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Eradication of Fox on Big in the Shumagin Islands, , and Census of Crested Auklets with Notes on Other Fauna. June - July 1986

by

Edgar P. Bailey Eradication of Islands,

June - July 1986 _

by Edgar P. Bailey

Key Words: Foxes, ground squirrels, river otters, seabirds, raptors, marine mammals

u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Horner, Alaska 1· The Shumagin Islands (55 0 N, ·160 0 W) are located between 8 and 110 km off the south side of the and about 160 km from the western tip of the teninsula. The Shumagins are comprised of some 30. named islands, reach a maximum elevation of 620 m, and spread over an area of approximately 72 x 88 km (Figure 1). The climate in the Shumagins is similar to that of the nearby and the south side of the Alaska Peninsula, which are characterized by frequent clouds, wind, and precipitation. The July mean temperature is about 52°F with an extreme of 80~F. Precipitation at Sand Point on Popof Island averages near 60 in annually and is heaviest in the fall and least during spring. The lowest winter temperature recorded in the Shumagins is- l9°F, but the mean· January temperature is a mild 28°F. Snow accumulates in-large drifts because of high winds. More- cleat· days occur in the Shumagins than in the Aleutians because the mountains on the nearby Alaska Peninsula ~ct as a~barrier to moist air flowing from. the , especi~lly.oc during -periods- _-of high barometric _pressure when northerly--winds -·generall-y prev~il;;

In July ~976, 7.75 in of rain were-reported- at Yukon Harbor ·on Big Koniuj i (Hoe and Day 1977). In Nay and June 1985, 5.35 and 2.62 inches, respectively, were recorded at Flying Eagle Harbor. During 1 month between 12 Jfirie- and 12 July a total of 4.10 inches of rain was recorded here~ Winds exceeding 40 knots were experienced 25% of the time in- Yukon Harbor in 1976; our base camp·at Flying Eagle Harbor is more protected, though gusts to 80 knots were experienced in 1986. Considerable local weather variation occurs in the Shumagins because of the mountainous larger islands, primarily Unga, Nagai, and Big Koniuji. Insular mountain passes and massive headlands create-extreme winds in some areas during certain meteorological conditions, and several islands are frequently.~ shrouded in fog while others remain open. The mean tidal range in the Shumagins approximately 5.5 ft with extreme ranges exceeding 11 ft a few times a year. Moderate tide rips are found around the tips of some islands and in narrow passes between islands. No native trees ex t in the Shumagins, but Sitka spruce (£igea sitch~nsis) were introduced in the village of Sand Point and at a few previously inhabited places on other islands. None are on Big Koniuji. Most of the larger Shumagin Islands, particularly Nagai, Unga, Big Koniuji, and Popof are covered with tall, dense stands of alder (Alnus crispa sinuatg) at lower elevations. Pacific red elder (Sambucg§. racemosa guben§), willows (,S_g_lix spp.), and salmonberry (RUQY§. §.Qecj;;_gbili§.) also commonly occur with alders; d\'larf birch (Betula n_gna) and Andromed_g polifoli£ occur in poorly drained areas. r~igurc .1.

SHUMAGIN ISLANDS ALASKA. '

Korpa /l....;t \1. V'

KOROV\N ISLAND

.. I

l I ,).. ~dt.!2_nico ooy Poin! ~lc. Coslla Roc.!<. . (1 -'t::~ )o-!', Hoyslocks UNGA t ISLAND N Ptninsula Is.. ~ .(

I "Hon Is. t:D-< -4_Horondeen \S. . Q ~Atlr.ins. lt.. .. )- Seollon Rocks UTTLE KON\Wl \SLAND

