Seabird Monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 1995

AMNWR96/02

Seabird monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 1995

Donald E. Dragoo and Susan Woodward

Key words: Aiktak Island, Alaska, Aleutian Islands, common murre, fork-tailed storm petrel, Fratercula ci"hata, glaucous-winged gull, Laros glaucescens, Leach's storm-petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa, Oceanodroma furcata, population trends, productivity, thick-billed murre, tufted puffin, Uria aalge, Uria Jomvia

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge 2355 Kachemak Bay Drive, Suite 101 Homer, AK 99603

April1996

Cite as: Dragoo, D. E., and S. Woodward. 1996. Seabird monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 1995. U. S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 96/02. Homer, Alas. 57 pp. AMNWR96/02

Seabird monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 1995

Donald E. Dragoo and Susan Woodward

Key words: Aiktak Island, Alaska, Aleutian Islands, common murre, fork-tailed storm petrel, Fratercula cirrhata, glaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescens, Leach's storm-petrel, Oceanodroma /eucorhoa, Oceanodroma jurcata, population trends, productivity, thick-billed murre, tufted puffin, Uria aalge, Uria Iomvia

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge 2355 Kachemak Bay Drive, Suite 101 Homer, AK 99603

April 1996

Cite as: Dragoo, D. E., and S. Woodward. 1996. Seabird monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 1995. U. S. Fish and Wildt. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 96/02. Homer, Alas. 57 pp. TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES ...... m

LIST OF FIGURES ...... IV

LIST OF APPENDICES ...... v

ABSTRACT ...... 1

INTRODUCTION AND STUDY AREA ...... 2

METHODS ...... 2 Burrow Occupancy/Density ...... 2 Data Collection ...... 2 Data Analysis ...... 2 Populations ...... 2 Data Collection ...... 2 Data Analysis ...... 2 Breeding Chronology ...... 3 Data Collection ...... 3 Data Analysis ...... 3 Reproductive Performance ...... 3 Data Collection ...... 3 Data Analysis ...... 3 Other Data ...... 3

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ...... 3 Storm-petrels ...... 3 Populations and Burrow Density ...... 3 Breeding Chronology and Reproductive Performance ...... 4 Glaucous-winged Gull ...... 5 Populations ...... 5 Breeding Chronology and Reproductive Performance ...... 5 Murres ...... 5 Populations ...... 5 Breeding Chronology and Reproductive Performance ...... 5 Tufted Puffin ...... 6 Populations and Burrow Occupancy Rates ...... 6 Breeding Chronology and Reproductive Performance ...... 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)

CONCLUSIONS ...... 7

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...... 7

LITERATURE CITED ...... 8

11 LIST OF TABLES

No. Title Page

1. Occupancy of known-status stonn-petrel burrows on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in various years ...... 10

2. Productivity of stonn-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995 ...... 10

3. Counts of glaucous-winged gulls at nesting subcolonies and clubs on Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995 ...... 11

4. Reproductive perfonnance of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995 ...... 12

5. Counts of murres on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995 ...... 13

6. Counts ofmurres during circumavigations of Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995 . . . . . 14

7. Murre counts at index plots on Aiktak Island, Alaska in various years ...... 15

8. Circumnavigation counts ofmurres at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in various years . . . . 15

9. Reproductive perfonnance of common murres on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995 ...... 16

10. Reproductive perfonnance of thick -billed murres on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995 ...... 17

11. Occupancy rates of tufted puffin burrows on a subsample of index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in various years ...... 18

12. Reproductive perfonnance of tufted puffins on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995 ...... 19

111 LIST OF FIGURES

No. Title Page

1. Location of Aiktak Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska ...... 20

2. Map of Aiktak Island, Alaska ...... 21

3. Locations of storm-petrel population/productivity plots, Aiktak Island, Alaska . . . 22

4. Burrow density of storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska ...... 23

5. Locations of glaucous-winged gull sub-colonies, clubs, productivity plots and observation points for population counts, Aiktak Island, Alaska ...... 24

6. Hatching dates for glaucous-winged gulls on productivity plots, Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995 ...... 25

7. Clutch sizes of glaucous-winged gulls on productivity plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995 ...... 26

8. Locations of murre population and productivity plots and observation point markers, Aiktak Island, Alaska ...... 27

9. Locations of shoreline segments surveyed during circumnavigations of Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995 ...... 28

10. Hatching dates for common murres at productivity plots on Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995 ...... 29

11. Hatching dates for thick-billed murres at productivity plots on Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995 ...... 30

12. Reproductive performance of common and thick-billed murres, and tufted puffins on productivity plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995 ...... 31

13. Location of tufted puffin occupancy/density and productivity plots, Aiktak Island, Alaska ...... 32

14. Hatching dates for tufted puffins at productivity plots on Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995 ...... 33

JV LIST OF APPENDICES

No. Title Page

1. Storm~petrel egg measurements, Aik:tak Island, Alaska, 1995 ...... 34

2. Storm~petrel chick measurements at Aik:tak Island, Alaska, in 1995 ...... 37

3. Storm~petrel banding, Aik:tak Island, Alaska, 1995 ...... 40

4. Densities and numbers of storm-petrel burrows on index plots at Aik:tak Island, Alaska, in various years ...... 44

5. Productivity of Leach's and fork-tailed storm-petrels on monitoring plots at Aik:tak Island, Alaska, in 1995 ...... 45

6. Counts of birds and marine mammals during circumnavigation of Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1980, 1990, and 1995 ...... 46

7. Occupancy of tufted puffin burrows on index plots at Aik:tak Island, Alaska, tn vanous years ...... 4 7

8. Descriptions of storm-petrel plots at Aik:tak Island, Alaska, 1995 ...... 48

9. Descriptions of murre plots at Aik:tak Island, Alaska, 1995 ...... 50

10. Descriptions of tufted puffin plots on Aik:tak Island, Alaska, 1995 ...... 52

v ABSTRACT

We monitored the status of seabirds at Aiktak Island, eastern Aleutian Islands, Alaska, in 1995 as part of a refuge-wide ecological monitoring program designed to detect patterns in indicator species which reflect responses to fluctuations in the marine environment. It appears the marine food web for seabirds was adequate to support above average reproductive success in 1995 for both surface-feeders (e.g., storm-petrels and gulls) and divers (murres and puffins). This is particularly interesting, because surface feeders, but not divers, experienced reproductive failures at annual monitoring sites to the east (in the western Gulf of Alaska), west (in the central and western Aleutians), and north (in the Pribiloflslands) in 1995, indicating the relatively productive marine environment ofUnimak Pass adjacent to Aiktak Island provided a buffer against otherwise wide-spread unfavorable environmental conditions for concentrating prey near the ocean's surface. Aiktak Island seems to have been productive in at least the recent past, because we found evidence that populations of storm-petrels and puffins have increased over the past 5-6 years. Gull populations in 1995 were similar to estimates in 1980, the only year for which a prior estimate was available. Murre numbers on index plots have remained stable since 1992, but a decline seems to have occurred since 1980.

1 INTRODUCTION AND STUDY AREA

Aiktak Island (54 o 11' 10" N, 164 o 50' 00" W) is located in the eastern Aleutian Islands on the west side ofUnimak Pass, directly south ofUgamak Island (Fig. 1). Unimak Pass is the main shipping route between the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea. Aiktak Island is approximately 2 km by 1 km, with an area of 15 5 ha, a circumference of about 7. 3 km, and a maximum elevation of 170m (Fig. 2). The topography and habitats ofthe island have been described in previous reports (e.g., Nysewander et al. 1982, O'Daniel et al. 1990). The breeding bird community at Aiktak Island is one of the most diverse of any island in the eastern Aleutian Islands, and for that reason Aiktak Island has been designated as the annual monitoring site in the eastern Aleutian Island portion of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge seabird monitoring system. The colony includes large populations of storm-petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa, Oceanodromafurcata), common murres (Uria aalge) and tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata). Glaucous-winged gulls (Larus glaucescens) and thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) also are present on Aiktak Island (Nysewander et al. 1982).

METHODS We were on Aiktak Island from 8 June until1 September 1995. We camped at the northwest comer of the island (Fig. 2) and continued the Refuge seabird monitoring program which began in 1989 (Blomstrom and Nault 1989). We used the "Standard Operating Procedures" (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1995) to collect and analyze monitoring data except as noted below.

Burrow Occupancy/Density Data Collection. --Some burrows that were used to estimate storm-petrel burrow occupancy rates were not used to determine burrow density or reproductive success for these species. Burrows with. entrances larger than 14.5 em in diameter were considered tufted puffin burrows (Byrd et al. 1992).

Data Analysis.--We conducted multiple comparison Analysis of Variance procedures (Tukey HSD, P < 0.10) to test for differences between the density of storm-petrel burrows, as well as the occupancy rates of tufted puffin burrows, among years (data were arcsine-square root transformed).

Populations Data Collection.--We conducted three replicate counts of gulls on a series of nesting sub-colonies on Aiktak Island proper as well as on several offshore islets. We counted murres six times on 10 land-based index plots. We also counted these species during three circumnavigation counts of birds and marine mammals.

