PACIFIC

A Publication of the Pacific Group

Volume 45, Number 2 2018 PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment

The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) is a society of professional seabird researchers and managers dedicated to the study and conservation of seabirds. PSG was formed in 1972 out of a need for increased communication among academic and government seabird researchers. The principal goals of PSG are to (1) increase the quality and quantity of seabird research through facilitating exchange of information; (2) identify and assess the importance of threats to seabird populations; and (3) provide government agencies and others with expert advice on managing populations of seabirds. PSG is headed by an Executive Council composed of members volunteering their time. Members include biologists, wildlife managers, students, and conservationists from the , Mexico, Canada, Japan and 12 other countries. PSG annual meetings and publications provide forums where members can share their findings on all research topics relating to Pacific seabirds and discuss local and large scale conservation issues. Abstracts for meetings are published on our website. PSG publishes the on-line bulletin Pacific Seabirds (formerly the PSG Bulletin; www.pacificseabirdgroup.org) and the journal Marine Ornithology (www.marineornithology.org). Other publications include symposium volumes and technical reports; these are listed near the back of this issue. PSG is a member of the Ornithological Council and the American Conservancy. Annual dues for membership are $50 (individual); $35 (student, undergraduate and graduate); and $1,500 (Life Membership, payable in five $300 installments). Dues are payable with a credit card online or by check to the Treasurer; see the PSG website or the Membership Information at the back of this issue.

Website http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

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

Pacific Seabirds This on-line bulletin reports on the work and committee activities of the Pacific Seabird Group, conservation news, and other items of importance to conservation of seabirds in the Pacific Ocean. The bulletin is published twice-yearly on the PSG website and reports membership news and archives PSG activities. This issue provides current and recent seabird work to PSG members for 2018. Back issues of Pacific Seabirds are posted on the group’s website.

Pacific Seabirds Editor Jennifer Lang, [email protected]

Associate Editors Marc Romano, Theodore Squires

Marine Ornithology Marine Ornithology is published by the Pacific Seabird Group on behalf of a consortium of seabird groups: African, Aus- tralasian, Dutch, Japanese, Pacific, and UK. The journal is published two times a year and publishes contributed papers, forum articles, and book, website and software reviews, on all aspects of marine ornithology worldwide. For details on submitting to the journal, please go to marineornithology.org.

Change of Address Send changes of address to the PSG Membership Coordinator, Emma Kelsey, [email protected]

Photo Credit All photographs in this issue were generously provided by PSG members. Photo credits are attributed to each image. PACIFIC SEABIRDS A Publication of the Pacific Seabirds Group Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment

Volume 45 2018 Number 2

Regional Reports for 2018 and Russia...... 48 and ...... 52 Northern California...... 55 Southern California...... 61 Hawaiʻi...... 62 Non-Pacific United States...... 65 ...... 68 Canada...... 70 and ...... 73 and ...... 76 Antarctica...... 76

PSG’s Treasurer’s Report for FY2018 ...... 77

General Information Information on the Pacific Seabird Group...... Inside Front Cover Publications of the Pacific Seabird Group...... 81 PSG Committee Coordinators...... 83 PSG Life Members and Recipients of Awards...... 85 Membership Information...... 86 PSG Executive Council for 2018...... Inside Back Covers REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2018 Compiled by: Robb Kaler

Regional Reports summarize current and recent seabird work to PSG members. Regional Reports generally are organized by location of the work, not affiliation of the biologist. They should not be cited without permission of the researchers.

ALASKA & RUSSIA and statisticians Trent McDonald and ALASKA PENINSULA Jason Carlisle (Western Ecosystems, Annual seabird monitoring at Chowiet Compiled by Marc Romano Inc.). The overarching goal was to Island (Semidis group, off the coast work towards methods for assessing of the Alaska Peninsula) was led by ALASKA-WIDE statewide Aleutian (Onychoprion Nora Rojek (Alaska Maritime National Ed Melvin (Washington Sea aleuticus) population size and trend, Wildlife Refuge) with summer-long field Grant), Kim Dietrich (Kim Dietrich with a specific focus on developing crews consisting of Brendan Higgins Consulting), Rob Suryan (Oregon State methods for estimating abundance at and Jillian Soller. They collected University), and Shannon Fitzgerald the local (i.e. colony) scale. Methods productivity, diet and population data on (National Oceanic and Atmospheric recommended as a result of this meeting, a variety of species including Common Administration [NOAA] Alaska including ground-based visual counts, and Thick-billed Murres (Uria aalge and Fisheries Science Center) completed ground-based photos, aerial photos U. lomvia), Rhinoceros and Parakeet analyses and a manuscript that assessed obtained through drones, and acoustic Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata and long-term trends in seabird rates recordings, were then pilot tested at Aethia psittacula), Horned and Tufted in Alaskan longline fisheries. They used multiple study sites in Alaska (including PuffinsFratercula ( corniculata and 23 years of NOAA groundfish observer Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Homer F. cirrhata), Black-legged Kittiwakes data to assess trends before and after area, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, (Rissa tridactyla), Glaucous-winged the widespread adoption of streamer Yakutat Forelands, and Dillingham). (Larus glaucescens), and Northern lines by the fleet. Use of streamer lines Data are being analyzed with follow-up Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis). reduced seabird bycatch by 77%-90% work to refine the techniques anticipated over a 14-year period. Despite this for the 2019 field season. ALEUTIAN ISLANDS overall success, the models identified The work of the Smithsonian Annual seabird monitoring at Buldir significant increasing trends in seabird Migratory Bird Center’s Migratory and Aiktak islands was led by Nora bycatch in two of four target fisheries Connectivity Project continued in Rojek (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since streamer lines were adopted. Alaska during June and July this year. [USFWS] Alaska Maritime National Furthermore, they found that relatively Autumn-Lynn Harrison recovered Wildlife Refuge [AMNWR]) with few vessels accounted for much of 6 of 23 geolocators deployed in 2017 summer-long field crews consisting of the seabird bycatch. Night setting from Arctic (Sterna paradisaea) Kevin Pietrzak, McKenzie Mudge, and significantly reduced overall seabird on Alaska’s north slope at the Briana Bode on Buldir. They collected bycatch while increasing target fish ConocoPhillips Alpine Camp. One productivity, diet and population catch, however, night setting increased breeding area from 2017 was largely data on a variety of species including bycatch of Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus still ice covered in late June and did Common and Thick-billed Murres (Uria glacialis), limiting its potential for use as not contain Arctic Tern nests this aalge and U. lomvia); Parakeet, Least, a bycatch mitigation method in Alaska. year. Autumn-Lynn also continued a Whiskered, and Crested Auklets (Aethia The results demonstrate that successful migration study on Long-tailed Jaegers psittacula, A. pusilla, A. pygmaea, and seabird bycatch reduction requires: (Stercorarius longicaudus), this year A. cristatella, respectively); Horned and fishery specific solutions, strong working with Laura Phillips and Emily Tufted PuffinsFratercula ( corniculata industry support, constant vigilance in Williams in Denali National Park where and F. cirrhata); Black-legged and Red- analysis and reporting of observer data, six 5-g satellite tags were deployed. legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla and and continued outreach to fleets. Two additional tags were deployed on R. brevirostris); and Fork-tailed and The PSG Technical the north slope at the ConocoPhillips Leach’s Storm- (Oceanodroma Committee, with primary financial Alpine Camp. All eight tags are still furcata and O. leucorhoa). Sarah support from the National Fish and transmitting with current locations in Youngren and Dan Rapp (USFWS Wildlife Foundation, convened an Mexico, off-shore Costa Rica, Peru, AMNWR) on Aiktak monitored Aleutian Tern Conservation Planning Chile, and the high seas. Autumn-Lynn Common and Thick-billed Murres; meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, 26-27 was assisted in the field by Melinda Ancient Murrelets (Synthliboramphus January. The meeting was facilitated Fowler (Springfield College) and Ellie antiquus); Horned and Tufted Puffins; by private consultant Jan Caulfield, Heywood (Duke University). Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus

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Nesvacil (Alaska Department of Fish and Game) and Assistant Professor - Senior Research Don Lyons (Oregon State University), with support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, deployed Platform Transmitting Terminal (PTT) tags on Aleutian Terns (Onychoprion aleuticus) in Dillingham in June 2018. Movement to previously undocumented colonies and known colonies occurred, with breeding success confirmed at all colonies. Data are being analyzed in conjunction with a coordinated deployment in Yakutat. Kathy Kuletz and Liz Labunski (USFWS) completed another year of offshore seabird surveys (now spanning 2006 – 2018) in the Bering, Sarah Youngren and Dan Rapp monitoring Glaucous-winged Gulls on Aiktak Island. Photo Chukchi, and Beaufort seas, under credit: Sarah Yougren via Marc Romano an Interagency Agreement with the glaucescens); Fork-tailed and Leach’s addition, a survey team conducting other Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Storm-petrels; and Double-crested, Refuge work (passerine and shorebird (BOEM). This program relies on Red-faced, and Pelagic Cormorants surveys) made observations of seabirds collaborations with oceanographic (Phalacrocorax pelagicus, P. urile, and on St. Matthew and Hall islands. This and fisheries research projects, which in 2018 included projects led by the P. auritus). crew consisted of Marc Romano, Jim University of Alaska Fairbanks, Aaron Christ (USFWS AMNWR) Johnson, Stephanie Walden, Bryce Hokkaido University, Environment tested a new method for monitoring Robinson, Tony DeGange, Ryan Canada, Woods Hole Oceanographic Tufted Puffin populations at Egg, Poa, Mong, Sarah Tanedo (all USFWS), Institute, the National Oceanic and and Kaligagan islands in late August. Steve Matsuoka, Bob Gill, and Atmospheric Administration, and the Work was conducted off the R/V Tiĝlaxˆ Rachael Richardson (U.S. Geological Arctic Integrated Ecosystem Research with the help of Briana Bode, Sarah Survey). This work was supported by Program Phase II, funded by the North Youngren, and Daniel Rapp (USFWS the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife AMNWR). Refuge vessel R/V Tiĝlax... ˆ Pacific Research Board and BOEM. In R/V Tiĝlax ˆ made its first voyage to 2018, seabird observers were placed on eight research cruises from June to mid- BERING AND CHUKCHI SEAS the Chukchi Sea in 30 years. An Alaska Annual seabird monitoring at St. Maritime National Wildlife Refuge November. The 2018 seabird observers for Bering/Arctic surveys were Paul and St. George islands was led by crew consisting of Marianne Aplin, Kathy Marc Romano (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Aaron Christ, Don Dragoo, Heather Kuletz, Liz Labunski, Zak Polen, , and Service [USFWS] Alaska Maritime Renner, Nora Rojek, Jeff Williams, Martin Reedy, Charlie Wright . Biologists with the National Wildlife Refuge [AMNWR]) and Kara Zwickey cruised from Linnaea Wright with summer-long field crews consisting Nome to the seabird colonies at capes Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge also contributed survey data of Ryan Mong and Sarah Tanedo Thompson, Lisburne, and Lewis to from their transits to remote colony (St. Paul), and Laney White, Sarah assess the current condition of plots and sites in the northern Gulf of Alaska, and Guitart, and Shannon Carvey (St. observation points that were established George). Both crews collected data on in the past (some as early as 1959), and Bering Sea. Data will be archived in the a variety of species including Red-faced count on the plots where possible: North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database. Cormorants (Phalacrocorax urile), Common and Thick-billed Murres, In March 2018, Kathy Kuletz Common Murres (Uria aalge), Thick- Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Pelagic participated in the Circumpolar Seabird billed Murres (Uria lomvia), Least Cormorants (Phalacrocorax pelagicus). Group (an Arctic Council Expert Auklets (Aethia pusilla), Black-legged The crew also visited the Chamisso Network), meeting in Cambridge, United Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), and Red- islands group (in Kotzebue Sound), as Kingdom. Kathy and Mark Mallory legged Kittiwakes (Rissa brevirostris). well as Sledge Island and Topkok Head also assisted with the seabird section The crews collected productivity, diet, (both located in Norton Sound). write-up for the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas Protection of adult survival and population data. In Endangered species biologist Kelly

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 49 REGIONAL REPORTS the Arctic Marine Environment (ICES/ led annual seabird monitoring for the those of struggling, starving, and dead PAME) Working Group for the Central Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) Arctic Ocean Assessment, with a draft Refuge at St. Lazaria Island in southeast and Fork-tailed Storm-petrels during to be submitted in October 2018. Dan Alaska. The summer-long crew of early July. Flocks of 5–20 individuals Cushing (Pole Star Ecological Research Stacie Evans and Daniel Schultz gathered off the stern of the vessel and LLC) produced seabird distribution collected productivity, population, and were found floating dying and dead maps and preliminary analyses for the diet data on Common and Thick-billed when the crew made transits to shore report, using the USFWS at-sea survey Murres (Uria lomvia), Rhinoceros for beach seining. The teams on shore data. Carina Gjerdrum (Canadian Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata), found fulmar and storm- carcasses Wildlife Service) provided similar maps Tufted Puffins, Black Oystercatchers tumbled in the wrack lines. Crews for the Atlantic Arctic and adjacent seas (Haematopus bachmani), Glaucous- working in Iliamna Lake found 3 dead in Canadian waters. winged Gulls (Larus glaucescens), Fork-tailed Storm-petrels at one of their During May to September 2018, Fork-tailed and Leach’s Storm-petrels sites ~70 km from the marine coast. the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), and Pelagic They collected 2 storm-petrel carcasses Alaska Region received reports of Cormorants (Phalacrocorax pelagicus). from marine waters and delivered them higher than normal dead and dying The USFWS sponsored a research to the Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge seabirds from the Bering and Chukchi cruise aboard the R/V Tiĝlax ˆ in order office in Homer, Alaska. regions. Specifically, Gay Sheffield to conduct seabird surveys along the In cooperation with Alaska (Alaska SeaGrant), Brandon Ahmasuk outer coast of the Kenai Peninsula. Department of Fish and Game and other (Kawerak, Inc.), Stacia Backensto and Heather Renner, Mariane Aplin, researchers, wildlife biologist Robin Heather Coletti (National Park Service), Arthur Kettle, Steve Delehanty, Marc Corcoran and seabird monitoring along with local community members, Romano, Elizabeth Kandror, and technician Jill Tengeres (USFWS, collected reports of seabird carcasses Jeff Williams (USFWS AMNWR), Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge) observed from Point Hope south to worked with partners Sharon Kim continued to monitor nesting terns Bristol Bay, with highest onshore counts and Shauna Potocky (National Park throughout the Kodiak Archipelago recorded near Nome and St. Lawrence Service, Kenai Fjords National Park), in hopes of determining reasons for Island. Federal, state, and local agencies and Tuula Hollmen, Amy Bishop and declines in populations of both species as well as the Coastal Observation and Tara Riemer (Alaska SeaLife Center) throughout coastal Alaska. During the Seabird Survey Team collaborated to to survey refuge lands in the Pye and 2018 breeding season, they collected collect information, synthesize records, Chiswell island groups. count data for terns at 30 of the 53 and send carcasses for necropsies and In summer 2018, biologists from known colony sites in the archipelago disease testing to the U.S. Geological ABR, Inc. returned to lower Cook Inlet, and searched for new colonies. Aleutian Survey National Wildlife Health Center Alaska after a 5-year hiatus to conduct Terns (Onychoprion aleuticus) were and to the U.S. Geological Survey surveys of marine birds and mammals observed at 13 colonies and Arctic Terns Alaska Science Center for harmful algal in Kamishak Bay. Opportunistic (Sterna paradisaea) at 26 colonies. bloom analysis. Results indicate that surveys were conducted by Adrian Trail cameras were placed on 51 nests birds died of starvation; however, results Gall and Pam Seiser as they rode along of Aleutian Terns and 9 Arctic Tern from saxitoxin analyses are pending. with a team that was sampling nearshore nests to determine nest survival rates, fish communities for 4 days each causes of nest failure, and information GULF OF ALASKA month from March to July 2018. They on prey types being provided to chicks. At East Amatuli Island, Arthur recorded observations from the bridge In addition they collected 555 acoustic Kettle (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the 60-foot research vessel during (sound) recording days across 11 sites, [USFWS] Alaska Maritime National transits between Homer and Kamishak and surveyed 152 habitat plots (at 61 Wildlife Refuge [AMNWR]) installed Bay, and from 16-foot inflatable skiffs Aleutian Tern nests, 11 Arctic Tern time-lapse cameras for season-long following the shoreline. The monthly nests, six Mew [Larus canus] monitoring of Black-legged Kittiwake trips documented the shift of the marine nests, and 74 associated random plots) (Rissa tridactyla) and Common Murre bird community from one dominated by at eight colonies. Three tern colonies (Uria aalge) breeding success. In large rafts of seaducks (e.g., Long-tailed in the Kodiak Archipelago were also August, he, Kelby Leary, and Aimee Ducks [Clangula hyemalis]; White- chosen to pilot test new methods to Von Tatenhove (USFWS AMNWR) winged [Melanitta deglandi] and Black estimate tern abundance. Along with surveyed monitoring plots of Fork-tailed Scoters [M. americana]) in winter to Aleutian Tern colonies in Yakutat and Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma furcata) one dominated by small aggregations of Dillingham, the Kodiak colonies were and Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata). Glaucous-winged Gulls in the summer. surveyed using four methods: (1) optical Brie Drummond (USFWS AMNWR) The most unusual observations were ground-based counts (standard method),

