REFUGE NARRATIVE REPORT May - August, 1963

Home , Amak Island, Atka Island, Chagulak Island, Yunaska Island

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE RETOE AND IZE>©EK NATIONAL WILDLIFE RANGE Cold Bay Alaska

Staff: Robert D, Jones, Jr. Refuge Onager Vernon D. Bems Assistant Refuge Manager Shirley M. Bems Clerk-typist C. Peter McRoy Tenporary Nancy S. McRoy Temoomry

U. Si DEPT. OPTOE INTERIO R Bureau of Soort Fisheries and wildlife Fish and Wildlife Service Cold Bay, Alaska TABLE OP CONTENTS

Page Nuntoer I. GENERAL A. Weather Conditions B. Habitat Conditions 1. Water 2. Pood and Cover II. WIIDLIPE A. Migratory Birds 1. Oeese FIGURE 1 The beach at Buldlr FIGURE 2 Aleutian Canada geese on Buldlr FIGURE 3 Aleutian Canada gosling 2. Ducks 3. Swans 4. Cranes 5. Vfcterbirds and shorebirds FIGURE 1 An incubating fuhnar en Chagilak Island FIGURE 5 The steep cliffs of Chagulak Island FIGURE 6 Least auklets on Buldlr Island FIGURE 7 Homed puffin on Buldlr Island B. Upland Game Birds C. Big Game Animals 1. Alaska brown bear 2. Caribou 3. Feral reindeer D. Fur Aninals, Predators, Rodents and Other MEurmals 1. Red fox 2. Wolverine 3. Sea otter 4. Whales 5. Sea lions E. Hawks, Falconsp Eagles, Owls, Ravens, and Jaegers 1. Hawks 2. Falcons 3. Bald eagles TABLE OF COtmorTS (continued)

Page Nuntoer 4. Ofls 15 5 o Jaegers 15 PIOURE 8 Winter wren nestling on Buldlr Island 15 6. Other birds 15 Pish 15 PIOURE 9 Alex Peden making scientific collections at Atka Island 15 Disaaie 16 REFUGE DEVELOPfCNT AND MAINTENANCE A. Physical Development 16 B. Plant ir^pB 16 C. Collections and Receipts 16 Do Planned Burning 16 Eo Fires 16 RESOURCE MANAQETCHT A. Grazing 16 B. Haying 16 C. Pur Harvest 17 Do Tlstoer Renoval 17 Eo Comnerclal Pishing 17 Vo FIELD INVESTIGATIONS OR APPLIED RESEARCH 17

VI0 PUBLIC RELATIONS 17 A. Recreational Uses 17 B0 Refuge Visitors 18 Co Refuge Participation 18 D. Hunting 19 Eo Violations 19 FIGURE 10 The Illegal weir in an Attu Island stream 20 FIGURE 11 An illegal "set" in the mouth of an Attu Island stream 21 Safety 22 FIGURE 12 Volcanic activity at Sir!us

Point8 Kiska Island 22 TABLE OP COr/TENTS (continued)

VII. OTHER ITSKS Page Wunbcr A. (Aleutian Islands National Wildlife 24 B. m-x Refuge) 25 C. NR-1A 26 D. Wt-IB 27 E. NR-2 (Izentoek National Wildlife Range 28 P. NR-1 29 0. NR-U 30 H. I«-1B 31 I. m-2 •ftildir Island, site of a reimant breedlr^ population of Aleutian Canada gseatf* by Robert D. Jones, Jr. Reprinted from Wildfowl 31 J. Trust 14th Annual Report 1961-62 (1963) Birds of the Aleutian Islands National 32 Wildlife Refuge (Revised: June 1963) ALEUTIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

AND IZEMBEK NATIONAL WILDLIFE RANGE NARRATIVE REPORT Nfciy 1, 1963 - August 31, 1963 I. GENERAL A. Weather Conditions. The nrinciqal activities reoorted herein v*ere conducted under conditions of intinate association with the weather, and its influence ms recorded in the nersonal iT^pressions of the participants. Thus, mention of the expedition to Buldlr Island conjures a picture of wind and rain, while those to Charulak and Kasatochl evoke memories of calm winds and an oily sea. Generally, the sinner weather has been stormier than usual; and on the Izertoek Range, at least, more rainfall has accurrulated, for at the time of writing the lakes are at flood level. The reason for the stormier weather in the western Aleutians (and this fell at the time of the Buldlr Island expedition) was the failure of the storm track to move north into the Berinc Sea. Instead it pursued the winter course ripht down the "Chain". ClimatolQglcal Data for the Cold Bay Area obtained from the U, S. Weather Bureau June August TerTcerature (0F) f%x. FT Kin. 26 33 il2 38 Avp. MO,8 45.9 50,6 50,6 Freeioitation (inches) 1,32 1.6 i|,28 2.69 Snow and sleet (total) 0.9 0,0 0.0 0,0 Winds (MPH) Mix. ^3 U0 38 Winds avg, for month (MPH) 16.1 15.8 15.6 Peak Gusts (MPH) 17.1 55 53 -2-

Clittologlcal Data for Adak obtalnsd from the U.S. Naval Weather Service June Augut Teaperature (0F) Max. Min. 538^ 5535 " 46 45 Avg. Ml 43 51 51 Precipitation (inches) 5.81 3.52 2.23 0.98 Snow and sleet (total) 1.8 T 0 0 Winds (knots) Max. 5^ 46 56 41 Winds avg. for month (knots) 11 12 09 10 B. Habitat Conditions. 1. Water. Water managemsnt is not practised on either the Aleutian island Refuge or the Izerrtoek Range. 2. Food and Cover. On the Izeirbek Range, the focus of attention Is on the eelgrass beds for these are the golden eggs that produce the geese. This year a study of eelgrass production in the Aleutian Islands - Izeirbek Bay area was initiated, leading to a knowledge of the growth of the grass and the conditions of the environment that produce this growth. No data are as yet available, although extensive observations have been recorded. It is expected that more useful information will begin to emerge in the second susner of the study. Eelgrass production in the Izenbek Range, as superficially observed year to year (based on density), was higi. In addition seed production was high. Eelgrass of the so-called variety latifolia was observed in sizeable beds in Portage Lagoon, Atka Island. This is the western-most record in the Aleutian Islands except for the experimental introduction on Adak Island. This experimental introduction of eelgrass was still going, i.e., there were plants still alive, althougi less than the original planting. Ihe planting was on such a limited scale that inimical factors could be expected to dominate. Even so, some of the plants had survived two years. On the heath of the Izenbek Range berry production, principally croitoerry (Qnpetnm nigrum), was good. E. nigrum is the chief pro ducer of berries useful to waterfowl year in and year out and cranberry (Vaccinium vitus-idea) is second. The latter is markedly less constant in production, and the volume this year would be rated fair. Other berries, of less inportance to waterfowl but in some cases of considerable inportance to other wildlife (notably Alaska brown bear) show variable production. Salncnberry (Rubus spectabilis) -3- productlon In the Izenbek Range nust be at or near an all-time hi#i# nagoon berry (Rubus stellatus) scarce, stra**)erry (Fragairia chiloensis) scarce, and low-bush blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) abundant T" The reasons for the substantial variations in berry production are not known to us. II. WIIDLIPE A. Migratory Birds. 1. Oeese. The discovery of a nesting population of Aleutian Canada geese on Buldlr Island in late June 1962 prompted plans, that began formulating while we were still on the Island, to return in July 1963 and capture goslings for propa^tion and ultimate restoration to the Aleutians. Planning was coroleted by the end of Novenber, 1962 and first procurements were then set in motion. Later planning at the Central Office level resulted in a determination that the propagation would be conducted at the Monte Vista Refuge by the Branch of Wildlife Research, and that Erv Boeker and Karl Kenyon would join the field crew, already conprising Mil Zahn and the two Refuge menbers, Jones and Bems. The inponderable factor in operations at Buldlr Island stems from the exposed nature of the landing beach and the absence of protection from the relatively heavy swell that is characteristic of the North Pacific Ocean. All hands entertain reservations about the landing and reenbarkation; but this time, thou#i the ooeration was dogged by adverse weather, both of these anphiblous details were conducted under admirable conditions. The rocks that had been exposed in 1962, ruling out the use of the Coast Guard's heavy landing boats, were this time covered with sand and the Buoy Tender CLOVER'S motor-self-bailer was brougit ri^it to the beach. This was on July 7, the date of our arrival at Buldlr, and later (July 19) when the Gutter KLAMATO called for us her boat was able to do the same under conditions that were ideal. The wind was offshore in each case so that the rou#>- est water was encountered alongside the ship, but this was not severe.