>- MAJOR St:ASIRD COLONIES) 5,000 BIROS ...,....11 Twfns

• Sim~Jond . I ,~a's,

\0 0 5 8 t A H H A ~nobl.lfo 1i. Noullcol -Miln u· 3 The higher elevations of.Big Koniuji and other surrounding islands, usually above 300 m, are dominated by lichens, and crowberry (Empetrum nlgrum). Blueberry (Vaccinium uligingsum}, lingonberry (V. Yitis-igaea), and bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) also are common shrubs in mountainous parts of most of the islands. Grasses and sedges predominate in meadow areas, on some slopes, and on the small rocky islands devoid of shrubs. Cow parsnip {Hera~)eum lanatum), hemlock parsley (ConiQ§§linum £hin§!11Se), beach lovage {I.iau§.ticum scotj,.Qum B!:!ltsmii), and Angelica lucida are abundant in open grassy slopes. Sixteen species of sedges and 31 grasses have been collected in the Shumagin Islands (Hulten 1968). The most conspicuous grass is beach rye (Elymus arenarjus mollis). Besides beach rye, Mertgnsig ma~i.tirna, Lathyrus IDgritimus,. Honckenya_pgplQides. and Senecio pseudo-Arnica are the principal plants comprising beach communities. A total of_l04 different .species of vascular plants . was - collected on Big .Koniuj i in.. 19.76_ (Moe . and Day 1977). Big Koniuj i (-8900 na), - the la-rgest·- island presently entirely.­ owned by the refuge in· the Shumaginsi- is surpassed· in area only. by Unga and Nagai islands~: Only·on~ historic ~place __ (ANCSA 14h-l}-site. is on Big.Koniuji,. but the island is also._~ entirely covered by residual selections (ANCSA Sec. .14h-8). Though· the one historic place selected by the Shumagin Native Corporation does not appear·valid, in 1986 archaeologists found at least seven former sites inhabited by Aleuts (Johnson, pers. comm.). Most of the island is exceedingly rugged, with peaks reaching nearly 580 rn.in elevation. Over 30 peaks surpass 300 m, and all parts of this-island are less· than 2 km from the ocean. Stretching 24·km in length, ··the axis of Big Koniqji lies north - south; the island's width ranges from less than 1 km to 11 km. The Shumagin Formation, which is intruded by a granitic batholith, consists of underlying sandstone and mudstone. This formation of generally dark-colored rock comprises the western arms of the island which contrast sharply with the remainder of the island which is composed of intrusive. granodiorite (Moe and Day 1977). Gleaming white sand beaches dot the southern and eastern portion of ~his scenic island. Surface streams are small with considerably more water flowing beneath granite talus. The only terrestrial mammals on Big Koniuji besides red fox CY!JJI&§. :sm.lggg_) are shrews (.Qorex sp.), arctic ground squirrels (Citellus pgrryi} and river otters (Lutra cangQ~D§is). We did not encounter shrews until 1986. Whether ground squirrels are indigenous or whether they were introduced by fox farmers is unknown. They reportedly were put on Big Koniuji by the Russians (Rogers, pers. comm.}. When Steller first arrived in the Shumagins in 1741 and landed on Turner, Bird, and Nagai islands, he saw ground 4 squirrels and red foxes on Nagai (Stejneger 1936, Golder 1925). Steller never visited Big Koniuji, which lies north of the aforementioned three islands (Figure 1). Contrary to Moe (1978), Moe and Day (1977), Day (1977 and 1984), and my 1977 paper citing the first two references, Big Koniuji did not originally have foxes. In 1916 Oscar Olsen, • ~ resident of Unga Island, introduced 13 pairs of red foxes to Big Koniuji Island, and he planned to release 17 more pairs (Bower and Aller 1917). This report on the introduction of red foxes on Big Koniuji also is confirmed by a 1933 diary of L. Y. Reeve, a former resident of Unga Island (Gronholdt, pers. comm.). These notes and my interview with Raymond Rogers, who was Olsen•s grandson and a trapper on the island in 1934, revealed that the foxes were obtained from the Alaska Peninsula and that in 1925 arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) also were introduced~ . Gronholdt and Osterback (pers. comm.) likewise stated arctic fox once-were on. Big Koniuji._. Arctic fox evidently were eliminated,through competitive exclusion by the dominant- red fox. Arctic fox originating .. Erom Attu in the Aleutians- were _first .successful-ly '"re:Leased ::on~-f i ve- of~ the Shuma~ins in_ the 1890'~ ~{Bailey_ ~1978 Gro~holdti .pers;: comm·.); later .they- were· introduced to at least three more""­ islands. -- They . persist only- ·on nearby -Little Koniuj i, Sime6no£~ and Chernabura islands; The remains. of five cabins in different bay.s · (Figure 2) of Big Koniuji (Fox Farmer 1 s Cove, Long Bay, Alaska Harbor, Stormy. cove, and Sandpiper Lagoon) ·attest to the once thriving fox trapping there.· In 1935-there also were cablns in Yukon Harbor and Stormy Cove (Rogers, pers. comm.); the latter cove was the main camp,-- since it was the safest to reach by small boat from Sand Point •. __

Biological literature concerning Big Koniuji and surrounding~ islands i~ very limited. Early cursory observations in the . Shumagins included Dall (1873); Townsend (1913), Stejneger· (1936), Murie (1959)·, Gabrielson (1946), ~nd Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959). Wildlife on nearby Simeonof Island was documented in 1960 (Kenyon 1964), and I first visited Big Koniuji in 1973 (Sowl 1973) and then again in 1976 and 1977 {Bailey 1978). The only extensive biological investigations on Big Koniuji were conducted in 1976 when over 3 months were~ spent studying nesting seabirds (Moe and Day 1977, Moe 1977, Day (1977 & 1984).

METHODS Fox Eradication Since a 1972 executive order banned the use of strychnine and sodium monofluroacetate ("1080"), which are the most efficient means of eliminating introduced fox from islands, we have been relegated to the use of only traps and firearms •

.. 5

Figure 2. Big Koniuji Island.

J J ti?CASTLE ROCK

FOX FARMER'S COVE .~ \ N KITTIWAKE LAKE 0 KM 5

A .Auklet Colony K Kittiwake Colony C Cormorant/Kittiwake Colony

P Colony

YUKON HARBOR

GROSVOLD LAKES

MURII; ISLETS

---·------6 Because Big Konuiji Island is not a known former nesting site for endangered Aleutian Canada geese (~Janta £gnadenis leucopareia), we also were unable to employ cyanide projectiles (M-44's or M- SO's), which have been again ,. recently used in the Aleutians. Wells Stephensen, Animal Damage Control specialist with the Department of Agriculture; volunteers Kevin Rose, Diane Debiski, and Annette Emig; and I arrived at Big Koniuji Island aboard the chartered vessel "Maritime Maid" on 11 June 1986. After leaving Big Koniuji on 12 July, we briefly checked Bird Island for fox sign to ascertain whether our efforts to remove introduced arctic fox in 1984 had been successful.