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(2) ground-based photo counts, (3) low altitude photography using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and (4) acoustic recording devices. The ultimate goal is to improve tern colony monitoring in order to develop spatial and temporal sampling methods that will enable us to expand estimates from monitored colonies to the entire state. Wildlife biologist Melissa Gabrielson and Prince William Sound Zone Terrestrial Program Manager Erin Cooper (U.S. Forest Service, Chugach National Forest), with support from interns Hillary Chavez (Environment for the Americas) and Nathan Boma (Ducks Unlimited), and additional financial support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, monitored Kevin Pietrzak and McKenzie Mudge on Buildir Island. Photo credit: Stephanie Walden via Aleutian Tern colonies on the Copper Marc Romano River Delta through aerial and ground Mayumi Arimistu, Sarah Schoen, maintenance, and camp set-up. The core based surveys. An aerial survey in Caitlin Marsteller, Gary Drew, and research team—Kyle, Sarah, Morgan, May included the entire east and west John Piatt (U.S. Geological Survey camp leader Shannon Whelan, Alice Delta from the Eyak River to Controller [USGS]) completed the third year of Sun, Paige Caine, Maxime Pineaux, Bay. Approximately 10 different field work for their Status and Trends Eléonore Lefebvre, Tony Rinaud, congregations totaling approximately of Seabirds and Forage Fish in Lower Célia Maillotte, Hannes Schraft, 162 terns were observed during the Cook Inlet project. This project is Luis Ramos, and Alyssa Piauwasdy survey, with follow-up ground based funded by the USGS-Outer Continental arrived at intervals from early May surveys in June which documented an Shelf program, and includes studies through June and continued the work additional small colony (mixed with of oceanography, , through 15 August. Mary Anne Bishop Arctic Terns). zooplankton, forage fish, and seabirds of the Prince William Sound Science Mike Gerringer, Trent McDonald (Common Murre and Black-legged Center (PWSSC) sent two researchers, (Western Ecosystems, Inc.), Mark Kittiwake) at and adjacent to two seabird Kristen Gorman and Anne Schaefer, Laker (USFWS, Kenai National colonies in lower Cook Inlet (Chisik and to Middleton for several weeks in July Wildlife Refuge), and Martin Renner Gull islands). A recent USGS Annual and August for telemetry studies of (Tern Again Consulting) collaborated Report (Arimitsu et al. 2018. Status of Tufted Puffins. The 2018 season was in a survey methods development Forage Fish and Seabirds in Lower Cook notable for seeing a partial amelioration project and collected unmanned aircraft Inlet During Summer, 2017) is available of the unusually warm ocean conditions systems (UAS, aka drones) imagery of on request. that have affected the northern Gulf of colonies near Soldotna and on Kodiak Seabird research and monitoring Alaska for the past several years. The Island. Martin also conducted UAS continued on Middleton Island in 2018 influence of this warm-water event surveys of the colony near Homer. and was conducted by an international still lingers, however, and it is unclear Martin Renner collected diet data team from Canada, France, and the whether it will continue to abate, or from Aleutian Terns by photographing United States. The work was overseen possibly make a resurgence over the bill loads carried by adults feeding by Kyle Elliott (McGill University), coming months and years. young. Several targeted colonies failed Sarah Leclaire (National Center for One of the few long-term marine to produce young, but bill load data Scientific Research, Toulouse, France), monitoring programs in Alaska, were obtained on Kodiak Island and Morgan Benowitz-Fredericks the ‘Seward Line’ (primarily for in Naknek, Bristol Bay. In addition, (Bucknell University), and Scott oceanography and zooplankton, led he deployed an acoustic monitor at the Hatch (Institute for Seabird Research by Russ Hopcroft of the University of Homer colony in early May prior to tern and Conservation). Scott and Martha Alaska Fairbanks) has conducted spring arrival. Terns were seen at the colony Hatch, joined by Shawn and Kelly and fall cruises for 20 years, with the in late May, but unfortunately had Pummill, opened the season in early USFWS seabird team involved since abandoned by mid-June. April for spring cleaning, facility 2006. In 2018, the Seward Line project

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 51 REGIONAL REPORTS expanded spatially and to three seasons aerial surveys via unmanned aerial and Martin Renner (Tern Again as a ‘Long Term Ecosystem Research’ vehicles (UAVs, aka drones) led by Consulting) visited three major island (LTER) study site with funding to UAF Mike Gerringer (Western Ecosystems colonies on the northeast coast of from the National Science Foundation. Inc.), with support by others previously Sakhalin Island, and conducted surveys Kathy Kuletz and Liz Labunski listed. with the participation and support of (USFWS) worked with Dan Cushing Wildlife technician Gwen Baluss Zoya Reviakina and Vladimir Zykov (Pole Star Ecological Research LLC), (U.S. Forest Service, Tongass National (Fauna Information and Research to conduct offshore seabird surveys and Forest) and intern Allan Saylor (Student Center LTD), and Larisa Zelenskaya analyses as part of the newly established Conservation Association), with support and Pavel Ktitorov (Far East Branch of Northern Gulf of Alaska LTER; this is from the Juneau Ranger District (JRD), the Russian Academy of Sciences). They one of 30 LTER sites in the U.S. and Tongass National Forest, monitored assessed colony size using counts of territories. Arctic Tern colonies at Mendenhall Lake, flushed individuals, the size and density near Juneau, AK. Visual counts were of nesting areas, and aerial imagery SOUTHEAST ALASKA used to estimate abundance. Remote obtained using drones. The observed Susan Oehlers (U.S. Forest Service, camera systems were tested to monitor numbers were less than previously Tongass National Forest) and intern nests, determine the level of human reported, however analyses of aerial Janelle Lopez (Student Conservation disturbance, and identify predators. The imagery to confirm this conclusion is Association), with support from the lake was occupied by an estimated 50 ongoing, and other mitigating factors National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, terns and no chicks survived to fledging. are being considered. Short and long- monitored Aleutian and Arctic Tern The most important nest predator term actions have been identified to (Onychoprion aleuticus and Sterna was wolf (Canis lupus). Data on these maintain engagement between Russian paradisaea) colonies on the Yakutat seabird colonies has been compiled by and American experts and to improve forelands, including visual surveys to JRD since 2003. Nesting gulls are also population assessments across the estimate abundance and deployment of counted annually; the current estimate entire species range, and a number of remote cameras to monitor nest survival is at least 300 each Glaucous-winged additional actions and products will be and incubation behavior. Assistant Gull (Larus glaucescens) and Herring developed subsequent to the preliminary Professor - Senior Research Don Lyons Gull (L. argentatus), plus 12 Mew Gulls project report and trip summary. (Oregon State University) with support (L. canus). from Susan Oehlers and Janelle WASHINGTON & Lopez, biologist Nate Catterson RUSSIA (U.S. Forest Service, Tongass National Heather Renner (U.S. Fish and OREGON Forest), Professor and Director of Pacific Wildlife Service, Alaska Maritime Compiled by Peter Hodum Cooperative Studies David Duffy National Wildlife Refuge), Daniel (University of -Manoa), Regional Roby (Oregon State University), and WASHINGTON Planner and Inventory & Monitoring Don Lyons (U.S. Geological Survey- Elizabeth Phillips completed her PhD in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Coordinator Mike Goldstein (U.S. Oregon Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Forest Service, Alaska Regional Office), Research Unit), with support from the Sciences at the University of Washington and Associate Professor, Environmental U.S. Geological Survey Science Support in June 2018. Her dissertation examined Science & Geography Programs Partnership Project, implemented the the influence of the Columbia River plume on Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus Sanjay Pyare (University of Alaska project “Survey and assessment of large Southeast, Spatial Ecosystem Analysis Aleutian Tern (Onychoprion aleuticus) griseus) and Common Murre (Uria Lab-SEALAB), deployed six 2-g colonies in northern Sakhalin, aalge) movement and foraging ecology. solar Platform Transmitting Terminal Russia.” Project objectives were to (1) She is now beginning a post-doc with (PTT) tags on Aleutian Terns on Black conduct surveys at key Aleutian Tern the National Research Council Research Sand Spit in the Yakutat area during colonies within Russia to improve our Associateship Program, based at the May. Methods developed during the understanding of current population National Oceanic and Atmospheric Aleutian Tern Conservation Planning status and trends there, (2) get first- Administration (NOAA) Northwest meeting (see statewide summary), were hand experience of those colonies and Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. She pilot tested on Yakutat area colonies, see if/how they may differ compared is working with Dr. Sandy Parker- including acoustic monitoring (led to Alaskan colonies, and (3) promote Stetter to quantify the spatiotemporal distribution, abundance, and drivers of by Susan and Janelle) ground-based greater communication and exchange euphausiid variability in the California photos (led by Sanjay Pyare and of information and survey techniques Current Ecosystem. research analyst John Skinner, Alaska between Russian and American experts. Department of Fish and Game) and During 20–27 June, Heather, Don, In spring 2016, Jason Jannot, Tom

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monocerata) on Protection (twelfth year) and Destruction (tenth year) islands, Washington. Preliminary analyses of burrow occupancy and fledging success suggest that occupancy was comparable to long-term averages on Destruction but slightly lower on Protection, possibly the result of an ongoing impact of the adult mass mortality event that occurred during the 2016 breeding season. Fledging success on both islands was comparable to long- term averages. Dietary studies were conducted during the early and late chick-rearing stages on both islands, with diet composition on both islands similar to previous years. In addition to the Rhinoceros Auklet study, they also Tufted Puffin. Photo credit: Michael Johns continued their conservation research program on Tufted PuffinsFratercula ( Good, and Vanessa Tuttle of the government, and non-governmental cirrhata), focusing on mapping of NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries organization (NGO) representatives to active breeding burrows on Smith and Science Center initiated an at-sea share information on the scope and scale Destruction islands and breeding season research project to determine the risk of of seabird interactions with trawl vessels monitoring and foraging ecology of seabird mortality from cables on fishing and 2) identify effective, practical puffins on Destruction Island. vessels using trawl gear in the at-sea mitigation measures to reduce seabird Pacific hake Merluccius ( productus) cable strike mortality in the catcher- OREGON catcher processor fleet fishing off the processor U.S. west coast Pacific hake Shawn Stephensen and Lila Bowen U.S. Pacific coasts of Washington and Alaska trawl fisheries. Workshop of the Oregon Coast National Wildlife and Oregon. Working with Amanda attendees included 39 representatives Refuge Complex conducted an aerial Gladics of Oregon State University of the groundfish trawl fishing industry, seabird colony survey on 2 and 3 July Oregon Sea Grant, the goals of this seafood associations, NGOs, and federal 2018 that included the entire Oregon project are to systematically quantify agencies from Alaska, Washington, coast. The aircraft used was a Bell the magnitude of seabird cable strikes and Oregon. A 2018 NOAA Technical Jet Ranger III helicopter operated by and to develop methods to improve fleet- Memorandum describes the workshop Doug Uttecht of Northwest Helicopters wide estimates of seabird mortality in outcomes. (Jannot, J. E., T. Good, V. (Olympia, WA). Total flight time was this fishery. This work, in collaboration Tuttle, A. M. Eich, and S. Fitzgerald, approximately 10 hours. All Common with the fishing industry, should also editors. 2018. U.S. West Coast and Murre (Uria aalge), Brandt’s Cormorant lead to bycatch mitigation strategies Alaska Trawl Fisheries Seabird (Phalacrocorax penicillatus), Pelagic specifically designed to reduce seabird Cable Strike Mitigation Workshop, Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus), cable strikes. Results from 2016 and November 2017: Summary Report. and Double-crested Cormorant 2017 were presented at the 45th Annual U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA (Phalacrocorax auritus) colonies were Meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group in Technical Memorandum NMFS- photographed using digital cameras La Paz, Mexico. NWFSC-142 https://www.nwfsc.noaa. and birds were counted on the digital Jason Jannot, Tom Good, Vanessa gov//assets/25/9298_05312018_084659_ images using GIS computer software. Tuttle, Anne Marie Eich, and Shannon TechMemo142.pdf ) Thousands of digital images were Fitzgerald (NOAA) held a seabird Scott Pearson (Washington organized and archived for future cable strike mitigation workshop on 7-8 Department of Fish and Wildlife), Tom reference. Colony attendance by murres November 2017 in Seattle, WA. This Good (NOAA Northwest Fisheries appeared to be at normal levels in workshop summarized seabird bycatch Science Center), and Peter Hodum comparison to previous years. and mitigation in trawl fisheries off (University of Puget Sound and Tim Halloran (U.S. Fish and the coasts of Alaska, Washington, and Oikonos) continued their long-term Wildlife Service [USFWS] volunteer) Oregon. The goals of the workshop study of reproductive success patterns and Shawn Stephensen conducted a were to 1) bring together industry, of Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca population status assessment of Tufted

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PuffinFratercula ( cirrhata) at Haystack over 3 fledglings per every two nests be conducted by Oregon State Rock, Cannon Beach which is within and Double-crested producing nearly University personnel (Kirsten the Oregon Islands National Wildlife 5 fledglings per two nests at both Cape Bixler and Jess Porquez) Refuge. The project also included a Perpetua and Cape Falcon. Hatch under supervision of Shawn pilot study to evaluate the feasibility success was relatively high with no Stephensen. of monitoring additional reproductive more than 3 failed nests for each species 2. Develop and populate a database parameters at the island, such as breeding at both sites, except Pelagic Cormorants that will be made available to the phenology and data collection success at Cape Falcon experienced 50% hatch scientific community, the general from shore-based vantage points. The success. Unfortunately, sample sizes are public, and other government number of Tufted Puffins present at very low for the Pelagic Cormorants, in agencies by regular uploading to Haystack Rock was documented during part because cormorants did not return online portals. 2010 - 2018 by conducting instantaneous to some previously monitored colonies. 3. Provide data products, analyses, counts of birds on the land, water, and in The highest abundance counts in the and reports that summarize the air at 15 minute intervals. The daily Sea Lion Caves were 11 Rhinoceros and communicate analyses to mean counts were 42, 33, 13, 35, 22, 21, Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) BOEM and the general public to and 23 birds during 2010, 2011, 2012, and 166 Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus support incorporation of marine 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 respectively. columba). During monitoring, the team bird abundance and distribution Burrow occupancy was determined and also educated over 500 visitors through into planning processes and risk the annual breeding population estimate outreach at both sites this season. assessment of renewable energy was calculated based on the number of Initial data review shows that this was siting and decision support. viable occupied burrows. The Tufted a very productive year compared to 2017 Turnstone Environmental Puffin breeding population (individual for all three cormorant species. In part Consultants, Inc. (Turnstone) conducted birds) at Haystack Rock was estimated this may be due to a lack of major storms work related to seabirds for several to be 127 in 2010, 115 in 2011, 92 in this summer. Last year, large portions of projects in 2018, which are summarized 2012, 143 in 2013, 125 in 2014, 121 in colonies lost eggs and completely rebuilt below. These projects involved surveys 2015, and 124 in 2016. Data analysis has nests after storms with high winds and for Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus not been completed for 2017 and 2018, rain, while this year renesting did not marmoratus) and all surveys were however, initial data review indicates occur in any monitored plots. This also conducted according the PSG’s 2003 40 to 50 puffins appear to have nested. resulted in monitoring finishing nearly a protocol requirements. The Oregon Many negative interactions with gulls month earlier this year. Department of Forestry (ODF) and disturbances by eagles were also An Intra-Agency Agreement contracted Turnstone to conduct Marbled documented, in addition to interesting between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Murrelet surveys on state lands in the social behaviors between puffins. Management (BOEM), Department of Coast Range of Oregon in four ODF Joe Liebezeit and Amelia O’Connor the Interior, and the USFWS Pacific districts (Astoria, Tillamook, Western (Audubon Society) and Melissa Region was completed. The purpose of Lane, and West Oregon). Visiting a Robell (USFWS Intern) conducted a the agreement was to secure proper data mixture of first, second and multi- community science seabird monitoring management and obtain data synthesis year survey sites, surveyors conducted project within the Cape Perpetua and of long-term aerial seabird colony data 1,123 surveys at 163 unique sites and Cape Falcon Marine Reserves. With (photographs) collected at breeding 704 unique stations. Murrelets were the help of 32 volunteers, 50 cormorant sites surveyed by USFWS Oregon Coast detected during 24 surveys at 12 sites nests (21 Brandt’s, 21 Pelagic, 8 National Wildlife Refuge Complex and in 5 different districts, and significant Double-crested) in the Cape Perpetua Washington Maritime National Wildlife behavior was observed during 4 of (just south of Refuge Complex along the Oregon these surveys. Tom Williamson is the the Reserve) and 36 nests (11 Brandt’s, and Washington coasts. The specific Turnstone project manager and Matt 10 Pelagic, 15 Double-crested) on two objectives are: Gostin is the ODF primary contact. different colonies in the Cape Falcon 1. Secure seabird colony count Turnstone conducted Marbled Marine Reserve were monitored. A legacy data collected from 1972 Murrelet surveys at first, second, preliminary look at the data showed to the present by converting and multi-year sites for two districts roughly 97 chicks fledged from the film slides to digital images, of the Bureau of Land Management 36 Cape Falcon nests (18 Brant’s, 10 cataloging, archiving, and (BLM) in 2018. The BLM Northwest Pelagic, 34 Double-crested). Breeding counting birds on aerial images Oregon District contracted Turnstone productivity (average fledglings per of seabird colonies to estimate to conduct Marbled Murrelet surveys nest) was relatively high this year with colony site populations by in areas managed by the Marys Peak Brandt’s Cormorants averaging just species. Slide processing will and Tillamook Field Offices. Turnstone

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 54 REGIONAL REPORTS biologists conducted 263 surveys at 50 Range for three other private clients. A 2018. Marine Pollution Bulletin: DOI: unique sites and 169 unique stations. total of 92 surveys over 15 unique sites 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.03.043). Murrelets were detected during six and 62 unique stations were conducted. In addition to participating in Marbled surveys at three sites, and significant Murrelets were detected during five Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) behavior was observed during one surveys at four sites, and significant population monitoring in Oregon (see of these surveys. Jeff Reams is the behavior was observed during two report in Oregon-Washington), Craig Turnstone project manager and Scott of these surveys. Jeff Reams was the Strong of Crescent Coastal Research Hopkins is the BLM primary contact. Turnstone project manager for two of continued to conduct Pelagic Cormorant The BLM Coos District contracted these projects, and Tom Williamson (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) productivity Turnstone to conduct Marbled Murrelet was the Turnstone project manager for monitoring at two colonies in northern surveys in survey areas within the Coos the third. California during 2018. At Tolowa Rock District, Oregon. Turnstone biologists (410 40.3’ N) 32 nesting pairs produced conducted 230 surveys at 39 unique sites a mean of 1.88 chicks per nest, and at and 170 unique stations. Murrelets were Hunter Island (410 57.3’ N) 52 pairs detected during 30 surveys at 14 sites, NORTHERN produced a mean of 2.06 chicks per and significant behavior was observed CALIFORNIA nest. At both sites nesting numbers during 10 of these surveys. Jeff Reams Compiled by Kirsten Lindquist and productivity were above average is the Turnstone project manager and for the past 5 years, with much higher Jennifer Kirkland is the BLM primary Christine Fiorello, Kyra Mills and nesting numbers at Hunter Island. contact. Mike Ziccardi (Oiled Wildlife Care Hunter Island, located at the edge of Turnstone conducted Marbled Network) collaborated with Juliet a Marine Protected Area (MPA), has Murrelet surveys for two Bonneville Lamb (post-doctoral researcher, outperformed the colony at Tolowa Power Administration projects in 2018. Clemson University [CU] and South Rock since the MPA was established For a project located near Philomath, Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife in 2014, though whether this is a causal Oregon, Turnstone biologists conducted Research Unit [SCCRU]), Patrick relation is of course unknown. Good 45 surveys at 9 unique sites and 44 Jodice (USGS-SCCRU, CU), and Yvan cormorant success, combined with unique stations. Murrelets were not Satgé (research specialist, CU-SCCRU) healthy ‘normal’ ratios of Common detected during these surveys. Tom to track the movements and characterize Murre (Uria aalge) and Marbled Williamson is the Turnstone project the habitat of California Brown Murrelet chick-to-adult numbers manager. For a project located near (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) tallied on at-sea surveys, indicates the Raymond, Washington, Turnstone that were oiled and rehabilitated California Current has recovered to biologists conducted 20 surveys at 4 following the Refugio oil spill of June some extent in this region compared unique sites and 16 unique stations. 2015. Their results indicated that, with the calamitous conditions of the Murrelets were not detected during although rehabilitated pelicans prior 2 years. these surveys. Tom Williamson is the undertake long-distance movements, Humboldt Redwood Company, LLC Turnstone project manager. Turnstone they may display increased dispersion (HRC) continued the conservation biologists also conducted Marbled and reduced breeding investment, activities for the Marbled Murrelet under Murrelet surveys in the Oregon Coast particularly among females (Lamb et al. the company’s Habitat Conservation