Data Analysis.--To calculate an estimate of total gulls on Aiktak Island, for comparison with values reported in Nysewander et al. (I 982), we used a combination of land- and boat based counts. For gull clubs and general shoreline areas we used the mean of three

2 circumnavigation counts because all ofthe birds on the clubs could be seen from the water. For nesting sub-colonies on Aiktak Island proper (sub-colonies A, B, C, D, 1), we used the mean of three land-based counts. For the offshore islets (sub-colonies E, F, G, H), we used combined land-based and circumnavigation counts (n = 3), assuming that half of the birds counted from land were not visible during boat-based counts.

Breeding Chronology Data Collection.--We noted the dates when eggs and/or chicks were first seen in nests or . burrows. We used the mid-point between consecutive visits to estimate the date that events occurred (e.g., hatching). In some instances we used the laying date to calculate an estimated hatch date, or vice versa.

Data Analysis.--We calculated the mean hatching dates for glaucous-winged gulls, common and thick-billed murres, and tufted puffins using individual nests as sample units.

Reproductive Performance Data Collection.--We visited plots several times throughout the breeding season and noted the contents of each monitored nest. Glaucous-winged gull nests that contained eggs were flagged during our early visits to the gull productivity plots, allowing us to identify the nests on later visits. Since glaucous-winged gull chicks frequently leave the nest soon after hatching, we used the presence of egg membranes in the nest to estimate how many of the eggs hatched. Storm-petrel and tufted puffin chicks that were still alive at our last check, regardless of age, were considered to have fledged.

Data Analysis.--We calculated the hatching success, fledging success and reproductive success of storm-petrels, common and thick-billed murres, and tufted puffins on plots at Aiktak Island in 1995. We also calculated the proportion of occupied fork-tailed storm-petrel burrows which fledged chicks. Fledging success and reproductive success of storm-petrels and puffins were based on the number of chicks that were still alive at our last visit, regardless of age. We calculated mean clutch size, nest success and hatching success for glaucous winged gulls on plots as well.

Other Data We measured the length and width (mm) of storm-petrel eggs that we found in burrows on our plots (Appendix 1), as well as the diagonal tarsus and mass of chicks (Appendix 2). We banded 72 adult Leach's and 22 adult fork-tailed storm-petrels in 1995 (Appendix 3). We took diagonal tarsus measurements and mass of the banded storm-petrels.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Storm-petrels Populations and Burrow Density.--A total of 158 burrows was monitored on 13 plots at Aiktak Island in 1995, ofwhich 65% were occupied. (Table 1, Fig. 3). Approximately 64%

3 of the occupied storm-petrel burrows on our plots contained Leach's storm-petrels and about 20% contained fork-tailed storm petrels in 1995 (Table 1). Leach's storm-petrels outnumbered fork-tailed storm-petrels in all years on plots at Aiktak Island. The density of storm-petrel burrows on five plots at Aiktak Island in 1995 was not significantly different (P > 0.10) from any other year in which they were monitored (Appendix 4). Burrow density has, however, increased in every year since 1989 (Fig. 4). This may be due to the fact that the introduced arctic fox died out sometime prior to 1980 (Nysewander et al. 1982), possibly making more habitat available to burrow-nesting species such as storm petrels and puffins.

Burrow occupancy rates of storm-petrels at Aikt~ Island varied among years, with 1995 being about average (Table 1). In 1995, the proportion of burrows occupied by storm-petrels at Aiktak Island was similar to those from Aiktak Island in 1981-1983 (Forsell1983) and at Emerald Island in the eastern Aleutian Islands (Nysewander et al. 1982). The occupancy rates of fork-tailed storm-petrels at Aiktak Island were similar to those for this species at the Barren Islands, Gulf of Alaska (Nishimoto 1990).

Breeding Chronology and Reproductive Performance.--The earliest storm-petrel eggs were laid prior to our initial visit to the plots on 11 June. Leach's storm-petrel chicks were first noted during our visit on 29 July. Fork-tailed storm petrel chicks were first seen during our visit on 24 July. Leach's storm-petrels laid 58 eggs on 12 plots at Aiktak Island in 1995 (Table 2, Appendix 5). The mean length of eggs (n = 43) was 32.2 mm (s = 1.0) and the mean width was 23.7 mm (s = 0.7) for eggs ofthis species on our plots in 1995 (Appendix 1), similar in size to those from Fish Island, Prince William Sound (Quinlan 1979). Fifty-one eggs (88%) hatched and 45 chicks (88%) fledged (still alive at our last check). Reproductive success of Leach's storm-petrels on our plots in 1995 was 0. 78 chicks fledged/egg laid (Table 2), higher than reported for this species in Prince William Sound, Alaska (Mickelson et al. 1977).

Fork-tailed storm-petrels laid 18 eggs on seven plots at Aiktak Island in 1995 (Table 2, Appendix 5). The mean length of eggs (n =15) was 35.0 mm (s = 1.9) and the mean width was 26.3 mm (s =1.4) for eggs ofthis species on our plots in 1995 (Appendix 1), similar in size to fork-tailed storm-petrel eggs at the Barren Islands, Gulf of Alaska (Boersma et al. 1980) and at Fish Island, Prince William Sound (Quinlan 1979). Eighteen eggs (100%) hatched and 16 chicks (89%) fledged (still alive at our last check). Reproductive success of fork-tailed storm-petrels on our plots in 1995 was 0.89 chicks fledged/egg laid (Table 2), which is higher than values reported from the Barren Islands, Gulf of Alaska (Boersma et al. 1980).

Our estimate of reproductive success of storm-petrels in 1995 must be considered a maximum because it is based on the number of chicks still alive at our last check. Some of these chicks may have died before fledging. We estimated that fork-tailed storm-petrels fledged 0.76 chicks/occupied burrow in 1995, which is higher than reported for this species in the Barren Islands, Alaska (Nishimoto 1990).

4 Glaucous-winged Gull Populations.--We counted an average of2333 glaucous-winged gulls on nesting sub colonies and clubs (roosting areas) at Aiktak Island in 1995 (Table 3, Fig. 5). We also counted an average of 1670 gulls (s = 169) during three circumnavigations of the island (Appendix 6). We estimated that a total of3219 glaucous-winged gulls was present at Aiktak Island in 1995, similar to the 2500 to 3000 gulls estimated in 1980 by Nysewander et al. (1982).

Breeding Chronology and Reproductive Performance.--Glaucous-winged gulls began laying their eggs prior to our first visit to the gull productivity plots on 2 July. The first eggs . hatched on our plots on 16 July (Fig. 6). Assuming an average incubation period of27 days (Verbeek 1993 ), we estimate the first eggs to have been laid on or about 19 June. The mean hatch date for glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island in 1995 was 23 July (s = 3. 9 days, Fig. 6).

Glaucous-winged gulls laid a total of 122 eggs in 58 nests on two plots at Aiktak Island in 1995 (Table 4, Fig. 5). The mean clutch size was 2.1 eggs/nest with eggs (s = 0. 7, Fig. 7), similar to those reported from some other Alaskan colonies (Vermeer et al. 1993 ), but smaller than at the Semidi Islands, Alaska (Hatch and Hatch 1990). Sixty-four percent ofthe eggs hatched and 74% of the nests contained at least one chick (Table 4). Hatching success of glaucous-winged gulls on plots at Aiktak Island in 1995 was within the range reported for this species elsewhere in Alaska (Hatch and Hatch 1990, Vermeer et al. 1993).

Murres Populations.--We counted an average of 1884 (s = 327) murres (species combined) during six replicate counts of population index plots at Aiktak Island in 1995 (Table 5, Fig. 8). We also counted an average of 4989 (s =201) murres during three circumnavigations of Aiktak Island (Table 6, Fig. 9). The mean of our counts ofmurres on index plots in 1995 was similar to 1993 and 1994 but somewhat higher than counts from 1990 (Table 7). Counts of murres during circumnavigations varied greatly from year to year but clearly there were fewer murres from 1990-1995 than in 1980 and 1982 (Table 8).

Breeding Chronology and Reproductive Performance.--The first common murre egg was laid on our plots on 28 June 1995, and we saw the first chick on 30 July. The mean hatch date of common murres at Aiktak Island in 1995 was 8 August (s = 6.3 days, Fig. 10). The first thick-billed murre egg was laid on our plots on 5 July 1995, and we saw the first chick on 2 August. The mean hatch date of thick-billed murres at Aiktak Island in 1995 also was 8 August (s = 5.3 days, Fig. 11). Mean hatch dates for both common and thick-billed murres at Aiktak Island in 1995 were similar to dates reported for these species at St. George Island, Alaska in 1995 (Dragoo and Dragoo 1996). The mean hatch date for common murres at Aiktak Island was similar to the mean for this species at the Barren Islands, Alaska (A. Kettle, unpubl. data), whereas the thick-billed murre mean hatch date was later than that from Buldir

5 Island, western Aleutian Islands in 1995 (J. Williams, Alaska Maritime NWR, Adak, Alas.,· pers. comm.).

Common murres laid a total of94 eggs on five plots at Aiktak Island in 1995 (Table 9, Fig. 8). Eighty-five chicks hatched (90%), of which 78 fledged (92%). Thick-billed murres laid a total of 57 eggs on four plots at Aiktak Island in 1995 (Table I 0, Fig. 8). Forty-four chicks hatched (77%), ofwhich 38 fledged (86%). Most of the mortality in both species was accounted for by egg loss (Fig. 12). Reproductive success of common murres on our plots in 1995 was 0.83 chicks fledged/ site where an egg was laid (Table 9). Reproductive success of thick-billed murres on our plots in 1995 was 0.67 chicks fledged/ site where. an egg was laid (Table 10). Both egg loss and chick loss were lower in common murres than in thick-billed murres at Aiktak Island in 1995 (Fig. 12). Reproductive success was, consequently, higher for common than thick-billed murres in 1995, and both were somewhat higher than the average previously reported from other colonies in Alaska (Byrd et al. 1993). Our 1995 estimates of reproductive success for both species of murres at Aiktak Island were higher than at St. George Island, Alaska ( Dragoo and Dragoo 1996). Common murres produced more chicks at Aiktak Island in 1995 than they do typically at the Barren Islands in the Gulf of Alaska (A. Kettle, unpubl. data, Roseneau et al. in prep.). Thick-billed murres, however, produced fewer fledged chicks per egg at Aiktak Island in 1995 than at Buldir Island, western Aleutian Islands (J. Williams, Alaska Maritime NWR, Adak, Alas., pers. comm.).

