PACIFIC SEABIRDS

A Publication of the Pacific Seabird Group

Volume 34 Number 2 Fall 2007 PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment

The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) was formed in 1972 due to the need for better communication among Pacific seabird researchers. PSG provides a forum for the research activities of its members, promotes the conservation of seabirds, and informs members and the public of issues relating to Pacific Ocean seabirds and their environment. PSG members include research scientists, conservation professionals, and members of the public from all parts of the Pacific Ocean. The group also welcomes seabird professionals and enthusiasts in other parts of the world. PSG holds annual meetings at which scientific papers and symposia are presented; abstracts are published on our web site. The group is active in promoting conservation of seabirds, include seabird/fisheries interactions, monitoring of seabird populations, seabird restoration following oil spills, establishment of seabird sanctuaries, and endangered species. Policy statements are issued on conservation issues of critical importance. PSG’s journals are Pacific Seabirds (formerly the PSG Bulletin) and Marine Ornithology. Other publications include symposium volumes and technical reports; these are listed near the back of this issue. PSG is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Ornithological Council, and the American Bird Conservancy. Annual dues for membership are $30 (individual and family); $24 (student, undergraduate and graduate); and $900 (Life Membership, payable in five $180 installments). Dues are payable to the Treasurer; see the PSG web site, or the Membership/ Order Form next to inside back cover. World Wide Web Site http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

Donations The Pacific Seabird Group is a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of California. Contributions to the Pacific Seabird Group are tax deductible [IRS Section 501(c)(3)] to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Pacific Seabirds Pacific Seabirds publishes short peer-reviewed articles, reports of ongoing work, conservation news, and other items of importance to conservation of seabirds in the Pacific Ocean. The jorunal is published twice a year in spring and fall. Materials should be submitted to the Editor, except that conservation-related material should be submitted to the Associate Editor for Conservation. Information for contributors to Pacific Seabirds is published in each Fall issue. Back issues of the Bulletin or Pacific Seabirds are posted on the group’s web site or may be ordered from the treasurer (see Membership/Order Form next to inside back cover for details). Submission deadlines are April 1 for the spring issue and October 1 for the fall issue; manuscripts may be submitted at any time. Pacific Seabirds Editor Vivian M. Mendenhall, 4600 Rabbit Creek Rd., Anchorage, AK 99516, USA. Telephone (907) 345-7124; Fax (907) 345 0686; e-mail: [email protected]. Associate Editor for Conservation Craig S. Harrison, 4953 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA. Telephone: (202) 778‑2240, Fax: (202) 778 2201, e‑mail: [email protected] Assistant Editors for Conservation: S. Kim Nelson and Mark Rauzon.

Associate Editor for Regional Reports for this issue Don Lyons

Marine Ornithology Marine Ornithology presents peer-reviewed contributions concerning international seabird science and conservation. The journal is published two times a year. It is available on its web site or by subscription. The journal is supported by a partnership of global seabird societies, including the Pacific Seabird Group (PSG), the African Seabird Group, the Australasian Seabird Group, the Seabird Group (U.K.), the Dutch Seabird Group, and the Japan Seabird Group. For further information see www. marineornithology.org Change of Address Send changes of address to the PSG Treasurer, Ron LeValley, P.O. Box 324, Little River, CA 95456-0519, USA. Telephone: (707) 496-3326 (cell), (707) 937-1742 (work); fax: (707) 442-4303; e-mail: [email protected] or ron@ madriverbio.com PACIFIC SEABIRDS A Publication of the Pacific Seabird Group

Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment Volume 34 2007 Number 2

Report Monitoring of Nesting Red-tailed Tropicbirds in southeastern Oahu, 2007. By Eric A. VanderWerf ...... 42

Meeting News PSG goes to Taiwan. By Verena Gill, Rob Butler, Mark Rauzon, and Ron Ydenberg ...... 45 Notes from the Chinese Crested Tern Working Group meeting in Taiwan ...... 47

Obituary In Memoriam: Karl Walton Kenyon, 1918-2007. By Mark Rauzon ...... 48

Conservation Report ...... 50

PSG News ...... 55

Seabird News ...... 56

Executive Council Minutes ...... 57

Correction ...... 59

Regional Reports Alaska ...... 60 Russia ...... 66 Canada ...... 66 Washington and Oregon ...... 71 Southern California ...... 75 Non-Pacific United States ...... 76 Hawai‘i and Pacific ...... 77 North Atlantic ...... 81

General Information Information on the Pacific Seabird Group ...... Inside Front Cover Publications of the Pacific Seabird Group ...... 82 PSG Committees ...... 84 PSG Life Members and Recipients of Awards ...... 85 Information for Contributors to Pacific Seabirds ...... 86 Membership Application and Order Form ...... 88 PSG Executive Council for 2007 ...... Inside Back Cover REPORT Reports provide up-to-date information on current research and issues. They are not peer-reviewed and should not be cited without the author’s permission.

MONITORING OF NESTING RED-TAILED TROPICBIRDS IN SOUTHEASTERN OAHU, 2007

Eric A. VanderWerf

INTRODUCTION METHODS range of values should not be used for Two species of tropicbirds are regu- Nesting activity of Red-tailed Trop- comparison. All values reported are mean lar breeders in the Hawaiian Islands, the icbirds along the Ka Iwi coast of Oahu ± SE unless otherwise noted. Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubri- from Lanai Lookout to Halona Point In 2006 all chicks and some adults cauda) and the White-tailed Tropicbird (blowhole) was monitored from late were banded with a metal band to allow (P. lepturus). Both species nest primarily January to early September. The terrain monitoring of survival and recruitment on predator-free offshore islands or on in this area consists of steep rocky cliffs in future years. In 2007 the decision was steep cliffs of the main islands, where made of soft volcanic tuff that erodes made not to band more adults or chicks they are safe from introduced predators relatively easily, producing a variety of for two reasons: (1) The nest sites are such as feral cats, mongoose (Herpestes ledges, small caves, and rocky rubble. easily visible to the public from a busy auropunctatus), and rats (Rattus spp.) Three areas used for nesting were lo- roadway and several pullouts and obser- (Harrison 1990). White-tailed Trop- cated by the presence of adult tropicbirds vation points. If people saw researchers icbirds are more widespread in the main exhibiting aerial courtship behavior and handling tropicbirds it would reveal by searching on foot for nests along the the presence of the nests and possibly Hawaiian Islands, nesting on steep cliffs cliffs. To facilitate monitoring, each encourage others to handle the birds, in montane valleys or along the coast. cave and ledge that contained bird drop- which could jeopardize their survival. Red-tailed Tropicbirds are common pings was marked with a number using (2) Tropicbirds have tiny legs that are throughout the Northwestern Hawai- white nail polish. All marked sites were not visible unless the bird is picked up, ian Islands, but they have a restricted checked at roughly weekly intervals so it would not be possible to determine distribution in the main islands, nesting and the contents of each site were re- the identity of a bird without handling on rocky coasts in just a few locations, corded, until all nests had either failed it each year, which would increase the including Kilauea Point, Kauai, Manana or fledged. disturbance to the birds and the amount Islet off Oahu, Mokupuku Islet off north Nest success was calculated as the of time required for this work. However, Kohala, Hawaii, and along the Ka Iwi proportion of nests that fledged a chick. two Red-billed Tropicbirds (P. aethereus) coast of southeastern Oahu. The small Daily nest survival was calculated using were banded in 2007. This species nests colony in southeastern Oahu has per- the Mayfield method (Mayfield 1961), in in the eastern Pacific and is a rare visi- sisted despite its proximity to a busy road which the number of days survived was tor to the Hawaiian Islands, usually in and the presumed presence of numerous divided by the total number of exposure association with nesting Red-tailed alien predators. This report provides data days. Since nests were not checked on Tropicbirds (VanderWerf and Young on the reproductive success of Red-tailed a daily basis, it was assumed that any 2007). The Red-billeds were banded so Tropicbirds attempting to nest along the change in status (hatching, fledging, they could be identified if they return to Ka Iwi coast of Oahu in 2007. Monitor- failure) occurred midway since the last Hawaii in subsequent years, or if they ing of this colony began in 2006, though visit. This method may, by chance, over- are recaptured in their normal range in information on some nests was collected or underestimate incubation and fledging the eastern Pacific. in 2005. This information can be used periods, but it should not affect the mean to help assess whether this colony is values if the sample size is sufficiently RESULTS threatened by introduced predators and large. The mean incubation and fledg- A total of 24 tropicbird nesting at- whether predator control or any other ing periods therefore can be used for tempts were observed in 2007, of which management may be needed. comparison with other locations, but the three were in the same location as a nest

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 42 REPORT • Red-tailed Tropicbird in Oahu that had failed, suggesting they may have been renests. At Kilauea Point, Kauai, most nests in the same loca- tions were made by the same pair (B. Zaun, pers. comm.), suggesting the 24 nesting attempts likely were made by 21 pairs, though this cannot be known with certainty because the birds were not banded. Eggs were laid from late Janu- ary through early June, with a peak in March (Figure 1). Eggs hatched from mid-March to June, and chicks fledged from June to early September (Figure 1). Twenty of the 24 eggs hatched (83%), and 15 of the 20 chicks fledged (75%), for an overall nest success rate of 63% (15 of 24). The mean incubation period was 46.2 ± 1.0 days (n = 18), and the mean nestling period was 77.3 ± 2.0 days Fi g u r e 1. Nesting phenology of Red-tailed Tropicbirds in southeastern Oahu in 2007. (n = 15). Two nests were found after the egg was laid, so the incubation period in 2006 (19). Nest success was slightly colonies in 2007 for the second year in could not be measured for those nests. higher in 2007 (63%) than in 2006 (58%), a row (VanderWerf and Young in press). Of the nests that failed, four failed and success in both years was higher Both birds were banded so they could be during incubation and five failed after than average nest success rates on Kure identified. The Red-billed Tropicbirds hatching. Three nests were depredated (28%) and Midway (40%) (Schreiber interacted frequently with Red-tailed after hatching, probably by mongoose. and Schreiber 1993). The nesting season Tropicbirds and probably were attracted Two nests failed during incubation due to started unusually early in 2007, with the by their presence. The Red-billed Trop- interference from Red-billed Tropicbirds. first eggs laid in late January. icbirds often attempted to participate in In four nests the cause of failure was Mongoose were observed in the courtship displays with Red-tailed Trop- unknown. One of the depredated chicks nesting colonies for the first time in 2007, icbirds, but they did not perform the char- was found dead near the nest with its but it seems likely that a few individuals acteristic wheeling flight display of the skull chewed open and only the brain are present in the area most of the time Red-taileds and gave strident, screeching eaten. In the two other depredation cases but have not been detected previously. calls that were very different from the tropicbird feathers were scattered around At least three tropicbird nests were dep- clucking calls of the Red-taileds. Court- the nest area, one with a mongoose scat redated in 2007, probably by mongoose, ing Red-taileds sometimes tolerated the nearby. but the mongoose trapping effort in 2007 presence of a Red-billed in their midst, A large adult mongoose was ob- appeared to limit the damage. A rat was but on several occasions pairs or groups served in one of the nesting areas on 17 also trapped during efforts to catch mon- of courting Red-taileds dispersed upon May. Four live traps were deployed on goose, indicating rats are also present the arrival of a Red-billed. Each Red- 18 May and checked daily in an effort in the area, which was not surprising. billed Tropicbird frequently landed less to catch this animal and prevent it from Overall, the threat from predators does than one meter from nesting Red-tailed preying on tropicbirds or their eggs. not appear serious, though it may be Tropicbirds and vocalized. It was not A total of 4 mongooses and one rat of advisable to trap again at the start of clear if the Red-billeds were acting ag- unknown species were caught from 18 the 2008 nesting season to remove any gressively and attempting to take over May to 4 June. predators. Continued monitoring of nest the nest site, attempting to court with the success throughout the season would Red-tailed, or just curious, but the Red- DISCUSSION help to determine whether predation is taileds usually responded defensively The Red-tailed Tropicbird nesting occurring and if trapping needs to be by raising their wings and erecting their colony in southeastern Oahu, although implemented again later in the season to feathers and by giving harsh screams small, is fairly successful and appears to ensure that the colony remains secure. that were different from the clucking be increasing in size. The number of nest Two Red-billed Tropicbirds were calls used to greet mates. In 2007, two attempts in 2007 (24) was higher than observed in the Red-tailed nesting eggs were broken in the nests visited

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 43 REPORT • Red-tailed Tropicbird in Oahu most often by Red-billeds, and each Red- discourage predators from attempting to The Mayfield method and an alternative. billed sat in the nest cavity at different enter the area. The best method of pro- Auk 96:651-661. times after the nest failed. Tropicbirds are tecting this colony is to keep its location Harrison, C.S. 1990. Seabirds of Hawaii: natural history and conservation. Cornell known to engage in serious fights during as little known as possible. The presence University Press, Ithaca, New York. competition for nesting sites (del Hoyo et of researchers at the nests could attract Mayfield, H.F. 1961. Nesting success cal- al. 1992, Schreiber & Schreiber 1993), curious human visitors as well as preda- culated from exposure. Wilson Bull. and Diamond (1975) speculated that in- tors. Birders and naturalists interested in 73:255-261. terference from White-tailed Tropicbirds viewing or photographing the birds can Schreiber, E.A, and R.W. Schreiber. 1993. may have been a cause of nest failure do so safely from the Lanai lookout or Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubri- in Red-tailed Tropicbirds on Aldabra Halona blowhole parking areas. Court- cauda). Number 43 in A. Poole and F. Gill, editors. Birds of North America Atoll in the Indian Ocean. We did not ing tropicbirds frequently fly along the The Birds of North America, Inc., Phila- observe any physical aggression between shoreline and are easily seen from these delphia, PA. Red-billed and Red-tailed Tropicbirds, lookouts during March-July. Courtship VanderWerf, E.A., and L.C. Young. 2007. but at least two nest failures in 2007 activity seems to peak during the The Red-billed Tropicbird in Hawaii, were caused by Red-billed Tropicbirds, middle of the day, from 10am to 2pm. with notes on interspecific behavior of through intentional damage, incidental Shoreline areas below the nesting cliffs tropicbirds. Marine Ornithol. 35:81-84. damage from jostling during altercations are frequented by fisherman during the or rapid departure by incubating birds, day, especially on weekends. Visitation Eric VanderWerf or overheating of eggs caused by lack to the actual nest sites should be kept to Pacific Rim Conservation of attendance. This is a natural and very a minimum and at times when few other 3038 Oahu Avenue interesting phenomenon, and it would people are in the area. Honolulu, HI 96822 not be appropriate to remove or haze the [email protected] Red-billed Tropicbirds from the area. LITERATURE CITED The steep terrain in this area, heavy Del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. 1992. Lindsay C. Young traffic, and limited access probably has Handbook of birds of the world. Volume University of Hawaii, Department of 1. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. helped minimize human disturbance Zoology Diamond, A.W. 1975. The biology of trop- to the nesting colony. Similarly, there icbirds (Phaethon spp.) at Aldabra Atoll, Edmondson Hall is little food for predators in the rocky Indian Ocean. Auk 92:16-39. Honolulu, HI 96822 terrain, and the heavy traffic may help Johnson, D.H. 1979. Estimating nest success: [email protected]

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 44 MEETING NEWS

PSG’s first Special International Meeting was held in Lukang, Taiwan, Republic of China, in October 2007. The Chinese Crested Tern Working Group was formed at the request of Asian colleagues to help with conservation of this highly endangered bird.

PSG GOES TO TAIWAN Verena Gill, Rob Butler, Mark Rauzon, and Ron Ydenberg

As the Pacific Seabird Group con- Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Ministry tingent drove into Lukang, Taiwan, 1000 of Foreign Affairs, the National Youth banners announcing our first meeting Commission, and the Taiwan Sustainable in Asia fluttered in the wind all across Energy Society. The Taiwanese National this historic town. It was an amazing Science Council supervised the meeting, welcome to a meeting hallmarked by with organization provided by National outstanding hospitality. PSG opened an Chung-Hua University of Education exciting new chapter in its conference and the Taiwan International Birding history with a Special International Association. In addition, the Taipei Eco- Meeting held at the Leader Landmark nomic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, Hotel, 4-7 October 2007. In combination Canada, provided invaluable assistance Nightly entertainment for attendees (note with the planned Annual Conference in in making this meeting a reality. The PSG/Chinese Crested Tern banner) Japan in 2009 and the World Seabird PSG gives a big “thank you” to all these Conference in Vancouver in 2010, these Tony Gaston, Scientific Chair of agencies for their help. are strides toward PSG becoming a truly the meeting, presented the first plenary The opening ceremony was attended pan-Pacific organization. address with about 300 students and by several Taiwanese Legislators and The Taiwanese conference was faculty from Taiwan in attendance. The high-ranking government officials, and a highly memorable event for all that conference featured invited speakers on was widely reported in the Taiwanese attended. It was facilitated by superb three main themes, including “Seabirds media. In fact, the conference was widely local organization from Mr. Simon as Marine Animals,” “Human impacts Liao and Dr. Wei-Lung Wang, and by covered in the media each day. During on seabird populations,” and “Seabird the enthusiastic participation of many the ceremony we were treated to an status and distribution in the Pacific and Taiwanese students. The meeting ran environmentally themed fashion show adjacent seas.” Papers from these talks in parallel with the Conference of Tai- by some of the students, who showcased will be published in an upcoming issue wan Eco-Environmental Conservation, such issues as climate change, pollution, of Marine Ornithology. sponsored by the Taiwanese Council of and marine debris. Each evening was topped off with a banquet of unforgettable Taiwanese cui- sine and entertainment. We were treated to students giving us a modern dance performance, a rock concert, and music from a traditional Chinese orchestra. During the meeting, Super Typhoon Krosa roared across Taiwan. The storm triggered landslides, disrupted power, flooded homes, wiped out mountain roads, and sadly took 9 lives. All the while, conference attendees were hun- kered down in the hotel and went un- harmed. Not to be deterred by a little wind at the onset of the storm, many Attendees at the Pacific Seabird Group’s international conference in Taiwan

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 45 MEETING NEWS • Taiwan Special Conference of the attendees went out on a morning shorebird field trip to a nearby wetland. Mark Rauzon, Rob Butler, Ron Ydenberg and Julia Parrish saw the first White Tern (Gygis alba) recorded for Taiwan as it streaked by in the typhoon. The typhoon saw to it that that the large retinue of Taiwanese students was forced to take shelter in the hotel for the night of the banquet, which provided an evening that will not soon be forgotten by anyone Typhoon Krosa; note Taiwan in bull’s eye Ron Ydenberg and Rob Butler enjoy the typhoon there. HOTALA! Most significant in terms of PSG’s do we stand for?” The efforts of Mark that Beth Flint and Verena found inside conservation mission was the immediate Rauzon and Verena Gill saw to it that we one of the hotels. and charged response of PSG members will continue to work on behalf of this A few people spent the weekend to the recently rediscovered and imper- species (see meeting notes below). after the field trip in Taipei to continue iled Chinese Crested Tern (Thalasseusa Following the meeting, a five-day the message of bird conservation. There bernsteini). In fact the conference’s logo field trip to the mountains revealed the were more receptions and unbelievable was the critically endangered tern. The rich biodiversity contained in Taiwan’s hospitality with government and birding reappearance of these birds after almost huge parks and protected areas (about group officials. Verena, Mark Rauzon, 70 years is as significant as that of the 20% of the country). We added a new and Rob Butler represented PSG at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and lunch to Ivory-billed Woodpecker. A PSG team member to the team after the second day: launch a show of bird photographs and met with Taiwanese biologists, who Krosa the abandoned puppy, who now a book by K.K. Kuo, Chair of Olympus requested a cooperative conservation resides in Alaska. About 100 life birds Cameras in Taiwan. effort for the imperiled tern. As former were recorded, not to mention a highly For more information on Taiwan Past Chair Lisa Ballance put it, “If PSG poisonous snake (the turtle-designed pit- and its birds, go to www.birdingintai- doesn’t embrace this as a cause, what viper, Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus) wan.org

Mazu Temple (Xin-zu-gong), Lukang, Taiwan Mountains of Taiwan

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 46 MEETING NEWS • Taiwan Special Conference

Notes from the Chinese Crested Tern Working Group meeting in Taiwan

However, in 2007 there were only 5 gists and tern experts, in preparation for CCTE nests, with fewer than 15 individu- a brainstorming session at PSG’s 2008 als in the Matsu population. It is possible meeting at Semiahmoo, Washington. there are other unknown breeding sites, We were presented in Taiwan with but there has been no real research on the a just-released commercial DVD of the birds—just photo monitoring from boats Matsu tern colony. The video, which offshore, to minimize disturbance to the was funded by BirdLife Asia, highlights colony. It is estimated there could be as the plight of the CCTE. The footage few as 50 individuals left in the entire includes several other terns—Great population. Crested, Roseate (Sterna dougallii), Poor Chinese fishermen from the Black-naped (Sterna sumatrana), and nearby mainland (Fu-jien Province) use Bridled (Sterna anaethetus) Terns—and Black-tailed Gulls (Larus crassirostris). the waters around the Matsu islands. In one segment of this DVD, an island On 9 October 2007, an interna- The fishermen sometimes take GCTE visitor holds up a bird skeleton that tional PSG working group on the Chinese eggs and perhaps CCTE eggs for food. shows signs of having been eaten by rats. Crested Tern (CCTE) was formed, in At present this appears to be the great- response to a request from our Taiwanese This circumstantial evidence suggests est immediate threat to the CCTE. The rats are present and may be a predator colleagues. They wanted PSG to consider Taiwanese Coast Guard patrols the wa- how the organization could help save of the nesting terns, including the CCTE. ters, and for the last 3 years the Guard We are currently looking for funding the critically endangered CCTE. The has seized the fishermen’s nets if they to collaborate with the Taiwanese on a Taiwanese were represented by Shou- are caught egging. This appears to be predator assessment study. hwa Chang, the Taiwanese scientist a major deterrent to these fishermen, We feel strongly that the Pacific who rediscovered the CCTE and now because since the seizing of nets began Seabird Group should pursue this issue surveys them annually on the Matsu there has been no recorded egg loss. closely. We do not want to watch this Islands; Dustin Wang, a Taiwan Inter- Posting a warden on island would be an species perish like the blind Chinese river national Birding Association member optimal measure; however, this would be dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer) and poo’uli who helps with CCTE issues; and the a political issue, since in spite of being (Melamprosops phaeosoma). The CCTE conference host, Simon Liao, who works Taiwanese territory, the islands are so is part of this unique time for PSG, as for the Taiwanese government promot- close to mainland China. Asia looms large in our future, with this ing ecotourism and birding. PSG was Some ideas that were discussed in past meeting and the 2009 PSG meeting represented by the current Chair, Verena Taiwan include (in no particular order): in Japan. Anyone wishing to help with Gill; the Past Chair, Katie O’Reilly; Rob recovery of feathers for heavy metal this project should contact Verena Gill Butler, Canadian Wildlife Service and analysis, island assessment of predators, ([email protected]) or Mark Co-Chair of the Taiwan organizing com- taping calls for playback, mirror/decoy Rauzon ([email protected]). mittee; Ron Ydenberg. Co-Chair of the to attract other CCTE to the islands, safe Taiwan organizing committee; and Lisa haven breeding sites so remote cameras Ballance, Mark Rauzon, Julia Parrish, all can monitor behavior, satellite tags, and former Past Chairs. captive breeding. The Taiwanese also CCTE were once thought extinct, requested that PSG write a letter to the since none had been seen since 1937. Secretary of the Party Committee of However, in 2000 the first nest was found Fu-jien Province, People’s Republic of by Shou-hwa Chang in the Matsu Archi- China, to bring the matter of egging to pelago of Taiwan. The archipelago con- their attention (this has been done). A sists of eight small, rocky islands; they Recovery Plan drafted by BirdLife Asia lie 900 m from the Chinese mainland, and is currently being reviewed by PSG although they are Taiwanese territory, members, and from that we hope to they are over 50 km from Taiwan. Old evaluate how best to aid our Taiwanese colony photos revealed that CCTE were colleagues on the ground. Upon our re- nesting there among 3000 Great Crested turn to North America, we expanded the Chinese Crested Tern photos courtesy of Terns (Sterna bergii; GCTE) in the past. group to include Chinese seabird biolo- Simon Liao.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 47 OBITUARY