Flying Eagle Harbor was again used as our base camp on Big Koniuji in 1986. We reset all of the approximately 250 No. 1 3/4 coil spring leg-hold traps set the previous summer (Bailey 1985) that could be relocated. New traps were used in place of traps too rusty to restore anq to replace- sets on beaches lost in winter storms. New traps were used in addition to old ones wherever fox sign was present. ~nar~s also were set in areas with fox activity. A .223 caliber rifle was nearly always carried, and both oral and recorded predator calls were employed in certain areas. Though primarily dirt-hole sets along trails and beaches were used with various commercial fox lures and red fox urine, blind sets also were used in areas of regular fox activity. Traps were checked as frequently as possible, but because the time allotted on the island was shortened by nearly a month and because of a greater than average incidence of storms some difficult to reach traps were checked only once or twice. Approximately 200 traps and a few snares were lef~ set around the island when we left on 12 July.

Seabird Monitoring

On 2 July volunteers Diane Debinski and Annette Emig established a camp below the crested auklet (bgthia cristatella) colony at Yukon Harbor, where they monitored activities at the colony until 12 July. After defining and photographing the boundaries of the colony, they made hourly counts of birds flying to and from the talus, estimated total numbers in the bay, and enumerated birds observed on four 10 X 10 m plots delineated in 1985. A time lapse camera also was set up to reveal activity on the rocks throughout entire days.

All black-legged kittiwake (Rissa t~idactYlg) nests on the north side of in Yukon Harbor were counted from an inflatable and general observations on seabirds, marine mammals, raptors, and other wildlife were recorded. 7

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

After arrival on Big Koniuji on 11 June, we soon realized that few foxes had survived following 2 months of intensive trapping the previous summer, when 69 animals were removed. No tracks were evident near our camp at Flying Eagle Harbor, where eight foxes were caught in 1985. We encountered fox sign only in the expected few areas where activity persisted when we left the island at the end of June the previous year. Of the approximate 250 traps left in 1985 which we were able to relocate, fox remains were found only in three. Surprisingly, bits of survey tape remained near most traps, enabling us to find them. Four days after our arrival the first fox was trapped at Sand Dune Cove (Figure 2), the most troublesome locale in 1985. This male had been trapped the previous year, as evidenced by a missing foot. The tracks of another three-legged fox also were detected on the nearby sand beach in Shipwreck Cove.-_ We so-on:~ found _the tracks of another fox in Sand Dune Covej- and -this animal consistently avoided all traps, yet often·walked directly in our tracks in the sand. Seventeen foxes were caught at the above mentioned two locations in 1985.

No additional foxes were trapped until 29 June when a three­ legged female inadvertently stepped in a trap while responding to Stephensen's hand - held calls of a distressed pup near her den located in Long Bay. Three male, one female, and one pup of unknown sex subsequently were captured at this den, which was well concealed in a brush­ covered ravine about 1/2 km from the beach~- These pups were believed to be about 6 weeks Dld and already were being fed ground squirrels. In 1985 tracks were regularly seen on this long sandy beach, but no foxes were trapped here. However, five foxes were trapped within 2 km of this beach the previous summer. The male fox associated with this den disappeared, and no additional sign was noted in this area after destruction of the vixen and her five pups. The eviscerated remains of an apparent male fox was discovered in a trap on a ridge above Yukon Harbor on 10 July; since this site is only about 5 km from the den, it possibly was the dog associated-with this den.

The only other adult fox presumably killed was the vixen from a den discovered at Sand Dune Beach on 2 July. This animal was shot among boulders and alders at nearly 300 m elevation above the beach but was never found. It was believed to be the same large fox sighted on 25 June. Five approximately month-old pups (3 males and 2 females) were trapped among the rocks at this den site. It appeared that the vixen had recently moved her pups from the original den, perhaps in response to the frequent trapping activity in this location. The three-legged male caught earlier in this area probably was the mate of this individual, for finally no more fox sign was detected at Sand Dune Cove.

Besides the four adults and 10 pups exterminated, three fox carcasses were found in traps left set last summer; hence, a total of 76 adult foxes was removed from the island during 1985 and 1986. At least one fox remained in the vicinity of Shipwreck Cove; several month-old scats also were found about 2 km north of this beach which may have been left by the same animal. No tracks were seen on the beach north of Koniuji Point where a fox missing a foot was observed just before we left the island in 1985. It apparently died or moved elsewhere. One set of indistinguishable tracks was found on a beach in Sandpiper Lagoon, the location where two carcasses from last year's sets existed. A third carcass was in Flying Eagle Harbor.

If we assume the male from the den at the south end of the island is still at large,-- a minimum of two foxes remain on, the island, and another two still may- be roaming th~ Cape. Thompson and Sandpiper Lagoon areas. In addition-;.-- -the possibility exists that several other scattered foxes·,- or even a den, are present in rocky, b~ushy areas of the island where sign is difficult to find.

Ground squirrels hampered trapping even more this year because we arrived over a month later, and these rodents were thus more active with warmer weather. Young ground squirrels also were out in July, and the overall population seemed higher. A third of our traps often ·had squirrels in them or were sprung. Use of M-44rs would largely negate this serious problem.

With only a few wary foxes left it is obvious that the survivors probably can not be trapped. The need for M-44 cyanide projectiles or some other toxicant as an alternative to traps and snares is critical on a such large rugged island, as 13 person-months have been expended here, and still not all foxes have been eliminated. No fox eradication should be attempted on any other-large islands without first securing the use of Z.1-44s in conjunction with traps. When compared to the apparent successful fox eradication on by dispersal of "1080" baits with a helicopter, spending three months on Big Koniuji with up to five people to eliminate a much smaller number of foxes than on Kiska Island illustrates how inefficient trapping alone is on large islands.

