Biological Monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009

AMNWR 2010/04

BIOLOGICAL MONITORING AT AIKTAK ISLAND, ALASKA IN 2009

Slade F. Sapora, Allyson L. Larned, and Brie A. Drummond

Key words: Aiktak Island, Alaska, Aleutian Islands, ancient murrelet, Cepphus columba, common murre, double-crested cormorant, fork-tailed storm-petrel, Fratercula cirrhata, Fratercula corniculata, glaucous-winged gull, horned puffin, Larus glaucescens, Leach’s storm-petrel, Oceanodroma furcata, Oceanodroma leucorhoa, pelagic cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus, Phalacrocorax pelagicus, Phalacrocorax urile, pigeon guillemot, population trends, productivity, red-faced cormorant, Synthliboramphus antiquus, thick-billed murre, tufted puffin, Uria aalge, Uria lomvia.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge 95 Sterling Highway, Suite 1 Homer, AK 99603

April 2010

Cite as: Sapora, S.F., A.L. Larned, and Brie A. Drummond. 2010. Biological monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 2010/04. Homer, Alaska.

Southern coast of Aiktak Island, Alaska, in late July.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

INTRODUCTION ...... 1 STUDY AREA ...... 1 METHODS ...... 2 INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS ...... 5 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...... 5 REFERENCES ...... 5 FIGURES AND TABLES ...... 9 Fork-tailed storm-petrel ...... 10 Breeding chronology ...... 10 Reproductive performance ...... 13 Chick growth ...... 17 Food habits ...... 18 Leach’s storm-petrel ...... 21 Breeding chronology ...... 21 Reproductive performance ...... 24 Chick growth ...... 28 Food habits ...... 29 All storm-petrels ...... 32 Reproductive performance ...... 32 Populations ...... 36 Morphology ...... 39 Band resightings ...... 40 All cormorants ...... 41 Reproductive performance ...... 41 Populations ...... 45 Black oystercatcher ...... 46 Breeding chronology ...... 46 Reproductive performance ...... 49 Populations ...... 51 Glaucous-winged gull ...... 53 Breeding chronology ...... 53 Reproductive performance ...... 56 Populations ...... 59 Food habits ...... 65 Common murre ...... 72 Breeding chronology ...... 72 Reproductive performance ...... 75 Thick-billed murre ...... 77 Breeding chronology ...... 77 Reproductive performance ...... 80 All murres ...... 82 Populations ...... 82 Pigeon guillemot ...... 86 Populations ...... 86

TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page

Ancient murrelet...... 90 Breeding chronology ...... 90 Reproductive performance ...... 93 Horned puffin ...... 95 Breeding chronology ...... 95 Reproductive performance ...... 98 Chick growth ...... 100 Populations ...... 101 Tufted puffin ...... 106 Breeding chronology ...... 106 Reproductive performance ...... 109 Chick growth ...... 111 Populations ...... 112 Food habits ...... 115 Miscellaneous ...... 121 Boat-based circumnavigations ...... 121 Point counts ...... 123 Beach transects ...... 125 Annotated list ...... 126 Plants ...... 138 Sea surface temperature...... 141

INTRODUCTION

The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (AMNWR) conducts annual ecological monitoring at nine sites throughout Alaska. The objective of this long-term monitoring program is to collect baseline status and trend information for a suite of seabird species representing piscivorous and planktivorous trophic guilds, including key species that serve as indicators of ecosystem health. Members of these guilds include surface feeders and divers feeding in both nearshore and offshore waters. By relating data to environmental conditions and information from other sites, ecosystem processes may be better understood. Data also provide a basis for directing management and research actions, and in assessing effects of management.

Aiktak Island, in the eastern Aleutian Islands, has been an annual monitoring site since 1995, with additional seabird data collected on the island since 1981. Brief visits were first made to Aiktak to monitor populations of puffins and storm-petrels from 1981 to 1983 and in 1989 (DeGange et al. 1981; Forsell 1983a,b; Blomstrom and Nault 1989). In 1990, data collection also included counting murres and conducting circumnavigation surveys of the island (O’Daniel et al. 1990). Since 1995, intensive season- long monitoring of most seabird populations at Aiktak has been conducted each year (Woodward 1997; Howard and Woodward 1999; Thomson and Smith 2000; Stukowski and Oleszczuk 2001; Dykstra and Wynn 2002; Helm and Zeman 2005, 2006; Helm et al. 2007; Drummond 2008).

The specific monitoring goals in 2009 were to estimate productivity and/or population parameters for 11 indicator species representing three major feeding guilds: 1) diving fish-feeders (pelagic, red-faced and double-crested cormorants [Phalacrocorax pelagicus, P. urile, and P. auritus], common and thick-billed murres [Uria aalge and U. lomvia], pigeon guillemots [Cepphus columba], horned and tufted puffins [Fratercula corniculata and F. cirrhata]), 2) diving plankton feeders (ancient murrelets [Synthliboramphus antiquus]), and 3) surface plankton feeders (Leach’s and fork-tailed storm-petrels [Oceanodroma furcata and O. leucorhoa]). Similar data were also collected for intertidal-foraging black oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) and flexible-foraging glaucous-winged gulls (Larus glaucescens). Additional monitoring goals include the description of breeding chronology, food habits, and chick growth for one or more of the above species.

Detailed results of the 2009 monitoring program are contained in these appendices and archived at the AMNWR headquarters in Homer, Alaska. Summary data will also be included in the annual Alaska seabird monitoring summary report. Due to occasional reanalysis of some data, correction of typographical errors, and efforts to standardize presentation across sites, some values used in this report have changed from previous versions. The values presented here are considered the cleanest data set available at the time this report was issued and should supersede previous reports.

STUDY AREA

Aiktak Island (54º11.19’N, 164º49.84’W) is located in the Krenitzin Islands in the eastern Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Aiktak is on the west side of Unimak Pass, with Ugamak Island directly to the north across a 0.8 km channel and Tigalda Island about 5 km to the west. Unimak Pass is the main shipping route between the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea and transiting container ships are often seen on the horizon from the east side of the island.

1 Aiktak is a small island approximately 2 km long and 1 km wide, encompassing 155 ha and with a circumference of 7.3 km (see Figures 1-3). The low-lying north shore consists of alternating grassy slopes and low rock cliffs (10-15 m) that back a number of small coves with cobble beaches. The south side of the island rises to high, sheer bluffs, the tops of which approach the highest parts of the island. Maximum elevation is 170 m. Several small Leymus-covered islets lie just offshore the eastern and western ends of the island. Vegetation is composed of maritime tundra: Leymus and Heracleum dominate the near-shore edges, while the island’s interior is about half covered by Poa and Calamagrostis, and a quarter composed of a short tundra community of Empetrum, lichens, mosses, and Anemone. Intermixed within these communities around the island are Angelica, Claytonia, Frittilaria, Equisetum, Rumex, Conioselinum, Ranunculus, Viola, Pedicularis, Sanguisorba, Geranium, Acontium, Epilobium, ferns, and several other herbaceous plants.

Arctic foxes were introduced to Aiktak in 1921 and were trapped for pelts (Bureau of Biological Survey 1940) but eventually died off. With no foxes present on the island today, Aiktak has a breeding bird community that is one of the most diverse of any island in the eastern Aleutian Islands. The tufted puffin colony that exists at Aiktak is one of the largest in Alaska, supporting hundreds of thousands of birds. For these reasons, Aiktak Island has been designated as the annual monitoring site in the eastern Aleutian Island portion of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge seabird monitoring system.

METHODS

Personnel: The USFWS field crew at Aiktak Island in 2009 consisted of Slade Sapora and Allyson Larned from 21 May until 4 September.

Data Collection and Analysis: Researchers followed data collection and analysis methods outlined in the Aiktak Island Protocols, archived at Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, in Homer, Alaska with the following exceptions:

• Storm-petrels. o Comparisons between plots checked every 7 and 14 days indicate that more frequent checks may decrease reproductive success (see Helm and Zeman 2006 for data separate by check frequency). Therefore, since 2007, reproductive performance data include only nests in productivity plots (n=13), which were visited on a 14-day interval. Chronology plots (n=5) were visited on a 7-day interval and used only for chronology and chick growth data.

o All plots (productivity and chronology plots) were included in analysis of occupancy rate except plot 26, which contains artificial burrows.

o Artificial burrow plots A-4 and A-5 could not be found in 2008. All artificial burrow plots were located in 2009 and new maps generated. Petrels inhabited artificial burrows in plots A-2 and A-4 in 2009.

o Chicks were measured only on chronology plots. Chick wing lengths were measured using only relaxed wing chord, rather than both relaxed and flattened wing as in previous years.

2 o To minimize disturbance, adults were not measured on chronology plots as in prior years; instead, data on adult morphology were collected on birds captured in mist nets during food collection, consistent with protocols for Buldir and Kasatochi islands (Williams et al. 2002).

o Food samples were collected by capturing adults with mist nets on two nights in August in Petrel Valley and on New Camp Beach. Two nets were set up in the flat terrain between storm-petrel plots 8 and 27, perpendicular to or diagonal across the narrow part of the valley. To help attract birds, recordings of fork-tailed and Leach’s vocalizations (from Stoke’s Bird Calls cd) were broadcast using an ipod and portable speakers placed at the base of mist- nets. Leach’s seemed attracted to the call on the cd, while fork-tailed’s seemed not at all attracted. In 2008, the calls broadcast were from the Birds of Alaska cd with better results than in 2009 (using a different cd, so a different call). On New Camp Beach, over 30 Leach’s were caught in two hours with the use of the broadcasted call but very few provided food samples. Samples were not analyzed in time to be included in this report.

• Black oystercatchers. o All nesting attempts (first clutches and relays) were included in analyses of reproductive success and chronology.

• Cormorants. o Cormorants nested successfully on the very southern cliff-face of Southwest Slope and were observable only from a boat. Cormorant nests observable from land uniformly failed early on in the season. As a result of this unfortunate situation, chronology information could not be attained for 2009. For more details refer to the annotated list.

• Glaucous-winged gulls. o Chick regurgitations were collected following methods described in Williams et al. (2002) and the 2007 report (Helm et al. 2007). However, few samples were collected this year due to low hatching success. Samples were collected mainly from chicks on productivity plots on Gull Mountain after monitoring was complete, as well as from a few chicks in the vegetation backing Old and New Camp Beaches. Samples were not analyzed in time to be included in this report.

• Murres. o Murre reproductive effort was low this year and has been recorded as such since 2001. A low percentage of birds on cliffs were observed with eggs and all monitored nest sites failed prior to hatch.

o Boat-based population counts did not include rafting murres.

• Pigeon guillemots. o For consistency with prior years, land-based counts did not include observation point Pole 87, which was added as an observation point in 2006 and counted only in 2006 and 2007.

• Horned puffins. o In 2008, during four days spread across late June to late July, horned puffins were counted on the water in Petrel Valley Cove at 30 minute intervals from 0800h to 2000h Aleutian Standard Time (ALST). Counts were made from the observation point for the Petrel Valley

3 Cove land-based horned puffin plot, just below pole 502 on the west side of the cove. Across all days, patterns of attendance were relatively consistent, with a clear peak in puffin numbers during the late afternoon. In 2009, an all day count (0830 to 2000h ALST) was conducted on 27 June and results were consistent with 2008. Therefore, we conducted land-based horned puffin counts around the whole island between peak hours of 1530h and 1830h ALST.

o For consistency with prior years, land-based counts did not include observation point Pole 87, which was added as an observation point in 2006 and counted only in 2006 and 2007.

• Tufted puffins. o Data analysis for productivity includes both artificial burrows and natural burrows found during mid-incubation (early-late July). Only 27 of 82 artificial burrows were occupied this year, so most burrows used for productivity (97 of 122) were natural burrows located in the vicinity of the artificial burrow plots.

o Many new natural burrows (50) were located in a small area on the southeastern-most point of Southwest Slope; we called this area “Plot N”. No stakes were placed to demarcate this plot, but flags were left in place at burrow entrances and a random GPS point was taken near the top of the plot (54°10.783’ N, 164°50.348’ W). This point is marked on the hand-drawn map for this plot.

o For chick growth, all artificial burrows with chicks (n=22) and seven easily-accessible natural burrows were used. Chick growth nests were included in the productivity sample, as analysis indicates that chick growth measurements do not bias productivity (per data analysis by J. McDonough in 2004).

o Food samples were collected by screening burrows on six sampling bouts in August. Samples were not analyzed in time to be included in this report.

In an effort to standardize data presentation across all Aleutian Island and Bering Sea Unit monitoring sites, a number of substantial changes have been made to the 2009 report. Specifically:

• Names and letter-codes in reproductive performance tables of some species were changed to achieve better consistency among different species and sites. For example, for single-clutch species (such as murres, puffins, and auklets), initial nest number used to be coded as (A) and called various names, including “total nests”, “no. eggs found”, etc. This parameter is now coded and named following the same conventions as used for multi-clutch species: (B) “nest sites w/ eggs”. Such standardization ensures that like parameters are called the same thing among different species and across different monitoring sites.

• Reproductive performance data for murres and puffins were resummarized for consistency across all sites. Due to timing of breeding, many puffins chicks (and a growing number of murre chicks in recent years) were still too young to be considered fledged when field crews left the island at the end of the season. Previously, these young chicks were included in data summary and reproductive success was presented as an estimate of maximum potential success. In this report, nest sites with chicks too young to fledge were separated from the sample of known fate nests and measures of success were calculated and presented in summary tables two ways: both with and without those nests.

• Format, presentation style, and, in some cases, content of many tables and figures were changed to be consistent across as many species and sites as possible.

• Some historic data has not yet been consolidated from past reports and is represented in tables as “xx”.

INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS

• Twenty-seven glaucous-winged gull (GWGU) eggs were collected on 21 June for the Seabird Tissue Archival and Monitoring Program (STAMP) study—most nests from which eggs were collected had low clutch sizes (one or two eggs). GWGU’s suffered high rates of eggs loss during the incubation period and had low reproductive success for the fourth year in a row.

• Since 2001, murre reproduction on Aiktak has been varied between low and complete failure; this trend continued in 2009.

• On 31 May, an adult male orca was observed interacting with an adult sea otter—the result of which appeared to be the sea otters demise, to the orca’s gastrointestinal benefit. See annotated list for a full account.