IN MEMORIAM: KARL WALTON KENYON, 1918-2007

Mark J. Rauzon

discharged with honors as a Lieutenant After Bing Crosby visited Midway Commander. Island on a USO show, he mentioned After the war, Kenyon bought a on his radio program that the Navy was twenty-five foot sloop and spent two killing albatrosses (Phoebastria spp.) months exploring the coast of Baja to prevent air crashes. Kenyon was California, a feat not casually repeated dispatched to address the problem of even today. He published some new and birds flying into aircraft. The island’s important data on bird distribution, and commanding officer thought that Karl’s his impeccable field notes are invaluable presence was a tacit go-ahead to remove today. the nuisance birds. To prove a point, Kenyon taught biology at Mills Col- Karl allowed a kill on a triangle where lege for two years. He then joined the the runways met. As birds were killed, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife others kept coming in to replace them. Karl Walton Kenyon, one of the in 1947, where he worked under Victor first marine ecologists to research both Scheffer (who is now 100 years old). The dead birds were dumped at sea, but seabirds and marine mammals, died on From 1947 to 1954, Karl spent part of they floated ashore and had to be picked March 27, 2007 at age 89. each year on the Pribilof Islands studying up from the beach. Kenyon and Dale Kenyon was born in 1918 in La northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), Rice then recommended that the revet- Jolla, California. As a youth he roamed and for six months in 1952 he partici- ments and dunes bordering the runway San Diego County, where he spent much pated in studies of international pelagic be moved 300 feet away, so that birds of his spare time skiff-fishing with his sealing off Japan. In 1955 he was based soaring on updrafts above these objects friend Townsend Cromwell, who went in Seattle and began a 10-year investiga- would be out of harm’s way. The alba- on to become a famous oceanographer tion of sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) trosses would then lose altitude over the (Cromwell Current is the deep under- in the Aleutian Islands. Much of this dunes instead of the runway. The work water current the bathes the equatorial work was based on extensive research cost millions of dollars, but it saved islands of the western Pacific.) Karl at Amchitka before underground nuclear thousands of albatrosses and may have and another friend collected bird eggs, testing began in 1965. His work resulted saved some pilots’ lives. and once when Karl had climbed a tall in the monograph The Sea Otter in the Other examples of Kenyon’s eucalyptus tree to collect Great Blue Eastern Pacific Ocean(1969) , part of the pioneering efforts include one of the North American Fauna series published Heron eggs, the landowner caught him first beached-bird surveys in San Diego by the U. S. Department of the Interior. and called him down. That landowner county (Kenyon 1943). He was also one Kenyon was largely responsible for the was Bing Crosby, who was later to cross of the first to observe plastic ingestion reintroduction of northern sea otters on his path again. by seabirds (Kenyon and Kridler 1959). the Washington coast, where they thrive One of his well-regarded studies con- Kenyon attended Pomona College today. cerns the homing ability of the Laysan from 1936 to 1940. He gained a master’s His other assignments also included Albatross (P. immutabilis; Kenyon and degree from Cornell University in 1944, work on Pacific walrus (Odobenus ros- Rice 1958). Their research described studying Baltimore Oriole (Icterus gal- marus) on Little Diomede and Round bula) nest site selection. He was drafted Islands in the Bering Sea, with three an experiment in which incubating al- in World War II and served as a naval extensive aerial surveys over the ice batrosses were flown to various Pacific aviator aboard the USS Sangamon in to determine walrus distribution and Rim air stations and then released. The the Pacific theater, strafing and bombing population size. He also coordinated the short time that it took for the birds to to support landings in the Marshall and first aerial census of the Steller’s sea lion return to their nests on Midway was an Gilbert Islands, New Guinea, Saipan, (Eumetopias jubatus). Kenyon’s aerial oft-repeated fact in popular literature. Rota, Guam, and the Philippines. He surveys put him at risk, and in 1961 he With Dale Rice, Kenyon co-au- flew 97 sorties in all, and was shot down survived a crash off Adak that killed thored seminal works on the breeding, and rescued at sea at Leyte Island in several others. In all, he was involved in distribution and life history of the North the Philippines. After the war he was three airplane accidents. American albatrosses (Rice and Kenyon

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 48 OBITUARY • Karl Kenyon

1961) and Hawaiian Monk Seals (Ken- of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Kenyon, K.W. 1955. Last of the Tlingit Seal- yon and Rice 1959). In his paper “Man A subspecies of the northern sea otter, ers. Natural History, June. versus the monk seal,” (Kenyon 1972), Enhydra lutris kenyoni, was named for Kenyon, K.W. 1969. The Sea Otter in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. North Amae- he alerted the world to the plight of this him by Don Wilson in 1991. A cormorant rican Fauna Series, number 68. U. S. species. In 1978 he pronounced the species was named after him in the same Department of the Interior, Washington, Caribbean monk seal extinct, based on year by Douglas Siegel because of a com- D.C.352 pp. extensive aerial surveys and interviews plete skeleton that Kenyon collected in Kenyon, K. W. 1972. Man versus the monk with fishermen. 1959. The skeleton was initially thought seal. J Mammal. 53:687-696. Kenyon retired in 1973, a year after to belong to a Pelagic Cormorant. How- Kenyon, K.W. 1978. Caribbean monk seal the Marine Mammal Protection Act went extinct. J Mammal. 58:97-98. ever, morphometric studies showed it Kenyon, K.W. and D. Rice. 1958. Hom- into effect, citing “too much paperwork to be smaller than all other cormorants; ing ability of Laysan Albatross. Condor needed yesterday.” He pursued conser- it thus may be a new species, Kenyon’s 60:3-6. vation work and stopped the bombing Shag (Stictocarbo kenyoni), or else a Kenyon, K.W. and E. Kridler. 1959. Laysan of Seal Rocks in Washington State, a small subspecies of Pelagic Cormorant Albatross swallow indigestible material. Auk. 86:339-343. target he himself had strafed during his endemic to the Central Aleutians. Ke- “top gun” years. Kenyon was also an Kenyon, K. W. and D. Rice. 1959. Life His- nyon also received the Pacific Seabird tory of the Hawaiian monk seal. Pacific accomplished wildlife photographer, Group’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Sci. 13:215-252. watercolorist and oil painter. Over the Award in 1993. Rice, D. W., and K. W. Kenyon, 1961. The years he also authored numerous articles Kenyon is survived by his com- breeding biology of the Laysan and for popular magazines (e.g., “Last of the panion of 39 years, Clarence Larson, his Black-footed Albatross. Auk 38:89-110. Tlingit Sealers”; Kenyon 1955). brother, Mel Kenyon, and two nieces and Mark J. Rauzon Kenyon’s contributions have been two nephews. acknowledged in many ways. Bogoslov Marine Endeavors 4701 Edgewood Ave. Island, an emerging volcanic cone in the SELECTED REFERENCES Aleutians contains a prominence that was Kenyon, K.W. 1943. Birds found dead on Oakland, CA 94602, U.S.A. named Kenyon’s Dome by G. Vernon Byrd beach. Condor 45:76. [email protected]

Photos of Karl Kenyon on French Frigate Shoals in 1977 by Mark J. Rauzon.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 49 CONSERVATION REPORT Compiled by Craig Harrison and the editor

PSG AWARDS FIRST birds in the post-breeding season. The species probably are no more than 50. CONSERVATION SMALL breeding population has been increas- Verena Gill and Mark Rauzon drafted GRANTS ing at an average 7.5% per year since most of the letter. PSG noted that the 1979, when Hasegawa began counting need for conservation action is urgent, the number of breeding pairs. He reports and informed the Chinese officials that PSG awarded its first two Conser- that breeding success is even better at PSG had organized an international team vation Small Grants in late 2007, in the the new colony, which is growing very of experts to outline a plan of action for amount of about $2,000 per project. One rapidly through the immigration of pre- conserving this species. PSG invited of- project is intended to eradicate Pacific breeders from the more crowded original ficials from the Chinese government to rats (Rattus exulans) from Mabualau colony. Because of this, Hasegawa thinks attend PSG’s meeting in February 2008 Island, Fiji, and will be lead by Amit the Torishima population is now grow- in Blaine, Washington, where the experts Sukal of Birdlife International in Suva, ing faster than previously, perhaps at a will discuss ways and means to help Fiji. This project will protect Red-footed rate of 8% per year. Hasegawa will start the species survive. PSG has proposed Boobies (Sula sula), Black Noddies work on creating a third colony on the to coordinate an international effort to (Anous minutus) and Lesser Frigatebirds Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands in February eradicate rodents from the nesting island (Fregata ariel). The second project will 2008, through the translocation of chicks. where the terns are known to breed. identify interactions between seabirds If this project succeeds, it would reduce PSG commended China for setting and artisanal fishing in the Chilean the risk of damage to the population by aside marine protected areas such as the Patagonian fjords and channels. The an unpredictable volcanic explosion of Jiushan Islands in Zhejiang, Huanghe principal investigator is Cristian G. Torishima. Sanjiaozhou Nature Reserve, and the Suazo, Universidad de Los Lagos, Chile, There is also some very encourag- Min Jiang river estuary, Fujian province, and the project is intended to protect ing news from Midway, Northwestern where the terns may feed. PSG also noted Black-browed Albatrosses (Thalassarche Hawaiian Islands. Three Short-tailed that one of the most serious threats to melanophrys), Magellanic Penguins Albatross are present, two sub-adults and the birds is egging by fishermen, and (Spheniscus magellanicus) and Southern one adult, one of which had previously requested help in asking fishermen to Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialoides). been attracted to a decoy. A subadult and refrain from taking eggs and disturbing adult are dancing together, suggesting a the terns during the breeding season. bond may form that could lead to fertile eggs in the near future. (In the past, single Short-tailed Albatrosses have turned up UPDATE ON SHORT- on two islands at Midway Atoll, but they TAILED ALBATROSS only seemed interested in trying to bond GALAPAGOS ISLANDS POPULATIONS with other albatross species.) DECLARED IN DANGER BY UNITED NATIONS Hiroshi Hasegawa has reported the results from his 97th trip to Torishima Is- UNESCO declared in June 2007 land to monitor Short-tailed Albatrosses that the Galápagos Islands, which are a (Phoebastria albatrus) during autumn CONSERVATION OF THE World Heritage Site, are in danger from 2007. Hiroshi is pleased with the success CHINESE CRESTED TERN booming immigration and tourism. This at improving the breeding output through followed an announcement in April by management of the nesting habitat. An- As a follow-up to PSG’s meeting in the Government of Ecuador that the other great success is the creation of a new Taiwan in October 2007, PSG has writ- Galápagos are at risk and are a national colony at the erosion-free “ safe” site on ten officials in the People’s Republic of priority for conservation. The most ob- Torishima through the use of decoys and China concerning the Chinese Crested vious threat of visitors is disturbance of tape recordings. He anticipates 240-250 Tern (Thalasseusa bernsteini). The spe- wildlife and habitats, but this may not be chicks will fledge during spring 2008 if cies was rediscovered in the year 2000 the most serious problem. The islands’ there are no natural disasters, and that the off Fuzhou on the east coast of main- popularity for ecotourism is driving a total population size will be about 2100 land China. Worldwide numbers of this local economic boom (the islands have

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 50 CONSERVATION REPORT eight small towns and a permanent was continuous with a healthier popula- including large towns in southeastern population of about 19,000). Visitors tion in British Columbia and Alaska. Alaska, the city of Kodiak, on many of and supply vessels increase the risk of Judge John Bates of the U.S. District the Aleutian Islands, and as far north as introducing exotic pests. More than 1000 Court for the District of Columbia ruled Fairbanks and Nome. non-native species are now known there, that the industry could not sue USFWS To combat the risk of rats, the Alaska mostly plants and insects (although some over a status review. He said the agency Department of Fish and Game recently species, such as goats and rats, date from had only made a recommendation, not adopted new regulations to halt their the 19th century). made a decision or taken an action. spread and prevent introductions into The good news is that conservation The judge’s ruling was not con- new areas. Also, the department recently efforts are already well-developed under cerned with the status of the population. released a management plan entitled the Galápagos National Park Service, USFWS could conduct another status “Wildlife and People at Risk: Plan to with support from the Charles Darwin review over the species’ entire range. A Keep Rats Out of Alaska” (http://www. Foundation (CDF). Visitors to uninhabit- 2007 review by a different federal agen- adfg.state.ak.us/special/invasive/inva- ed islands are strictly controlled and must cy, U.S. Geological Survey, concluded sive.php). The plan promotes protection be accompanied by a Park Service guide. that the population of Marbled Murrelets of Alaska’s wildlife from nonnative Research and conservation measures is declining in many areas from Alaska rodents, especially rats. It is part of a are carried out by the CDF, which was to California. multi-agency effort to minimize impacts established in 1959 under the auspices More developments are almost of invasive species in Alaska. The docu- of UNESCO, and which works closely certain in the future. USFWS might de- ment summarizes existing information, with the government and international cide later to change (or to continue) the then recommends a collaborative struc- cooperators. But the problems are im- murrelet’s protection under the ESA. Any ture for combating rats, including the mense, in part because the archipelago is such action could be subject to litigation formation of an “ Alaska Rodent Action so remote—it extends 350 km from north (unlike a status review). The issue of Team.” It identifies dozens of strategic to south and 150 km east to west; most protected habitats is also pending now, actions to prevent and eradicate inva- islands are uninhabited, and most are regardless of the murrelet’s ESA status. sive rodents, in six categories: legal and accessible only by sea. Potential prob- Both BLM and USFWS have proposed policy changes, emergency “ rat-spill” to reduce habitats of Marbled Murrelets lems are exemplified by the discovery responses (preventing the escape of rats, in January 2008 that 50 Galapagos sea (see Pacific Seabirds 34(1):18-19). Fi- e.g. from shipwrecks), health and safety, lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) had been nally, AFRC may keep up its pressure community rodent prevention and con- clubbed to death on seldom-visited La on the agency; the group could appeal trol, and wildlife and habitat restoration. Pinta Island. the judge’s recent decision, or they could Additionally, the plan provides a practi- change tactics and file a petition with cal guide to efforts by industry and local USFWS to delist the Marbled Murrelet. communities. The new state regulations aim to increase awareness of the dangers posed MARBLED MURRELET to Alaska by rats, as well as to eradicate STILL PROTECTED BY ESA them from the state. The Alaska Board of NEW RODENT Game approved these regulations to be- A federal judge ruled in February come effective in September 2007. They REGULATIONS IN ALASKA 2008 against the U.S. timber industry’s require boaters, shippers, and others who effort to end protection of the Marbled are moving containers that could contain Introduced predators have dev- Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmora- rats to check vigilantly for hitchhiking astated some populations of wildlife rodents, and to control or eradicate them tus) under the Endangered Species Act throughout world. Among the most if found. Enforcement will focus largely (ESA). damaging are rats (Rattus spp.), which The American Forest Resources can decimate populations of ground-nest- on prevention of “ rat spills,” assistance Council (AFRC) filed a lawsuit in early ing birds, especially seabirds. Alaska’s to shippers and others, and voluntary 2007 to force delisting of the murrelet by remoteness has not spared the state’s compliance. These regulations now make the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (US- rich wildlife from this threat. Rats first it illegal for a boat or other means of FWS). The lawsuit argued that USFWS arrived in Alaska in 1780 when a Japa- conveyance to enter Alaskan waters or must delist the murrelet, because the nese sailing vessel went aground in the remain in Alaskan waters if it is infested agency’s status review of the species in Aleutian Islands. Today both Norway with rats. They also require everyone in 2004 had concluded that the population rats (R. norvegicus) and black rats (R. the state to store food and garbage in a in California, Oregon, and Washington rattus) are found in isolated locations, manner that does not attract rodents. In

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 51 CONSERVATION REPORT addition, harbors, ports, food processors, terrestrial habitats, because of the need was crawling at night with rats, and that and other facilities that contain rats are to service bait stations on foot. as traps was being set, newly-set ones required to control or eradicate them. were snapping shut. Lower rat numbers —Joe Meehan on the seventh island were attributed to the presence of a feral domestic cat. Local communities and landowners ELIMINATION OF RATS iN have pledged support for rat eradication. FIJI Planning is underway to establish how PSG SUPPORTS RAT eradication will be carried out, and what ERADICATION IN PSG’s support of rat eradication restrictions on access, crab harvesting and ALEUTIANS on Mabualau Island, Fiji (see first item other activities may need to be imposed iin this report), complements efforts on until it is complete. The operational plan In January, PSG strongly supported other Fijian islands that are funded by is expected to be finalized in early 2008; the proposal of the USFWS to eliminate the David & Lucile Packard Foundation. eradication will occur between May and Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from BirdLife International’s Fiji program has August 2008. Once rats have been elimi- Rat Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Brad begun work to remove rats and cats from nated, BirdLife will focus on biosecurity Keitt of Island Conservation assisted in the Ringgold Isles, a remote archipelago to prevent rats and other invasive species drafting this letter. PSG noted that sea- to the north of Fiji’s two main islands. from returning. This will involve the lo- bird islands throughout the world have The Ringgolds are mostly uninhabited, cal communities and landowners, whose been threatened by introduced predators, and their relative isolation should make support is essential. and rats are one of the most pernicious them a safe haven for such seabirds as In February 2008, BirdLife Interna- pests that can occupy a seabird colony. Black Noddies and Red-footed Boo- tional and the Nagilogilo Clan of Vatuira In the worst circumstances, a colony can bies. Unfortunately, Pacific rats (Rattus announced the successful eradication of be entirely destroyed. In other situations exulans) have become established on Pacific rats. Vatuira is a small island 15 a colony may survive but is crippled, many islands and are contributing to a km from Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island, suffering huge losses each year of eggs, progressive decline in seabird breeding and has a major seabird colony. Ground- populations through predation on eggs chicks and even adult birds. Today Rat nesting species such as Bridled Tern and chicks. The rats also hinder regenera- Island, whose area is almost 2800 ha, (Sterna anaethetus) and Black-naped tion of coastal forest—which is essential has few seabirds. PSG suggested that Tern have been observed raising chicks to tree-nesting species like the boobies seabirds may quickly recolonize the on Vatuira for the first time since eradica- and noddies—by eating the seeds of island once rats are removed. tion was completed. native trees. PSG stated that a fundamental mis- BirdLife completed the first phase sion of the National Wildlife Refuge of the project in summer 2007 when it System is to restore islands such as Rat surveyed the islands to establish seabird Island to their natural state, and to allow numbers and the presence of invasive wildlife such as seabirds to flourish. PSG predators. These baseline data will en- noted that for decades, the Alaska Mari- PROTECTION OF able pre- and post-eradication monitor- SEABIRDS AT KAENA time National Wildlife Refuge has been a ing. It confirmed that the Ringgold Isles national and world leader is restoring is- are among Fiji’s most important for sea- POINT, HAWAII land ecosystems to benefit seabirds. Thus birds, and some may meet criteria for in- PSG has confidence that the refuge staff ternationally important bird areas (IBAs). In January, PSG wrote the Hawaii will implement the proposed eradication There are thousands of Black Noddies Department of Land and Natural Re- program capably and professionally. The and Brown Noddies (Anous stolidus), sources to support a proposal to erect rodenticide that is proposed for use has hundreds of Red-footed Boobies and a predator-proof fence at Kaena Point, successfully been used to eliminate alien Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster), and Oahu, to eliminate the harm that dogs, rodents for twenty years. The technique some Lesser Frigatebirds. Also present cats, mongoose and rats cause to sea- of scattering poisoned bait from a heli- were Masked Boobies (Sula dactylatra), bird colonies at the Kaena Point Natural copter was developed by New Zealand Black-naped Terns (Sterna sumatrana), and Area Reserve. At least 100 seabirds are conservationists, and it was successfully White Terns (Gygis alba). killed at this reserve each year, and this employed to eradicate rats on Anacapa Rats were found on seven of the interference is a major obstacle to main- Island in 2002, another project that PSG eight islands, six of which had medium to taining healthy wedge-tailed shearwater supported. PSG noted that non-aerial high densities. BirdLife’s Steve Cranwell (Puffinus pacificus) and Laysan albatross bait distribution could disturb sensitive said that in many places the forest floor (Phoebastria immutabilis) colonies. PSG

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 52 CONSERVATION REPORT noted that if predators are removed and federal land, loss of occupied and suit- presidential proclamation primarily to native vegetation restored, colonies of able murrelet habitat is continuing; and provide habitat for seabirds and marine red-footed boobies or great frigatebirds (3) murrelet habitat declines will acceler- mammals. PSG encouraged the Califor- (Fregata minor) might become estab- ate in the future with proposed changes nia Coastal Commission, BLM, USFWS, lished. to the late-successional reserves and and the California Department of Fish the Northwest Forest Plan. Continued and Game to take the necessary steps to habitat loss and the continued fragmen- avoid future disturbances. tation of habitat will increase the risk of extinction of this unique seabird. For PSG OPPOSES BLM’S these reasons, PSG opposes allowing ad- PROPOSED REVISIONS TO ditional older-aged forests to be logged KOREAN OIL SPILL WESTERN OREGON PLAN because it could lead to the extinction THREATENS SEABIRDS of Marbled Murrelets in Oregon in the Thanks to Bill Ritchie and Kim foreseeable future. South Korea suffered the worst oil Nelson, PSG wrote to the Bureau of spill in its history on 7 December 2007, Land Management (BLM) in January to when the supertanker Hebrei Spirit was express its concern about BLM’s Western struck by a barge that had come loose Oregon Plan Revision with respect to the from its tug during rough weather. The Marbled Murrelet. The plan proposed FIREWORKS DISPLAYS 260,000 barrels of crude oil threatened the elimination of designated late-suc- AND CORMORANTS two areas that are crucial for thousands cessional reserves established under of wintering and migrating birds. Tens the Northwest Forest Plan and would In December, PSG wrote the Cali- of thousands of volunteers and soldiers allow increased logging in older-aged fornia Coastal Commission to express worked for 10 days to clean up thousands forests. PSG stated that late-successional its concerns about the effect of fireworks of tons of crude oil, some of which reserves and all remaining older-aged displays on nesting seabirds in the vicin- threatened to enter Cheonsu Bay, about forests are critical to the survival and ity of Gualala Point Island in northern 95 miles southwest of Seoul. recovery of murrelets. PSG opposed the Sonoma County. Ron LeValley provided The broken slick extended about proposed changes and suggested that the background information for PSG’s 130 km south from the spill center, with BLM maintain all of the existing late- letter. A Fourth of July fireworks display oil washing up on beaches and tidal-flats successional reserves, older-aged forests, disturbed nesting Brandt’s Cormorants as far south as the Geum Estuary. The riparian reserves, and other habitats that (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) and Pelagic Geum Estuary-Seocheon coastline pro- are critical to the survival and recovery Cormorants (P. pelagicus) in 2006. Sev- vides habitat for Eurasian Oystercatchers of this threatened species. eral concerned citizens sought the advice (Haematopus ostralegus), Shelducks PSG emphasized that the murrelet of biologists with BLM and USFWS. The (Tadorna tadorna), and Saunders’s gulls was listed in 1992 primarily because agencies established a protocol to moni- (Larus saundersi). These areas are very of significant losses of nesting habitat tor the seabirds during the 2007 breeding important for wintering and migrating through logging and development in season, with particular interest in gauging birds in the Yellow Sea. In addition, coastal forests of Washington, Oregon the effect of the fireworks display on the Dunlin (Calidris alpina) on the Taean and California, and that the recovery cormorants. This effort documented with Peninsula showed signs of oil contami- plan sought to stabilize the population photography that 11% of the Brandt’s nation. at or near current levels by maintaining Cormorant nests were abandoned at the or increasing productivity and removing time of the fireworks event. The cormo- or minimizing threats to survival. With- rants reacted quickly and many left the out late-successional reserves and other island during the event. protected forests, the terrestrial habitat This cormorant colony has been ARE YELLOW-BILLED will not be protected and the demise of declining for decades for a variety LOONS ENDANGERED? the murrelet population in Oregon will of reasons. PSG stated that an avoid- likely be accelerated. able disturbance that causes as much The Center for Biological Diversity, PSG noted that (1) murrelet popu- as 10% of a population to fail in its Pacific Environment, and the Natural lations will likely continue to decline breeding attempts is unwarranted. Resources Defense Council sued the through low fecundity and high predation The Gualala Point Rocks are part U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in mid- rates; (2) even with the current system of the California Coastal National December 2007 to block oil develop- of reserves and critical habitat units on Monument, which was established by ment and to secure Endangered Species

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 53 CONSERVATION REPORT

Act protections for Yellow-billed Loons rent budget to complete the status review (Melanitta perspicillata; 766 collected), (Gavia adamsii). The groups claim that and the 12-month finding. Western/Clark’s Grebe (Aechmorpho- Yellow-billed Loons are threatened by rus spp.; 434), Eared/Horned Grebe industrialization in the 9.3-million ha (Podiceps spp.; 288), Common Murre National Petroleum Reserve, which (Uria aalge; 288), cormorants (Phala- covers much of Alaska’s western North crocorax spp.; 248), and scaups (Aythya Slope. They are also concerned that the USFWS PROPOSES TO LIST marila and A. affinis; 466). Species species is under stress from warming in 6 SEABIRDS UNDER ESA collected in lesser numbers included the Arctic, and that oil development will herons (Ardeidae), loons (Gaviidae), add to its problems. In December, USFWS proposed gulls (Larus spp.), Northern Fulmars to list as endangered three seabirds that Yellow-billed Loons breed in tundra (Fulmarus glacialis), and protected spe- rarely occur in U.S. waters: Chatham wetlands in Alaska, Canada and Russia, cies such as Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus Petrel (Pterodroma axillaris), Fiji Petrel and winter along the western coasts of occidentalis), Marbled Murrelets, and Canada and the United States. USFWS (Pterodroma macgillivrayi) and Ma- Snowy Plovers (Charadrius alexand- estimates there are 16,500 Yellow-billed genta Petrel (Pterodroma magentae). rinus). Total mortality, including dead Loons in the world, of which 3700 to In addition, USFWS has proposed list- birds that did not come ashore or were 4900 breed in Alaska. More than 75% of ing three seabirds as threatened: Cook’s missed by cleanup crews, is being esti- the Alaska breeders nest in the petroleum Petrel (Pterodroma cookii), Galapagos mated through further analysis. reserve. The breeding habitat in Alaska Petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia), and includes the Teshekpuk Lake area, which Heinroth’s Shearwater (Puffinus hein- More information is available at has been off-limits to oil development but rothi). USFWS is seeking data and com- http://www.dfg.ca.gov/ospr/spill/ is now under consideration for oil and ments from the public on this proposal gas leasing. Yellow-billed Loons also by March 17, 2008. breed along the Colville River, includ- ALASKAN MURRES ing areas already opened to oil and gas RESCUED FROM WORLD development. PRELIMINARY BIRD In May 2007, USFWS said Yel- WAR II low-billed Loons warranted study for IMPACTS FROM COSCO Endangered Species Act listing. That BUSAN SPILL IN SAN Barwell Island in Resurrection determination required the agency to FRANCISCO BAY Bay, Alaska, is too remote and steep for solicit public comment, carry out a status normal visitors. But adventurous boaters review of the loons and, if merited, issue The California Department of Fish who leapt onto the island’s cliffs last year a proposed rule to protect loons. FWS and Game has released preliminary totals discovered a World War II gun emplace- was acting on an April 5, 2004 petition for oiled birds that were collected after ment that was trapping murres. A door filed by the Center for Biological Diver- the container vessel Cosco Busan hit the in the roof of the structure had been left sity and the Natural Resources Defense San Francisco Bay Bridge on 7 Novem- open, and murres that fell in could not Council. The environmental groups ber 2007. More than 50 species of birds escape. Staff of the Alaska Maritime believe that FWS is moving too slowly were affected. Of 2940 birds collected, National Wildlife Refuge closed the gap. because it did not address these issues 1084 were alive when found, and 421 of They also found a stash of acid batteries within a year of the original petition. these were cleaned and released. from the war, which are being removed They are seeking an order from a federal Oiled birds were collected in the by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. judge setting a firm deadline for decision. bay and along the outer coast. The One more legacy of war has finally been USFWS expects to have funds in its cur- species most affected were Surf Scoter laid to rest . . .