Pigure 1 The beach at Buldlr Photo by Kenyon Our initial cas| site proved untenable for ll^it tents in the high winds that dominated our sojourn of nearly two weeks at Buldlr Island o The cook tent was the only canvas cottage we possessed that was of sufficient strength to withstand the veloci ties prevailing in the wind tunnel we inhabited^ and this was true only because of the lavish use of drift logs brought from the beach „ Damage to the light tents dictated an early withdrawal to a beach site under the lee of a low headland o Winds at sea during this period (according to the UoSo Navy Weather Service at Adak) rarely dropped below 35 knots and at Buldlr „ where the contours of the mountainous terrain influenced the air flow reinforcement was substantial It is perhaps unnecessary to adc d that the inconvenience and discomfor0 t of the wind was aggravated by what seems in memory to have been a continuous flow of precipitation., A spectacular part of the image this writer retains is of a series of water spouts Issuing from the pass off Northwest Point as the storm conmsnced on the day of our arrival but these were drowned in the general precipitation that poured int0 o the head of our valley and drove down upon the huddle of tents at the beach o The first four days on the Island, days that would normally be utilised in establishing and inprovlng the canp, were devoted to hanging onto the beachhead, and isprovements were never made,, We Just flung up a bit of canvas and crouched behind lt until a break in weather permitted the work for which we had cone sBo faro Uncertain as we were about requirements that the goslings would place upon us, we had provided for a wide range of possibilities The weather isposed the first coepromise, and we decided to use on0 e of the small tents as an aviary» It was waterproof, had a floor and offered the option of closing the door against eacessive circuD lation and rain or opening for increased ventilationo A nameless gasoline burninge heater maintained the temperature in the 60 to 68 degree Fahrenheit range, and the aviary proved quite successful«

Fl^ire 2 Aleutian Canada Oeese on Buldlr Photo by Kenyon -5-

The fifth day, the 11th of July, offered the best weather we experienced at Buldlr and good use was made of it. The Island boasts only one lake, rather like a cirque, located about half-way down the Island's north side at the suninit of an 800 foot-hi#i cliff. Habit dies hard, and in our group there was the belief that waterfowl should be souît on water, even thouî our evidence sugpested the contrary in this case. There was a school of thought that the broods would be led to this lake, and to test this we proceeded to where the chart showed the lake to be. There we found 120 adult Canada geese, whose behaviour suggested they were moulting, and a brood of five goslings. All five of these were taken at the end of a breathless chase that led us up the rim of the "cirque" and over the edge of the cliff to where the downy birds were scuttling for cover. These birds were taken home and placed in the aviary, and our questions regarding their care and feeding became, in that moment, pertinent. We did not long remain in doubt. The will to live is tenacious in a Canada goose, wherever he may be found; and thouph we offered these birds strange foods (Purina game bird chow) they took to them Just as they did to water. This was a great relief to us for, thouî we were prepared to hydroponlcally sprout grain in a greenhouse pro vided for the purpose, we had hoped the meal would prove palatable.

Pi ©ire 3 Aleutian Canada gosling Photo by Bems Subsequent to the capture of this brood we sought and found the birds on the sea cliffs supporting enou^i vegetative growth for food and cover. The climatic conditions which favor this adaptation has been discussed (Jones, Annual Renort, The Wildfowl •Drust, 1962). We were permitted effective access only to the north side of the Island by the harsh weather conditions, but each gilly -6-

or grassy slope that we visited revealed the presence of geese. We have no way of knowing if the 120 adults observed on the lake represent the entire non-breeding population, which is a oity, for our observations of a year ago suggest that there are more birds on the south side than on the north. Thus we still cannot estimate with accuracy the nunter of geese on the Island, however, the population appears to be in a healthy state. The oresence of a brood was not difficult to determine, for apparently the home range of the brood is quite limited, and droppings accumulate rapidly. Except in the tallest cover the birds revealed themselves, by the accumulation of droppings, by the open presence of the adults and, by the scurrylr«" of the goslings from cover to cover. Cnce located, they were not gener ally difficult to catch. A certain hazard attaches to this enter prise because of the avalanches, which are active. The numerous star-shaped inpact marks oroduced on rocks by heavy rocks falling from above, nutely attest the nature of the hazard. Then too, the Interstices among the rocks of the avalanches invite unwary feet. None the less, the charm of the cliff-dwelling geese beckoned to us and we found ourselves again and aîin upon the avalanches. Nor are these cliffs and avalanches otherwise devoid of life, (>iite the contrary. They are in fact densely inhabited by thousands of Aleids, but more of that later, A total of eighteen goslings were caught, held captive, and later transferred to Denver, Three of these were aporeclably smaller than the rest; too small as it develooed, for two ulti mately died. The decision to stop with eiîteen birds was in recogyiition of the saturation of our racilities. Crates measuring 2M" X 18" X 16" were prefabricated at Adak of liît weiît materials and assembled at Buldlr, These consisted of a framework covered on the sides, top, and bottom first with burlap and then with poultry netting. The ends were l/M" plywood, which furnished the necessary stiffness. Inside, the birds stood on 1/2" hardware cloth, under which there was a 3/4 Inch space for droppings to accumulate on a sheet of waterproof building naper. The size of these crates seemed large, but the probability of delays enroute to Denver Indicated the desirability of increased space. As things developed there were delays, and the goslings remained in the crates 75 hours. The sixteen survivors had achieved full growth according to Erv Boeker by Septentoer 4th when they were transferred to the Monte Vista Refuge, -7-

The final spring record of brant in nuntoers on the Izentoek Range Is dated l%y 23rd, on which date there were 2500 to 3000 brant in Applegate Cove and about 200 in Hook Bay (Bechevin Bay). A flock of about 200 Canada geese was sitfited in Cold Bay on ffcy 12th, and on June Mth another flock of about 25 was recorded. In Izentoek Bay a few brant remained all sunner, as is usual, but it is not known if any of these nested in the area. The first record of brant returning from the north is dated August 23rd, and by the 26th there were large nuntoers in the Bay. On this date the first Canada geese (Ifcvemer's) were observed arriving near Grant's Point. By the end of the period the avalanche migration was In full swing. 2. Ducks. In mid-June a single drake Steller's eider was observed in a flock of harlequin ducks at Amak Island. later, at ftildlr Island a few harlequins and conmon elders were observed. Che female harlequin, which we dubbed "the people watcher**, apparent ly quite curious about our presence, swam back and forth at the edge of the water on our beach. The other ducks observed at Buldlr con sisted of a moulting mallard drake, two common teal hens, and two red-breasted mergansers. At Chagulak Island approximately 50 harlequins and a few common eiders were sighted. The first Steller's eiders in nuntoers are recorded about Round Island in Izentoek Bay August 18th and 19th. Thereafter the influx slowed almost to a standstill. No fact is available to us at the time of writing that would explain why so few of these birds arrived on normal schedule. 3. Swans. Aerial observations of whistling swans were made while conducting caribou counts on Uhimak Island and the tip of the Alaska Peninsula. On Ffey 5th a nest containing six eggs was recorded near Swanson's lagoon. This nest was built on a platform of grass and was obvious from the air because the adults had picked, for nest building, all the grass for a radius of thirty feet from the nest. Altogether seven nests, five of them on Uhimak Island were recorded in May incidental to the caribou count. Near Cape lazaref on Uninak Island, thirty swans were observed In a stream resting on a gravel bar May 21st. This is the largest group sigited during the reporting period. 4. Cranes. Two little brown cranes were observed in the swanpy area about midway down Uninak Bitfit, May Mth. June iMth two others were observed flying near Russell Creek at Cold Bay. Althoutfi no nests have been found, cranes are regularly observed In the western Aleutians and it seems likely some nest on the Refuge. 5. Waterbirds and shorebirds. The largest nuntoers of a single species observed by the Refuge staff this surmer were the fulmars (Fulmaris glacialis). seen on Chagulak Island, July 25th.

Figure 4 An Incubating fulnar on Chagulak Island. Photo by Bems Chagulak is one of the islands in the "Chain" on which foxes were never Introduced and we went there in search of nesting Aleutian Canada geese. We found no geese, and it seems unlikely that any were ever on Chagulak for the fulmars were present in such density as to adhdt of no other nesters, except for kittywakes and murres on the cliffs too steeo for the fulmars. A word about Chagulak Island. The U.S. Coast Pilot says, "Chagulak Island is a steep, volcanic mountain having a sham peak 3»750 feet hi^i at its suninit. Its rugged slopes, mainly a series of sharp, steep-descending rocky ridges marked by numerous pinnacles, terminate generally in rocky cliffs at or near the shore. The island is steep-to on all sides and soundings give little irxlicatlon of danger. The cove on the west side formed by the southwest point offers protection and a possible landing for small craft during southeast weather; its approach, however, is endangered by violent tide rips. "Chagulak Island is a nesting place for whaleblrds and snail gulls which fly in great nuntoers around the island within a radius of a few miles, and in foggy weather nay indicate the oroxlndty of the island." Figure 5 The steep cliffs of Chagulak Island Photo by Bems Tto say the Island is rugged and inpressive is to beggar the description. It is quite the most inpressive in the "Chain", and In this writer's opinion, ranks with the most inpressive views in the National Parks System. We proceeded to the Island aboard the USS NOCTGBI, a US Navy fleet tug, in dense fog that cleared .lust as the ship reached a point north of the Island. The appearance of the sharp peak, the unusually steep slopes, the erect pinnacles reaching almost 2,000 feet, and the hundreds of thousands of fulmars wheeling about the Island, from the beach to the suninit, brou^it the entire ship's cospany to a momentary standstill. On another occasion, July 6th, we encountered somewhat similar nunbers of crested auklets (Aethia c rests telle). This time we were aboard the Coast Guard Buoy Tender I'liWW, bound for Buldlr. Just at sundown the ship was passing to the south of Qareloi Island and we were treated to the spectacle of an Inbound flitfit of crested auklets. The passage of the birds continued for about a half hour and stretched as far ahead and astern as we could see In the gather ing darkness. At Amak Island in mid-June another large concentration of pelagic birds was observed. This conprised the nurres and kittywakes that nest on the cliffs of the western side of the Island. It is difficult to assess nunbers in these large colonies, but the writer believes this may be one of the largest colonies of these birds in the Refuge. -10-

Kasatochl Island (In the Andreanof group), also the nesting site of large numbers of pelagic birds, was visited the Mth of August, This Island is unique in that it Is a volcanic cone with a crater lake occupying its center. The walls of the crater are sheer, and it is these cliffs that the birds inhabit. The writer visited the Island for only a brief time to determine if fox elimination efforts had been successful. There were, alas, still foxes on the Island, as the fresh trail which greeted us uoon emerging from the water, revealed, Kasatochl is a small island lying well away from the nearest large islands, hence is subjected to the swell of the open sea. On the occasion of this visit we were aboard the USS MXTOBI and had with us our dory WANDERING TATIUR. Though the wind was calm the swell was breaking on the rocky beach such that landing the dory would pose considerable risk to her. We solved this by anchoring the dory about 200 yards offshore, where she rode quite comfortably, and swam ashore in diving dress that Is known as a "wet 8^^, As the shio was hove to and awaiting our return it was not oossible to dint the few hundred feet of slope to the crater's rim for a look at the bird colony. There were, however, several very large flocks of birds wheeling about the Island, They were auklets, nossibly least auklets, as there were a nuntoer of these on the water.