• Cormorants of all three species present on Aiktak (pelagic, red-faced and double-crested) attempted to breed on the cliff faces below SW Bight in early June. They all failed during the egg laying period. Subsequent surveys conducted by skiff (boat) revealed that a larger number of cormorants were nesting on the cliff faces located on the southern-most side of Southwest Slope (circumnavigation sections 4 and 5). These cliff faces were not observable from land, so the majority of the breeding population of cormorants on Aiktak for 2009 was not available for participation in the productivity and chronology monitoring study.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Slade would like to thank Allyson and Allyson would like to thank Slade for putting up with the other person. The crew of the M/V Tigˆlaxˆ provided smooth transport, loads of support and down-home hospitality throughout the summer and was instrumental in the success of the monitoring program at Aiktak. Additional thanks to Andy (The Hunter) Velsko for helping to run shuttle on all the supplies forgotten aboard the Tiglax. A number of refuge staff and others supplied excellent support and cheerful radio communications from Adak throughout the summer, including Lisa Scharf, Jeff Williams, and Kent Sundseth. Finally, as always, Jeff Williams, Heather Renner, and Vernon Byrd provided guidance and unwavering enthusiasm and without them the monitoring program would not exist.

REFERENCES

Blomstrom, D. and A. Nault. 1989. Seabird monitoring at Aiktak Island, Aleutian Islands, June--July 1992. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Unpubl. Rep., AMNWR 89/11. Homer, Alaska.

5 Bureau of Biological Survey, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1940. Status of Fox Islands in the Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge in fiscal year 1940. Unpublished report, Juneau, Alaska. DeGange, A. R. and D. J. Forsell. 1981. Summary of work completed on Aiktak Island and recommendations for future work. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 81/16. Anchorage, Alaska. Dragoo, D. E. and S. Woodward. 1996. Seabird monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 1995. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 96/02. Homer, Alaska. Drummond, B. A. Biological monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska, in 2008: summary appendices. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 08/13. Homer, Alaska. Dykstra, D. and D. Wynn. 2002. Biological monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2002: summary appendices. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 02/09. Homer, Alaska. Forsell, D. J. 1983a. Observations of seabirds at Aiktak Island- August 1982. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 83/09. Anchorage, Alaska. Forsell, D. J. 1983b. Progress report on field studies in the Aleutian Islands, Semidi Islands, and Bering Sea, 1983. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 83/01. Anchorage, Alaska.. Harding, A. M. A., J. F. Piatt, G. V. Byrd, S. A. Hatch, N. B. Konyukhov, E. U. Golubova, and J. C. Williams. 2005. Variability in colony attendance of crevice-nesting horned puffins: implications for population monitoring. Journal of Wildlife Management 69: 1279-1296. Helm, J. A. and T. A. Zeman. 2005. Biological monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2005: summary appendices. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 06/07. Homer, Alaska. Helm, J. A. and T. A. Zeman. 2006. Biological monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2006: summary appendices. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 06/10. Homer, Alaska. Howard, R. J. and S. Woodward. 1999. Results of seabird monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 1999. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 99/06. Homer, Alaska. O’Daniel, D. L., H. Knechtel, and J. C. Schneeweis. 1990. Seabird monitoring at Aiktak Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska in 1990. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 90/06. Adak, Alaska. Sztukowski, L. and D. Oleszczuk. 2001. Biological monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2001: summary appendices. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 01/14. Homer, Alaska. Thomson, G. L. and J. Smith. 2000. Biological monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2000: summary appendices. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 00/06. Homer, Alaska. Woodward, S. 1997. Results of seabird monitoring at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 1995 and 1996: summary appendices. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 97/12. Homer, Alaska. Williams, J.C., L. Scharf, and G.V. Byrd. 2002. Ecological monitoring methods of the Aleutian Islands Unit, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge – revised edition 2. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 00/01. Adak, Alaska.

Figure 1. Map of Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Figure 2. Aerial view of Aiktak Island from the west.

Figure 3. Aerial view of Aiktak Island from the east.

FIGURES AND TABLES

9 30

0 16 Jul

-5

Deviation (days) from from (days) mean hatch Deviation -10

-15

-20

-25 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 4. Yearly hatch date deviation (from the 1996-2008 average of 16 July) for fork-tailed storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 7 days. Negative values indicate earlier than mean hatch date, positive values indicate later than mean hatch date. Error bars represent standard deviation around each year's mean hatch date.

Table 1. Breeding chronology of fork-tailed storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 7 days.

Year Mean hatch SD na First hatch Last hatch First fledgeb

1995 no data - - - - - 1996 16 Jul 4.8 6 3 Jul 25 Jul 21 Aug 1997 21 Jul 10.1 16 7 Jul 13 Aug >1 Sep 1998 31 Jul 11.2 16 14 Jul 20 Aug >3 Sep 1999 25 Jul 8.0 28 9 Jul 21 Aug >31 Aug 2000 10 Jul 9.7 35 26 Jun 13 Aug 25 Aug 2001 15 Jul 8.9 38 16 Jun 4 Aug 3 Sep 2002 3 Jul 8.6 21 20 Jun 2 Aug 22 Aug 2003 no data - - - - - 2004 6 Jul 7.6 32 22 Jun 19 Jul 17 Aug 2005 14 Jul 8.1 45 23 Jun 10 Aug 30 Aug 2006 16 Jul 6.5 20 8 Jul 30 Jul >1 Sep 2007 17 Jul 9.7 23 5 Jul 13 Aug >30 Aug 2008 12 Jul 7.7 28 2 Jul 31 Jul 25 Aug 2009 16 Jul 6.7 29 29 Jun 12 Aug >2 Sep

11 Table 2. Frequency distribution of hatch dates for fork-tailed storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only nests in chronology plots in which observations of egg to chick ≤ 7 days.

Julian No. nests hatching on Julian date a date 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

171 no ------1 no ------172 data ------data ------173 ------174 ------1 ------175 ------176 ------2 - 2 - - - - - 177 ------1 - - - - - 178 ------179 ------2 - - - - - 180 ------1 ------181 ------182 - - - - - 2 - 8 - 5 - - - - - 183 ------2 ------184 ------3 3 - - 5 2 185 ------1 ------186 - - - - - 9 3 5 - 4 - - - - - 187 ------2 4 - - 188 - - 1 - - - 1 - - - 9 - - - - 189 ------190 - - - - - 10 2 1 - - - - - 11 - 191 - - - - - 1 1 ------192 ------2 1 - 5 16 - - - 8 193 - - 1 - 1 ------7 7 - - 194 - - - - 2 4 5 ------195 - 4 - 1 - 2 2 ------196 ------8 8 - - - - 197 - 1 5 - 3 ------7 - 198 - - - - 1 - 7 ------14 199 - - 1 2 1 3 2 - - - - 8 6 - - 200 ------2 - - - - 201 - - 2 ------202 - - - 1 2 - 3 - - 2 - - - - - 203 - - 1 - 1 1 1 ------204 ------3 - - 2 - 205 - - - - 4 ------1 2 - - 206 - - - 1 1 - 1 ------3 207 - 1 1 ------1 - 208 - - - 4 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - 209 - - 1 - 2 ------210 - - - 1 1 1 5 ------2 - 211 ------2 2 - - 212 - - - - 1 - - - - - 1 - - - 2 213 - - - 1 3 ------214 ------1 ------215 ------216 ------1 - - - 1 - - - - 217 - - 1 ------1 - - 218 - - - 1 3 ------219 - - 1 ------220 ------221 - - - - 1 ------222 - - - 1 - 1 - - - - 1 - - - - 223 ------1 - - 224 ------225 - - 1 ------226 - - - - - 1 ------227 ------228 - - - 2 ------229 ------230 ------231 ------232 - - - 1 ------

n - 6 16 16 28 35 38 21 - 32 45 20 23 28 29 aJulian dates are adjusted by one day in leap years. 12 18 11 18 8 33 20 48 46 50 54 100%

80%

60% Egg loss

Chick loss

Reproductive success 40% Percent of of Percent nest sites

20%

0% 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 5. Reproductive performance of fork-tailed storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only non-chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 14 days. Egg loss=(B-D)/B; Chick loss=(D-F)/B; Maximum reproductive success=Fmax/B, where B=nest sites with eggs; D=nest sites with chicks; Fmax=maximum nest sites with chicks fledged. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes (B).

Table 3. Reproductive performance of fork-tailed storm-petrels in non-chronology burrows at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only non-chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 14 days. Most chicks are too young to fledge by the time of last visit so fledging success and reproductive success represent maximum potential estimates, based on the assumption that any chick still present at last check could fledge.

Nest sites Max. nest sites Maximum Maximum Occupied Nest sites Nest sites Occupancy Nesting w/ known Nest sites w/ w/ chicks fledging reproductive Year nest sites w/ eggs viable eggs at w/ chicks rate success contents a fledged success success last visit (N) (O) (B) (D) (Fmax)b (O/N)c (D/B)d (Fmax/D)e (Fmax/B)

1995 110 21 18 0 16 15 0.19 0.89 0.94 0.83 1996 no data ------1997 no data ------1998 no data ------1999 154 12 11 0 10 9 0.08 0.91 0.90 0.82 2000 199 18 18 0 14 14 0.09 0.77 1.00 0.77 2001 94 8 8 0 8 7 0.09 1.00 0.88 0.88 2002 no data ------2003 no data ------2004 296 33 33 0 31 28 0.11 0.94 0.90 0.85 2005 272 41 20 0 18 18 0.15 0.90 1.00 0.90 2006 273 48 48 1 45 39 0.18 0.94 0.87 0.81 2007 278 52 46 0 40 38 0.19 0.87 0.95 0.83 2008 300 52 50 0 40 35 0.17 0.80 0.88 0.70 2009 411 55 54 49 38 0.13 0.91 0.78 0.70

aEggs still present and apparently viable at last check are considered unknown fate and are not included in the number of nest sites w/ eggs (B) or success estimates. bFmax=maximum number of chicks potentially fledged and includes both fledged chicks and all chicks still present at last check, regardless of age. cThis value represents only occupancy rate of non-chronology plots used for monitoring reproductive performance and therefore differs from occupancy rates of all plots (both non-chronology and chronology plots) presented in Table 20. dFor single-egg species, nesting success (D/B) is the same as hatching success (E/C) because nest sites w/ eggs (B)=total eggs (C) and nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E). eFor single-egg species, fledging success (F/B) is the same as chick success (G/E) because nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E) and nest sites w/ chicks fledged (F)=total chicks fledged (G).

Table 4. Standard deviation in reproductive performance parameters of fork-tailed storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only non-chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 14 days. For sampling clustered by plot, values are calculated using ratio estimator spreadsheets.

Max. Max. No. Sampling Occupancy Nesting Year fledging reproductive plots design rate success success success

1995 xx xx xx xx xx xx 1996 xx xx xx xx xx xx 1997 xx xx xx xx xx xx 1998 xx xx xx xx xx xx 1999 xx xx xx xx xx xx 2000 xx xx xx xx xx xx 2001 xx xx xx xx xx xx 2002 xx xx xx xx xx xx 2003 xx xx xx xx xx xx 2004 xx xx xx xx xx xx 2005 xx xx xx xx xx xx 2006 xx xx xx xx xx xx 2007 xx xx xx xx xx xx 2008 xx xx xx xx xx xx 2009 13 Cluster by plot 0.07 0.17 0.29 0.28

Table 5. Reproductive performance of fork-tailed storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009. Data include only non-chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 14 days.

Plot Parameter Total SDa 9 10 11 13 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 26

Nest sites w/ known contents (N) 54 36 31 13 14 24 63 37 32 26 20 10 51 411 - Occupied nest sites (O) 4 4 5 2 2 4 4 5 3 2 3 3 14 55 - Nest sites w/ eggs (B) 4 4 5 2 2 4 4 4 3 2 3 3 14 54 - Nest sites w/ viable eggs at last visitb 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - Nest sites w/ chicks (D) 4 3 5 2 2 3 4 3 3 1 2 3 14 49 - Max. nest sites w/ chicks fledged c 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 2 2 0 1 2 12 38 - (Fmax)

Occupancy rate (O/N)d ------0.13 0.07 Nesting success (D/B)e ------0.91 0.17 Maximum fledging success (Fmax/D)f ------0.78 0.29 Maximum reproductive success ------0.70 0.28 (Fmax/B)

aStandard deviations are calculated from ratio estimator spreadsheets, based on plot as a sample unit. bEggs still present and apparently viable at last check are considered unknown fate and are not included in the number of nest sites w/ eggs (B) or success estimates. cFmax=maximum number of chicks potentially fledged and includes both fledged chicks and all chicks still present at last check, regardless of age. dThis value represents only occupancy rate of non-chronology plots used for monitoring reproductive performance and therefore differs from occupancy rates of all plots (both non-chronology and chronology plots) presented in Table 20. eFor single-egg species, nesting success (D/B) is the same as hatching success (E/C) because nest sites w/ eggs (B)=total eggs (C) and nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E). fFor single-egg species, fledging success (F/B) is the same as chick success (G/E) because nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E) and nest sites w/ chicks fledged (F)=total chicks fledged (G).

Table 6. Mean growth rates of fork-tailed storm-petrel chicks at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include chicks measured at least two times during the linear phase of growth (approximately mass 0-80g; wing chord 20-140mm); chicks that died or did not exhibit linear growth were excluded.

Mass (g/day) Wing chord (mm/day)a Year Mean SD Range n Mean SD Range n

1995 no data ------1996 2.4 0.5 1.7-3.6 16 3.4 0.2 3.0-3.6 16 1997 2.8 0.4 1.7-3.7 16 3.4 0.3 2.7-4.0 16 1998 2.8 0.6 1.9-4.4 25 3.2 0.8 1.1-4.1 24 1999 2.5 0.5 1.4-3.9 32 3.6 0.3 2.8-4.1 30 2000 2.9 0.6 2.0-4.7 33 3.5 0.2 3.0-3.8 33 2001 2.7 0.5 1.3-4.1 44 3.5 0.2 3.2-4.0 16 2002 2.8 0.7 1.6-4.0 17 3.5 0.5 2.4-4.6 18 2003 no data ------2004 2.6 0.7 1.1-4.0 26 3.2 0.6 0.7-4.2 37 2005 2.7 0.5 1.7-3.8 41 2.9 0.3 2.1-3.6 40 2006 2.3 0.6 1.3-4.1 19 3.0 0.2 2.7-3.4 20 2007 2.3 0.5 1.5-3.1 18 3.1 0.4 2.0-3.5 20 2008 2.4 0.9 0.8-4.0 22 3.2 0.3 2.2-3.6 21 2009 2.0 0.5 1.5-3.2 22 3.0 0.3 2.2-3.6 22

aAll rates of growth are based on relaxed wing chord measurements, except 1998 when only flat wing data were recorded.

