Picayune Strand Restoration Project Listed Species Monitoring
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Fish Prey of the Black Skimmer Rynchops Niger at Mar Chiquita, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
199 FISH PREY OF THE BLACK SKIMMER RYNCHOPS NIGER AT MAR CHIQUITA, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA ROCÍO MARIANO-JELICICH, MARCO FAVERO & MARÍA PATRICIA SILVA Laboratorio de Vertebrados, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3250 (B76002AYJ), Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina ([email protected]) Received 13 September 2002, accepted 20 February 2003 SUMMARY MARIANO-JELICICH, R., FAVERO, M. & SILVA, M.P. 2003. Fish prey of the Black Skimmer Rynchops niger at Mar Chiquita, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Marine Ornithology 31: 199-202. We studied the diet of the Black Skimmer Rynchops niger during the non-breeding season (austral summer-autumn 2000) by analyzing 1034 regurgitated pellets from Mar Chiquita, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Fish was the main prey, with five species identified: Odontesthes argentinensis, O. incisa, Anchoa marinii, Engraulis anchoita and Pomatomus saltatrix. O. incisa and O. argentinensis were present in all the sampled months, showing also larger values of occurrence, numerical abundance and importance by mass than other items. The average size of the fish was 73±17 mm in length and 2.2±1.7 g in mass. Significant differences were observed in the comparison of the occurrence, importance by number and by mass throughout the study period. The presence of fish in the diet of the Black Skimmer coincides with a study carried out on the North American subspecies. Our analysis of the diet suggests that skimmers use both estuarine and marine areas when foraging. Keywords: Black Skimmer, Rynchops niger,Argentina, South America, diet INTRODUCTION METHODS Black Skimmers Rynchops niger are known by the morphological Study area characteristics of the bill and their particular feeding technique, We studied the diet of Black Skimmers by analyzing 1034 skimming over the water surface to catch fish and other prey. -
Inventory of Terns, Laughing Gulls, and Black Skimmers Nesting in Massachusetts in 2010
INVENTORY OF TERNS, LAUGHING GULLS, AND BLACK SKIMMERS NESTING IN MASSACHUSETTS IN 2010 Juvenile Roseate Tern, Massachusetts. Prepared by: Carolyn S. Mostello Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program Rte. 135, Westborough, MA 01581 August 2011 Abstract Cooperators in Massachusetts surveyed more than 141 coastal sites in 2010 for the presence of breeding Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii), Common Terns (Sterna hirundo), Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea), Least Terns (Sternula antillarum), Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla), and Black Skimmers (Rhynchops niger). Eighty sites were occupied by nesting birds of one or more of these species. Roseate Terns increased 4.0% to 1,393 pairs. Common Terns and Least Terns were stable at 16,224 and 3,484 pairs, respectively. Laughing Gulls decreased 23.3% to 1,249 pairs. Five pairs of Black Skimmers nested during the peak of the season and three pairs nested late. Two-and-a-half pairs of Arctic Terns nested during the peak. Introduction Coastal waterbirds are a vulnerable group of species. Of Massachusetts’ four nesting tern species, the Common Tern, the Least Tern and the Arctic Tern are listed as “Special Concern” pursuant to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. The Roseate Tern is listed as “Endangered” pursuant to both the Massachusetts and U.S. Endangered Species Acts. Terns, Laughing Gulls, and Black Skimmers in Massachusetts are protected and monitored by an extensive network of cooperators throughout the state. These cooperators provide census data and other reproductive information to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MDFW). This allows wildlife managers to determine abundance and status of, and threats to, these species. -
Investigating Black Skimmer Chick Diets Using Citizen Science and Digital Photography