Tufted Puffin Populations.and Burrow Occupancy Rates.--We counted ·1045 tufted puffin burrows on the six plots that have been surveyed since 1989 (Table 11). The 1990 count of tufted puffin burrows at Aiktak Island is probably deceptively high because there was some confusion about the criteria for identifying a puffin burrow (e.g.,> 14.5 em in diameter) which resulted in an erroneously high count. Otherwise, it appears the number of burrows has increased gradually since 1989 (Table 11 ), possibly because foxes no longer occur on the island (Nysewander et al. 1982).

Occupancy rates of tufted puffin burrows on the 10 plots we monitored in 1995 ranged from 80% to 100%, and averaged 90% (Appendix 7, Fig. 13). The mean occupancy rate of tufted puffin burrows on the six plots that were monitored in various years (1989, 1990 and 1993- 1995, Table 11) was significantly higher in 1995 than in 1989 (P = 0.011). There was no difference between the 1995 mean occupancy rate and those from any other year (P > 0.1 0).

The occupancy rates of tufted puffins on plots at Aiktak Island were typically higher than those reported from other Aleutian Island (Byrd et al. 1992), or Gulf of Alaska colonies (A. Kettle, unpubl. data, Nishimoto 1989). Tufted puffin occupancy rates also were higher at Aiktak Island in 1995 than in 1981-1983, especially 1982 and 1983 (Forsell1983). The lower proportion of occupied burrows in 1982 and 1983 may have been due, in part, to the fact that the data were collected three weeks later in the breeding season in those two years than in

6 1981. Eggs and chicks may have been lost by the time ofthese later checks (Forselll983}, and the burrows might have been abandoned.

Breeding Chronology and Reproductive Performance.--The first chicks hatched on our plots on 21 July (Fig. 14). Assuming an average incubation period of 41 days (Ehrlich et al. 1988}, we estimate the first eggs to have been laid on or about 10 June. The mean hatch date for tufted puffins at Aiktak Island in 1995 was 25 July (s = 3.0 days). Tufted puffins laid a total of36 eggs, for which the fate was known, on three plots at Aiktak Island in 1995 (Table 12, Fig. 13). Twenty-six chicks (72%) hatched, of which 20 (77%) fledged (still alive at last check). Most of the mortality was accounted for by egg loss (Fig. 12). Reproductive success of tufted puffins on our plots in 1995 was 0.56 chicks fledged/ burrow where an egg was laid (Table 12).

Our estimate of reproductive success oftufted puffins in 1995 must be considered a maximum because it is based on the number of chicks still alive at our last check. Some of these chicks may have died before fledging. The 1995 estimate of reproductive success for tufted puffins on plots at Aiktak Island was within the range reported for this species at other Alaskan colonies (Byrd et al. 1992, Byrd et al. 1993, Moe and Day 1979).

CONCLUSIONS

Prey availability must have been good for both surface feeders and diving seabirds at Aiktak Island in 1995, because reproductive success was relatively high for all indicator species~ storm-petrels, gulls, murres, and puffins.

It appears that storm-petrel populations have increased at Aiktak Island since 1990, gull numbers were similar between 1990 and 1995, and tufted puffins may have increased since 1990. Moreover, murre numbers have remained relatively similar on a series of index plots since 1993, but it appears there was a decline in the 1980s. It is difficult to estimate the magnitude of the decline because the count conducted in 1980 was made during the pre-laying period when attendance at colonies is highly variable, and single counts can result in much higher or much lower totals than the average number present during the incubation and early chick-rearing period. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that the difference could be explained solely by this variation. Interestingly, there were few murres on cliffs in 1989, the year of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. It is unknown whether murres from Aiktak Island were affected by the oil or whether there were other environmental fluctuations that disrupted prey availability near breeding colonies. Tufted puffin burrow occupancy rate was also lower in 1989 than in subsequent years.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

April Nielson and Marc Romano (NBS, Anchorage) helped gather data throughout the field season. Their assistance is much appreciated. Lisa Meehan helped summarize data and

7 produced the maps used in this report. Thanks to John Piatt and Marc Romano (NBS, Anchorage) for providing us with data from past years at Aiktak Island. We are especially grateful to the crew ofMIV Tiglax for their help and support during the field season. We would also like to thank the staff of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, at both Adak and Homer, for their assistance and support. Vernon Byrd reviewed drafts of this report. Cover art is by George West.

LITERATURE CITED

Blomstrom, D., and A. Nault. 1989. Seabird monitoring at Aiktak Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska in 1989. U. S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., Adak, Alas. 9 pp.

Boersma, P. D., N. T. Wheelwright, M. K. Nerini, and E. S. Wheelwright. 1980. The breeding biology of the fork-tailed storm-petrel (Oceanodromajurcata). Auk 97: 268- 282.

Byrd, G. V., J. C. Williams, and R. Walder, 1992. Status and biology of the tufted puffin in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska after a ban on salmon driftnets. U. S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., Adak, Alas. 107 pp.

_ __;,E. C. Murphy, G. W. Kaiser, A. Y. Kondratyev, andY. V. Shibaev. 1993. Status and ecology of offshore fish-feeding alcids (murres and puffins) in the North Pacific. Pages 176-186 in Vermeer, K., K. T. Briggs, K. H. Morgan, and D. Siegel-Causey (eds.). The status, ecology and conservation of marine birds of the North Pacific. Can. Wildl. Serv., Spec. Publ., Ottawa.

Dragoo, D. E., and B. K. Dragoo. 1996. Results of productivity monitoring of kittiwakes and murres at St. George Island, Alaska in 1995. U. S. Fish and Wildt Serv. Rep., AMNWR 96/01. Homer, Alas. 71 pp.

Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The birder's handbook. Simon and Schuster, New Yark. 785 pp.

Forsell, D. J. 1983. Progress report on field studies in the Aleutian Islands, Semidi Islands, and Bering Sea, 1983. U. S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., Anchorage, Alas. 7 pp.

Hatch, S. A., and M.A. Hatch. 1990. Components of breeding productivity in a marine bird community: key factors and concordance. Can. J. Zoo I. 68: 1680-1690.

Mickelson, P. G., W. A. Lenhausen, S. E. Quinlan, and J. M. Sherwood. 1977. Seabirds of the Wooded Islands, Alaska. Ann. Rep., Part VIII in J. C. Bartonek, C. J. Lensink, R. G. Gould, R. E. Gill, and G. A. Sanger (prins. invest.). Population dynamics and trophic

8 relationships of marine birds in the Gulf of Alaska and southern Bering Sea. NOAA OCSEAP, Boulder, Colo.

Moe, R. A., and R. H. Day. 1979. Populations and ecology of seabirds of the Koniuji group, Shumagin Islands, Alaska. Pages 395-491 in Principal investigator's reports, Envir. Assess. of the Alas. Cont. Shelf, Vol. 6. NOAA-BLM, Boulder, Colo.

Nishimoto, M. 1990. Assessment of injury to waterbirds from the Exxon Valdez oil spill: Effects of petroleum hydrocarbon on fork-tailed storm-petrel reproductive success. Unpubl. rep., U. S. Fish and Wildt. Serv., Homer, Alas. 17 pp.

Nysewander, D. R., D. J. Forsell, P. A. Baird, D. J. Shields, G. J. Weiler and J. H. Kogan. 1982. Marine bird and mammal surveys of the eastern Aleutian Islands, summers of 1980-81. U.S. Fish and Wildt. Serv. Rep., Anchorage, Alas. 134 pp.

ODaniel, D., H. Knechtel and J. Schneeweis. 1990. Seabird monitoring at Aiktak Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska in 1990. U.S. Fish and Wildt. Serv. Rep., Adak, Alaska, 18 pp.

Quinlan, S. E. 1979. Breeding biology of storm-petrels at Wooded Islands, Alaska. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Alas., Fairbanks, Alas. 206 pp.

Roseneau, D. G., A. B. Kettle, and G. V. Byrd. In prep. Common murre restoration monitoring in the Barren Islands, Alaska, 1994. Unpubl. final rep., Alaska Maritime NWR, Homer, Alas., for the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, Anchorage, Alas. (Restoration Proj. 94039).