In an attempt to trap the few remaining foxes we were unable to capture in 1985 we tried some new lures and scents and also tried four electronic predator calls. The "Squeakers" placed in cans and powered by lantern batteries appeared ineffective, though with only three foxes trapped on the entire island in a month, the usefulness of these devices did not really get a fair test. The extremely wary fox which 9 eventually was shot at Sand Dune Cove was attracted near the device but her tracks veered away from traps set around it. Two of the units failed to operate after a short while, and another was flooded out by excessive rain. Taped recordings of bird distress calls and fox pups yelping broadcast with two speakers set apart in sand dunes failed to visibly attract any foxes in the two areas used. Sets with pheromone scents also failed to catch any foxes, but again too few foxes remained to yield a .valid test of different attractants. Despite extreme care in avoiding sets where river otters were active, three otters unfortunately were found dead in traps. Also, two other skeletons were found in traps set in 1985. Hence, at least 15 otters have been killed while attempting to rid Big Koniuji of fox; the otter density was noticeably lower in 1986, especially in heavily trapped areas. Other non-target species besides ground squirrels included a bald eagle and a fox. sparrow. - Proper placement of M-44's would result in less ott~r mortality than using traps.

On 12 July- roughly 4 hours were spent ashore..:·on· Bird"~ Island_ to verify whether arctic fox were completely eradicated in· 1984 (Bailey and McCargo 1984). A major fox trail crossing. the island ~from the fox farmer's cabin locatedcin the wes~: _ bight revealed- no tracks or_ scats. This trail appeared somewhat overgrown, though there had been some use, probably by river otters. On the long sand beach on the east side of the island we found a single set of old, indistinct tracks which appeared to have the pattern of a fox. This disturbing observation necessitates further checking in 1987 and reinforces the need for using M-44's. In 1984 the density of foxes was very. low, as only-13 adults were trapped .during a monthrs stay on the island. __ Hence, it will be difficult to ascertain whether any foxes remain, and if they do, it will be even more difficult-to eliminate the few· survivors ·with only traps.- ·No fox sign was seen on Bird Island when briefly visited in 1985.

Seabird. Monitoring

Crested Auklets. We first visited the crested auklet colony on 18 June primarily to check fox traps. Small numbers of auklets were flying from the talus to Yukon Harbor during the afternoon, and about 5000 gathered on the water after 1900 h ADT. No birds had flown up to the colony when we departed at 2330 h; this was the same pattern experienced several times in 1985. We saw only two auklets perched on rocks the entire afternoon and evening. We visited the colony while checking traps during the afternoons of 21 and 28 June and again observed little activity. More frequent visits were thwarted by bad weather.

On 2 July volunteers Diane Debinski and Annette Emig established a camp just below the auklet colony at approximately 200 m located on a grassy bench near a small 10 pond. This camp was in view of the five plots marked the previous summer. This campsite is the only one available near the colony and is only a few minutes walking time from the plots. However, the tradeoff in nearness to the colony is countered by more wind and being in the fog much more often than at sea level. Accordingly within a day their tent blew down, probably because it was not sufficiently anchored with rocks, and they were forced to use an alternate campsite situated just above the beach alongside one of the only streams in the Yukon Harbor area.

Although Debinski and Emig remained at Yukon Harbor until 12 July, they were unable to count auklets in the plots most of the time because of nearly incessant fog and rain. They were plagued by at least some fog on all of the 11 days there, and conditions we(e so bad on 4 days that they hardly could leave their tents. In 1976, Moe and Day (1977) also were hampered greatly by inclement '\'leather 1 - they reported higher winds, often exceeding 40 knots, 25% of the time during the 3 months they were camped at Yukon Harbor.__ .Thus,___ the main d ficulty-- with monitoring auklets at this colony---is--its high elevation,-=_-­ which means- that plots are obscured by~fog much of-the ti~e,= notwithstanding _-frequent ~-strong -w~nds; It is very~: frustrating ·and inefficient to be able to conduct counts on plots on only 2 of 11 days, and if this represents the average workability of census quadrats,in this Brea, it may be prudent to only census this colony-every 2 or 3 years instead of annually.

Despite the limited counts obtained, observations at Yukon Harbor divulged that behavior at this colony is somewhat different than that observed in the Pribilofs and other islands where crested auklet nesting populations have been monitored (Byrd 1985, Bedard 1969). Unlike elsewhere where monitored, the auklets at Big Koniuji exhibit much more irregular colony attendance (Table 1). On other mixed auklet colonies studied, such as in the Pribilofs, these· alcids display a fairly regular bimodal activity pattern with morning and late evening peaks in numbers. As Table 1 indicates on at least three, and probably four, of the 10 night observations that were made at the colony, auklets did not fly up to the talus after their ·usual ·congregation and displays, in Yukon Harbor~ As darkness approached, auklets on those nights flew back out to sea rather than to the colony. On the other hand, at and at other study areas these birds regularly flew to their nesting areas every night during incubation and chick rearing. On some nights flocks flew over land above Yukon Harbor, but it was not possible to ascertain if they actually alighted in the colluvium.

On several evenings in 1985 I watched auklets spiral about the bay as they congregated and then disappeared to sea after 2300 h. Believing that they behaved this way every evening, I probably incorrectly assumed that most birds aborted breeding ~hat year because of the extraordinarily cold, ;/

Table 1. Daily activity patterns of crested auklets at Yukon Harbor, Big Koniuji Island.