See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319647163 Investigating Black Skimmer Chick Diets Using Citizen Science and Digital Photography Article in Southeastern Naturalist · September 2017 DOI: 10.1656/058.016.0301 CITATIONS READS 0 4 2 authors, including: Elizabeth Forys Eckerd College 40 PUBLICATIONS 712 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE All content following this page was uploaded by Elizabeth Forys on 19 September 2017. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Investigating Black Skimmer Chick Diets Using Citizen Science and Digital Photography Author(s): Elizabeth A. Forys and Alissa R. Hevesh Source: Southeastern Naturalist, 16(3):317-325. Published By: Eagle Hill Institute https://doi.org/10.1656/058.016.0301 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1656/058.016.0301 BioOne (www.bioone.org) is a nonprofit, online aggregation of core research in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. BioOne provides a sustainable online platform for over 170 journals and books published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Web site, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/page/ terms_of_use. Usage of BioOne content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non-commercial use. Commercial inquiries or rights and permissions requests should be directed to the individual publisher as copyright holder. BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. -
Beach Nesting Bird Colonies
Natural Heritage Resources Factsheet Rare Beach Nesting Birds of Virginia Least Terns, Common Terns, Black Skimmers, Piping Plovers, and Wilson's Plovers nest on the sun- soaked, windswept, sandy beaches found along the coast of the Mid-Atlantic States. In Virginia, beach nesting birds are known from beaches on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the barrier islands on the ocean side of the Eastern Shore. Beach Habitat These birds nest on sandy beaches generally in the area between the high tide water line and the fore-dune. They also frequently nest on open sandy areas known as blowouts or over wash fans of the beach and dune zone. These areas support little if any vegetation. The flat stretches are sandy and often strewn with pebbles, pieces of shell, and driftwood. Areas closer to the fore-dune may have some tufts of beach grasses. Ecology of Beach-nesting Birds Least Terns, Common Terns, Black Skimmers, and occasionally Wilson's Plovers nest in colonies which may range in size from a few to several hundred pairs. A colony will sometimes consist of several different species of colonial shorebirds. For example, Black Skimmers often nest in colonies of terns, plovers and gulls. Piping Plovers are solitary nesters, but they may locate their nests near a colony of terns. Researchers believe birds form colonies for two major reasons. One is "safety in numbers," the added protection from predators. Another reason is younger birds living in colonies seem to learn better foraging skills from older, more experienced birds. The nesting period begins in late April and runs through late August. -
SHOREBIRDS (Charadriiformes*) CARE MANUAL *Does Not Include Alcidae
SHOREBIRDS (Charadriiformes*) CARE MANUAL *Does not include Alcidae CREATED BY AZA CHARADRIIFORMES TAXON ADVISORY GROUP IN ASSOCIATION WITH AZA ANIMAL WELFARE COMMITTEE Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) Care Manual Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) Care Manual Published by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in association with the AZA Animal Welfare Committee Formal Citation: AZA Charadriiformes Taxon Advisory Group. (2014). Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) Care Manual. Silver Spring, MD: Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Original Completion Date: October 2013 Authors and Significant Contributors: Aimee Greenebaum: AZA Charadriiformes TAG Vice Chair, Monterey Bay Aquarium, USA Alex Waier: Milwaukee County Zoo, USA Carol Hendrickson: Birmingham Zoo, USA Cindy Pinger: AZA Charadriiformes TAG Chair, Birmingham Zoo, USA CJ McCarty: Oregon Coast Aquarium, USA Heidi Cline: Alaska SeaLife Center, USA Jamie Ries: Central Park Zoo, USA Joe Barkowski: Sedgwick County Zoo, USA Kim Wanders: Monterey Bay Aquarium, USA Mary Carlson: Charadriiformes Program Advisor, Seattle Aquarium, USA Sara Perry: Seattle Aquarium, USA Sara Crook-Martin: Buttonwood Park Zoo, USA Shana R. Lavin, Ph.D.,Wildlife Nutrition Fellow University of Florida, Dept. of Animal Sciences , Walt Disney World Animal Programs Dr. Stephanie McCain: AZA Charadriiformes TAG Veterinarian Advisor, DVM, Birmingham Zoo, USA Phil King: Assiniboine Park Zoo, Canada Reviewers: Dr. Mike Murray (Monterey Bay Aquarium, USA) John C. Anderson (Seattle Aquarium volunteer) Kristina Neuman (Point Blue Conservation Science) Sarah Saunders (Conservation Biology Graduate Program,University of Minnesota) AZA Staff Editors: Maya Seaman, MS, Animal Care Manual Editing Consultant Candice Dorsey, PhD, Director of Animal Programs Debborah Luke, PhD, Vice President, Conservation & Science Cover Photo Credits: Jeff Pribble Disclaimer: This manual presents a compilation of knowledge provided by recognized animal experts based on the current science, practice, and technology of animal management. -