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1995. Standard operating procedures for wildlife inventories on refuges in Alaska. Draft Unpubl. Rep. Anchorage, Alas.

Verbeek, N. A.M. 1993. Glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens). In Poole, A., and F. Gill, (eds.). The birds of North America, No. 59. The Academy ofNatural Sciences, Philadelphia~ the American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D. C.

Vermeer, K., D. B. Irons, E. Velarde, andY. Watanuki. 1993. Status, conservation, and management of nesting Larus gulls in the North Pacific. Pages 131-139 in Vermeer, K., K. T. Briggs, K. H. Morgan, and D. Siegel-Causey (eds.). The status, ecology and conservation of marine birds of the North Pacific. Can. Wildl. Serv., Spec. Publ., Ottawa.

9 Table 1. Occupancy of known-status storm-petrel burrows• on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in various years.

Species compositionb No. of Proportion Year burrows occupied L F u 1989 27 0.78 0.62 0.24 0.14

1990 41 0.85 0.51 0.34 0.14. 1993 77 0.40 --c 1.00 1994 154 0.38 1.00

1995 158 0.65 0.64 0.20 0.16

•only confirmed empty burrows (could reach to end of burrow} and occupied burrows (based on presence of egg, chick, adult, or membrane} are included. Troportion of occupied burrows occupied by Leach's (L}, Fork-tailed (F}, and (U} unidentified storm-petrels. cspecies composition not determined.

Table 2. Productivitx of storm-Eetrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995. Fork-tailed Leach's Unknown storm-petrels storm-petrel storm-petrels

Number of eggs laid (A) 18 58 11 Number of eggs hatched (B} 18 51 3

No. of chicks alive at last check• © 16 45 3

Hatch success (B/A} 1.00 0.88 0.27

Fledge successb (C/B} 0.89 0.88 1.00

Reproductive Success (CIA} 0.89 0.78 0.27

aLast check ranged from 7/29 to 8/27 and at these times, chick ages were highly variable. bAll chicks still alive at our last check were considered to have fledged.

10 Table 3. Counts of glaucous-winged gulls at nesting subcolonies and clubs on Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995. Replicate Statistics•

90% Location 1 2 3 x SD CB

Nesting subcoloniesb

A 16 18 20 18.0 2.0 3.4

B 166 296 308 256.7 78.7 132.8

c 1018 1012 1128 1052.7 65.3 110.1

D 50 50 50 50.0 0 0

E 174 244 232 216.7 37.4 63.1

F 62 52 54 56.0 5.3 8.9

G 6 4 6 5.3 1.2 1.9

H 64 74 70 69.7 5.1 8.7

I 20 22 20 20.7 1.2 1.9

Subtotal 1576 1772 1889 1745.7 158.2 266.6 Clubsc

J 80 106 277 154.3 107.0 180.4

K 266 284 268 272.7 9.9 16.6

L 72 78 93 81.0 10.8 18.2

M 49 90 100 79.7 27.0 45.6

Total 2043 2330 2627 2333.3 292.0 492.3 astatistical abbreviations: n = sample size, x = mean, SD = standard deviation, CB = confidence bounds. bSubcolony counts include all adult birds within the vicinity of the colony. cclub counts include a few nesting birds.

11 Table 4. Reproductive performance of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995.

Plots

Parameter A B Total Total nests• 36 22 58

Total eggs 79 43 122

Nests w/ ~ 1 chick 30 13 43 Mean clutch sizeb 2.19 1.95 2.1

Nesting successc 0.83 0.59 0.74

Hatching successd 0.71 0.51 0.64

% nests w/ 1 chick 25 27.27 25.86

% nests w/ 2 chicks 44.44 22.73 36.21

% nests w/ 3 chicks 0 13.89 12.07

•onty nests w/ ~ 1 egg were selected for monitoring. ~otal eggs/nests~ 1 egg. ~umber of nests w/ ~ 1 chick/number of nests w/ ~ 1 egg. dTotal chicks/total eggs.

12 Table 5. Counts of murres• on index plots at Aik:tak Island, Alaska, in 1995.

Replicateb Statisticsc

90% Plot 1 2 3 4 5 6 x SD CB

1 222 210 178 240 245 253 224.7 27.8 22.9

2 265 211 0 221 36 265 166.3 117.6 97

3 460 267 19 404 72 347 261.5 179.9 148.3

4 26 28 27 25 25 28 26.5 1.4 1.1 5 121 133 113 116 102 112 116.2 10.3 8.5

6A 348 300 240 275 290.8 168 53.4

6B 220 169 137 146 45.4 37.2 43.7

6C 69 36 28 65 49.5 20.5 24.1

7 97 110 89 72 76 82 87.7 14.2 11.7

8 216 199 219 189 190 220 205.5 14.5 12

9 505 505 482 513 444 393 473.7 46.8 38.6

10 338 297 304 306 342 342 321.5 21.3 17.5

Subtotald 2250 1960 1431 2086 1532 2042 1884 327 269.7

acommon and thick-billed murres combined. ~ates of counts: 13, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 28 July. cstatistical abbreviations: n = sample size, x = mean, SD = standard deviation, CB = confidence bounds. dPlots 6A, 6B, 6C omitted due to view sometimes being obstructed by fog.

13 Table 6. Counts ofmurres during circumavigations of Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995.

Replicate Statistics•

90% Segment 2 3 x SD CB

2 317 590 303 294.2 496.1

2 150(1305)b 219(225) 398 765.7 597.4 1007.2

3 0 0 0 0 0 0

4 0 0 0 0 0 0

5 0 0 0 0 0 0

6 0 0 0 0 0 0

7 225(35) 795(64) 640 586.3 303.1 511

8 93 242 325 220 117.6 198.2

9 189 417 380 328.7 122.4 206.3

10 251 5% 50(3) 300 274.8 463.3

11 66 0(18) 0 28 34.1 57.5

12 90 16 65 57 37.6 63.5

13 0 1(2) 4 2.3 2.1 3.5

14 0 9 3.3 4.9 8.3

15 671 325 467 487.7 173.9 293.2

16 200 95 183 159.3 56.4 95

17 119 48 80 82.3 35.6 59.9

18 395 377 350 374 22.6 38.2

19 65 135 140 113.3 41.9 70.7

20 41 105 155 100.3 57.1 96.3

21 240 170 275 228.3 53.5 90.1

22 60 230 260 183.3 107.9 181.8

23 87 135 109 110.3 24 40.5

24 15 10(5) 10 13.3 2.9 4.9

25 140 205 165 170 32.8 55.3

26 360 448 310 372.7 69.9 117.8

Total 4800 5200 4968 4989.3 200.9 338.6

"Dates of counts: 1=25 June, 2=16 July, 3= 5 August. bStatistical abbreviations: n sample size, x = mean, SD = standard deviation, CB = confidence bounds. 'Numbers in parentheses are birds on the water immediately adjacent to the cliff.

14 Table 7. Murre counts at index plots on Aiktak Island, Alaska in various years•.

Year Plot 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total

1990 154 243 5 56 90 304 77 929

1992 110 210 567 --b

1993 177 208 . 465 35 132 382 109 1508

1994 194 261 474 33 100 407 112 1581

1995c 237 183.3 272.5 26.5 115.8 458.8 85.0 1379 (18.8) (100.9) (145.0) (1.7) (12.9) (82.0) (17.2) (297.6)

•nata from: 1990, O'Daniel (unpubl. data); 1992-1994, J. Piatt et al. (unpubL data); 1995, this study. bOnly plots 1-3 were counted in 1992. ~eported as a mean (n=3) with standard deviation in parentheses, and is a subset of total plots surveyed.

Table 8. Circumnavigation counts of murres• at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in various years.

Year Date Total murresb 1980 25 June 12,975

1982 17 August z6000 1989 13 July 175c 1990 15 July 4146 1995 --d 4989 (200.9)

acommon and thick-billed murres combined. ~ata from: 1980 - Nysewander et al. 1982; 1982 - Forsell 1983; 1989 - Blomstrom and Nault 1989; 1990 - O'Daniel et al. 1990; 1995 - this report. cit was apparent from white wash that murres had been present but had at least temporarily abandoned the cliffs. 'Reported as a mean (n=3) with standard deviation in parentheses, taken on 25 June, 16 July and 5 August.

15 Table 9. Reproductive performance of common murres on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995.

Plots Statistics•

90% Parameter SA SA 88 lOA lOB Total n x SD CB

No. of sites w/ ~ 1 egg 14 9 27 27 17 94 (A)

No. of sites w/ ~ 1 13 9 25 23 15 85 chick (B)

No. of sites where 13 8 22 20 15 78 ...... ·o- chick fledged (C)b Hatching success 0.93 1.0 0.93 0.85 0.88 5 0.90 0.02 0.05 (B/A)

Fledging success (C/B) 1.0 0.89 0.88 0.87 1.0 5 0.92 0.03 0.06

Reproductive success 0.93 0.89 0.82 0.74 0.88 5 0.83 0.04 0.08 (C/A)

•statistical abbreviations: n = sample size, x = mean, SD = standard deviation, CB = confidence bound blncludes those chicks still on the cliffs at our last visit that were ~ 11 days old. Table 10. Reproductive performance ofthick-billed murres on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995.