Date Time {ADT) Time return Time evening Destination Time flew Time last Evening onset of to colony congregation to colony seen active weather audible of 1000's of morning birds activity --·------7/2 0600 2122 0 2322 foggy & calm 7/3 0600 0939 2133 c ? 2120 drizzle, fogv breezy 7/4 0720 0730 ? 2136 0 2315 fog 7/5 0630 <1000 2100 L 2255 foggy & misting 7/6 0730 ? >2100 0 2325 90% cloud cover, foggy 7/7 >2130 L 2251 100% cloud over, foggy 7/8 >2045 L 2310 500 ft ceiling till 200C 7/9 >2030 L,O 2139 <2345 100% cloud cover 7/10 0730 0805 <2100 c,o 2100 fog, no precipitation 7/11 c 18301: occasional drizzle, 98% clou.d cover Key: 0 - birds went out to the ocean C - Firds went to colony L - birds flew over land and may have stopped at colony, but often it was difficult to determine. * Small group of 30 birds rather than large group of lOO's or 1000's.

I-' I-' stormy spring. Some birds were heard calling beneath the scree in 1985, but this was much more pronouriced in 1986. Many more birds also were seen flying from the colony to the water this summer, probably indicating better breeding success. The reason for the asynchronous evening attendance at the Yukon Harbor colony may be related to greater foraging distances for the birds at this site, which represents the eastern extremity of the breeding range for crested auklets. While weather conditions influence activity patterns at other crested auklet colonies which have been monitored (Byrd, pers. comm.), similar adverse weather prevailed during most of the 11 day period at this colony, and it is thus unlikely that weather accounted for the failure of birds to fly into the talus on some nights. Moe and Day (1977) did not mention asynchronous colony attendance by this species.

Byrd et al. (1983) describe patterns of colony attendance of crested auklets at Buldir Island in the Aleutians. They found::_: the --morning and evening: activity periods to· be_ most_ pronounced.,_-.during the pre-laying and chick-feeding- _period ___--- when--·both-- members of a_-pair:~-were=c--off the nest~-- During' incubation- peaks were lower-because·one bird _remained at the· nest. _:: At Big Koniuj L incubation shifts may have been· 2 days or more on evenings birds failed to· return to· the colony; whereas at Buldir and other observed colonies mates generally exchanged incubation chores every 24 hours. In the Pribilofs. least auklets (Jl.ethia Q.!JSill9.) spend their nights in the colony, with one member of each pair leaving early in the morning (Byrd et al. 1983). Auklets should have been .incubating in early July, and, indeed, volunteers Debinski and Em1g did riot notice food­ laden sublingual pouches on auklets alighting on rocks·in the colony, but they had no prior_experience with seabirds_ and therefore they could have simply nbt recognized--this.· They were also unable to recognize immature birds intermixed with­ breeding adults in the talus. Obviously incubation shifts of crested auklets at Big Koniuji were irregular in 1986 and probably also in 1985. If incubation shifts were 24 hours, birds returning in the evening relieved their mates on or before the next morning and incubated until at least the following evening. Instead, birds on some days evidently left the area after congregating and displaying in Yukon Harbor. It is possible that behavior of auklets was more variable than usual during the period of 2-11 July because hatching and chick-feeding may have begun during this time. In 1976 hatching was believed to have occurred on Big Koniuji between 12-17 July (Moe and Day 1977), based on indirect evidence and on incubation and fledging periods recorded on St. Lawrence Island by Sealy (in Moe and Day 1977). A post-ovulatary follicle of an auklet collected 6 June 1976 indicated an egg had been laid within a 13 day; many copulations of birds were observed on 7 June. These observations place egg-laying about 6-10 June. The first fledglings in 1976 were sighted by Moe and Day on 15 August. Thus, using the 36-day incubation and 34-day fledging period noted by Sealy {in Hoe and Day 1977)1 hatching in 1976 occurred in mid-July.

On Buldir Island hatching occurred mainly between 5-12 July {Knudtson and Byrd · 1982). Sealy's observed average incubation period of 35.6 days on St. Lawrence, compared to a minimum of 40 days at Buldir {Knudtson and Byrd 1982). Since nests at Big Koniuji are beneath massive boulders and are practically impossible to find, it is only feasible to determine hatching dates by noting adults carrying food and other indirect means.. Byrd (pers. comm.) indicated that crested auklets probably hatched principally-in early July in­ the in 1986.

Because oE protracted fog and rain counts of-auklets _present __ _ on plots at 15 minute intervals:;,.were_~:done-·-only. 0n:c.-:-J.O- and ---11 ~:-~:.-:.. July.· Quadrats 1 and 2- were- II!Oni to red ·from· one_=-spot _ and--,-==­ plots 3 and :4~from another-~\~Since.the fi£th.~and -highest~-~­ elevation plot established in 1985·was found_- difficult __ to view· without _an additional person, no counts were made~ at this one .in 1986. Bad weather prevented. any additional~ quadrats from being established .. in 1986.- The 10 x 10m plots selected last year proved to be fairly-centralized in the colony and were in areas believed to represent medium to high density portions of the colony. Delineation of the colony boundaries (See photos on file) revealed it to be more extensive than assumed in 1985. Polaroid prints were made of all colluvium used by auklets, and an attempt-was made- -to stratify nesting density (prints on file-AHNWR, Homer).