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 54 PSG NEWS

PSG EXECUTIVE to be on the ballot next time (including (This notice will be repeated in the COMMITTEE ELECTIONS you!), please let Pat Baird know; her e- two next issues of Pacific Seabirds.) FOR 2008 mail is [email protected]

The following Executive Council members were elected for 2008: NEW COORDINATOR FOR Officers PACIFIC SEABIRDS WILL MARBLED MURRELET • Chair-elect: Greg Balogh GO MOSTLY ELECTRONIC TECHNICAL COMMITTEE • Treasurer: Ron LeValley Regional Representatives Starting in 2009, Pacific Seabirds Bill Ritchie has replaced Danielle • Alaska: Heather Renner will be mailed only to those members Escene as coordinator of PSG’s Marbled • Hawaii/Pacific Rim: Linda Elliott who specifically request it. Members Murrelet Technical Committee. Bill has • Northern California: Craig Strong who do not request a hard copy of Pacific extensive experience as a Marbled Mur- • Old World: Linda Wilson Seabirds via mail will be able to down- relet specialist with the Washington De- Student Representative: Heather Major load every issue from the PSG website, partment of Fish and Wildlife, including www.pacificseabirds.org The paper and marine and terrestrial surveys, research, The vote was very close for the electronic versions of the journal will still and conservation. He also has experience Alaska and Northern California posi- look the same. with fisheries bycatch, threatened and tions. People who ran for those positions Volume 34 (2007) and Volume 35 endangered species, oil spill response, (2008) will continue to arrive in the mail are encouraged to try again—or please fisheries sampling, forest restoration, and as usual, in addition to being posted on consider running for an officer’s slot for beached bird surveys. the website. You are welcome to con- 2009 (see below). Thank you for taking on this impor- tinue receiving Pacific Seabirds in the The turnout for the election was very tant position for PSG, Bill! poor (only 62 ballots were returned— mail as long as you wish. However, any that’s barely more than four times the member who wants to continue receiving size of the Exco!). We had hoped that copies by mail after 2008 must contact the Treasurer, Ron LeValley. His e-mail more members would vote, since we is [email protected]; phone (707) offered e-mail ballots and a choice of NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR 326-0300; address Mad River Biologists, candidates for some positions. If you 920 Samoa Blvd., Suite 210, Arcata, CA A PSG AWARD think you know how more PSG members 95521, USA. might become interested in voting, please The PSG Executive Council decided PSG gives two awards for contri- let us know. in favor of distributing Pacific Seabirds butions to seabird research, conserva- At the end of this year, the following electronically because many journals tion, or education. Any member may Exco positions will be filled for 2009: already are electronic (including our nominate a person for PSG’s Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA) or Special • Officers other journal, Marine Ornithology), and Achievement Award (SAA). The LAA • Chair-elect because the change will save printing • Secretary and mailing costs. Some people prefer is given in honor of significant, long- • Vice-chair for Conservation to receive their journals online. However, term contributions in the field of seabird • Regional Representatives we will continue to send Pacific Seabirds work, in the Pacific or worldwide; the • Canada through the mail on request, because SAA is given for outstanding service to • Oregon/Washington some members cannot get it over the PSG or for exemplary accomplishment • Southern California Internet conveniently or may just prefer for seabirds. • Non-Pacific U.S. a paper copy. To nominate someone, submit a one- Libraries will automatically con- page summary of the person’s accom- Candidates for the Non-Pacific U.S. tinue to receive Pacific Seabirds through plishments and contributions to the Past representative have already volunteered. the mail, since this can be important for Chair, who is coordinator of the Awards If you know someone who would like reliable archiving. Committee, by 30 June of any year.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 55 PSG NEWS

If your candidate is approved by the be based on information from the person article (1-5 pages), based on your presen- Executive Council, you will participate and possibly from his or her colleagues; tation at the awards ceremony, in time for in the awards ceremony at PSG’s Annual it usually includes photographs of past that issue’s deadline. activities. PSG welcomes nominations from Meeting. You will give a short talk (15- Pacific Seabirds publishes a written any member. In some years we may give 30 minutes) about the individual’s career report on each award in the next issue. no awards, if suitable candidates are not and accomplishments. The tribute will You will be expected to submit a short approved.

SEABIRD NEWS

FISH TAG FLIES FROM gastrointestinal tract for more than a year, few hours. Special visits were arranged OREGON TO NEW in spite of vigorous regurgitations while for veterans of the Battle of Midway on ZEALAND the bird was feeding its chick. two anniversaries of the battle. A small refuge staff has continued to manage the island, with the help of volunteers. A passive integrated transponder When President Bush declared the (PIT) tag that was implanted in a steel- northwest Hawaiian Islands a national head (Salmo gairdneri) at a Columbia MIDWAY WILL WELCOME River hatchery was recovered two years VISITORS AGAIN marine monument in 2006, Midway was later in New Zealand. Since steelhead designated as the area where the public do not migrate across the equator, the After a six-year hiatus, Midway could view and learn about the monu- two best theories about the tag’s travels Atoll will reopen to tourist flights in ment. Midway Atoll National Wildlife involve Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus March 2008. The Oceanic Society will Refuge has developed a new plan for griseus). sponsor a limited number of tours, which managing visitors, which is more conser- The electronic tag was noticed by a will accommodate a maximum of 16 vative than previously. Forty visitors will Maori hunter on Big Moggy Island off visitors each. be allowed to stay overnight at any one the south island of New Zealand, where Tourists have been permitted to time (the previous limit was 100). The the shearwaters nest in burrows among visit the island since 1998, when the public may visit the islands by joining tree roots. Until it turned up in April naval station there was decommissioned. one of seven weeklong tours between 2007, the tag had last been recorded Tourists were able to fly from Honolulu March and December 2008. The visits in May 2005, as steelhead smolts were to Midway on Aloha Airlines between will include guided wildlife tours, his- passing the Bonneville Dam. 1998 and 2002, during which time the torical excursions, and snorkeling in the The fish may have been eaten by a tour company Phoenix provided lodging lagoon from the beach or a boat. Tourists shearwater that was scavenging fishery and tours on the island. Tourists were will have the option of volunteering for wastes behind a processing vessel in the able to enjoy Midway’s immense alba- refuge management activities such as north Pacific. Steelhead are not a com- tross colony, numerous other seabirds, removing invasive plants. mercial species, but they are sometimes endangered sea turtles and seals, and The cost for a tour is expected to be taken as bycatch. Alternatively, the fish historic ruins from World War II and $4,890 per person, including the 4 1/2- may have been predated as it passed earlier. Phoenix ceased operations on hour charter flight from Honolulu on a below one of the large shearwater flocks Midway in 2002, and commercial flights turboprop plane. that frequent the mouth of the Columbia stopped serving the island. Since then, More information is available at River. In that case, however, the tag tourists have only been able reach the http://www.oceanicsociety.org or at would have stayed in the shearwater’s island by cruise vessel and to stay for a http://www.fws.gov/midway

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 56 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MINUTES

The Pacific Seabird Group’s Executive Council (Exco) meets twice a year, at the winter Annual Meeting and during the summer by conference call. Each meeting’s Minutes are available after they are approved at the next Exco meeting: a summary in Pacific Seabirds, and the full minutes on the group’s web site (www.pacificseabirds.org).

SUMMARY OF MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING OF THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP, 7 FEBRUARY 2007 Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, California

Minutes of previous meeting to December. Also discussed as many feedback to the authors. It was decided The Minutes of the Exco’s tele- members are now paying online for that students will get feedback at future conference meeting on 7 September renewal, meetings, and publications; (2) meetings. 2006 were approved unanimously. [For Chubb Insurance costs as well as income summary of these minutes see Pacific from the general meeting; (3) savings Co m m i t t e e Re p o r t s Seabirds 33:86, 2006.] from the low cost of publishing Marine 1. Report from the Local Organiz- Ornithology; (4) filing taxes from suc- ing Committee (Jim Harvey, Hannah Of f i c e r Re p o r t s cessful meetings; (5) budgeting for award Nevins, Lisa Wertz) 1. Report from Past Chair (Bob plaques each year ($200-250), for prizes Discussion centered on the size of Day) to students for Student Awards (e.g. a venues for PSG meetings, and whether Discussion centered on methods for book), and for Lifetime Achievement and with 275-280 people at the meeting, distributing travel funds. It was decided Special Achievement Awards ($1500); Asilomar was appropriate. to give smaller amounts to more students, (6) Whether to close the Morgan Stanley 2. Report from Elections Commit- rather than larger amounts to fewer; this account (open with about ($25,000), and tee (Pat Baird, Chair) information will be put in the Handbook. put that money into the Conservation Discussion centered on both the In addition, it will be specified in the Fund ($10,000) and the Endowment good and bad aspects of the electronic web application page that recipients of Fund (about $15,000; see below). balloting method. Bad results were that student awards must be first author of a 5. Report from Vice-Chair for a few ballots came through with no votes, paper or poster. Conservation (Craig Harrison) turnout was not good. In addition, Pat 2. Report from Chair (Katie A motion was passed unanimously noted that the system for electing Exco O’Reilly) to move $10,000 from the Morgan Stan- members could be improved if Exco Discussion centered on how to get ley account to the new Conservation members had to find people to replace people to attend the Business Meeting. Fund (see Treasurer’s Report, above). or run against them, and if members of 3. Report from Chair-Elect (Ver- 6. Report from Trustees of Endow- younger cohorts could get involved. ena Gill) ment Fund (Ron LeValley) 3. Report from PSG 2020 Long- Discussion centered on the deadlines A motion was passed unanimously Range Planning Committee: see for annual meetings (abstracts, awards, to put the remainder of the Morgan Stan- Pacific Seabirds 34(1):34. early registration). It was decided that in ley funds into the Endowment Fund (see 4. Report from Corresponding the future the deadline for abstract and Treasurer’s Report, above) Membership Committee (Malcolm travel awards will be 4 months in advance 7. Report from Student Represen- Coulter) of the meeting, and that this information tative (Jo Smith) A motion was passed unanimously would be added to the Handbook. Discussion centered around the to increase the number of Correspond- 4. Report from the Treasurer (Ron Student Questionnaire, which found that ing Members from 8 to 12. It also was LeValley) more MS students are retained as PSG agreed that it is not worthwhile revising A number of membership issues members (they tend to go to agencies), the Bylaws to do this; changes will be were discussed (definition, payment whereas more PhD students leave PSG incorporated into the Bylaws later. methods, timeline for memberships): (they tend to go to academia). There 5. Report from Marbled Murrelet Ron LeValley will add to the web site was recognition of the need for judges Technical Committee: see Pacific Sea- that PSG membership runs from January of student papers and posters to give birds 34(1):32-33.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 57 EXCO MINUTES

6. Report from Xantus’s Murrelet Ot h e r Re p o r t s Ornithology is needed. Technical Committee (Brad Keitt and 1. Report from Special Awards 3. Report from of Publications Shaye Wolf) Subcommittee (George Divoky) Committee (Pat Jodice) Discussion centered on the oil spill This group is composed of former David Ainley requested assistance letter written about Xantus’s Murrelet; a and current chairs, and starting in 2008 for $5000 for publication of his and Larry few small changes in made. In addition, will be organized by the most recent Spear’s monograph in Studies in Avian Bradd Keitt stepped down as Co-chair, Outgoing Chair. The Exco will continue Biology. That request was supported by and a motion passed unanimously that to have final approval of nominees. the Chair of Publications Committee. 2. Report from Representatives Melinda Nakagawa be appointed as new However, Publication Funds come from to Ornithological Council (Doug co-chair of Xantus’s Murrelet Technical the Endowment, and it is the intent of the Forsell) Committee. Bylaws to only support in-house publi- Discussion centered on the Ornitho- 7. Report from Loon/Grebe Tech- cations, e.g. Marine Ornithology. The logical Council’s role in: permits, animal Exco recognized that we need a change nical Committee: see Pacific Seabirds welfare (translating “Use of Wild Birds in the Bylaws concerning the Endow- 34(1):32. in Research” into Spanish, perhaps into ment Fund, to clarify that “publications” 8. Report from Seabird Monitor- French and Portuguese too), and the OC’s means Marine Ornithology or other PSG- ing Committee (Scott Hatch) website, BirdNet. There was recognition sponsored publications. The Pacific Seabird Monitoring Da- that PSG may not be pulling its weight A motion to take $5000 out of PSG’s tabase has been launched but will not be in terms of contributions to the OC; a up on the Internet until security concerns motion passed 8-3 to donate $1000 to the money market fund for page charges for can be addressed. The database contains OC, once the 2007 budget is approved. the Ainley-Spear monograph in Studies “2700 serious records” and “18,000 other in Avian Biology failed 5-6-0. A follow- older records,” the latter of which will be Pu b l i c at i o n /Co m m u n i c at i o n Is s u e s up motion passed unanimously that says certified and then published. It was de- a manuscript must be submitted to a PSG 1. Report from Editor of Pacific publication before the author requests cided to take a species-account approach ( Seabirds Vivian Mendenhall) our support for publication in another in the database. Notice needs to be sent to all mem- journal. A second follow-up motion to 9. Report from Japan Seabird bers that Pacific Seabirds will cease to fund publication of the Ainley-Spear Conservation Committee (Motohiro exist as a hard copy, starting after the monograph in Marine Ornithology, Ito) 2008 volume, except for people who if that was acceptable to the authors, Discussion centered on the oil spill specifically request it. This message will passed 9-1-0 in Japan and the lack of government be highlighted on the Listserve, and will Two issues were identified: (1) that coordination in the cleanup. It was sug- be published in Pacific Seabirds (through PSG needs to have a means to publish gested that PSG adopt an advisory role, Volume 35, 2008) before the switchover. monographs; and (2) that we need a bet- perhaps with industry. Because the 2009 Libraries will continue to receive hard ter method to inform people that PSG PSG meeting will be in Japan, PSG will copies. will give monetary support only for work with the media there ahead of time 2. Report from Managing Editor publication in Marine Ornithology or to showcase interest in seabirds. Various of Marine Ornithology (Tony Gaston) another PSG publication. people’s names were suggested to help Discussion centered on appointing and training a new Managing Editor, as 4. Report from PSG Webmaster: out with this. As John Fries and Koji Tony (who was not present) may retire in see Pacific Seabirds 34(1):33-34. Ono have resigned, a motion was passed 3-4 years. This raises a number of issues, 5. Listserve issues (Verena Gill) unanimously to appoint Motohiro Ito as including how to evaluate replacements, Verena will post “what’s new at new Chair for Japanese Conservation. defining the term of an editor, and how PSG” every 3 or so months on the List- 10. Report from Mexico Seabird to improve the visibility of Marine Or- serve. This is a closed list—if you try to Conservation Committee nithology on the web. (MO currently send out emails from an email address Xico Vega was not present, nor were is not on IC Web of Science because its other than the one that is recorded for you any other Mexican Seabird Conservation publication is more than a year behind.) on the Listserve, it will not be accepted Committee members. There has been It was agreed that Marine Ornithology or sent out by the Listserve. no contact with this committee during would get current, and that more Associ- the past year, in spite of efforts by PSG ate Editors would be found to assist with Co n s e r vat i o n Is s u e s members. Bob Day suggested making this job. Louise Blight agreed to contact Proposed PSG Conservation Small- this an “inactive committee” because the Tony about advertising, and Jo Smith to Grant Program (Bob Day and Craig goals and structure are already in place contact him about the web. A detailed Harrison) for this committee. budget for 2007 support for Marine The proposed objectives for the

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 58 EXCO MINUTES grant were presented: “The objective as Chair, and additional members Doug the Local Chair. George Divoky, Lora of the Conservation Small Grant Pro- Forsell, Craig Harrison, Ken Morgan, Leschner and Julia Parrish will be on the gram is to advance the conservation and Malcolm Coulter. Local Organizing Committee. They will and restoration of seabirds by providing work with Doug Bertram on themes and funds or supplies to scientists (student Ot h e r Bu s i n e s s a n d Is s u e s associated plenaries. Oregon State Uni- or non-student) for conservation actions 1. Open Data Access (Falk Huett- versity will again be contracted to pro- in countries in the Pacific. Emphasis is mann) vide online registration. Their 4% fee for on restoration and protection of Seabird Discussion centered on the pros credit card billing needs to be included populations.” There was recognition that and cons of sharing data through open- in the Annual Meeting’s budget. these objectives need to be reviewed and access databases. Issues included the There was brief discussion on up- rewritten so as to be up and running by 1 misinterpretation of data, central data coming meetings, including the special meeting in Taiwan in Oct 2007 (not an April 2007. Further, Ron LeValley will storage, a global-change national direc- Annual Meeting). Other proposed meet- put money into the Conservation Fund tory, standards, and data pirates. No ings are: 36th: Hokkaido, Japan, February account from the Money Market fund interest was expressed in forming a task 2009, Local Chair Yutaka Watanuki; 37th: [see “Treasurer’s Report,” above]. In force to pursue the issue, so no motion Long Beach, California, January 2010; addition, we need a link to the Conser- was put forward. and 38th: Vancouver, B.C., October 2010 vation Fund on the Website and will put 2. Future meetings and dates (in association with the International th the information on the Listserve to get Plans were discussed for the 35 Seabird Conference), Local Co-chairs the word out. Finally, a motion passed Annual Meeting at the Semi-Ah-Moo Louise Blight and Jo Smith. There will be unanimously to form a committee for Resort, Blaine, Washington, February no meeting in 2011. The 2012 meeting the Conservation Fund with Bob Day 27 to March 2, 2008. Tom Good will be may possibly be in western Mexico.

CORRECTION

On page 29 of Pacific Seabirds 34(1), Spring 2007, there was an error in the caption for the first photo. Hanna Herron should be Hanna Baird-Herron, and Aravis Herron should be Aravis Baird-Herron. The editor apologizes for the mistakes.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 59 REGIONAL REPORTS

Regional reports summarize current seabird work of interest to PSG members. Regional Reports generally are organized by location of the work, not by affiliation of the biologist. They should not be cited without permission of the authors. The report for Northern California was not received by press time and will appear in the next issue.

ALASKA 80 km east of Nome, in early August. there due to the presence of arctic foxes Compiled by Shiway Wang Numbers of murres were high, suggest- (Alopex lagopus), so previous attempts at ing continued stability or slow increase estimating productivity have been largely Ch u k c h i Se a over the past few decades. Numbers of unsuccessful. On St. Paul Island, Greg Annual seabird monitoring was kittiwake nests were low and adult atten- Thomson and Slade Sapora monitored conducted at Cape Lisburne in the Alaska dance at nests with chicks was sporadic, timing of nesting events, reproductive Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (AM- suggesting a continuing decline in num- success, and food habits of Least Auklets. NWR), where Dave Roseneau and Jim bers of adults and another year of low They also led a seabird survey at Walrus Schneeweis collected data on the popula- breeding success. Numbers of cormorant Island, where a particular interest was the tion and reproductive success of Black- nests were similar to previous years and impacts of arctic foxes on the distribu- legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) and breeding success was high, most nests tion of birds. Some survey work was also Common and Thick-billed Murres (Uria contained at least 2 fledgling-size chicks done at Otter Island. aalge and U. lomvia). and some contained 4 large chicks. Diane Calamar Okonek and Brian Heather Wilson of U.S. Fish and Jim Lovvorn and students Jason Okonek of the Alaska Department of Wildlife Service (USFWS), Migratory Kolts and Chris North recently com- Fish and Game (ADF&G) monitored Bird Management, led efforts to capture pleted a second icebreaker cruise to the Black-legged Kittiwake, Common Murre and deploy satellite transmitters in nest- Bering Sea, where they are studying and Pelagic Cormorant populations and ing Pacific Common Eiders (Somateria food webs that support threatened Spec- productivity at Round Island within the mollissima v-nigra) at Cape Espenberg as tacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri) during Walrus Islands State Game Sanctuary, part of a cooperative project with Mar- winter. In particular, they are examining in northern Bristol Bay and southern garet Petersen (U.S. Geological Survey, how northward expansion of competing Kuskokwim Bay. Joe Meehan, Marian Alaska Science Center). The project aims predators such as fish, crabs, snails, and Snively (ADF&G), and volunteers Lau- to monitor migration patterns of nesting sea stars as the climate warms may affect ra Kruger and Lisa Meehan surveyed Common Eiders in Alaska in relation to the prey base of wintering eiders. nesting populations of Black-legged avian influenza and provide information Art Sowls (AMNWR) coordinated Kittiwakes, Common Murres, Pelagic on population structuring of Pacific Com- monitoring of seabirds on the Pribilof Cormorants, Double-crested Cormorants mon Eiders. Corrine Brown, DVM and Islands. He also coordinated with tribal (Phalacrocorax auritus) and other sea- Joanne Luebbert (Alaska Wildlife and governments on the land-based rat pre- birds throughout the Walrus Islands State Wildfowl Conservation) implanted the vention program. On St. George, Ram Game Sanctuary. satellite transmitters and Matt Sexson Papish, Anne Orlando, Andrew Keller, Heather Wilson completed her PhD (USGS) acted as the primary field assis- Rachel Holser, and Alexis Will recorded thesis on the population ecology of Pacif- tant. Twenty-five total breeding Common survival of kittiwakes, and timing of ic Common Eiders at UAF. Heather also Eiders were tagged and all transmitters nesting events, reproductive success, conducted an annual aerial photographic remained active as of October 2007. No and food habits of Red- (Rissa brevi- survey of Black Brant (Branta bernicla) captured eiders tested positive for H5N1 rostris) and Black-legged Kittiwakes colonies on the coastal fringe of the Yu- avian influenza. and Common and Thick-billed Murres. kon-Kuskokwim Delta. The survey was Papish continued a study of survival of previously conducted by Mike Anthony Be r i n g Se a Least Auklets (Aethia pusilla), includ- of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Ed Murphy of the University of ing banding and resighting birds at the USFWS volunteers Mike Walgren, Lisa Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF) monitored Ulakaia colony. Nikolai Konyukhov Andreano, and Adrian Gall monitored Common Murres, Black-legged Kit- investigated ways in which Least Auklet seabirds and swabbed Glaucous Gull tiwakes, and Pelagic Cormorants productivity could be monitored at St. (Larus hyperboreus) butts on St. Law- (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) at Bluff, George. Auklets nest in deep crevices rence Island.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 60 REGIONAL REPORTS • Alaska

