schmutz, J.A., Sedinger, B.S., 2023. Nest traits and major flooding events influence nest survival of Emperor Geese while regional environmental variation does not. Ornithological Applications: 125(2):duad008. https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duad008 https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duad008 Individual nest IDs, visit dates, number of eggs, nest fates, and other values were cross-checked and verified with field worksheets. Attribute values fall within expected ranges and data were proofed for the presence of duplication and omission. No data were omitted and there are no missing data. Positions determined by GPS units with an average accuracy +/- 3 m. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2021 tabular digital data online National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). 2021a. National Center for Environmental Information. Integrated Surface Data Set: Global Summary of the Day, [dataset identifier: gov.noaa.ncdc:C00516] Accessed from https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/search/data-search/global-summary-of-the-day [Query parameters: Average Temperture; Hooper Bay Airport, AK US; 1994-05-01 thru 2017-07-31] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/global-summary-of-the-day online database 1994 2017 access date NOAA 2021a We used this dataset to generate the following two variables used in the analyses: 1) the proportion of thaw degree days (average temperature >0°C) in April and May in Hooper Bay, Alaska, and 2) the average daily temperature during the mean exposure period each year for Hooper Bay, Alaska. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2021 tabular digital data National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). 2021b. National Center for Environmental Information. Global Summary of the Month, https://doi.org/10.7289/V5QV3JJ5 [dataset identifier: gov.noaa.ncdc:C00946] Accessed from https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/search/data-search/global-summary-of-the-month [Query parameters: precipitation; Bethel Airport, AK US; 1994-05-01 thru 2017-07-31] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/global-summary-of-the-month online database 1994 2017 access date NOAA 2021b We used this dataset to generate the total precipitation (mm) during the mean exposure period for each year in Bethel, Alaska. FIELD: We monitored nests of Emperor Geese at the Manokinak River on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska from 1994–2017. We searched 14 contiguous plots (approximately 23 km2) annually for all Emperor Goose nests by systematically searching all areas within a plot that were able to hold a nest (i.e., not over water or mud). Timing of initial nest searches was variable but typically took place during early or mid-incubation. Once we located a nest, we aged eggs using floating (Westerkov 1950) or candling (Weller 1956) and recorded coordinates of nests using handheld GPS receivers. After initial nest checks, we revisited nests at irregular intervals until a fate could be determined (hatched, preyed upon, abandoned, etc.). We considered a nest successful if pipped eggs, goslings, or eggshell fragments with intact detached membranes were found in the nest. We considered a nest to be preyed upon if eggs in the nest were broken without sign of detached membranes or if all eggs were missing, and we considered a nest abandoned if all eggs in the nest were cold and a female was not present. As part of a concurrent mark-resight study, we trapped females on the nest using bow-net traps (Salyer 1962) or mist-nets (Bacon and Evrard 1990) during late incubation or hatch and marked them with a U.S. Geological Survey metal leg band and a plastic tarsal band with a 3-character alphanumeric code. Unknown We standardized dates in the encounter history by subtracting the ordinal date (day of year) of the first nest found among all years (May 20 for regular years, May 19 for leap years). Unknown We considered a nest to be successful on the first day that an egg in the nest was pipped. We considered a nest initiated on the day the first egg was laid, and estimated nest initiation dates by back-calculating from the estimated hatch date, assuming an egg-laying rate of 1.2 days/egg and that geese began incubating as soon as the last egg was laid (Petersen 1992). Using the back-calculated initiation dates, we estimated nest age (i.e., days since initiation) at the time a nest was found by subtracting the date the nest was found from its estimated initiation date. Petersen 1992 Unknown We calculated the proportion of thaw degree days (average daily temperature >0°C) in April and May (61 days) in Hooper Bay, Alaska. NOAA 2021a Unknown We calculated the average daily temperature during the mean exposure period each year for Hooper Bay, Alaska. Mean exposure period was defined as the mean initiation date through the mean hatch date for each year (see Annual Covariates file). NOAA 2021a Unknown We calculated the total precipitation (MM) during the mean exposure period for each year in Bethel, Alaska. Mean exposure period was defined as the mean initiation date through the mean hatch date for each year (see Annual Covariates file). NOAA 2021b Unknown We extracted the proportion of random nest plots each year on the coastal zone of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta that have active sign of foxes or voles to generate variables used in our analyses. Fischer et al. 2017 Unknown LITERATURE CITED: Bacon, B.R., Evrard, J.O. 1990. Horizontal mist net for capturing upland nesting ducks. North American Bird Bander 15(1):18–19. https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/nabb/v015n01/p0018-p0019.pdf Dinsmore, S.J., White, G.C., Knopf, F.L. 2002. Advanced techniques for modeling avian nest survival. Ecology 83(12):3476-3488 doi:10.1890/0012-9658(2002)083[3476:ATFMAN]2.0.CO;2. https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(2002)083[3476:ATFMAN]2.0.CO;2 Fischer, J.B., Williams, A.R., Stehn, R.A. 2017. Nest population size and potential production of geese and spectacled eiders on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, 1985-2016. Unpublished report, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska, USA. https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/140812 Petersen, M.R. 1992. Reproductive ecology of emperor geese: annual and individual variation in nesting. The Condor 94(2):383–397. https://doi.org/10.2307/1369211 Salyer, J.W. 1962. A bow-net trap for ducks. Journal of Wildlife Management 26(2):219–221. https://doi.org/10.2307/3798610 Weller, M.W. 1956. A simple field candler for waterfowl eggs. Journal of Wildlife Management 20(2):111-113. https://doi.org/10.2307/3797414 Westerkov, K. 1950. Methods for determining age of game bird eggs. Journal of Wildlife Management 14(1):56-67. https://doi.org/10.2307/3795978 Unknown emgo_encounterHistory_1994-2017.csv Table with the encounter histories of nests in the study. Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table. Author defined NestID Unique Identifier of each nest. Created by observers in the field to identify nests discovered and monitored each year. Corresponds with the 'NestID' attribute in all tables included with this data package. Author defined Unique identifier of each nest. Year Year observation was recorded. Author defined 1994 2017 (YYYY) YearAbb Year abbreviation for each of the 21 years of the study beginning with 1 representing 1994 and ending with 21 representing 2017. Author defined 1 21 year of study FirstFound Day of study which nest was found (I). May 20 was day 1 for regular (common) years, and May 19 for leap years. Dinsmore et al. 2002 1 43 day of study LastPresent The day of the last visit to a nest when nest was still active (J). May 20 was day 1 for regular (common) years, and May 19 for leap years. Dinsmore et al. 2002 2 49 day of study LastChecked Day of last visit to a nest (K). May 20 was day 1 for regular (common) years, and May 19 for leap years. Dinsmore et al. 2002 5 49 day of study Fate Nest success (0 = nest survived, 1 = nest failed). Author defined 0 1 FateCode Final fate of nest. Author defined A Abandoned. Eggs did not hatch because nest was abandoned. Author defined H Hatched. At least one egg hatched from this nest. Author defined U Fate unknown. Author defined D Preyed upon. Nest failed due to depredation of eggs. Author defined Eggs Maximum number of eggs in nest Author defined 1 15 egg count InitiationDate Ordinal date (day of year) on which first egg was laid in nest. Author defined 120 167 day of the year HatchDate Ordinal date (day of year) in which eggs hatched. Author defined 152 193 day of the year AgeDay1 Age of nest on the earliest nest check in the study across all years. May 20 was day 1 for regular (common) years, and May 19 for leap years. Negative values indicate that the nest was not initiated yet on day 1 (e.g., a nest with AgeDay1 of -10 was initiated 10 days after day 1). Positive values indicate the nest was active on day 1 (e.g., a nest with AgeDay1 of 10 was 10 days old on day 1). Author defined -28 19 days emgo_nestVisits_1994-2017.csv Table with visit history for each nest in the study. Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table. Author defined Year Year observation was recorded. Author defined 1994 2017 (YYYY) NestID Unique Identifier of each nest. Created by observers in the field to identify nests discovered and monitored each year. Corresponds with the 'NestID' attribute in all tables included with this data package. Author defined Unique identifier of each nest. VisitDay Day during the study period each year that the nest was visited. May 20 was day 1 for regular years, and May 19 for leap years Author defined 1 48 day of the study emgo_trappingOccasions_1994-2017.csv Table with dates when incubating female goose was trapped. Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table. Author defined Year Year observation was recorded. Author defined 1994 2017 (YYYY) NestID Unique Identifier of each nest. Created by observers in the field to identify nests discovered and monitored each year. Corresponds with the 'NestID' attribute in all tables included with this data package. Author defined Unique identifier of each nest. TrapDay Day during the study period each year that the incubating adult female emperor goose was trapped. May 20 was day 1 for regular years, and May 19 for leap years Author defined 5 44 day of the study emgo_annualCovariates_1994-2017.csv Table with covariates of annualized environmental conditions in the study area, collected from several different sources. Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table. Author defined Year Year observation was recorded. Author defined 1994 2017 Year (YYYY) Fox Proportion of random nest plots on coastal zone of the Y-K Delta that have active sign of foxes. Active fox sign included direct sightings, tracks, trails, fur, and active dens. Fischer et al. 2017 0.16 0.89 Vole Proportion of random nest plots on coastal zone of the Y-K Delta that have active sign of voles. Active vole sign included direct sightings, scat, tunnels, and runs. Fischer et al. 2017 0.11 0.78 PrecipitationNesting Total precipitation (mm) during the mean nest exposure period each year in Bethel, Alaska. Mean exposure period was defined as the mean initiation date through the mean hatch date for each year (see Annual Covariates file). NOAA 2021b 9.7 69.0 Millimeters TemperatureNesting Average daily temperature during the mean exposure period in Hooper Bay, Alaska. Mean exposure period was defined as the mean initiation date through the mean hatch date for each year (see Annual Covariates file). NOAA 2021a 3.858237548 9.982222222 Degrees Celcius TDDAprilMay Proportion of thaw degree days (average daily temperature >0°C) in April and May (61 days) in Hooper Bay, Alaska. NOAA 2021a 0.16071428599999998 0.8688524590000001 MeanInit Yearly mean initiation date (day of year) for emperor goose nests. Author defined 131 155 Day of year MeanHatch Yearly mean hatch date (day of year) for emperor goose nests. Author defined 159 183 Day of year Thompsonetal2023_code.txt Script for fitting nest survival models for Emperor Geese from Thompson et al. (2023). Models were fit using JAGS (Plummer 2003) through the jagsUI package (Kellner 2021) in R 4.0.3 (R Core Team 2021). Author defined U.S. Geological Survey USGS ScienceBase Team Mailing and Physical

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Denver Colorado 80225 USA 1-888-275-8747 sciencebase@usgs.gov The U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center is the authoritative source of these data, distributed by ScienceBase (a USGS Trusted Digital Repository). Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes or on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. CSV Tabular data in CSV format; FGDC metadata in XML and HTML formats. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9891BFB None 20250421 U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center Mailing and Physical

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Anchorage Alaska 99508 USA 907-786-7000 gs-ak_asc_datamanagers@usgs.gov FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM) FGDC-STD-001.1-1999