Brown . Photo credit: Timothy Lawes

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Plan (HCP). Project leaders were Sal project studying spatial modeling of Conservation Science) in coordination Chinnici and Mark Freitas. The HCP seabird disturbance risk in this area with Gerry McChesney and Jonathan requires tracking of murrelet occupancy in collaboration with the Trinidad Shore (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and numbers over time using both Chapter of the Seabird Protection [USFWS] Farallon Islands National radar and audio-visual (AV) survey Network (SPN). The monitoring Wildlife Refuge) continued the long- techniques. Surveys were continued effort at this site intersects with a term monitoring program as had been in 2018 at the Headwaters Forest citizen scientist project coordinated done by countless seabird biologists Reserve and Humboldt Redwoods State by Shannon Brinkman and the SPN, over the previous 5 decades. 2018 was a Park (the Reserves), and also at the and compliments outreach efforts by primarily average year for most species. Marbled Murrelet Conservation Areas the SPN to reduce seabird disturbance Cooler sea surface temperatures (MMCAs) on HRC forestlands, with risk at these sites. Principal species and moderate upwelling conditions the collaboration of Sean McAllister, monitored by these projects include persisted throughout much of the spring O’Brien Biological Consulting, and cormorants (three Phalacrocorax spp.), and summer, leading to productive local Adam Brown. Western Gull (Larus occidentalis), ocean conditions and an abundance Since the inception of HCP Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba), of krill (euphausiids) around the monitoring (1999), occupied behaviors and Common Murre. University of islands. Planktivorous Cassin’s Auklets have been observed in the MMCAs California-Davis National Science (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) exhibited and Reserve stands using AV surveys. Foundation Reasearch Experience for above average productivity for the tenth In 2018, surveyors conducted 139 Undergraduates student Jade Little consecutive year, though it was the lowest surveys at 33 stations and observed and Daniel Barton conducted several value during that period. Cassin’s also occupied behaviors (below canopy analyses of change over time in Pelagic bred exceptionally early with more than flight or circling) in the Headwaters Cormorant nesting success in the area. 85% of pairs having laid by April 15th. Forest Reserve, Humboldt Redwoods Daniel Barton conducted a pilot study For the first time since 2013, Common State Park, and the Allen Creek and Bell on the use of drones for monitoring Murre productivity was also slightly Lawrence MMCAs. abundance at several seabird colonies in greater than the long-term mean for this Radar surveys track murrelets the greater Humboldt Bay area. Rebecca species. Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerohinca traveling to and from nesting areas Garwood, Justin Garwood, and James monocerata) and Brandt’s Cormorants within the MMCAs and Reserves. Ray (all with California Department of (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) breeding Radar counts are considered indices Fish and Wildlife), and Daniel Barton success were both higher than last of the breeding population. In 2018, 56 continued an ongoing Double-crested year and above average for the sixth radar surveys were conducted at 14 sites. Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) and consecutive year. In contrast, Pigeon Most murrelets tracked by radar were Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) Guillemots had reduced productivity at Humboldt Redwoods State Park and diet study in Humboldt Bay into its in 2018 and produced fewer chicks the Allen Creek MMCA. Final analyses second year, obtaining numerous pellets than average for the fourth consecutive of the 2018 data have not yet been at local colonies as well as locating year. Pelagic Cormorants were present conducted. The 2017 data indicated that several thousand Passive Integrated around the island throughout the season after 15 years of monitoring, trends in Transponder tags from salmonid but very few pairs attempted to breed radar counts of murrelets in the MMCAs tagging efforts in local seabird colonies. and those that did bred very late in the and Reserves have differed during the Daniel Barton continued work on time- season. Western Gulls surprisingly had study period; there has been a decline series modeling of counts of seabirds higher breeding success this season with in radar counts in both the Reserves and and waterbirds in the region with a the greatest number of chicks fledged the MMCAs since the 2002 baseline, but focus on determining the strengths and since 2013. The California Gull (Larus the decline in radar counts in MMCAs weaknesses of alternative approaches californicus) population continues to has been smaller. to variance components analysis of decline on SEFI, and no eggs or chicks Claire Nasr (Humboldt State state-space models for different types of were observed in 2018. Northern University), Shannon Brinkman survey data. (Engraulis mordax) were (Bureau of Land Management), and 3 April 2018 marked the 50th the dominant prey item in chick diet Daniel Barton (Humboldt State anniversary of Point Blue’s field station for Common Murres and Rhinoceros University) continued field monitoring on Southeast Farallon Island (SEFI) and Auklets. Juvenile rockfish Sebastes ( efforts of nesting success and habitat use the start of the 51st year monitoring the spp.) were also present, but in much of nearshore seabirds around Trinidad population size, reproductive success, lower abundance than in previous years. Head and Patrick’s Point for the sixth and diet for 13 species of breeding Ocean productivity seemed to decline consecutive year, adding new sites and seabirds. To celebrate, Mike Johns late in the season and chick growth rates small boat surveys as well as a thesis and Pete Warzybok (Point Blue were slow. Approximately 30% of the

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Cassin’s Auklet population attempted a second brood after successfully fledging their first chick, but most of these attempts were abandoned. Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) nested on the Farallones for the eighth consecutive year and managed to fledge 7 chicks from 4 total nests. Warm water species such as Brown (Sula leucogaster) and Blue-footed Boobies (Sula nebouxii), which had become regular during the warmer years of 2014 to 2017 were largely absent this season. In addition to regular monitoring work, this was the 4th season of geolocator deployments on Cassin’s Auklets and 2nd season on Pigeon Guillemots, in an effort to better understand the winter dispersal patterns of alcids from the Farallones. Cassin’s Auklet. Photo credit: Michael Johns Preliminary results indicate Cassin’s remain off the Central California Coast and trends of sanctuary resources, Rhinoceros Auklets, and various during the non-breeding season, while ecosystem health, and response to transient species of shearwater, fulmar, Pigeon Guillemots appear to overwinter climate change. Scientists collect phalaropes, and numerous storm- north of Vancouver Island in British seabird and marine mammal data, petrels. Krill were abundant north of Columbia. oceanographic measurements, marine Cordell Bank on the shelf, but sparse off 1 October 2018 marked the 25th debris, and sample for prey availability the shelf break and in the Tucker Trawl anniversary of Beach Watch, the along predetermined transect lines. samples. For more information contact coastal monitoring program of Greater This year spring upwelling conditions the Principal Investigators, Jaime Farallones National Marine Sanctuary in May made for rough seas but good Jahncke (Point Blue Conservation and Greater Farallones Association. In ocean productivity. The summer cruise Science) jjahncke[at]pointblue[dot] 2018 Beach Watch monitored 57 survey was on the National Oceanic and org, Dani Lipski (NOAA Cordell sites over 5 counties in North Central Atomospheric Administration (NOAA) Bank National Marine Sanctuary) California. 2018 was a quiet year for ship Bell M. Shimada, allowing for Danielle[dot]lipski[at]noaa[dot]gov, or seabird and marine mammal mortality summer upwelling conditions to be Jan Roletto (NOAA Greater Farallones in central California which is typical of sampled during rough seas. Good ocean National Marine Sanctuary) Jan[dot] the productive La Niña conditions. Post productivity was indicated by abundant Roletto[at]noaa[dot].gov. breeding carcass deposition of Common plankton and whales. Most notable were Farallon Institute seabird observers Murre, in August – September, was humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), Michael Force and Brian Hoover only 48% of long term mean (1993- blue (Balaenoptera musculus) and participated in the following at-sea 2017) deposition during these months. fin Balaenoptera ( physalus) whales surveys: California Cooperative Ocenic Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) foraging over the continental shelf Fisheries Investigation (CalCOFI) deposition was notably higher this year as well as within the shipping lanes, winter survey 2018; CalCOFI spring from March – September suggesting making them more vulnerable to being survey 2018; and National Marine higher than average numbers of over struck and killed by ships. The third and Fisheies Service Rockfish Recruitment summering birds. final cruise of the year was in September, and Ecosystem Survey (RREAS) 2018. 2018 marks the 15th field sampling to sample post upwelling conditions. These surveys document the distribution season of the Applied California The seas were exceptionally calm but and abundance patterns of top predators Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) foggy conditions made observations in the California current ecosystem, and project. ACCESS is a collaborative challenging. Highlights included lunge represent the 31st year of seabird data effort of Cordell Bank National Marine feeding humpback and blue whales collection for CalCOFI and the 15th year Sanctuary, Greater Farallones National concentrated near the shelf break, where for RREAS. Data from these cruises Marine Sanctuary, and Point Blue they normally occur. Seabird sightings are shared with the California Current Conservation Science for ongoing included resident post-breeding season Integrated Ecosystem Assessment data collection to understand status Common Murres, Cassin’s Auklets, program at NOAA and with the

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Integrated Ocean Observing System, The first California Least Tern VA Alameda Point property near the and are also being used by federal (LETE) in 2018 was seen at VA Alameda CATEs. and independent researchers studying Point on 18 April. Meredith Elliott and Mark Rauzon (Laney College) is seabirds in California waters. Results Sarayu Ramnath (Point Blue employee Vice-chair of Conservation for PSG from these most recent surveys did and intern, respectively) assisted and has written letters representing not document any significant shifts in Susan and Jennifer twice weekly with the Pacific Seabird Group’s opinion seabird abundance, relative to the long- walking-in-colony surveys of the LETE and perspective on Marbled Murrelets term average from each time-series. colony for the May to August nesting in particular, and marine debris, feral During the spring cruises, however, fin season. Moreover, Jennifer and Susan cats, and fisheries issues in general. and humpback whales were documented conducted observations from a vehicle He also attended the International in unprecedented high densities, blind outside the colony using scope Ornithological Congress and co- suggesting a community shift in marine and binoculars four days a week to track sponsored a symposium, along with mammal distributions. nest activity and predator presence. Simba Chan (BirdLife International - Heather Robinson, Julie Thayer The first LETE nest was discovered Asia Division) on Conservation Reliant (Farallon Institute), and Tori Seher on 12 May and the first chicks hatched Seabirds focusing on Chinese Crested (National Park Service, Golden Gate on 5 June. The first fledgling was Terns ( bernsteini). He also National Recreation Area) continued observed on 21 June. The last LETE presented the poster: “Double-crested the long-term monitoring of breeding was observed on 27 August. Despite Cormorants relocate from Old to New seabird colonies on Alcatraz Island heavy predation by Peregrine Falcons San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge”, in San Francisco Bay. Favorable (Falco peregrinus) and Burrowing Owls and is working on a paper summarizing ocean conditions and prey availability (Athene cunicularia) and substantial 30 years of research on Double-crested may have contributed to the highly loss due to abandoned and non-viable Cormorants with six other authors. productive season observed in 2018. eggs, the hatch rate was 74% and David Ainley and others completed a Brandt’s Cormorants were present at the surviving fledgling rate was 41%. There project summarizing multiple data sets to highest level ever observed in the time are two on-going studies going on at the assess the implications and effectiveness series. Data has not yet been processed LETE colony: a diet study, using both of ecosystem-based fishery management to determine reproductive success but collected dropped fish and pellets, and in the central California Current it is expected to be above the long-term a provisioning study using camera traps. region. The data analysis project was average (1995 - 2017). After several years Caspian Terns (CATE) were first funded by NOAA and four publications of declines, the Western Gull breeding observed at VA Alameda Point on resulted, as well as a presentation to population increased in 2018. Pelagic 28 February, possibly the earliest the Pacific Fisheries Management Cormorants did not nest on the Island sighting for this location. First nests Council annual meeting in March 2018. for the fifth consecutive year and the few were observed on 20 April and the Otherwise, H.T. Harvey & Associates nesting pairs of California Gulls were first chicks were seen on 11 May. The and RGF Consultants have been busy unsuccessful in fledging chicks. Three highest snapshot count of adult Caspian summarizing the at-sea population size Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus Terns was 591 on 3 August. Unlike the and distribution of Ashy Storm-Petrels bachmani) pairs nested on Alcatraz in LETE colony, nesting observations were (Oceanodroma homochroa), a project 2018, up one from the previous year. made during walking-in-colony surveys partly funded by the National Fish and Video cameras were used for the fourth within the CATE colony for only half of Wildlife Foundation. year to monitor reproductive success the breeding season (20 April to 7 June). Dan Anderson is working under and diet of Pigeon Guillemots. The remaining observations were made California Institute of Environmental Susan Euing (USFWS employee from a vehicle blind from a distance Studies (CIES) auspices with Deborah and contractor to Department of and using scope and binoculars. From Jacques of Pacific Eco Logic to gather a Veterans’ Affairs [VA]) and Jennifer these latter observations, we viewed final season of data, then summarize and Walton (USFWS intern) monitored two, possibly three waves, of nesting. 34 evaluate long-term coastal monitoring the nesting colonies of two tern species downy CATE chicks were observed on of Brown Pelican age-structure as at VA Alameda Point in Alameda, 14 August. As of 25 September 2018, a a second method to measure and CA: California Least Terns (Sternula few CATEs remained on the property. evaluate metapopulation reproductive antillarum browni) and Caspian Terns. On 11 August, in addition to the performance. Susan led 11 volunteer work parties CATE population at their nesting site, The Common Murre Restoration from September 2017 through April approximately 3,500 Western Brown Project completed its 23rd season 2018, clearing weeds and preparing the Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) of monitoring as part of a program nesting sites prior to the nesting seasons and 1,200 Elegant Terns (Thalasseus to restore Common Murre colonies for each species. elegans) were observed roosting on the damaged by oil spills, led by principal

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and mainland), Brandt’s Cormorants, Western Gulls, Pigeon Guillemots, and Black Oystercatchers during weekly visits to the island. Rhinoceros and Cassin’s Auklets were monitored both in natural burrows, as well as in artificial clay nest modules. Preliminary data suggest the 2018 season hosted the largest numbers of breeding Rhinoceros and Cassin’s Auklets on record. Rhinoceros Auklet diet samples showed a strong prevalence of northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax). In 2018, Oikonos continued to perform habitat restoration on the island to improve auklet burrowing habitat, installing hundreds of square meters of Pelagic Cormorant. Photo credit: Michael Johns erosion control material and spreading native seed. Oikonos continued its investigators Gerry McChesney Numbers of Brandt’s Cormorant nests collaboration with Nathan Lynch, (USFWS) and Richard Golightly appeared to be lower in 2018 than in ceramicist of the California College of (Humboldt State University [HSU]) 2017 at all three colonies. Disturbance to the Arts, and deployed 8 new artificial with funding from the Luckenbach seabirds from human sources primarily clay modules especially designed Trustee Council. The project monitors were from aircraft and watercraft. for Cassin’s Auklets. There was one productivity, breeding population size, Recreational drone use at and near breeding attempt in these new modules, and disturbance to Common Murres as colonies is increasing and this may the group of which was deployed in well as Brandt’s Cormorants, Pelagic pose future problems. Recent patterns November of 2017. Cormorants, Western Gulls, Black of high murre egg and chick predation Corinne Gibble (California Oystercatchers and Pigeon Guillemots. by Common Ravens (Corvus corax) at Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office Monitoring took place at three central DSRM continued, although productivity of Spill Prevention and Response, California coast colonies: Point Reyes in the plots was still relatively high. Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Headlands (PRH), Devil’s Slide Rock Non-native red fox (Vulpes vulpes) were Research Center in Santa Cruz, CA) & Mainland (DSRM), and the Castle- discovered along with likely predation continues to monitor the morbidity Hurricane Colony Complex (CHCC). on mainland-nesting seabirds at DSRM. and mortality of seabirds in California Biologists Cassie Bednar, Zofia Burr, Gerry McChesney and Cassie through systematic necropsy. She Justin Windsor and Amy Wilson along Bednar also worked with Phil Capitolo published a journal article in 2018 with field technicians Emily Schmidt (University of California Santa Cruz) (Gibble et al. 2018. Journal of Wildlife and Jonah Kuwahara-Hu (HSU) to conduct aerial photographic surveys Diseases) and a book chapter with co- conducted field observations throughout of coastal California Double-crested author Brian Hoover (Farallon Institute) the breeding season, from mid-April to Cormorant and other seabird colonies, (Gibble and Hoover 2018 in Burkholder mid-August. with funding from USFWS Migratory and Morton editors. Harmful Algal In 2018, productivity (chicks fledged Birds. Blooms, a compendium desk reference). per pair) was higher than or consistent 2018 marked the 26th consecutive Josh Adams, Jonathan Felis, and with the long-term average for Common year of seabird monitoring at Año Max Czapanskiy (U.S. Geological Murre, Pelagic Cormorant and Western Nuevo Island, located in San Mateo Survey [USGS]), in collaboration with Gulls at all three monitored colonies. County, California. Oikonos Ecosystem David Pereksta (Bureau of Ocean In contrast, Brandt’s Cormorant Knowledge’s Ryan Carle and Jessie Energy Management [BOEM]), are productivity was similar to the long- Beck (Project Managers), Emily finalizing a report and data release term average at PRH but lower than Coletta (Project Ecologist II), and David on tracking of seabirds in the Main the long-term averages at DSRM and Calleri (Project Volunteer) monitored Hawaiian Islands to support renewable CHCC. Oystercatchers were only breeding population and productivity energy planning. monitored at CHCC where they had of Rhinoceros Auklets, Cassin’s Josh Adams and Emma Kelsey higher than average productivity. Auklets, Pelagic Cormorants (island (USGS), in collaboration with Donna