Plots Statisticsa

90% Parameter 8A 8B lOA JOB Total n x SD CB No. of sites w/ 2: 1 egg 16 16 7 18 57 (A) No. of sites w/ 2: 1 12 14 6 12 44 chick (B) No. of sites where 8 13 5 12 38 chick fledged (C)b Hatching success 0.75 0.88 0.86 0.67 4 0.77 0.05 0.11 -....) (B/A) Fledging success (C/B) 0.67 0.93 0.83 1.0 4 0.86 0.08 0.17 Reproductive success 0.50 0.81 0.71 0.67 4 0.67 0.07 0.15 (CIA)

astatistical abbreviations: n =sample size, x =mean, SD =standard deviation, CB =confidence bound blncludes those chicks still on the cliffs at our last visit that were 2: 11 days old. Table 11. Occupancy rates of tufted puffin burrows• on a subsample of index plots (n = 6). at Aik:tak: Island, Alaska, in various yearsb.

Year No. ofburrowsc % occupiedd 1989 781 74(7.2)c 1990 1241f 86(9.6) 1993 929 91(4.8) 1994 958 82(5.7) 1995 1045 90(8.2)

•Burrows with entrances >14.5 em were considered tufted puffin burrows. 'Data from: 1989, Blomstrom and Nault (1989); 1990, O'Daniel et al. (1990); 1993-1994, J. Piatt et al. (unpubl. data); 1995, this study. cTotal number of burrows for the 6 plots counted in all years. dA burrow wa5 considered occupied if upon inspection with a flashlight any of the following were seen: eggs or eggshell fragments, guano, fresh digging, feathers, or fresh fish. ~umbers in parentheses are standard deviations. fThere may have been some confusion about the burrow entrance criteria resulting in including smaller burrows in this count.

18 Table 12. Reproductive perfonnance of tufted puffins on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995.

Plots Statisticsa

90% Parameter A B c Total n x SD CB Total known-fate eggs 15 9 12 36 Total chicks 9 8 9 26 Total fledged 6 6 8 20 ..... Hatching successb 0.6 0.89 0.75 3 0.72 0.08 0.17 \0 Fledging successc 0.67 0.75 0.89 3 0.77 0.07 0.14

Reproductive successd 0.4 0.67 0.67 3 0.56 0.1 0.21

a Statistical abbreviations: n = sample size, x = mean, SD = standard deviation, CB = confidence bounds. bProportion of known-fate eggs that hatched. cProportion of known-fate chicks that were alive at the last check on 31 August. All chicks were 31 to 41 days old. Some chicks that disappeared may have moved out of sight into newly extended burrows. No chicks were found dead. d Proportion of known-fate eggs that produced fledged chicks. Unimak I.

Unimak Pass

Ugamaki.~

q:taki.

~ Kaligagan I.

0 lOkm

Russia

Alaska

Bering Sea '•

(I 9~-, Aleutian Islands .... ,.., ~.. ~· c!J=. #

Figure 1. Location of Aiktak Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska.

20 "T1 ~· ("0 N E: I» 4-Sisters '0 0 0...., ?. l:";" -~ !e. I»- ::s p.. ~ I» Vl l:";" Jl3

\0 169m \0 A Arch VI N ......

Southeast Cape

N *-Camp . 0 O.Skm Harbor seal haul out Site . ' + _ {>- - Steller's sea lion haul out Site 0

Figure 3. Locations of storm-petrel population/productivity plots, Aik:tak Island, Alaska, 1995. Numbers in parentheses are embossed stake numbers, except for plots 12 and 13, where stakes are marked with crimps.

22 0.25-

0.2-

~ XX )1: ;t: ~ 0.15- X~~ Q) Q ~ 0 ~ 0.1- c:c

0.05-

1994 1995 Year

Figure 4. Burrow density of stonn petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

23 0

Figure 5. Locations of glaucous-winged gull sub-colonies (areas enclosed by dotted lines), clubs (shaded areas), productivity plots (A), and observation points (0) for population counts (clubs A, B, and sub colony A were censused from adjacent shoreline), Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995.

24 15 ~------. 35.90%

Mean Hatch Date 23 July95 n=39 SD=3.91

25.64% 10 23.08%

5 10.26%

5.13%

0 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 July August Date

Figure 6. Hatching dates for glaucous-winged gulls on productivity plots, Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995.

25 30 ~------~--~ 48.28%

Mean clutch size= 2.10 n= 58 25 SD = 0.72

20 Vl 31.03% Vl -s::~ c.,.. 0 '- 15 ~ .0 § z 10

1 2 3 Number of eggs per nest

Figure 7. Clutch sizes of glaucous-winged gulls on productivity plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995.

26 0

Figure 8. Locations of murre population and productivity plots and observation point markers, Aikiak Island, Alaska, 1995. Numbers in parentheses are stake numbers. Population and productivity plots are viewed from the same point, except plot 5. Plots 11, 12, and 13 are viewed from the water only.

27 0

Figure 9. Locations of shoreline segments surveyed during circumnavigations of Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995. Birds on the water were assigned to the closest shoreline segment.

28 40 r------,

Mean hatch date 8 August 1995 33.71% n-89 30 SD=6.25

3.37%

0 7/30 8/2 8/6 8/10 8/14 8/18 8/22 8/26 Date

Figure 10. Hatching dates for common rnurres at productivity plots on Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995.

29 25 46.81% Mean hatch date 20 8 August 95 n=47 en SD = 5.34 .....Q) ·-en 15 ~ 0 """Q) ..0 E 10 z= 5

2.13% l.l2% 0 8/2 8/6 8/10 8/14 8/18 8/22 8/26 Date

Figure 11. Hatching dates of thick-billed murres at productivity plots on Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995.

30 100

..... 60 c: Q) 0 "- Q) a.. 40

0 __.__ __ Common Murre Thick-billed Murre Tufted Puffin Species

• Reproductive Success ~Chick Loss 0 Egg Loss

Figure 12. Reproductive performance of common and thick-billed murres, and tufted puffins on productivity plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995

31 e ,.:,&. V"\ 0

Figure 13. Locations of tufted puffin occupancy/density and productivity plots, Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995. Numbers in parentheses are stake numbers.

32 8

31.82%

Mean Hatch Date 25 July 1995 6 n=22 SD= 3.01 c:ll 22.73% ~ 0 !::: ro::::3 (+..; 0 4 v"" ..0s z::::3 9.09% 2

0 07/21 07/23 07/24 07/26 07/28 07/31 Date

Figure 14. Hatching dates for tufted puffins at productivity plots on Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995.

33 A~~endix 1. Storm-Eetrel egg measurements, Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995. Date Species• Length (mm) Width (mm) Plot - Burrow 6/28 FTSP 35.0 25.7 8-8 6/28 FTSP 35.0 25.3 8-29 6/28 FTSP 33.0 26.2 8- 19 6/28 FTSP 33.4 25.2 8- 26B 6/28 FTSP 33.5 25.4 12-7 6/28 FTSP 35.3 26.5 12-4 6/28 FTSP 34.6 26.2 12-2 6/29 FTSP 37.2 27.2 16- 1 6/29 FTSP 40.8 30.7 17-9 7/2 FTSP 33.7 26.5 18- 10 7/4 FTSP 33.8 25.2 11 - 12 7/4 FTSP 35.1 25.7 11- 14

7/4 FTSP 35.2 26.3 1 I - 5 7/4 FTSP 34.3 26.3 11 -7 7/24 FTSP 34.9 25.8 14- 11 6/28 LHSP 32.9 24.8 8- 13 6/28 LHSP 31.7 23.5 8- 10 6/28 LHSP 31.6 23.5 8- 18 6/28 LHSP 30.1 23.0 8-6 6/28 LHSP 31.2 23.6 8-24 6/28 LHSP 30.7 23.8 8- 31 6/28 LHSP 32.0 23.4 8-21 6/28 LHSP 29.0 22.7 8- 16 6/28 LHSP 32.4 23.4 13-6 6/29 LHSP 33.8 24.4 14-2

34 Appendix 1. Continued

Date Species Length (mm) Width (mm) Plot - Burrow 6/29 LHSP 32.4 23.9 16-6 6/29 LHSP 32.4 23.9 16-4 6/29 LHSP 32.9 23.8 16-7 6/29 LHSP 31.4 24.1 17- 5 6/29 LHSP 32.8 23.3 17- 7 6/29 LHSP 32.1 24.2 17- 8 6/29 LHSP 31.9 23.3 17- I 6/29 LHSP 33.1 23.8 17-4 6/29 LHSP 33.0 23.9 17- 3 7/2 LHSP 31.9 23.4 18- 13 7/2 LHSP 31.1 23.8 18- 14 7/2 LHSP 32.3 23.4 18- 12 7/2 LHSP 32.4 23.4 18- 16 7/2 LHSP 34.3 24.6 18- 3 7/4 LHSP 31.8 23.8 11-9 7/4 LHSP 31.8 23.8 11 - 18 7/4 LHSP 33.5 23.6 11 - 17 7/4 LHSP 31.9 23.2 11-10 7/4 LHSP 33.4 22.1 11 - 3