For the limited counts of the plots, ·numbers·of birds ranged-­ from 0 to 110, with no birds usually being pres~nt on the rocks (Tables 2 and 3). On 11 July, 14 counts were made at plots 1 and 2 between 0945 and 1300 h; birds were present only four and three times, respectively, with a maximum of 38- present. No birds were present on plots after 1215 h, and counts stopped at 1300 h (Table 2). Birds also loitered on rocks three and four times on 16 counts conducted at plots 3 and 4 during the same general time frame (Table 2). Plots 3 and 4 also were monitored during the morning of 10 July (Table 3); though birds were visible on up to five counts, lower numbers were present than the following day. Based on just one day of comparisons more birds nest in plots 3 and 4. It is also interesting to note that plot 3 had almost no birds on 10 July and up to 110 the next morning.

Auklets at Yukon Harbor began descending from the colony at about 0630 h ADT (0430 h solar time). Some began returning to the scree about 0900 h. Before landing in the rocks flocks would circle the colony repeatedly, each time getting closer and dropping off more birds with each pass. After Table 2. Numbers of crested auklets observed in 10 x 10m quadrats on 11 July 1986 at Yukon Harbor, Big Koniuji Island.

Time (ADT) Count Count Time ADT Count Count. Plot 4fl Plot #2 Plot #3- Plot :!f4 ------0945 30 24- 0925 36 52 1000 0 0 0930 0 0 1015 38 26 0945 110 33 1030 0 0 1000 0 0 1045 0 0 1015 0 62 1100 0 0 10.30 0 0 1115 1 0 1045 0 0 1130 0 0 1100 0 0 1145 0 0 1115 0 0 1200 0 0 1130 0 0 1215 28 32 1145 0 0 1230 0 0 . 1200 0 o· 1245 0 0 1215 20 25 1300 0 0 1230 0 0 1245 0 0 . 1300 0 0 I 15

Table 3. Numbers of crested auklets observed in 10 x 10m quadrats an 10 July 1986 at Yukon Harbor, Big Kaniuji Island~

Time (1\DT) Count Count Plot #3 Plot if4

1045 1 0 1100 0 0 1115 0 0 1130 0 94 1145 0 0 1200 0 0 1215 0 1 1230 1 0 1245 0 0 1300 1 0 1315 0 0 1330 0 0 1345 1 0 1400 2 0

• I 16 landing, auklets simply sat ~n the rubble for approximately 10 minutes and then flew back to the water. Some birds did enter the boulders, but most remained on the surface. It was not known whether birds entering crevices v1ere exchanging incubation shifts or feeding chicks. When one to several birds took flight nearly all others on the surface joined them. Birds congregated erratically in the talus; they were numerous in one plot and virtually absent in another adjacent one at one time, yet at another time concentrations of birds alighted in totally the reverse pattern in the same adjoining quadrats. Sometimes concentrations also appeared in areas outside the plots where usually there were few birds. It was not possible to determine whether the same birds were landing at various spots near their adjacent presumed nests or \vhether entirely . different birds were landihg in these different locations. As the day -progressed, . activity usually declined -to where.--=-=- - practica-l-ly_:-- no birds \vere visible on land=- after.- 400 _"':h. Auk lets either.~ remained in the harbor or- flew off . -t6 sea,-~ rarely returning--to--the colony after .noon. However;- ·..con 11 · July, one of th~ only t~o Telatively clear.days. experienced at the colony,_.:. :flocks of auk lets spiral-ed. over ·::the· bay and the colony until 16ocr·h. On 3 and 4·July numbers of.birds descending from the colony per minute near the pond below the colony were recorded. Counts ranged from 25-117 between 1012 - 1400 h and decreased to fewer than 10-per minute by 1500 h. Auklet activity again increased sharply in the evening~ with the congr ation of thousands of birds usually occurring on the water by 2130 h. They began arriving in Yukon Harbor from the east in small flocks at around 2030 :h. Activity after congregation in the harbor was- variable. ~ Sometimes the flocks appeared to return to the colony one or more times and may have remained there overnight. At other times they overflew the colony and returned to the harbor. Only on three evenings did significant numbers of birds fly to __ the colony and definitely remain overnight. On at least three. nights birds engaged in their usual aerial displays· in the harbor and then disappeared to sea.

During the first few days of obser~ation the auklets appeared to follow a 48-hour· cycle, .alternating nights at sea with nights at the colony. After 7 July, however; birds overflew land at least once and then headed to seai they failed to reappear at the colony on the evenings of 9 and possibly 10 July. Evening activity usually abated at 2330 h if birds flew out to sea, but it abated earlier if they stayed at the colony (Table 1). Analysis of the volunteers' observations and discussions with Byrd suggest that breeding birds at this colony exchange li

incubation duties chiefly in the morning, and the erratic flocks of birds in or near the colony during evening hours may be primarily composed of non-breeding birds. More observations, of course, will be required to verify this, and color-marking some individual birds may be needed to ascertain breeding status because non-breeding auklets more than 2 years of age cannot be recognized by plumage characteristics. The fact that areas of dense concentrations of crested auklets are attractive to large numbers of immature birds which attempt to engage in courtship with adults has been documented by Bedard (1969) and Byrd et al. (1983). Marked and banded birds also are needed to understand the high variability in the distribution of auklets on the talus, particularly in different plots, at subsequent -times. Only- then will we know whether the tremendous variability in numbers of birds in adjoiriing plots is mainly attributed-to the same birds moving about or to _ entirely diff~rent individuals. _

Hopefully .. in 1987 foxes will have been extirpated on Big ~~. Koniuj i, _ and _:much more time- can be_ devoted to censusing~ -­ auk lets_ and other birds. The response of- birds~·to the absence of fox should prove considerable, as has been the case on many other islands following the disappearence -of fox.