Featured Photo: Inland Records of the Black Skimmer in the Western
FEATURED PHOTO INLAND RECORDS OF THE BLACK SKIMMER IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES FLOYD E. HAYES, Department of Biology, Pacific Union College, 1 Angwin Ave., Angwin, California 94508; [email protected] In the western United States west of the 100th meridian, the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) was first recorded in coastal southern California on 8 September 1962 (Audubon Field Notes 17:69) and first recorded inland, at the Salton Sea in southeastern California, on 3 July 1968 (McCaskie and Suffel 1971). After breeding began at the Salton Sea in 1972 (McCaskie et al. 1974), the Black Skimmer rapidly expanded its distribution in California, with an estimated breeding population of 1200 pairs in 1995 (Collins and Garrett 1996) and 1400–1500 pairs in 2005 (Molina 2008) in breeding colonies at the Salton Sea and scattered coastal localities as far north as south San Francisco Bay (Collins and Garrett 1996, Molina 1996, 2008). Skimmers occasionally wander along the coast north of San Francisco to Bodega Bay in Sonoma County (Bolander and Parmeter 2000), rarely farther north. In Humboldt County, a pair was seen at Eureka from 17 to 23 August 2004 (N. Am. Birds [NAB] 59:144) and one was at McKinleyville on 19 July 2005 (NAB 59:651). Another turned up at Crescent City, Del Norte County, on 13 July 2007 (NAB 61:638). A skimmer subsequently seen at Pistol River in Curry County, Oregon, on 26 January 2008 (NAB 62:294, Irons 2008), represents the northernmost record in western North America. Although two subspecies of the Black Skimmer nest primarily near fresh water along rivers in the interior of South America, the nominate race of North America is almost exclusively a coastal breeder, yet individuals often stray inland (Gochfeld and Burger 1994). -
Bird Checklist
National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Everglades National Park Florida Bird Checklist Printed through the generosity of the Everglades Association. September 2005 Introduction Sp S F W Name B Sp S F W Loons Everglades National Park was established in 1947 to protect south Florida’s subtropical wetlands, particularly the diverse Red-throated Loon * and abundant birdlife. It’s difficult to imagine that the number Common Loon r r r of birds we see here today is only a small fraction of what once Grebes existed. Due to the widespread slaughter of wading birds for Pied-billed Grebe + c u c c their plumes in the early 1900s, and intense water management practices over the last 90 years, 90%-95% of the bird popula- Horned Grebe r r u tion has disappeared. Despite this tragic decline, birds continue Red-necked Grebe * * to be one of the park’s primary attractions. Eared Grebe * This checklist is a complete list of birds observed in the park, a Shearwaters & Petrels total of 366 species as of September 1, 2003. The key below in- Greater Shearwater * * dicates the seasonal occurrence and frequency of each species. Sooty Shearwater * * * The likelihood of observing a particular species is dependent upon being in the proper habitat during the correct season. Audubon’s Shearwater * Wilson’s Storm-Petrel * * This list reflects the continuing growth of information about Leach’s Storm-Petrel * the birds of the park and follows earlier checklists compiled by Boobies & Gannets Willard E. Dilley, William B. Robertson, Jr., Richard L. Cun- ningham, and John C. -
Prime Hook Notes