Figure 6 Least auklets on Buldlr Island Photo by Bems At Buldlr Island we witnessed for the second time the lanre nuntoers of pelagic birds nesting there. These included least and crested auklets, homed and tufted ouffins, murres, kittywakes, glaucous-winged gulls. Leach's and fork tailed petrels, and smaller nuntoers of parakeet auklets. .11-

Figure 7 Homed puffin on Buldlr Island Photo by Bems B- Uglarri Garo Blrdg :. PtanrtLgano We found no evidence of otarmigan on either Buldlr or Chagulak islands, but on Atka several were observed0 On the Isenfoek Range the population level apoears to be pdnlng ground slowly and it is not now unconron to encounter ptarmigan in most area0 s where alder thickets are a dominant part of the vegetative cover«

C0 Big game Animalso 1 Alaska brown hgaro Ave rill Thayer, Refuge Enforcement Officer0 from the Kenai National Moose Range soent the month of Ffcy at the Cold Bay headquarters conducting bear hunting oatrols and caribou counts In all, 684 hours were spent flying Suoer Cub N72M on these activities0 » 0 It was Intended to gain information concerning alleged use of aircraft in hunting bears, but the expected hunting oressure did not develooo Five airplanes were observed in hunting activi ties and only one of these actively circling a bear Uoon invest 1- ^tion this one was found to be engaged in photograohln0 g the bear. -12-

Much of the flying was done at high elevations so that violations might be detected without alarming the violator, and under these circumstances fewer bears were observed than at lower elevations. None the less, five to eip^it bears were sighted each day. Msuiy of these were considered daily sittings of the same animals feeding on carcasses of marine manrals washed ashore. This suimer the problem of bears making nocturnal excursions into the town of Cold Bay and availing themselves of the contents of garbage cans became acute. This seems to be correlated with poor salmon runs creating a want of natural food. Or at least this is the generally accepted view, and perhaps it is correct. But it is clear that were the garbage cans emptied each evening during this critical period the problem would not exist. Late in the period one unfortunate little bear, while exploring the storm porch of one Cold Bay resident pushed the normally open door shut behind him. There was, of course, no option but to shoot the bear, and consider able inpetus was given to anti-bear attitudes. Haooily the incursions of the bears terminated at that time and we carried the day. But the maintenance of Alaska brown bear populations in close proximity to human settlements is dependent on preventing the baiting of bears into towns. The following is a list of beers taken in the Cold Bay area. The measurements were furnished by the hunters. Area Square measure Sex LittieJohn's Lagoon 8' 2" Mile Littlejohn's Lagoon 7* Female Thin Point Lagoon 10' Tfele Thin Point Lagoon 10' (Approx) ? Cathedral Valley 9'-». Male Cathedral Valley 8' 6" ? Swanson's Lagoon 6' Swanson's Lagoon 8' feie Trader's Cove 7' 8" Male 2. Caribou. A count of the Uhimak Island caribou was made In May, but weather unsuitable for flying intervened and the count is inconolete. None the less. 90k animals were tallied in what is the largest count since the 1940's. The first calf noted was observed May 23rd. -13-

3. Feral reindeer. The writer visited Atka Island at Portage Bay the Mthof August. Several hundred reindeer were observed on the hiî slopes, all of them apparently having corpleted the ntxilt. The sunner range was in excellent condition, althouî evidence of grazing and tranpling was apparent. We did not go above approxlrmtely 500 feet elevation, and to that level did not observe any lichens. Five bulls were killed by hunters on this occasion and all five were in excellent physical condition. Subcutaneous fat over the runp was approximately two Inches thick. D. Fur aninals. predators, rodents and other mammals, 1. Red fox. Foxes are currently abundant on the Alaska Peninsula and Unimak. Numerous sittings of foxes were recorded during the bear oatrols and caribou counts. A dense population of red foxes, reminiscent of the blue fox population on Amchitka, was observed on Amak Island. The Island was visited at low tide and numerous foxes were on the exoosed shelf adjoining the beach feeding on marine invertebrates. 2. Wolverine. None were observed on Unimak Island, however, several were slîted on the Alaska Peninsula. We have a report of one wolverine following a bear, to the letters annoyance. The bear chased the wolverine into an alder patch then went about its own business, only to have the wolverine resume its shadowing. What mi#it have hapoen e d if the bear had not detected the observers presence and deoarted raoidly, is a subject of interesting speculation. 3. Sea otter. At Buldlr five mothers with puos, and four lone adulETwere observed. Because of severe weather conditions we were unable to make a comolete circuit of the Island and we have nothing approximating a total figure. At Adak, in the Bay of Islands, more otters than usual were observed, and one young animal attacked the dory in a most aggressive manner.

11 • Whale3 * ^ ^y several whales were observed travelling in a northeasterly direction close to the beach of Unimak Island. In early July two little piked whales were noted in Kagalaska Strait. One of these Junped completely out of the water three times, creating an inpressive display, 5. Sea lions. We quote from Karl W, Kenyon*s renort of the ftildlr Island expedition: "The sand beach on which we landed on -14-

?f» 18 the hauling grourri for a breeding colony uStSlZTrJ^ K*™*** P^t. ihe beachea of the sSll Wleta off Northweat Point are also used as hauling grounds The breeding colony ia continuous along about 3/1 mllTofWh. 2ni) Sri t%?£j% eSLlnmted ^ <» Veeder RooT^d b >edl g Mo8t of the Sweek s olow^d an, d Jus^ tr learnin? g to swim. % tota l was -er1 gseo severa llvirurl WIZ? 1^ ones. Son, of the dSd had a^S b^ tmpped and crushed by boulders moved by adults during breedlrw ground activity. C*e had apoarently been pinched todeathby »^ "f'8 of » drift log that had rolled onto It. The ^TL^^L00"3*^ actlvlty. Judging froii the continual roar at all hours of the day and nl^it." E. Hawks, falcons, eagles, owls, ravens, and jaegers. T !fe!22." *" occasional marsh hawk was observwl on the izesve k0 Range. 2. mcons. Peale's falcons were observed on Buldlr Island. pAlra of •,hlch ""^ apparently nesting. One Peale's falcon flew out fro* Kasatochl Island at the app^ch o^thTSs MOCTOBI on August Hth, and after circling the shlo, alighted « wie maat head.

. Izentoek Range an Influx of gyrfalcons occurred at the ZLJrrS* P^0^^nCiCleni^ly ^ ^ Weaiance of migratory °f 8y?alcon8 aPPears to have been produced on the slopes ad,tacent to Proaty Canyon.

neat i, .^Ss^g^iv^ PafT of ^ eagles had established their ^L^r^5^57 ^ our canP site on Buldlr Island. Examination of the nest contents revealed, among other things, the remains of Aleutian Canada geese. We reluctantly destroyed the eagles Che other, an Imnature bird, was observed on the Island. The following items were taken from the nests A/. Glaucous-winged gill 1 Juveniles Glaucous-winged gull 1 adult Glaucous-winged gull 1 egg shell Aleutian Canada goose 3 adults Homed puffin 11 Tufted puffin 1 Crested auklet 1 Ancient murrelet 3 -15-

4. Owls. A short-eared owl carcass was recovered on Buldlr Island. Judging from the torn skin it had been struck by a bird of prey.

5. J*Jaegers . Parasitic Jaegers of the dark phase nest on Buldlr Islana. Several pairs evidently had their nest in the valley behind our canp site, and 15 to 20 birds observed at about the 700 foot level (near the lake) exhibited behaviour that suggested the oresence of a brood. One nest containing two chicks was observed.

Figure 8 Winter wren nestling on Buldlr IslanI d Photo by Bems 6. Other birds. One of the most apparent birds on Buldlr Island was the winter wren, and this because of its loud, rollicking call. p. Fish. Alex Peden, graduate student from the University of British Coluntoia acconpanied the Buldlr Island expedition and made scientific collections at Buldlr, Adak, Atka, and Chagulak Islands.

Figure 9 Alex Peden making scientific collections at Atka Island Photo by Bems -16-

Cormerclally the salmon runs were unprofitable in the Cold Bay area. Izembek Bay was closed to ccnnerclal fishing virtually the entire season, and thanks to this wise measure the nuntoers of spawning salmon in the tributaries to the Bay were at a satis factory level. In some instances, notably the red runs, the nuntoers of spawning salmon were unusually hl^i. This was not true in the spawning beds tributary to Middle Lagoon, Morzhovol Bay, At Attu Island the salmon rtns were apparently average but historically these runs have never exhibited a correlation with the rest of the "Chain". At Adak, salmon were almost non-existent. We inspected four widely separated spawning areas on the Island in late July and early August without seeing a salmon. Q. Disease. None reported.

Ill REPUOE DEVELOPMENT AM) MADflENANCE A. Physical devel nt. A headquarters installation at Cold Bay was nearlng corrple on at the end of the period. This includes three dwellings plus a service building, the latter to include a laboratory and darkroom in addition to office, storage, and shop space. Fireplaces, canp tables and refuge containers were provided In three frequently used sites. B. Plantings. None C. Collections and receipts. None D. Planned burning. Not a management practise in this area. E. Fires. Our only grazing lessee, Mr. Chris Oundersen of Sanak, reports the loss of his cabin on Caton Island. He attributes the origin of the fire to a faulty flue.