Kathy Kuletz and David Irons State University), David Irons, Vern ing of Steller’s Eiders by Kristine Sowl (USFWS) completed the second year of a Byrd (USFWS), and Sasha Kitaysky and colleagues at Izembek NWR and two-year project to put seabird observers (UAF) will be conducting studies of co- by Tim Bowman, Chris Dau, Dennis on ships of opportunity to survey seabirds lonial birds at the Pribilof Islands begin- Marks, Shawn Hawks, Susan Savage, in pelagic waters of Alaska. The work ning in 2008. This project is coupled with Matthew Wilson, and Ryan Bradley was funded by USFWS and the North the Bering Ecosystem Study (BEST), (all of USFWS) at Nelson Lagoon; (6) a Pacific Research Board (NPRB). In 2006 to evaluate ecosystem processes in the study of eider population dynamics and and 2007 they joined 24 cruises with eastern Bering Sea. predation by red (Vulpes vulpes) and over 300 days at sea and surveyed over Karen Fischer and Rob Suryan arctic foxes and on the Yukon Delta, by 30,000 km of transects, primarily in the (Oregon State University) analyzed si- Paul Flint, Joel Schmutz, and Jason Bering Sea. The National Oceanic and multaneous satellite tracking and remote Schamber (USGS); and (7) a study on Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sensing data for the three albatrosses in Steller’s Eider movements within Cold provided space on their research ves- Alaskan waters: Short-tailed (Phoe- Bay and Izembek Lagoon by Ellen sels. The observers also joined the St. bastria albatrus), Laysan (P. immuta- Lance (USFWS) and Paul Flint (USGS). Lawrence Island Polynya study with bilisa), and Black-footed (P. nigripes). Recovery projects also include studies principal investigators Jackie Greb- They documented resource partitioning with captive eiders by Tuula Hollmen meier (University of Tennessee) and among albatross species and confirmed at the Alaska SeaLife Center. (See the Jim Lovvorn (University of Wyoming) suspected differences in their distribution section on the North Slope for more eider on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy, patterns, as well as habitat use of juvenile recovery projects.) the Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics Short-tailed Albatrosses relative to adults (GLOBEC) study (with Russ Hopcroft, and sub-adults. Data from Short-tailed Al a s k a No r t h Sl o p e UAF) on the M/V Tiglax, the Ocean Car- Albatrosses were put to immediate use by Steffen Oppel (UAF and USGS- rying Capacity/Bering-Aleutian Salmon the North Pacific Fisheries Management Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife International Survey (BASIS; principal Council, which modified their proposals Research Unit) continued his research on investigator Ed Farley of NOAA), and to change regulation of seabird deterrents the migration of King Eiders (Somateria an International Polar Year cruise on the in the Alaskan longline fisheries. We also spectabilis Canadian icebreaker Laurier. have been integrating the albatross track- ) from northern Alaska into The pelagic data will be entered in ing with data from commercial fisheries the Bering Sea. Between 2002 and 2006 the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Data- to assess interspecific differences in Oppel, Abby Powell (USGS, UAF) and base (NPPSD), and will eventually be potential albatross-fishery interactions. Robert Suydam (North Slope Borough) analyzed in conjunction with associated You can view maps and information tracked 85 adult King Eiders with satel- oceanographic and fisheries data. Updat- about satellite tracking of albatrosses at lite transmitters and found highly vari- ing and standardizing at-sea protocols www.wfu.edu/albatross. able migration strategies. In August 2007 used in Alaska were among the project’s Karen Laing (USFWS) worked they captured 44 juvenile King Eiders objectives. At-sea observers in 2007 with the eider recovery team to deter- 20 km southeast of Teshekpuk Lake and included David Hyrenbach, Kathy Ku- mine and implement recovery actions for implanted them with satellite transmit- letz, Liz Labunski, Kirsten Lindquist, threatened Steller’s (Polysticta stelleri) ters that provide locations every 4 days. Sally Marston, Scott Mills, Tamara and Spectacled Eiders on Alaska’s west The migration of juvenile King Eiders Mills, Mark Rauzon, Marty Reedy, coast. Research and monitoring related can be monitored via GoogleEarth at Martin Renner, and Kelsey Sullivan. to recovery include: (1) a long-term http://mercury.bio.uaf.edu/kingeider. For The Alaska at-sea observer program will study of breeding biology and annual more information contact Oppel (steffen. continue from 2008 to 2010, with a focus survival of Spectacled Eiders at Kigigak [email protected]). In conjunction with on the Bering Sea. Principal Investigator Island, by Bryce Lake of the Yukon the North Slope Borough Department of Kathy Kuletz will be coordinating with Delta National Wildlife Refuge (NWR); Wildlife Management, Steffen conducted others associated with the Bering Sea (2) migration studies of Steller’s Eiders the 6th season of King Eider nest moni- Integrated Ecosystem Program, with in southwest and south-central Alaska toring and trapping at a study site 10 km funding from NPRB and USFWS. Under by Dan Rosenberg (ADF&G); (3) a south of Teshekpuk Lake (North Slope the same NPRB program, at-sea surveys spring Steller’s Eider survey in southwest Borough, Alaska) in June and July 2007. will be conducted on a finer scale around Alaska by William Larned (USFWS); They collected egg, blood, feather, and the Pribilof Islands, in collaboration (4) aerial and nest plot surveys for eiders diet samples for stable isotope analysis to with the Patch Dynamics Study (PDS; and other waterfowl in the coastal zone of elucidate patterns of nutrient allocation principal investigator Andrew Trites, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Ref- to egg formation in King Eiders, as well University of British Columbia). Also uge, by staff of the refuge and Migratory as to relate breeding strategies to events as part of the PDS, Dan Roby (Oregon Bird Management (USFWS); (5) band- during the preceding winter.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 61 REGIONAL REPORTS • Alaska

Heather Wilson and Ed Mallek the Alaska Department of Transportation Gulls (Larus glaucescens), Black Oys- (USFWS Migratory Bird Management) and Public Facilities. This study requires tercatchers (Haematopus bachmani), conducted an annual aerial survey of locating and monitoring any active nests Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata), molting Black Brant and other geese in to determine possible disturbance by air- Ancient Murrelets (Synthliboramphus the Teshekpuk Lake area. port construction activities. Rick Johnson antiquus), and Leach’s and Fork-tailed Karen Laing (USFWS) worked continued the third year of a study of the Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa with the eider recovery team to deter- effects of oil development on breeding and O. furcata). mine and implement recovery actions Spectacled Eiders near a new drill site There are 3 annual monitoring sites for threatened Spectacled and Steller’s on the outer Colville River Delta (funded in the central Aleutians: Kasatochi, Ulak, Eiders. Research and monitoring on the by ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc.). This and Koniuji Islands. On Kasatochi, Brie North Slope included a study of breeding study is employing time-lapse cameras Drummond and Allyson Larned pri- Steller’s Eiders at Barrow by Nora Ro- and thermistors in eggs to monitor dis- marily studied Least and Crested (Aethia jek (USFWS) and an aerial eider survey turbance responses and nest survival of cristatella) Auklet productivity, chick on the North Slope by William Larned, breeding females using habitats near the growth, food habits, attendance patterns, Robert Stehn and Robert Platte (US- drill site, where construction activities populations and adult survival rates. FWS). Rojek coordinated the USFWS and aircraft overflights are occurring. They also monitored population levels of monitoring of threatened Steller’s Eiders Betty Anderson is continuing her long- Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba), at Barrow. She was assisted by Jewel term study in the Kuparuk Oilfield for Pelagic and Red-faced (Phalacrocorax Bennett, Ted Swem, Neesha Wendling, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. on breeding urile) Cormorants, and Leach’s and Fork- Matthew Wilson, volunteers Claudia Spectacled Eiders. Besides surveys for tailed Storm-Petrels. At nearby Ulak Burger, Dean Kildaw, Sadie Ulman, pre-nesting eiders in the oilfields, nest- Island, populations and productivity of and Barrow high school student interns ing females were monitored for nesting burrow-nesting seabirds were monitored, Anton Edwardson, Nicole Kanayurak, success and incubation constancy with and cormorant and murre population Olive Kanayurak, and Katie Rose- thermistors in eggs. levels were recorded. berry. Study components included a Rick Johnson, Ann Wildman, and AMNWR staff conducted recon- breeding pair survey, nest searches, nest Julie Parrett (ABR) are conducting a naissance surveys in July and August monitoring, and placement of digital long-term study of Yellow-billed Loons of several islands in the central Aleu- cameras on active nests to monitor pre- (Gavia adamsii) on the Colville River tians which are rarely visited: Aziak dation or other causes of failure. Nests Delta for ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. and Oglodak islands were surveyed by were found for a third year in a row and Aerial surveys of nesting and brood- Brie Drummond, Richard Hannan, nest success was 47%. (See the Bering rearing loons are used to monitor annual Allyson Larned, Barry Sampson, and Sea section for additional eider recovery abundance, nest survival, and habitat Jeff Williams; Chugul, Chisak, and Silak projects.) use. islands were visited in August by Brie Bob Ritchie, Tim Obritschke- Bob Ritchie, Betty Anderson, and Drummond, Allyson Larned, and Jeff witsch, and Jim King of ABR, Inc.–En- Rick Johnson (ABR) continued their Williams. vironmental Research and Services annual aerial survey for brood-rearing At Buldir Island in the western Aleu- (ABR) continued their annual aerial Brant on the Arctic Coastal Plain. This tians, Erik Andersen, Scott Freeman, survey for breeding Steller’s Eiders in survey of the coast between Prudhoe Nick Seferovic and Cornelius Schlawe the Barrow region for the Bureau of Land Bay and Barrow enumerates brood-rear- conducted the 19th year of annual seabird Management, North Slope Borough, and ing geese and maps their use of coastal monitoring. Species monitored included ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. Betty An- salt marshes. Funding is from the North Red- and Black-legged Kittiwakes, Com- derson and Rick Johnson (ABR) com- Slope Borough and ConocoPhillips mon and Thick-billed Murres, Least, pleted the 15th year of aerial surveys for Alaska, Inc. Crested, Whiskered (Aethia pygmaea) pre-nesting eiders on the Arctic Coastal and Parakeet (A. psittacula) Auklets, Plain for ConocoPhillips, Alaska, Inc. Al e u t i a n Is l a n d s Pelagic and Red-faced Cormorants, and These surveys enumerate and map loca- Jeff Williams coordinated studies in Leach’s and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels. tions of Spectacled, King, and Steller’s the archipelago, including long-term sea- For most species, they monitored timing of Eiders in the oilfields between the bird monitoring for AMNWR at Aiktak, nesting events, productivity, food habits Kuparuk River and the northeastern Na- Kasatochi, and Buldir Islands. and population levels. tional Petroleum Reserve–Alaska. Rick At Aiktak Island in the eastern Steve Ebbert (AMNWR) led a proj- Johnson and Lauren Attanas (ABR) Aleutians, Micah Miller and J.J. Wells ect to trap foxes on islands in the Sanak completed the fourth year of surveys for monitored timing of nesting events, Group, a cooperative partnership with breeding Steller’s Eiders in the vicinity reproductive success, food habits, and the Sanak Corporation, to restore native of the Barrow International Airport for population size of Glaucous-winged seabird populations.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 62 REGIONAL REPORTS • Alaska

Vernon Byrd and Jeff Williams led of Kittlitz’s Murrelets (Brachyramphus the problem. Bob Schulmeister, Richard a team to Avatanak to conduct surveys of brevirostris) on Kodiak Island. Day and Ragle (Army Corps of Engineers) and the early recovery of seabird populations Michelle Kissling (USFWS) began re- Slater discovered that birds had been following removal of introduced arctic search on plumage variation in Kittlitz’s trapped in a pillbox over an extended foxes. This is a restoration project using Murrelets. period of time. Schulmeister was able settlement funds from the Kuroshima oil Heather Renner coordinated sea- to close the trap door that allowed birds spill at Unalaska. Jeff Williams and Ver- bird monitoring for AMNWR in the to fall into the structure, and secured it non Byrd surveyed islands near Akutan Semidi Islands. Joel Helm and Tyra so that it couldn’t easily be opened again in the eastern Aleutians for seabirds and Zeman monitored timing of nesting, by people exploring the island. invasive species, because the Akutan reproductive success, food habits and Scott Hatch (USGS) continued Corporation has proposed a trade of the populations size for Glaucous-winged research and monitoring on Middleton islands to the AMNWR. Vernon Byrd Gulls, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Com- Island, including continuation of the and Laurie Daniel completed draft re- mon and Thick-billed Murres, and protocol for supplemental feeding of ports assessing injury to birds following Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monoc- Black-legged Kittiwakes in the radar- the Selendang Ayu oil spill on Unalaska erata) on Chowiet Island from May to tower colony. Construction continues Island. Preliminary restoration planning early September. on a Common Murre research habitat is underway. Don Dragoo, Martin Renner, to complement the tower colony of kit- Betty Anderson (ABR) continued Cathy Flanagan, Gary Drew (USGS), tiwakes and Pelagic Cormorants. Jana work related to the impacts of proposed Lisa Climo, Danielle Jerry, Deb Ru- Kotzerka (University of Kiel, Germany) airport modifications at Dutch Harbor dis and others from USFWS conducted served as camp leader on Middleton and on wintering birds, especially threatened the Seabird, Fish, Marine Mammal and continued her studies of seabird forag- Steller’s Eiders. Gerald Frost, Matt Oceanography Coordinated Investiga- ing behavior, including deployment of Macander, and Alex Prichard (ABR) tions (SMMOCI) project at the Semidi time-depth recorders on cormorants and completed a draft study to identify and Islands. This multi-year project includes miniature GPS trackers on kittiwakes. Hervé Mulard map habitats used by migratory Aleu- surveying transects at sea near seabird (Université Pierre & Ma- rie Curie, Paris) completed his third and tian Cackling Geese (Branta hutchinsii colonies where simultaneous monitoring final season of fieldwork on kittiwake leucopareia) in the Near Islands (Attu, is being conducted of nesting chronol- behavioral ecology, and Sarah Leclaire Agattu, Shemya, and Nizki-Alaid) in the ogy, productivity and populations. The (University of Toulouse, France) began western Aleutians. Habitat-use data were goal of this multi-year project is to char- studies of mate choice in kittiwakes. collected for migrant geese on Shemya acterize the nearshore environment and Middleton volunteers included Hilger and Attu islands, and habitat maps were potential prey resources near monitored Lemke (Germany), Vincent Bourret prepared for Attu, Agattu, Shemya, and colonies. and Maud Berlincourt (France), and Nizki-Alaid islands. The U.S. Air Force At East Amatuli Island in the Bar- four Americans—Emma Sybenga, funded this project to help identify po- rens, Arthur Kettle, Leah Yandow, Steve Mong, Claire Horan, and Valerie Meaghan Conway Trevor Watts tential goose habitat on other islands and , and Locker. Justine Sears and Cory Wil- to encourage continued recovery of this (AMNWR) monitored reproductive liams (UAF) visited the island for a week recently delisted species. success, prey, and population trends of in July, collecting field measurements Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, Black-legged of Rhinoceros Auklets to supplement Gu l f o f Al a s k a Kittiwakes, Common and Thick-billed Justine’s experimental study of captive Bob Day and Adrian Gall (ABR) Murres, and Tufted Puffins. Population chicks in 2006. Matthew Johnson, continued research on the status and data were also gathered for Glaucous- Brian Guzzetti, and Dan Mulcahy distribution of seabirds and marine winged Gulls. They tried using motion- (USGS) implanted 12 Black Oyster- mammals in lower Cook Inlet. This activated cameras to help identify prey catchers with satellite transmitters on work is related to port construction for items that Tufted Puffins brought to their Middleton in June. the proposed Pebble gold mine. They chicks. In August 2006, the National Park also studied movements and flight al- Leslie Slater and Bob Schulmeister Service (NPS), USFWS, and NOAA titudes of seabirds in upper Cook Inlet (AMNWR) visited Barwell Island to signed a General Agreement to increase to assess risk related to a port for the modify World War II structures to prevent interagency coordination, in order to proposed Chuitna coal mine. Bob Day, murre entrapment. Unit Biologist Slater establish a seamless network of coastal Jeff Barna and Melinda Malek from received a report of significant Common refuges, reserves, parks and sanctuaries. ABR’s Oregon office, along with Kodiak Murre mortality in these structures. Be- In the spirit of the Seamless Network USFWS biologists Rich MacIntosh cause this was a former military site, the Agreement, Meg Hahr, Shelley Hall and Bill Pyle, conducted the first radar- Army Corps of Engineers funded a visit of Kenai Fjords National Park (KFNP), based study of movements and behavior to the island to reconnoiter and rectify and Leslie Slater (USFWS) conducted a

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 63 REGIONAL REPORTS • Alaska resurvey of 14 seabird colonies in Kenai 2006 discovery of a Kittlitz’s Murrelet behavioral observations were conducted Fjords National Park on 2–4 July aboard nest and 27 years of accumulated at-sea in conjunction with Prince William the NPS vessel M/V Serac. Objectives observations on Kodiak Island. Sound Science Center acoustic surveys were to revisit seabird colonies that had The Alaska Audubon Important Bird of seven bays in Prince William Sound. not been surveyed in more than 20 years, Areas (IBA) committee notified Denny The goal is to document the extent of and to familiarize park biologists with that his nominations for Chiniak Bay seabird predation on juvenile herring USFWS monitoring protocols. Species (ANMWR) and Northwestern Afognak during winter months, and examine the observed (in order of abundance) in- Island (KNWR and AMNWR) were ap- environmental and habitat factors associ- cluded Glaucous-winged Gull, Double- proved as state IBAs. The state-approved ated with seabird predation on herring. crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, nominations were passed on to the na- Surveys were conducted in March 2007, Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata), tional nomination committee. Another and will continue in November 2007 and and Tufted Puffin. Species that had been IBA nomination for Uganik/Viekoda in January and March 2008. This project observed in 1976 but were not seen Bays (KNWR and AMNWR) was sub- is part of the Herring Restoration Plan during our surveys included Red-faced mitted to Alaska Audubon in October for funded by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Cormorant and Arctic Tern (Sterna evaluation and possible approval. Trustee Council. Karen Brenneman paradisaea). KFNP and AMNWR plan to Ann Harding (Alaska Pacific conducted the surveys. continue cooperating on seabird surveys University) has continued to work with in 2007 in order to better understand the John Piatt (USGS) and colleagues at the Pr i n c e Wi l l i a m So u n d dynamics of breeding seabirds along the Alaska Science Center on publications Bob Day and Steve Murphy (ABR) Kenai Peninsula coast. stemming from their Cook Inlet seabird continued research on impacts of the A cooperative study on the genetics study. She has just completed the last Exxon Valdez oil spill on seabirds in of molting Common Mergansers (Mergus season of a 4-year study on Dovekies Prince William Sound. merganser) led by John Pearce (USGS) (Alle alle) in East Greenland (see North Brooke McFarland (UAF) col- with assistance from Denny Zwiefel- Atlantic regional report). lected intertidal community data and local environmental data from Black hofer of Kodiak National Wildlife Ref- Piatt and Mayumi Arimitsu (USGS) Oystercatcher breeding territories and uge (KNWR). resulted in the capture of investigated Kittlitz’s and Marbled random sites in KFNP and Prince Wil- 121 mergansers from five different loca- (Brachyramphus marmoratus) Murrelet liam Sound, as part of her master’s thesis tions on KNWR. This was the third year distribution and habitat relationships in project on breeding territory characteris- of the study, with the previous two years KFNP. In addition to conducting stan- tics of Black Oystercatchers. KFNP and effort concentrated only on Karluk Lake. dardized strip and line transect surveys the Chugach National Forest provided Only four recaptures have been made to during the summer, they also conducted assistance and support. date, suggesting relatively low fidelity to a glacial ecosystem study to assess Aly McKnight, Kelsey Sullivan, specific molt sites in Common Mergan- critical foraging habitat in response to Alex Robbins, Joe Albanese, Andrew sers. Preliminary genetic results indicate concerns about declining populations. Allen, and David Irons (USFWS) and a male Common Mergansers molting on Erica Madison, Shiway Wang, and host of Earth Watch volunteers worked Kodiak come from many locations across Gary Drew (USGS) assisted with these on Black-legged Kittiwakes at Shoup their North Pacific range. Funding was efforts. Bay. Irons, along with Dave Duffy, Dan from the Sea Duck Joint Venture. The an- Kathy Kuletz added a fourth season Roby, Kent Wohl, and Cheryl Rosa put nual coastal survey of molting Harlequin to her study of Marbled and Kittlitz’s 20 geolocators on Arctic Terns. Kelsey Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) was Murrelets and other marine birds in Sullivan and 8 others conducted boat completed along 600 km of shoreline in Kachemak Bay, lower Cook Inlet. At-sea surveys of marine birds in the sound, in KNWR western bays. Results indicate surveys and conductivity, temperature, a continuing project to monitor species a stable molting Harlequin popula- depth (CTD) casts were conducted by injured by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. tion for all bays, except for Uyak Kathy, Karen Brenneman, Elizabeth Kirsten Bixler, Natt Jones, David Irons, Bay where Harlequins have declined Labunski, Tamara Mills, and vol- Dan Roby and several mink trappers approximately 70% since the mid-1990s. unteers. A final report on the decadal worked on a project examining mink Excessive hunting pressure (based on un- changes, current population status, and predation on Pigeon Guillemots published banding data) is suspected to be marine habitats used by each murrelet . the primary factor for the decline. species will be available by early 2008. So u t h e a s t Al a s k a Denny, along with Iain Sten- In Prince William Sound, Kathy Kuletz At St. Lazaria Island, Leslie Slater house (Audubon Alaska) and Stacy and Mary Ann Bishop began their coordinated annual seabird monitoring Studebaker, submitted a manuscript winter surveys of seabird predation on with a crew consisting of Elizabeth to Marine Ornithology detailing the forage fish. The vessel-based surveys and Goldsmith, Brittany Petersen, Car-

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 64 REGIONAL REPORTS • Alaska rie Hisaoka, and Kathleen Roush support was provided by Blake Bar- old-growth forest is relatively intact (at (AMNWR). They monitored the timing baree, Trevor Haynes, Dan Cushing, least in our study areas), many birds are of nesting events, reproductive suc- Veronica Padula, Gillian Brooks, with nesting on the ground. And reproduction cess, prey and populations of Leach’s assistance during captures from Kate (based on adult:juvenile ratios) ranges and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, Pelagic Savage, Dan Roby, Zach Peery, Sean from very low at the southern end of the Cormorants, Glaucous-winged Gulls, McAllister, Mary Rabe, and Anabell species’ range to very good in the north- Pigeon Guillemots, Common and Thick- Deutschlander. This project is funded ern end. Such differences suggest that billed Murres, Rhinoceros Auklets, and by ADF&G. efforts to identify a common cause for Tufted Puffins. Inviable storm-petrel The Alaska Department of Fish range-wide declines may be misplaced. eggs were collected for contaminants and Game (Matt Kirchhoff) convened a The group agreed on a laundry list of analyses by Deb Rudis (Juneau Field meeting to review the population status possible factors, including changes in Office, USFWS). of the Marbled Murrelet and to help the forage fish resources, increased preda- Michelle Kissling (USFWS) and department establish funding priorities tion, and mortality from gill nets. But cooperators from NPS and ADF&G con- for work on the species in Southeast they were unable to reach consensus on tinued a study of the nesting and foraging Alaska. Researchers were invited from a leading cause for the decline. What- ecology of Kittlitz’s Murrelets in Icy Bay Alaska, British Columbia, and the con- ever the cause(s), the group agreed that from May to August 2007. They captured tiguous U.S. states. The 2-day meeting steep the declines observed in Southeast and radio-marked 30 Kittlitz’s Murrelets, was held at the USGS Marrowstone Alaska suggest that adult survival is be- discovered four active nests, and moni- Marine Field Research Station in Nor- ing affected. tored one nest continually using a remote dland, Washington. In attendance were Although Southeast Alaska sup- video camera system. In addition, they John Piatt, Bill Ritchie, Harry Carter, ports the bulk of the global population conducted three population surveys, 90 Kim Nelson, Kathy Kuletz, Zach Peery, of Marbled Murrelets, little funding has behavioral watches, and 60 beach-seine Michelle Kissling, Kirchhoff, and Mary historically been devoted to research pulls for sampling forage fish. Despite Rabe. Several other invitees were unable and monitoring there. The group recom- the relatively pristine environment, the to attend. mended increasing this investment; goals should include monitoring population local population of Kittlitz’s Murrelets The group heard presentations on trends more precisely, developing a has declined by 53% (18% per year) the recently completed status assess- population estimate for the region, and since 2002. ment of Marbled Murrelets in Alaska discerning principal causes for the ap- Scott Newman (Wildlife Trust, and British Columbia (Piatt), and on re- parent decline. The group developed a Food and Agriculture Organization) and search in south-central Alaska (Kuletz), prioritized list of research and monitor- Kim Nelson (Wildlife Trust, Oregon California (Peery), and southeast Alaska ing activities for future agency funding, State University) continued their 3-year (Nelson and Kirchhoff). Agreement was which was distributed to members of the study with Darrell Whitworth, Harry reached on a number of broad points. The Alaska-BC Working Group (a subgroup Carter, and Matt Kirchhoff on the similar magnitude of decline in these under the PSG Marbled Murrelet Tech- health, activity patterns, foraging ranges, birds throughout their range implicates nical Committee). Copies are available and habitat use of Marbled Murrelets in broad-scale causal factors. This suggests to others on request (matt_kirchhoff@ the Port Snettisham area of Southeast that climate-driven changes in the marine alaska.gov). Alaska. They continued to focus on environment (e.g., regime shift, Pacific breeding behavior and identifying nest- Decadal Oscillation) may be responsible. Ot h e r Pr o j e c t s ing habitat. They radio-marked 40 adult However, there also are perplexing dif- Dave Roseneau (AMNWR) coordi- murrelets and tracked them using aerial ferences across this wide latitudinal nated collection of murre and gull eggs at flights, boat surveys, and data loggers. range. For example, new evidence colonies in AMNWR for the long-term Fifteen tree and ground nests were lo- points to capelin (Mallotus villosus) as Seabird Tissue Archival and Monitoring cated, two of which were 48 km inland a very important forage fish for Marbled Project (STAMP) contaminants program. in Canada. Both adults were marked at Murrelets in Alaska, yet this fish is less He also made arrangements to get murre four of the nests, providing them with abundant or even absent in the southern and gull eggs from the Commander Is- detailed information on incubation and half of the bird’s range. In the Pacific lands, Russia. chick feeding behavior. They also looked Northwest and British Columbia, where Art Sowls (AMNWR) worked at the distribution of murrelets on the old-growth forest has been systemati- on revamping response planning water in relation to forage fish schools, cally eliminated, Marbled Murrelets tend for shipwreck “rat spills,” since tides, time of day, and other factors. Field to nest in trees, whereas in Alaska, where new Environmental Protection Agency

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 65 REGIONAL REPORTS • Alaska

(EPA) approvals were obtained for the RUSSIA and an international team have been use of rodenticides. Compiled by Shiway Wang looking at the migration paths of Western Tuula Hollmen, Shiway Wang Sandpipers from the Bay of Panama to (both of the Alaska SeaLife Center) and Falk Huettmann (UAF) and his Vancouver via radio-tracking. Other team Sara Iverson (Dalhousie University) Ecological Wildlife Habitat Analysis members are Ron Ydenberg (CWE), received funding from the North Pacific for the Land- and Seascape Labora- Eric Davies and Kim Mathot (CWE Research Board (NPRB) to estimate diets tory (EWHALE) were busy in 2007. graduates), Tim Burr (U.S. Navy, re- of two species of threatened sea ducks, Besides the usual GIS modeling and tired), Maribel Tejada, Angel Sosa and the Steller’s and Spectacled Eiders. They worldwide metadata work, Falk was able Ovidio Jaramillo (University of Pan- will conduct a captive validation study to join various efforts for a steady-state ama), Guillermo Fernandez, Miguel on fatty acids that will provide the basis economy, global change, and marine Guevarra and Luis Castillo (Institute for characterization of dietary patterns, sustainability. He carried out avian in- of Sciences, Mazatlán, Mexico), Sherri leading to further understanding of habi- fluenza and related seabird work in the Miller (U.S. Forest Service, Arcata tat requirements and how environmental Russian Far East for a second year. Of California) and John Takekawa (U.S. changes in the marine ecosystem impact interest were relatively high numbers of Geological Survey, San Francisco), plus eider population health. Long-billed Murrelets (Brachyramphus numerous individuals from the Panama Scott Hatch (USGS) completed a perdix), a Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria Audubon Society and the Smithsonian long-anticipated web application for data immutabilis) sighting at a coastal fishing Tropical Research Institute. Baird et entry into the Pacific Seabird Monitoring net, and various quantified estimates of al. have proposed various hypotheses Database (accessible online at http:// animal density at marine hotpots near for an apparent decline in numbers of seabirds.usgs.gov). Scott also worked the Vostochnya Wilderness Reserve on this species and are now testing them. with John Piatt (USGS), Alan Burger Sakhalin Island. In addition, the lower Since one of the hypotheses is heavy (University of Victoria) and others to Amur River estuary was investigated, metal contamination, they are collecting complete a comprehensive status review and some boat-based seabird surveys blood and feathers for analysis. Baird is of the Marbled Murrelet in Alaska and were carried out using DISTANCE also collaborating with Zed Mason of British Columbia. Sampling; data will be available online. California State University, Long Beach, John Brewer (UAF) success- EWHALE lab students are now explor- CA (where Baird is still affiliated) on fully defended his master’s thesis and ing arctic issues and conservation plan- this project. graduated in August. The title of his In January 2007, Louise Blight ning using MARXAN software, and are thesis is “Adrenal responsiveness of began a PhD with Amanda Vincent using related digital tools for assessing Black-legged Kittiwake chicks (Rissa at the University of British Columbia cumulative impacts and efficient spatial tridactyla): interannual variation and the (UBC; Vancouver, BC). Blight will be modeling (boosting and bagging). The effects of nestling status, brood size and using stable isotope analysis to examine lab made contributions to the Ocean investigator disturbance.” long-term changes to marine food webs, Bioinformatics Conference and Arctic Tom Van Pelt continued to run his using seabird predator-prey interactions Ocean Diversity project with the Census one-person consultancy, Transboundary as a model. In November and December of Marine Life. Members also organized Ecologic LLC. He worked on contracts 2006, Blight worked with David Ainley several Data Sharing Round Tables and related to bird life and other natural (HT Harvey and Associates, Los Gatos metadata workshops. resources in Bristol Bay, collaborated CA) on Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis with scientists and refuge managers in adeliae) demography at Ross Island, the Russian Far East, and undertook Antarctica. other projects. Tom visited Japan in Alan Burger of the University of March, helping Yasuaki Niizuma run Victoria (UVIC; Victoria, BC) is con- a workshop on surveying seabirds from tinuing research on Marbled Murrelets coastal ferries. He was temporarily on CANADA (Brachyramphus marmoratus) and other the staff of Audubon Alaska for the lat- Compiled by Ken Morgan seabirds, mainly on Vancouver Island. ter half of 2007, working with a broad Burger is analyzing existing data on the group of colleagues including Heather British Co l u m b i a re-use of nest trees by Marbled Murrelets Renner and others at AMNWR to update Pat Baird has been conducting re- and investigating the development of the IBA program in the Bering Sea. Tom search on Western Sandpipers (Calidris potential platforms in coastal conifers, also helped Audubon get engaged with mauri) through the Centre for Wildlife in collaboration with David (Dov) Lank the North Pacific Fishery Management Ecology (CWE) at Simon Fraser Univer- and Michael Silvergieter (SFU), Volker Council’s Aleutian Island Fisheries sity (SFU), Burnaby, British Columbia Bahn (McGill University, Montreal), Ecosystem Plan. (BC). Over the past three years, Baird and Cathy Conroy and Irene Manley.