7/4 LHSP 31.2 23.0 11 - I 7/4 LHSP 31.7 23.3 11 -20

7/4 LHSP 32.1 23.6 11 - 6 7/24 LHSP 31.7 23.8 14- 1 7/24 LHSP 32.9 24.7 17-6

35 Appendix 1. Continued. Date Species Length (mm) Width (mm) Plot - Burrow 7/29 LHSP 31.0 22.1 II - 4 7/30 LHSP 33.5 24.8 8-22 7/30 LHSP 33.0 24.4 IO- 9

7/30 LHSP 32.5 23.5 IO- 2 7/30 LHSP 32.7 24.2 12- 13 7/30 LHSP 32.8 24.3 12-6 8/I4 LHSP 33.4 25.3 I9- I5 8/I4 LHSP 31.7 23.0 I9- 4 8/14 LHSP 32.0 22.2 I9- 24 6/28 unk. 33.5 24.5 8-25 6/28 unk. 34.4 26.7 8-20

6/28 unk. 32.8 25.2 8-4 6/29 unk. 35.4 25.9 14-8

6/29 unk. 31.5 23.0 15 - I 6/29 unk. 31.6 20.3 15-6 7/2 unk. 32.4 23.6 18-4

7/4 unk. 34.4 24.8 1I - 13 7/24 unk. 34.0 25.1 14- 10 7/31 unk. 32.6 23.6 9- IO 8/27 unk. 31.6 23.6 20- 15 8/27 unk. 32.0 23.1 20- I4 8/27 unk. 31.4 24.4 20- 1 •LHSP = Leach's storm petrel, FTSP = fork-tailed storm petrel, unk. = species unknown.

36 Appendix 2. Storm-petrel chick measurements at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1995.

Date Speciesa Diagonal Tarsus (mm) Mass (g) Plot - Burrow 24 Jul FTSP 19.5 55 14-8 24 JuV22 Aug FTSP 17.0 (26.3)b 12.6 (88.5) 17-9 24 Jul FTSP 12.9 . 14 16-1 26 JuV25 Aug FTSP 19.1 (26.3) 51.0 (96.0) 18-5 26JuV25 Aug FTSP 12.4 (27.0) 18.5 (86.5) 18-10 29 JuV25 Aug FTSP 17.4 (28.5) 41.0 (92.5) ll-5 29 JuV25 Aug FTSP 11.6 (25.7) 12.5 (86.0) ll-8 29JuV25 Aug FTSP 12.1 (25.9) 12.5 (93.5) 11-14 30 JuV21 Aug FTSP 14.8 (30.6) 36.0 (95.5) 12-2 30 JuV21 Aug FTSP 13.2 (24.7) 19.0 (83.0) 12-4 30 JuV21 Aug FTSP 11.6 (22.4) 12.0 (73.0) 8-4 30 JuV21 Aug FTSP 12.7 (25.8) 19.5 (90.0) 8-8 30 JuV21 Aug FTSP 24.7 (25.9) >100 (108) 8-19 30 JuV21 Aug FTSP 20.4 (28.0) 56.5 (92.0) 8-25A 30 JuV25 Aug FTSP 16.5 (26.2) unk. (80.0) 8-29 30 Jul FTSP 15.3 unk. 10-16 31 JuV27 Aug FTSP 16.6 (26.9) 42.0 (98.0) 9-2 21 Aug FTSP 21.1 67 8-26B 27 Aug FTSP 26.3 92.5 14-11 27 Aug FTSP 28.1 97 20-2 26 JuV25 Aug LHSP 11.6 (23.5) 18.0 (73.0) 18-16 29 Jul LHSP 11.1 16.5 11-3 29 JuV25 Aug LHSP 13.1 (24.4) 23.0 (73.0) 11-6 29 JuV25 Aug LHSP 13.9 (24.3) 21.0 (82.5) 11-18 29 Jul LHSP 11.1 12 13-6 30 JuV21 Aug LHSP 11.4 (23.8) 13.0 (63.5) 12-12 30 JuV21 Aug LHSP 12.4 (24.0) 22.0 (71.0) 8-1 30 JuV21 Aug LHSP 10.1 (21.5) 7.0 (56.5) 8-10 30 Jul LHSP 9.4 6.0 8-13

37 AEEendix 2. Continued Date SJ2ecies Diagonal Tarsus {mm) Mass (g) Plot - Burrow 30 Jul/21 Aug LHSP 14.4 (23.3) 21.5 (60.0) 8-18B 30 Jul/21 Aug LHSP 10.5 (20.4) 7.0 (55.0) 8-21 30 Jul/21 Aug LHSP unk. (20.9) unk. (59.0) 8-17 30 Jul/21 Aug LHSP 12.4 (24.0) 19.5 (64.5) 8-26A 30 Jul/27 Aug LHSP unk. (25.3) unk (67.0) 10-7 14Aug LHSP 20 47.5 19-14 14 Aug/27 Aug LHSP 23.1 (24.6) 51.0 (80.5) 19-16 14 Aug LHSP 12.3 21.5 19-21 21 Aug LHSP 19.5 57.5 12-6 21 Aug LHSP 14.4 29 12-13 21 Aug LHSP 16.8 39.5 8-6 21 Aug LHSP 12.1 23.5 8-22 21 Aug LHSP 14.2 25 8-23 21 Aug LHSP 18.2 43.5 8-24 21 Aug LHSP 23.9 47.5 13-6 22Aug LHSP 13.5 27.5 17-1 22 Aug LHSP 21.5 55.5 17-2A 22 Aug LHSP 18 56 17-5 22Aug LHSP 22.3 49.5 17-7 22Aug LHSP 12.2 13 17-8 25 Aug LHSP 21.6 48 8-28 25 Aug LHSP 20 56.5 8-31 25 Aug LHSP 22 63 18-3 25 Aug LHSP 21.7 61 18-12 25 Aug LHSP 11.8 19 18-13 25 Aug LHSP 22.3 63.5 18-14 25 Aug LHSP 22.7 70.5 11-4 25 Aug LHSP 20.2 56 11-9

38 Appendix 2. Continued. Date Species Diagonal Tarsus (mm) Mass (g) Plot - Burrow 25 Aug LHSP 19.7 51.5 11-10 25 Aug LHSP 22.1 64 11-20 27 Aug LHSP 14.2 31.5 19-24 27 Aug LHSP 18.7 46.5 9-10 27 Aug LHSP 23.5 61 9-22B 27 Aug LHSP 22.5 66.5 10-2 27 Aug LHSP 17.4 35.5 10-9 27 Aug LHSP 24.3 84.5 10-17 27 Aug LHSP 23.7 68 14-2 27 Aug LHSP 24 77.5 20-4 27 Aug LHSP 22 58.5 20-10 27 Aug LHSP 24.8 74.5 20-12 27 Aug LHSP 23.7 66.5 20-13 27 Aug LHSP 18.2 41.5 20-16 1FTSP =fork-tailed storm petrel, LHSP =Leach's storm petrel. "Numbers in parentheses are measurements and mass taken on the second visit.

39 Appendix 3. Storm-petrel banding, Aiktak Island, Alaska. 1995 (all birds were AHY). Plot no. Burrow no. Band no. Diagonal Mass Date Species• 7901-00 tarsus (mm) (g) 13 unk. 6/11 F 401 27.00

12 unk. 6/11 F 402 26.8

12 7 6/11 F 403 27.1

8 26 6/11 F 404 26.3 9 unk. 6/11 L 405 '24.8

9 unk. 6/11 L 406 23.4

18 1 6/15 L 407 25.1

13 6 6/28 L 408 22.5 54.5

12 2 6/28 F 409 26.7 79

12 4 6/28 F 410 27.3 73

8 6 6/28 L 411 25.0 52

8 8 6/28 F 412 29.3 74

8 10 6/28 L 413 22.8 53

8 13 6/28 L 414 25.4 49.5

8 16 6/28 L 415 24.7 53

8 18 6/28 L 416 25.2 51

8 19 6/28 F 417 28.6 72

8 21 6/28 L 418 25.9 54 8 24 6/28 L 419 25.4 55 6/28 Band lost 420

8 29 6/28 F 421 28.4 74

8 31 6/28 L 422 24.4 48

16 4 6/29 L 423 25.2 57

16 1 6/29 F 424 27.2 66 16 6 6/29 L 425 24.5 55

40 AJ2JlX, 3, Continy~d. Plot no. Burrow no. Band no. Diagonal Mass Date Species 7901-00 tarsus (mm) (g) 16 7 6/29 L 426 24.9 57 14 2 6/29 L 427 24.7 54 17 1 6/29 L 428 23.3 57 17 3 6/29 L 429 25.8 48 17 4 6/29 L 430 24.3 60 17 5 6/29 L 431 24.8 55.5 17 7 6/29 L 432 24.8 51 17 8 6/29 L 433 24.4 43 17 9 6/29 F 434 27.0 76 18 3 7/2 L 435 22.8 55 18 9 7/2 L 436 24.2 57