17 4 1 1 2 100

60 Amphipoda Euphausiacea Other fish 40 Myctophidae

Percent biomass (%) Other

0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Year

Figure 6. Relative biomass of prey in diets of fork-tailed storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes. Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

300

250

1 200 Amphipoda Euphausiacea 150 Myctophdae Other fish 1 1 2 100 Other Percent occurrence (%)

0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Year

Figure 7. Frequency of occurrence of prey in diets of fork-tailed storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes. Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

Table 7. Relative biomass of prey in diets of fork-tailed storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Numbers represent the percentage of the mass of combined food samples comprised by each prey item (sums to 100% each year). Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

a b No. samples 4 no data 1 1 2 Total mass (g) 24.9 - <0.1 3.9 8

Amphipoda Hyperiidea Parathemisto spp. - - - 100.0 - Euphausiacea Euphausiid spp. 15.1 - - - - Unid. invertebrate 0.4 - - - - Fish Myctophidae Stenobrachius spp. 79.6 - - - - Gadidae Theragra chalcogramma 4.8 - - 100.0 50.0 Ammodytidae Ammodytes hexapterus - - - 100.0 - Other Offal (fish liver) - - - - 50.0

aMass data are not always available for all samples; therefore, sample sizes for biomass may not equal those for frequency of occurrence (Table 8) and some prey types may not appear in biomass data although they were present in diet samples. bOne diet sample was collected in 1998 but biomass could be not calculated because mass of prey items were not recorded.

Table 8. Frequency of occurrence of prey in diets of fork-tailed storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Frequency is expressed as the percentage of food samples in which each prey item was present (usually sums to >100% each year). Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

No. samples 6 1 1 1 2

Amphipoda Hyperiidea Parathemisto spp. - - 100.0 - - Euphausiacea Euphausiid spp. 50.0 100.0 - - - Unid. invertebrate 16.7 - - - - Fish Myctophidae Stenobrachius spp. 50.0 100.0 - - - Gadidae Theragra chalcogramma 16.7 - - - 50.0 Ammodytidae Ammodytes hexapterus - - - 100.0 - Other Oil 16.7 - - - - Plant seed 33.3 - - - - White lava rock 16.7 - - - - Offal (fish liver) - - - - 50.0

20 25

0 1 Aug

-5 Deviation (days) from from (days) mean hatch Deviation

-10

-15

-20 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 8. Yearly hatch date deviation (from the 1996-2008 average of 1 August) for Leach’s storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 7 days. Negative values indicate earlier than mean hatch date, positive values indicate later than mean hatch date. Error bars represent standard deviation around each year's mean hatch date; red highlights the current year.

Table 9. Breeding chronology of Leach’s storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only chronology burrows monitored on an interval of about 7 days.

Year Mean hatch SD na First hatch Last hatch First fledgeb

1995 no data - - - - - 1996 1 Aug 7.4 33 6 Jul 18 Aug >20 Aug 1997 6 Aug 9.1 62 20 Jul 30 Aug >1 Sep 1998 20 Aug 4.4 23 14 Jul 1 Sep >3 Sep 1999 4 Aug 9.4 35 11 Jul 29 Aug >31 Aug 2000 30 Jul 10.9 42 9 Jul 4 Sep >11 Sep 2001 29 Jul 7.3 27 10 Jul 26 Aug >8 Sep 2002 23 Jul 6.5 10 9 Jul 31 Jul >9 Sep 2003 no data - - - - - 2004 24 Jul 8.7 37 5 Jul 16 Aug >31 Aug 2005 27 Jul 10.7 44 11 Jul 30 Aug >31 Aug 2006 1 Aug 12.2 34 12 Jul 29 Aug >1 Sep 2007 1 Aug 11.1 38 17 Jul 23 Aug >30 Aug 2008 30 Jul 8.4 45 15 Jul 25 Aug >28 Aug 2009 29 Jul 9.8 57 11 Jul 28 Aug >2 Sep

22 Table 10. Frequency distribution of hatch dates for Leach’s storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only nests in chronology plots in which observations of egg to chick ≤ 7 days.

Julian No. nests hatching on Julian date a date 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

190 no ------1 no ------191 data ------data ------192 ------1 4 - - - 2 193 ------1 - - - 194 ------195 ------196 ------6 - - - - - 197 ------2 - 198 ------11 199 - - - - - 3 1 1 - - - 4 5 - - 200 ------6 - - - - 201 - - 1 - 2 ------202 ------3 - - 8 2 - - - - 203 - 2 2 - 1 8 ------204 - 4 1 - - - - 5 - 1 13 - - 14 - 205 - - - - 3 ------11 11 - - 206 - - - - - 8 7 - - 8 - - - - 15 207 - 2 ------208 ------6 - - - - 209 - - 10 - 7 ------210 - 2 - - - 4 7 1 - - - - - 12 - 211 - 7 1 ------3 6 - - 212 - 1 - - 1 - - 2 - 4 4 - - - 13 213 - - 13 - 5 - 1 ------214 - - - - - 4 1 - - - 1 - - - - 215 - 7 1 ------216 ------2 - - 5 2 - - - - 217 - - 8 - 3 ------8 7 - - 218 - - - - - 2 ------10 - 219 - 2 1 - - - 1 ------220 ------12 221 - - 8 - 5 ------222 - - - - - 9 2 - - 3 3 - - - - 223 - 3 1 ------3 3 - - 224 - - - 1 ------225 - - 4 - 5 ------226 - - - 2 - - 2 - - 1 - - - 7 3 227 - 2 ------1 - - - - 228 - - - 4 ------229 - - 6 - 1 ------1 2 - - 230 - - - 3 - 2 ------231 - 1 ------232 - - - 7 ------233 - - 1 - 1 ------234 - - - 2 ------235 - - - 1 ------4 - - 236 ------237 - - 2 2 ------238 ------1 - - - - 239 ------240 ------1 241 - - - - 1 ------3 - - - 242 - - 2 - - 2 - - - - 1 - - - - 243 ------244 - - - 1 ------

n - 33 62 23 35 42 27 10 - 37 44 34 38 45 57 aJulian dates are adjusted by one day in leap years.

23 52 61 58 52 38 71 69 64 77 99 100%

80%

60% Egg loss

Chick loss

Reproductive success 40% Percent of of Percent nest sites

20%

0% 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 9. Reproductive performance of Leach’s storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only non-chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 14 days. Egg loss=(B-D)/B; Chick loss=(D-F)/B; Maximum reproductive success=Fmax/B, where B=nest sites with eggs; D=nest sites with chicks; Fmax=maximum nest sites with chicks fledged. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes (B).

Table 11. Reproductive performance of Leach’s storm-petrels in non-chronology burrows at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only non-chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 14 days. Most chicks are too young to fledge by the time of last visit so fledging success and reproductive success represent maximum potential estimates, based on the assumption that any chick still present at last check could fledge.

1995 129 55 52 0 45 43 0.43 0.87 0.96 0.83 1996 no data ------1997 no data ------1998 no data ------1999 205 65 61 2 49 48 0.32 0.80 0.98 0.79 2000 223 60 58 1 49 44 0.27 0.84 0.90 0.76 2001 218 53 52 0 48 48 0.24 0.92 1.00 0.92 2002 no data ------2003 no data ------2004 321 38 38 0 35 34 0.12 0.92 0.97 0.89 2005 272 72 68 1 62 59 0.26 0.91 0.95 0.87 2006 273 71 69 1 64 62 0.26 0.93 0.97 0.90 2007 276 68 64 1 58 57 0.25 0.91 0.98 0.89 2008 300 81 77 4 69 66 0.27 0.90 0.96 0.86 2009 411 108 99 0 81 74 0.26 0.82 0.91 0.75

aEggs still present and apparently viable at last check are considered unknown fate and are not included in the number of nest sites w/ eggs (B) or success estimates. bFmax=maximum number of chicks potentially fledged and includes both fledged chicks and all chicks still present at last check, regardless of age. cThis value represents only occupancy rate of non-chronology plots used for monitoring reproductive performance and therefore differs from occupancy rates of all plots (both non-chronology and chronology plots) presented in Table 20 dFor single-egg species, nesting success (D/B) is the same as hatching success (E/C) because nest sites w/ eggs (B)=total eggs (C) and nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E). eFor single-egg species, fledging success (F/B) is the same as chick success (G/E) because nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E) and nest sites w/ chicks fledged (F)=total chicks fledged (G).

Table 12. Standard deviation in reproductive performance parameters of Leach’s storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only non-chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 14 days. For sampling clustered by plot, values are calculated using ratio estimator spreadsheets.

Max. Max. No. Sampling Occupancy Nesting Year fledging reproductive plots design rate success success success

Table 13. Reproductive performance of Leach’s storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009. Data include only non-chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 14 days.

Plot Parameter Total SDa 9 10 11 13 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 26

Nest sites w/ known contents (N) 54 36 31 13 14 24 63 37 32 26 20 10 51 411 - Occupied nest sites (O) 11 5 13 1 3 11 7 9 11 10 9 6 12 108 - Nest sites w/ eggs (B) 11 5 12 1 3 10 7 8 10 9 7 5 11 99 - Nest sites w/ viable eggs at last visitb 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - Nest sites w/ chicks (D) 10 4 11 0 2 8 6 6 10 7 5 4 8 81 - Max. nest sites w/ chicks fledged c 10 3 9 0 2 8 4 6 10 7 5 3 7 74 - (Fmax)

Occupancy rate (O/N)d ------0.26 0.16 Nesting success (D/B)e ------0.82 0.24 Maximum fledging success (Fmax/D)f ------0.91 0.28 Maximum reproductive success ------0.75 0.24 (Fmax/B)

Table 14. Mean growth rates of Leach’s storm-petrel chicks at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include chicks measured at least two times during the linear phase of growth (approximately mass 0-60g; wing chord 20-140mm); chicks that died or did not exhibit linear growth were excluded.

Mass (g/day) Wing chord (mm/day)a Year Mean SD Range n Mean SD Range n

1995 no data ------1996 2.1 0.4 36 1.3-3.4 2.8 0.4 35 1.8-3.4 1997 2.1 0.4 40 1.1-3.0 2.4 0.5 32 1.4-3.5 1998 1.9 0.6 40 0.6-3.2 2.3 0.6 24 1.2-3.4 1999 2.2 0.5 29 0.7-3.4 3.1 0.1 3 3.0-3.3 2000 2.4 0.7 36 1.4-4.5 3.3 0.8 20 1.3-5.0 2001 1.9 0.4 28 1.4-2.7 - - - - 2002 1.8 1.0 8 1.0-2.5 3.1 0.5 7 2.5-4.1 2003 no data ------2004 1.8 0.5 41 0.9-3.1 2.7 0.9 24 0.9-4.2 2005 2.1 0.5 37 1.4-4.1 2.4 0.4 37 1.1-3.3 2006 2.0 0.5 26 1.1-3.4 2.5 0.3 25 1.8-3.0 2007 1.8 0.6 30 1.1-3.0 2.5 0.5 19 1.7-3.6 2008 1.8 0.7 30 0.3-3.7 2.5 0.4 21 1.8-3.0 2009 1.9 0.7 42 0.5-3.6 2.0 0.5 41 1.0-3.8

aAll rates of growth are based on relaxed wing chord measurements, except 1998 when only flat wing data were recorded.

28 4 1 1 2 100

60 Amphipoda Euphausiacea Other fish 40 Myctophidae

Percent biomass (%) Other

0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Year

Figure 10. Relative biomass of prey in diets of Leach’s storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes. Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

300

250

1 200 Amphipoda Euphausiacea 150 Myctophdae Other fish 1 1 2 100 Other Percent occurrence (%)

0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Year

Figure 11. Frequency of occurrence of prey in diets of Leach’s storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes. Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

Table 15. Relative biomass of prey in diets of Leach’s storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Numbers represent the percentage of the mass of combined food samples comprised by each prey item (sums to 100% each year). Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

a No. samples 2 1 no samples 1 1 Total mass (g) 26.5 10.6 - 0.2 0.1

Cephalopoda Unid. squid 11.3 - - - - Amphipoda Gammaridea Lysianassidae 8.3 - - - - Unid. amphipod - - - - 100.0 Euphausiacea Euphausiid spp. 26.0 - - - - FIsh Myctophidae Stenobrachius spp. 4.2 100.0 - - - Hexagrammidae Hexagrammos spp. 50.2 - - - - Unid. fish - - - 100.0 -

aMass data are not always available for all samples; therefore, sample sizes for biomass may not equal those for frequency of occurrence (see Table 16) and some prey types may not appear in biomass data although they were present in diet samples.

Table 16. Frequency of occurrence of prey in diets of Leach’s storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Frequency is expressed as the percentage of food samples in which each prey item was present (usually sums to >100% each year). Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

No. samples 7 1 no samples 1 1

Cephalopoda Unid. squid 14.3 - - - - Amphipoda Gammaridea Lysianassidae 57.1 - - - - Hyperiidea Hyperoche medusarum 14.3 - - - - Unid. amphipod - - - - 100.0 Euphausiacea Euphausiid spp. 57.1 - - - - Unid. invertebrate 14.3 - - - - Fish Myctophidae Stenobrachius spp. 71.4 100.0 - - - Hexagrammidae Hexagrammos spp. 57.1 - - - - Unid. fish - - - 100.0 - Other Plastic 14.3 - - - - Plant seed 14.3 - - - - White lava rock 14.3 - - - -

31 73 76 82 65 71 94 121 118 128 153 100%

80%

60% Egg loss

Chick loss

Reproductive success 40% Percent of of Percent nest sites

20%

0% 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 12. Reproductive performance of all storm-petrels (fork-tailed, Leach’s, and unknown storm-petrel species) at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only non-chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 14 days. Egg loss=(B-D)/B; Chick loss=(D-F)/B; Maximum reproductive success=Fmax/B, where B=nest sites with eggs; D=nest sites with chicks; Fmax=maximum nest sites with chicks fledged. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes (B).

Table 17. Reproductive performance of all storm-petrels (fork-tailed, Leach’s, and unknown storm-petrel species) in non-chronology burrows at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only non-chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 14 days. Most chicks are too young to fledge by the time of last visit so fledging success and reproductive success represent maximum potential estimates, based on the assumption that any chick still present at last check could fledge.

1995 129 84 73 0 61 58 0.65 0.84 0.95 0.79 1996 no data ------1997 no data ------1998 no data ------1999 205 94 76 4 59 57 0.46 0.78 0.97 0.75 2000 223 89 82 1 63 58 0.40 0.77 0.92 0.71 2001 219 87 65 4 56 55 0.40 0.86 0.98 0.85 2002 no data ------2003 no data ------2004 334 71 71 0 66 62 0.21 0.93 0.94 0.87 2005 272 123 94 1 79 76 0.45 0.84 0.96 0.81 2006 273 156 121 1 111 102 0.57 0.92 0.92 0.84 2007 279 136 118 2 101 97 0.49 0.86 0.96 0.82 2008 300 135 128 4 110 102 0.45 0.86 0.93 0.80 2009 411 163 153 0 130 112 0.40 0.85 0.86 0.73

Table 18. Standard deviation in reproductive performance parameters of all storm-petrels (fork-tailed, Leach’s, and unknown storm-petrel species) at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only non-chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 14 days. For sampling clustered by plot, values are calculated using ratio estimator spreadsheets.