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Schroeder and David Pereksta (CIES), Justyn Stahl (Institute for thesis in May 2018. Caitie Kroeger and (BOEM) and Kevin Lafferty (USGS) Wildlife Studies), Ben Becker (Point Scott Shaffer(San Jose State University) are publishing a seabird monitoring Reyes National Seashore), Stephanie continue to collaborate with David survey report and associated database Schneider (Moss Landing Marine Lab), Thompson and Paul Sagar (National that compiles information about Dan Barton, and Clair Nasr (Humboldt Institute of Water and Atmospheric seabird and marine mammal research State University) deployed acoustic Research in ), and Leigh and monitoring efforts throughout monitors on 30 rocks and islands off the Torres. Caitie Kroeger studied the California, Oregon, Washington, California coast (primarily within the foraging ecology and energetics of two Alaska, and Hawaii. California Coastal National Monument) species at Campbell Island in Josh Adams, Emma Kelsey, Amelia to detect presence and distribution of New Zealand. She is planning to finish DuVall (USGS), Peter Larrmendy, storm-petrel species. Summary report her dissertation in early 2019. Former and Jim Howard (California Institute of 2017 efforts available upon request. doctoral student Morgan Gilmour of Environmental Studies [CIES]) Jonathan Felis and Josh Adams completed her dissertation (June 2018) conducted four mist-netting sessions (USGS) worked with Ryan Carle with Scott Shaffer at the University (May-August) for Ashy Storm-petrels (Oikonos) and Chilean collaborators to of California Santa Cruz. Morgan’s on Prince Island in the California study foraging ecology, diving behavior, research focused on the links between Channel Islands. fisheries overlap, and migratory behavior foraging ecology and contaminant Josh Adams, Emma Kelsey, and of Pink-footed Shearwaters (Ardenna exposure in seabirds of Mexico and Laney White (USGS), with observer creatopus). Multiple manuscripts are in the central tropical Pacific. Scott and support from Ryan Carle, Jessie Beck, prep/review this year. his student Cole Jower, are continuing Caitie Kroeger, and Alex Rinkert Josh Adams and Jonathan Felis research with Russell Bradley, Pete conducted at-sea Marbled Murrelet (USGS) continued to work with Jefferey Warzybok, and Jamie Jahncke of surveys in Conservation Zone 6 in Leirness (NOAA Biogeography Point Blue Conservation Science at Central California to estimate abundance Branch), Lisa Ballance (NOAA the Farallon Islands to examine the and juvenile ratios for murrelets. This Southwest Fisheries Science Center), foraging and breeding ecology of project was funded by the Luckenbach Trevor Joyce (NOAA Southwest Rhinoceros Auklets and Western Gulls. Oil Spill Trustee Council. Jonathan Fisheries Science Center), and Dave This research is part of a larger project Felis, Josh Adams, and Emma Pereksta (BOEM) to procure and with Sue Cockerham and Dr. Cleber Kelsey (USGS) published the findings process seabird survey datasets to model Ouvnery (San Jose State University), from the 2017 murrelet surveys in the at-sea density of marine birds to support Rob Suryan, Leigh Torres, Amanda same zone (Felis et al U.S. Geological renewable energy planning on the US Gladics, and Rachael Orben (Oregon Survey Data Series 1093, 12 p., https:// Pacific outer continental shelf. State University), Hillary Young doi.org/10.3133/ds1093). Jonathan Scott Shaffer (San Jose State (University of California Santa Felis (USGS), Josh Adams (USGS), University) is continuing to study Barbara), Josh Adams and Emma Zach Peery (University of Wisconsin the foraging ecology of Laysan and Kelsey (USGS), Corey Clatterbuck - Madison), Bill Henry (Groundswell Black-footed (Phoebastria (San Diego State University) to compare Ecology), Ben Becker (National Park immutabilis and P. nigripes) from the foraging ecology of Western Gulls Service), and Portia Halbert (California Midway Atoll in collaboration with along California and Oregon. Scott State Parks) published a data release Lesley Thorne (Stony Brook University Shaffer and his former M.Sc. student of all standardized murrelet surveys ), Leigh Torres, Rachael Orben, and Greg Taylor published on a project with conducted in Zone 6 from 1999-2017 Rob Suryan (Oregon State University). Josh Ackerman (USGS) that examined (Felis et al. 2018 U.S. Geological Survey Scott is also collaborating with Rachael the effects of mercury contamination data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/ Orben, Rosana Paredes (Oregon on the egg attendance behavior of F75B01RW). State University), and Sasha Kitaysky Forster’s Terns (Sterna forsteri) in San Josh Adams, Jonathan Felis, and (University of Alaska, Fairbanks) on Francisco Bay. Finally, Scott continues Emma Kelsey (USGS), in collaboration a project that focused on the breeding collaborating with Olivier Chastel, with Bill Standley (Bureau of Land distribution and ecology of red-legged Pierre Blevin, Henri Weimerskirch, Management), Matthew McKown, and black-legged kittiwakes in the Fredric Angelier, and Christophe Jeff Schlueter, and Kerry Dunleavy Pribilof Islands. Scott’s former M.Sc. Barbraud of Centre National de la (Conservation Metrics Inc.), and with student Abram Fleishman (San Jose Recherche Scientifique-Centre d’Etudes help from Ryan Carle (Oikonos), Jessie State University) worked in the field Biologiques de Chizé in France to Beck (Oikonos), David Mazurkiewicz with Rachael and examined the effects examine egg attendance behavior and (Channel Island National Park), of mercury level on breeding success contaminants in high latitude species. Amelia DuVall (USGS), Mike Parker in the kittiwakes. Abram defended his Samantha Richman and Susan De La

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Cruz (both USGS Western Ecosystems Research Center) are finishing up a report on targeted restoration actions for sea ducks injured by coastal oil spills for the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program. They have started a pilot habitat restoration project in San Francisco Bay to enhance habitat and food resources for wintering populations of waterfowl. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Compiled by André Raine

Trevor Joyce is a National Research Council postdoctoral associate working with Lisa Ballance at the Rhinoceros Auklet. Photo credit: David Pereksta National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Southwest David Mazurkiewicz outlined work modules for alcids have been installed Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC). carried out in 2018 in the Channel within the habitat restoration area. Trevor is jointly developing a database Islands National Park. Seabird habitat At Santa Barbara Island: California of seabird transect surveys in the restoration efforts continued on Anacapa Brown Pelican breeding population California Current spanning multiple Island with support from the California and reproductive success estimates decades and research projects. This Institute of Environmental Studies are obtained with support from the nearly comprehensive database will (CIES) and Montrose Settlements Ventura USFWS office. This work is enable the development of seabird Restoration Program combining efforts funded through 2020. Reproductive species distribution and relative with Channel Islands National Park monitoring of Scripps’s murrelets abundance models by researchers (CINP) and Channel Islands Restoration continued and has been done annually at the NOAA National Centers for to improve native plant cover for seabirds since 2007; 100 artificial nest modules Coastal Ocean Science. Trevor is also at East Anacapa Island. Since 2016, over are monitored annually for Cassin’s helping to create an atlas of seabird 10,500 native plants have been installed Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) and at-sea distribution patterns over the in approximately three restored acres. Scripps’s Murrelet nesting as part of this California Current, Hawaii, the Line Seabird monitoring efforts in CINP have effort. Mist net captures were performed Islands, and the Eastern Tropical Pacific been performed with support from CIES for Ashy Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma using extensive SWFSC strip transect at Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, homochroa) monitoring in cooperation sampling. Trevor’s research interests and San Miguel islands (Prince Island with Josh Adams. also include abundance estimation, with Josh Adams, U.S. Geological At Santa Cruz Island: Cassin’s foraging ecology, and responses to El Survey [USGS]) with funding from Auklet reproductive monitoring at Niño-Southern Oscillation climatic various sources including the Montrose Scorpion Rock continued. Reproductive variability. Settlements Restoration Program. monitoring of Ashy Storm-petrel at Annette Henry works with the At Anacapa Island: California Brown multiple sea cave colonies and Orizaba NOAA Fisheries’ National Seabird Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) Rock continued in 2018 with the support Program which is tasked to monitor and breeding population and reproductive of partners Josh Adams (USGS), Bill reduce seabird bycatch in U.S. Fisheries, success estimates are obtained with McIver (USFWS), and CINP. Lastly, at support global efforts to reduce seabird support from the Ventura U.S. Fish and San Miguel Island, annual mist-netting interactions with international fisheries, Wildlife Service (USFWS) office. This of Ashy Storm-petrels was conducted and promote the importance of seabirds work is funded through 2020. Scripps’s in conjunction with USGS, CIES and as ecosystem indicators as a vital Murrelet (Synthliboramphus scrippsi) CINP at Prince Island. component of healthy ocean habitats. reproductive monitoring and nocturnal Josh Adams, Laney White, Amelia She continues studying the migration spotlight surveys were conducted with DuVall, and Cheryl Horton (USGS), energetics of Eared Grebes (Podiceps support from Sonoran Joint Venture and in collaboration with David Pereksta nigricollis). private donors. Twenty artificial nest (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management),

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 61 REGIONAL REPORTS have started aerial surveys of seabird impacting endangered seabirds (in the mountains. and marine mammal distributions off past, Newell’s Shearwater fledglings As part of KESRP’s Underline Southern California. have been attracted to the lights of night Monitoring Project, Marc Travers, football games, resulting in significant Angela Stamen, Theresa Geelhoed, H AWAI’I fallout leading to a cessation of games Adam Elzinga, and André Raine Compiled by André Raine in the last few years). KESRP provided continued to investigate seabird take the County with a risk calculator (based through power line collisions on Kauaʻi. André Raine, Megan Vynne, on time of year, moon phase and moon Using acoustic monitoring of power line Scott Driskill and the rest of the team rise times) for proposed dates for games collisions and direct observations of from the Kauaʻi Endangered Seabird in September 2018, with the result that seabird collisions and dead birds under Recovery Project (KESRP) continued three night football games were played wires, the data indicate that power a number of long running conservation just before the fallout season, with no line collisions are the single greatest and research programs on the island of downed seabirds. documented source of mortality for Kauaʻi, focused on the three endangered KESRP also continues to undertake Newell’s Shearwaters and Hawaiian seabirds breeding on the island; Newell’s seabird monitoring on Lehua Islet, Petrels on Kauaʻi and are having Shearwater (Puffinus newelli), Hawaiian which was particularly important in population level effects. Working with Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), 2018 due to the on-going rat eradication funding from the Kauaʻi Island Utility and Band-rumped Storm-petrel and ecosystem restoration project on Co-operative, the team has been (Oceanodroma castro). The long-term the islet that was initiated in 2017. The developing a number of ways to reduce predator control and seabird monitoring project is run by the Hawai’i DLNR these collisions, including the creation projects continued at Upper Limahuli Division of Forestry and Wildlife of laser fences at key collision hot spots Preserve and five sites in Hono O Nā (DOFAW), in conjunction with federal (to create a visual barrier for birds to fly Pali NAR, with intensive cat, rat, pig sponsor USFWS, technical partner over power lines) as well as looking at and introduced Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Island Conservation, and the cooperating bird diverters, removal of the top power control. The results at the end of the 2017 members of the Lehua Island Restoration lines and the potential for relocation breeding season revealed the highest Steering Committee. KESRP’s work or realignment of existing lines. In reproductive success rates and call rates on the islet included annual albatross 2018, we also began testing the use of to date across most sites, showing that counts, song meters targeting a diverters that have a blinking LED light these projects are having significant and number of seabirds to assess change to aid birds in wire detection in complete measurable conservation effects. We before and after rat eradication efforts darkness. are awaiting the results of the end of started, and 75 permanent seabird plots Jay Penniman, Jenni Learned, the 2018 season to see if these positive focusing on ground nesting seabirds. Martin Frye, Puakea Mo‛okini- results continue. A translocation project We also monitored over 400 burrows Oliveira, and Karla Trigueros of for Newell’s Shearwater and Hawaiian of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Ardenna Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project Petrel continued for the fourth year in pacifica), Bulwer’s Petrels (Bulweria (MNSRP) continue to search for and 2018, with 19 Newell’s Shearwater and 20 bulwerii) and Red-tailed Tropicbirds monitor burrows, and provide predator Hawaiian Petrel being translocated from (Phaethon rubricauda) throughout the control for Hawaiian petrel on leeward mountain colonies to the predator proof season to assess potential changes in Haleakala, Maui. Burrow counts fence at Nihokū (Kīlauea Point NWR) as reproductive success rates after the have increased from 8 in 2014 to 55 part of a multi-partner project including rat eradication project was initiated. this year. Reproductive success has KESRP, Pacific Rim Conservation, In conjunction with Rachel Sprague increased from zero in 2014 to 50% in American Bird Conservancy, National and Elizabeth Kain (Pūlama Lānaʻi), 2017. Since completion of an ungulate Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. KESRP has also continued in its fourth exclusion fence in 2014, assessment Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), year of monitoring the Hawaiian Petrel of revegetation has been performed Hawaii Department of Land and Natural colonies of the island of Lānaʻi, using annually. Work is ongoing to identify Resources (DLNR), Pacific Studies Co- a combination of song meters, burrow potential seabird colony restoration operative Unit and National Tropical checks, auditory surveys and burrow sites above the predicted sea level rise Botanical Garden. With this year’s cameras. Reproductive success rates throughout the high Hawaiian Islands. chicks, a total of 70 Hawaiian Petrel have improved dramatically on Lānaʻi MNSRP staff have identified four sites and 45 Newell’s Shearwater have now since the initiation of a new predator on Maui with potential for community been translocated since 2015. KESRP control project by Pūlama Lānaʻi. This engagement in ecological restoration also continued to work with the County year, data loggers were also deployed within predator proof fences. Invasive of Kauai to devise a way to allow night on Hawaiian Petrels to chart overland weeds and mammalian predators must football games to occur on Kauai without flyways to and from colonies in the be removed so that coastal strand native

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the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance to require minimal short wave light (<500 nm) in all nighttime lighting in the county as well as standard methods to minimize light trespass continues to be a challenge. MNSRP partners with astronomers, turtle biologists, and near shore, coral reef community biologists in these efforts. Big shout out to the Westin Ka‛anapali for eliminating their mercury vapor lights that used to shine directly out to sea after hearing MNSRP’s pleas for dark sky values. Pacific Rim Conservation (PRC) has continued to expand upon their “no net loss” program where the goal is to create equal amounts of predator-free high island habitat to match what is currently Lehua Islet fieldwork. Photo credit: André Raine being lost to erosion and sea level rise vegetation can be reintroduced, seabirds banded as chicks each fall, four acoustic in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. can be provided safe breeding areas, monitors were deployed to listen for In 2018, 25 Black-footed Albatrosses and local people can have access to night attending species, Bulwer’s (Phoebastria nigripes, BFAL), 53 plant material and traditional sites for Petrel and Band-rumped Storm- Bonin Petrels (Pterodroma hypoleuca, cultural practice. At Ho‛okipa, one such petrel. With U.S. Geological Survey BOPE) and 25 Tristram’s Storm-petrel potential site, restoration has begun (USGS) staff, Josh Adams and Emma (Oceanodroma tristrami, TRSP) chicks with weed removal and out-planting Kelsey, MNSRP initiated the Maui from Papahānaumokuākea Marine of native coastal strand habitat plants. Nui portion of an update to the Hawai‛i National Monument were translocated On Molokai, MNSRP is partnering Seabird Colony Atlas. Compilation by ship to James Campbell National with The Nature Conservancy in of all historical data has begun, Wildlife Refuge on Oahu. The birds managing the Mo‛omomi Wedge-tailed working from Bob and Peter Pyle’s, were placed in a predator exclusion fence Shearwater colony and with the Molokai Birds of the Hawaiian Islands, Craig where the PRC team of biologists raised Land Trust at their Mokio Preserve to Harrison’s, Seabirds of the Hawaiian them on a diet of fish and squid slurry, monitor for Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Islands, and Stuart Fefer’s, Catalogue and closely monitored their health and Band-rumped Storm-petrel, and of Hawaiian Seabird Colonies. A boat growth. Fledging success was 97% Bulwer’s Petrel. At Mokio, American survey circumnavigating Molokai (100/103) overall, including 88% for Bird Conservancy is also a partner in and the deployment of 11 automated BFAL (22/25), 100% for BOPE (53/53) a social attraction project for Laysan acoustic monitors on 6 offshore islets and 100% for TRSP. This is the second Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis). and three montane wet forest sites were year of BFAL translocations at this site Decoys and acoustic playback of the the first steps in this multi-year effort. and the first year of BOPE and TRSP species calls were deployed last year The wet forest acoustic monitors are translocations. Three years of Laysan and a visiting bird was recorded on a placed to listen for Hawaiian Petrel, Albatross (LAAL) translocations took wildlife camera set at the site within Newell’s Shearwater, Band-rumped place at this site from 2015 - 2017, a week of deployment. Fern Duvall Storm-petrel, Bulwer’s Petrel and the, and the first returning translocated (DOFAW) initiated a mark recapture hopefully not extinct, Molokai Thrush chick, raised in 2015, was resighted study of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters in (Oloma‛o, Myadestes lanaiensis). two different times within the predator Maui Nui in 1997. MNSRP continues MNSRP outreach staff,Emily Severson exclusion fence this year. PRC continues this project and staff travelled to Oahu and Nancy Taylor continue to lead to do a variety of seabird monitoring this year to train graduate student, efforts in Maui County to address light surveys across Hawai’i and the Pacific as Brooke Friswold, and her lab mates pollution that causes seabird fallout, well as working on Newell’s Shearwater to capture and band Wedge-tailed especially during the fall fledging of and Hawaiian Petrel translocations on Shearwaters there for her study of Hawaiian Petrels and Wedge-tailed Kaua’i. light distraction and seabird fallout on Shearwaters. Effective communication The Pacific Missile Range Facility leeward Oahu. On the islet of Molokini, with the county council and the mayoral (PMRF) Natural Resources (NR) where Wedge-tailed Shearwaters are candidates to stimulate action to update Program team consists of two Wildlife

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Field Biologists and two Predator PMRF Executive Officer through a time in a decade at the south airfield Control Biologists hired through a waiver process. Additionally, lighting and beach cottages colonies by counting cooperative agreement between the US inspections of the base are conducted burrows and WTSH chicks. Navy and the Research Corporation of weekly, ground searches are performed PMRF is home to a colony of Laysan the University of Hawaiʻi. The positions in high-risk areas for downed seabirds, Albatross (LAAL) who breed within the are supervised by Jessi Hallman and PMRF houses a seabird aid station airfield operating area and northward Behnke, Installation Environmental for Save Our Shearwaters, the island’s ending at the Kauaʻi Test Facility run Program Director (IEPD), and Rachel sole seabird rehabilitation clinic, that by Sandia Laboratories. As LAAL are a Herring, on-site PMRF Natural is checked daily. In 2018, night-time large seabird species and at high risk of Resources Manager (NRM). The PMRF surveys were performed for transiting striking aircraft, USDA-WS personnel NR Program manages seabirds at three adults of the three species listed above survey for LAAL nests and adults daily PMRF sites located on the island of at the PMRF Kokeʻe Site C from 1 May during the breeding season. Nests are Kauaʻi: 1) Barking Sands on the Mana - 1 June and 1 July - 15 September. reported to the field biologists who Plain, 2) Makaha Ridge Tracking Using standard operating procedures respond to collect data on the nest and Station, and 3) a communications modelled after the Kauaʻi Endangered collect the egg for incubation on-site. In support facility near Kokeʻe State Seabird Recovery Project’s Underline 2017/2018, the annual Laysan Albatross Park. Predator control for feral cats, Monitoring Program methodology, Egg Swap program was continued in rats, and dogs is performed at all three observers monitor two communication which PMRF NR works with the State of these sites in an effort to protect towers at the site for seabird strikes using Department of Fish and Wildlife, PRC, native species. PMRF Barking Sands a high-powered infrared light and night Kauaʻi Albatross Network, and other supports an active airfield used mainly vision goggles for 2.5 hours, 30 minutes partners to swap fertile LAAL eggs laid for training by various government after sunset, and three hours before at PMRF with infertile eggs in nests agencies. The Bird Aircraft Strike sunrise for 2.5 hours. In conjunction on the north shore of the island within Hazard (BASH) wildlife management with these surveys, the towers are predator managed colonies. In this way, program is supported by Katherine monitored for strikes using SM4 song the LAAL population is discouraged Rubiano (Wildlife Biologist, U.S. meter automated recording units. Lastly, from growing in the dangerous area Department of Agriculture-Wildlife the Navy submitted a proposal through of the PMRF airfield and bolstered far Services [USDA-WS]), and Peter Silva the Navy Readiness and Environmental away on the north side of the island. (USDA-WS Technician). Naval Facilities Protection Integration Program to Adult LAAL are captured by USDA- Engineering Command Pacific manages support a proactive conservation WS personnel during airfield operating the contracting for annual aerial seabird initiative between the U.S. Navy, hours and either kept in large crates surveys of Kaʻula Rock. These surveys USFWS, and the National Fish and until they are released at the south are performed using high resolution Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) for the boundary of base after the airfield imagery and an algorithm to identify conservation of Newell’s Shearwater. closes, or driven to private properties on Pacific seabird species, then verified by The proposal was approved in late 2018 the north shore of Kauaʻi. The goal of a human observer. and planning is currently underway adult LAAL relocation is to encourage Although no endangered seabird for $1 million in Navy funds to be the birds to find an alternative nesting nesting colonies occur at Pacific transferred to a NFWF account and location, therefore the effort occurs two Missile Range Facility (PMRF) sites be used to fund a largescale predator months into the season, from January- on Kauaʻi, Newell’s Shearwater, control project which will benefit the May, when non-breeders are present at Hawaiian Petrel, and Band-rumped seabirds and numerous other native the colony. Storm-petrel transit from the ocean to species. Linda Elliott, Patrick Hogan, and their montane nesting colonies near all PMRF Barking Sands supports three Alexis Wessels reported on the work three sites. To avoid seabird “fallout” colonies of Wedge-tailed Shearwater being conducted by the Hawaiʻi Wildlife associated with lighting attraction, the (WTSH). One colony is monitored for Center (HWC). On the island of Hawaiʻi, PMRF Natural Resources Manager mortalities weekly and predator control HWC’s avian and bat hospital has had (NRM) and Installation Environmental is performed, along with fencing, signs 14 species of seabirds from throughout Program Director (IEPD) coordinate and protective A-frame covers are used the state in care so far in 2018, including the PMRF Dark Skies Program in to prevent the crushing of burrows. To all three species of boobies at the same which all non-essential lighting is help reduce BASH risk to pilots and time: Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra), turned off during the fledging season WTSH, USDA-WS manages the colony Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster), and of the three previously listed species. within the airfield operating area. In Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) including Lighting necessary for night operations late October 2017, WTSH population an adult brown phase, and two species is approved by the NRM, IEPD, and surveys were conducted for the first of albatross, Laysan Albatross and