18 10 7/2 F 437 29.1 74 18 12 7/2 L 438 24.3 56.5

18 13 7/2 L 439 23.5 50 18 14 7/2 L 440 25.0 58 18 16 7/2 L 441 24.1 51

11 1 7/4 L 442 25.0 56 11 3 7/4 L 443 24.9 50 11 6 7/4 L 444 24.2 52 11 5 7/4 F 445 28.5 74 11 7 7/4 F 446 28.1 73

11 9 7/4 L 447 24.6 53 11 10 7/4 L 448 24.6 50 11 12 7/4 F 449 28.6 79

41 Appx. 3. Continued. Plot no. Burrow no. Band no. Diagonal Mass Date Species 7901-00 tarsus (mm) (g)

11 14 7/4 F 450 27.1 69.5 11 17 7/4 L 451 24.8 48

11 18 7/4 L 452 24.3 60

11 20 7/4 L 453 24.8 48.5

14 1 7/24 F 454 27.0 65

14 2 7/24 L 455 23.8 45 14 1 7/24 L 456 25.1 54 15 1 7/24 L 457 24.4 50

15 6 7/24 L 458 22.9 50

17 1 7/24 L 459 23.4 43

17 4 7/24 L 460 24.8 56

17 5 7/24 L 461 23.9 43

17 '6 7/24 L 462 24.5 54

17 8 7/24 L 463 25.5 48 16 7 7/26 L 464 24.0 49

18 3 7/29 L 465 25.0 52.5

18 14 7/29 L 466 26.1 49 18 13 7/29 L 467 24.3 59 11 4 7/29 L 468 25.3 58.5 11 13 7/29 F 469 27.1 78

11 14 7/29 F 470 27.4 69 12 6 7/30 L 471 23.9 56

12 12 7/30 L 472 25.1 51.5

12 10 7/30 L 473 26.1 51.2

12 10 7/30 L 474 26.1 48

42 Appx. 3. Continued. Plot no. Burrow no. Band no. Diagonal Mass Date Species 7901-00 tarsus (mm) (g)

12 13 7/30 L 475 23.5 46 8 1 7/30 L 476 23.4 45 8 4 7/30 F 477 27.1 69 8 6 7/30 L 478 24.6 43 8 13 7/30 L 479 25.4 48.5 8 17 7/30 L 480 23.4 46

8 22 7/30 L 481 25.3 53.5 8 22a 7/30 L 482 25.1 54 8 26a 7/30 L 483 25.0 58

8 28 7/30 L 484 23.8 46 10 9 7/30 L 485 25.0

10 8 7/30 L 486 24.4 10 8 7/30 L 487 25.1 10 7 7/30 L 488 24.6

10 2 7/30 L 489 25.9 10 17new 7/30 L 490 25.3 8 16a 7/31 L 491 23.7 50.5 19 21 8/14 L 492 24.8 45.5 19 24 8/14 L 493 25.1 47

8 23b 8/21 F 494 25.4 70 8 23b 8/21 F 495 28.7 74 aL =Leach's storm-petrel, F = fork-tailed storm-petrel.

43 2 Appendix 4. Densities (number ofburrows/m ) and numbers of storm-petrel burrows on index plots at Aiktak: Island, Alaska, in various years•.

Number of burrows

Plot 1989b 1990 1993 1994 1995

8(100t 0.29(29)d 0.17(17) 0.33(33) 0.37(37) 0.35(35) 9(200) 0.02(3) 0.03(5) 0.12(24) 0.12(24) 0.12(24) 10(150) 0.08(12) 0.09(10) 0.09(14) 0.11(17) 0.13(19) 11(50) 0.10(5) 0.18(9) 0.36(18) 12(75) 0.09(7) 0.01(1) 0.17(13) 0.16(12) 13(50) 0.04(2) 0.10(5) 0.10(5) 0.08(4) 14(100) 0.07(7) 15(100) 0.08(8) 16(100) 0.06(6) 17(50) 0.20(10) 18(364) 0.03(12) 19(75) 0.29(22) 20(75) 0.20(15)

•nata from: 1989, Blomstrom and Nault (1989); 1990, O'Daniel et al. (1990); 1993- 1994, J. Piatt et al. (Unpubl. Data); 1995, this study . bin 1989 burrow entrances were counted. No effort was made to determine how many nest chambers were associated with these entrances. 2 'Numbers in parentheses in this column are the plot areas (m ). dValues in parentheses in all but the "Plot" column are the numbers of storm-petrel burrows in each plot and year.

44 Appendix 5. Productivity of Leach's and fork-tailed storm-petrels on monitoring plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995.

No. of No. of chicks No. of chicks alive known Species"composition No. of eggs< hatchedd at last check No. of status Dates of Plot burrows burrows• L F u L F u L F u L F u occupancy checks

8 35 32 15 6 3 IS 6 3 14 6 12 6 6/28, 7/30, 8/2 I

9 24 J3 2 2 2 0 2 0 6/28, 7/31, 8/27

10 19 13 4 2 4 2 4 2 4 2 6/28, 7/30,8/27

II 18 18 9 4 0 9 4 0 9 4 0 6 3 0 7/4,7129,8/25

12 12 12 3 3 0 3 3 0 3 2 0 3 2 0 6/28,7130,8/21

13 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6/28,7129,8/21

14 7 5 2 2 2 2 2 0 2 0 6/29,7124,8/27 ~ I.Jl 15 8 6 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6/29,7124,8127

16 6 6 3 0 3 0 0 3 0 3 0 0 6/29, 7/26,8/21

17 10 10 9 0 0 9 0 0 6" 0 0 6 0 0 6/29, 7124, 8/22

18 12 8 5 0 4 0 4 0 4 0 6/15,712,7/29

19 22 17 4 0 4 4 0 4 4 0 0 3 0 0 8/14, 8127

20 15 II 5 5 8/27

TOTALS 192 155 64 20 16 58 18 11 51 18 3 45 16 3

"Subset of all occupied burrows for which we were able to confirm the presence of an egg or chick. bL = Leach's storm-petrel, F Fork-tailed storm-petrel, U = unknown storm-petrel species. •calculated from eggs, fresh eggshell fragments, and chick presence. This is a minimum estimate, especially for plots that were not checked until late in the season. "'ncludes chicks inferred from fresh eggshell fragments/membranes. 'Observers known to have caused loss of2 eggs. Appendix 6. Counts of birds and marine mammals during circumnavigation of Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 1980, 1990, and 1995.

Date

Species 25 Jun so• 15 Jul 90b 25 Jun 95 16 Jul95 5 Aug 95 Glaucous-winged gull -c 1863 1598 1550 Murre speciesd 12,975 4146 4800 5200 4968 Pelagic cormorant (nests) 53 (18) 11 (4) 7 (4) "48 (10) 53 (18)' Double-crested cormorant 25 (5) 39 (11) 4 (0) 25 (3) 17 (7) Red-faced cormorant (nests) 1588 (794) 20 (7) 0 0 0 Cormorant species 0 0 2 4 9 Pigeon guillemot 68 31 39 35 42 Homed puffin 32 61 99 59 117 Black Oystercatcher 40 16 24 24 46 Whiskered auklet 0 2 0 Parakeet auklet 2 0 0 0 Harlequin duck 20 1 19 16 American green~winged teal 3 0 0 Bald eagle 4 1 12 8 Common raven 3 6 1 4 Harbor seal 53 47 19 28 Sea otter 1 0 0 Steller's sea lion 10 98 4 4

'Nysewander et al, 1982. bO'Daniel et al. 1990. ccircumnavigation counts not reported. ~ostly common murres, with approximately 16% thick-billed murres in 1980 and 1995 (no species compostion reported in 1990).

46 Appendix 7. Occupancy of tufted puffin• burrows on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in various yearsb.

Plot Total 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Year

1989 61(105)41 83(160) 76(150) 76(214) 74(93) 73(59) 73(132) 73.7(913) 1990 87(133) 69(175) 84(376) 94(313) 84(155) 96(89) 91(160) 86.4(1401) 1991 65(109) 70(142) 56(258) 49(250) 60.0(759) 1992 82(163) 91(218) 86.5(381) 1993 96(108) 88(190) 86(218) 96(234) 86(1 04) 93(75) 90.8(929) 1994 86(97) 81(190) 78(92) 86(340) 72(141) 86(98) 81.5(958) 1995 82(128) 80(164) 86(289) 97(269) 93(103) 100(92) 85(134) 86(22) 96(76) 93(43) 89.8(1320) ~ ---1 •Burrows with entrances> 14.5 em were considered tufted puffin burrows. bData from 1989, Blomstrom and Nault (1989)~ 1990, O'Daniel et at. (1990); 1991, Byrd et at. 1992~ 1992-1994,1. Piatt et at. (unpubl. data); 1995, this study. 'Numbers in parentheses are total numbers of known-status burrows on each plot. Appendix 8. Descriptions ofstonn-petrel plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995. See Figure 3 for mapped locations of plots. Stake numbers are embossed on caps of re-bars or near the top on the side of metal pipe stakes, or are crimps near top of aluminum pipes.

Stake No. Plot No. (stake type) Plot size- Location and Description type•

8 8(NW),7(NE), 5mx20m-R On steep slope on east side ofPetrel Valley stream. I (SE),3(SW) (metal pipe)

9 20(NW), 12(NE), 10mx20m-R South of Plot 12 upstream in Petrel Valley on east side of 15(SE),21 (SW) stream. (metal pipe)

10 18(NW),24(NE), lOrn x 15m- R South of Plot 10 upstream in Petrel Valley on east side of 23(SE), 1O(SW) stream. (metal pipe)

11 11 (NW),28(NE), 5mx lOm-R Incorrectly mapped in previous reports. On steep, 30(SE),26(SW) heavily-vegetated bank in bowl at the head of 4th stream (metal pipe) from the east end of the island. Most burrows are near the base of the bank.