Max. Max. No. Sampling Occupancy Nesting Year fledging reproductive plots design rate success success success

Table 19. Reproductive performance of all storm-petrels (fork-tailed, Leach’s, and unknown storm-petrel species) at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009. Data include only non-chronology plots monitored on an interval of about 14 days.

Plot Parameter Total SDa 9 10 11 13 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 26

Nest sites w/ known contents (N) 54 36 31 13 14 24 63 37 32 26 20 10 51 411 - Occupied nest sites (O) 15 9 18 3 5 15 11 14 14 12 12 9 26 163 - Nest sites w/ eggs (B) 15 9 17 3 5 14 11 12 13 11 10 8 25 153 - Nest sites w/ viable eggs at last visitb 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - Nest sites w/ chicks (D) 14 7 16 2 4 11 10 9 6 8 7 7 22 130 - Max. nest sites w/ chicks fledged c 12 6 13 1 4 11 8 8 6 7 6 5 19 112 - (Fmax)

Occupancy rate (O/N)d ------0.40 0.20 Nesting success (D/B)e ------0.85 0.10 Maximum fledging success (Fmax/D)f ------0.86 0.13 Maximum reproductive success ------0.73 0.14 (Fmax/B)

35 0.25

All storm-petrels Density

0.20

) 2 0.15

0.10

Density (no. entrances/m

0.05

0.00 Fork-tailed Leach's Occupancy All storm-petrels 0.60

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20 Occupancy rate (no. occupied burrows/total) 0.10

0.00 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Figure 13. Burrow entrance densities and chamber occupancy rates of storm-petrels on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

36 Table 20. Burrow entrance densities and chamber occupancy rates of storm-petrels on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include all plots except plot 26, which is excluded due to the existence of artificial burrows within the plot. Data from 1990 and 1995-1999 are excluded because not all plots were counted.

Parameter 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Densitya No. burrow entrancesb 534 554 520 584 544 633 609 769 584 777 Total area (m2) 3917 3917 3917 3917 3917 3917 3917 3917 3917 3917 Density of burrow entrances 0.14 0.14 0.13 0.15 0.14 0.16 0.16 0.20 0.15 0.20

Occupancyc No. burrowsd occupied by: Fork-tailed storm-petrels 45 43 16 45 55 63 64 67 72 79 Leach’s storm-petrels 115 78 16 114 73 119 105 108 127 160 All storm-petrelse 189 152 34 184 128 229 222 197 201 246 Total no. burrows w/ known status 393 358 451 340 552 451 439 413 452 614 Occupancy rate of: Fork-tailed storm-petrels 0.12 0.12 0.04 0.12 0.10 0.10 0.15 0.16 0.16 0.13 Leach’s storm-petrels 0.29 0.22 0.04 0.31 0.13 0.26 0.24 0.26 0.28 0.26 All storm-petrelse 0.48 0.43 0.08 0.50 0.23 0.51 0.51 0.48 0.44 0.40

aDensity is expressed as the number of small/medium burrow entrances per m2. bNumber of burrow entrances comprise all small/medium entrances viewable from the outside, regardless of the presence of a chamber or numerous branching tunnels further in. Numbers of small and medium entrances were combined since small entrances have been artificially enlarged by arms reaching in to check burrow contents. cOccupancy is expressed as the number of occupied burrows over the total number of burrows with known status; a burrow was considered occupied if it contained an adult bird on two consecutive checks, an egg, fresh membrane/eggshell fragments, or a chick. dFor occupancy, burrows are defined as only those with nest chambers; nests with multiple chambers are counted as separate “burrows”. eIncludes fork-tailed, Leach’s, and unknown species.

Table 21. Burrow entrance densities and chamber occupancy rates of storm-petrels on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009. Data include all plots except plot 26, which is excluded due to the existence of artificial burrows within the plot.

Plot Parameter Total

8 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27

a Density

b No. burrow entrances 53 70 47 38 27 17 15 27 69 59 35 38 26 81 18 58 99 777

2 Total area (m ) 100 200 150 50 50 50 100 50 494 125 75 119 288 455 52 1219 340 3917

Density of burrow entrances 0.53 0.35 0.31 0.76 0.54 0.34 0.15 0.54 0.14 0.47 0.47 0.32 0.09 0.18 0.35 0.04 0.29 0.20

c Occupancy

d No. burrows occupied by:

Fork-tailed storm-petrels 7 4 4 5 3 2 2 4 4 5 3 2 3 14 3 8 6 79

Leach’s storm-petrels 5 11 5 13 5 1 3 11 7 9 11 10 9 18 6 16 20 160

e All storm-petrels 12 15 9 18 8 3 5 15 11 15 15 14 12 33 9 26 26 246

Total no. burrows w/ known status 37 54 36 18 20 13 14 24 63 37 32 26 20 75 10 45 77 614

Occupancy rate of:

Fork-tailed storm-petrels 0.19 0.07 0.11 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.17 0.06 0.14 0.09 0.08 0.15 0.19 0.30 0.18 0.08 0.13

Leach’s storm-petrels 0.14 0.20 0.14 0.42 0.25 0.08 0.21 0.46 0.11 0.24 0.34 0.38 0.45 0.24 0.60 0.36 0.26 0.26

e All storm-petrels 0.32 0.28 0.25 0.58 0.40 0.23 0.36 0.63 0.17 0.41 0.47 0.54 0.60 0.44 0.90 0.58 0.34 0.40

Table 22. Morphological measurements of adult fork-tailed and Leach’s storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Mass (g) Wing chord (mm) Diagonal tarsus (mm) Year Mean SD Range n Mean SD Range n Mean SD Range n

Fork-tailed storm-petrel 2005 67.5 5.9 58.5-80.0 22 156.5 4.4 146-163 22 27.9 0.9 26.0-29.0 22 2006 65.5 5.8 55.0-81.5 33 158.1 3.8 150-165 33 27.5 1.0 26.0-29.5 33 2007 65.0 4.5 55.0-74.0 30 157.0 4.9 147-166 30 27.1 0.9 25.1-28.5 30 2008 58.9 4.9 47.5-71.0 32 156.0 4.2 148-165 32 26.9 0.7 25.1-28.2 32 2009 60.6 2.8 57.0-65.0 10 160.0 3.6 155-165 10 27.3 0.7 25.5-28.1 10

Leach’s storm-petrel 2005 47.1 4.2 39.0-58.0 72 153.5 3.1 148-160 72 24.5 0.8 23.0-26.0 72 2006 46.2 4.4 38.5-55.5 48 154.2 3.8 146-162 48 24.4 0.6 22.5-25.5 48 2007 46.0 4.4 38.0-54.0 56 155.6 4.1 147-166 56 24.3 0.9 22.9-27.3 56 2008 42.9 3.2 37.5-53.0 45 154.8 3.3 148-163 45 24.1 0.7 22.9-25.6 45 2009 42.7 2.6 36.5-42.7 34 155.4 3.9 148-165 34 24.5 0.9 22.2-26.7 34

39 Table 23. Band resights of fork-tailed storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009. Resight data are collected primarily as incidental observations of banded birds captured during the course of other work and should not be considered a comprehensive dataset of banded individuals for survival analysis.

Birds initially banded in: Total 1995 1996 1997

No. birds banded 22 38 17 77 No. birds ever resighteda 16 31 7 54 No. birds resighted in 2009 4 3 0 7

aIncludes any bird resighted in at least one year following the year it was banded.

Table 24. Band resights of Leach’s storm-petrels at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009. Resight data are collected primarily as incidental observations of banded birds captured during the course of other work and should not be considered a comprehensive dataset of banded individuals for survival analysis.

Birds initially banded in: Total 1995 1996 1997

No. birds banded 72 90 59 221 No. birds ever resighteda 51 70 28 149 No. birds resighted in 2009 2 4 4 10

aIncludes any bird resighted in at least one year following the year it was banded.

40 2.5 Double-crested Red-faced Pelagic 2.0

1.5

1.0 Chicksper nest start

0.5

0.0 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 14. Reproductive performance of double-crested, red-faced, and pelagic cormorants at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Success is measured by the number of chicks per nest start (E/A), where E=total chicks and A=total nest starts (including those without chicks).

Table 25. Reproductive performance of double-crested cormorants at Aiktak Island, Alaska, as determined by a Boom or Bust methodology. Measures of success are based on a count of nests (or maximum of several counts) conducted early in the nesting period and a count of large chicks (or maximum of several counts) conducted late in the nesting period.

Total Nest Nest Mean Prop. nest a sites w/ Total brood nest sites Chicks/ Date(s) of Date(s) of sites Nest sites w/ x chicks : Year starts chicks chicks size w/ chicks nest start max. nest max. chick w/ unk. count count (A) contents 0 1 2 3 4 (D) (E) (E/D) (D/A)b (E/A)b

1995 species bred but no data ------

1996 species bred but no data ------

1997 species bred but no data ------

1998 species bred but no data ------1999 no nests ------2000 7 - 0 2 2 2 1 7 16 2.3 1.00 2.29 20 Aug 20 Aug

2001 no nests ------2002 15 - 9 2 4 0 0 6 10 1.7 0.40 0.67 N/A N/A

2003 species bred but no data ------2004 20 - 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 22 Jun -

2005 no nests ------2006 7 - 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 11 Jul - 2007 16 - 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 10 Jun - 2008 24 - 6 4 5 9 0 18 41 2.3 0.75 1.71 17 Jun 20 Aug 2009 6 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 16 Jun -

aNumbers of chicks may represent a minimum count as not all may have been visible. bProportion of nest sites with chicks (D/A) and chicks/nest start (E/A) may be considered maximum potential values of productivity (F/A) and fledglings/nest start (G/A), respectively, based on the assumption that all chicks counted eventually fledge.

Table 26. Reproductive performance of red-faced cormorants at Aiktak Island, Alaska, as determined by a Boom or Bust methodology. Measures of success are based on a count of nests (or maximum of several counts) conducted early in the nesting period and a count of large chicks (or maximum of several counts) conducted late in the nesting period.

1995 no nests ------1996 no nests ------1997 53 - 37 4 6 6 0 16 34 2.1 0.30 0.64 N/A N/A 1998 species bred but no data ------1999 no nests ------2000 no nests ------2001 21 - 8 3 3 6 1 13 32 2.5 0.62 1.52 N/A N/A 2002 49 - 12 3 19 15 0 37 86 2.3 0.76 1.76 N/A N/A

2003 species bred but no data ------2004 49 - 49 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 22 Jun - 2005 no nests ------2006 no nests ------2007 13 - 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 10 Jun - 2008 248 - 113 41 71 20 3 135 155 1.9 0.54 0.63 17 Jun 20 Aug 2009 2 - 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 16 Jun -

Table 27. Reproductive performance of pelagic cormorants at Aiktak Island, Alaska, as determined by a Boom or Bust methodology. Measures of success are based on a count of nests (or maximum of several counts) conducted early in the nesting period and a count of large chicks (or maximum of several counts) conducted late in the nesting period.

1995 9 - N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 9 21 2.3 1.00 2.33 N/A N/A 1996 6 - N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5 12 2.4 0.83 2.00 N/A N/A 1997 3 - 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 1.0 0.33 0.33 N/A N/A

1998 species bred but no data ------

1999 no nests ------

2000 species bred but no data ------

2001 14 - 3 4 4 3 0 11 21 1.9 0.79 1.50 N/A N/A

2002 18 - 7 2 6 3 0 11 23 2.1 0.61 1.28 N/A N/A

2003 species bred but no data ------

2004 4 - 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 22 Jun

2005 no nests ------2006 19 - 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 17 Jul - 2007 1 - 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 10 Jun - 2008 69 - 12 10 31 15 1 57 121 2.1 0.83 1.75 22 Jul 20 Aug 2009 26 - 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 16 Jun -

44 600 Double-crested Red-faced Pelagic All cormorants 500

400

300 Mean number number Mean of birds 200

100

0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Figure 15. Mean numbers of cormorants counted during circumnavigation surveys at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Values come from general circumnavigation data (Table 79). Error bars represent standard deviation.

45 20

0 24 Jun

-5 Deviation (days) from from (days) mean hatch Deviation -10

-15

-20 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 16. Yearly hatch date deviation (from the 1997-2008 average of 24 June) for black oystercatchers at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Negative values indicate earlier than mean hatch date, positive values indicate later than mean hatch date. Error bars represent standard deviation around each year's mean hatch date; red highlights the current year.

Table 28. Breeding chronology of black oystercatchers at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent the date of the first chick hatched in each nest.

Year Mean hatch SD na First hatch Last hatch

1995 no data - - - - 1996 no data - - - - 1997 27 Jun 6.2 7 18 Jun 5 Jul 1998 25 Jun 5.4 5 19 Jun 3 Jul 1999 25 Jun 5.4 5 19 Jun 3 Jul 2000 26 Jun 8.5 2 20 Jun 2 Jul 2001 21 Jun 8.2 10 9 Jun 6 Jul 2002 30 Jun 15.3 6 14 Jun 19 Jul 2003 20 Jun 8.0 6 13 Jun 5 Jul 2004 16 Jun 8.0 9 10 Jun 6 Jul 2005 6 Jul 8.7 4 27 Jun 17 Jul 2006 23 Jun 4.4 10 15 Jun 1 Jul 2007 24 Jun 8.2 6 17 Jun 7 Jul 2008 28 Jun 10.6 11 17 Jun 27 Jul 2009 26 Jun 9.5 9 13 Jun 7 Jul

aSample sizes for mean hatch dates are a sub-sample of total nests for which egg to chick interval is ≤ 5 days.

47 Table 29. Frequency distribution of hatch dates for black oystercatchers at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent the date of the first chick hatched in each nest and include only nests in which observations of egg to chick ≤ 5 days.

Julian No. nests hatching on Julian date a date 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

160 no no - - - - 1 ------161 data data ------162 ------2 - - - - - 163 - - - 1 ------164 ------1 2 - - - - 1 165 ------1 ------166 ------2 - - 1 - 1 - - - 167 - - - 1 - - 1 - 2 - - - - - 1 168 ------1 - 1 1 - - 3 - - 169 - - 1 ------1 - 170 - - - - 1 - - - - 2 - 1 - - 1 171 - - - 1 ------172 - - 1 - 1 1 ------1 - 173 ------3 - - - 3 - 1 1 174 ------1 - - 2 - - - 175 - - - - 1 ------1 - - 1 176 - - - - 1 ------1 - 177 ------2 ------178 - - 1 - - - 2 - - - 1 - 2 1 - 179 - - 1 1 ------1 - 2 - 180 - - 1 ------181 ------182 ------1 1 - 1 - 183 ------2 - 184 - - - - 1 1 ------185 - - 1 ------1 186 - - 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - 1 187 ------1 ------188 ------1 1 - 1 - 2 189 ------190 ------191 ------192 ------193 ------194 ------195 ------196 ------197 ------198 ------1 - - - - 199 ------200 ------2 ------201 ------202 ------203 ------204 ------205 ------206 ------207 ------208 ------209 ------1 -

n - - 7 4 5 2 10 6 6 9 4 10 6 11 9 aJulian dates are adjusted by one day in leap years.