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Black-footed Albatross. The species of seabirds that have been in larger numbers this year to date have been: orphaned White Terns (Gygis alba), and Wedge-tailed Shearwater chicks, in care due to displacement from storm surge and public rescues. On Oʻahu, HWC is partnering with DOFAW for a second year of the Oʻahu Seabird Aid project for response to downed seabirds, mainly affecting Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. Last year approximately 250 Wedge- tailed Shearwaters were picked up as part of the response program. HWC will be providing a stabilization site in partnership with the Honolulu Zoo, first responder training programs in partnership with DOFAW, and rehabilitation services at the main HWC Mokuaeae Islet fieldwork. Photo credit: André Raine wildlife hospital. Other organizations including James Campbell National tallying numbers of all seabird species. levels have declined in both eggs and Wildlife Refuge, local veterinary Field efforts have been undertaken feathers of fledglings in Common Terns clinics, humane society, Sea Life Park around all the main Hawaiian Islands (Sterna hirundo), Black Skimmers and community volunteers are providing and are typically two-three week long ( niger), several gulls, and drop-off locations, transportation surveys off one island area at a time, egrets. However, mercury levels have and release assistance. HWC is also spread throughout the year. This is a varied markedly, but not declined. partnering with DOFAW, the Honolulu collaborative effort with Peter Pyle of Since 1975, the number of colonies and Zoo, and USFWS for the September the Institute for Bird Populations. nesting pairs has also declined for all 2018 kick-off of the soft release project Josh Adams and Emma Kelsey species, except Great Egrets (Egretta for White Terns. This project fills the (USGS), in collaboration with Jay alba) and Great Black-backed Gull need for the supplemental feeding and Penniman, Jenni Learned, Puakea (Larus marinus). During this period, monitoring of orphaned juvenile White Mo’okini-Oliveira, and Martin Frye several colony sites used in the 1970s Terns as they fledge. (Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project), disappeared, and many others became HWC also provided reports on their Hannah Nevins (American Bird too low for birds to nest successfully; work on Maui and Lanai. On Maui, Conservancy), Butch Haase (Molokai this change was due to sea level rise and HWC provides rehabilitative services Land Trust) and with support from increases in severe storms and flooding for downed seabirds transfered by David Pereksta (Bureau of Ocean during the nesting season. World-wide the Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Energy Management) initiated boat- data shows that sea level rise is highest Project. Seabird species include: based as well as acoustic surveys of in the northeastern U.S. Atlantic coast Hawaiian Petrel, Leachʻs Storm Petrel Molokai to inform a new seabird colony compared to other areas. The continued (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), White- atlas of the Main Hawaiian Islands. decline in the suitability of nesting tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus) islands in Barnegat Bay will likely lead and Wedge-tailed Shearwater. On NON-PACIFIC to further declines in population and Lanai, HWC in partnership with Pūlama reproductive success. Data from 1970s Lānaʻi, responds to downed seabirds for UNITED STATES to 2016 were analyzed and summarized stabilization and rehabilitation. Seabird Compiled by Samantha Richman in Burger and Gochfeld (2016) Habitat, species include: Hawaiian Petrel and Population Dynamics and Metal Levels White-tailed Tropicbird. Joanna Burger and Michael in Colonial Waterbirds: A Food Chain During ongoing small-boat surveys Gochfeld (Rutgers University) continued Approach (CRC Press). The book covers for cetaceans around the main their studies of colony numbers, population levels and heavy metal levels reproductive success, habitat use, and Hawaiian Islands, Robin Baird in bays and estuaries from Chesapeake (Cascadia Research Collective) has heavy metal levels in colonial birds Bay to Boston Harbor. been photographically documenting nesting in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey. Joanna Burger (Rutgers University) petrels and other unusual seabirds and Since the 1970s, lead and cadmium has been working on migratory

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 65 REGIONAL REPORTS and intertidal foraging behavior of in 2014 and 2015 supported both the opportunities for local enhancement and Red Knots (Calidris canutus rufa) long-term “variation in staging site use” facilitation have changed with changing in Delaware Bay, with Larry Niles work that Jeff has been doing and two climate. (Conserve Wildlife of New Jersey), M.Sc. projects by Melissa Althouse Under the guidance of Patrick Jodice Mandy Dey (NJ Endangered and (State University of New York College (USGS, South Carolina Cooperative Nongame Species Program), and others. of Environmental Science and Forestry) Fish and Wildlife Research Unit [USGS Her studies on use of the intertidal and Kayla Davis (Virginia Polytechnic SCCRU], and Clemson University zone by knots and other shorebirds has Institute and State University). Melissa [CU]), research continued on seabirds in shown that they are foraging along the has had two manuscripts either the Southeast U.S., the Gulf of Mexico, tide line at high tide, but move out into published or accepted for publication and the Caribbean. To assist the U.S. the mudflats to forage during low tide. and Kayla has two undergoing review Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Although some remain in each tidal based on chapters of their respective Bureau of Ocean Energy Management segment, some shorebirds move along theses. Jeff was sole or senior author (BOEM), state agencies, and the Gulf with the tide, foraging farther and farther on three other manuscripts in 2018 and of Mexico Avian Monitoring Network from shore. Their studies with migratory while he will be retiring on 31 December in developing management plans behavior have included placement of 2018, he intends to continue writing and future research and monitoring light-sensitive geolocators on knots to more manuscripts (and doing more efforts, Juliet Lamb (post-doctoral examine stopover areas, wintering sites, fieldwork) in the future as an “emeritus researcher, CU-SCCRU), Yvan Satgé non-stop flights (distance and times), scientist”. (research specialist, CU-SCCRU), and incubation behavior. With David There was no USGS funding for Jeff’s and Patrick Jodice studied colony- Mizrahi and Nellie Tsipoura (NJ fieldwork in 2018, so instead he took a specific movement patterns, habitat use Audubon), Joanna has been examining vacation and spent 57 days from 25 July and risk at sea, foraging ecology, and the levels of heavy metal in feathers and to 22 September birdwatching on Cape biology in the Eastern Brown Pelican blood of shorebirds on wintering sites Cod where he had a more than 50% (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) and on some stopover sites. For species increase in “total daily identifications of in the northern Gulf of Mexico. M.S. examined in Delaware Bay, New Jersey, terns with PFRs” over his 2017 results. student Rochelle Streker (CU-SCCRU) there were significant temporal trends Jeff was joined in his efforts for three is currently addressing information gaps in some species for some metals, but weeks in August by Catherine Neal on the reproductive ecology of Brown not for others. Except for selenium, and Ian Putnam and for one week in Pelicans in Mobile Bay, Alabama. On measured metal levels were well below September by Grace Cormons from the the Atlantic coast, Bradley Wilkinson the effects levels. All these studies are American Museum of Natural History (PhD student, CU-SCCRU) is assessing on-going, including work in New Jersey, Great Gull Island Project’s Roseate foraging ranges, movement patterns, Suriname, and Brazil. Tern Team. Jeff has not received data and migration paths of Eastern Brown Jeff Spendelow (U.S. Geological from all of his cooperators yet, but a Pelican breeding in South Carolina. Survey [USGS] Patuxent Wildlife preliminary look at the data received as Patrick Jodice, Lisa Ferguson Research Center, MD) coordinates of 30 September 2018 indicates that after (Director of Research and Conservation, cooperative research on the the major changes in the distribution The Wetlands Institute) and Yvan Satgé, metapopulation dynamics and ecology of staging terns seen in 2017, things created a Seabird Colony Registry of the endangered northwest Atlantic apparently returned “back to normal” in and Atlas for the Southeastern United breeding population of Roseate Terns the use of staging sites on the outer and States (2003 - 2017) and delivered it to (Sterna dougallii). After ~35 years of northern parts of Cape Cod in 2018. the USFWS. The Registry and Atlas concentrating on colony-site research Richard Veit has been working with are intended for use by local, state, and in the Massachusetts-New York- Lucinda Zawadzki on vagrancy to federal resource managers to aid in the Connecticut area, since 2011 he has been North America by Lesser Black-backed development of regional conservation focusing on temporal and geographic Gulls (Larus fuscus), on climate effects and management plans, and enhance variation in the use of staging sites upon Common (Sterna hirundo) and understanding of species phenology and in the “Cape [Cod] & Islands” area of Roseate Terns in Massachusetts with distribution. Ferguson, L.M., Y. Satgé, Massachusetts by Hatch Year (HY) and Lisa Manne and Ian Nisbet, and of J. Tavano, and P.G.R. Jodice. 2018. adult ROSTs (especially non-breeding foraging and diet of Herring Gulls Seabird colony registry and atlas for the adults) given 3-character plastic field- (Larus argentatus) with Leslie Thorne Southeastern United States. Final Report readable (PFR) bands at 12 colony sites and Matt Fuirst. He is analyzing for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. spanning the entire breeding range from spatial co-occurrence of seabirds South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Connecticut to Nova Scotia. Funding species around South Georgia in winter Wildlife Research Unit, Clemson, South from the Cape Cod National Seashore with Samantha Monier to see if Carolina.

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Welch continued their satellite tracking work into 2018 marking the sixth consecutive year of following wintering Great Shearwaters (Puffinus gravis) in the Gulf of Maine. Annual variation in spatial use of the Gulf of Maine from 2013 - 2017 has now been evaluated and will be described in a future publication. Sand lance (Ammodytes spp.) were documented to be being taken by shearwaters and it appears that these forage fish provide an important link to the distribution of the birds. Information on molt and stable isotopes (i.e. feathers, exhaled gases, and blood) were also collected. Results from the combined shearwater tagging efforts in New Brunswick (Rob Ronconi), . Photo credit: David Pereksta Maine (USFWS), and the SBNMS effort were recently published: Powers et. al Together with Jeff Gleason(USFWS) Caribbean Netherlands Science 2017. Movements and Foraging Habits and Chris Haney (TerraMar LLC), Institute) on the study of the foraging of Great Shearwater (Puffinus gravis) Yvan Satgé (CU-SCCRU), and Pamela and reproductive ecology of Red-billed in the Gulf of Maine, Marine Ecology Michael (post-doctoral researcher CU- Tropicbird (Phaeton aethereus) on Sint Progress Series, 574: 211-226. SCCRU), Patrick Jodice is conducting Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands. Linda Welch is working with Boston vessel-based surveys for pelagic In 2017, Pam Loring (USFWS Region University (BU), Long Island University, seabirds in the northern Gulf of Mexico 5) and Linda Welch (Maine Coastal and the University of New England as part of the newly initiated Gulf of Islands National Wildlife Refuge), (UNE) to try and better understand Mexico Marine Assessment Program in collaboration with USFWS R5 foraging behavior and diet composition for Protected Species (GoMMAPS, with Migratory Bird Program, BOEM, and in Common and Arctic Terns, Atlantic funding from BOEM). In what is now the the Avian Research and Conservation PuffinsFratercula ( arctica), and Great most extensive at-sea survey for seabirds Institute, equipped five incubating Shearwaters. Samples were collected in the Gulf, 14 surveys were conducted Common Terns with 2-gram solar from several tern and puffin breeding since 2017 (totaling more than 200 days satellite tags. Teflon tape harnesses were colonies in Maine to document the at sea) using National Oceanic and used to attach the tags, and documented presence of specific forage fish in the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the birds flying more than 50 km to seabirds’ diet. Current monitoring vessels to assess the abundance and forage during the nesting season. efforts on the colonies indicate what distribution of birds utilizing the pelagic Post breeding, all five terns staged on species of fish are delivered to chicks, but environment. Cape Cod, with staging time varying information on the diet of adult seabirds Yvan Satgé and Patrick Jodice are from a few days to six weeks. Two of is unknown. Shearwater samples were collaborating with Ernst Rupp (Grupo the terns had close encounters with collected in Massachusetts during Jaragua) to track the provisioning trips multiple hurricanes, apparently flying satellite tagging efforts with SBNMS. of chick-rearing Black-capped Petrel straight through Hurricane Maria. UNE found up to 12 species of forage (Pterodroma hasitata) breeding in the All the terns flew to Venezuela, spent fish in the 2017 samples and is currently Dominican Republic (with funding time in Suriname and French Guiana, analyzing the 2018 samples. BU and from the Neotropical Bird Club). They before wintering in Brazil. Two of the UNE are conducting the stable isotope are also conducting a diet study using a transmitters continued tracking the analysis of blood and breath samples, genetic analysis of fecal DNA (funding birds on their return flight to Maine as part of a larger effort to understand from BirdsCaribbean). Results on the and throughout the nesting season. One seabird and forage fish interactions foraging ecology of Black-capped Petrel transmitter continues tracking a tern for throughout the Gulf of Maine. will inform conservation plans for the the second wintering season. Laura Bliss is continuing her Ph.D. species. David Wiley, Ken Powers (NOAA with Dr. Gail Davoren at the University Patrick Jodice is also advising Stellwagen Bank National Marine of Manitoba. Her Ph.D. work focuses on Hannah Madden (project leader, Sanctuary [SBNMS]), and Linda forage fish-seabird systems in Atlantic

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Canada. Laura is also working with her the creations of an Ecopath model for have been recorded, for some of which co-supervisor Dr. Jen Zamon exploring Elegant Terns and Heermann’s Gulls. social attraction techniques were key. the spatial relationship between Ecopath models are tools that allow the For example, the was last resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) inclusion of different groups in a single recorded on San Roque 90 years ago and and Common Murres (Uria aalge), equation, changes can be assumed in a it has now finally returned to nest after 8 and seasonal differences in Cassin’s single group to evaluate the response of years of implementing social attraction Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) the system. Isotope values of C and N and techniques. Also, CAAU returned to all distribution in the Northern California the use of Ecopath models are the two historical nesting sites. Furthermore, Current. For more information methods that the team is implementing 12 new colonies of several species have about Laura’s research, please in the central Gulf of California. Results been recorded becoming established visit https://laurablisseco.wordpress. of this research will help to propose an on these islands, which recolonized com/ or https://www.facebook.com/ ecosystem based management of prey naturally. Monitoring continued for PlacentiaBayCapelinPredator/. and predators in the Gulf of California, seabird populations on islands in the and to consider the creation of no-take Mexican Pacific through: (1) the use of zones during the breeding season of geolocators on Guadalupe, Natividad, LATIN AMERICA seabirds in the Midriff Island Region of San Benito and Socorro for BVSH, Compiled by André F. Raine the Gulf of California. TOSH and LAAL; (2) the deployment of Federico Méndez-Sanchez, Automatic Recording Units on Socorro; Rigoberto Rosas-Luis (CONACYT- Executive Director of the Grupo de (3) the use of detection dogs for petrels Tecnológico Nacional de México, Ecología y Conservación de Islas and shearwaters on Guadalupe and Instituto Tecnológico de Chetumal) (GECI), reports on the continued work Socorro; and (4) counts and censuses of and Enriqueta Velarde (Instituto of GECI’s Seabird Restoration Program nests and burrows on 12 islands. GECI’s de Ciencias Marinas y Pesquerías, on Mexican Islands, implementing lead contact for all these activities is Universidad Veracruzana) are social attraction techniques for three Yuliana Bedolla-Guzmán, Project currently focused on a study entitled species of cormorants: Brandt’s, Director for Marine Birds (yuliana. “Stable isotopes of δ13C and δ15N and Double-crested, and Pelagic bedolla [at] islas.org.mx). ecosystem models of seabirds of the Gulf (Phalacrocorax penicillatus, P. auritus, In 2017, Gabriela De la Cruz Pino of California.” Their research focuses and P. pelagicus) on Coronado and (Universidad Veracruzana [UV]) was on an analysis of the trophic ecology of Todos Santos; Black-footed and Laysan assistant as observer at sea of birds from seabirds using stable isotopes of δ13C Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes and Boca del Río coast and Jamapa River and δ15N. The work concentrates on P. immutabilis, LAAL) on Guadalupe; in Veracruz, under the direction of Dr. the central Gulf of California, where LAAL also on Clarión; and Elegant Enriqueta Velarde (Institute of Marine they are collecting feather samples of and Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) Sciences and Fisheries, UV). This Elegant Terns (Thalasseus elegans) and on San Roque and Asuncion. In total, monitoring was part of Hydrographic Heermann’s Gulls (Larus heermanni), 1,725 decoys and 19 sound systems Monitoring of the Coasts of Veracruz and samples of muscle tissue of their were deployed. For burrowing species, project of Institute of Marine Sciences prey in 2017 and 2018. Preliminary social attraction techniques targeted: and Fisheries. Currently she is a MSc results showed that both species are Cassin’s Auklet (Ptychoramphus student in Marine Ecology and Fisheries using different feeding sources in aleuticus, CAAU) on Coronado, Todos of the same institute, where her thesis the area, and that the contribution of Santos, San Martín, San Jerónimo, focuses on the reproductive strategies of each prey to the nutrition of seabirds Natividad, San Benito, San Roque, Heermann’s Gull on Rasa Island, Gulf of is a factor that defines the use and and Asunción; Guadalupe Murrelet California, Mexico. This work is under consumption of prey. Isotope results of (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus) on direction of Dr. Enriqueta Velarde and the analysis of prey demonstrated that San Benito; Black-vented Shearwater Dr. Ernesto Ruelas Inzunza (Institute small pelagic fishes, mainly northern (Puffinus opisthomelas, BVSH) on of Biotechnology and Applied Ecology). anchovy (Engraulis mordax), Pacific Guadalupe and Natividad; Townsend’s The goal of this study is to determinate (Sardinops sagax), and chub Shearwater (Puffinus auricularis, how ringed individuals cope with El mackerel (Scomber japonicus), are TOSH) on Socorro and Clarión; Leach’s Niño Southern Oscillation effects during important feeding sources that favor Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) several breeding seasons. the reproductive success of Elegant on Guadalupe and Ashy Storm-petrel Ryan Carle, Pablo Manriquez, Terns and Heermann’s Gulls in the (O. homochroa) on Coronado and Paola González, Tiare Varela, Héctor central Gulf of California. On the other Todos Santos. In total, 837 artificial Gutiérrez, Guillermo de Rodt, Flora hand, the importance of seabirds in burrows and 17 sound systems were Rojas, Valentina Colodro, Verónica the ecosystem has been evaluated by deployed. To date, 22 recolonizations López, Michelle Hester, and Peter