IV. RESOURCE MANAQENEtfT A. Qrazing. Caton Island, mentioned above, is the only one of the Islands in the Aleutian Refuge for which a grazing lease is available. The lessee, Mr. Chris Oundersen, currently has forty to fifty head of cattle on the Island. He is engaged in eliminating the scrub cattle that stem from an earlier period on the Island, and substituting Hereford stock. B. Haying. Not applicable. -17-

Co PIT harvest. The ADPiO collected a small nunt>er of sea otter skins at Anchltka in August. D. Tlaber removal. Not applicable. E. Conraercial fishing. Cne salmon fisherman from False Pass used a stake net across the mouth of the creek flowing into Urilia Bay on Uhimak Island. One commercial fishing operation, utilizing freezing facilities aboard ship, was undertaken at Attu. Illegal methods were enployed, however, and it came to grief.

V. FIELD INVESTIGATIONS OR APPLIED RESEARCH A study of the growth and environment of eelgrass in a marine lagoon was begun in this period. For logistics reasons the principal field work is being done in Izenbek Bay, with the more academic aspects being done at the University of Vfeishington in Seattle, Dr. T. Saunders English, Department of Oceanography at the University is furnishing technical guidance in the oceanographic aspects, while W?. Ronald C. Phillips of the Botany Deoartment, Seattle Pacific College is furnishing technical guidance in the botanical aspects. Co Peter and Nancy McRoy are employed by the Refuge to conduct the study. The objectives of the study are: a. To determine the gross production of eelgrass in the study area. b. To determine the environmental conditions existing during the period of maximum growth, c. To determine the envirormental conditions present throughout the range of population densities, from areas with no grass to areas of maximum grass density. d. To determine the usefulness of the study area as an index to other areas. VI. PUBLIC RELATIONS A. Recreational Uses, Fishing furnished the main recreational outlet for the oeriod. Others were beachconbing the Bering Sea beaches for glass balls (fishing floats), seal hunting, hiking, and late in the period berry picking and hunting (orlncipally for ptarmigan). -18-

B. Refuge visitors, Name Title Organization Purpose of visit Averill Thsyer Refuge Enforcement Agent BSFW Enforcement Tracy FfcQuin Resident Engineer FAA Insoection Bill Tedder Construction Foreman Walshft Co. Construction Carl Moses Entrepreneur Private Personal visit MToft Mrso Ctnar Akutan Village School Alaska Dept. Personal visit Stratnan of Education Karl W. Kenyon Biologist BSFW Buldlr trip Enrin L. Boeker Biologist BSFW Business Alex Peden Fish Biologist U of BC Research Mllstead C. Zahn USGNI BSFW Buldlr trip David Lo Spencer Reg, Ref. Sup. BSFW Insoection Qnil S. Pearson General Engineer BSFW Inspection Elmer I. Williams Station Manager FAA Personal visit Dan Hemic k Fish Biologist ADPftG Business Richard Wllner Enlisted Mm U.S. Navy Pleasure IVight Reynolds Enlisted Man U.S. Navy Pleasure Gay Ristow Civilian Employee U.S. Navy Pleasure Mike Dallam Lieutenant U.S. Navy Pleasure Lee ffertin Captain USMC Pleasure Robert Thomoson Guide Private Business Ron Hayes Guide Private Business Jim Branson Fisheries Enforcement BCF Enforcement Lado Ac Kozely Economist BIA Business James Sanford Captain USAF Business Mike Uttecht Fisherman and Guide Private Personal visit Fred Day Station Chief U.S. Weather Personal visit Bureau Chris Oundersen Fisherman and Cattleman Private Personal visit Kenneth Gilpin Protection Officer ADPftG Business Dr. Ole fethiesen Biologist FRI Personal visit David Henley Pilot ADPftG Business Claude St Amend Protection Officer ADPftG Court case Louis J, Roberts Topographic Surveyor USOS Surveying Go E. Bassett Personnel Officer BSFW Inspection Howard Spragg Personnel Services BSFW Inspection

Mro It f%*80 Francis Chief, Branch of Wildlife BSFW Inspection Gillette Refuges Richard E, Griffith Regional Chief, Div. of BSFW Inspection Wildlife Ray Woolford Wildlife AAnlnlstrator BSFW Inspection C. Refuge participation. 1. At Cold Bay Refuge Managers Jones and Bems took part in forming and gliding the Cold Bay Rod and Gun Club. -19-

2. At Adak Jones continued his participation in the Williwaw Chapter of the Toast waster's International, This participation has extended over nine years, 3a At Adak Jones, Bems, and USOMA Zahn spent an afternoon with the officers of the Mobile Construction Battalion 10, more widely known as Sea Bees, discussing various aspects of wildlife in the Aleutians, At Adak Jones, Bems, and Lt, Larry Ronan (Base Conservation Officer) met with Milton H, Beuhler of the Bureau of Yards and Docks to compile a wildlife inventory of the Adak Naval Reservation. 5. At Adak we cooperated with the North Pacific Salmon Investi gations personnel and those of the Fisheries Research Institute in the use of our two vehicles stationed at Adak. This is a sort of cooperation that works both ways, as these two organizations extend valuable assistance to us, 6. At Cold Bay both Bems and Jones continued as active menbers of the Volunteer Fire and Crash Crew, Do Muntingo See II, WILDLIFE, under Alaska brown bear, E, Violations, Refuge Enforcement Officer Thayer and Assistant Refuge imager Bems investigated the killing of a small bear by a Coast Guardsman at Cape Sarichef. No Refuge permit bad been issued in this case. All the circumstances were not clear, however, it appeared that while walking near their water supply on a foggy morning the Guardsman encountered a bear at close range, and becoming excited, shot the bear. He possessed a valid hunting license and professed intentions of hunt ing a large bear. A Refuge permit was then issued and the Guardsman was required to keep the small bear. Bems and Thayer explained the Refuge regulations concerning trespassing on the Refuge with vehicles, to the Coast Guard and Air Force personnel at Cape Sarichef. These agencies have trespassed to the extent of a bladed road to what they call First River. This road runs from the Air Force site east along the north side of the Island. These people look upon their tour of duty on Unimak as a form of banishment, and the Island as a sort of playground to amelio rate their frustrations. Signs proclaiming limits of vehicular travel on the Izentoek Range were posted in June. This, of course, occasioned opposition (and support from some quarters) and in the absence of enforcement -20- durlng part of the surmer some violation of the limits. As is true with the military organizations listed above, the oersonnel stationed at Cold Bay generally do not feel any responsibility to the land or its resources. The individual's time both at Cold Bay and on Unimak Island is a strictly limited period and in general the only restraint on the use of both the land and its resources to ultimate destruction is the existence and activity of this Headquarters. A commercial fishing operation of highly suspicious character was being conducted at Attu by an entrepreneur from King Cove. The ALEUTIAN REEFER, a converted WWII yard mine sweeper, had called at Adak in late June enroute Attu for salmon fishing. She had trap wire (in substance a large size poultry netting) on deck, together with a small length of webbing (a "rag of seine'1, in fishermen's Jargon). It seemed clear to several men, experienced in salmon fishing, that the intention was to catch salmon in the creeks ("creek robbing"), a practise prohibited by regulation. On July 29th the Navy Personnel at Adak invited us to go to Attu on a flight they had scheduled, and Refuge Manager Bems went to investigate the fishing operation. The suspicions expressed above seemed airply warranted in the light of what he learned so a second visit was made the 2nd of Au^ist. This time Bems hiked the eleven miles over the mountains to Chicagof Harbor where the ship was anchored, and observed the fishing.

Figure 10 The illegal weir in an Attu Island stream Photo by Bems -21-

It did not take long for the fishermen to reveal their activities. Ihe trap wire had been used as a weir to prevent migration of the fish up stream and apparently at intervals the "rag of seine" was set across the stream mouth and the fish chased into it. This, at least, was what they did on the occasion that Bems was shadowing the operation after closlr^ hours on a Friday evening. The case was turned over to Protection Officer Claude St Amend of the ADPftG for prosecution in tegistrate's Court at Cold Bay. Two charges were brou^it (1) fishing in a closed area (regulations pro- habit fishing in a stream or within 500 yards of a stream mouth) and (2) fishing in a closed period (regulations prescribe a closed period between 1800 Friday and 0600 the following Monday). These charges were brought against the three men actually observed fishing and they pleaded guilty.

Flgire 11 An Illegal "set" in the mouth of an Attu Island stream. Photo by Bems The Court sentenced each defendant to a fine of $3000 and 90 days Jail for the first charge, and $500 and 60 days Jail for the second. Half of the fine and all of the Jail sentence on the first charge was suspended for three years, and the Jail sentence on the second charge was suspended for one year. As none of the men had money to pay the fines they were remanded to Jail. -22-

F. Safety. 1. Firemen from the FAA Fire and Crash Station conducted inspections of office and residences, looking for fire hazards and checking fire extinguishers. Certain hazards are indigenous to these old buildings, and with completion of the new headquarters they will be left behind. Refuge Managers Bems and Jones attended FAA safety meetings as there are cannon hazards and problems. 2. No accidents. 3. No corrective measures were taken. 4. Record to date - 517 days.