48 1.0 3.0

Nesting success Mean brood size 2.5 0.8

2.0

0.6

1.5 Nesting success Nesting 0.4 brood Mean size

1.0

0.2 0.5

0.0 0.0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Figure 17. Reproductive performance of black oystercatchers at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Nesting success=D/B; Mean brood size=E/D; where B=nest sites with eggs, D=nest sites with chicks; E=total chicks.

Table 30. Reproductive performance of black oystercatchers at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include both first and second nest attempts for pairs that relaid after initial nest failure.

Nest sites Total Nest sites Total Mean Mean Nesting Hatching Nest sites w/ x eggs: w/ eggs eggs w/ chicks chicks clutch size brood size success success Year (B) 1 2 3 (C) (D) (E) (C/B) (E/D) (D/B) (E/C)

1995 no data ------1996 no data ------1997 10 0 7 3 23 9 17 2.3 1.9 0.90 0.74 1998 14 4 2 8 32 4 8 2.3 2.0 0.29 0.25 1999 12 0 4 8 32 5 10 2.7 2.0 0.42 0.31 2000 5 1 1 3 12 2 4 2.4 2.0 0.40 0.33 2001 12 2 5 5 27 10 22 2.3 2.2 0.83 0.81 2002 14 1 2 11 38 6 11 2.7 1.8 0.43 0.29 2003 15 3 5 7 34 6 9 2.3 1.5 0.40 0.26 2004 11 1 2 8 29 9 18 2.7 2.0 0.82 0.62 2005a 20 4 9 7 43 4 6 2.2 1.5 0.20 0.14 2006 13 0 6 7 33 10 16 2.5 1.6 0.77 0.48 2007 11 0 5 6 28 6 15 2.6 2.5 0.54 0.54 2008 17 2 7 8 40 10 20 2.4 2.0 0.59 0.50 2009 18 3 9 6 39 9 19 2.2 2.1 0.50 0.49

aIn 2005, an early-season storm on 27 May pushed kelp over many nests, causing a large number of pairs to relay.

50 60

30 Number of of Number birds

0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Year

Figure 18. Numbers of breeding black oystercatchers counted at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Values are based on the number of nests or breeding pairs observed on the island throughout the year and do not include flocks of migratory birds passing through the area in the fall.

Table 31. Numbers of breeding black oystercatchers counted at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Values are based on the number of nests or breeding pairs observed on the island throughout the year and do not include flocks of migratory birds passing through the area in the fall.

No. Total no. Year territories breeding birds

1995 21 42 1996 19 38 1997 13 26 1998 18 36 1999 18 36 2000 13 26 2001 12 24 2002 25 50 2003 15 30 2004a >10 >20 2005 14 28 2006 14 28 2007 11 22 2008 15 30 2009 20 40

aNo data on the total number or distribution of breeding pairs were found for 2004; numbers represents minimum number of breeding pairs and birds from those nests monitored for productivity.

52 25

0 9 Jul Deviation (days) from from (days) mean hatch Deviation -5

-10

-15 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 19. Yearly hatch date deviation (from the 1995-2008 average of 9 July) for glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Negative values indicate earlier than mean hatch date, positive values indicate later than mean hatch date. Error bars represent standard deviation around each year's mean hatch date; red highlights the current year.

Table 32. Breeding chronology of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent the date of the first chick hatched in each nest.

Year Mean hatch SD na First lay First hatch Last hatch

1995 23 Jul 4.1 43 20 Jun 17 Jul 1 Aug 1996 15 Jul 4.1 76 13 Jun 10 Jul 26 Jul 1997 6 Jul 2.8 95 1 Jun 28 Jun 14 Jul 1998 9 Jul 2.9 90 6 Jun 3 Jul 17 Jul 1999 12 Jul 3.2 50 10 Jun 7 Jul 19 Jul 2000 3 Jul 5.0 70 31 May 7 Jun 19 Jul 2001 3 Jul 3.7 38 1 Jun 28 Jun 14 Jul 2002 28 Jun 2.5 95 26 May 22 Jun 3 Jul 2003 29 Jun 3.2 93 23 May 19 Jun >5 Julb 2004 4 Jul 3.9 85 29 May 25 Jun 12 Jul 2005 3 Jul 3.1 79 31 May 27 Jun 11 Jul 2006 27 Jul 5.4 10c 24 Jun 21 Jul 4 Aug 2007 6 Jul 2.5 36 1 Jun 28 Jun 10 Jul 2008 8 Jul 2.4 40 3 Jund 30 Jun 12 Jul 2009 11 Jul 3.7 38 7 Jun 4 Jul 19 Jul

aSample sizes for mean hatch dates are a sub-sample of total nests for which egg to chick interval is ≤ 5 days. bIn 2003, four nests had yet to hatch before researchers departed the island early on 10 July. cIn 2006, sample size was small and recorded hatch dates were late due to high rates of egg loss during the early egg-laying period. dActual first lay dates were earlier: three nests with single eggs were found on the first check on 1 June. However, convention of subtracting 27 days from the first hatch date puts their lay dates at 3 June.

54 Table 33. Frequency distribution of hatch dates for glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent the date of the first chick hatched in each nest and include only nests in which observations of egg to chick ≤ 5 days.

Julian No. nests hatching on Julian date a date 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

170 ------1 ------171 ------172 ------173 ------3 ------174 ------2 ------175 ------7 ------176 ------7 25 ------177 ------3 - - - - - 178 ------39 4 - 2 - - - - 179 - - 1 - - 11 7 - 4 - 3 - 1 - - 180 ------18 43 6 10 - - - - 181 ------2 4 1 - 5 - - - - 182 - - - - - 22 3 10 - - 11 - - 1 - 183 - - 13 - - - 7 3 1 - 8 - 1 - - 184 - - 2 3 - - 4 2 4 30 12 - - - - 185 ------5 - - - 4 - 15 1 1 186 - - 44 2 - 16 1 - 10 - 14 - - 1 3 187 - - - - - 2 2 - - 25 3 - 8 2 - 188 - - 20 39 6 11 4 - - - 2 - - 10 7 189 - - - 8 - - 1 - - 2 1 - 8 - - 190 - - - 5 1 - - - - 5 2 - - 6 2 191 - - 8 21 - 2 1 - - 5 - - 3 11 4 192 - 18 4 - 22 - - - - - 2 - - 5 9 193 ------7 - - - 2 2 194 - 4 2 7 1 1 - - - 2 - - - 1 4 195 - 13 1 - - 1 1 ------196 - 5 - - 16 1 ------197 ------3 198 7 19 - 5 1 ------2 199 - - - - - 2 ------200 - 3 - - 3 ------1 201 - 1 - - - 1 ------202 14 ------1 - - - 203 1 8 ------2 - - - 204 1 3 ------205 ------1 - - - 206 9 1 ------1 - - - 207 ------2 - - - 208 8 1 ------209 ------210 ------211 ------212 ------213 3 ------214 ------1 - - - 215 ------216 ------2 - - -

n 43 76 95 90 50 70 38 95 93 85 79 10 36 40 38 aJulian dates are adjusted by one day in leap years.

Table 34. Reproductive performance of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska, as determined by a nest-monitoring methodology. Measures of success are based on frequent monitoring of individual nests.

Total Nest Nest Mean Mean Prop. Chicks/ Year nest sites Total sites w/ Total Laying clutch brood Nesting Hatching nest sites nest Nest sites w/ x eggs: Nest sites w/ x chicks: starts w/ eggs eggs chicks chicks success size size success success w/ chicks start

a a a (A) 0 1 2 3 4 (B) (C) 1 2 3 4 (D) (E) (B/A) (C/B) (E/D) (D/B) (E/C) (D/A) (E/A)

1995 - - 11 25 12 0 48 97 9 20 7 0 36 70 - 2.0 1.9 0.75 0.72 - - 1996 - - 17 38 38 0 93 207 19 33 23 0 75 154 - 2.2 2.1 0.81 0.74 - - 1997 - - 9 17 80 0 106 283 3 30 60 0 93 243 - 2.7 2.6 0.88 0.86 - - 1998 - - 11 21 74 0 106 275 4 30 57 0 91 235 - 2.6 2.6 0.86 0.85 - - 1999 - - 16 27 35 0 78 175 7 23 20 0 50 113 - 2.2 2.3 0.64 0.65 - - 2000 - - 6 17 45 0 68 175 11 21 34 0 66 155 - 2.6 2.4 0.97 0.89 - - 2001 - - 2 21 17 0 40 95 8 22 8 0 38 76 - 2.4 2.0 0.95 0.80 - - 2002 - - 1 13 86 0 100 285 7 42 46 0 95 229 - 2.9 2.4 0.95 0.80 - - 2003 - - 8 23 66 1 98 256 13 30 49 1 93 224 - 2.6 2.4 0.95 0.88 - - 2004 - - 13 33 52 2 100 243 27 37 21 0 85 164 - 2.4 1.9 0.85 0.67 - - 2005 - - 15 33 73 0 117 300 16 31 32 0 79 174 - 2.6 2.2 0.68 0.58 - - 2006 - - 26 17 4 0 47 72 2 8 0 0 10 18 - 1.5 1.8 0.21 0.25 - - 2007 - - 43 20 54 0 117 245 8 16 12 0 36 73 - 2.1 2.1 0.30 0.30 - - 2008 - - 48 63 45 1 157 313 9 17 14 0 40 85 - 2.0 2.1 0.25 0.27 - - 2009 - - 93 69 38 0 200 345 21 16 1 0 38 56 - 1.7 1.5 0.18 0.16 - -

aSampling at Aiktak includes only nests with eggs so total nest starts (A), laying success (B/A), proportion of nest sites with chicks (D/A) and chicks per nest start (E/A) cannot be estimated.

Table 35. Standard deviation in reproductive performance parameters of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska.. For sampling clustered by plot, values are calculated using ratio estimator spreadsheets.

No. Sampling Mean Mean Nesting Hatching Prop. nest sites Chicks/ Year a Laying success plots design clutch size brood size success success w/ chicks nest start

1995 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 1996 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 1997 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 1998 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 1999 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 2000 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 2001 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 2002 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 2003 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 2004 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 2005 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 2006 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 2007 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 2008 xx xx - xx xx xx xx - - 2009 4 Cluster by plot - 0.15 0.08 0.04 0.04 - -

aPlots that are combined for analysis are counted as a single “plot”.

Table 36. Reproductive performance of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009.

Plot Parameter Total SDa 40 [a] 41 [b] 42 [c] 43 [d]

Total nest starts (A)b ------

Nest sites w/ x eggs: 0 ------1 24 15 20 34 93 - 2 15 16 30 8 69 - 3 9 8 14 7 38 - 4 0 0 0 0 0 -

Nest sites w/ eggs (B) 48 39 64 49 200 - Total eggs (C) 81 71 122 71 345 -

Nest sites w/ x chicks: 1 5 4 8 4 21 - 2 2 2 8 4 16 - 3 1 0 0 0 1 -

Nest sites w/ chicks (D) 8 6 16 8 38 - Total chicks (E) 12 8 24 12 56 -

Laying success (B/A)b ------Mean clutch size (C/B) - - - - 1.7 0.15 Mean brood size (E/D) - - - - 1.5 0.08 Nesting success (D/B) - - - - 0.19 0.04 Hatching success (E/C) - - - - 0.16 0.04 Prop. nest sites w/ chicks (D/A)b ------Chicks/nest start (E/A)b ------

aStandard deviations are calculated from ratio estimator spreadsheets, based on plot as a sample unit. bSampling at Aiktak includes only nests with eggs so total nest starts (A), laying success (B/A), proportion of nest sites with chicks (D/A) and chicks per nest start (E/A) cannot be estimated.

58 5000 800

Adults (mean) Fledglings (maximum) 700

4000 600

500 3000

400

2000 300 Mean number number Mean of adults Maximum number of of number fledglings Maximum 200 1000

100

0 0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Figure 20. Mean numbers of glaucous-winged gull adults and maximum numbers of glaucous-winged fledglings counted on index plots (adults) or along beach transects (fledglings) at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Table 37. Numbers of glaucous-winged gulls counted on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Replicate 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

1 1994 1701 2689 2481 2004 1975 2564 2233 2804 2280 2130 2333 3412 4494 3252 2 2240 1875 3211 3039 1275 1872 2996 2684 2725 2639 2887 1450 4546 4749 3749 3 2527 1671 2329 2553 1631 1926 - 2719 2936 4007 2423 999 4176 4187 4227 4 - - - 2592 2734 1909 - 2152 2718 3519 2695 1530 4265 4490 2966 5 - - - 1944 - - - 1887 2657 2889 2379 1617 - 4420 3600

Mean 2189 1811 2557 2435 1929 1936 2520 2335 2768 3067 2503 1586 4100 4468 3558 Max. 2527 1875 3211 3039 2734 1975 2996 2719 2936 4007 2887 2333 4546 4749 4227

n 3 3 3 5 4 4 2 5 5 5 5 5 4 5 5 SD 267 110 444 390 624 43 306 358 108 693 294 481 485 201 482 First count 9 Jun 19 Jun 30 May 2 Jun 30 May 16 Jun 6 Jun 29 May 22 May 24 May 3 Jun 1 Jun 4 Jun 3 Jun 4 Jun Last count 16 Jul 18 Jul 16 Jun 15 Jun 11 Jun 25 Jun 8 Jun 15 Jun 6 Jun 14 Jun 19 Jun 17 Jun 14 Jun 11 Jun 12 Jun

Table 38. Numbers of glaucous-winged gull fledglings counted on New Camp and Old Camp beaches at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Replicate 1998 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

1 28 37 112 81 20 14 0 3 1 11 2 31 87 431 376 22 17 0 9 23 9 3 38 189 62 404 50 18 1 15 37 22 4 106 120 - 433 133 50 - 31 - 28 5 305 113 - 361 193 123 - 43 - 40 6 - 171 - - - 172 - - - 54

Max. 305 189 431 433 193 172 1 43 37 54

n 5 6 3 5 5 6 3 5 3 6 SD 118 56 200 142 77 67 1 17 18 17 First count 14 Aug 13 Aug 17 Aug 10 Aug 10 Aug 4 Aug 23 Aug 13 Aug 20 Aug 24 Aug Last count 1 Sep 7 Sep 8 Sep 25 Aug 28 Aug 31 Aug 2 Sep 30 Aug 28 Aug 4 Sep

61 Table 39. Numbers of glaucous-winged gulls counted on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009.

Date Plot Mean SD 4 Jun 5 Jun 7 Jun 8 Jun 12 Jun

A 66 70 81 54 63 - - B 668 658 948 554 785 - - C-west 1144 1334 1615 1055 1283 - - C-north 1028 1233 1196 890 1037 - - D 9 11 8 11 8 - - E 33 41 40 50 59 - - F 31 29 43 30 30 - - G 13 7 6 3 8 - - H 38 32 29 40 43 - - I 20 38 24 23 27 - - Club A 14 88 69 72 30 - - Club B 136 152 111 123 166 - - Club C 52 57 60 61 61 - -

Total 3252 3749 4227 2966 3600 3558 482

Table 40. Numbers of glaucous-winged gull fledglings counted on New Camp and Old Camp beaches at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009.

