Individual responses of GPS-tagged geese scared off crops by drones or walking humans

Scaring of wildlife is commonly used in attempts to reduce crop damage in agricultural landscapes, but relatively few studies exist on its actual effect. We tracked GPS-tagged greylag geese (Anser anser) in south-central Sweden, before and after scaring by approaching them either by walking or by drone. On the field level we studied the scaring effect by estimating return rate to the field where scared. On the landscape level we tested if geese were less prone to use agricultural fields after being scared. Geese immediately left the field when scared and five minutes later they were on average 990 m (± 56 SE) from the scaring position. The proportion of GPS positions near the scaring position decreased significantly for at least 4 hours after scaring. Geese showed a significant shift from agricultural fields to wetland habitats the first 4 hours after scaring. However, the effect of scaring soon levelled off; after 24 hours the field where scaring had occurred was used to the same exten..., Location data from GPS-tagged greylag geese. Experimental scaring trials (before/after) with drones and walking humans. , , # Data from: Individual responses of GPS-tagged geese scared off crops by drones or walking humans

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.3bk3j9kv5](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.3bk3j9kv5)

## Description of the data and file structure

In June 2018 and June 2019 breeding and moulting (flightless) greylag geese (N=32) were caught.  In addition to classic tarsal metal rings, geese were provided with neck collars fitted with a solar powered GPS tracking device: Ornitela (OT-N35 or OT-N44). Geese were aged (juvenile or adult ≥2nd calendar year) based on plumage and sexed by cloacal inspection. Out of the 32 individuals, four were juveniles and 28 adults; 13 were females and 19 males. For the present study we used GPS positions from 48 hours before to 48 hours after each scaring event of an individual. The default positioning rate was set to every 30 minutes (i.e., in total 192 positions per scaring event). In addition, we tracked the geese more intensively (one position every 5 minutes) from 4 h...