Figire 12 Volcanic activity at Sirlus Point, Kiska Island. Photo by Bems -23-

Submltted Robert D, Jon&s //Jr Refuge Manager 9 9

Vernon D. Bems Assistant Refuge Manager

Novenber 18, 1963

Approved David L. Spencer Supervisor, Alaskan Wildlife Refuges 3-1750 Form NR-1 (Rev. March 19^3) WATERFOWL REFUGE Aleutian Islands National Wildlife MONTHS OF May TO Septentoer , 19 63

Weeks of ra period (i) reporting Species 10 Swans: Whistling 85 XXMBBCQBC Whooper 0 Geeset Canada, Taverners 0 iB&ttai Aleutian Canada 500 Brant 5000 White-fronted Snow Blue Other Enperor 200 (Straggleis) Dticks; Mallard 45000 Black Gadwall 1000 Baldpate Pintail 4000 500 90000 Cinnamon teal Shoveler 100 Wood Redhead Ring-necked Canvasback Scaup 6000 Goldeneye Bufflehead Ruddy Other King eider 0 Old squaw 50000 Coimon eider 20000 Eur Dpean widg son 100 ^Hgrlequto 100000 Int. Pup. Sec., 3-1751 Form NR-1A MIGRATORY BIRDS (Nov. 1945) (other than waterfowl)

Refuge^H??^.isl^s_^ Months of .to August 19^3

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Species First Seen Peak Numbers Last Seen Production Total Number Total # Total Estimated Common Name Number Date Number Date Number Date Colonies Nests Young Number

I. Water and Marsh Birds: Pelagic cormorant Common m rre Red-faced cormorant Thick-bi led nurre Double crested cormorant Slender-Mlled Shear water We do not a ;tempt to assign numbers Tufted puffins Sooty shear water tc these pefLaglc birds Homed puffins Pulmars Least auklet Porked-tdiled petrel Crested auklet Leach's petrel Whiskered auklet Laysan albatross Parakeet auklet Black-footed albaliross Ancient murrelet Pigeon guillemot Common loon Red-throated loon Red necked grebe

II. Shorebirds, Gulls and Terns: Glaucous-winged gull Bar-tail€d godwit Sabine's gull Black-legged kittiwake Parasitic Jaeger Th^se are t ie shoreb j?ds we have Black oyster catcher enjountered but we have no bails American Golden plover fo::' the assignment o numbers North phalarope Least sandpiper Ruddy tumstone Little brown crane Rock sandpiper (Aleutiarp Wandering tattler Red-legged kittiwake (over) 121. £1 •41 15 III. Doves and_Pigeons Mourning dove White-winged dove

IV. Predaceous Birds: Golden eagle Duck hawk Horned owl Magpie Raven Crow

Reported by.

(3) Peak Numbers The greatest number of the species present in a limited interval of time.

(4) Last Seen: The last refuge record for the species during the season concerned.

(5) Production: Estimated number of young produced based on observations and actual counts.

(6) ^otal: Estimated td number of the specks using tl refuge during the period concerned.

INT.-DUP. SEC., WASH.. D.C. 79858 INSTRUCTION;

All tabulated information should be based on ihe best available) toc^miûeo for obtaining these datao Estimates having no foundation In fact mmt be omitted. Refuse r^rand totals for all catep.ories stiouId b(3 \)rovidod in tho spaces below the last unit tabulationo Additional fcrma should bo urjcd if the number o;fHnit3 repoFEed upen exceeefs the ovipacity of one P-ipeo This report embraces the preceding 12-month period„ NOT the fiscal or calenclar year, and is subi^ted~aûally wlih têîyÂugust N^raivve Yu potto'~

(1) Area or Unit! A geogi^aphical unit whichp because ef size,, terrain characteristics <, habitit type and current or antici pated management practices, may be considered ^in entity apart from other areas in the refuge census patterno The combined estimated acreages of all units should equal the total refuge areao A detailed map and accompanying verbal description of the habitat typos of each unit should be forwarded with the initial report for each refuge^, and thereafter need only be submitted to report changes in unit boundaries or their descrip tions <,

(2) Habitatt Crops include all cultivated croplands such as cereals ancTgreen forage^ planted food patches and agricultural row cropsj( upland is all uncultivated terrain lying above the planTlsammunities requiring seasonal sub mergence or a complel.Ciy saturated soil condition a part of each year^ and includes landa v/hose temporary flooding facilitates usa of non-aquatic type foodsj| marsh extends from the upland community to^ but not IjicXLidingp the water typo and consists of the rela tively stable marginal or shallow-growing emergent vegetation type^, including vnet meadow and deep marshj and in the water category are all other water areas inundated mo^s£ or all of the growing season and extend ing from the deeper edge of the marsh zone to strictly open-water (> embracing such habitat as shallow playa

lakes5 deep lakes and reservoirs c, true shrub and tree swamps^ open flowing water and maritime baysj, sounds and estuarieso Acreage estimates-for all four types should be computed and kept as accurate as possible through reference to available maps supplemented by periodic field observations« The sum of these esti mates should equal the area of the entire unito

(3) Use-days t Use-days is computed by multiplying weekly waterfowl population figures by seven^ and should agree with information reported on Form NR-l*

(U) Breeding Population: An estimate of the total breeding population of each category of birds for each area or unite (5) Productioni Estimated total number of young raised to flight age. interior Duplicating Section,, Washington^ Do C, 3-17^0b UNIT 1*1) STATUS Fonn m m uv.vMmvm OK THE immim (Rev. Nov. 195'/) FISH AND WILDLIFE SKRVICE BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES ANI) WILDLIl'E WATERFCn^ UTIUmiON OF REFUGE HABITAT

Refuge Aleutian Islands Natlnpal For 12^nonth period ending Augunt 31, Wife Wildlife

Reported by Robert D. Jonesf Jr. Title Refuga. Onager (TJ Area or Unit Habitat —T3i un w— Breeding Designation IVPo" Acreage Use-days Population Production Crops None Ducks Buldlr Island upland 1?80 Geeso mnn Marsh NnnR, Swans Water JUL Coots Total Total Crops Ducks Upland Geese Marsh Swans o Water Coots h0)p

"I" f Crops Ducks Upland Geese •i || Marsh Swans s § -a Water Coots Total Total

CO Crops Ducks Upland Geese Marsh Swans 8 Water Coots •as Total Total M crt >> Crops Ducks Upland Geose Marsh Swans Water Coots Total Total

Crops Ducks Upland Geese Marsh Swans Water Coots Total Total

(over) 3-1752 Form i 2 UPLAND GAM*. JIRDS 1613 (April 1946; Refuge Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Months of May to Septentoer , 19463

(2) (3) (5) (6) (7) (1) Young Sex Species Density Produced Ratio Removals Total Remarks Estimated Acres -O number Pertinent information not Cover types, total per using specifioally requested. acreage of habitat Bird II? o +> U (0 Refuge List introductions here. Common Name S5 ,Q O Percentage

Rock ptarmigan 1,800,000 Unknown none Unkrown About 150 Population is increasing on 50-50 Anchltka Island after the eradication of blue foxes.

Willow ptarmigai The only willow ptarmigan on the Refuge is on Uhimak Island and they are found in the alder patches. Several hundred of these birds fly back and forth between Unimak Island and the Alaska Peninsula INSTRUCTIONS Form NR-2 - UPLAND GAME BIRDS.* (1) SPECIES: Use correct common name. (2) DENSITY: Applies particularly to those species considered in removal programs (public hunts, etc.). Detailed data may be omitted for species occurring in limited numbers. Density to be expressed in acres per animal by cover types. This information is to be prefaced by a statement from the refuge manager as to the number of acres in each cover type found on the refuge; once submitted, this information need not be repeated except as significant changes occur in the area of cover types. Cover types should be detailed enough to furnish the desired information but not so much as to obscure the general picture. Examples: spruce s-wamp, upland hardwoods, reverting agriculture land, bottomland hardwoods, short grass prairie, etc. Standard type symbols listed in Midlife Management Series No. 7 should be used where possible. Figures submitted should be based on actual observations and counts on representative sample areas. Survey method used and size of sample area or areas should be indicated under Remarks. (3) YOUNG PRODUCED: Estimated number of young produced, based upon observations and actual counts in representative breeding habitat. U) SEX RATIO: This column applies primarily to wild turkey, pheasants, etc. Include data on other species if available. (5) REMOVALS: Indicate total number in each category removed during the report period. (6) TOTAL: Estimated total number using the refuge during the report period. This may include resident birds plus those migrating into the refuge during certain seasons. (7) REMARKS: Indicate method used to determine population and area covered in survey. Also include other pertinent information not specifically requested.

* Only columns applicable to the period covered should be used.

1613 3-1750 ( Form NR-JL (Rev. March 1953) WATERFOWL

REFUGE XaMfcefc Ray N^nnal Wildlife Rnn^ MONTHS OF Ml.

Weeks of reporting period (i) Species 8 : 9 : 10 Swans: Whistling 32 Trumpeter 0 Geese: 0anada,Taverners 24-26 (las t obserlved June 4) Cackling 0 Brant 15000 (Last obsdrved on May 23rd. Beban arriving August 23rd) White-fronted 0 Snow 0 Blue 0 Other Enperor 5000 (1000s still here ir my) Ducks: Mallard 1500 Black 0 Gadwall 1000 Baldpate 50 Pintail 1500 Green-winged teal 2500 Blue-winged teal 0 Cinnamon teal 0 Shoveler 50 Wood 0 Redhead 0 Ring-necked 0 Canvasback 0 Scaup 10000 Goldeneye 0 Bufflehead 0 Ruddy 0 Other Steller's eiper 5000 Conmon eider 500 Coot: Int. Dup. Sec., ( 3-1T51 Form NR-1A MIGRATORY BIRDS (Nov. 1945) (other than waterfowl) •Izeafoek-Bay-National .¥11 ril 1 fa.RangeMonths of .May. .to.JSeE&ejiter. „19353.-.

(2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Species First Seen Peak Numbers Last Seen Production Total Number Total # Total Estimated Common Name Number Date Number Date Numbe r Date Colonies Nests Young Number I. Water and Marsh Birds Pelagic cormorant Red-throated loon Common loon Dipper

II. Shorebirds, Gulls and Terns: Glaucous-winged gulls Northern phalarohe Black-legged kittywakes Ruddy twmstone American golden plover SandhilJ crane (J.ittle bro+n) Least sandpiper Arctic tern Western sandpiper Aleutiah tern Rock sandpiper Semi-palmated plover Greater yellow-legs Dowitcher Sanderlings

(over) (1) (2) 13. 141 •51 161 III. Doves and Pigeons Mourning dove White-winged dove

IV. Predaceous Birds: Golden ea None con 10 MMM owl Snowy 5 Magpie 40 Raven 200 Crow Gyrfalcon 15 Bald eagle 50

Reported by.