Other sea.Qi.r.Q.e.- -Albeit we had intended to estab.lish census plots for black-legged kittiwakes near Cape Thompson, the northern _tip of Big Koniuji, the exceptionally poor weather- and shortened duration of our stay on the_ island allowed the census of kittiwakes only at Hall:Island in Yukon Harbor.- Since this kittiwake colony is small,- we were able· to census the entire colony, located on the island's north side. On 21 June we counted 377 nests-=.- - (structures containing nest material added during the current season); we were unable to return and again count nests and adult birds as planned. This colony has increased since 1976, when Moe and Day (1977) counted 155 nests here. That year no chicks were fledged at Hall Island, while nesting su~cess at Cape Thompson was 36% (n=lSO nests). In 1985 kittiwakes virtually failed to reproduce at Big Koniuji presumably because of' the extremely cold spring (Bailey 1985). Unfortunately we were unable to estimate reproductive success in 1986. Curiously, we also spotted 33 kittiwake nests below cormorants nesting· near the entrance to Flying_Eagle Harbor. Kittiwakes never have been sighted nesting here before.

In 1985 only 39 glaucous-winged gull (Larus g_laucgg__gns) nests and approximately 300 adults were counted en the western third of Hall Island (Bailey 1985). We intended to census gulls in the same part of the island in 1986 but were repeatedly thwarted by fog.

A new colony of glaucous-winged gulls (Larus glaucescen.e) has been established along cliffs south of the mouth of Flying 18

Eagle Harbor. Although Moe and Day (1977} reported a small cormorant colony at this site 1n 1976, no gulls were recorded. A few gulls were observed roosting on these cliffs in 1985, and this year we estimated about 100 pairs of gulls, judging from actual nests sighted and evident pairs on ledges. Some evident nest sites also appeared to be accessible to foxes. If foxes are eliminated from Big Koniuji, a major expansion of this colony can be expected.

A large increase in all three species of cormorants also· has occurred at the Flying Eagle Harbor colony. We counted approximately 270, 70, and 30 red-faced (Phalacrocorax YJile), pelagic (~ Qglaqjc~§), and double-crested

Though not censused, parakeet auklets (Cyclorrhynchus psittacula)r appeared more abundant around Big Koniuji in 1986 than the previous two summers.

Other Birds. -only one new species' the pine siskin (Cardyglis .ein.!:!§.} was discovered on Big·Koniuji this- year. Two were seen at Flying Eagle Harbor. Siskins have .never been reported in the Shumagin Islands (Day 1984} or at Cold Bay on the Alaska Peninsula (Bailey 1974). Pine. grosbeaks (~inicolQ §nucle~tor), first seen in 1985, were again sighted at different sites and undoubtedly have become established breeders. A pair of belted kingfishers (Ceryle alcyon} was present in Flying Eagle Harbor and in another bay. Though not reported by Day (1984) on Big Koniuji, this species also probably is now a regular breeder. RECOI11:1ENDATIONS 19

In May or June 1987 we should revisit Big Koniuji Island to determine if any red foxes still survive. Since the number of adult foxes trapped declined from 72 in 1985 to four in 1986, trapping any additional foxes may prove fruitless, even with the continued excellent assistance by ADC specialist Stephensen. Authorization to use M-44's or some other toxicant appears imperative if any foxes are found in 1987. However, it is possible that the few survivors are of one sex or that the remaining population is so low that it will disappear due to inbreeding depression. In 1987, grain treated with zinc phosphide, which is already a registered rodenticide, should be used in ground squirrel burrows near traps to preclude their continually springing traps. With a third to a half of the traps sprung by squirrels within a few days, the probability of catching the few remaining wary. foxes on an island is substantially reduced. After great care in setting traps it is extremely frustrating to_ have them repeatedly tripped, necessitating more disturbance and human --scent~"tO.. res-et:_ traps._-_ -:Also; _because- of the large-- s ize-"'c and ruggedf1e_ss of Big Kon iuj i and because- of_ the inability,._. to:_; . - . use boats -:::much of the time due to adverse weather 1 man~r traps.-__ can :not be: frequently checked. ·Poison-grain_ should .. be employed on any future islands with ground squirrels where fox eradication efforts are planned. - If placed in burrows surrounding traps, the risk to seed-eating birds will be negligible, and raptors are unlikely to be affected because nearly all these rodents will die underground. Big Koniuji is too large an island to attempt t.o completely eradicate ground squirrels. If close examination of Big Koniuji . reveals no evidence of foxes in 1987 1 the base camp should be moved .to Northeast Harbor (west of Sandy.Cove) on nearby Little.Koniuji Island, and efforts-to exterminate arctic fox on this smalle~ island