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Hodum (all Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge) continued their long-term population monitoring and conservation work on Pink-footed Shearwaters (PFSH, Ardenna creatopus) in the Juan Fernández Islands and Mocha Island, Chile. Work on this species began in 2002, and has since focused on reducing land- based and at-sea threats through several conservation initiatives, including colony restoration, predator-proof fencing, and light fallout monitoring and mitigation. They are also collaborating with Chilean agencies, including the Instituto de Fomento Pesquero and the Subsecretaria de la Pesca, to identify critical regions where Pink-footed shearwater foraging overlaps with Pink-footed Shearwater. Photo credit: David Pereksta purse seine fishing activities in Chilean waters. Oikonos also has a multi- with baseline information as a way Waved Albatross (Phoebastria year breeding season monitoring and to monitor potential stress and health irrorata) to address threats on land and conservation program for De Filippi’s conditions. The research was done in sea with Kate Huyvaert (Colorado Petrel (Pterodroma defilippiana) in collaboration between Carlos Valle and State University), Elisa Goya the Juan Fernández Islands. New Susana Cardenas (Universidad San (Peru), Caroline Icaza (Ministry of programs in 2018-19 include working Francisco de Quito), Greg Lewbart and Environment, Ecuador), and bycatch with experts in wildlife-human conflicts Dianne Deresienski (North Carolina expert Nigel Brothers (Humane to assist with relationships involving State University), Jane Christman Society International, ). The chick-harvesting, deploying a new (University of Florida), and Rafael Díaz team plans to complete a report to the conservation fence to exclude cows (Galapagos National Park). working groups for the Agreement on and rabbits from a PFSH colony, and Hannah Nevins, Seabird Program the Conservation of Albatrosses and expanding governmental capacity for Director, American Bird Conservancy, Petrels early in 2019. quantifying beached seabird mortality. is working with several species of Dave Anderson at Wake Forest Carlos Valle reports on the Galapagos conservation concern in the Americas University and his group finished the seabird monitoring program that was including Endangered Black-capped 35th year of a study of ecology and life started several years ago. Last year Petrel (BCPE, Pterodroma hasitata) history of Nazca Boobies (Sula granti) in the project focused on the Red-footed with members of the BCPE Working Galapagos. At the study site on Española booby (Sula sula) nesting at Punta Group, including Jennifer Wheeler Island, there are at any one time around Pitt, San Cristobal Island. In July 2018, (Birds Caribbean), Adam Brown 5,000 banded, mostly known-age adults the population was sampled to obtain (Environmental Protection in the with comprehensive histories. Presently baseline information about stress Caribbean), Matthew McKown the team is concentrating on questions hormone levels and a general health (Conservation Metrics), Ernst Rupp involving age-related variation in assessment. Samples and data collected (Grupo Jaragua), Yvan Satgé and Pat foraging performance (grad student from select birds include: hormonal Jodice (Clemson State University), Jenny Howard), breeding success (grad traces extracted both from feathers consultant Kirsty Swinnerton, and student Emily Tompkins), and muscle and blood; heart rate; respiratory rate; Dean Demarest (USFWS). Collectively, contractile force (grad student Erynn body temperature; body weight; body the group is planning strategies for Rebol), incorporating environmental condition; blood analysis involving the next 5-year action plan to focus variability and individual effects. A a complete red and white cell count; on reducing impacts at known sites major change in diet 20 years ago and plasma biochemistry. The Red- in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, from principally Pacific to footed Booby colony being studied identifying new sites for protection, and principally flying fishCheilopogon ( may be exposed to visitors in the near determining the impact of at-sea threats. spp.) is explaining important variation future if the Galapagos National Park Hannah Nevins also is working with in many aspects of the bird’s lives, and opens the area as a new visiting site. a group of stakeholders to update the seems to be providing insights into This research will provide the Park Action Plan for Critically Endangered their future under ocean warming.

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Dave and others are wrapping up a and Cleland Island. The primary using drone-based imagery to census block of work on stress response and objective of this program, which was the population breeding in Victoria, BC. personality (grad student Jacquelyn initiated in 2006, is to study the effects Louise Waterhouse and Jenna Grace, now at Texas A & M). Dave of oceanographic variation on multiple Cragg of the British Columbia Ministry also continues to collaborate with Kate trophic levels – the diets of the auklets of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Huyvaert (Colorado State University) and of their major fish prey, Pacific Operations and Rural Development on conservation biology of Waved sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) and (MFLNRORD) in Nanaimo, BC Albatrosses. Pacific herring Clupea ( pallasii). They completed a third year of testing the continue to collaborate on this research effectiveness of using automated CANADA with researchers in Washington State, recording units (ARUs) to sample the Compiled by Trudy Chatwin and with Fisheries and Oceans Canada vocal activity of Marbled Murrelets in Nanaimo. The field crew for the BC (Brachyramphus marmoratus) small WESTERN CANADA portion of the work consisted of Isabelle forest habitat patches. ARUs were Mark Hipfner (Environment and Cellier (ECCC Delta – CWS), Nik deployed on Vancouver Island and Climate Change Canada, Delta – Clyde, Alice Domalik, Mark Hipfner, Haida Gwaii to sample a range of Wildlife Research Division [ECCC Agathe Lebeau (ECCC Delta – CWS), harvest histories (extent of harvest and Delta – WRD]) reports that summer and Megan Ross . While on the auklet time since harvest). Audio-visual and 2018 marked the 25th year of operation colonies, they also deployed GPS tags on radar surveys were conducted at each of the Centre for Wildlife Ecology’s Rhinoceros Auklets for a study of at-sea cluster of sites to compare with ARU seabird research and monitoring distributions and habitat selection being recordings. A landscape-level spatial program on Triangle Island. The led by Alice Domalik, whose MSc is co- analysis was completed by Lena Ware 2018 field crew consisted of David supervised by Mark Hipfner and David (Vancouver Island University) to score Bradley (Bird Studies Canada, Green (SFU, Burnaby); collected eggs metrics of habitat fragmentation for Delta), Amos Chow (ECCC Delta – and prey samples for a contaminants each study site. This research project Canadian Wildlife Service [CWS]), study being led by Mason King , whose aims to inform decision-making in Nik Clyde (ECCC Delta – WRD), PhD is co-supervised by John Elliott British Columbia regarding the value of Alice Domalik (ECCC Delta – WRD, (ECCC Delta – Wildlife Toxicology small patches in contributing to critical and M.Sc. Candidate, Simon Fraser Division) and Tony Williams (SFU, habitat for the Marbled Murrelet. University [SFU], Burnaby), Andrew Burnaby); completed the seventh year of Bernard Schroeder and Jonquil Huang (ECCC, Delta – CWS), Kevin a project investigating the consumption Crosby (Bernard K. Schroeder Kardynal (ECCC, Saskatoon – WRD), of salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) by Consulting [BKSC]) conducted a Mason King (PhD Candidate, SFU, seabirds in BC waters, in collaboration second season of Marbled Murrelet Burnaby), Elsie Krebs (ECCC, Delta – with Strahan Tucker (Department of radar and concurrent audio-visual WRD), Greg McLelland (ECCC, Delta Fisheries and Oceans Canada [DFO], surveys for Louise Waterhouse – CWS), Megan Ross (ECCC, Delta – Nanaimo – PBS); and completed the (MFLNRORD). Studies are designed to WRD), and Ken Wright (ECCC, Delta tenth year of a project investigating the compare Marbled Murrelet commuting – WRD), in addition to Mark. As in ingestion of microfibres/microplastics behaviours observed on radar with past years, the Triangle crew monitored by forage fish, in collaboration with audio-visual observations by field breeding chronology, breeding success Moira Galbraith (DFO, Sidney – surveyors and audio data recorded on and nestling diet in Cassin’s Auklet Institute of Ocean Sciences). Automated Recording Units (ARUs). (Ptychoramphus aleuticus), Rhinoceros Louise Blight (Procellaria Research Surveys were conducted near ARUs in Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata), and & Consulting; University of Victoria the Capilano watershed on the lower Black Oystercatcher (Haemotopius [UVIC] School of Environmental mainland of British Columbia and in bachmani). The crew also took soil Studies; and British Columbia Ministry the Klanawa, Sooke Lake and Tsitika cores and collected vegetation and of Environment and Climate Change watersheds of Vancouver Island. samples for stable isotope Strategy) has embarked on a project with Laurie Wilson (ECCC Delta – CWS) analysis for a project investigating the Ed Kroc (Department of Educational coordinated the Pacific CWS Seabird dynamic relationship between seabird and Counselling Psychology, and Colony Monitoring Program in 2018, populations and vegetation patterns on Special Education, University of revisiting permanent plots and assessing the island. British Columbia [UBC]) and Douglas occupancy rates at the Ancient Murrelet Research also continued on several Bertram (ECCC – WRD) to study (Synthliboramphus antiquus) and other major Rhinoceros Auklet colonies urban-nesting Glaucous-winged Gulls Cassin’s Auklet colonies on Ramsay in British Columbia (BC). ECCC – (Larus glaucescens) in the Canadian Island in the Gwaii Haanas National WRD visited Pine Island, Lucy Island, portion of the Salish Sea. This includes Park Reserve and Haida Heritage

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Anthropogenic Effects and Sea Level Rise” KEYNOTE SPEAKERS were: • Dr. Richard Fuller (School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland Australia): “Mud, Glorious Mud! Global Distribution and Conservation of Intertidal Wetlands” • Dr. Yvonne Verkuil (International Wader Study Group): “The Collapse of Intertidal Wetlands in the Yellow Sea: A Crucial Habitat for Migratory Waterbirds” Symposium #2. • Dr. Pat Baird and Stephanie Jones (USFWS), Co-conveners: Marbled Murrelet. Photo credit: Jenna Cragg “DHA and EPA – Essential in physiology of birds for Site, Haida Gwaii, BC. The second on the east coast of Moresby Island. In reproduction, migration, and year of a pilot study was conducted to general, little is known about the status homeostasis” investigate how ARUs & trail cameras of the petrel colonies along the BC Coast, KEYNOTE SPEAKERS were: could augment CWS’s long term as most have not been re-evaluated since • Dr. Pat Baird: “DHA and EPA – monitoring of population trends of the 1980s. Field crew included Laurie Essential in physiology of birds burrow-nesting seabirds. Field crew Wilson, Greg McClelland, Glen for reproduction, migration, and included Laurie Wilson, Dan Shervill, Keddie, Vivian Pattison, Caroline homeostasis” Greg McClelland, Patrick O’Hara Fox, and Megan Willie (all ECCC Delta • Dr. Chris Guglielmo (University (all ECCC Delta – CWS), Glen Keddie – CWS). of Western Ontario): “Do (ECCC – CWS contractor, Smithers, Finally, Laurie Wilson continues polyunsaturated fatty acids BC), and Vivian Pattison (UVIC). with her assessment of seabird bycatch matter for ? Global Positioning System (GPS) in commercial salmon gillnet fisheries. Pat and Dave Moore (Environment tracking devices were deployed on Reports of bird entanglements from the Canada) organized the 42nd annual incubating Ancient Murrelets on Department of Fisheries and Oceans meeting of The Waterbird Society Ramsay Island. We tracked a single (DFO) test fisheries with observer held two days before the IOC. Pat and foraging trip for one bird in a mated programs and bycatch events reported Kyle Elliott (McGill University) have pair. Vivian Pattison will analyze the by fishers will be tallied; these data put together a symposium on Seabird tracklogs as part of her graduate work at will be used to derive seabird bycatch energetics for the Waterbird Society’s UVIC. Specifically, she will determine estimates. annual meeting. https://waterbirds.org how to identify Ancient Murrelet Pat Baird (SFU and California State When not organizing conferences, behaviour states from GPS track logs, University) was on the local committee Pat Baird works on a global ecosystem use these logs to determine home range of the 2018 Ornithological Congress in project on phytoplankton, seabirds, and potential foraging locations, and Vancouver 20-26 August. She created and shorebirds as well as population explore whether biophysical variables two symposia for the Congress and ecology of Tufted PuffinsFratercula ( (such as bathymetry, sea surface height organized conveners and keynote cirrhata), terns (Onychoprion aleutica, anomaly, and chlorophyll-a) correlate speakers: Sterna paradisea, Sternula antillarum), with the foraging locations. Symposium #1. and gulls (Larus delawarensis, L. Leach’s Storm-petrels (Oceanodroma • Bruno Ens (Sovon, Dutch Centre Californicus, L. glaucescens, Rissa leucorhoa) and Fork-tailed Storm- for Field Ornithology) and Dr. tridactyla). petrels (Oceanodroma furcata) on Rock Richard Fuller (School of Pat Baird is Book Editor for Marine Islet were surveyed to determine current Biological Sciences, University Ornithology (2012 - present), is on the population estimates and occupancy of Queensland Australia), Co- Aleutian Tern Committee for PSG and rates. Rock Islet is one of the most conveners: “Loss of Tidal on the Strategic Planning Committee historically important petrel colonies Wetlands Worldwide - Direct for the Waterbird Society, where she just

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 71 finished a 3-year term as Councillor. She of habitat mapping varies from 2002- existing data gaps in seasonal coverage, is also a Director of the British Columbia 2017 and depletions of suitable habitat Kerry Woo is working with Caroline Section of The Wildlife Society. She is from forest harvesting are applied to the Fox (ECCC – CWS) to coordinate and collaborating on seabird research with a mapped habitat to 2017 to provide current conduct at-sea bird surveys with charter number of scientists from the U.S. and suitable nesting habitat estimates. vessels from November to March in the Canada. The most accurate mapping method Salish Sea and Strait of Juan de Fuca. Alan Burger (UVIC and independent is used for a given area; however, all Bernard Schroeder conducted consultant) is mostly retired but mapping methods have some degree of Marbled Murrelet radar counts at five continues some work on the Marbled inaccuracy. Updates to suitable nesting long-term population trend monitoring Murrelet including contracts, reviews, habitat mapping are ongoing. locations in the East Coast Vancouver conservation, and publishing. Alan is In February 2018, the Province of Island Conservation Region of BC currently the President of the Federation British Columbia approved the BC for Kerry Woo. Jonquil Crosby and of British Columbia Naturalists. Marbled Murrelet Implementation Plan. Dave Baird (BKSC) provided audio- Trudy Chatwin (retired biologist with The plan outlines priority actions and visual support radar surveys. Surveyed Province of British Columbia) carried timelines that represent the province’s locations included: Lake Cowichan, on with Double-crested Cormorant commitment to Marbled Murrelet Nanaimo Lake, Salmon River (at Kelsey (Phalocrocorax auritus) surveys in the nesting habitat management: https:// Bay), Sooke Lake and Upper Campbell Strait of Georgia (Canadian section of the www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/ Lake. Salish Sea). The purpose of the surveys plants--ecosystems/species- Efforts to maintain radar monitoring is to contribute to understanding of ecosystems-at-risk/recovery-planning/ coverage in British Columbia have Double-crested Cormorant populations recovery-planning-documents/recovery- allowed Mark Drever (ECCC Delta – and distribution across Western North planning-documents>. The Plan sets CWS), Murdoch McAllister (UBC) and America in relation to management a province-wide population objective Douglas Bertram to update Marbled decisions (especially in relation to to maintain 70% (or greater) of 2002 Murrelet coast-wide population trends cormorant control in the Columbia amounts of suitable nesting habitat on for British Columbia to include recent River estuary and bridge nesting sites in provincial Crown Land. To effectively data collected over the past 4 years Vancouver). Mark Drever (CWS) and implement habitat protection measures in order to expand population trend Mason King (PhD Candidate, SFU, on provincial Crown lands, an updated analyses from 1996 to 2018 (analyses in Burnaby) surveyed the Second Narrows spatial habitat and recovery threshold progress). Bridge of Vancouver as one of the Pacific analysis was completed in June 2018. Kerry Woo also supported work Flyway Council long-term monitoring Habitat retention percentages and to publish background and guidance sites and where proposed nesting Minimum Habitat Thresholds (MHTs) material related to Marbled Murrelet closure may occur. Other Cormorant for provincial Crown land have been terrestrial nesting habitat assessment Counters included Briony Penn, revised for each of the seven Marbled in British Columbia which includes Jenna Cragg, Megan Wille, Marilyn Murrelet conservation regions in the a publication by Alan Burger in the Lambert, Alison Watt, Nancy Baron, province based on the results of the Journal of Ecosystems & Management Don Griffiths, John Elliott, Sandi Lee, updated analysis. on ‘The Reliability and Application and Peggy Sowden (volunteers). Overall Kerry Woo (ECCC – CWS) is of Methods Used to Predict Suitable in 2018 we counted 543 active Double- responsible for recovery planning of Nesting Habitat for Marbled Murrelets crested Cormorant nests at four active marine birds listed as species-at-risk (18(1):1–18. http://jem-online.org/index. colonies out of six locations surveyed in in the Pacific region, with a primary php/jem/article/view/593/) the Strait of Georgia, which compares to focus on Marbled Murrelet. In 2018, Bernard Schroeder, Todd Manning 610 nests in 6 colonies in 2014. he continued to collaborate with Doug (Strategic Resource Solutions), Paul Monica Mather (Province of British Bertram (ECCC) and Cliff Robinson Chytyk (Yuni Environmental), and Columbia) provided information on (DFO) to support development of Peter Berst updated the document and Marbled Murrelet Suitable Nesting modelling and partial mapping of training module for “Manning et al. Habitat in BC in 2018: candidate marine critical habitat. 2018. Guidance and Tools to Support Suitable Marbled Murrelet nesting Sea surveys and benthic grabs were the Identification of Potential Marbled habitat is mapped across its range using conducted in Barkley Sound, Vancouver Murrelet Suitable Nesting Habitat. the methods including Low-level Aerial Island with Bruce Evans (vessel charter) Canadian Wildlife Service Technical Surveys, Air photo Interpretation and and Eric Gross (ECCC – CWS). Kerry Report (Technical Report Series No. the BC Model habitat algorithm (Mather and Eric also conducted-seabird 536. 2018. Availability pending)” for et. al 2010 http://jem-online.org/forrex/ surveys from Sidney, BC to the northern Kerry Woo in anticipation of presenting index.php/jem/article/view/11). The date tip of Vancouver Island in July. To fill a 2018 and/or 2019 training workshop.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 72 Bernard, Todd and Ryan Murphy evaluated an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) as a potential tool for Marbled Murrelet habitat assessment in the Tsitika valley and included results in the above-mentioned document and training module. Douglas Bertram conducted year- round marine bird and forage fish surveys in the Southern Salish Sea to gauge threats associated with increased shipping, and contaminants (including microplastics) in oceans near urban areas. In July 2018, remote Central Coast Inlets were surveyed to help develop current baselines for coastal BC.