INSTRUCTIONS (1) Species: Use the correct names as found in the A.O.U. Checklist, 1931 Edition, and list group in A.O.U. order. Avoid general terms as "seagull", "tern", etc. In addition to the birds listed on form, other species occurring on refuge during the reporting period should be added in appro priate spaces. Special attention should be given to those species of local and national significance. Groups: I. Water and Marsh Birds (Gaviiformes to Ciconiiformes and Gruiiformes) II. Shorebirds. Gulls and Terns (Charadriiformes) III. Doves and Pigeons (Columbiformes) IV. Predaceous Birds (Falconiformes, Strigiformes and predaceous Passeriformes) (2) First Seen: The first refuge record for the species for the season concerned. (3) Peak Numbers The greatest number of the species present in a limited interval of time. (4) Last Seen: The last refuge record for the species during the season concerned. (5) Production: Estimated number of young produced based on observations and actual counts. (6) Total: Estimated to+ " number of the species using t' refuge during the period concerned.

INT.-DUP. SEC., WASH.. D.C, 79858 UNITWJ STATES Forw NR IB UKrAH'lTIl'lNT OF THE JNThllM OR (Rev. Nov. 19$7) FISH AND WILDLIFE SER^CE BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES ANI) WILDLIFE WATERFOWL irflUZATION OF REFUGE HABITAT

For 12-inonth period ending Auguot 31, 19 ^foEEX J^PTT^Pk Ray Ban& Reported by Title

CD Habitat ~-T3T_ lV! ^ Area or Unit Type" Acreage Breeding Designation Crops Ducks Use'-days Population Production Upland Geese Marsh Swans Water Coots Total Total

Crops Ducks Upland Geeso Marsh Swans Water Coots Total Total

Crops Ducks Upland Geose Marsh Swans Water Coots Total Total

Crops Ducks Upland Geese Marsh Swans Water Coots Total Total •2 Crops Ducks Upland Geese Marsh Swans Water Coots Total Total

Crops Ducks Upland Geose Marsh Swans Water Coots Total Total

Crops Ducks Upland Geese Marsh Swans Water Coots Total Total

(over) iN^rRucnoNS AH tabulated infonnation should be based on tho he-jl avii biblo tnchnlquoB for obtaining these datao Estimates having no foundation In lact muat bo omitted. Refuse prand totals for all catep.ories ghou )d bo f)rovldr;d In tho apaces below the last unit tabulationo Additional fcnu.M should bo uood If number of^mits reported upen exceeefs the oapacity of one p.iKCo This report embraces the preced-mg 12-month period,, NOT tho fiscal or calenclar year, 'and is su^ml^tedâûally with the^y-August jj^TjÎyc I&'PQHO "~

(1) Area or Units A geographical unit which,, because of size., terrain characteristicsp habitat type and current or antici pated management practices, may be considered ,an entity apart from other areas in the refuge census pattern*, The combined estimated acreages of all units should equal the total refuge areao A detailed map and accompanying verbal description of the habitat typos of each unit should be forwarded with the initial report for each refuge^ and thereafter need only be submitted to report changes in unit boundaries or their descrip tions©

(2) Habitatf Crops include all cultivated croplands such as cereals an3green forage^ planted food patches and agricultural row cropsj( upland is all uncultivated terrain lying above the pXanFljommunities requiring seasonal sub mergence or a completo.ly saturated soil condition a part of each year^ and includes landa whose temporary flooding facilitates use of non^aquatic typo foodsji marsh extends from the upland coiiinunity to^, but not IjicXudingp the water typo and o;onsists of the rela tively stable marginal or shallow-growing emergent vegetation type^ including wet meadow and deep marshj and in the water category are all other water areas inundated most or all of the growing season and extend ing from the daeper edge of the marsh zone to strictly open-water^ embracing such habitat as shallow playa lakes j deep l akes and reservoirs c, true shrub and tree swampsp open flowing water and maritime bays^ sounds and estuarieso Acreage estimates-for all four types should be computed and kept as accurate as possible through reference to available maps supplemented by periodic field observations« The sum of these esti mates should equal the area of the entire unit«

(3) Use-days s Use-days is computed by multiplying weekly waterfowl population figures by seven^, and should agree with information reported on Form NR-1.

(U) Breeding Populations An estimate of the total breeding population of each category of birds for each area or unit. (5) Productioni Estimated total number of young raised to flight age. mtorior Duplicating Section,, Washington^ Do C, Mil 3-1752 Form I, 2 UPLAND GAMi- JIRDS 1613 (April 1946)

Izentoek Bay National Wildlife Rang^onths of to tSe^t-.ftnt)ffr 1^.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) Species Young Sex Remarks Density Produced Ratio Removals Total Estimated Acres hi o number Pertinent information not Cover types, total per ,Q O- using specifioally requested. acreage of habitat Bird 9 2-3 o -P o 0) Refuge List introductions here. Common Name ^:SO Percentage I fa (0 fa Pi

Rock ptarmigan Alpine I nknown None Unknown 50-50 None Unknown

Willow ptarmigar Heath Inknown None Unknown 50-50 120 None 5000 Use the entire Range at certain times of the year aCHiL il*D ) INSTRUCTIONS Form NR-2 - UPLAND GAME BIRDS.* (1) SPECIES: Use correct common name. (2) DENSITY: Applies particularly to those species considered in removal programs (public hunts, etc.). Detailed data may be omitted for species occurring in limited numbers. Density to be expressed in acres per animal by cover types. This information is to be prefaced by a statement from the refuge manager as to the number of acres in each cover type found on the refuge; once submitted, this information need not be repeated except as significant changes occur in the area of cover types. Cover types should be detailed enough to furnish the desired information but not so much as to obscure the general picture. Examples: spruce swamp, upland hardwoods, reverting agriculture land, bottomland hardwoods, short grass prairie, etc. Standard type symbols listed in Wildlife Management Series No. 7 should be used where possible. Figures submitted should be based on actual observations and counts on representative sample areas. Survey method used and size of sample area or areas should be indicated under Remarks. (3) YOUNG PRODUCED: Estimated number of young produced, based upon observations and actual counts in representative breeding habitat. U) SEX RATIO: This column applies primarily to wild turkey, pheasants, etc. Include data on other species if available. (5) REMOVALS: Indicate total number in each category removed during the report period. (6) TOTAL: Estimated total number using the refuge during the report period. This may include resident birds plus those migrating into the refuge during certain seasons, (7) REMARKS: Indicate method used to determine population and area covered in survey. Also include other pertinent information not specifically requested.

* Only columns applicable to the period covered should be used.

1613 Reprinted from Wildfowl Trust 14th Annual Report 1961-62 (1963)

Buldir Island, site of a remnant breeding population of Aleutian Canada Geese Robert D. Jones, Jr. Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge Cold Bay, Alaska Summary RECENT observations of the once abundant Aleutian Canada Goose Branta canadensis leucopareia are reviewed. The introduction of Blue Foxes to the breeding grounds and increased hunting pressure are suggested as reasons for the decline of the race, with a note concerning the production potential of the Blue Fox. An expedition to Buldir Island, where no fox introduction had been made, is recounted along with a discussion of the island's topography, climate, avian and mammalian populations. Reestablishment of the Sea Otter at Buldir Island is noted. A breeding population of B.c. leucopareia was observed and the conditions of the habitat are discussed. Ancestrally, a large population of a subspecies of small Canada Goose bred in the Aleutian Islands from about Yunaska Island at 52° 40' N and 70o 40' W to and including the islets off Attu, the westernmost of the ^-rvrchipelago (Nelson, 1883; Turner, 1886; Murie, 1959). This sub-species has been designated by Delacour (1954) as the Aleutian Canada Goose Branta canadensis leucopareia (Brandt). Clark (1910) described the bird as abundant on Agattu, but Murie (1959, p. 67), in his account of observations made in 1936 and 1937, states that, " ..., they had disappeared on most of the islands, and our total observations indicated that only a few pairs remained in the ^ Aleutians." Recent observations support this gloomy view. On 17th May, 1950 I observed a single goose alighting on Kirilof Point, Amchitka Island. Krog (1953) collected a specimen from a small flock on the islets in Constantine Harbor, Amchitka Island. Kenyon (1961) on 10th May, 1959 collected a specimen from a flock of seven on the same islets. On 27tli June, 1961 five biologists working on Amchitka observed four Canada geese, all displaying the prominent white ring at the base of the stocking, in Constantine Harbor. Later, on 5th July, 1961, two of us observed two geese flying near Loran Island off Amchitka. At the same time two persons ashore on Loran Island photographed another goose resting with a group of common eider ducks. Though Amchitka was as carefully searched as possible through he summers of 1960, 1961 and 1962, these are the only recent reports from ^that area. Murie (1959) noted the presence of these geese in 1936 and 1937 on Agattu, Buldir, and Chagulak Islands. Coats (1951, p. 3) writes of Buldir, " Numerous geese, probably the lesser Canada goose, breed on the island ". This observation was based on a four day visit in 1947. Murie (1959) suggested that the decline of this race of geese was due to the introduction of Blue Foxes and to increased hunting pressure along the birds' migration route and on its wintering grounds. I can but agree. While the status of ancestral fox populations in the Aleutian Islands is obscure, we have records of Blue Fox introductions to almost every island in the Archipelago from Yunaska west, excluding Attu, which had an ancestral population of this dark phase of the Arctic Fox Alopex lagopus (Bancroft, 1886). These introductions occurred principally in the 1920's when fox furs commanded a high price. Some of these islands already had a population of Silver Foxes which in the central and western Aleutians were not very 81 Buldir Island successful. They barely maintained, and in some cases still do, a minimal population. The Blue Foxes, however, rapidly produced and maintained large populations. For example, on Rat Island, to which Blue Foxes were introduced in 1922 and 1923, there is a population currently estimated at 250 individuals (Berns, 1962). This estimate is based on two years of tagging experiments. Rat Island, about 65 miles west of the 180th Meridian, is roughly 8 miles long with a greatest width of about two miles and includes 6.86 square miles. The central portion of the Island is mountainous and is not inhabited by foxes. Observations during the last fourteen years have led us to conclude that there is little likelihood of finding a breeding population of Aleutian Canada Geese on any of the islands where Blue Foxes have been introduced and still persist. This being true, we devoted our efforts to reaching Buldir Island, one of the few islands in the Aleutians on which foxes were not introduced. Vernon D. Berns, Assistant Refuge Manager, Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and I arrived off Buldir Island aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Winona on 25th June, 1962. Landing conditions were excellent and the necessary supplies and equipment were quickly set ashore. Buldir Island, the most isolated in the Aleutian Archipelago, lies at appro) mately 52° 22' N and 175° 55' E, 53 nautical miles from Kiska and 66 from Shemya. It is dome-shaped, about 3.8 miles from east to west and 2.4 miles from north to south. It has an area of 6.64 square miles; and reaches an elevation slightly over 2,000 feet. The shores, except for the one sandy beach at the mouth of a small valley near Northwest Point, are cliffs either rising from the water's edge or backing narrow rock and sand beaches. Avalanches are a principal characteristic of these cliffs and beaches. A chain of bold rocks and high, conspicuous islets extends 1.2 miles northwestward from the Island. The vegetation is luxuriant, remarkably so for the Aleutians. The wind and sea were calm when we arrived at Buldir, and the ground swell from the North Pacific Ocean was as moderate as it is reasonable to expect. Advantage was taken of these conditions to make a passage in the dory around the Island. The boat was kept as close to the beach as conditions would permit, the chief limiting factor being a dense growth of kelp (Alaria). It was while struggling to remove a mass of kelp from the propeller that I observed a large male Sea Otter. It is to us a familiar animal, but it was so unexpected at Buldir that we approached closer for verification. It has been fifty years or more since Sea Otters have been reported at this point in th Aleutians. Despite the fact that we were searching the sky for geese we saw three more otters, all female and each carrying a pup. Later, on the beach, we saw Sea Otter droppings. Buldir is inhabited, in summer at least, by immense numbers of pelagic birds. In the avalanches, sites are offered for the birds that nest in burrows and here one sees a steady arrival and departure of puffins and auklets. One large avalanche on the north side of the Island is inhabited by a small colony of Least Auklets (25,000-30,000). In this vicinity, flocks of the diminutive Alcids were constantly in flight, wheeling like so many sandpipers. At East Cape a large, mixed colony of Black-legged Kittiwakes and murres (some of which at least, are Thick-billed Marres) occupies the nearly vertical cliff that rises from the water's edge to form the Cape. Glaucous-winged Gulls in large numbers nest over the whole of the Island, from the beaches to the summit, superimposed over all the nesting areas. There are evidently vast numbers of The Wildfowl Trust 82