Friends of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Inc. Prime Hook Notes www.friendsofprimehook.org Vol. 13 Number 2 Summer 2012 THE SMALL BUT MIGHTY POLLINATOR By: Jennifer McAndrews, Wildlife Biologists Butterflies, flies, moths, wasps, beetles and bees…. not the most charismatic crea- tures on earth but they sure do play an important role in our lives. Pollinators are of- ten unacknowledged for all of their hard work so I thought I would give them some recognition. Did you know that Delaware has 250 native bee species? And did you know that the honey bee is actually not one of them? It is actually from Europe. Also, all of the worker bees are female and the male bees do not collect pollen. The honey bee is the only species of bee that leaves its stinger behind; all native bees do not lose their stingers. In fact many bees do not possess stingers that can penetrate human skin but a few sweat and solitary bees do have stingers and may sting if they become pinched or trapped against your skin. Did you know that pollinators are required for one out of every three mouthfuls of food we eat? As the result of their endless hunt for nectar bees pollinate apples, wa- termelon, blueberries, carrots, broccoli, pumpkins, almonds, orange juice, coffee, strawberries, and chocolate. Much is already known about the honey bee, in com- parison there is little known about native bees. Surprisingly, most native bees do not look like the honey bee they actually are a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors. -
The Black Skimmer in California: an Overview
THE BLACK SKIMMER IN CALIFORNIA: AN OVERVIEW CHARLEST. COLLINS, Departmentof BiologicalSciences, California State Univer- sity,Long Beach,California 90840 KIMBALL L. GARRE'FESection of Vertebrates.Natural History Museum of Los AngelesCounty, 900 ExpositionBlvd., Los Angeles. California 90007 Althoughmany avian speciesin westernNorth Americahave suffered recentpopulation declines, a few have increasedover the sameperiod of time (Jehl and Johnson1994). Many of the increases,such as parrots' (Psittacidae),can be attributedstrictly to anthropogenicinfluences (Johnston and Garrett 1994). Among thosespecies showing apparent natural popula- tion increasesin Californiais the BlackSkimmer (Rynchops niger), which first occurredin the state in 1962 (Small 1963, 1994) and is now a resident breederwith a populationin 1995 of about 1200 pairs. Recentstudies in this region have documentedits nocturnalactivity pattern in the breeding season (Wilson 1995) and winter (Gazzaniga1995, de la Cueva and Fern/•ndez1996), food habits(Wilson 1995), and pattern of chick growth (Schewand Collins 1990, 1991). In this paper we review the statusof the Black Skimmer in California with emphasison the size and locationof breeding colonies and overwintering aggregations(Figure 1). We also includea list of museumspecimens of Black Skimmerstaken in California (Appendix). The first Black Skimmer recordedin Californiawas a singleindividual observedat the mouth of the Santa Ana River in coastalOrange County on 8 September1962 (Small1963). The realinvasion began 6 yearslater with the sightingof five skimmerson the Salton Sea at the mouth of the WhitewaterRiver, Riverside County, on 3 July 1968 (McCaskieand Suffel 1971) and the discoveryof five nestsat the southend of the SaltonSea in 1972 (McCaskieet al. 1974). Although the skimmer populationsat the SaltonSea havefluctuated since then, approximately487 pairsbred there in 1995 (Molina 1996; Table 1). -
Rooftop Nesting Birds: Biology & Management
Rooftop nesting birds: biology & management American Oystercatcher (less common, less work) Least Terns (most common, most work) Black Skimmer (less common, less work) Killdeer, (rare, no work) Beth Forys, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL along with many other people! •Small Least Tern •Colonial nester •Eats fish •Migratory •Frequent rooftop- nester •Chicks fall off of rooftops Black Skimmer •Larger •Colonial nester •Eats fish (mainly at night) •Not migratory in FL •Fewer nest on rooftops •Chicks less likely to fall American Oystercatcher •Solitary nester •Eats clams, oysters, etc. •Not migratory in FL •A pair nests on a rooftop •Lays 2-3 eggs •When young are about 3 weeks old, adults “encourage” them off of roof Natural Nesting Habitat • Wide beach • Preferably on barrier island: less predators • Bare or with short, sparse vegetation Least Terns return from South America in April and begin courting. Black skimmers begin courting usually in May. Oystercatchers start to lay eggs in March. Photo by Barb Collins American Oystercatchers lay 2-3 eggs in April/May Least Terns lay 2-3 eggs