EASTERN CANADA Dr. Gail Davoren and her students Common Murres. Photo credit: Carita Bergman from the University of Manitoba: Edward Jenkins, Julia Gulka, Laurie when compared with historic census tracked a number of Black-tailed Gulls Maynard, Marissa Berard, and Kelsey data. (Larus crassirostris), Slaty-backed Johnson, continued collecting long- Gulls (L. schistisagus), and Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) term at-sea survey data on the northeast ARCTIC CANADA from Rishiri Island and Todoshima Newfoundland coast. The purpose of In summer 2018, Kyle Elliott (McGill islet colony in Northern Hokkaido, this work is to correlate seabird and University) and Grant Gilchrist marine mammal density/distributional (Environment and Climate Change using remotely downloaded Global patterns with that of forage fish, Canada) continued work at Coats Positioning System (GPS) data-loggers specifically capelinMallotus ( villosus). Island on Thick-billed Murres (Uria to map at-sea movements and gauge Long-term monitoring of Atlantic lomvia) and Glaucous Gulls (Larus seabird sensitivity to offshore wind Puffins (Fratercula arctica), Razorbills hyperboreus). Alongside contractors farms. This is the first field season of a three-year project aiming to inform (Alca torda) and Common Murres (Uria Sarah Poole and Sam Richards, and wind energy development in northern aalge) continued with blood sampling Inuit field technicians Josiah Nakoolak Japan. Also, and for stable isotope analysis to investigate and Jupie Angootealuk, were PhD Kentaro Kazama (M.Sc. student, diet. They also investigated predation of student Allison Patterson, MSc student Shizuku Hashimoto HU) examined direct and indirect effects breeding Common Murres by Herring Redha Tabet and MSc student Alyssa of White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus Gull (Larus argentatus) and Great Eby. This season was one of the latest Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) at years on record, 10 days later than 2017. albicilla) on Black-tailed Gulls breeding an inshore and offshore colony. This We recorded a 37 year-old murre (banded at both places. work involved combining GPS tracking as a chick in 1981), which we believe is a Yutaka Watanuki and Akiko Shoji devices on breeding gulls and behavioral record for Thick-billed Murres, although (HU) studied the bio-transport of observations. Common Murres at both there are many records of 40+ year-old pollutants from marine to terrestrial colonies were GPS tagged to examine auks, including Common Murres (Uria ecosystem by seabirds. Geolocator- inter-colony differences in foraging aalge). tracked Rhinoceros Auklets returning effort. A census of six inshore island to their breeding colony on Teuri island colonies were conducted (with the were captured to retrieve the geolocator Canadian Wildlife Service) to estimate ASIA & OCEANIA and collect blood and feathers for numbers of breeding Leach’s Storm- Compiled by Luke Einoder mercury analysis. petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), Yutaka Watanuki in collaboration Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, and with the Veterinary Institute of ASIA HU and Geochemical Institute of Black Guillemots (Cepphus grylle). Yutaka Watanuki (Hokkaido Tokyo University of Agriculture and Preliminary results suggest an increase University [HU], Japan) and post-doc Technology, studied the effects of plastic in puffins and razorbills, while storm- researcher Kentaro Kazama (HU) petrel populations appear to be stable ingestion on 30 Streaked Shearwater

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 73 (Calonectris leucomelas) chicks at transects to determine the number absence of rodents on Kainage Island Awashima Island, Sea of Japan. and density of murrelets congregating and the Kotsu Islands. Bungo Nishizwa (Post-doctoral around Biro Island at night; (2) at-sea Ui Shimabukuro and Akinori researcher, HU), Haruka Hayashi captures to examine the breeding status Takahashi (National Institute of Polar (M.Sc. student, HU), and Nodoka of murrelets in the congregation; and, Research, Japan) deployed geolocators Yamada (M.Sc. student, HU) performed (3) nest monitoring to determine timing in May and June on Rhinoceros Auklets boat-based seabird surveys in the of breeding. Surveys were conducted on at Teuri Island, Hokkaido, Japan, to Northern Bering and Southern Arctic 25 - 27 March, 4 - 5 and 7 April 2018. study year-round movements. This five- Sea as a part of the Arctic Marine Thousands of murrelets were counted year project started in the summer of Science program in collaboration during spotlight surveys each night, 2015 and follows a previous study on with seabird scientists from Alaska. indicating that Biro Island hosts the migration of these auklets (Takahashi Biological net samples (zooplankton and largest known Japanese Murrelet colony et al. 2015. Marine Ecology Progress forage fish), and seabird count data and in the world. An annual report will be Series). This project will examine how are being processed in late 2018. Also, completed by 30 November 2018. individual variation in migratory routes Bungo Nishizwa examined foraging Masayoshi Takeishi (Marine Bird and activities associate with variation behaviors of Black-footed Albatrosses Restoration Group, Japan) and Kuniko in diet (via stable isotope analysis) and (Phoebastria nigripes) breeding at Otsuki, as well as Darrell Whitworth stress levels (via feather corticosterone Torishima, Izu Islands, Japan. and Mike Parker performed surveys measurements). Yutaka Watanuki, Akiko Shoji, from 1 - 3 April to assess the current Shota Tsukamoto (M.Sc. student, Tatsuro Kitagawa (M.Sc. student, HU) status of Japanese Murrelets breeding HU) examined diets and foraging and Jumpei Okado (Ph.D. candidate, at five islands (Oshima, Tsushima, behaviors of Common Murre, Thick- HU) continued a long-term program Kainage, and North and South Kotsu) billed Murre (U. lomvia), Parakeet monitoring the diet and breeding of off Mugi-cho in Tokushima Prefecture, Auklet (Aethia psittacula), Crested seabirds at Teuri Island in the Sea off the east coast of Shikoku, Japan. Auklet (A. cristatella), and Least Auklet of Japan. Slaty-backed Gulls had Nest searches, nocturnal at-sea spotlight (A. pusilla) breeding at St. Lawrence exceptionally high breeding success, surveys, and diurnal boat surveys were Island, Alaska collaborating with Black-tailed Gulls bred successfully performed. Diurnal boat surveys and Akinori Takahashi (National Institute following several years of failed nocturnal spotlight surveys recorded of Polar Research, Japan). breeding, and Rhinoceros Auklets had hundreds of murrelets near the islands. Miran Kim (Korea National moderate breeding success after four Spotlight surveys indicated that Park Research Institute [KNPRI], years of failed breeding attempts. This murrelets likely nested on North Kotsu, South Korea) and colleagues from suggests improved feeding conditions South Kotsu, and Kainage islands. Tongyeong City, monitored breeding in the local marine ecosystem. Also, Nest searches were limited to Kainage status of Black-tailed Gulls on Hongdo the Environmental Department of Japan Island where breeding was confirmed, Island, Gyeongnam province, in the continued a restoration program of but rodent feces and the carcass of an South Sea located 50 km from the Common Murre (Uria aalge) on Teuri adult murrelet possibly depredated mainland. Researchers investigated Island. This year more than 50 breeding by rodents were also discovered. breeding phenology, and the birds visited the site and 18 chicks Masayoshi Takeishi conducted follow- influence of introduced predators and fledged. up surveys from 30 April to 2 May vegetation cover on breeding to gain Kuniko Otsuki, Yutaka Nakamura, 2018 at these islands to collect more a better understanding of the effect of Yoshitaka Minowa, and Takashi evidence of Japanese Murrelet breeding environmental variation and climate Suzumegano (all Marine Bird and possible rodent predation. During change. Miran Kim and Sang Hee Hong Restoration Group, Japan), as well as these surveys, murrelets were confirmed (Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Darrell Whitworth and Mike Parker breeding on North and South Kotsu Technology) implemented the project (California Institute of Environmental Islands and a murrelet family group (two “Monitoring the impacts of microplastic Studies) performed surveys of adults and one recently hatched chick) on seabirds in South Korea,” collecting Japanese Murrelets (Synthliboramphus was observed near the Kotsu Islands. samples from Hongdon Island. wumizusume) at Biro Island, Miyazaki Seven motion-sensitive cameras were Miran Kim, Mijin Hong, Ho Lee, Prefecture, Japan. The project was deployed for a single night on Kainage Sang-moon Cho, and Hong-chul Park funded by Suntory Group and the Lush Island to detect rodents. Images were (KNPRI) attached GPS trackers to two Charity Pot. Three complementary recovered from four cameras, but none Black-tailed Gulls on Dokdo Island, survey techniques were used: (1) of the photographs indicated rodents Geonnam province, in East Sea. Birds spotlight surveys on three concentric were present. More surveys are urgently were tracked from 26 May during the round-island transects and seven radial needed to better assess the presence or breeding season to identify their foraging

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 74 endangered and in the Matsu Islands, South China Sea. The Greater Crested Tern is poorly known, with breeding records in recent years from only three sites, one of which is the Matsu Islands. Analysis of breeding success data collected at the Matsu Islands colonies annually from 2004 to 2017 reveal a significant decline in Chinese Crested Tern. Key factors contributing to this decline are thought to be typhoons, as well as the abandonment of initial breeding by some terns and re-laying at another colony within the Matsu Islands, and subsequent effects on fledging success and recruitment (Hung et al., in press). Chung-Hang Hung and a team of Black-footed Albatross. Photo credit: André Raine volunteers from the Wild Bird Society ranges and key foraging areas. (Oregon State University, USA) and of Taipei constructed a bird hide on Yang-mo Kim (KNPRI), Chang- Dr. Stephen Kress (Audubon Society, Tiejian Island, one of eight islands of the uk Park (KNPRI) and rangers from USA) implemented the 6th year of Matsu Island Tern Refuge, a BirdLife Dadohaehaesang National Park a restoration project of the critically International Important Bird Area. conducted colony restoration activities endangered Chinese Crested Tern The Chinese Wild Bird Federation on Chilbaldo Island, Geonnam province, (Thalasseus bernsteini) at Jiushan (CWBF, BirdLife partner in Taiwan) in the Yellow Sea, to conserve Swinhoe’s Islands and Wuzhishan Islands in the has been involved in talks on the Storm-petrels (Oceanodroma monorhis). Eastern China Sea. The project involves establishment of Marine Important Bird Invasive plants were removed from the use of a social attraction technique to and Biodiversity Areas near sites already around the breeding colony, including attract Greater Crested Terns (T. bergii) established as Important Bird and Achyranthes japonica, a plant with to the restoration sites with the intention Biodiversity Areas in the Matsu Islands hook-shaped seeds which entangle birds. of then luring Chinese Crested Terns and Penghu Archipelago. These areas These activities have reduced petrel to the established colony. With close provide important breeding and feeding mortality. monitoring, data on breeding biology grounds for populations of Chinese Ki-Baek Nam and his team (Korea and threats were collected. In 2018, more Crested Tern, Greater Crested Tern, Institute of Ornithology, Kyung Hee than 9,000 Greater Crested Terns were Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus), University, South Korea) completed the attracted to the two modified breeding Black-naped Tern (Sterna sumatrana), seventh field season at the largest colony grounds and 3,500 chicks fledged at the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii), and of Streaked Shearwaters (Calonectris end of the breeding season in August. A Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus). leucomelas), in South Korea on Sasudo total of 77 Chinese Crested Terns also The Chinese Wild Bird Federation Island in the Yellow Sea. They have bred at the two sites, and at least 25 (CWBF) is also conducting a feasibility been monitoring this colony since 2012 chicks fledged - the first time the total study on a project to attract Short-tailed to investigate breeding biology and number of individuals (chicks and adults) Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) to an population trends, and to track the at- of this very rare seabird has surpassed island in their former range, Pengjia sea movement of individuals using GPS 100. In addition, a further 11 Chinese Island, north of Taiwan proper. As there and geolocating devices. In addition, Crested Terns were recorded from Matsu are already populations on the nearby molecular work commenced in 2018 and Penghu islands in Taiwan, and one Diaoyutai Islands, the use of decoys and to assess the genetic variation across unnamed island in South Korea. vocalizations are being explored to get colonies of South Korea and Japan, Chung-Hang Hung (Ph.D. candidate, the globally threatened species to return where ~90% of the world’s population National Taiwan University [NTU], to previous breeding colonies. In the of Streaked Shearwaters breed. Taiwan) has been working under the 1950’s Pengjia Island used to be home Dr. Shuihua Chen (Zhejiang supervision of Professor Hsiao-Wei to millions of breeding albatross every Museum of Natural History, China) in Yuan (NTU) to monitor the population year. collaboration with Dr. Daniel Roby size and dynamics of the critically

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 75 OCEANIA work is an ongoing collaboration with ANTARCTICA Luke Einoder (Research Fellow, Rohan Clarke (Monash University, Peter Kappes is finishing a PhD with Charles Darwin University, Australia) Melbourne, Australia), making use of his adviser, Katie Dugger, at Oregon deployed 12 time-lapse cameras (Brinno, data collected at Ashmore Reef and State University, investigating the BCC100) on Sandy Island no. 2 (Garig Adele Island in the eastern reproductive ecology and population Gunak Barlu National Park, Northern during 2013 - 2015 as a side project dynamics of Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis Territory, Australia) with the assistance to Rowan Mott’s PhD research. The adeliae) breeding on Ross Island, of local rangers from the Parks and research aims to provide decision support Antarctica. In November 2018 Peter Wildlife Commission of the Northern for various programs such as the control will be starting a term position with Dr. Territory, to monitor laying and hatching of invasive tropical fire ants Solenopsis( Shane Siers at the U.S. Department success of Crested Terns (Thalasseus geminata), restoration of nearby seabird of Agriculture - Wildlife Services - bergii). A scoping trip was also run to colonies, and marine protected areas. National Wildlife Rsearch Center in Seagull Island off the northern tip of Analysis has largely used spatial data to Hilo, HI working on developing methods the Tiwi Islands, with rangers from the understand ecological processes relating for eradicating and controlling invasive Tiwi Land Council, and many thousands to nest site choice and foraging ecology. . of near fledging chicks were observed. Key findings include the viability of nest The colony will be included in 2019 site-targeted ant baiting as a method to monitoring efforts as it is reportedly the improve tropicbird breeding success, and largest Crested Tern breeding colony in the predicted presence of ample suitable the world. In the absence of any regular foraging habitat at a candidate site for monitoring of tropical seabirds in the seabird restoration/re-introduction. Northern Territory, the current status of Anicee Lombal (PhD Student, the seabird community is the region is University of Tasmania, Australia) is largely unknown. continuing work on her thesis on genetic Stephanie Avery-Gomm (PhD divergence between colonies of Flesh- student, University of Queensland, footed Shearwater (Ardenna carneipes) Australia) is continuing work exhibiting different foraging strategies. on her thesis which examines Anicee sequenced one mitochondrial historical patterns of global seabird and seven nuclear DNA fragments for populations and plastic ingestion. 148 individuals from Lord Howe Island, At the International Ornithological various colonies in New Zealand and Union in Vancouver, Stephanie colonies in south eastern Australia. Her presented a new phylogenetically- study found a lack of gene flow between informed analysis, which can be used colonies indicating that populations to predict vulnerability of seabird have clearly experienced independent species to plastic ingestion. This year, evolution for a long time, which may Stephanie and several others including greatly affect long-term viability and Jennifer Provencher (Wildlife Heath, persistence of the species within these Canadian Wildlife Service, Canada) regions. Molecular analysis of fisheries’ and Stephanie Borrelle (post-doctoral bycatch individuals sampled in the Sea fellow, University of Toronto, Canada), of Japan indicated that individuals from established a Specialist Working Group both western and eastern colonies were for plastic pollution under the umbrella migrating through that area. This study of the World Seabird Union. More was presented at the Pacific Seabird information can be found at www. Group Meeting 2018 and was published seabirds.net. in February 2018 (Lombal et al. 2018 Rowan Mott (Monash University, Conservation Genetics 19:27–41). Melbourne, Australia) is using existing monitoring, tracking, and stable isotope data to inform management decisions EUROPE & AFRICA relating to boobies (Sula leucogaster, Compiled by Ross Wanless S. dactylatra, and S. sula), frigatebirds (Fregata ariel and F. minor), and No reports were submitted for this tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda). This region.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 76 TREASURER’S REPORT FOR 2018 Kirsten Bixler

Pacific Seabird Group’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 ran from 1 October 2017 to 30 September 2018. The FY 2018 budget was approved by the Executive Council on 22 March 2018. It is in the black by $38,163.00 and this total does not include endowment fund gains. A total of $25,317.03 was transferred from the endowment fund to the regular checking account to cover publication costs for Marine Ornithology and Pacific Seabirds incurred during FY2016, FY2017, and FY2018. A complete summary of financial accounts (incomes and expenditures) is provided below.

PSG completed a financial audit for the first time in 2012 and it was anticipated at the time, that audits would be completed every five years. PSG’s accountant did not recommend an audit be completed on FY2017 financial accounting. This was in large part because the level of change within the organization within a five year period (i.e. as many as three treasurers) is so great that an audit would not provide the EXCO with assurance that financial accounting is complete and accurate for four of every five years. Instead, the EXCO voted to complete four quarterly internal financial statements each year beginning in FY2019. These statements require basic proofing by the accountant and provide confirmation to EXCO that accounting is up-to-date.

A bank account was opened for the Former Chairs Fund during FY2018 to facilitate fundraising from the Former Chairs. Project proposals will be selected for funding at the Former Chairs’ meeting during PSG Annual Meetings.

Since PSG took over the production of Marine Ornithology (MO) in 2000, the publication has been owned and primarily funded by PSG. In recent years, finances for MO were separate from PSG but during FY2018, PSG took over financial accounting for the journal. Taxes were filed jointly beginning in FY2017. PSG plans to open a bank and PayPal account for use by MO during FY2019. Financial assets of MO are included in the list of financial accounts below.

Highlights of February 2018 to February 2019 Tasks to be Completed February 2019 to February 2020

• FY2018 budget approved • Re-activate SAM.gov (System for Award • FY2017 taxes filed Management) account for PSG • Opened a Former Chairs Fund bank account • Consider moving to accounts to new bank because • Created a Former Chairs Fund donation button on the First Hawaiian Bank has high fees and few branch PSG website locations • PSG membership rates increased • Open bank and PayPal accounts for MO • FY2019 budget approved • Complete charitable giving registration for PSG so • Refunded the PSG checking account with the amount can accept donations via Facebook spent on publications in FY2016, FY2017, and • Assist Election Committee with Treasurer FY2018 from the endowment fund with approval candidates in 2020 from the endowment trustees • Update Treasurer’s Handbook • Conducted a quarterly internal financial statements • Create draft Document Retention Policy on PSG finances in January 2019 • Create draft Reimbursement Policy • Submitted FY2019 tax information to accountant

Financial Accounts PSG maintains a number of accounts to allow the organization to fulfill its mission.