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Burger also worked with Lank, Louise for Natural Resources Research and in 2007 was impeded by mass chick Waterhouse (BC Ministry of Forests, Management. mortality and colony abandonment; this Nanaimo, BC) and Alvin Cober of the Mark Hipfner (CWE/SFU and phenomenon was related to food shortage BC Ministry of Environment, Queen CWS) noted that the summer of 2007 and is not uncommon in Tufted Puffins at Charlotte City, Queen Charlotte Islands marked the 14th year of operation of the Triangle Island. Enquiries can be made to (QCI; also known as Haida Gwaii) on CWE’s seabird research and monitoring Morrison at [email protected] the application of low-flying helicopter program on Triangle Island, BC. The CWS continued with their seabird surveys to identify and analyze murrelet 2007 field crew included Phanie Bon- monitoring program in BC in 2007. nesting habitat in several sites in the neau (student intern with Cegep de la Moira Lemon (CWS, Delta, BC) led province. Previous work on Marbled Pocatière), Rachel Darvill (CWE con- a crew consisting of contractors Ked- Murrelets and their prey conducted off tractor), Johanna Havelaar and Glen die, Havelaar, and Renaude Samson southwest Vancouver Island is being Keddie (CWE), Sarah Jamieson (SFU in population surveys at the Ancient prepared for publication, in collaboration PhD candidate), Lisa Pollock (University Murrelet and Cassin’s Auklet colony on with UVIC PhD student Rob Ronconi of Guelph; UoG), Kyle Morrison, Mark Ramsay Island, Haida Gwaii. and UVIC researchers Nathan Hentze, Sloan (Yale University), and Marjorie Heather Major (SFU/CWE) is con- Sarah Wong and Trevor Haynes,. Sorenson (UoG MSc candidate), in addi- tinuing her PhD with Mark Hipfner and Tony Gaston of the Canadian tion to Hipfner. As usual, the crew moni- Ron Ydenberg, studying the recovery of Wildlife Service (CWS), Ottawa, On- tored breeding chronology and success, Ancient Murrelets following the eradica- tario (ON), Akiko Shoji (University of and related demographic parameters, in tion of rats in the 1990s from Langara Ottawa; UO) and Jennifer Provencher Cassin’s Auklets (Ptychoramphus aleu- Island, BC. She completed her second (UO contractor) studied incubation ticus), Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca field season on Langara with assistance behavior in Ancient Murrelets (Synth- monocerata), Tufted Puffins (Fratercula from SFU contractors Adam Chateau- liboramphus antiquus) at Reef Island, cirrhata), Common Murres (Uria aalge), vert, Meghan McKillop, and Lunabelle Haida Gwaii in April-June, using birds Pelagic Cormorants (Phalacrocorax pe- Loiseau-Tremblay in June. occupying artificial nest boxes that were lagicus), Black Oystercatchers (Haema- Ken Morgan (CWS, Sidney, BC) placed in 1997. In 2007, 82% of 72 topus bachmani), and Glaucous-winged is still investigating seabird ecology and surviving boxes were occupied. Sophia Gulls (Larus glaucescens). Breeding at-sea distributional relationships with Colantonio (UO) studied predation on success in 2007 was generally very poor oceanographic and climatic variability Ancient Murrelets at the same colony, for most species; of particular note, it was in the North Pacific. He is collaborating including its effect on choice of breeding the least successful year in the 14-year with Sonia Batten (Sir Alister Hardy sites. Conditions for Ancient Murrelet data series for Rhinoceros Auklets. Foundation for Ocean Science, Nanaimo, reproduction at Reef Island in 2007 seem Kyle Morrison is working on his BC), Mike Bentley (Victoria, BC), to have been excellent, with incubation MSc degree at SFU, examining survival, Mike Henry (Montreal, Québec [QC]), shifts much shorter than those observed prospecting, and recruitment in Tufted David Hyrenbach (UW and Duke in the 1980s, which we assume is a sign Puffins at Triangle Island. His work is University Marine Lab, Beaufort, North of good feeding conditions. For most of supervised by Mark Hipfner and Da- Carolina), and Bill Sydeman of the the breeding season, Reef Island was vid Green (SFU/CWE), with additional Farallon Institute for Advanced Ecosys- surrounded by feeding humpback whales committee mentoring from Pat Baird tems Research, Petaluma, CA. Morgan (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Pacific and Ron Ydenberg (both SFW/CWE). continues working on a project to track white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus Morrison plans to analyze juvenile and Pink-footed Shearwaters (Puffinus cre- obliquidens), and extensive euphausiid adult survival of Tufted Puffins, using a atopus) from their Chilean colonies into swarms were sighted frequently. All in six-year dataset of resighted birds that North American waters. Collaborators all, it appeared to be a bumper year for were color-banded as chicks, as well as were Hyrenbach and Peter Hodum; sup- marine top predators in the area. others that were color-banded as adults. port was provided by the Commission Anne Harfenist (Harfenist Envi- His goal is to test a facet of the Public In- for Environmental Cooperation and ronmental Consulting) completed the formation Hypothesis (that pre-breeding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric second year of a Leach’s Storm-Petrel birds gather knowledge on breeding site Administration (NOAA). Morgan also (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) survival quality while attending the colony, result- collaborated on a project to place observ- study. The research is being conducted ing in recruitment to a high quality site). ers on Canadian Coast Guard vessels to at two colonies in BC: Rock Islet (off Morrison assessed the burrow site quality conduct at-sea surveys of seabirds and eastern Moresby Island in Haida Gwaii) of recruited puffins banded as chicks by mammals along Canada’s three maritime and Cleland Island (off southwestern measuring the density and site character- coasts. He worked with Carina Gjer- Vancouver Island). The project is being istics of surrounding burrows. However, drum of CWS, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia supported by the Bulkley Valley Centre measurement of reproductive success (NS) and Ed Carmack (DFO, Sidney,

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 67 REGIONAL REPORTS • Canada

BC), along with invaluable assistance supported a breeding population of Ro- Katherine Dillon), where they con- from George Hunt (UW), Martin seate Terns for many years. The island firmed the presence of nesting Roseate Renner (post-doc at UW) and Kathy is monitored and protected by a local Terns for the first time in almost 10 years. Kuletz (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, steward (Ted D’Eon) who monitors for Several nests were identified and chicks Anchorage, Alaska). In July and August, predators and other threats. Each year were confirmed, although fledging suc- Mike Bentley surveyed between Victoria CWS counts and bands all chicks. In cess was not calculated. and Kugluktuk, Nunavut (NU); and John 2007, Boyne, and Julie McKnight and A CWS crew consisting of Toms, Wells surveyed between Dartmouth, NS Brad Toms (of CWS) banded 34 tern Rosalind Ford, Jeanette Goulet, Paul and Kugluktuk. From late September to chicks at Brothers Island, is the highest Harris and Peter Thomas conducted mid-October, Renner surveyed the south- number of chicks ever banded there. aerial and boat surveys of terns and other bound western leg from Cambridge Bay, CWS, in conjunction with the colonial seabirds in Newfoundland (NL) NU to Dutch Harbor, Alaska. NS Department of Natural Resources in 2007. Numbers of terns appeared to Rob Ronconi (UVIC) continues to (NSDNR), Dalhousie University (DAL, be slightly reduced from comparable work on his PhD thesis on Marbled Mur- Halifax, NS), and the Canadian Roseate surveys in 2002. This was year three of relet marine habitat selection, under Alan Tern Recovery Team, initiated the Coun- a three-year survey of insular NL. Burger. The thesis will be completed in try Island Tern Restoration Plan in 1998. Tony Diamond of the Atlantic early 2008. Ronconi also worked in the The project was launched in response Cooperative Wildlife Ecology Research Bay of Fundy (see the section on Central to the findings that the mixed colony Network (ACWERN) at the University and Eastern Canada ). of terns on Country Island (eastern NS) of New Brunswick (UNB), Fredericton, Douglas Bertram is focused on was threatened by high levels of preda- New Brunswick (NB) reported that long- long-term monitoring of Marbled Mur- tion from gulls and corvids. This was term research on diet and demographics relet populations in British Columbia. particularly important because in 1996, of seabirds breeding on Machias Seal He contracted Bernard Schroeder in approximately one third of the Roseate Island (MSI) in the Bay of Fundy contin- 2007 to conduct radar surveys at long- Terns breeding in Canada nested on ued in 2007. They banded and resighted term stations on Haida Gwaii (Queen Country Island. Predators on the island Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) have been suppressed since 1997 by a Charlotte Islands) and the West Coast and Razorbills (Alca torda), monitored crew of researchers that lives on the is- of Vancouver Island Conservation Re- productivity in marked burrows, and land from May to August. According to gions. Bertram is working with Michael recorded diet, as they have since 1994. Boyne, 2007 was a “seemingly normal Janssen and Ryan Norris (Guelph) and The summary for 2006 available online year in terms of colony size.” A prelimi- Peter Arcese (UBC) to examine trophic (http://www.unb.ca/acwern/documents/ nary estimate by the CWS research crew feeding level in Marbled Murrelet, using MSIReport2006.pdf). The most signifi- places the colony size at 1069 nests this stable isotopes. year. However, Boyne speculates that cant recent event was the abandonment Kristin Charleton is working fledging success and productivity were of MSI by nesting terns in 2006. This on gillnet bycatch with Environment low this year. was the largest colony of Arctic Terns Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada Pam Mills (NSDNR) surveyed all (Sterna paradisaea) in North America supported primarily by the Canadian of NS in 2007 for terns by air, and the (~2000 pairs), and the largest tern col- Interdepartmental Recovery Fund. The CWS crew conducted ground surveys ony in the Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy Seabird Recovery Project has had a con- to correct aerial estimates. They found (~3000 pairs, including Common Terns tinued presence throughout commercial 78 tern colonies with an estimated total [Sterna hirundo]). The colony had per- gillnet fisheries in BC, including the of 5125 terns. Species ratios have not sisted through the vicissitudes of human th th north coast during the chum salmon (O. yet been calculated, but Roseate Terns predation in the 19 and 20 centuries. keta) season in fall. were only found at three sites—the two The terns abandoned again in 2007, after In December, Falk Huettmann colonies mentioned above, and another laying very few eggs and not attempting (University of Alaska, Fairbanks) con- with only a single pair. Boyne noted that to incubate. Multiple causes seem to be ducted boat-based Marbled Murrelet although there was an increase in the operating, including poor food supply surveys for the fifth year near Tofino, number of colonies in NS, the average (following disappearance of juvenile BC. colony size diminished, as did the total herring from the diet in 2000), increased population. These surveys began in 1995 gull predation, and low productivity Ce n t r a l a n d Ea s t e r n Ca n a d a and are conducted every four years. in 2004 and 2005 coincident with bad Andrew Boyne of CWS, Dart- Surveys were also conducted on weather shortly after hatch. Bad weather mouth, Nova Scotia (NS) monitored Sable Island, NS (290 km southeast of for chicks could not be blamed in 2006 or Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) at two Halifax), by the Sable Island Preserva- 2007, because the terns did not stay long colonies in NS in 2007. Brothers Island tion Trust (Rick Welsford and Julia enough to experience it. Atlantic Puffins (off the southwestern shore of NS) has Lawson) and DAL (Andy Horn and on MSI did reasonably well despite a

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 68 REGIONAL REPORTS • Canada diet dominated by larval fish. However, foraging ecology of Double-crested in their diet was higher in 2007 than in Razorbills, which until 2007 were able to Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) 2005 or 2006. In contrast, capelin disap- find juvenile herring when other seabirds at a large colony (>7000 pairs). Fraser peared early (beginning of July) from could not, had their worst year since 1994 and Andrews had enthusiastic assistance the diet of the inshore-foraging­ Double- on a diet of larval fish. from C. Weseloh (CWS, Burlington, crested Cormorants. The cormorants Diamond is supervising the fol- ON) with dawn counts of foraging cor- and Razorbills apparently could rely on lowing student projects at UNB: Kate morants. Also under Fraser, K. Khan other prey species, especially American Devlin’s PhD on Arctic Tern demograph- examined the impacts of Raccoon (Pro- Sand lance (Ammodytes americanus), ics, using field-readable bands that were cyon lotor) predation at a Black-crowned which remained abundant throughout the applied and resighted on MSI and by col- Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) season. Lavoie also completed fieldwork laborators at nearby colonies; the bands colony, and S. Lakfard initiated an MSc (sampling of seabirds, invertebrates and will allow them to track the dispersal of project on the breeding biology of Com- water) for his MSc at UO with David MSI’s Arctic Terns among neighboring mon Terns. The student projects took Lean. He is studying the distribution of colonies. Travis Clarke continued his place at Tommy Thompson Park (Leslie mercury through the marine food web to MSc on Razorbill movements, with Street Spit), a man-made peninsula that colonial seabirds at Corossol Island. re-sighting on MSI of three of the birds extends into Lake Ontario. In the Bay of Fundy (Atlantic implanted with satellite transmitters in Jean-François Rail and Richard Canada), Rob Ronconi collaborators June 2006 but from which no signals Cotter of CWS, QC surveyed the seabird continued their 3rd field season explor- had been received since November. He colonies of the Magdalen Islands, QC, in ing the diets, movements, use of tidal also recovered a the geolocator tag fitted the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. upwellings, and migration of Greater in 2006 and is analyzing its data. Clarke Preliminary results for 2000–2007 are Shearwaters (Puffinus gravis) and Sooty and collaborators fitted 15 breeding Ra- that Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus). New in zorbills with band-mounted VHF radios and Atlantic Puffins suffered large de- 2007 was the satellite tagging of two in 2007, on MSI, the Gannet Islands clines (–57% and –77%, respectively), Sooty Shearwaters, and the recapture (Labrador), and the Corossol Islands whereas the Double-crested Cormorant of a Greater Shearwater that was origi- in Québec (QC). He plans to carry out population increased from less than nally banded in 2006. Collaborators were aerial and ground searches for the tags 1000 pairs to over 2500. Numbers for Heather Koopman, Aleksija Neimanis, around Grand Manan Island to test the 11 other breeding seabird species were Andrew Westgage, Sarah Wong (Grand hypothesis that Razorbills from all major more stable. Several colonies were de- Manan Whale and Seabird Research North American colonies spend at least serted, presumably because of Red Foxes Station). some time there during winter. Alex (Vulpes vulpes) and human disturbance. Greg Robertson (CWS, St. John’s, Bond has completed his MSc on mercury They were assisted by Dominic Cyr and NL) reported an unusual outbreak of in the MSI seabird community, and has Isabelle Turbide (Parks Canada). avian cholera far offshore among gulls started a PhD under Ian Jones at Memo- Rail and Philip Bertrand of the and other seabirds. This was confirmed rial University of Newfoundland (MUN), Collège d’enseignement général et pro- by Hugh Whitney (NL Department St. John’s. Kelly Boadway has begun fessionnel de La Pocatière (La Pocatière, of Natural Resources, St. John’s) and her MSc on Arctic Tern breeding biol- QC), attached GPS and altimeter loggers Scott McBurney (Atlantic Veterinary ogy in the high Arctic (in collaboration on incubating Northern Gannets (Sula College, University of Prince Edward with Mark Mallory, CWS). Robin Hun- bassana) at Bonaventure Island, QC. Island, Charlottetown). Reports of dead newell has begun a PhD on Red-necked They again collaborated with Stefan and dying gulls from offshore oil rigs and Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus) staging Garthe (Universität Kiel, Germany) and fisheries patrols occurred in late 2006 in the Bay of Fundy, in collaboration Bill Montevecchi (MUN). and by early 2007 they reached numbers with Manomet Center for Conservation As part of the State of the St. Law- posing risks to helicopter traffic. Cholera Science and USFWS. rence Monitoring Program, Raphaël was seen in a few gulls on shore in the Gail Fraser of York University Lavoie (CWS, QC), assisted by Bertrand following weeks, and by March, it had (YU), Toronto, G. Robertson of CWS, and supervised by Rail, spent his third run its course. In April a wreck of a few St. John’s, Newfoundland (NL), and summer on Corossol Island monitoring hundred juvenile Thick-billed Murres J. Russell and R. Bryant (Alder In- productivity, diet and chick growth in (Uria lomvia) occurred in Conception stitute) continued monitoring Manx Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tri- Bay (NL); they apparently had starved. Shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus) and dactyla) and Razorbills, as well as diet The spring of 2007 was late, and pack Leach’s Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma of Double-crested Cormorants. It was ice remained offshore well in to April leucorhoa) on Middle Lawn Island, NL. (finally) a relatively good year for the kit- and May. In summer Robertson focused D. Andrews (YU) conducted another tiwakes, with most chicks fledging. The on monitoring Common Murres. Close field season of MSc research on the proportion of capelin (Mallotus villosus) to 2000 murre chicks were banded in the

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 69 REGIONAL REPORTS • Canada province, and geologgers were attached multocida) killed over 1000 fully-grown studies reactions to disturbance by breed- to 5 breeding murres in Witless Bay hatch-year birds and smaller numbers ing Ross’s Gulls (Rhodostethia rosea), (NL), in collaboration with Bill Mon- of adult cormorants, gulls, sandpipers, in order to define critical habitat under tevecchi. Fisheries bycatch of Common ducks, and ravens. The 2007 monitoring Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA). Murres around major colonies was again was carried out by Somers, Leighton, and All five undertook investigations to noted in 2007. In general, productivity of Thijs Kuiken and Josanne Verhagen compare the breeding biology of Ross’s seabirds was low to moderate, and highly (Institute of Virology, Erasmus Medi- Gulls with that of sympatric Sabine’s variable, in NL in 2007. cal Centre, Erasmus University, Rot- Gulls (Xema sabini) and Arctic Terns. Christopher Somers of the Univer- terdam, Netherlands). Interested parties Mallory, Han, Akearok, and Fontaine sity of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan can contact Somers at Chris.Somers@ also continued monitoring colony at- (SK) has an ongoing research program uregina.ca tendance and reproduction by breeding on aquatic colonial birds in SK, focus- Ivory Gulls (Pagophila eburnea). Counts ing on Double-crested Cormorants, Ar c t i c Ca n a d a of this species were very low at Seymour American White Pelicans (Pelecanus Kyle Elliott of the University of Island, NU, but all eggs tested were erythrorhynchos) and Western Grebes Manitoba (UM) and Tony Gaston, found to be viable. (Aechmophorus occidentalis). The main Kerry Woo, and Jennifer Provencher objectives are to (1) determine the degree (CWS) returned to the Thick-billed Ot h e r p r o j e c t s of habitat overlap between piscivorous Murre colony on Coats Island, Nunavut Pat O’Hara (CWS, Sidney BC) colonial birds and recreational boaters, (NU), from 13 July to 16 August. Ice was is the principal scientist for Environ- (2) identify prey in the diet of cormorants seen sporadically until nearly the end of ment Canada’s (EC) Birds Oiled at Sea and pelicans to evaluate their potential July, and the median hatch date was sev- (BOAS) program on the Pacific coast. impact on fish populations, (3) char- eral days later than in recent years (before The main goal is to estimate potential acterize trophic position and food web 2000). As would be expected with more impacts of ship-source oil pollution interactions of piscivorous birds using ice, Arctic cod (Boreogadus saiga) was on seabirds. O’Hara is mapping and stable isotopes, (4) examine inter-specific about 30% of the diet, an increase over modeling at-sea seabird distributions agonistic interactions among nesting recent years. As part of an International and oil spill hot spots to estimate expo- birds in breeding colonies, (5) examine Polar Year project to examine adult diet, sure risk for certain species of seabird. patterns of juvenile dispersal, and (6) birds were collected for stomach contents Oceanographic information is coupled evaluate population trends. Somers analysis and blood was sampled for stable with survey data to help fill gaps in at- recently initiated a population genetics isotope analysis. Public education had a sea seabird surveys. Shipping data and study to examine relationships among high profile at Coats Island this year, with surveillance from aircraft and satellites breeding colonies and the distribution visits from a “Cruise North” expedition, a are used to define and predict patterns of genetic diversity among American “Students on Ice” expedition, and Peter for ship-source pollution. This modeling White Pelicans in North America. He Mansbridge of the Canadian Broadcast- is done in collaboration with many part- is also studying disease in waterbird ing Corporation. The television crew ners, including Marine Communications colonies, in collaboration with EC wild- also visited and filmed seabirds at Prince and Traffic Services (Canadian Coast life veterinarians (Catherine Soos and Leopold Island, Nunavut, so seabirds got Guard), National Aerial Surveillance Emily Jenkins, Saskatoon, SK) and Ted good exposure from the Canadian media Program (Transport Canada), DFO, In- Leighton of the Canadian Cooperative this year. tegrated Satellite Tracking of Polluters Wildlife Health Centre (University of In August, Gaston, Jason Akearok (EC and the Canadian Space Agency), Saskatchewan, Saskatoon). Projects in- (CWS, Iqaluit, NU) and Garry Don- Parks Canada, the UVIC Department of cluded (1) the relationship between diet aldson (CWS, Gatineau, QC) visited the Geography, the University of Calgary, and gastrointestinal parasite infestation little-known Thick-billed Murre colony and Dalhousie University. O’Hara is also in cormorants, (2) geographic variance in at Akpait (the Minarets) on Baffin Is- working with several environmental non- common causes of mortality and disease land. Time-depth recorder information governmental organizations, including in bird colonies, (3) rates of West Nile and stomach contents were collected for Bird Studies Canada, the Coastal Obser- Virus exposure and mortality among comparison with other colonies in the vational and Survey Team, the Farallones colonial species, and (4) monitoring of Eastern Canadian Arctic and with similar Marine Sanctuary Association, World epidemic disease outbreaks in SK colo- collections that were made in the 1970s Wildlife Fund, and the Canadian Parks nies. Monitoring of the Double-crested and 1980s. and Wilderness Society. Cormorant colony at Dore Lake, SK for In 2007, Mark Mallory, Siu-Ling Ken Morgan worked for much of epizootic disease continued in 2007 for Han, Jason Akearok and Alain Fon- 2007 on Canada’s Recovery Strategy for the 14th consecutive year. In August an taine (all CWS, Iqaluit, NU) and Kelly the Pink-footed Shearwater and the Short- epidemic of avian cholera (Pasteurella Boadway (UNB, ACWERN) initiated tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus).