12 4 crimps(NW), Smx lOm-R Abuts Plot 8 on the northwest. Stakes should be checked · 3 crimps(NE), again for replacement-need during next visit. I crimp(SE), 2 crimps(SW) (aluminum pipe)

13 8 crimps(NW), 5mx !Om-R Size of plot incorrectly stated as Sm x 15m in 7 crimps(NE), previous reports. Near mouth of Petrel Valley stream on 5 crimps(SE), west bank. 6 crimps(SW) (aluminum pipe)

14 80 5.6m- C Plot surrounds large yellow-lichen-covered boulder (re-bar w/cap) midway up SW slope. Burrows are <2.5m from the boulder. Several burrows extend beneath the rock. Bearing from TUPU plot 2 stake is 110°.

15 Plot discontinued 5.6m- C Plot overlaps tufted puffin density/occupancy plot 5. (stake removed) Discontinued plot because of too few burrows. Stake marking plot center was located 4m at a bearing of 282 o from puffin Plot 5 stake, so could be replaced if desired. Burrows are at the base of Elymus tussocks.

16 16 5.6m- C At mouth of very small drainage into Island Cove on the (re-bar w/cap) west side of the island. All burrows except one were found on the north stream bank, -I m above the stream bed, under overhanging tussocks.

48 Appendix 8. Continued.

Stake No. Plot No. (stake type) Plot size-type• Location and Description

17 17(NW),72(NE), 5mx 10m-R Plot is on the slope above and to the NE overlooking 73(SE),74(SW) Petrel Valley Beach. Like other plots in Petrel Valley, (re-bar w/cap) burrows are in a line below and parallel to the fall-line.

18 83(NW),84(NE), 14mx26m-R On north shore at mouth of3rd drainage west of the 18(SE),82(SW) island. Six burrows that were outside the plot boWldary (re-bar w/cap) were followed for reproductive success. Perhaps this plot should be enlarged to encompass all burrows in the area. Bearing 342" from stake no. 82 to peak "B" on Ugamak I., and 40" to peak "A". Also, from Puffin Plot 10 stake, bearing to stake #82 is 334".

19 19(NW),92(NE), 5mx25m-R Plot is located 50m SE of plot 10 (pole no. 23), and is on 93(SE),94(SW) the same side ofPetrel Valley stream. Burrows are in a (re-bar w/cap) row parallel to and just below the bank fall-line.

20 68(NW),62(NE), 5m X 15 • R Plot is between plots 10 & 17 on the opposite (west) 63(SE),64(SW) bank of Petrel Valley stream. Most burrows are just (re-bar w/cap) below the bank fall-line and I 0-15m from the stream.

aR =rectangular plot; C =circular plot with radius "X''.

49 Appendix 9. Descriptions of murre plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995. All observation point markers are rebar with number embossed metal caps. Poloroid and b/w photographs are archived at the Ala.Ska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Homer, Alaska. See Figure 8 for mapped locations of plots and observation points.

Plot No. Stake No. Location and Description

01 Yellowish lichen-encrusted offshore rock at west end of Aiktak Island, bearing Pop 270° from observation point stake. The original metal stake, with a single crimp at the top, is still at the site. There is potential for monitoring a productivity plot from Big West Island if had a small raft of "keowee" -type kayak, and fixed tow line connected to Big West and Little West islands to allow regular access at all tides.

2 23 Offshore rocky peninsula on Big West Island, due east of murre plot l. Only Pop common murres were seen here during circumnavigations. Most birds on the plot appeared to be non-breeders. Plot had Wlstable attendance patterns. There is potential for a productivity plot viewed from Big West Island if had a small raft of"keowee"-type kayak, and fixed tow line connected to Big West and Little West islands to allow regular access at all tides. Viewed from same observation point as Plot 2.

3 23 Plot is the extreme southwest cliff face on Aiktak Island. Approximately 20% Pop/Prod of birds were thick-billed murres. Four productivity plots were established in 1995, but plots had Wlstable attendance and monitoring was very difficult due to distance, fog and wind. Chicks were not seen Wltil mid-to-late August, and it is probable that only a handful, if any, survived to fledging age on this entire cliff. No cause of cliff-abandonment was determined.

4 04 Cave and adjacent cliff face at southeast tip of peninsula south of Petrel Valley Pop Beach. Cave is opposite the seastack, off the east tip of the peninsula. Very few birds here, most of which are in deep shadow in the cave. All but two birds seen during circumnavigation were common murres. 5 51 Triangular offshore rock at southeast tip of the island (referred to as "Sail Pop/prod Rock"). A single productivity plot was monitored in 1995. The observation point for productivity monitoring is 3.5 m S of the stake on the headland above Sail Rock. The observation point for population counts is approximately 2 m SE of the observation stake for murre plots 8 and 9 (#89). Be very careful of holes eroded through soil and vegetaion overhanging the cliff edge. Approximately 40% of the birds on Plot 5 in 1995 were thick-billed murres; however, they were too scattered across the cliff face for productivity monitoring.

6 06 Cliff face extending eastward from the peninsula with Plots 7 and 10 to just Pop west of the offshore rock with Plot 5. In 1995, we subdivided the cliff face into three sections (A, B, C). The area encompassed by sections A & B is equivalent to the 1990 Plot 6. Section B includes the low ledge referred to as "Gull Club C." There were approximately 54 murres visible on the seaward tip of this ledge in 1995. It is Wlclear if murres were COWlted here in 1990. This entire plot is very far away from the observation point, which is near the highest point on the island and was in the fog most of the season. UnfortWlately, there is no better vantage point.

50 Appendix 9. Continued. Plot No. Stake No. Location and Description

7 07 Entire face of west side of low peninsula west of murre Plot 6. The Pop/Prod observation point is downslope from tufted puffm Plot 9 at bearing 82 o. This plot has potential for productivity site. The vantage point for productivity monitoring should be downslope from stake 07 to get closer to the birds. Plot 07 stake is at bearing 2 94 o from Plot 8, 9 stake.

8 89 Top portion of cliff face at base of steep seaslope below, and slightly to the east Pop/Prod of tufted puffm Plot 9. Observation point for both population and productivity is from the western tip of the first headland upslope from tufted puffin Plot 7. This is a good plot for both population and productivity monitoring.

9 89 Cliff face adjacent to Plot 8, and extending west. Has several broad ledges Pop dominated by common murres. There is no vantage point close enough to allow for productivity monitoring. This plot was somewhat unstable in 1995, and appeared to have low productivity resulting primarily from eggs lost during cliff-wide flushes early in the egg stage. Causes of these flights were unknown, although 2 to 7 ravens "worked" these southeast cliffs throughout the season.

10 51 East face of peninsula with murre Plot 7. Population and productivity are both Pop/Prod done from the same point - 3.5 m west of stake on headland above SE cape. Stake 51 is at bearing 116 o from stake 07 (Plot7) and 87 o from stake 06 (Plot 6). Thick-billed and common murres are thouroughly mixed throughout this plot. Good for both population and productivity.

51 Appendix 10. Descriptions oftufted puffin density/occupancy plots on Aiktak Island, Alaska, 1995. See Figure 13 for mapped locations of plots. Stake numbers are embossed on caps of · rebars, or near the top on the side of metal pipe stakes.

Stake No. Plot No. (Stake Type) Plot size-type• Description

27 lOrn -c Gradual slope w/tall eymus on inland side of plot. Short (metal pipe) grass on high burrow-density seaward section.

2 lOm-e Elymus!Umbel over most of plot, with shorter grass on (metal pipe) high-density seaward section.

3 22 lOm-e Moderate slope with relatively short grass. Many (metal pipe) partially collapsed entrances.

4 2 lOm-e Moderate slope with tall Calamagrostis on inland low- (metal pipe) density section, shorter grass on high-density seaward section.

5 9 lOm-e Moderate slope with tall Elymus on inland low-density (metal pipe) section and short grass in dense tussocks in high-density seaward section.

6 16 lOm-e Stake number incorrectly reported as "5" in previous (metal pipe) reports. Gradual slope. Tall Elymus/Umbel over most of plot.

7 19(NW), 26{NE, 10m x 15m- R Moderate slope, most of plot is short grass on tussocks. 25(SE), 29(SW), Many partially and fully collapsed entrances. (metal pipe)

8 8 5.6m-c Flat Umbel area approximately 1Om from cliff edge. Plot (re-bar w/cap) stake is 130m, bearing 86 o from murre plot 1 stake.

9 2 5.6m-c Approximately 1/3 way downslope from murre plot 6 (re-bar w/cap) stake (#06). Primarily Umbel, but short grass on tussocks in highest density section.

10 11 5.6m- c Between first and second peninsula north of"SECape", (re-bar w/cap) approximately 15m inland from cliff edge. From murre plot 5 stake (#51), puffin # 11 stake is just visible beyond the crest of the first knoll downslope, bearing 25 o.