nesting petrels which we did not see, but heard at night when the incessant calling of diurnal birds subsided. We saw one pair of Bald Eagles, apparently nesting, several pairs of Peale's Falcons, and 40-50 Parasitic Jaegers. There were also " dicky " birds present in large numbers, notably the Aleutian race of the Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, the Giant Song Sparrow, the Lapland Longspur, and the beach-dwelling Winter Wren. This does not pretend to be a complete list of the birds of Buldir. It is rather an attempt to convey the impression of land, sea, and sky alive with birds in all of their activities. Such a concentration of birds produces an immense volume of sound. Add to this the grunting and roaring of about 10,000 Steller's Sea Lions Eumetopias jubata and one has the bedlam of Buldir. It was amid these prospects that we set out around the Island on a search for Aleutian Canada Geese. The first four appeared almost at once and when the circuit was completed 56 had been counted. They flew from the compara tively level ground that surmounts the cliffs, or from the face of cliffs where the slope is suitable for vegetative cover to survive. They seemed curious about the sound of the engine, for they tended to fly near the boat, though high. Many of these geese, launching as they did from heights above 1,000 feet, flew ^»t elevations I had seen Canada Geese use only when in migration. One flock, at what must have been about 2,200 feet elevation, flew over the summit of the Island. We noted the locations of the geese and on the following morning set out afoot for the nearest of these. Difficulty was encountered in travelling because of the rank vegetative growth. There were two reasons: (1) the necessity of physically opposing the vegetation, which was waist high in some areas; and (2) such a dense ground cover concealed the presence of holes. While crossing the interior portion of the island no geese were observed although we saw a moulting Mallard drake. Pintail drake, and two Common Teal drakes on a small pothole. As we approached the rim of the cliff, however, four geese rose at close range from the heavy vegetation. We were virtually upon these birds before they flew, and the cheeping of goslings became evident around us at once. Seven goslings (just tiny chicks at that time) were caught and released after making sure of their identity. In this vicinity we saw fourteen flying geese where six had been seen from the dory the day before. Not all of these geese showed the conspicuous ring at the base of the stocking. ^ As far as we are aware, there are only two small ponds or potholes on Buldir, both somewhat removed from the areas in which geese were observed. That the geese have been able to adapt to this habitat is probably due in large measure to the polar maritime climate, characterized by high humidity, fog, rain, and small diurnal and annual range in temperature. At Adak. according to figures provided by the U.S. Navy Weather Service, the average temperature from 1943 through 1961 was 43.9°, 48.3°, and 51.20F. for June, July, and August, respectively. The extreme minima were 36.0°, 39.3°, 41.5°, and the extreme maxima 56.2°, 62.8°, 64.9°. The soil on Buldir is quite friable and in the area where the geese were present we observed no standing water even in small depressions. Atmospheric conditions were dry, by Aleutian standards, at the time of our visit to the goose area. This is to say that the sky was partly clear, the overcast had lifted well above the Island's summit, and no precipitation occurred for several hours. The Aleutian climate is not 83 Buldir Island properly described as one of heavy precipitation; rather, one in which precipitation on a small to moderate scale occurs a large percentage of the time. For example, the U.S. Navy Weather Service at Adak recorded precipita tion on 78 days in June, July, and August, 1962. The amounts ranged from a trace on 27 days to a maximum of 0.78 inches on 9th August, for a total of 10.40 inches. In sum, this climate promotes a vegetation that is very succulent, and in walking through it where we found goslings on Buldir Island our clothes became wet from water produced on the plants by guttation. We did not find geese in the valley near Northwest Point, nor did Murie (1959); we found them only near the summit of the sea cliff. Neither did we observe geese flying from or alighting in the Island's interior, though they did fly over it. This suggests that the goose habitat is peripheral, but as we have not yet examined a large part of the Island's interior this will require verification. Murie (1959) reviewed reports of Northern Fur Seals Callorhinus ursinus on Buldir and concluded that they had once been there. We did not observe them, but the beaches were so littered with marine mammals, mostly Steller's Sea Lions and a few Harbor Seals Phoca vitulina, that determining the staUr of the Fur Seal on Buldir will require a special effort. Not only the beaches Buldir but those of the adjacent islets and the rocks will require methodical examination. Both Coats (1951) and Murie (1959) refer to Steller's Sea Lion rookeries on the offshore islets of Northwest Point. We found them not only on all the offshore islets but on all the beaches of Buldir as well. They were so prevalent on the landing beach that we were obliged to haul the dory high above the idl beach lest she be wrecked by their activities. A large bull that had selected for his resting area the strip of beach across which we were hauling the dory, was so intent on returning that we felt it prudent to keep a loaded rifle within reach. All of which indicates a major change in the Sea Lion population on Buldir. No evidence of terrestrial mammals was found. Coats (1951, p. 2) states " It (Buldir) appears never to have been inhabited by Aleuts ". Murie (1959) presents evidence to the contrary, and we observed the bones and shells of an old village site, bared by the sea near the northwest end of the bight where landings are made. This is in the mouth of the single valley on the Island, and the alluvium of the valley-floor had covered the site. Most kitchen middens in the Aleutians are revealed by the luxurious vegetative *m cover that flourishes in the enriched soil of the site, but in this case alluvium had covered the organic mass and filled the holes left by decayed dwellings. Mindful of the decisive influence of the sea upon our departure from Buldir, we did not tarry. The desired information had been secured and for the moment it was enough. When on the third day the Winona hove in view we launched the dory in light surf and re-embarked. References BANCROFT. H. H. 1886. History of Alaska, 1730-1885. San Francisco. BERNS, V. D. 1962. Notes of Blue Foxes on Rat Island. Unpublished Progress Report of Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. CLARK, A. H. 1910. The birds collected and observed during the cruise of the United States Fisheries Steamer ALBATROSS in the North Pacific Ocean, and in the Bering, Okhotsk, Japan, and Eastern Seas from April to December, 1906. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 38 : 25-74. The Wildfowl Trust 84

COATS, R. R. 1951. Geology of Buldir Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska Mineral Resources of Alaska. Geological Survey Bulletin 989-A. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington. DELACOUR, J. 1954. The Waterfowl of the World. Vol. 1. Country Life, London. KENYON, K. W. 1961. Birds of Amchitka Island, Alaska. Auk 78 : 305-26. KROG, J. 1953. Notes on the birds of Amchitka Island, Alaska. Condor 55 : 299-304. MURIE, O. J. 1959. Fauna of the Aleutian Islands and Alaska Peninsula. North American Fauna, number 61. USDI, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington. NELSON, E. W. 1883. Birds of Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean. In: Cruise of the Revenue Steamer CORWIN in Alaska and the N.W. Arctic Ocean in 1881. U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, Washington. TURNER, L. M. 1886. Contributions to the Natural History of Alaska. Arctic series of Pub. in connection with the Signal Service, U.S. Army No. 3, Washington. anmmtaimmm FISH AM mux in saw

BIRDS OF THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE NATIONAL WILDLIFE RiFU6E J

The Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1913 and administered by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, U, S, Fish and Wildlife Service in the Department of the Interior, includes all of the Aleutian Islands except Umnak, Unalaska, Akun, Akutan, and Tigalda, Amak Island, Caton Island, and the Sanak Reefs, slightly to the east of Unimak Island, are also part of the refuge. It is one of the most extensive areas in the National Wildlife Refuge System, comprising 2,720,235 acres and stretching westward from the tip of the Alaska Peninsula for 1,100 miles to include Attu Island. Headquarters are maintained at Cold Bay on the Izembek National Wildlife Range,

Commonly kno^m as "The Chain," the Aleutian Islands are the emergent peaks of the Aleutian Ridge, a submarine mountain range. The Aleutian cli mate is maritime, and while all the factors are not fully understood, its low summer temperatures are believed to be the main reason for the lack of trees. Principal plants of the tundra-like ground cover are grasses, sedges, lichens, dwarf willows, and members of the heather family.