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 70 REGIONAL REPORTS • Canada

Both species are listed as Threatened adults of seabird species worldwide, to the collective effort of the Population under SARA. Morgan chaired the Recov- estimate trophic levels of seabirds and Monitoring Team. Washington surveys ery Team; other members were Louise their role in the marine food web. She were led by Marty Raphael and Tom Blight, Myke Chutter (BC Ministry of has also been looking at feeding habits of Bloxton of the U.S. Forest Service— Environment, Victoria), Peter Hodum seabird chicks in conjunction with their Pacific Northwest Research Station (Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge and growth patterns and energy requirements (PNW) in Zone 1 (Puget Sound through UW), Tamee Mawani (Fisheries and to determine the global amount of food the Strait of Juan de Fuca), and by Scott Oceans Canada [DFO], Vancouver), extracted annually by adult seabirds for Pearson and Monique Lance of Wash- Nadine Parker (Transport Canada, chick growth. Once completed, this work ington Department of Fish and Wildlife Vancouver), Jo Smith (UW), and Ross will also be available in SeaLifeBase. (3) (WDFW) in Zone 2 (outer coast). In Vennesland (Parks Canada Agency, Karpouzi attempted to rank 55 coastal Oregon (Zone 3 and part of Zone 4), sur- Vancouver). David Cunnington, Lucy countries on their conservation and veys were led by Craig Strong (Crescent Reiss and Emily Chamberlain (all of management efforts for seabirds breed- Coastal Research) In California, Sherri CWS, Delta, BC) provided invaluable ing within their Exclusive Economic Miller and others of the U.S. Forest assistance throughout the development of Zones. She considered: (1) conventions Service—Pacific Southwest Research the Recovery Strategy and the consulta- and agreements, to assess the countries’ Station (PSW) led surveys in Zone 4 tion plan. The team anticipates that the intention to engage in conservation ac- (Coos Bay, Oregon south through Hum- Recovery Strategy will soon be posted on tions; (2) trends of seabird populations, boldt County, California), and Strong led the SARA Public Registry for the 60-day to evaluate the countries’ performance surveys in Zone 5 (Mendocino through comment period. on integrating conservation into national Marin Counties). Annual population es- In 2006, Jamie Kenyon of CWS action plans; and (3) availability and timates for the 5-zone area have ranged (now with Ducks Unlimited Canada, quality of seabird population data. This from about 18,600 to 23,700 murrelets Whitehorse, Yukon Territory) and others is an ongoing effort to improve knowl- (95% confidence limits 13,400–29,000 at CWS assembled all existing pelagic edge of seabird population status and of birds). Population estimates for 2007 will data collected between 1982 and 2005, countries’ actions to conserve marine be available soon, after which we will within and adjacent to Canada’s west biodiversity. The same analysis is also evaluate population trends for the 5-zone coast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), underway for other taxa (e.g., marine area using the eight years of population and produced maps and text for an mammals, sea turtles), biomes, and other monitoring data (2000–2007). Popula- updated Atlas of Pelagic Birds of West- aspects of biodiversity. tion surveys will continue in 2008. ern Canada. When Kenyon left CWS, The Habitat Monitoring Team Morgan took on the role of finishing the (including Marty Raphael, Kim Nel- document; the plan is to publish the Atlas son (Oregon State University), Sherri early in 2008. Miller, Jim Baldwin (PSW) and Rich Vasiliki Karpouzi (PhD candidate, Young of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- UBC) worked on three projects involving vice (USFWS) are continuing to model seabirds. (1) She compiled information WASHINGTON AND murrelet habitat relationships across the on growth patterns in seabird chicks OREGON 5 conservation zones, for an upcoming (137 species in 13 families and four Compiled by Don Lyons assessment of murrelet nesting habitat orders); she then considered growth through the first 15 years of the NWF functions and converted logistic and Ma r b l e d Mu r r e l e t s Plan (1993–2008). Gompertz growth curves to von Ber- The status and trends of Marbled Other contributors to the monitor- talanffy curves. She also investigated Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmora- ing program included CJ Ralph (PSW), differences in growth patterns within tus) populations and nesting habitat are Beth Galleher (PNW), and Mark Huff seabird orders, and between seabirds monitored as part of an interagency pro- (National Park Service), plus the many and other groups of organisms (e.g., gram to evaluate the effectiveness of the seasonal technicians who made the fishes). Growth spaces occupied by the Northwest Forest Plan (NWF Plan). The population surveys possible. In Sep- four seabird orders reflected differences Marbled Murrelet Effectiveness Moni- tember 2006, Gary Falxa (USFWS, in the seabirds’ breeding biology. This toring Program has monitored murrelet Arcata, California) took over lead for work is available in SeaLifeBase (www. populations annually from boats since the NWF Plan’s murrelet monitoring sealifebase.org), a searchable electronic 2000, covering about 8800 km2 of coastal program from Mark Huff. A report on re- database of biological information for waters throughout murrelet conservation sults of the monitoring program through all marine organisms in the world. (2) Zones 1 through 5 (US–Canada border 2003 is available at http://www.fs.fed. Karpouzi has been compiling informa- to San Francisco Bay). As in past years, us/pnw/pubs/pnw_gtr650.pdf; a recent tion on diet composition of chicks and surveys were conducted in 2007 through publication on the population survey

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 71 REGIONAL REPORTS • Washington and Oregon protocol is at http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/ the Washington Department of Natural Alaska (see Alaska regional report for pubs/pnw_gtr716.pdf Resources (WDNR) in the western details). Martin Raphael and Tom Blox- foothills of the northern Cascade Range. ton continued collaborative studies on They conducted intensive surveys for Ca s p i a n Te r n s Marbled Murrelets in Puget Sound, Strait Marbled Murrelets in accordance with Oregon State University, the U.S. of Juan de Fuca, and Hood Canal during PSG’s 2004 Marbled Murrelet Survey Geological Survey (USGS)–Oregon 2007. As mentioned above, Raphael and Protocol, in support of WDNR’s habitat Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Bloxton surveyed murrelets and other conservation process on state forest Unit (OCFWRU), and their cooperators seabirds in Washington’s inner marine lands. Surveyors at first-, second-, and continued to investigate predation by sea- waters. They also continued collecting multi-year stands conducted over 300 birds on salmon smolts (Oncorhynchus baseline data on within-season and an- surveys at 52 sites. Murrelets were spp) in the lower Columbia River. Stud- nual changes in distributions, densities, present at six sites and one site yielded ies included the size and productivity of and productivity indices of murrelets in an “occupied” detection. An additional the largest known breeding colony of the San Juan Islands. The fourth season 54 non-PSG protocol surveys were Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia) on of capturing and radio-tagging murrelets conducted at six “high-elevation” sites East Sand Island in the Columbia River at sea around the Olympic Peninsula in an effort to test potential new survey estuary. This colony is being managed yielded 32 tagged adults, including the techniques for sites above 915 m. Jeff by a group of federal, state, and tribal first recapture of a murrelet that was Reams was the Turnstone project man- resource management agencies. Studies banded in this study (in 2005). Five nests ager. Biologists Terry Carten, Andrew on East Sand Island also included the size were located, including the first known Norton and Peter McBride served as and productivity of the largest known cliff nest in Washington. All five nests WDNR’s district representatives. Terry colony of Double-crested Cormorants failed. This work was completed with Carten, replaced in mid-season by An- (Phalacrocorax auritus). support and cooperation from Richard drew Norton, was the WDNR contract Seabirds, including Caspian Terns, Bigley of the Washington Department administrator and primary contact. Double-crested Cormorants, Western/ Deanna Lynch of Natural Resources, of Turnstone biologists began a 2-year Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus occiden- the USFWS, and John Calhoun of the talis X glaucescens), California Gulls contract for the City of Cannon Beach, Olympic Natural Resources Center. (L. californicus), and American White Oregon, for intensive surveys for Mar- The Oregon Department of Forestry Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), bled Murrelets in accordance with PSG’s (ODF) contracted Turnstone Environ- prey on juvenile salmonids in the lower survey protocol. The project is part of an mental Consultants to conduct Marbled Columbia River and estuary. Some of impact assessment for future develop- Murrelet surveys on state lands in the these fish are listed under the U.S. Endan- ment adjacent to the city’s wastewater Coast Range of Oregon in 6 ODF dis- gered Species Act (ESA), and therefore treatment facility. Five surveys were tricts (Astoria, Tillamook, Forest Grove, agencies are required to take measures to performed at one site. Tom Williamson Western Lane, Coos Bay and West improve salmonid survival in the river. was the project manager; Rainmar Bartl Oregon). Surveyors visited a mixture One focus has been to relocate the prin- served as the city representative. Turn- of first-, second-, and multi-year sites, cipal breeding colony of Caspian Terns and conducted almost 1700 surveys at stone also conducted Marbled Murrelet in the estuary, with the aim of reducing 212 unique sites and 909 unique sta- surveys for the SE Group (Bellevue, tern predation on the fish. The tern colony tions. Murrelets were present during WA), as part of the impact assessment for was induced to move from its former site 112 surveys and occupied behavior was a proposed expansion of the Snoqualmie on Rice Island to an artificially improved observed during 16 surveys. All surveys Pass ski area. Forty surveys were con- site 21 km closer to the ocean on East were conducted according to PSG’s ducted at eight sites. No Marbled Mur- Sand Island. All Caspian Terns nesting protocol requirements. Tom William- relets were detected. Jeff Reams was the in the Columbia River estuary have used son was the Turnstone project manager. project manager; Dan Roscoe was the SE East Sand Island since 2001. District representatives for ODF were Group representative. In 2007, the size of the Caspian Jenny Laughman Astoria, Kate Skin- Kim Nelson (Oregon State Univer- Tern colony on East Sand Island was ner in Tillamook, Laurie O’Nion in sity, Wildlife Trust) and Scott Newman approximately 9850 pairs (compared Forest Grove, Tom Mickel in Western (Wildlife Trust, Food and Agriculture to approximately 9200 pairs in 2006). Lane, Ryan Greco in Coos Bay and Dan Organization) continued their 3-year About 2.6 ha of nesting habitat were McMinds in West Oregon. Matt Gostin study with Darrell Whitworth, Harry prepared for the terns on East Sand was the ODF contract administrator and Carter, and Matt Kirchhoff on the Island prior to the 2007 nesting season, primary contact. health, activity patterns, foraging ranges, and terns utilized approximately 1.4 Turnstone also completed a 2-year and habitat use of Marbled Murrelets in ha for nesting, less than the 1.6–1.9 ha contract to survey Marbled Murrelets for the Port Snettisham area of Southeast used in 2002–2006. Juvenile salmonids

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 72 REGIONAL REPORTS • Washington and Oregon comprised 31% of the diet of terns at the Reservoir, where about 1015 pairs nested breeding pairs remained with 31 chicks. East Sand Island colony in 2007, similar in trees at the north end of the reservoir in This colony evidently formed for the first to 2006. Northern anchovy (Engraulis 2007, compared to approximately 1160 time in 2004 and has consistently had mordax) and surfperch (Embiotocidae) pairs in 2006. poor success. Participants in the study were the most prevalent prey in the non- Participants in the study included included OSU, USGS, and RTR. This salmonid portion of tern diets. Oregon State University (OSU), Real year’s research team included Dan Roby The size of the Double-crested Time Research (RTR), USGS, and the in- (OSU/USGS), Sarah Moculeski, Jessica Cormorant colony on East Sand Island teragency Caspian Tern Working Group Adkins, and Kirsten Bixler (OSU), and in 2007 was approximately 13,770 nest- (CTWG), which includes the National Ken Collis (RTR). The study was funded ing pairs, compared to approximately Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), U.S. by USFWS. 13,740 pairs in 2006. Thus there was Army Corps of Engineers, USFWS, Or- no significant change in the size of egon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Ot h e r Pr o j e c t s —Wa s h i n g t o n the colony since 2006, although it has WDFW, Idaho Department of Fish and Joe Evenson, Bryan Murphie, increased dramatically since it was first Game, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Tom Cyra, and David Nysewander are noted 20 years ago. An unusually virulent Commission, and others. This year’s continuing low-level aerial surveys dur- outbreak of Newcastle disease caused research team included Dan Roby ing winter 2007–2008. The surveys have significant mortality among fledgling (USGS/OSU), Jessica Adkins, Lindsay been conducted since 1992 throughout cormorants in 2007. Adrean, Nathan Hostetter, Don Lyons, inner marine waters of Washington State East Sand Island continues to be the Lauren Reinalda, and Yasuko Suzuki (WA), as part of the Puget Sound Assess- largest known post-breeding roost site for (OSU), Ken Collis, Allen Evans, and ment and Monitoring Program (PSAMP) California Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus Mike Hawbecker (RTR), and a number of WDFW. Maps of density indices for occidentalis californicus). Upwards of of seasonal technicians and volunteers. selected species and other products are 7500 Brown Pelicans were counted on This study was funded by the Bonneville available for 1992–2006 winter surveys the island in early to mid-September. Power Administration, the Northwest and 1992–1999 summer surveys at Much farther upriver, near the con- Power and Conservation Council, and http://wdfw.wa.gov/mapping/psamp, or fluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. See by contacting the Wildlife Resources in eastern Washington, the Caspian Tern www.columbiabirdresearch.org for more Data Section of WDFW, Olympia. colony on Crescent Island was estimated information. Research on Surf (Melanitta per- at approximately 355 nesting pairs in OSU, USGS–OCFWRU, and their spicillata) and White-winged (Melanitta 2007, down from 450 in 2006. This is cooperators also continued research and fusca) Scoter has been conducted since the third straight year the colony has monitoring of Caspian Tern colonies in 2003. Implantation of 72 satellite and 90 declined in size. This colony remains, coastal Washington; however, observa- VHF radio transmitters has revealed new however, the largest Caspian Tern colony tions were limited compared to previous insights into breeding, wintering, spring in the Columbia Plateau Region and the years. We made bimonthly visits to a staging, migration, and molting, and third largest in the Pacific Northwest, colony on Dungeness Spit, in Dungeness other strategies employed by these sco- after those at East Sand Island, Oregon National Wildlife Refuge on the Strait ters. Follow-up studies have examined and at Dungeness Spit, Washington. of Juan de Fuca. This colony evidently harvest, mortality and recruitment. Some About 241 fledglings were produced this formed for the first time in 2003, and results of this work can be viewed online year, corresponding to a nesting success is located on sandy substrate amongst (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/psamp/scoters/ of 0.68 young raised per nesting pair, the driftwood about one km southwest of index.htm). WDFW and collaborators second-highest productivity estimated the Dungeness Lighthouse National will present some findings from this at the Crescent Island tern colony since Historic Site. Approximately 1150 breed- work at the 3rd North American Sea Duck 2000. Juvenile salmonids comprised 67% ing pairs nested in 2007, a 31% increase Conference in November 2008. of the diet of terns in 2007, similar to diet compared to 2006. This is now the A capture feasibility study was composition during 2000-2006. second-largest Caspian Tern colony in conducted in September 2007 using Foundation Island, located 9 km the Pacific Northwest, after East Sand specially modified gill nets, to determine upriver of Crescent Island, has the largest Island. The only other known colony in effort-to-success ratios for banding of Double-crested Cormorant colony on the coastal Washington during 2007 was on scoters during molt. WDFW will also mid-Columbia River. Nests are in trees a warehouse rooftop in the Bremerton be implementing a sex/age ratio study at this colony, which had at least 334 Naval Shipyard. Up to 900 Caspian on scoters and Harlequin Ducks (Histri- nesting pairs in 2007, down from about Terns were counted there in late May by onicus histrionicus) in February 2008 to 360 in 2006. The largest Double-crested U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife examine hatch-year recruitment. Cormorant colony in the Columbia Pla- Services. By mid-June the Bremerton The PSAMP crew collaborated with teau Region, however, is on Potholes colony had largely failed, and only 117 Sea Doc Society and the University

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 73 REGIONAL REPORTS • Washington and Oregon of California at Davis in the capture compensates for overwinter declines in diet. The project also includes multi-year of a small number of Western Grebes other foods and helps fuel migration. population monitoring of Tufted Puf- (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in March Abundant invertebrate foods supported fins (Fratercula cirrhata) on Tatoosh. 2007, using the same type of specially by eelgrass in Padilla Bay are used by Pearson visited historically occupied modified gill nets. Veterinarians from the about 10,000 Surf Scoters before and puffin breeding islands in the San Juan USGS (Alaska) and the university helped during spring migration, and again dur- Islands, Strait of Juan de Fuca and outer develop new methods and implantation ing the molting period in late summer. coast to assess current occupancy. In the protocols to improve the success of tele­ Lee Robinson completed her 14th Strait and San Juans, only Smith and metry with these grebes. season working with a small colony of Protection islands have retained breeding Tom Cyra and Joe Evenson con- pigeon guillemots on Protection Island populations. Several rocks and islands ducted censuses of Glaucous-winged NWR, in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, WA. on the outer coast with historically small Gulls during the nesting period in early This past season saw a fledging success populations were not occupied during the June 2007 throughout the inner marine of 36.5%. This is the sixth decline in the 2007 nesting season. waters of WA, using aerial photography. past 7 seasons, from a high of 68.3% in Joanna Smith continues her PhD The effort was a collaboration of WDFW 2000. Only in 2006 was there a slight at UW with Julia Parrish on the forag- and Migratory Bird Management, US- increase in the fledging success (42.9%, ing ecology and habitat use of Common FWS, Portland. This was the first co- up from 39.0% in 2005). Among other Mergansers (Mergus merganser) and ordinated survey since the late 1970s things, she will be looking at whether Juan Fernandez Petrels (Pterodroma of breeding Glaucous-winged Gulls in nestlings are spending more time in their externa). Jo also joined the Canadian the inner marine waters. The work was nest boxes in recent years compared to Recovery Team (Chair Ken Morgan) prompted by an apparent decline in the earlier years. for Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria species over the last 25 years. Karen Fischer continues her thesis albatrus) and Pink-footed Shearwaters Other continuing seabird projects work on the habitat use and overlap with (Puffinus creatopus) of WDFW include one on Black Oys- commercial fisheries of Black-footed tercatchers (Haematopus bachmani), and Laysan Albatrosses (Phoebastria Ot h e r Pr o j e c t s —Or e g o n and replication of breeding surveys for nigripes and P. immutabilis) during the Graduate student Annie Pollard is Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba) post-breeding season at OSU with Dan studying mammalian predation on Leach’s throughout the inner marine waters of Roby and Rob Suryan; see the Alaska Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) WA. Questions can be directed to Joe regional report for details. under Jan Hodder at the Oregon Institute Evenson at (360) 902-8137, Dave Nyse- Nathalie Hamel of the School of of Marine Biology, in cooperation with the wander at (360) 902-8134, Ruth Milner Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Univer- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In summer at (360) 466-4345 extension 265, or Tom sity of Washington (UW) continued her 2006, evidence of high mammalian preda- Cyra at (425) 379-2307. PhD work with a new look at the spatial Eric Anderson’s field studies of foraging ecology of Common Murres tion on Leach’s Storm-Petrels was found Surf and White-winged Scoters in (Uria aalge) nesting on Tatoosh Island. on the Saddle Rock Colony on the south- Washington focus on identifying marine She is using ratio tracking to link the for- ern Oregon (OR) coast. In 2007, Pollard resources that are critical to regulation aging distribution of murres with chick used infrared cameras to determine that of stored body reserves. Anderson is in provisioning. raccoons (Procyon lotor) and river otters Jim Lovvorn’s research group at the Scott Pearson, Julia Parrish, Tom (Lutra canadensis) were getting onto the University of Wyoming. The importance Good and Peter Hodum continued their island and preying on storm-petrels. By of clams and mussels relative to other comparative study of foraging ecology collecting bird carcasses and scat of rac- foods has likely been overestimated by and reproductive success of Rhinoceros coon and river otters, she determined that past studies. When identifying critical Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) on between 0 and 47 birds are eaten nightly feeding areas for protection, especially Protection and Tatoosh Islands, WA. between the months of February and Oc- for Surf Scoters, the availability of soft- They are assessing diet composition tober, with predation occurring on 64% bodied foods such as polychaetes and and quality, and are coupling these with of nights. Nest occupancy and density crustaceans should also be considered. breeding phenology and success mea- on Saddle Rock were much lower than Important feeding areas for Surf Scoters sures. These parameters are being com- in 1979–1996, and on nearby Hunter’s in Puget Sound often change from early pared between years and sites, with Pro- Island, which has no mammalian preda- winter to spring, indicating need for a tection and Tatoosh representing inshore tors, occupancy and density were much complex of seasonal habitats. For exam- Puget Sound and transitional outer coast higher than on Saddle Rock. The findings ple, Surf Scoters aggregate in dramatic marine habitats, respectively. In addition, suggest that mammalian predators are numbers to consume the spawn of Pacific they have collected preliminary stable severely restricting storm-petrel nesting herring (Clupea pallasi), which likely isotope analysis data to reconstruct auklet in this colony.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 74 REGIONAL REPORTS • Washington and Oregon

Rob Suryan (OSU) pursued several Land Management). The work resumes 2007 breeding surveys indicated a return projects in 2007, including foraging pat- earlier studies by Julia Parrish (UW), to normal breeding conditions after the terns and habitats of nesting Short-tailed and hopefully it will become part of the 2004-2006 warm-water anomaly that Albatrosses (see regional report for long-term coastal research and monitor- depressed spring/summer productivity Hawai‘i and the Pacific), albatross habi- ing program. Study of this colony is also in the northern California Current. How- tats and fishery interactions off Alaska relevant because it is at the beginning of ever, reproductive success for Western (see the Alaska regional report), Califor- the Newport Hydrographic Line. Gulls and Black Oystercatchers declined nia Current top predators and protected Maura Naughton, David Pitkin, in 2007, indicating a lagged response to areas, seabird surveys along the Newport Roy Lowe, and Khem So (USFWS) the anomaly. Both species forage heavily Hydrographic Line, and Common Murre and Craig Strong (Crescent Coastal in the intertidal habitat at VAFB. PRBO reproductive and foraging ecology. Research) have worked over the past continued the monitoring of top preda- The California Current Top Predator year on the Catalog of Oregon Seabird tors inside and outside of the Vandenberg Hot Spots and Marine Protected Areas Colonies. The catalog is in review for Marine Ecological Reserve, collecting study is a collaboration with Bill Syde- publication in the USFWS Biological four months of baseline data prior to man (Farallon Institute for Advanced Technical Publication Series. boundary modification of the reserve. Ecosystem Research). We have started by On 21 September 2007, the reserve was analyzing nine years of remote sensing expanded and renamed Vandenberg data (chlorophyll a) for the California State Marine Reserve under California’s Current Large Marine Ecosystem. We Marine Life Protection Act. PRBO also will be assessing knowledge gaps and monitors endangered California Brown will provide recommendations for ma- Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis califor- rine protected areas along the west coast SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA nicus) roost utilization along the coastal of the US. Compiled by Dan Robinette boundary of VAFB. The 2006–2007 peak In 2007 Suryan began conducting in pelican abundance was delayed by 1–2 monthly seabird and marine mammal Nina Karnovsky (Pomona College) months, but it was the highest observed surveys along the Newport Hydro- and three undergraduate students, Zach- in seven years of monitoring. In 2007, Phil Capitolo, Jeff Davis, graphic Line, 1–25 nm offshore from ary Brown, Nell Baldwin and Derek and Laird Henkel of the University of Newport, OR. Bill Peterson (NMFS) Buchner, studied the foraging behavior California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) com- conducts long-term biological and physi- of Dovekies (Alle alle) in Hornsund pleted their third year of aerial photo- cal oceanographic sampling along this Fjord, Spitsbergen (see regional report graphic surveys of Brandt’s and Double- line, and he has allowed observers to for the North Atlantic). crested (P. auritus) Cormorant colonies ride along and survey between sampling In retirement, Charlie Collins in southern California. The project is stations. Objectives are to determine the continues his field studies: breeding of under contract with California Depart- distribution and species composition of California Least Terns (Sternula antil- ment of Fish and Game–Office of Spill upper-trophic-level species in relation to larum browni) at Seal Beach Naval Prevention and Response (OSPR; Julie Weapons Station, and survival of Black primary production, zooplankton abun- Yamamoto). Breck Tyler was principal Skimmers (Rhynchops niger); he found dance, and physical features. The data investigator. These surveys resumed two 18-year-olds skimmers and one will contribute to long-term ecological the annual monitoring of cormorants in 19-year-old in summer 2007. He also is research along this important oceano- southern California from 1991 to 2003 graphic sampling line. The surveys also working up a variety of accumulated data by Humboldt State University. UCSC will permit assessment of seasonal and for publication. also conducted aerial photographic sur- annual changes in abundance and distri- Dan Robinette and Julie Howar veys of Western Gull colonies at Prince, bution that may affect carcass deposition (PRBO Conservation Science) complet- Anacapa, Santa Barbara, and San Nicolas rate on local beaches. ed the ninth year of seabird monitoring Islands under contract with the U.S. Fish Suryan initiated research in 2007 at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB). and Wildlife Service (USFWS; Nanette on Common Murre reproductive biol- Located between Point Conception and Seto and Tara Zimmerman). Capitolo ogy and foraging ecology at Yaquina Point Sal, VAFB hosts breeding colonies and Henkel conducted ground-truth- Head, Newport, in collaboration with of Brandt’s Cormorants (Phalacrocorax ing surveys of the gull colony at East Amanda Gladics (USFWS) and Mi- penicillatus), Pelagic Cormorants (P. Anacapa Island with Harry Carter chelle Schuiteman (Oregon Sea Grant pelagicus), Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus and Percy Hébert (Carter Biological fellow). Yaquina Head is home to a columba), Western Gulls (Larus occi- Consulting). very large murre colony that is easily dentalis), Black Oystercatchers (Hae- Laurie Harvey (National Park Ser- viewed by visitors to the Yaquina Head matopus bachmani), and endangered vice) continues to oversee seabird projects Outstanding Natural Area (Bureau of California Least Terns. The results of in the Channel Islands National Park

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 75 REGIONAL REPORTS • Southern California