Date Plot Max. 24 Aug 26 Aug 29 Aug 30 Aug 2 Sep 4 Sep

Old Camp Beach 10 8 20 24 37 38 - New Camp Beach 1 1 2 4 3 16 -

Total 11 9 22 28 40 54 54

62 Table 41. Density of glaucous-winged gull nests on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Total Nest Mean Density Density nest sites w/ Total clutch of nests of total Nest sites w/ x eggs: Area Survey Year 2 starts eggs eggs (m ) size w/ eggs nests date

(A) 0 1 2 3 4 (B) (C) (C/B) (B/area) (A/area)

1995 no data ------1996 no data ------a 1997 93 48 3 13 29 0 45 114 1885.2 2.5 0.02 0.05 xx 1998 76 48 2 7 19 0 28 73 1885.2 2.6 0.01 0.04 xx 1999 84 53 3 18 10 0 31 63 1885.2 2.0 0.02 0.04 xx 2000 47 8 7 16 15 0 38 84 1885.2 2.2 0.02 0.02 xx 2001 70 17 2 15 36 0 53 154 1885.2 2.7 0.03 0.04 xx 2002 90 30 1 12 47 0 49 136 1885.2 2.8 0.03 0.07 xx 2003 90 41 1 9 39 0 49 136 1885.2 2.8 0.03 0.05 xx 2004 81 24 7 18 32 0 57 140 1885.2 2.5 0.03 0.04 xx 2005 81 39 14 8 20 0 42 90 1885.2 2.1 0.02 0.04 xx b b b 2006 86 85 1 0 0 0 1 1 1885.2 1.0 <0.01 0.05 xx 2007 232 204 10 13 5 0 28 54 1885.2 1.9 0.02 0.12 xx 2008 312 275 7 18 11 1 37 80 1885.2 2.1 0.02 0.17 xx 2009 220 182 17 14 7 0 38 66 1885.2 1.7 0.02 0.12 20 Jun

aTotal area consists of sum of six plots of 314.2 m2 each. bIn 2006, density values may underestimate actual effort because gulls suffered exceptionally high rates of egg loss during the early egg-laying period before density surveys were conducted.

Table 42. Density of glaucous-winged gulls on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009.

Plot Parameter Total SDa 55 78 40 41 42 43

Total nest starts (A) 35 19 39 28 55 44 220 -

Nest sites w/ x eggsb: 0 34 16 31 26 41 34 182 - 1 1 2 2 2 4 6 17 - 2 0 1 4 0 5 4 14 - 3 0 0 2 0 5 0 7 - 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

Nest sites w/ eggs (B) 1 3 8 2 14 10 38 - Total eggs (C) 1 4 16 2 29 14 66 -

Area (m2) 314.2 314.2 314.2 314.2 314.2 314.2 1885.2 -

Mean clutch size (C/B) ------1.7 0.44 Density of nests w/ eggs (B/area) ------0.02 0.02 Density of total nests (A/area) ------0.12 0.04

Survey date 20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun - -

aStandard deviations are calculated from ratio estimator spreadsheets, based on plot as a sample unit.

64 140

32 5 120 77 99

21 100 84 26

Sea urchin 80 Limpet Chiton Other invert. 60 Birds Fish Percent Percent occurrence(%)

0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Year

Figure 21. Frequency of occurrence of prey in diets of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data comprise a mix of adult and chick regurgitations and pick-ups and do not include regurgitated pellets collected in 2008-2009. Number above columns indicates sample sizes. Diet samples were collected in 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

65 Table 43. Frequency of occurrence of prey in diets of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Frequency is expressed as the percentage of food samples in which each prey item was present (usually sums to >100% each year). Data comprise a mix of adult and chick regurgitations and pick-ups. Diet samples were collected in 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized. Data do not include regurgitated pellets collected in 2008-2009, which may not be comparable and are reported separately (Table 44).

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000a 2001 2002 2003

No. samples 5 99 84 77 32 26 no 21 no samples samples Invertebrates N/Ab N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A - N/A - Sea urchin - 5.1 3.6 1.3 - 3.8 - - - Limpet - 1.0 - 1.3 - - - - - Chiton - 2.0 3.6 2.6 6.3 - - 4.8 - Crangonidae - - - - 3.1 - - - - Mytilus spp. - - - - 3.1 - - - - Mya spp. - - - - 3.1 - - - - Unid. pill bug - - - - 3.1 - - - - Unid. fly 60.0 ------Unid. parasite - - - - 3.1 - - - -

Fish N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A - N/A - Pacific herring - 82.8 78.6 67.5 46.9 11.5 - 23.8 - Pacific sandlance - 1.0 3.6 23.4 15.6 57.7 - 61.9 - Capelin - 3.0 ------Atka mackerel - 1.0 ------Pollock - - - 11.7 - - - - - Gadidae - 1.0 - - - 3.8 - - - Pleuronectidae - - - 1.3 - - - - - Unid. fish eggs - 1.0 - 1.3 - - - - - Unid. fish 20.0 1.0 - 3.9 31.3 15.4 - 9.5 -

Birds N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A - N/A - Fork-tailed storm-petrel - - - 2.6 - - - - - Black-legged kittiwake (chick) - 2.0 ------Glaucous-winged gull (chick) - - - - 9.4 - - - - Least auklet - 3.0 ------Whiskered auklet - 1.0 2.4 ------Ancient murrelet - - 1.2 ------Tufted puffin - 2.0 2.4 ------Tufted puffin (chick) - 4.0 ------Unid. murre (chick) - - - - - 3.8 - - - Unid. alcid - - 1.2 ------Unid. egg - 1.0 ------Unid. small bird - 2.0 - 2.6 - - - - - Unid. feather 40.0 ------

Mammals N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A - N/A - Microtine - - - 1.3 3.1 - - - -

Miscellaneous N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A - N/A - Plant material 40.0 - - - 6.3 - - - - Offal - - - - - 3.8 - - - aIn addition to adult pellets, chick regurgitations were collected and included in the 2000 report. aValues in bold are composite totals for invertebrates, fish, birds, mammals, and miscellaneous. Summation of individual prey types may exceed group totals because of overlap (i.e. occurrence of more than one prey species per pellet).

66 140 167

120 135

100 Sea urchin Limpet 80 Chiton Other invert. 60 Birds Fish 40 Other Percent Percent occurrence(%)

0 2008 2009 Year

Figure 22. Frequency of occurrence of prey in regurgitated pellets of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Number above columns indicates sample sizes.

167 135 100

Sea urchin

60 Limpet Chiton Other invert. 40 Birds Fish

Percent volume (%) volume Percent Other 20

0 2008 2009 Year

Figure 23. Percent volume of prey in regurgitated pellets of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Numbers above columns indicates sample sizes.

Table 44. Frequency of occurrence of prey in regurgitated pellets of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Frequency is expressed as the percentage of food samples in which each prey item was present (usually sums to >100% each year). Data do not include adult and chick regurgitations and pick- ups collected 1995-2009, which may not be comparable and are reported separately (Table 43).

2008 2009

No. samples 167 135

Invertebrates 50.3a 27.4 Sea urchin 41.4 7.4 Limpet 9 5.2 Crab 3 0 Barnacle 0 2.2 Blue mussel 1.2 0.7 Snail 7.2 2.2 Chiton 12.6 14.1 Unid. shellfish 0.6 0.7

Fish 43.1 68.9

Birds 10.8 7.4 Tufted puffin 1.2 0.7 Unidentified bird 6 3.7 Unidentified alcid 0.6 1.5 Unidentified egg 4.8 1.5

Miscellaneous 2.4 9.6 Kelp/seaweed 1.2 3.7 Pebbles 1.2 4.4 Plant material 0.6 3.7 aValues in bold are composite totals for invertebrates, fish, birds, and miscellaneous. Summation of individual prey types may exceed group totals because of overlap (i.e. occurrence of more than one prey species per pellet).

Table 45. Percent volume of prey in regurgitated pellets of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Values represent the average percent composition of a prey item in all pellets (sums to 100% each year). Data do not include adult and chick regurgitations and pick-ups collected 1995-2009, which may not be comparable and are reported separately (Table 43).

2008 2009

No. samples 167 135

Invertebrates 48.4a 25.4 Sea urchin 21.2 5.3 Limpet 6.6 4 Crab 1.0 - Barnacle - 1.7 Blue mussel 1.2 0.2 Snail 5.9 0.9 Chiton 12.3 12.6 Unid. shellfish 0.2 0.4

Fish 41.3 62.4

Birds 9.3 6.4 Tufted puffin 1.2 0.7 Unidentified bird 3.9 2.7 Unidentified alcid 0.6 1.5 Unidentified egg 3.6 1.5

Miscellaneous 1.0 5.8 Kelp/seaweed 0.4 2.3 Pebbles 0.4 1.3 Plant material 0.6 2.2 aValues in bold are composite totals for invertebrates, fish, birds, and miscellaneous.

Table 46. Frequency of occurrence of prey in regurgitated pellets of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009. Frequency is expressed as the percentage of food samples in which each prey item was present (usually sums to >100% each year).

Beachesa Interiorb Total

No. samples 56 79 135

Invertebrates 30.4c 25.3 27.4 Sea urchin 10.7 5.1 7.4 Limpet 10.7 1.3 5.2 Barnacle 1.8 1.3 2.2 Blue mussel - 2.5 0.7 Snail 5.4 - 2.2 Chiton 7.1 19 14.1 Unid. shellfish 1.8 - 0.7

Fish 66.1 70.9 68.9

Birds 7.1 7.6 7.4 Tufted puffin - 1.3 0.7 Unidentified bird 5.4 2.5 3.7 Unidentified alcid - 2.5 1.5 Unidentified egg 1.8 1.3 1.5

Miscellaneous 12.5 7.6 9.6 Kelp/seaweed 5.4 2.5 3.7 Pebbles 5.4 3.8 4.4 Plant material 5.4 2.5 3.7 aBeach locations comprise New Camp Beach, Old Camp Beach, and Petrel Valley Cove. bInterior locations comprise Gull Mountain and SW Slope. cValues in bold are composite totals for invertebrates, fish, birds, and miscellaneous. Summation of individual prey types may exceed group totals because of overlap (i.e. occurrence of more than one prey species per pellet).

Table 47. Percent volume of prey in regurgitated pellets of glaucous-winged gulls at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009. Values represent the average percent composition of a prey item in all pellets (sums to 100% each year).

Beachesa Interiorb Total

No. samples 56 79 135

Invertebrates 27.5c 23.9 25.4 Sea urchin 7.9 4.3 5.3 Limpet 9.0 0.5 4.0 Barnacle 0.9 2.4 1.7 Blue mussel - 0.4 0.2 Snail 2.2 - 0.9 Chiton 6.6 16.9 12.6 Unid. shellfish 0.9 - 0.4

Fish 58.8 64.9 62.4

Birds 5.7 7.0 6.4 Tufted puffin 0.0 1.3 0.7 Unidentified bird 3.9 1.9 2.7 Unidentified alcid - 2.5 1.5 Unidentified egg 1.8 1.3 1.5

Miscellaneous 8.0 4.2 5.8 Kelp/seaweed 3.6 1.4 2.3 Pebbles 1.7 1.1 1.3 Plant material 2.8 1.8 2.2 a Beach locations comprise New Camp Beach, Old Camp Beach, and Petrel Valley Cove. b Interior locations comprise Gull Mountain and SW Slope. c Values in bold are composite totals for invertebrates, fish, birds, and miscellaneous.

71 25

0 13 Aug

-5 Deviation (days) from from (days) mean hatch Deviation

-10

-15

-20 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 24. Yearly hatch date deviation (from the 1995-2008 average of 13 August) for common murres at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Negative values indicate earlier than mean hatch date, positive values indicate later than mean hatch date. Error bars represent standard deviation around each year's mean hatch date; no data exist for the current year.

Table 48. Breeding chronology of common murres at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Year Mean hatch SD na First hatch Last hatch First “jump”b

1995 10 Aug 7.0 21 30 Jul <27 Aug 22 Aug 1996 19 Aug 5.6 46 5 Aug 4 Sep 25 Aug 1997 16 Aug 18.8 36 28 Jul 26 Aug 22 Aug 1998 breeding failure - - - - - 1999 breeding failure - - - - - 2000 7 Aug 5.2 8 23 Jul 16 Aug 17 Aug 2001 10 Aug 7.9 8 23 Jul 23 Aug 15 Aug 2002 breeding failure - - - - - 2003 no data - - - - - 2004 breeding failure - - - - - 2005 breeding failure - - - - - 2006 no eggs hatched in plots - - - - 2007 no eggs hatched in plots - - - - 2008 12 Aug 9.4 7 30 Jul >26 Augc 15 Aug d 2009 no eggs hatched in plots - - <20 Aug >31 Aug

aSample sizes for mean hatch dates are a sub-sample of total nests for which egg to chick interval is ≤ 7 days. bIn years when no chicks fledged before the field crew left the island at the end of the season, date of first fledge is listed as > the date of last nest check. cAt least one bird was still incubating an egg at last visit in 2008. dHatch data based on incidental observations of chicks in 2009.

73 Table 49. Frequency distribution of hatch dates for common murres at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only nests in which observations of egg to chick ≤ 7 days.

Julian No. nests hatching on Julian date a date 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

211 1 - - no no - - no no no no no no - no 212 - - - data data - - data data data data data data 1 data 213 ------214 1 - - - - - 1 ------215 - - - - - 4 ------216 1 - 3 - - - 2 ------217 ------218 6 3 ------1 - 219 - - 2 ------220 ------2 ------221 1 ------222 3 - 2 - - 2 ------2 - 223 ------224 - - - - - 1 ------225 - 1 ------226 6 2 7 ------227 - - 2 - - - 1 ------228 - 6 1 - - 1 ------1 - 229 ------230 - 1 10 ------231 ------232 - 4 6 - - - 1 ------233 ------234 - 19 1 ------235 ------1 ------236 - 1 1 ------237 - 1 ------2 - 238 1 4 1 ------239 ------240 1 1 ------241 - 2 ------242 ------243 ------244 1 ------

n 21 46 36 - - 8 8 ------7 - aJulian dates are adjusted by one day in leap years.