REGULAR CHECKING ACCOUNT PSG policy requires 3 years’ worth of unrestricted operating funds be kept in the checking account. September 30, 2014 $50,663.75 September 30, 2015 $68,154.50 September 30, 2016 $52,164.86 September 30, 2017 $44,027.81 September 30, 2018 $74,728.29

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 77 TREASURER’S REPORT FOR 2018

PAYPAL A PayPal account is used to accept membership dues, annual meeting registration, and donations but are part of the general fund. Funds are transferred into and out of the PayPal account as needed (e.g. student award donation is transferred to the student travel fund account). September 30, 2014 $2,555.26 September 30, 2015 $8,072.97 September 30, 2016 $10,560.16 September 30, 2017 $450.65 September 30, 2018 $5,348.72

STUDENT TRAVEL FUND The student travel fund is kept in a savings account and is restricted to student travel awards. September 30, 2014 $2,784.99 September 30, 2015 $2,906.21 September 30, 2016 $3,094.55 September 30, 2017 $3,096.10 September 30, 2018 $3,018.05

CRAIG HARRISON CONSERVATION FUND The Conservation fund is kept in a savings account and are restricted funds. September 30, 2014 $3,342.88 September 30, 2015 $6,507.23 September 30, 2016 $7,235.43 September 30, 2017 $8,114.31 September 30, 2018 $7,114.94

FORMER CHAIRS FUND The Former Chairs fund is kept in a savings account and is a restricted fund. $2,500 of this fund is a loan from the regular checking account to avoid bank fees. September 30, 2018 $2,501.64

ENDOWMENT FUND Our Endowment funds are kept in a mutual fund managed by Neuberger and Berman and are restricted funds. A total of $25,317.03 was transferred from the endowment fund to the regular checking account during the fiscal year. September 30, 2014 $206,824.23 September 30, 2015 $181,268.22 September 30, 2016 $200,190.51 September 30, 2017 $237,195.93 September 30, 2018 $240,467.22

MARINE ORNITHOLOGY Pacific Seabird Group completed financial accounting for Marine Ornithology during FY2018.Total funds are held within bank and PayPal accounts are combined here. September 30, 2018 $14,476.34

Total Assets as of September 30, 2014 $266,909.15 Total Assets as of September 30, 2015 $266,909.13 Total Assets as of September 30, 2016 $273,245.50 Total Assets as of September 30, 2017 $292,884.80 Total Assets as of September 30, 2018 $347,655.20

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 78 TREASURER’S REPORT FOR 2018 FY18 ACTUAL INCOMES AND EXPENDITURES

A. INCOME Budgeted Actual Surplus/-Loss (as of 9/30/2018) Unrestricted: Membership (annual individual, student):1 $10,500.00 $11,724.26 $1,224.26 General Fund Donations $5,000.00 $3,655.10 -$1,344.90 Annual Meeting: La Paz 2018 $74,305.00 $98,276.79 $23,971.79 Student travel (Restricted) $4,377.69 $4,783.26 $405.57 Meeting sponsorships2 $50,000.00 $58,586.22 $8,586.22 Restricted:

Publications3 $30,000.00 $25,317.03 -$4,682.97 Lifetime Memberships $3,800.00 $3,840.00 $40.00 Conservation Fund Donations $600.00 $1,629.16 $1,029.16 Former Chairs Fund4 $0.00 $1.64 $1.64 A. TOTAL INCOME: $178,582.69 $207,813.46 $29,230.77 B. EXPENSES: Administrative Operations Budgeted Actual Underspent/ (as of 9/30/2018) -Overspent Chairs Discretionary Fund $2,000.00 $2,002.99 -$2.99 Insurance premium $2,292.30 $1,325.00 $967.30 Online Services: Website / Email hosting $551.76 $598.68 -$46.92 Listserv $300.00 $299.88 $0.12 Survey Monkey $300.00 $319.00 -$19.00 QuickBooks online $323.40 $765.00 -$441.60 Website and maintenance services (Anne Francis) $2,300.00 $512.00 $1,788.00 Operations: Postage $50.00 $11.93 $38.07 Telephone $400.00 $275.67 $124.33 Office supplies $30.00 $0.00 $30.00 USPS PO Box Rental $100.00 $0.00 $100.00 Professional services: Accountant / Bookkeeper5 $6,000.00 $1,047.12 $4,952.88 Legal6 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $0.00 Service fees: PayPal Fee $700.00 $799.38 -$99.38 RegOnline / Cvent Membership Fee7 $5,845.00 $604.39 $5,240.61 Bank Fees $450.00 $985.28 -$535.28 Government Registration Fees $50.00 $50.00 $0.00 B. TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS $22,692.46 $10,596.32 $12,096.14 EXPENSES:8

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 79 TREASURER’S REPORT FOR 2018 FY18 ACTUAL INCOMES AND EXPENDITURES

C. EXPENSES: Society Services (meetings, Budgeted Actual Underspent/ publications, support) (as of 9/30/2018) -Overspent Annual Meeting: La Paz, Mexico Conference venue, food, etc. -- Local Committee’s $68,588.00 $99,569.47 -$30,981.47 budget9 Cvent Meeting Fee10 $0.00 $3,845.07 -$3,845.07 Compilation of scientific program $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Student travel11 $3,200.00 $5,207.55 -$2,007.55 Student travel awards (from PSG General Fund and $20,000.00 $16,412.45 $3,587.55 grants) Foreign scientist travel (non-US / Canadian) $25,000.00 $18,498.69 $6,501.31 Early Career Scientist Awards $0.00 $4,905.00 -$4,905.00 Conservation grants $0.00 $2,078.50 -$2,078.50 Dues and Subscriptions: Ornithological Council $3,060.00 $2,460.00 $600.00 Publications: Marine Ornithology (layout, printing, mailings)12 $6,000.00 $5,800.00 $200.00 Pacific Seabirds (layout, editor, website) $1,500.00 $0.00 $1,500.00 InDesign Subscription $180.00 $277.41 -$97.41 C. TOTAL SOCIETY SERVICES EXPENSES: $127,528.00 $159,054.14 -$31,526.14 D. PSG BUDGET SUMMARY TOTAL INCOME (A) $178,582.69 $207,813.46 $29,230.77 TOTAL EXPENSES (B + C) $150,220.46 $169,650.46 -$19,430.00 RESULT: SURPLUS/-LOSS $28,362.23 $38,163.00 $9,800.77

1 Life membership income is not included (restricted to the Endowment Fund) 2 Includes $5,000.00 for 2019 meeting 3 Funds for publications (Marine Ornithology and Pacific Seabirds) are derived from endowment fund. Funds were transferred to cover expenses incurred in FY2016, FY2017, and FY2018 4 New budget item. Former Chairs Fund created during FY2018 5 Does not include $4,188.48 paid in FY2019 that incurred during FY2018 6 Legal fee for Code of Conduct review invoiced in FY2018 7 Includes membership related fees only. Cvent fees associated with the meeting are included in meeting expenses. 8 This is the amount for PSG’s operating expenses 9 Includes $3,461.08 for 2019 meeting paid in FY2018 10 Includes meeting related fees only. Cvent/RegOnline fees related to membership are included in administrative expenses. 11 Student travel expense equal to amount of student travel income generated through silent auction in 2017 and donations through the 2018 meeting. 12 Expense is honorarium for Marine Ornithology volunteers

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 80 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 are also 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 on-line bulletin Pacific Seabirds (www.pacificseabirdgroup.org) and the journal Marine Ornithology (www.marineornithology.org). Current and past issues of both journals are available online.

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 R. 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 Zoology, Volume 5, Number 1. $20.00. 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 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

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 81 PUBLICATIONS OF THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP

BIOLOGY OF MARBLED MURRELETS—INLAND AND AT SEA. S. Kim Nelson and Spencer G. Sealy (Editors). Proceedings of a Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Seattle, Washington, February 1993. Published 1995 in Northwestern Naturalist, Volume 76, Number 1. $12.00. 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. Yutaka Watanuki, Harry R. Carter, S. Kim Nelson and Koji Ono (conveners) and Nariko Oka (editor). Proceedings of an International 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 - contact the Chair at [email protected]

OIL AND CALIFORNIA’S SEABIRDS. Harry R. Carter (convener) and Anthony J. Gaston (editor). Proceedings of a Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Santa Barbara, California, February 2002. Published 2003 in Marine 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 - contact the Chair at Chair@ pacificseabirdgroup.org.

BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF XANTUS’S MURRELET. Harry R. Carter, Spencer G. Sealy, Esther E. Burkett, and John F. Piatt (editors). 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

SEABIRDS AS INDICATORS OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS. John F. Piatt and William J. Sydeman (editors). Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, Girdwood, Alaska, February 2006. Published 2007 in Marine Ecology Progress Series Volume 352:199-309. Available free of charge at http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v352/#theme

THE SALISH SEA ECOSYSTEMS: STATUS AND IMPACTS OF CHANGES ON MARINE BIRDS. Scott Hatch (editor), Douglas F. Bertram, John L. Bower, and Patrick D. O’Hara (guest editors.) 2009. Marine Ornithology, Salish Sea Symposium Issue 37: 1-76. Available free of charge at http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/publications/Hatch.etal.2008.pdf

______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.pacificseabirdgroup. org; also contact the Scientific Program Chair for the annual meeting. ______

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 82 PUBLICATIONS OF THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP

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 Publication 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 Publication Number 2. 2003. Available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP COMMITTEE COORDINATORS FOR 2018-2019

Committees do much of PSG’s business, as well as the conservation work for which PSG is respected. The committees wel- come (and need) information concerning their issues. Please contact one of these Coordinators with input, updates, to apply for a small grant (see PSG’s website for eligibility), or if you wish to help a committee with its work.

AWARDS COMMITTEE Kyra Mills, email: pastchair[at]pacificseabirdgroup dot org; Adrian Gall, email: chair[at]pacificseabirdgroup dot org; and David Craig, email: programchair[at]pacificseabirdgroup dot org

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Joanna Smith, email: communications[at]pacificseabirdgroup dot org

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Mark Rauzon, email: conservation[at]pacificseabirdgroup dot org

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS COMMITTEE Stephanie Avery-Gomm, email: stephanie dot averygomm[at]gmail dot com and Kyle Elliot, email: haliaeetus[at]gmail dot com

CRAIG S. HARRISON CONSERVATION SMALL GRANTS COMMITTEE Verena Gill, email: verena dot gill[at]gmail dot com

ELECTION COMMITTEE Katie O’Reilly email: PSG_Elections[at]pacificseabirdgroup dot org

ENDOWMENT FUND TRUSTEES COMMITTEE Kirsten Bixler, email: Treasurer[at]pacificseabirdgroup dot org; Kenneth T. Briggs; and Jim Kushlan

ALEUTIAN TERN TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Susan Oehlers, email: soehlers[at]fs dot fed dot us and Michael Goldstein, email: migoldstein[at]uas dot alaska dot edu

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 83 PSG COMMITTEE COORDINATORS FOR 2018-2019

KITTLITZ’S MURRELET TECHNICAL COMMITTEE John Piatt, email: jpiatt[at]usgs dot gov and Sarah Schoen, email: sschoen[at]usgs dot gov

MARBLED MURRELET TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Kim Nelson, email: kim dot nelson[at]oregonstate dot edu and Peter Harrison, email: peter dot harrison[at]dnr dot wa dot gov

MARINE ORNITHOLOGY Louise Blight, editor; email: marine dot ornithology dot manager[at]gmail dot com

NORTHEAST ASIA SEABIRD CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Gregg Howald, email: gregg dot howald[at]islandconservation dot org and Daisuke Ochi, email: otthii[at]affrc dot go dot jp

SCRIPPS’S MURRELET AND GUADALUPE MURRELET TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Yuliana Bedolla-Guzman, email: yuliana dot bedolla[at]islas dot org dot mx and David Mazurkiewicz, email: daveymaz[at]gmail dot com

SEABIRD MONITORING COMMITTEE Heather Renner, email: heather_renner[at]fws dot gov and Robb Kaler, email: robbkaler[at]gmail dot com

TUFTED PUFFIN TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Peter Hodum, email: WA dot OR_Rep[at]pacificseabirdgroup dot org and Mark Hipfner, email: mark dot hipfner[at]canada dot ca

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Emma Kelsey, email: membership[at]pacificseabirdgroup dot org

LISTSERV COORDINATOR Verena Gill, email: listserv[at]pacificseabirdgroup dot org

WEBSITE COORDINATOR Joanna Smith, email: communications[at]pacificseabirdgroup dot org

PSG DELEGATE TO THE AGREEMENT ON THE CONSERVATION OF ALBATROSS AND PETRELS (ACAP) Ken Morgan, email: ken dot morgan[at]dfo_mpo dot gc dot ca

PSG DELEGATES OF THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL Pat Baird, email: pab7[at]sfu dot ca and Doug Forsell, email: DJForsell[at]aol dot com

PSG DELEGATE TO THE AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY Reggie David, email: davidr003[at]hawaii dot rr dot com

PSG DELEGATES TO THE WORLD SEABIRD UNION Kathy Kuletz, email: kathy_kuletz[at]fws dot gov and Ken Morgan, email: ken dot morgan[at]dfo_mpo dot gc dot ca

PSG DELEGATE TO THE NORTH PACIFIC MARINE SCIENCE ORGANIZATION (PICES) Rob Suryan, email: rob dot suryan[at]noaa dot gov

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 84 PSG LIFE MEMBERS 2018

David Ainley Adrian Gall Harou Ogi Sarah G. Allen Lisa Haggblom Koji Ono Daniel W. Anderson Judith Latta Hand Steffen Oppel Edgar P. Bailey* Craig S. Harrison Katie O’Reilly Pat Baird Scott A. Hatch Julia Parrish Lisa Ballance Mónica Herzig Zurcher Robert Pitman Don Bishop Nancy Hillstrand Jennifer Provencher Jennifer Boyce Joel D. Hubbard C. John Ralph Kenneth T. Briggs David B. Irons Martin Renner Joanna Burger Ronald Javitch William P. Ritchie Douglas Causey Sarah Keller Chad Roberts Ellen W. Chu James G. King Daniel D. Roby Roger B. Clapp John Konecny Jan Roletto Gary Collar Kathy Kuletz Gerald A. Sanger Cheryl Conel* James Kushlan Palmer C. Sekora Kathy Cousins Lora Leschner Nanette Seto Theodore L. Cross* David B. Lewis Kouzi Shiomi Jeff Davis Peter Major Joanna Smith Robert H. Day Eugene Y. Makishima William E. Southern Tony DeGange Sara Maxwell Jeffrey A. Spendelow Jan Dierks Vivian Mendenhall Craig Strong George Divoky Godfrey Merlen Takaki Terasawa David Duffy Patrick Mock W. Breck Tyler Kyle Elliott Ken Morgan Enriqueta Velarde Gonzalez Stewart Fefer Edward C. Murphy Gus Van Vliet Lloyd Fitzpatrick Maura Naughton Kees Vermeer Elizabeth Flint S. Kim Nelson John and Jane Warriner Douglas J. Forsell Yasuaki Niizuma Yutaka Watanuki Gail Fraser David R. Nysewander Jennifer Wheeler Michael Fry Daisuki Ochi Jeff Williams *deceased HONORARY MEMBER

John Cooper

RECIPIENTS OF PSG’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

David Ainley Malcolm Coulter* John F. Piatt Daniel W. Anderson John Croxall Spencer G. Sealy Philip and Myrtle Ashmole Anthony Gaston Larry B. Spear* James C. Bartonek Charles Guiguet* Robert E. Ricklefs P. Dee Boersma Michael P. Harris Miklos D.F. Udvardy* W.R.P. Bourne Thomas R. Howell* Enriqueta Velarde Richard G.B. Brown* George L. Hunt, Jr. Sarah Wanless G. Vernon Byrd Karl W. Kenyon* John Warham* Harry R. Carter* James G. King *deceased John Cooper Haruo Ogi

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 85 RECIPIENTS OF PSG’S SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Alfonso Aguirre-Muñoz Lora Leschner Martin Raphael Malcolm Coulter* Edward Melvin Mark J. Rauzon Franklin Gress Vivian Mendenhall Gus B. Van Vliet George J. Divoky S. Kim Nelson Enriqueta Velarde Craig S. Harrison Arthur L. Sowls Yutaka Watanuki Hiroshi Hasegawa Steven M. Speich* Lindsay C. Young *deceased

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Members receive the following benefits: announcements of meetings, reduced rates on conferences and some publications, subscription to the PSG listserv, and most importantly, the knowledge of contributing to the study and conservation of Pacific seabirds wherever they occur. Annual membership is for one calendar year and expires each year on 31 December. Lifetime memberships are also available. All Life member contributions are dedicated to PSG’s Endowment Fund, a fund to support the publications of the PSG, principally Marine Ornithology.

MEMBERSHIP RATES Individual membership: $50 USD Two-year individual membership: $90 USD Student membership: $35 USD Two-year student membership: $55 USD Life membership: $1,500 USD (can be divided into 5 annual payments of $300 USD)

TO JOIN OR RENEW MEMBERSHIP To join the Pacific Group or renew your membership, please go to: http://tiny.cc/psgmember

To edit information on an existing membership, please follow the link above and login using the e-mail address that you used to renew your membership (which may be different from your mailing-list e-mail address).

If you have any questions, please notify our Membership Coordinator: [email protected] The Membership Coordinator is responsible for maintaining the membership database, assisting members with updating their information, sending new member information to the listserv coordinator, and other member assistance as needed.

MEMBER RESOURCES To subscribe to the Pacific Seabird Group Listserv, please go to: lists-psg.org/mailman/listinfo/pacificseabirds_lists-psg.org For access to the Pacific Seabird Group mailing list, please contact the coordinator at: [email protected].

Connect with the Pacific Seabird Group through our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/PacificSeabirdGroup Follow PSG on: Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/pacificseabirds Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pacific_seabird_group/

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 45 • Number 2 • 2018 • Page 86 PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2018

OFFICERS

Chair Adrian Gall, email: [email protected]

Past Chair Kyra Mills, email: [email protected]

Chair-Elect David Craig, email: [email protected]

Vice-Chair for Conservation Mark Rauzon, email: [email protected]

Treasurer Kirsten Bixler, email: [email protected]

Secretary Jane Dolliver, email: [email protected]

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Alaska and Russia Marc Romano, email: [email protected]

Canada Trudy Chatwin, email: [email protected]

Washington and Oregon Peter Hodum, email: [email protected]

Northern California Kirsten Lindquist, email: [email protected]

Latin America, Hawai’i André Raine, email: [email protected]

Non-Pacific United States Samantha Richman, email: [email protected]

Europe/Africa Ross Wanless, email: [email protected]

Asia and Oceania Luke Einoder, email: [email protected]

Student Representative Corey Clatterbuck, email: [email protected]

COORDINATORS (non-voting)

Communications Joanna Smith, email: [email protected]

Listserv Coordinator Verena Gill, email: [email protected]

Membership Coordinator Emma Kelsey, email: [email protected]

Website Coordinator Joanna Smith, email: [email protected]

Elections Coordinator Katie O’Reilly, email: [email protected]