(CINP) under the Montrose Settlements term project to collect manuscripts on P. immutabilis). Ballance has also been Restoration Program (MSRP). In 2007, the food and foraging of nesting terns involved in meetings and subsequent four seabird habitat restoration projects and skimmers in southern California for discussion with the National Marine were either planned, initiated, or continued submission to Studies in Avian Biology. Sanctuaries, USFWS, and academic under the second year of MSRP. Repro- Jeanette Hendricks, a graduate student institutions regarding standardization ductive effort, success, and phenology under Horn, studied the foraging locations of methods for collecting at-sea data of Cassin’s Auklets (Ptychoramphus and diet of Elegant Terns (Thalasseus on seabirds. The data-entry program aleuticus) were monitored on Scorpion elegans) at the restored and expanded designed and maintained by the SWFSC Rock (Santa Cruz Island) as well as at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve on the has been modified to allow for simultane- a reference site at Prince Island (San coast of Orange County during summer ous entry of marine mammal data. Both Miguel Island) by Josh Adams (U.S. 2007. She is investigating whether adult programs (for seabird strip transect data Geological Survey). A new artificial nest terns will forage in the newly created full and for seabird and marine mammal burrow design was tested in spring 2007; tidal basin adjacent to the nesting area, or data) are freely available. Contact Lisa. artificial burrows were replaced at both will continue to feed mainly in the ocean [email protected] for details. sites in early fall 2007. Future plans in- as before the restoration. Results from Kathy Keane (Keane Biological clude revegetation and soil stabilization the first season indicated mostly ocean Consulting [KBC]) continues to monitor on Scorpion Rock. Reproductive effort, foraging. Jeanette plans to extend the the California Least Tern nesting popula- success, and phenology of Ashy Storm- study for a second season in 2008. tion in Los Angeles Harbor. Least Terns Petrels (Oceanodroma homochroa) were Lisa T. Ballance and Robert L. Pit- initiated 710 nests in 2007. In 2006, KBC monitored on Orizaba Rock and 4 sea man continue to conduct seabird surveys conducted a study in the Los Angeles caves at Santa Cruz Island by Harry as a regular part of the marine mammal Harbor for OSPR. The purpose of the Carter (Carter Biological Consulting), and ecosystem assessment cruises of study was to determine whether Least Bill McIver (USFWS), and Harvey. the Southwest Fisheries Science Center Terns would use artificial feeding sources Prototypes of artificial nest crevices were (SWFSC), National Oceanic and Atmo- that could be quickly mobilized and developed and placed at two colony sites spheric Administration (NOAA) Fisher- stocked with anchovies or mosquito fish and evaluated for possible visitation by ies. Two areas are monitored regularly: in the event of an oil spill. Least Terns storm-petrels. Temperatures of nest box (1) The California Current (US–Mexico used the pools but on a very limited basis; prototypes were measured and compared border to US–Canada border, seaward to other measures will be necessary to lure to temperatures of known and active nest 300 nautical miles offshore) is surveyed or deter the species away from waters sites. Future plans include installation of every three years during June–Novem- fouled by oil. Several assistants helped ber, using 120 sea days aboard one more artificial habitats, social attraction, with these studies. KBC is also monitor- NOAA research vessel. The most recent and egg collections for contaminant ing a dredging and restoration project in survey was conducted in 2005; the next monitoring. Harvey monitored reproduc- Upper Newport Bay, Orange County, to is planned for 2008. This project includes tive effort, success, and phenology of ensure that development activities avoid collaboration with a number of National Xantus’s Murrelets (Synthliboramphus the Least Tern nesting area and other Marine Sanctuaries along the west coast, hypoleucus) at Santa Barbara Island endangered bird species. Finally, KBC whereby marine mammal and ecosys- (SBI). A plant nursery was constructed is compiling a database for USFWS, tem assessments are conducted in the on SBI; native plants were propagated sanctuaries at a fine spatial resolution. Portland, on the skimmer and all tern throughout the year, and a test plot was (2) The eastern tropical Pacific (waters species in California. planted in fall 2007 to study habitat re- between the US–Mexico border, Hawaii, habilitation for nesting murrelets. Future and Peru) is surveyed every three years plans include expanded revegetation during August–November, using 240 sea efforts and social attraction for Cassin’s days aboard two NOAA research vessels. Auklets. Baseline population surveys The most recent survey was conducted of Xantus’s Murrelets and other seabird in 2006; the next survey is planned for NON-PACIFIC UNITED species were conducted at San Miguel 2009. Current analytical projects include STATES Island by Harry Carter, Percy Hebert, and documentation of population growth and Compiled by Melanie J. Darrell Whitworth and Josh Koepke diet of Masked Boobies (Sula dactylatra) Steinkamp (California Institute of Environmental on Clipperton Island; a distribution atlas Studies). Future plans may include rat of the seabirds of the eastern tropical Pa- Under the guidance of Patrick eradication. cific; and a joint project withBill Walker Jodice of U.S. Geological Survey Mike Horn (California State Uni- on diets of Black-footed and Laysan (USGS) South Carolina Cooperative versity, Fullerton) continued his long- Albatrosses (Phoebastria nigripes and Research Unit and Clemson University

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 76 REGIONAL REPORTS • Non-Pacific United States

(CU), research continued on seabird Buzzards Bay. Work from mid-July to Cooperative (Coop) this past January. colonies in South Carolina (SC). Lisa mid-September 2007 has not been fully The purpose of the Coop is to address the Ferguson Eggert (CU) continued her summarized but is expected to result in needs of seabirds in their offshore envi- PhD research focusing on behavioral more than 1200 identifiable sightings ronments in the northwestern Atlantic—a and physiological responses of seabirds from at least 6 locations. As was the case topic that receives less attention than it at protected colonies. Elena Sachs (CU) in 2006, several birds were sighted either deserves. Thirty workshop participants completed her MS research examining at 3 different places, or at Point A, Point focused on developing a standard- provisioning behavior in brown pelicans B, and back at Point A again, indicating ized process for quick response to oil (Pelecanus occidentalis) at a SC colony, multiple trips around Nantucket Sound spills. Funding proposals were drafted as well as proximate composition and during post-breeding dispersal. More and working groups formed. For more energy density of seabird prey from SC research is needed to determine when information, including working group nearshore waters. Lisa Wickliffe (CU) and at what heights Roseate Terns may chairs, please see the Coop’s website at completed her field research examining be moving through the Horseshoe Shoals http:/www.acjv.org/marinebirds.htm. the relationship between seabird forag- area of Nantucket Sound, which is the In Jim Lovvorn’s research group at ing activities and commercial shrimp proposed site of a wind turbine array. the University of Wyoming, Samantha trawling activity. In cooperation with SC Gal Ribak (University of South Richman is finishing work on diving Department of Natural Resources, the lab Dakota) is conducting research on hydro- energetics of captive White-winged Sco- also conducted and published an analysis dynamic aspects of underwater foraging ters (Melanitta fusca) using both wing of long term nest count data for pelicans in waterbirds. The objective is to better and foot propulsion. Differences be- and terns in South Carolina. understand the physical limitations, en- tween energetic costs of foot propulsion Jeff Spendelow of USGS–Patux- ergetic requirements, and foraging strate- alone, and propulsion by wings and feet ent Wildlife Research Center continues gies of birds feeding underwater. Recent combined, explain why deep-diving sea to coordinate a long-term cooperative projects focused on the mechanical work ducks are unique among ducks in using research project on the metapopulation of submerged swimming in captive Great their wings for underwater swimming. dynamics and ecology of endangered Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo). Cur- Richman is now working with captive Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) in rent projects involve the development Cassin’s Auklets (Ptychoramphus aleu- the Massachusetts–­New York region. of a new method to measure buoyancy ticus), measuring the joint costs of diving An analysis of temporal variation in of diving birds during voluntary dives, and thermoregulation as related to their survival and movement rates of adults and a study of the underwater agility foraging ecology in the Channel Islands, based on 19 years of capture-recapture and maneuvering capabilities of captive California. data will be presented in November in cormorants (Phalacrocorax spp). The Eric Anderson’s field studies of Spain at a symposium organized by Ian projects are done in collaboration with Surf (Melanitta perspicillata) and White- Nisbet on the comparative demograph- Daniel Weihs and Zeev Arad from the winged Scoters in Washington state are ics of temperate and tropical Roseate Technion (Israel). focused on identifying marine resources Terns. In 2007, Jeff conducted breed- The American Bird Conservancy critical to regulation of stored reserves. ing season fieldwork in Buzzards Bay, (ABC) recently hired Jessica Hardesty (See the Washington-Oregon report Massachusetts, in collaboration with as their full-time Seabird Program Direc- for more information.) Studies by Jim the Buzzards Bay Tern Project staff tor. ABC’s seabird program focuses on Lovvorn and students Jason Kolts and who are under the direction of Carolyn eliminating the greatest threats to seabird Chris North on food webs that support Mostello (Massachusetts Division of populations throughout the Western threatened Spectacled Eiders (Somateria Fisheries and Wildlife). In August he Hemisphere by cooperative work with fischeri) are described further in the re- resighted and identified banded Roseate government agencies, other non-govern- port for Alaska. Terns from the east side of Buzzards mental organizations, and researchers, to Bay around the north and east sides of facilitate conservation, education, and Nantucket Sound. Coworkers were Ian advocacy. Current projects address the Nisbet, Edie Ray (Nantucket Conserva- mortality of seabirds in fisheries, impacts tion Foundation), Katie Blake (gradu- of invasive species at breeding sites, ate student at Antioch University), and and impacts of contaminants on seabird HAWAI‘I AND THE PACIFIC Becky Harris, Ellen Jedrey, and other populations. Compiled by Linda Elliot staff of the Coastal Waterbird Program Scott Johnston and Melanie of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Steinkamp (USFWS) and Jennifer Hawa i i a n Is l a n d s In 2004–2007, more than 2000 adult Arnold (American Bird Conservancy) Lindsay Young continues her Roseate Terns have been color-banded organized a workshop of the Northwest- PhD at the University of Hawaii on at the 3 Roseate Tern colony sites on ern Atlantic Birds at Sea Conservation the population genetics and foraging

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 77 REGIONAL REPORTS • Hawai‘i and the Pacific ecology of Laysan Albatross (Phoebas- determine maximum diving depth, with may affect fledgling growth rate and tria immutabilis). She is also the project the assistance of Nick Holmes (Kauai fledge date. coordinator for the Kaena Point Eco- Endangered Seabird Recovery Project). The northwestern Hawaiian archi- system Restoration Project, which will A Newell’s Shearwater attraction project pelago was designated in 2006 as the construct a predator-proof fence to help was also initiated. Newell’s calls are Papahānaumokuākea Marine National protect Laysan Albatross and Wedge- broadcast each night from two stereo Monument (MNM). The new superin- tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) in speakers placed in the general area of the tendent of the monument, which includes the Kaena Point colony on Oahu. nests. Several artificial nest boxes, identi- the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife David Hyrenbach is moving from cal to the ones that are now in use, have Refuge and Midway Atoll National Wild- Seattle to take a position as professor been placed in the area in the hope that life Refuge, is Susan White. There has at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) prospecting birds will utilize them. been some reorganization; USFWS staff in Oahu. Starting in January 2008, he The hatching success of Laysan who were formerly assigned to the Re- will be working with students enrolled Albatrosses at Kilauea Point NWR and mote Islands Complex and now report to in HPU’s new Marine Science Masters other north-shore areas was artificially White include David Zabriskie, Cindy Degree program. increased this year, by addition of 34 Rehkemper, Dominique Horvath, and Bob Day of ABR, Inc.–Environ- eggs taken from incubating adults at the all seasonal Biological Technicians at mental Research and Services (ABR) Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility Laysan Island. conducted radar-based studies of move- (PMRF) on the south side of Kauai. Seabird monitors were present at ments of Hawaiian Petrels (Pterodroma Because of the potential FOR bird-air- some islands in the monument through- sandwichensis) on the southwestern craft collisions at PMRF, the Navy has out 2007, including biologists at French slope of East Maui Mountain on Maui had an abatement program for almost Frigate Shoals and Laysan Island in Island, with Adrian Gall and Peter San- two decades, in cooperation with the the Hawaiian Islands NWR, and John zenbacher of ABR. He also conducted United States Department of Agricul- Klavitter at Midway Atoll NWR. Other radar-based studies of Hawaiian Petrels ture–Wildlife Services. This is the third islands were visited only briefly, as the on Lana‘i Island with Brian Cooper and year of the partnership with the Navy on opportunity arose to take advantage of Jon Plissner of ABR. the “albatross egg swap program.” The vessels going to those sites. Brenda Zaun reports that the two Navy purchased two incubators to house Active ecological restoration con- pairs of Newell’s Shearwaters (Puffinus the eggs. A refuge biologist determined tinues at Laysan Island. This project aruicularis newelli) that have nested egg viability through candling at all was started in 1991 with the eradica- in artificial burrows on Kilauea Point nests, and inviable eggs were replaced tion of the introduced grass Cenchrus National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) since with viable ones under incubating adults. echinatus. The complete eradication 1997 and 2001 have returned and nested Eggs that were artificially incubated had of that species has benefited not only again in 2007. Both eggs hatched in July a low hatch rate; it was discovered that endangered land birds, but also several and the chicks were expected to fledge failure to hatch was correlated with time other petrel species, including the Bonin in October. This species typically nests in the incubator, suggesting that earlier Petrel (Pterodroma hypoleuca), Wedge- in burrows on the steep, vegetated, often placement of the eggs and/or longer natu- tailed Shearwater, Christmas Shearwater inaccessible slopes of interior mountains ral incubation could increase hatching (Puffinus nativitatis), Bulwer’s Petrel on the island of Kauai. The refuge pairs success. (Bulweria bulwerii), and Tristram’s are believed to be descendents of chicks Rachel Seabury-Sprague com- Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma tristrami). that were cross-fostered with Wedge- pleted her fieldwork at Kilauea Point The invasive species had displaced the tailed Shearwaters in the late 1970s. National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Kauai native bunchgrass and reduced nest- Their nesting behavior is closely moni- for her PhD research on Laysan Alba- ing habitat quality for all the birds to tored with the use of a Trailmaster active trosses. She is examining glucocorticoid a measurable extent. Refuge staff have infrared transmitter and camera as well physiology in adults during nesting and now moved on to restoring the native as Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT chick rearing, and the proximate triggers community of plants, insects, and land tags) on each adult. The tags allow us to of fledging; she is integrating morphol- birds at Laysan that were extirpated dur- determine new information on nesting ogy, energetic reserves, and stress hor- ing a plague of rabbits at the turn of the behavior of this species, including length mones. She placed radio transmitters on last century. As far as possible, they are of incubation, incubation shifts, chick 17 pairs of adults this year and monitored translocating, propagating, and outplant- provisioning frequency, times of arrivals their returns to the colony throughout the ing many of the native plant species that and departure of adults, first emergence entire chick rearing period. This study were documented in early surveys or in of chick from the burrow, and overall will give some insight into the frequency the pollen-core record. They are also parental investment. In 2007, capillary of adult provisioning over the course of embarking on an eradication program tubes were applied to two of the birds to the chick rearing period, and how this for 3 additional invasive plant species,

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 78 REGIONAL REPORTS • Hawai‘i and the Pacific and are exploring methods to control or albatrosses, based on mark/recapture Pa c i f i c Is l a n d s a n d Ne w Ze a l a n d eliminate introduced ants that may be of banded individuals, continued in the Staff and volunteers of the Pacific affecting small petrels as well as native Northwestern Hawaiian Islands under Remote Islands NWR Complex con- insects and plants. the direction of Marc Romano, Maura tinued their program of monitoring Refuge staff are also are doing Naughton and Beth Flint (USFWS). In seabird populations at the 7 Refuges of urgently needed restoration work at addition to the existing monitoring sites the Complex (Johnston Atoll, Howland Midway Atoll to beat back the extremely at Midway Atoll and Tern Island, French Island, Baker Island, Jarvis Island, King- aggressive Verbesina encelioides. This Frigate Shoals in Papahānaumokuākea man Reef, Palmyra Atoll, and Rose Atoll invasive plant transforms open sand flats Marine National Monument, the new NWRs). Only one of those sites has into tall, dense thickets, thereby reducing protocols were implemented at Laysan staff stationed in the field—William the reproductive success of albatrosses Island with the help of Nick Metheny Smith, Refuge Manager at Palmyra on the islands. and Scott Freeman. This work was Atoll NWR. Linda Elliott of the Hawaii Wildlife supported by USFWS staff in Hawaii, An extensive project is underway Center (HWC) provided professional including John Klavitter, Cindy Reh- on Fiji to designate Important Bird training in emergency oiled-seabird kempher, David Zabriske and Angela Areas (IBAs) and to restore habitats for response to biologists and technicians Anders. Additional support was provided seabirds by removing introduced preda- of Hawaii’s Division of Forestry and by Bill Kendall, Sarah Converse (U.S. tors. BirdLife International is evaluating Wildlife (DOFAW). HWC is active in Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Re- the islands for IBA designations; they the Hawaii Area Committee for oiled search Center, Maryland) and Lindsay wildlife response, participating in annual have provisionally identified 61 sites Young (University of Hawaii). of importance to seabirds, including drills and meetings throughout the year. Beth Flint attended the Special Inter- Linda is also providing consultation, six that may meet Globally Threatened national Meeting of the Pacific Seabird criteria. Nine islands are being studied protocol development, and staff training Group that was held in Lukang, Taiwan, at the request of both the state and private for the feasibility of removing rats, and in September 2007. She presented a paper one (Vatuira) has recently been declared industry for the Save our Shearwater entitled “Seabird Population Monitoring program on Kauai. This program rescues rat-free. Partners on Fiji include local in the US Tropical Pacific: its Value and seabirds that are downed due to light communities, whose involvement is also its Limitations for Managing Wildlife” pollution, including the highly threat- crucial for preventing the reintroduction and a presentation at the pre-conference ened Newell’s Shearwater (Ua‘u) and of predators. The Packard Foundation is workshop on minimizing human-seabird the endangered Hawaiian Petrel (A‘o). providing major support. Other fund- conflicts. Flint also participated in a HWC will also be providing training in ing has been received from the Critical workshop sponsored by the Pelagic Fish- the rescue of downed seabirds to crews Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Australian eries Research Program at the University of ferries and cruise ships, in partnership Regional Natural Heritage Programme. of Hawaii to work toward developing with DOFAW. Linda gave a presen- Technical assistance was supplied by the integrated models of albatross popula- tion at the Seabird Workshop for the New Zealand Department of Conserva- tions and the effects of fisheries. She also development of skills to recognize and tion and the Pacific Invasive Initiative. worked with Joe Arceneaux (National document threats to seabirds, especially (See also the Conservation Report in this Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- threatened species. She participated in issue of Pacific Seabirds.) two workshops on Oahu, the Seabird tion–Fisheries) and Holly Freifeld to teach seabird identification techniques Sandy Bartle continues some Necropsy Workshop presented by Nick seabird work at the Museum of New Holmes to fisheries observers in the Hawaiian (Kauai Endangered Seabird Zealand in Wellington, where he is Recovery Project) and Hannah Nevins pelagic longline fishery. Curator of Birds. He is currently (Moss Landing Marine Lab and Seabird Maura Naughton, Marc Romano and completing a large paper with David Health Study). HWC continues to pro- Tara Zimmerman (USFWS, Office of Ainley and Jean-Claude Stahl on the vide consultation to wildlife agencies on Migratory Birds and Habitat Programs) seabird recovery programs throughout worked with a diverse group of partners distribution and abundance of gadfly the archipelago. The group has raised to develop a Conservation Action Plan petrels (20 species of Pterodroma and 66% of the funds necessary for building for Black-footed Albatross and Laysan Pseudobulweria) throughout the Pacific. Hawaii’s first wildlife recovery center Albatross. This plan was crafted with The manuscript is based on the work of on donated land on Hawaii Island. HWC the help of many individuals, who rep- Ainley and the late Larry Spear in the will serve all Hawaiian Islands, including resented a wide array of federal and state Eastern Pacific from 1980 to 1995, and the Leeward Islands. agencies, universities, fishery manage- also incorporates a summary of previous Demographic monitoring of Laysan ment councils, nonprofit organizations distribution data and synthesizes distri- and Black-footed (Phoebastria nigripes) and private consulting firms. bution, abundance and marine habitat

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 79 REGIONAL REPORTS • Hawai‘i and the Pacific use for all these species. This ambitious an important upwelling area between 7° Co-researchers on this study are Samuel enterprise is due for completion in early and 9º S; it also is an important fishing Amoros, Shaleyla Kelez (Duke Uni- 2008; it will be of considerable interest port for the Peruvian anchoveta (Engrau- versity student) and Cynthia Cespedes to both seabird biologists and conserva- lis ringens). The nesting period of O.t. of the National Institute of Natural Re- tion managers. kelsalli appears to correspond with the sources (INRENA). Ayala participated peak period of anchoveta recruitment in in two workshops related to bycatch: Ja pa n Peru. Co-researchers on this study are Seabird-Fisheries Interactions, organ- Rob Suryan of Oregon State Univer- Raul Sanchez-Scaglioni and Samuel ized by BirdLife and the American Bird sity (OSU) and collaborators continued Amoros of the Peruvian Association Conservancy, and the Waved Albatross to examine the at-sea distribution and for Conservation of Nature (APECO), Action Plan, organized by the Agree- marine habitat use of the endangered and Luis Felipe of the Directorate of ment on the Conservation of Albatross Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria al- Hydrography and Navigation. and Petrels. batrus). Collaborators are the Yamashina Ayala also worked on bycatch of Ayala is a co-researcher on the con- Institute for Ornithology (Fumio Sato, albatross and petrels in northern Peru, servation status of Peruvian Terns (Sterna Kiyoaki Ozaki, Noboru Nakamura), the where a survey was conducted in four lorata) in Paracas National Reserve. She Japan Ministry of Environment (Noriko fishing towns that do longline and and colleagues have found a breeding Moriwake, Naoki Amako), USFWS gillnet fishing. The survey consisted of locality of this critically endangered (Greg Balogh), University of Massachu- questions regarding gear type, fishing species and identified some conserva- setts (Paul Sievert), and OSU (Suryan). season, distances, target fish species, type tion threats. This study is being funded of bait, whether the catch of albatross by Conservation International (CI). This was the fifth year of satellite track- was incidental or intentional, and other Other researchers are Samuel Amoros ing and the second year of tracking adults interactions. Forty-eight fishermen were and Patricia Saravia (INRENA). Ayala during the chick-rearing period. In both interviewed. The results indicate fishing also has recently started research on the years, they also were able to capture one interactions with albatross, especially conservation of the Humboldt Penguin to three months of post-breeding migra- with gillnet vessels. This intentional (Spheniscus humboldti) in Northern Peru, tion, before the transmitters lost battery catch might be high in winter (shark with Sanchez-Scaglioni (GEA Peru). power or fell off the bird during molt. A season), when fishermen sail many miles, They will develop a conservation plan for couple of birds have passed relatively which increases their expenses. If a lack Humboldt Penguin in Huarmey, in con- near the Bonin Islands, where it is hoped of target species forces fishermen to catch sultation with fishermen, local authori- a new Short-tailed Albatross colony can seabirds as food, intentional bycatch may ties, and private enterprises. Also with be reestablished. This has fueled interest be higher during the season. Ten percent Sanchez-Scaglioni and Felipe, Ayala is of the Ministry of Environment, Japan, to of fishermen admitted that they capture involved in the project “Microclimate continue the tracking studies in 2008. albatrosses to eat (all of them use gill- and nesting choice: Conservation areas nets); 50% said they have albatross bands for threatened seabirds in Peru.” They So u t h Am e r i c a or had seen bands. Twenty-six percent will determine microclimate differences During 2007, Liliana Ayala was of fishermen described the Galapagos between nesting sites and places without involved in many projects in Peru. She Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) nests. In addition, the team will evaluate studied the distribution and abundance as pajarotes or pajaronas [colloquial for the breeding biology of the threatened of the Wedge-rumped Storm Petrel “very big birds”]. Peruvian Diving-Petrel (Pelecanoides (Oceanodroma tethys kelsalli), which Another activity was observing garnotii) and Markham’s Storm-Petrel breeds on islands off the Peruvian coast. onboard longline vessels. Observers (Oceanodroma markhami), and their re- Very little is known about the breeding gathered the following information lationship with microclimate. This study biology and numbers of this subspecies. from each longline set: date and time of is being funded by CI. A similar project It was first found breeding in 1912 in deployment, geographic position at the in January 2007 studied the breeding bi- natural rock crevices on Gallinazo and beginning and end of deployment, speed ology of Antarctic Terns (Sterna vittata) Guaca Islets in the Pescadores Islands of deployment, date and time of retrieval, and their relationship with microclimate and on San Gallan Island off central Peru. geographic position at the beginning and on Punta Crepin (King George Island, Ayala found this storm-petrel breeding end of retrieval, speed of retrieval, main- Antarctica). That study was funded by on only 4 islands—Chao, Corcovado, line length, mainline material, etc. This Peruvian Antarctic Institute. Ferrol, and Santa. Chimbote Bay and the study is being funded by Rufford Small Finally, APECO promotes Ayala’s surrounding area therefore are an impor- Grants, The Duke Center for Marine work in Peru; she is an associate tant breeding locality. Chimbote is near Conservation and The Oak Foundation. researcher in this nongovernmental

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 80 REGIONAL REPORTS • Hawai‘i and the Pacific organization, and she hopes to continue elsen (Norwegian Polar Institute), and integrated transponders (PIT tags) and with her job and her main interest, sea- Jorg Welcker (Norwegian Polar Insti- observations of marked birds, and they bird conservation tute) to compare populations of Dovekies placed time-depth recorders on foraging breeding in contrasting oceanographic adults to examine diving behavior. They regions of the Greenland Sea. documented their field season in a blog Nina Karnovsky (Pomona Col- (http://projects.pomona.edu/arctic/). lege) and three undergraduate students, These measurements will be compared Zachary Brown Nell Baldwin , and to those made by Ann Harding and her Derek Buchner, studied the foraging NORTH ATLANTIC team at Kap Høgh, Greenland; Jorg Compiled from other reports behavior of Dovekies in Hornsund Welcker in Kongsfjorden, Spitsbergen; Fjord, Spitsbergen. They assessed the Katarzyna Wojczulanis-Jakubas and Ann Harding (Alaska Pacific Uni- oceanographic conditions adjacent versity) has just completed the last sea- to the colony during at-sea surveys Dariusz Jakubas (Poland) in Magdalena son of a large 4-year study on Dovekies aboard the research vessel Oceania, and Fjord, Spitsbergen; and Harald Steen (Alle alle) in East Greenland. This is a made measurements of diets, reproduc- (Norway) at Björndalen, Spitsbergen. collaborative project with Karnovsky, tive success, and chick growth at the Carsten Egevang and his cowork- David Gremillet (Centre d’Ecologie et colony. They determined the lengths ers put 50 geolocators on Arctic Terns Physiologie Energétiques), Geir Gabri- of foraging trips through use of passive (Sterna paradisaea) in Greenland.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 81 PUBLICATIONS OF THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP

The Pacific Seabird Group publishes symposia and other works. PSG Symposia are occasionally held at Annual Meetings; those which have been published are listed below. Technical Reports prepared by PSG working groups also are listed. To order one of these PSG publications, please see instructions after each item. Abstracts of papers and posters given at PSG meetings are published annually. Abstracts for meetings of 1974 through 1993 appeared in the PSG Bulletin (Volumes 2–20); for meetings of 1994 through 2003, in Pacific Seabirds (Volumes 21–30); and for meetings of 1997 and later, at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org PSG publishes the journals Pacific Seabirds (www.pacificseabirdgroup.org) and Marine Ornithology (www. marineornithology.org). Current and past issues of both journals are available online or by subscription. Back issues may be obtained online; those of Pacific Seabirds also are available from the PSG Treasurer (order form on last page).