74 93 172 165 0 0 75 132 0 0 0 4 13 17 4 100%

80%

60% Egg loss

Chick loss

Reproductive success 40% Percent of of Percent nest sites

20%

0% 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 25. Reproductive performance of common murres at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Egg loss=(B-D)/B; Chick loss=(D-F)/B; Reproductive success=F/B, where B=nest sites with eggs; D=nest sites with chicks; F=nest sites with chicks fledged. Failure in years when no eggs were laid is considered 100% egg loss. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes (B).

75 Table 50. Reproductive performance of common murres at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Nest sites Nest sites w/ Max. potential Nest sites Nest sites Nesting Fledging Reproductive w/ chicks young chicks reproductive w/ eggs w/ chicks a success success success d Year fledged still present success

(B) (D) (F) (H) (D/B)b (F/D)c (F/B) [(F+H)/(B+H)]

1995 93 79 70 0 0.85 0.89 0.75 0.75 1996 172 123 107 0 0.72 0.87 0.62 0.62 1997 165 94 89 0 0.57 0.95 0.54 0.54 1998 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1999 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2000 75 53 50 0 0.71 0.94 0.67 0.67 2001 132 85 65 0 0.64 0.76 0.49 0.49 2002 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2003 no data ------2004 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2005 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2006 4 1 1 1 0.25 1.00 0.25 0.40 2007 13 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2008 17 4 3 3 0.24 0.75 0.18 0.30 2009 4 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

aChicks still present at last check but too young to consider successfully fledged by fledging age conventions (still present >13 d for common murres). These nests are not included in the number of nest sites w/ eggs (B) or chicks (D) or estimates of success but are used only to calculate a value of maximum potential reproductive success. bFor single-egg species, nesting success (D/B) is the same as hatching success (E/C) because nest sites w/ eggs (B)=total eggs (C) and nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E). cFor single-egg species, fledging success (F/B) is the same as chick success (G/E) because nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E) and nest sites w/ chicks fledged (F)=total chicks fledged (G). dMaximum potential reproductive success includes nest sites with chicks too young to consider fledged at the last check; this value may be useful in years when crews leave the island before many chicks reach fledging age.

76 20

0 12 Aug

-5 Deviation (days) from from (days) mean hatch Deviation -10

-15

-20 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 26. Yearly hatch date deviation (from the 1995-2008 average of 12 August) for thick-billed murres at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Negative values indicate earlier than mean hatch date, positive values indicate later than mean hatch date. Error bars represent standard deviation around each year's mean hatch date; no data exist for the current year.

Table 51. Breeding chronology of thick-billed murres at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Year Mean hatch SD na First hatch Last hatch First “jump”b

1995 12 Aug 7.6 7 2 Aug 28 Aug 18 Aug 1996 11 Aug 3.3 10 5 Aug 21 Aug 25 Aug 1997 10 Aug 5.2 14 4 Aug 26 Aug 22 Aug 1998 breeding failure - - - - - 1999 breeding failure - - - - - 2000 3 Aug 8.2 7 23 Jul 20 Aug 7 Aug 2001 11 Aug 7.3 5 23 Jul 23 Aug 18 Aug 2002 breeding failure - - - - - 2003 no data - - - - - 2004 breeding failure - - - - - 2005 breeding failure - - - - - 2006 no eggs hatched in plots - - - - 2007 no eggs hatched in plots - - - - 2008 20 Aug 6.4 2 15 Aug 24 Aug >26 Aug c 2009 no eggs hatched in plots - - - <20 Aug >31 Aug

aSample sizes for mean hatch dates are a sub-sample of total nests for which egg to chick interval is ≤ 7 days. bIn years when no chicks fledged before the field crew left the island at the end of the season, date of first fledge is listed as > the date of last nest check. cHatch data based on incidental observations of chicks in 2009.

78 Table 52. Frequency distribution of hatch dates for thick-billed murres at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only nests in which observations of egg to chick ≤ 7 days.

Julian No. nests hatching on Julian date a date 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

205 - - - no no 2 - no no no no no no - no 206 - - - data data - - data data data data data data - data 207 ------208 ------209 ------210 ------211 ------212 ------213 ------214 ------215 ------216 - - 4 - - - 1 ------217 ------218 2 1 ------219 - - 3 - - 1 ------220 - - - - - 1 2 ------221 - - 2 ------222 3 2 - - - 2 ------223 ------224 - - 2 - - 1 1 ------225 - 1 ------226 1 5 2 ------227 ------228 ------1 - 229 ------230 - 1 ------231 ------232 ------233 ------234 - - 1 ------235 ------1 ------236 ------237 ------1 - 238 ------239 ------240 1 ------

n 7 10 14 - - 7 5 ------2 - aJulian dates are adjusted by one day in leap years.

79 56 65 73 0 0 80 121 0 0 0 8 10 6 9 100%

80%

60% Egg loss

Chick loss

Reproductive success 40% Percent of of Percent nest sites

20%

0% 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 27. Reproductive performance of thick-billed murres at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Egg loss=(B-D)/B; Chick loss=(D-F)/B; Reproductive success=F/B, where B=nest sites with eggs; D=nest sites with chicks; F=nest sites with chicks fledged. Failure in years when no eggs were laid is considered 100% egg loss. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes (B).

80 Table 53. Reproductive performance of thick-billed murres at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

(B) (D) (F) (H) (D/B)b (F/D)c (F/B) [(F+H)/(B+H)]

1995 56 41 32 0 0.73 0.78 0.57 0.57 1996 65 27 19 0 0.42 0.70 0.29 0.29 1997 73 49 45 0 0.67 0.92 0.62 0.62 1998 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1999 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2000 80 59 51 0 0.74 0.86 0.64 0.64 2001 121 84 70 0 0.69 0.83 0.58 0.58 2002 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2003 no data ------2004 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2005 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2006 8 3 2 1 0.29 1.00 0.29 0.38 2007 10 1 1 0 0.10 1.00 0.10 0.10 2008 6 2 0 2 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.33 2009 9 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

aChicks still present at last check but too young to consider successfully fledged by fledging age conventions (still present >13 d for thick-billed murres). These nests are not included in the number of nest sites w/ eggs (B) or chicks (D) or estimates of success but are used only to calculate a value of maximum potential reproductive success. bFor single-egg species, nesting success (D/B) is the same as hatching success (E/C) because nest sites w/ eggs (B)=total eggs (C) and nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E). cFor single-egg species, fledging success (F/B) is the same as chick success (G/E) because nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E) and nest sites w/ chicks fledged (F)=total chicks fledged (G). dMaximum potential reproductive success includes nest sites with chicks too young to consider fledged at the last check; this value may be useful in years when crews leave the island before many chicks reach fledging age.

81 8000

7000 Land-based counts Boat-based counts 6000

5000

4000

3000 Mean number number Mean of birds

2000

1000

0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Figure 28. Mean numbers of murres (includes common, thick-billed, and unknown murres) counted on land-based index plots and during boat- based circumnavigations at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Land-based counts represent the number of murres attending cliffs and do not include rafting birds; boat based-counts include all murres attending cliffs and rafting on the water. Error bars represent standard deviation.

Table 54. Numbers of murres (includes common, thick-billed, and unknown murres) counted on land-based index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Replicate 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

1 2597 2873 2553 1840 1566 1761 no counts 1240 no counts no counts 370 511 1775 1117 2498 2 2591 2897 1836 581 1518 1726 - 1471 - - 276 837 1944 1215 1441 3 1937 3190 2310 894 2272 1601 - 1115 - - 2147 1966 2222 2293 2396 4 2528 3168 3148 1335 1969 1819 - 1127 - - 1749 268 2403 2419 1965 5 - 3193 3414 1617 - 1841 - - - - - 178 2454 1975 - 6 - 3286 3273 2581 - 1426 - - - - - 2186 2332 - - 7 - - - 2554 - 1702 ------8 - - - 2350 ------9 - - - 2455 ------

Mean 2413 3101 2756 1801 1831 1697 - 1238 - - 1136 991 2118 1805 2075

n 4 6 6 9 4 7 - 4 - - 4 6 6 5 4 SD 319 173 623 747 357 143 - 165 - - 953 874 272 604 482 First count 17 Jul 17 Jul 21 Jul 22 Jul 24 Jul 10 Jul - 10 Jul - - 10 Jul 14 Jul 28 Jul 16 Jul 24 Jul Last count 28 Jul 7 Aug 12 Aug 11 Aug 20 Aug 22 Aug - 5 Aug - - 1 Aug 5 Aug 18 Aug 6 Aug 6 Aug

83 Table 55. Numbers of murres counted on land-based index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009.

Date Plot Species Mean SD 24 Jul 29 Jul 30 Jul 6 Aug

1 COMU 23 20 23 25 - - TBMU 0 0 0 0 - - UNMU 0 0 0 0 - -

2 COMU 99 110 83 99 - - TBMU 0 0 0 0 - - UNMU 0 0 0 0 - -

3 COMU 788 433 623 506 - - TBMU 379 353 424 319 - - UNMU 0 0 0 0 - -

4 COMU 0 0 0 0 - - TBMU 0 0 0 0 - - UNMU 6 14 13 15 - -

5 COMU 76 76 87 76 - - TBMU 37 39 26 36 - - UNMU 0 0 0 0 - -

6 COMU 0 0 0 0 - - TBMU 0 0 0 0 - - UNMU 548 208 562 584 - -

7 COMU 20 0 1 25 - - TBMU 19 16 7 30 - - UNMU 0 0 0 0 - -

8 COMU 108 124 122 165 - - TBMU 32 43 43 51 - - UNMU 0 0 0 0 - -

9 COMU 3 0 0 3 - - TBMU 1 1 11 11 - - UNMU 0 0 0 0 - -

10 COMU 168 1 168 10 - - TBMU 191 4 204 11 - - UNMU 0 0 0 0 - -

Raftsa UNMU NC NC NC NC - -

Totala COMU 1285 764 1107 909 1016 228 TBMU 659 456 715 457 572 135 UNMU 554 222 575 599 487 178 ALL 2498 1441 2396 1965 2075 482

aMurres rafting below cliffs were not counted (NC) in 2009.

Table 56. Numbers of murres (includes common, thick-billed, and unknown murres) counted during boat-based circumnavigation surveys at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Replicate 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

a 1 4800 6124 7095 5031 no count 2790 no count 81 no count 2756 2619 1836 2486 no count 3380 2 5200 3752 4839 3796 - 2307 - 73 - 1234 3348 3875 3617 - - 3 4968 6022 7259 - - 3023 - 998 - 2116 2126 - 3187 - - 4 - 7692 - - - 3142 - 1256 - 957 - - - - - 5 - - - - - 3304 ------

Mean 4989 5898 6398 4414 - 2913 - 602 - 1766 2698 2856 3097 - 3380a

n 3 4 3 2 - 5 - 4 - 4 3 2 3 - 1 SD 201 1341 1352 873 - 365 - 532 - 764 615 1442 571 - - First count 25 Jun 21 Jul 23 Jul 27 Jul - 9 Jul - 26 May - 22 Jul 22 Jul 21 Jul 22 Jul - 25 Jul Last count 5 Aug 15 Aug 9 Aug 3 Aug - 11 Aug - 18 Jul - 10 Aug 14 Aug 27 Aug 20 Aug - -

aMurres rafting below cliffs were not counted in 2009 due to rough sea-conditions.

85 80

70 Land-based counts Boat-based counts 60

30 Maximum number of of number birds Maximum

0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Figure 29. Maximum numbers of pigeon guillemots counted from land-based observation points and during boat-based circumnavigation surveys at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Values represent the highest count of individuals each year. Land-based counts all occurred during a standardized count window but times of day and seasons of boat-based counts vary (see Table 59).

Table 57. Maximum numbers of pigeon guillemots counted from land-based observation points at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent the highest single daily count of individuals each year. Data do not include counts made 2000-2002 and 2004-2007 due to differences in observation points, times of day, and times of season.

Observation point 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Pleasure Cove 2 no count no count no count no count 1 0 Old Camp Beach 1 - - - - 5 5 New Camp Beach 2 - - - - 3 0 4 Sisters 2 - - - - 0 0 Ivory Cove 0 - - - - 0 0 Tower Cove 1 - - - - 0 0 Arch’s Cove 0 - - - - 6 15 Petrel Valley Cove 0 - - - - 4 1

Total 8 - - - - 19 21

Date of max. count 21 Jun - - - - 19 Jun 12 Jun Start timea 0845 - - - - 0930 0830 End timea 1110 - - - - 1045 1030

aTimes are Aleutian Standard Time (-1 hr from Alaska Standard Time).

Table 58. Numbers of pigeon guillemots counted from land-based observation points at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009.

Date Observation point Mean SD Max. 8 Jun 12 Jun 17 Jun 21 Jun 24 Jun

Pleasure Cove 0 0 0 0 1 - - - Old Camp Beach 4 5 4 6 1 - - - New Camp Beach 0 0 0 2 0 - - - 4 Sisters 7 0 0 0 0 - - - Ivory Cove 0 0 0 0 0 - - - Tower Cove 0 0 0 0 0 - - - Arch’s Cove 2 15 1 0 12 - - - Petrel Valley Cove 0 1 2 9 1 - - -

Total 13 21 7 17 15 21 15 5

Start timea 0820 0830 0730 0830 0800 End timea 1100 1030 0915 1010 0940

aTimes are Aleutian Standard Time (-1 hr from Alaska Standard Time).

Table 59. Maximum numbers of pigeon guillemots counted during boat-based circumnavigation surveys at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent the highest single daily count of individuals each year. Count time varied among years; morning counts may not be comparable with afternoon counts.

Segment 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

1-2 - 2 6 14 3 4 12 12 no count 2 4 2 0 no count 1 3-5 - 8 0 0 0 2 0 0 - 0 2 0 2 - 1 6 - 8 20 19 4 2 0 2 - 0 3 1 5 - 0 7-10 - 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 - 2 0 7 0 - 1 11-12 - 25 21 22 11 13 0 0 - 0 10 3 6 - 1 13 - 13 17 12 4 4 8 2 - 1 1 0 0 - 0 14 - 9 1 9 3 0 2 0 - 1 1 5 1 - 0

Total 42 68 65 76 27 26 22 16 - 6 21 18 14 - 4

Date of 5 Aug 22 Jul 26 Jul 28 Jun 5 Jul 19 Jul 18 Jun 26 May - 22 Jul 22 Jul 21 Jul 8 Aug - 25 Jul max. count Start timea 1230 0640 0659 0625 0726 0700 0550 1200 - 1000 1100 1500 1430 - 1300 End timea 1630 0830 0800 0755 0844 0810 0650 1730 - 1400 1330 1640 1630 - 1800

aTimes are Aleutian Standard Time (-1 hr from Alaska Standard Time).