The Aleut and pre-Aleut populations, the earliest to inhabit the area, appear to have numbered about 15,000 at the time the Russians occupied the Islands, Since the great decline of that population there have never been more than a few, widely-scattered people resident in "The Chain," Sea otter hunting, cod fishing, and, finally, fox farming, have been the chief econ omic pursuits; and, except for decimation of the sea otter populations by hunting and the bird populations by introducing foxes, the wildlife has been largely undisturbed. Certain islands now have military installations, and extensive alteration of \d.ldlife habitat has occurred on them.

In a refuge of such extent, physically linking the Asiatic and North American Continents, bird life varies considerably from one end to the other. In the Aleutians, the willow ptarmigan is found only on Unimak Island, at the eastern end of "The Chain," In the western Aleutians, wintering swans pre viously assumed to be whistling swans are now known to be Asiatic whooper swans, In the eastern Aleutians, the black brant is an abundant migrant both spring and fall and winters in parts of the refuge, whereas a thousand miles to the westward, but still within the refuge, it is a rare bird.

The yellow-billed loon has been recorded, from Little Kiska, only on the basis of bones recovered from an Aleut kitchen midden. It can be expected to appear in the Aleutians but is easily confused with the common loon, which is numerous. The short-tailed albatross, once abundant in the Aleutians, may still occur but, as a species, is almost extinct. It apparently approached land closely in numbers, for its remains (principally the upper mandible and long wing bones) are common in kitchen middens. Happily, however, the in finitely graceful black-footed and Laysan albatrosses can still be found off shore in all seasons, soaring on motionless wings. The slender-billed and sooty shearwaters that nest in the Antipodes migrate to the Itorth Pacific at the approach of Antarctic winter and are very numerous on the refuge in the Aleutian summer. Also once abundant, the Aleutian Canada goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia) is now dangerously near extinction as a result of fox introductions. Today an observer can count on finding this goose only on Buldir, where foxes have never been introduced.

The teal most often seen in the Aleutians is a subspecies of the com mon teal of Europe. It is found on the refuge throughout the year. The Icing eider, winging south from its Arctic nesting grounds after winter is well advanced, appears in numbers as far west as Atka Pass. The black oystercatcher, common west to Kiska, does not appear at Buldir nor in the Near Islands. Though successful in crossing 60-mile wide Amchitka Pass, it appar ently does not make the two GO-mile passages to Buldir and the Near Islands. In late July and August, probably throughout "The Chain," hundreds of dainty phalaropes appear offshore feeding in the upwellings produced by tidal cur rents. These have been assumed to be northern phalaropes, but at the time of preparation of this list it is believed they are predominantly red phalaropes in non-breeding plumage. The diminutive winter wren apparently inhabited all the rocky beaches of the Aleutians at one time and literally filled the land scape with its rollicking call. It still occurs on certain islands, but on those where the Norway rat has established itself (mostly through introduction in World War II) the wen has nearly or entirely disappeared.

As these examples illustrate, the present population of birds in the Aleutians has a varied historical and geographical background. The migra tions, too, coming as they do from all around the compass, dre distinctly varied. An observer, equipped with only an undifferentiated list of the known species in the refuge, would have difficulty knowing just what birds to expect. The list has therefore been broken into three parts. The first is a list of what might be called the "regular" birds of the refuge, which can predictably be expected in some part of the refuge even though some are rare. The second consists of Asiatic birds that .seem to be accidentally car ried off their normal migration route by strong westerly winds that develop at the time the birds are ready to migrate. A third, short list comprises birds whose occurrence is considered hypothetical, and is offered to stimu late investigation.

The list contains 140 species that have definitely been recorded on the refuge. This list, using species names, is in accordance with the Fifth (1957) A,0,U. Check-list. Those marked with an * are known to breed on the refuge. Abundance symbols are grouped in four seasonal columns and present the seasonal status of each species in the refuge insofar as possible, considering that many species vary in abundance and seasonally, or both, in various islands of the refuge. These are defined as follows:

Status Abundance

Column 1 - S April - May a - abundant 2 - S June - August c - common 3 - F September - November u - uncommon 4 - W - December - March o - occasional r - rare S S F W S S F W

^Common Loon c c c c Osprey r Arctic Loon r *Gyrfalcon o 0 o 0 *Red-throated Loon c c c c ^Peregrine Falcon c c c c Red-necked Grebe r r u u Pigeon Hawk r r Horned Grebe o o *Willow Ptarmigan c c c c Western Grebe r *Rock Ptarmigan c c c c Short-tailed Albatross uncertain Sandhill Crane r r Black-footed Albatross c c c c *Black Oystercatcher c c c c Laysan Albatross c c c c *Semipalmated Plover 0 0 *Fulraar a a a a American Golden Plover o u Sooty Shearwater a a Ruddy Turnstone u u Slender-billed Shearwater a a Whimbrel r Scaled Petrel r r ^'Wandering Tattler u u Cook's Petrel r r Lesser Yellowlegs o 0 *Fork-tailed Petrel a a a a *Rock Sandpiper c c c c ^Leach's Petrel c c c c Pectoral Sandpiper r *Doiible-crested Cormorant 0 o o o Baird's Sandpiper o Pelagic Cormorant a a a a *Least Sandpiper r r r r ""^Red-faced Cormorant c c c c Dunlin r r Whooper Swan u Semipalmated Sandpiper r "Whistling Swan o o o o Western Sandpiper o o *Canada Goose, Aleutian r r Bar-tailed Godwit u Canada Goose, Cackling c Sanderling u u Canada Goose, Taverner's c Red Phalarope a Black Brant a a u '^Northern Phalarope c c c Emperor Goose r r a a Poraarine Jaeger 0 o White-fronted Goose r ^Parasitic Jaeger u u u u ^Mallard c c c c Long-tailed Jaeger r r *Gadwall o o o o Glaucous Gull r r r r ^Pintail u u u u ^Glaucous-winged Gull a a a a *Common Teal (Aleutian) a a a a Herring Gull r '^Green-winged Teal o 0 o o *Mew Gull r r r r Êuropean Widgeon r r Bonaparte's Gull o r Shoveler r r *Black-legged Kittiwake a a a a — *Greater Scaup u u u u Sabine's Gull u u u u Tufted Duck r r Ârctic Tern c c Common Goldeneye u 'Âleutian Tern r r r r Barrow's Goldeneye r *Common Murre a a a a Bufflehead u u *Thick-billed Murre a a a a Oldsquaw a a *Pigeon Guillemot c c c c ^Harlequin Duck a a a a *Marbled Murrelet o o 0 0 Steller's Eider c c ^Kittlitz's Murrelet u u u u *Common Eider c c c c Âncient Murrelet c c u u King Eider a a *Cassin's Auklet u u u u Spectacled Eider r *Parakeet Auklet u u u u White-winged Scoter c *Crested Auklet c c c c Surf Scoter r *Least Auklet a a a a *Common Scoter 0 0 o o ^Whiskered Auklet c c c c ^*Common Merganser o o o 0 ^Rhinoceros Auklet o 0 o o *Red-breasted Merganser u u u u *Horned Puffin a a u u *Rough-legged Hawk o o o o *Tufted Puffin a a u u -Bald Eagle c c c c *Snowy Owl u u u u Marsh Hawk r *Short-eared Owl c c c c

RL-148-R S S F W S S F M Belted Kingfisher r r r r 'fGray-crowned Rosy Finch a a a a *Bank Swallow u u ^Common Redpoll c c c c *Barn Swallow 0 o *Savannah Sparrow a a ^Common Raven c c c c Slate-colored Junco r *Dipper c c c c *Golden-crowned Sparrow c c *Winter Wren a a a a *Fox Sparrow a a *Hermit Thrush c c c c *Song Sparrow a a a a *Water Pipit c c c c *Lapland Longspur a a Northern Shrike r r r r *Snow Bunting a a a a *Yellow Warbler c c c c McKay's Bunting a *Wilson's Warbler u u

Asiatic birds occurring casually or accidentally on the Aleutian Islands Refuge

Falcated Teal Black-headed Gull White Wagtail Steller's Sea Eagle Oriental Cuckoo Yellow Wagtail Wood Sandpiper Eye-browed Thrush Gray Wagtail Black-tailed Godwit Arctic Warbler Brambling Slaty-backed Gull Siberian Rubythroat Rustic Bunting Gray-spotted Flycatcher

Species whose occurrence on the Aleutian Islands Refuge is not yet based on valid records:

American Widgeon Gray Sea Eagle Hoary Redpoll Goshawk Short-billed Dowitcher Oregon Junco Golden Eagle Red-legged Kittiwake Harris' Sparrow Rufous Hummingbird

NOTES

RL-148-R Issued: September 1955 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Revised: June 1963 U, S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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