SYMPOSIA

SHOREBIRDS IN MARINE ENVIRONMENTS. Frank A. Pitelka (Editor). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group. Asilomar, California, January 1977. Published June 1979 in Studies in Avian Biology, Number 2.Available free of charge at http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/cooper/sab.php

TROPICAL SEABIRD BIOLOGY. Ralph W. Schreiber (Editor). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Honolulu, Hawaii, December 1982. Published February 1984 in Studies in Avian Biology, Number 8. Available free of charge at http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/cooper/sab.php

MARINE BIRDS: THEIR FEEDING ECOLOGY AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES RELATIONSHIPS. David N. Nettleship, Gerald A. Sanger, and Paul F. Springer (Editors). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Seattle, Washington, January 1982. Published 1984 as Canadian Wildlife Service, Special Publication. Out of print; available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

THE USE OF NATURAL VS. MAN-MODIFIED WETLANDS BY SHOREBIRDS AND WATERBIRDS. R. Michael Erwin, Malcolm C. Coulter, and Howard L. Cogswell (Editors). Proceedings of an International Symposium at the first joint meeting of the Colonial Waterbird Society and the Pacific Seabird Group, San Francisco, California, December 1985. Colonial Waterbirds 9(2), 1986. $12.00. Order from: Ornithological Societies of North America, PO Box 1897, Lawrence, Kansas 66044; phone (800) 627-0629; no online orders.

ECOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR OF GULLS. Judith L. Hand, William E. Southern, and Kees Vermeer (Editors). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Colonial Waterbird Society and the Pacific Seabird Group, San Francisco, California, December 1985. Published June 1987 in Studies in Avian Biology, Number 10. $18.50. Available free of charge at http://elibrary. unm.edu/sora/Condor/cooper/sab.php

AUKS AT SEA. Spencer G. Sealy (Editor). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Pacific Grove, California, December 1987. Published December 1990 in Studies in Avian Biology, Number 14. Available free of charge at http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/cooper/sab.php

STATUS AND CONSERVATION OF THE MARBLED MURRELET IN NORTH AMERICA. Harry C. Carter, and Michael L. Morrison (Editors). Proceedings of a Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Pacific Grove, California, December 1987. Published October 1992 in Proceedings of the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, Volume 5, Number 1. $20.00. Order from PSG Treasurer (order form on last page), or available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

THE STATUS, ECOLOGY, AND CONSERVATION OF MARINE BIRDS OF THE NORTH PACIFIC. Kees Vermeer, Kenneth T. Briggs, Ken H. Morgan, and Douglas Siegel‑Causey (editors). Proceedings of a Symposium of the Pacific Seabird

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 82 PSG PUBLICATIONS

Group, Canadian Wildlife Service, and the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Victoria, British Columbia, February 1990. Published 1993 as a Canadian Wildlife Service Special Publication, Catalog Number CW66-124‑1993E. Order free of charge from: Publications Division, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A OH3, Canada.

BIOLOGY OF MARBLED MURRELETS—INLAND AND AT SEA. S. Kim Nelson and Spencer G. Sealy (Editors). Pro- ceedings of a Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Seattle, Washington, February 1993. Published 1995 in Northwestern Naturalist, Volume 76, Number 1. $12.00. Order from PSG Treasurer (order form on last page), or available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

BEHAVIOUR AND ECOLOGY OF THE SEA DUCKS. Ian Goudie, Margaret R. Petersen and Gregory J. Robertson (editors). Proceedings of the Pacific Seabird Group Symposium, Victoria, British Columbia, 8-12 November 1995. A special publication compiled by the Canadian Wildlife Service for the Pacific Seabird Group. Published 1999 as Canadian Wildlife Service Occasional Paper number 100, catalog number CW69-1/100E. Order free of charge from: Publications Division, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A OH3, Canada, or available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

SEABIRD BYCATCH: TRENDS, ROADBLOCKS AND SOLUTIONS. Edward F. Melvin and Julia K. Parrish (editors). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Blaine, Washington, 26-27 February 1999. Published 2001 by University of Alaska Sea Grant, Fairbanks, Alaska. Publication no. AK-SG-01-01. $40.00. Order from publisher.

BIOLOGY, STATUS, AND CONSERVATION OF JAPANESE SEABIRDS. Nariko Oka (editor). Proceedings of an Inter- national Symposium of the Japanese Seabird Group and Pacific Seabird Group, Lihue, Hawaii, February 2001. Journal of the Yamashina Institute of Ornithology 33(2); Symposium (5 papers), pp 57-147, other papers pp. 148-213. In English with Japanese abstracts. $75.00. Order from PSG Treasurer (order form on last page).

OIL AND CALIFORNIA’S SEABIRDS. Harry R. Carter (convener) and Anthony J. Gaston (editor). Proceedings of a Sym- posium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Santa Barbara, California, February 2002. Published 2003 inMarine Ornithology 31(1). Available free of charge at www.marineornithology.org

The Biology and Conservation of the American White Pelican. Daniel W. Anderson, D. Tommy King, and John Coulson (editors). Proceedings of a Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group. Waterbirds, Volume 28. Special Publication 1, 2005. Published by the Waterbird Society. $15.00. Order from PSG Treasurer (order form on last page).

NEW! BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF XANTUS’S MURRELET. Harry R. Carter, Spencer G. Sealy, Esther E. Burkett, and John F. Piatt (editors). First part of the proceedings of a symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Portland, Oregon, January 2005. Published 2005 in Marine Ornithology 33(2):81-159. Available free of charge at www.marineornithology.org

Information on presenting symposia: Pacific Seabird Group Symposia or Paper Sessions may be arranged by any member who is interested in a particular topic. Before planning a special session, refer to Meetings/Symposia Guidelines at www.paci- ficseabirdgroup.org; also contact the Coordinator of the Publications Committee and the Scientific Chair for the meeting.

TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS

EXXON VALDEZ OIL SPILL SEABIRD RESTORATION WORKSHOP. Kenneth I. Warheit, Craig S. Harrison, and George J. Divoky (editors). Exxon Valdez Restoration Project Final Report, Restoration Project 95038. PSG Technical Publi- cation Number 1. 1997. Available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

METHODS FOR SURVEYING MARBLED MURRELETS IN FORESTS: A REVISED PROTOCOL FOR LAND MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH. Pacific Seabird Group, Marbled Murrelet Technical Committee. PSG Technical Pub- lication Number 2. 2003. Available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 83 PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP COMMITTEE COORDINATORS ______

Committees do much of PSG’s business, as well as the conservation work for which PSG is respected. The committees welcome (and need) participants; contact the coordinators for information. ______

AWARDS COMMITTEE The Awards Committee consists of the Past Chair, Chair, and Chair-elect. Committee members for 2007 are Katie O’Reilly (chair), Verena Gill, and Doug Bertram; contact information is on inside back cover.

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Craig S. Harrison, 4953 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA. Telephone: (202) 778‑2240, e-mail: [email protected]

CONSERVATION SMALL GRANTS COMMITTEE Robert Day, ABR, Inc.–Environmental Research and Services, P.O. Box 80410, Fairbanks, AK 99508-0420, USA. Telephone: (907) 455-6777, e-mail: [email protected]

ELECTION COMMITTEE Pat Baird, Simon Fraser University, Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6. Telephone: (604) 928-5510, e-mail: [email protected]

JAPAN SEABIRD CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Motohiro Ito, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1, Minato-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan. Telephone and fax: 0138-40- 8863, e-mail: [email protected]

LOON/GREBE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Joel Schmutz, U.S. Geological Survey, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503, USA. Telephone: (907) 786-3518, e-mail: [email protected]

MARBLED MURRELET TECHNICAL COMMITTEE William P. Ritchie, P.O. Box 1102, Port Angeles, WA 98362-0209, USA. Telephone: (360) 902-2365, fax: (360) 417-3302, e-mail: [email protected] PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Patrick Jodice, South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA. Telephone: (864) 656-6190, fax: (864) 656-1034, e-mail: [email protected]

SEABIRD MONITORING COMMITTEE Scott Hatch, Biological Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Biological Science Center, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503 USA. Telephone: (907) 786‑3529, fax: (907) 786‑3636, e-mail: [email protected]

XANTUS’S MURRELET TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Shaye Wolf, Island Conservation, 100 Shaffer Road, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95060. Telephone: (831) 459-4581, e-mail: [email protected].

PSG DELEGATES TO THE AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY Craig S. Harrison, 4953 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA. Telephone: (202) 778‑2240, e-mail: [email protected]. And Malcolm C. Coulter, P.O. Box 48, Chocorua, NH 03817 USA. Telephone: (603) 323‑9342, e-mail: [email protected]

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 84 PSG LIFE MEMBERS 2007 ______

Sarah G. Allen Judith Latta Hand Katie O’Reilly Daniel W. Anderson Craig S. Harrison Julia K. Parrish Edgar P. Bailey Scott A. Hatch Robert Pitman Pat Herron Baird Monica Herzig Zürcher C. John Ralph Lisa Ballance Nancy Hillstrand William P. Ritchie Mrs. Don Bishop Joel D. Hubbard Chad Roberts Kenneth T. Briggs David B. Irons Daniel D. Roby Joanna Burger Sarah Keller Gerald A. Sanger Ellen W. Chu James G. King Palmer C. Sekora Roger B. Clapp Kathy Kuletz Nanette Seto Cheryl Conel James Kushlan Kouzi Shiomi Malcolm C. Coulter Lora Leschner Douglas Siegel Kathy Cousins David B. Lewis Kitty Simonds Theodore L. Cross Peter Major William E. Southern Robert H. Day Eugene Y. Makishima Arthur L. Sowls Tony DeGange Vivian Mendenhall Jeffrey A. Spendelow Jan Dierks Gayle Merlen Takaki Terasawa George J. Divoky Godfrey Merlen W. Breck Tyler Stewart Fefer Pat Mock Enriqueta Velarde Gonzalez Lloyd C. Fitzpatrick Ken Morgan Kees Vermeer Elizabeth Flint Edward C. Murphy John S. Warriner Douglas J. Forsell Maura Naughton Yutaka Watanuki Michael Fry S. Kim Nelson Jennifer Wheeler Lisa Haggblom David R. Nysewander Jeff Williams Haruo Ogi

RECIPIENTS OF PSG’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Philip and Myrtle Ashmole Charles Guiguet= James G. King James C. Bartonek Michael P. Harris Spencer G. Sealy W.R.P. Bourne Thomas R. Howell Robert E. Ricklefs = Richard G.B. Brown George L. Hunt, Jr. Miklos D.F. Udvardy = G. Vernon Byrd Karl W. Kenyon John Warham

RECIPIENTS OF PSG’S SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Malcolm Coulter Hiroshi Hasegawa Arthur L. Sowls = George J. Divoky Edward Melvin Steven M. Speich Craig S. Harrison Mark J. Rauzon =Deceased

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 85 INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS

Pacific Seabirds is a journal of the Pacific Seabird Group. Manuscripts and news items are welcome on any topic relating to Pacific seabirds or to their conservation. Short manuscripts are preferred (about 1,000 to 5,000 words for major submissions). Submit materials to the Editor (except as noted below): Dr. V.M. Mendenhall, 4600 Rabbit Creek Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99516; e-mail fasgadair@ attalascom.net. Deadlines are normally 15 April for the spring issue and 15 October for the fall issue.

Pacific Seabirds is a journal of the nical review. Other susbmissions may If you use an acronym, give the Pacific Seabird Group. Manuscripts and also be sent for review, if the author re- entity’s full name the first time it is news items are welcome on any topic quests this or at the editor’s discretion. mentioned. Avoid excessive use of ac- relating to Pacific seabirds or to their ronyms. conservation. Short manuscripts are SUBMISSION OF MANUSCRIPTS Use the 24-hour clock without a preferred (about 1,000 to 5,000 words for Material may be submitted by e-mail colon (e.g., 1830). Give dates as day- major submissions). Submit materials to or regular mail or (addresses above). month-year. Use metric measures, except the Editor (except as noted below): Dr. Materials sent by e-mail should be at- when quoting informal statements. For V.M. Mendenhall, 4600 Rabbit Creek tached to the main message and should quantities less than 1, use an initial 0 (P Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99516; e-mail be in Word, WordPerfect, or Rich Text = 0.95, not P = .95). [email protected]. Deadlines are Format, except that materials less than Typographical conventions follow normally 15 April for the spring issue and 300 words long may be sent in the body Scientific Style and Format, 6th edition, 15 October for the fall issue. of the e-mail. For manuscripts submit- by the Style Manual Committee of the ted by e-mail, figures must also be sent Council of Biology Editors; Cambridge CONTRIBUTIONS as separate files or via regular mail. If a University Press (1999). Contributors are invited to submit manuscript is submitted by regular mail, the following: include a CD. Organization • Articles on original research (to Articles should contain the fol- be peer-reviewed) FORMAT OF MANUSCRIPTS lowing sections, in this order: Title, • Reports on current topics (e.g., Contributors should consult format Author(s), Authors’ affiliations (includ- research in progress or seabird conserva- used in a recent issue of Pacific Sea- ing e-mail for corresponding author), Ab- tion issues; not peer-reviewed) birds. stract, Key words, Introduction, Methods, • Forum (discussion of a current Results, Discussion, Acknowledgments, topic) General format Literature Cited, Tables, Figure legends, • Review articles (these may Manuscripts should be double- and Figures. Other types of manuscript cover seabirds worldwide) spaced with 1-inch margins. If your paper • Conservation News may use a different organization (e.g., a (submit to size is A4 (European), the bottom mar- Craig Harrison, Conservation Chair; review or report could contain sections gin must be at least 1¾ inch (including e-mail [email protected]) on various locations); however, the same in electronic files), to ensure that it will • News items (short news relat- formats for Literature Cited, Tables, and print properly on U.S. equipment. Pages ing to seabird research, conservation, or Figures will apply. the Pacific Seabird Group should be numbered, except for Tables Abstract—An abstract is required • Book reviews and Figures. for longer articles and suggested for • Letters commenting on content Give the scientific name (italicized) short ones. It should contain essential of Pacific Seabirds or other issues after the first mention of any genus or information from each section of the text, • Art work, such as sketches of species. English names of bird species without statistics. One or more additional seabirds, either accompanying a text or are capitalized (e.g., Fork-tailed Storm- abstract(s) may be provided in languages for publication alone Petrel). Names of mammals, other taxa, other than English. and English names of bird groups are Key words—Five to 10 words for PEER-REVIEW OF MANSCRIPTS lowercase, except for proper names use in computerized searching. Spe- Articles and review articles will be (e.g., blackbirds, shield fern, Steller’s cies names in both Latin and English submitted to two peer reviewers for tech- sea cow). should be included.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 86 INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS

Introduction—P r e s e n t t h e The first line of each citation should white, or coarse cross-hatching; do not aims and significance of the work, and be justified to the left margin; subsequent use half-tone shading or background. place it in the context of pre-existing lines may be left-justified or indented. Do For each figure, a high-quality information. State hypotheses that are not use all-capital letters or italics in the graphics file or original drawing must being tested, if any. Literature Cited, except that scientific be submitted with the final version of the Methods—Describe the methods, names should be in italics. Examples: manuscript. Graphics files should be in location, time, and personnel of the study. TIFF (preferably), GIS, or EFS format, Include statistical methods, if any. Pratt, H.D., P.L. Bruner, and D.G. Berrett. separate from the text document. A high- 1987. A field guide to the birds of Hawaii resolution JPG file may work; graphics in Results—Present results that are and the tropical Pacific. Princeton Univer- pertinent to aims given in the Introduc- sity Press, Princeton, NJ. 409 pp. Word format are not acceptable. tion. Where feasible, summarize infor- Photographs—Pacific Seabirds mation and give the full data in Tables Schreiber, E.A., and R.W. Schreiber. 1988. occasionally publishes photos. The best or Figures. Give sample sizes and the Great Frigatebird size dimorphism on two ones are very sharp, with good detail Central Pacific atolls. Condor 90:90-99. significance levels of statistical tests. and a range of dark/light values. Digital Literature citations normally should not images submitted by e-mail must be at Verify that all items in the Lit- least 250 ppi (when reduced to publica- be in the Results section. erature Cited are referenced in the tion size). The common low-resolution Discussion—Summarize the re- article, and vice versa. snapshot (often 72 ppi) does not repro- sults briefly, then evaluate the results, For articles that you read in a duce well in publication; most cameras and develop their importance in rela- language other than English, list the tion to other work. Do not include citation in the original language. An give the option of higher resolution. primary results and statistical tests, English translation of the title [in Do not submit half-tone originals. If which belong in Results. brackets] is optional. the original is in color, submit it in that Text citations should be “Surname format; the editor will convert it to black year.” Two authors are “Surname and Supporting materials and white. surname year”; 3 or more authors are Tables—Tables should be numbered Art work—Original art work is “Surname et al. year” (but all authors in the order they are first mentioned in welcomed. The original or a high-reso- should be given in the Literature Cited). the text. Refer to each table at least once. lution scan should be sent. Pen and ink E.g., (Pratt et al. 1987, Schreiber and Use horizontal lines below the main drawings reproduce the most satisfac- Schreiber 1988). If appropriate, specify heading(s); do not use vertical lines in torily. page number(s) in a book or long article tables. The Table (including its head- (Pratt et al. 1987:32-34). ing) should be comprehensible without REVISIONS AND PROOFS Materials that are sent for peer Literature Cited—List all refer- immediate reference to the text. Data in review will be returned to the author, ences in alphabetical order of the authors’ Tables should not be repeated in the text, except to summarize. along with reviewers’ and editorial sug- surnames. Surname of the first author Figures—Figures should be num- gestions. If the Editor has accepted the should be listed first, then initials; sub- bered in the order they are first mentioned article, he or she will endeavor to return sequent authors’ names should be listed in the text. Refer to each figure at least the manuscript within 60 days. If the as Initial(s), Surname. List all authors in once. Figures should be drawn at least article needs major work, the author may the Literature Cited (do not use “et al.”). 50% larger than they will appear in print. be invited to revise and re-submit it for Year of publication follows, then title and Make all lettering, numbers, and symbols future acceptance. journal reference. Include page numbers large enough to be read easily after they For peer-reviewed articles, proofs for all cited works, including the total are reduced. The figure (including cap- will be mailed to the author before pub- number of pages in a book. Use standard tion) should be comprehensible without lication. Corrections should be returned abbreviations for journal titles; if you are immediate reference to the text. Define within one week. Proofs of other materi- unsure, spell them out. Spell out names all symbols in a legend or the caption. als will not be sent to the author unless of agencies and institutions. Shading in figures should be black, he or she requests them.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 87 Pacific Seabird Group Membership Application/Publication Order Form (Please copy)

Membership (includes subscription to Pacific Seabirds) Individual and Family $30.00 $______Student (undergraduate and graduate) $24.00 $______Life Membership1 $900.00 (optional payment plan: five $180 installments) $______Sponsored Membership $30.00 Name of Sponsored Member______$______

Contributions2 To the Endowment Fund1 $______Other (please specify)______$______

Pacific Seabird Group publications A full list of PSG publications appears on the preceding pages. If the publication you want is not listed on this page, please order according to information in the publications list.

Back issues of Pacific Seabirds (can also be downloaded from www.pacificseabirds.org) $______Vols. 1-8 (1974-1981) ______x $2.50 $______Vols. 9 (1982 to present) ______x $5.00

PSG Symposia Status and Conservation of the Marbled Murrelet in North America ______x $20.00 $______Biology of Marbled Murrelets: Inland and at Sea ______x $12.00 $______Biology, Status, and Conservation of Japanese Seabirds______x $75.00 $______The Biology and Conservation of the American White Pelican ______x $15.00 $______

TOTAL ENCLOSED Prices include postage (surface rate) and handling.

SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER (payable in US dollars to the Pacific Seabird Group) to: PSG Treasurer, Ron LeValley, 920 Samoa Blvd., Suite 210, Arcata, CA 95521, USA. MEMBERSHIPS (new and renewing) and DONATIONS may also be paid online at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org ______1 Proceeds from Life Memberships go to the Endowment Fund, which supports the publications of the Pacific Seabird Group. Contributions may be given for a specified purpose; otherwise they also go to the Endowment Fund. 2 Contributions may be tax-deductible; see inside front cover for more information.

Member/Sponsor or Order Deliver/Ship to (if different) Name______Name______Address______Address______Telephone______Telephone______Fax______Fax______E‑mail______E‑mail______

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 34, Number 2 • Fall 2007 • Page 88 PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2007 For Executive Council members in current year (if different), see PSG’s web site, http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

Officers Chair Verena A. Gill, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., MS 341, Anchorage, AK 99503-6199, USA. Telephone: (907) 786-3584; fax: (907) 786-3816; cell phone: (907) 250-3721; e-mail: [email protected] Chair-Elect Doug Bertram, Canadian Wildlife Service, Institute of Ocean Sciences, 9860 West Saanich R., P.O. Pox 6000, Sidney, BC, Canada V8L 4B2. Telephone: (250) 363-6735; fax: (250) 363 -6390; e-mail: [email protected] Past Chair Katie O’Reilly, Department of Biology, University of Portland, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR 97203. Telephone: (503) 943-7146; fax: (503) 943-7784; e-mail: [email protected] Vice-Chair for Conservation Craig S. Harrison, 4953 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA. Telephone: (202) 778-2240; e-mail: [email protected] Treasurer Ron LeValley, P.O. Box 324, Little River, CA 95456-0519, USA. Telephone: (707) 496-3326 (cell), (707) 937-1742 (work); fax: (707) 937-2868; e-mail: [email protected] Secretary Mark Hipfner, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Environment Canada, RR#1, 5421 Robertson Rd., Delta, BC, Canada V4K 3N2. Telephone: (604) 940-4720; Fax: (604) 946-7022; e-mail: [email protected] Editor, Pacific Seabirds Vivian Mendenhall, 4600 Rabbit Creek Rd., Anchorage, AK 99516, USA. Telephone: (907) 345-7124; fax (907) 345-0686; e-mail: [email protected]

regiOnal representatives

Alaska and Russia Shiway Wang, P.O. Box 2495, Seward, AK 99664, USA. Telephone (cell): (907) 362-2494; e-mail: [email protected] Canada Ken Morgan, Institute of Ocean Sciences. P.O. Box 6000, 9860 W. Saanich Rd., Sidney, B.C., Canada V8L 4B2. Telephone: (250) 363-6537; fax: (250) 363-6390; e-mail: morgank@pac. dfo-mpo.gc.ca Washington and Oregon Don Lyons, Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. Telephone: (503) 791-2958; e-mail: [email protected] Northern California Esther Burkett, California Dept. of Fish and Game, 1416 Ninth St., Sacramento, CA 95814. Telephone: (916) 654-4273; fax: (916) 653-2588; e-mail: [email protected] Southern California Dan Robinette, PRBO Conservation Science, Vandenberg Field Station, 205 N. H St., Suite 217, Lompoc, CA 93436, USA. Telephone (805) 735-7300; fax (805) 735-8817; e-mail drobinette@ prbo.org Non-Pacific United States Melanie Steinkamp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 11510 American Holly Dr., Room 206C, Laurel, MD 20708, USA. Telephone (301) 497-5678; fax: (301) 497-5706; e-mail: Melanie_ [email protected] Pacific Rim Linda Elliott, Hawaii Wildlife Center, P.O. Box 5006, Hawi, HI 96719. Telephone and fax: (808) 884-5576; e-mail: [email protected] Old World Mark Tasker, JNCC, Dunnet House, 7 Thistle Place, Aberdeen AB10 1UZ, Scotland, UK. Telephone: 011 (from USA/Canada only), then 44-1224-642863; fax: 011 44-1224-6214-88; e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Student Representative Jo Smith, School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences, University of Washington, P.O. Box 355020, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Telephone (206) 221-5294; e-mail: [email protected]