(6880 -- ha) should .commence 1 · especially if N-44 's ·and preferably poison grain are available. Though 3 km further from the auklet colony than the previously used base camp at Flying Eagle Harbor on Big Koniuji, this cove is on the west and generally leeward side of Little Koniuji. Moreover, in rough weather an inflatable can be left in Shoal Bay, an easy hike to base camp and a scant 6 km, or half the distance between Yukon and Flying Eagle harbors. Because it is smaller and much less rugged and brushy and because arctic fox are easier to trap than red fox, removal of fox from Little Koniuji should be-considerably easier than from Big Koniuji. Little Koniuji has a perimeter of only 66 km, 50 km less than that of Big Koniuji. Besides being a propitious site from which to support monitoring of crested auklets and eventually perhaps horned puffins on Big Koniuji, Northeast Harbor seems an ideal location from which to base fox eradication efforts because both the east and west sides of 20 the island readily can be worked from the isthmus at this locale. Most of the island also easily can be reached on foot from here. In 1987 a secure campsite protected by piled rocks should be established at the pond below the auklet colony in Yukon Harbor. Here at least some information can be obtained on what birds are doing in the colony when shrouded in fog. Also, the nearly 1 hour hike between the_beach campsite and the colony makes maintaining at least one camp just below the colony worthwhile. Tents could be maintained both at the colony and on the beach for maximum efficiency and safety. A camp near the quadrats also would make it easier to maintain time lapse cameras. Certainly eradication of foxes should continue in the Shumagin Islands. With over a 500% increase in 7 years of 12 species of seabirds and a 400%-increase in waterfowl recorded on . Nizki_-A.laid in the Aleutians following removal of fox (ZeillemakeL_·and Trapp,:l-986)1-~--it is evident:-"!;.hat --the. best-­ thing which·: ·\ve can do to enhance wildlife on-- ·the -Maritime­ Refuge is to- eliminate introduced_fox from~as~many islands a~ practical~ The refuge also should continue to solicit· the excellent help from ADC specialist Stephensen.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Volunteers Diane Debinski, Annette Emig, and Kevin Rose were outstanding. Wells Stephensen, Animal Damage Control Supervisor with the Department of Agriculture, rendered invaluable assistance~ in the eradication of foxes. His extensive experience· -in predator .. -- control·-_ ·led ~-to - . the.·· discovery .. of t\vo dens, which otherwise probabl.y would - have gone undetected.··_-- His·-·exper.t·ise ·unoerscores .the desirability for continued aid from.an_ADC specialist. Hopefully Wells will be able to help us again in 1987, which also would permit our being able to devote more effort toward monitoring auklets and other seabirds. 21 LITERA'rURE CITED Bailey, E. P. 1978. Breeding seabird distribution and abundance in the Shumagin Islands, Alaska. Murrelet 59:82-91. Bailey, E. P. and D. McCargo. 1984. Eradication pf fox on Bird Island and incidental surveys of seabirds in the Shumagin Islands, Alaska. Unpublished report, USFWS, Horner, AK. Bailey, E. P. 1985. Eradication of fox on Big Koniuji Island and ancillary surveys of seabirds in the Shumagin Islands, Alaska. Unpublished report, USFWS, Homer, AK. Bedard, J. 1969. The nesting of the crested, least, and parakeet auklets on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. Condor 71: 386-398.

Bower, W. T. and H. D. Aller. 1917. __ Fisheries_ and fur industries:._ in ..:1916 .. ---=-- Dept .--~of. Commerce-;_:_Bur=.::oof_F.isher ies----- :-· Doc. No .. --- 838. Washington- Gov!t-,;-c-- P.rinting Office, Washingt-on-r- D• ___ c. Byrd, G. v., R. H. Day, and E. P. Knudston, 1983. -Patterns­ of colony attendance and censusing of auklets_ at Buldir Island, Alaska.- Condor 85: 274-280.

Dall, William H~- 1873. Notes on the avafauna of_the Aleutian Islands from Unalaska eastward. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., 5, first series, pg. 25-35.

Day 1 R. H. 1977. Nammals of the Shumagin -Islands- wi-th special - reference -to -the Koniuj i Island _ Group._ Unpublished report, USFWS, Anchorage, AK. Day, R. H. 1984. The avifauna-of the Koniuji.Grdup,.Shumagin­ Islands, Alaska. Murrelet (in press). Gabrielson, I.N. 1946. Unpublished field notes on the Shumagin Islands, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C. Gabrielson, I.N. and F. c. Lincoln. 1959. The Birds of Alaska. The Stackpole Co., Harrisburg PA., and the Wildlife Management Institute, Washington, DC. Golder, F. A. 1925. Bering's voyages, Vol. II. American Geophysical Research Series no. 2, New York, NY. Hulten, E. 1968. Flora of Alaska and neighboring territories. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. Kenyon, K. W. 1964. Wildlife and historical notes on Simeonof Island, Alaska. Murrelet 45: 1-8 •

.. Knudston, E. P. and G. v. Byrd. 1982, Breeding biology of 22 crested, least, and whiskered auklets on Buldir Island, Alaska. Condor 84: 197-202.

Moe, R. A. and R. H. Day. 1977. Populations and ecology of seabirds of the Koniuji Group, Shumagin Islands, Alaska. Unpublished report, Office of Biological Services Coastal Ecosystems, USFWS, Anchorage, AK.

Moe, R. A. 1977. The summer diets of three predator species on Big Koniuji Island, Alaska. Unpublished report, Office of Biological Services - Coastal Ecosystems, Anchorage, AK.

Murie, 0. J. 1959. Fauna of the Aleutian Islands and Alaska Peninsula. North American Fauna 61: 1-364.

Sowl L. 1973. Unpublished field notes, USFWS, Anchorage, AK. Sowls, A. L., s. A. Hatch, and c. J. Lensink. 1978. Catalog of Alaskan seabird colonies~ Office of Biological - Services - Coastal Ecosystems, USFWS, Anchorage, ~.

Stejneger, ~ L. 1936. George Wilhelm Steller, the pioneer of Alaska's natural history, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

Townsend. C. A. 1913. The crested auklet. Bird-Lore 15:133- 136.

Zeillemaker, C. F. and J. L. Trapp. 1986. Bird and mammal surveys at Alaid and Nizki Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska-spring 1984. Unpublished report, u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service, Adak, AK.