in May/June Black Skimmers lay 3-4 eggs in June/July Photo by Marianne Korosy Undeveloped open beach is a becoming a rarity throughout the U.S. Artificial Nesting Habitat Dredged spoil islands Remains from phosphate mining Gravel rooftops (southeast US) • 1998-2000, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission conducted a state-wide survey of rooftop nesting birds • Statewide Results--for the Least Terns, the roofs support: 75% of colonies 83% of nests • 2010 study found that the majority of nests are still on rooftops, but the numbers have declined During the past 11 years Least Terns have nested on 120 rooftops in Pinellas County, but gravel rooftops are declining. -
Roof-Nesting by Common Terns and Black Skimmers in North Carolina
Roof-nesting by Common Terns and Black Skimmers in North Carolina Susan Cameron North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, 253 White Oak Bluff Road, Stella, NC 28582 During the 2005 breeding season, Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) and Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger) were discovered nesting on a gravel- covered roof in Morehead City (Carteret County), North Carolina. Common Terns and Black Skimmers have been known to use gravel roofs in other parts of their range (Fisk 1978; Gore 1987; MacFarlane 1977), but to the best of my knowledge, this is the first record of roof-nesting by these species in North Carolina. Other species of beach-nesting birds such as Least Terns (Sternula antillarum) and American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) have previously been documented nesting on gravel roofs in North Carolina (Cooper 1994; Doyle 1998; J. Fussell pers. comm.), and roughly 30% of North Carolina’s breeding Least Terns utilize gravel roofs (NCWRC 2004). On 29 April 2005, while boating near Beaufort Inlet, I observed a flock of skimmers on top of a warehouse roof at the Morehead City Port Authority. The warehouse borders Bogue Sound and Morehead City Channel (34o 42; 57.5<, 76o 41; 45.7<). I visited the roof on 20 May 2005 and confirmed nesting by both Common Terns and Black Skimmers. Birds were in the early stages of nesting and were incubating and laying eggs. During the brief visit, I counted five Black Skimmer nests and four Common Tern nests. Several more scrapes were present and I counted 34 adult skimmers and 12 adult Common Terns at the site. -
Conservation of Charadriiformes on the Peruvian Coast
Pulido et al.: Charadriiformes on the Peruvian coast Conservation of Charadriiformes on the Peruvian coast Victor Pulido, Jaime Jahncke, Patricia Makamatsu & Cecilia Flores Pulldo, V., Jahncke,J., Makamatsu, P. & Flores, C. 1996. Conservation of Charadriiformes on the Peruvian coast. International Wader Studies 8: 55-61. On the Pacificcoast of Peru, the order Charadriiformesis representedby 75 species,of which 16 are residentand 59 migratefrom the Nearcticand Australregions and the GalapagosIslands. On the basisof studiesdone on shorebirdsbetween 1982 and 1991,suggestions are put forward for modifyingthe criteriafor the establishmentof Hemispheric,International and Regionalreserves within the WesternHemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network alongthe coastsof the southern Pacific.Also proposed is a strategyto be followedfor the conservationof migratorybirds on the coasts of Peru. En la costadel Pacificoen Peru,el ordende los Charadriiformesesta representado por 75 especies, de lascuales 16 sonresidentes y 59 migrande lasregiones neartica y australy de lasislas Galapagos.En basea estudioshechos sobre aves playeras entre 1982 y 1991,se plantean sugerenciaspara modificarlos criterios para el establecimientode reservashemisfericas, intemacionalesy regionales en el marcode la Redde Reservasde avesPlayeras del hemisferos Occidentala 1olargo de las costasdel oceanoPacifico sur. Tambiense propone una estrategiapara la conservacionde avesmigratorias en las costasde Peru. Sur la cStepacifique du P•rou, l'ordre desCharadriiformes compte 75 espc•ces,dont 16 y nichentet 59 y migrentdepuis les r•gions n•arctiques et australeset lesties Galapagos. Sur la foi d'•tudes d'oiseauxde rivageeffectu•es entre 1982 et 1991,on proposedes modifications aux crit•res d'•tabllssement,pour lescStes du PacifiqueSud, des r•serves h•misph•riques, intemationales et r•gionalesdu R•seaude r•servespour lesoiseaux de rivagede l'h•misph•reoccidental.