Methods:
We counted geese in the nine zones of Vilas Park twice a week for two
months—October and November of 2007. We used binoculars to make an
accurate count of the geese. We then recorded the number of geese present
in each of the nine zones of Vilas Park. We counted geese based on the
zone divisions of Vilas Park (Figure 1). We also noted additional
observations such as weather and the presence of humans, animals, and
automobiles.
We compiled our data with other data collected by Professor Jim Lorman and
Edgewood College students for the months of October and November 2001-2007. With
this data we created tables and graphs enabling us to easily see trends.
While comparing our 2007 data to the data that was collected by Jim Lorman and
other Edgewood College students for 2007, we noticed that on seven days geese
counts were taken by us (observer one) and by someone else (observer two) on the
same day, just different times. We created tables and graphs for each of
these days to examine the counts, analyze findings, and compare population
differences in each zone.