89 15

0 4 Jul

-5 Deviation (days) from from (days) mean hatch Deviation

-10

-15 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 30. Yearly hatch date deviation (from the 1997-2008 average of 4 July) for ancient murrelets at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Negative values indicate earlier than mean hatch date, positive values indicate later than mean hatch date. Error bars represent standard deviation around each year's mean hatch date; red highlights the current year.

Table 60. Breeding chronology of ancient murrelets at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent the date of the first chick hatched in each nest.

Year Mean hatch SD na First hatch Last hatch

1995 no data - - - - 1996 no data - - - - 1997 6 Jul 8.4 8 29 Jun 22 Jul 1998 10 Jul 8.0 12 27 Jun 25 Jul 1999 11 Jul 6.1 21 29 Jun 23 Jul 2000 3 Jul 5.8 23 26 Jun 14 Jul 2001 29 Jun 4.1 22 26 Jun 14 Jul 2002 1 Jul 6.0 33 25 Jun 16 Jul 2003 27 Jun 5.0 21 19 Jun 5 Jul 2004 30 Jun 5.6 23 20 Jun 12 Jul 2005 28 Jun 4.4 27 19 Jun 5 Jul 2006 7 Jul 5.8 41 29 Jun 23 Jul 2007 5 Jul 6.6 41 23 Jun 23 Jul 2008 4 Jul 6.6 37 20 Jun 21 Jul 2009 5 Jul 7.3 83 18 Jun 22 Jul

aSample sizes for mean hatch dates are a sub-sample of total nests for which egg to chick interval is ≤ 7 days.

91 Table 61. Frequency distribution of hatch dates for ancient murrelets at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent the date of the first chick hatched in each nest and include only nests in which observations of egg to chick ≤ 7 days.

Julian No. nests hatching on Julian date a date 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

170 no no ------3 - 1 - - - 3 171 data data ------172 ------1 - - 1 - - - 1 - 173 ------2 ------174 ------1 5 - 2 - - 175 ------176 - - - - - 1 10 9 ------12 177 ------1 - - 3 9 - - - - 178 - - - 1 - 7 ------6 - 179 ------8 - 5 - - - - - 180 - - 1 1 1 - 10 - 5 - - 6 11 - - 181 - - 1 - - 2 - 2 ------182 - - 1 ------5 8 - - - - 183 - - 1 1 - 2 - 4 ------184 - - 1 - 1 - 6 1 - 3 - - 1 14 33 185 ------1 ------186 - - 1 - - 5 - - 4 - 4 18 13 1 - 187 ------1 - 2 - - - - - 188 - - - 1 6 - 1 1 - - - 1 - 1 - 189 ------1 - - - - - 190 - - - - 1 3 ------2 9 22 191 - - - 3 - - - 3 ------192 - - - - 4 3 - - - - - 12 8 - - 193 ------194 - - - - 3 - - - - 2 - - - - 1 195 - - - 3 - - - 1 ------196 - - - - 2 1 ------197 - - 1 - - - - 1 - - - - - 4 - 198 ------2 3 - 11 199 - - - 1 ------200 - - - - 1 ------201 ------202 - - - - 1 ------203 - - 1 ------1 - 204 - - - - 1 ------2 1 - 1 205 ------206 - - - 1 ------

n - - 8 12 21 23 22 33 21 23 27 41 41 37 83 aJulian dates are adjusted by one day in leap years.

92 1.0

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

Fledglings/egg 0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Figure 31. Reproductive performance of ancient murrelets at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Success is measured by the number of chicks fledged per egg (G/C), where G=total chicks fledged and C=total eggs.

Table 62. Reproductive performance of ancient murrelets at Aiktak Island.

Nest Nest Nest sites Total Mean Mean Nesting Hatching Chick Egg Fledging Reprod. Fledglings/ sites Total sites Total w/ chicks chicks clutch size brood size success success success success success success egg w/ eggs eggs w/ chicks chicks fledged fledged

Year (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G) (C/B) (E/D) (D/B) (E/C) (G/E) (G/C) (F/D) (F/B) (G/C)

1995 no data ------1996 no data ------1997 15 29 13 21 13 21 1.9 1.6 0.87 0.72 1.00 0.72 1.00 0.87 0.72 1998 22 44 19 35 19 34 2.0 1.8 0.86 0.80 0.97 0.77 1.00 0.86 0.77 1999 30 57 22 39 22 39 1.9 1.8 0.73 0.68 1.00 0.68 1.00 0.73 0.68 2000 29 58 24 45 24 45 2.0 1.9 0.83 0.78 1.00 0.78 1.00 0.83 0.78 2001 35 67 29 53 29 53 1.9 1.8 0.83 0.79 1.00 0.79 1.00 0.83 0.79 2002 35 70 33 61 33 61 2.0 1.8 0.94 0.87 1.00 0.87 1.00 0.94 0.87 2003 40 75 28 51 27 50 1.9 1.8a 0.70a 0.68a 0.98a 0.67a 0.96a 0.68a 0.67a 2004 31 60 23 42 23 42 1.9 1.8 0.74 0.70 1.00 0.70 1.00 0.74 0.70 2005 44 88 33 65 33 64 2.0 2.0 0.75 0.74 0.98 0.73 1.00 0.75 0.73 2006 44 88 41 80 41 80 2.0 2.0 0.93 0.91 1.00 0.91 1.00 0.93 0.91 2007 51 100 45 83 45 83 2.0 1.8 0.88 0.83 1.00 0.83 1.00 0.88 0.83 2008 42 84 37 74 37 74 2.0 2.0 0.88 0.88 1.00 0.88 1.00 0.88 0.88 2009 106 209 92 173 91 172 2.0 1.9 0.87 0.83 0.99 0.82 0.99 0.86 0.82

aIn 2003, values of success represent a maximum estimate because there were still burrows with eggs at the time of field crew departure in mid July.

94 30

0 2 Aug Deviation (days) from from (days) mean hatch Deviation

-5

-10

-15 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 32. Yearly hatch date deviation (from the 1996-2008 average of 2 August) for horned puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Negative values indicate earlier than mean hatch date, positive values indicate later than mean hatch date. Error bars represent standard deviation around each year's mean hatch date; red highlights the current year.

Table 63. Breeding chronology of horned puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Year Mean hatch SD na First hatch Last hatch First fledgeb

1995 no data - - - - - 1996 5 Aug 6.3 2 1 Aug 10 Aug >13 Aug 1997 no data - - - - - 1998 4 Aug 7.5 6 25 Jul 16 Aug >3 Sep 1999 no data - - - - - 2000 13 Aug 17.0 5 26 Jul 29 Aug 1 Sep 2001 no data - - - - - 2002 1 Aug 0.0 1 1 Aug 1 Aug - 2003 no data - - - - - 2004 26 Jul 0.0 4 26 Jul 26 Jul >27 Aug 2005 29 Jul 6.4 4 24 Jul 8 Aug >30 Aug 2006 27 Jul 7.5 5 21 Jul 4 Aug 28 Aug 2007 31 Jul 6.5 6 25 Jul 12 Aug >30 Aug 2008 3 Aug 6.5 7 28 Jul 15 Aug >29 Aug 2009 1 Aug 6.7 14 20 Jul 14 Aug >3 Sep

96 Table 64. Frequency distribution of hatch dates for horned puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only nests in which observations of egg to chick ≤ 7 days.

Julian No. nests hatching on Julian date a date 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

201 no - no - no - no - no - - - - - 1 202 data - data - data - data - data - - 2 - - - 203 ------1 - - - 204 ------205 ------206 - - - 1 ------1 - 1 - 1 207 ------1 - - 208 - - - - - 2 - - - 4 2 - - - - 209 ------210 ------2 3 4 211 ------212 ------1 - - 213 ------1 ------214 - 1 ------2 4 215 - - - 3 ------1 216 ------2 - - - 217 ------218 ------219 ------220 ------1 - - 2 2 221 ------222 - - - 1 ------223 - 1 ------224 ------1 - - 225 ------226 - - - - - 1 ------1 227 ------228 - - - 1 ------1 - 229 ------230 ------231 ------232 ------233 ------234 ------235 ------236 ------237 ------238 ------239 ------240 ------241 ------242 - - - - - 2 ------

n - 2 - 6 - 5 - 1 - 4 4 5 6 8 14 aJulian dates are adjusted by one day in leap years.

97 100% 4 10 10 1 5 10 9 17 11 24

80%

60% Egg loss Chick loss Max. reprod. success 40% Percent of of Percent nest sites

20%

0% 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 33. Maximum potential reproductive performance of horned puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Values include nest sites with chicks still present but too young to consider fledged at the last check. Egg loss=[(B+H)-D+H]/(D+H); Chick loss=[(D+H)-F+H]/(B+H); Maximum potential reproductive success=[(F+H)/(B+H)], where B=nest sites with eggs; D=nest site with chicks; F=nest sites with chicks fledged; H=nest sites with young chicks still present. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes (B+H).

Table 65. Reproductive performance of horned puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Nest sites Nest sites w/ Max. potential Max. potential Max. potential Nest sites Nest sites Nesting Fledging Reproductive w/ chicks young chicks nesting fledging reproductive w/ eggs w/ chicks a success success success d d d Year fledged still present success success success

(B) (D) (F) (H) (D/B)b (F/D)c (F/B) [(D+H)/(B+H)] [(F+H)/(D+H)] [(F+H)/(B+H)]

1995 no data ------1996 2 0 0 2 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.50 1.00 0.50 1997 no data ------1998 8 4 4 2 0.50 1.00 0.50 0.60 1.00 0.60 1999 no data ------2000 8 3 2 2 0.38 0.67 0.25 0.50 0.80 0.40 2001 no data ------2002 1 1 0 0 1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 2003 no data ------2004 5 4 2 0 0.80 0.50 0.40 0.80 0.50 0.40 2005 10 5 3 0 0.50 0.60 0.30 0.50 0.60 0.30 2006 7 4 3 2 0.57 0.75 0.43 0.67 0.83 0.56 2007 11 4 4 6 0.36 1.00 0.36 0.59 1.00 0.59 2008 6 4 4 5 0.67 1.00 0.67 0.82 1.00 0.82 2009 20 14 13 4 0.70 0.93 0.65 0.75 0.94 0.71

aChicks still present at last check but too young to consider successfully fledged by fledging age conventions (disappeared >34 d or still present >30 d for horned puffins). These nests are not included in the number of nest sites w/ eggs (B) or chicks (D) or estimates of success but are used only to calculate a value of maximum potential reproductive success. bFor single-egg species, nesting success (D/B) is the same as hatching success (E/C) because nest sites w/ eggs (B)=total eggs (C) and nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E). cFor single-egg species, fledging success (F/B) is the same as chick success (G/E) because nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E) and nest sites w/ chicks fledged (F)=total chicks fledged (G). dValues of maximum potential success include nest sites with chicks still present but too young to consider fledged at the last check; these values may be useful in years when crews leave the island before many chicks reach fledging age.

Table 66. Mean growth rates of horned puffin chicks at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include chicks measured at least two times during the linear phase of growth (up to approximately 450g); chicks that died were excluded.

Mass (g/day) Wing chord (mm/day) Year Mean SD Range n Mean SD Range n

2000 12.9 4.5 7.9-18.3 6 3.6 0.9 2.7-4.5 6 2001 no data ------2002 no data ------2003 no data ------2004 no data ------2005 8.0 2.3 5.7-10.2 3 3.4 0.2 3.2-3.6 3 2006 no data ------2007 12.4 5.9 4.7-22.3 6 3.4 0.6 2.6-4.4 6 2008 no data ------2009 11.8 2.3 9.6-15.5 5 4.0 0.6 3.3-5.0 5

100 300

Land-based counts Boat-based counts

250

200

150

Maximum number of of number birds Maximum 100

0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Figure 34. Maximum numbers of horned puffins counted from land-based observation points and during boat-based circumnavigation surveys at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Values represent the highest count of individuals each year. Land-based counts all occurred during a standardized count window but times of day and seasons of boat-based counts vary (see Table 69).

101

Table 67. Maximum numbers of horned puffins counted from land-based observation points at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent the highest single daily count of individuals each year. Data do not include counts made 2000-2007 due to differences in observation points, times of day, and times of season.

Observation point 2008 2009

Pleasure Cove 4 10 Old Camp Beach 25 25 New Camp Beach 2 2 4 Sisters 42 47 Ivory Cove 6 18 Tower Cove 10 20 Arch’s Cove 17 16 Petrel Valley Cove 154 119

Total 260 252

Date of max. count 7 Jul 19 Jul Start timea 1550 1630 End timea 1630 1800

aTimes are Aleutian Standard Time (-1 hr from Alaska Standard Time).

102

Table 68. Numbers of horned puffins counted from land-based observation points at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009.

Date Observation point Mean SD Max. 8 Jul 10 Jul 13 Jul 14 Jul 15 Jul 18 Jul 19 Jul

Pleasure Cove 15 15 0 15 8 10 5 - - - Old Camp Beach 18 19 6 20 27 31 25 - - - New Camp Beach 0 0 0 0 4 2 2 - - - 4 Sisters 32 43 36 45 40 48 47 - - - Ivory Cove 3 0 1 1 5 7 18 - - - Tower Cove 12 24 17 25 16 12 20 - - - Arch’s Cove 26 0 20 16 15 22 16 - - - Petrel Valley Cove 124 119 75 126 128 121 119 - - - - - Total 230 220 155 248 243 252 252 212 57 252

Start timea 1615 1600 1530 1700 1615 1515 1630 End timea 1745 1800 1800 1755 1825 1615 1800

aTimes are Aleutian Standard Time (-1 hr from Alaska Standard Time).

103 180 2008 28 Jun 160 2 Jul

10 Jul 140 17 Jul

120

100

of Number birds 60

0 2009 140 27 Jun

120

100

Number of of Number birds 60

0 0700 0800 0900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 Time (ALST)

Figure 35. Attendance patterns of horned puffins on the water in Petrel Valley Cove during the incubation period at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

104

Table 69. Numbers of horned puffins counted during boat-based circumnavigation surveys at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Count time varied among years; morning counts may not be comparable with afternoon counts.

Replicate 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

1 99 113 108 11 no count 89 no count 67 no count 36 63 191 165 no count 100 2 59 62 88 92 - 166 - 48 - 30 203 192 254 - 85 3 117 125 24 - - 161 - 119 - 57 156 - 167 - - 4 - 65 - - - 85 - 128 - 38 - - - - - 5 - - - - - 74 ------

Mean 92 91 73 52 - 115 - 91 - 40 141 192 195 - 93 Max. 117 125 108 92 - 166 - 128 - 57 203 192 254 - 100

n 3 4 3 2 - 5 - 4 - 4 3 2 3 - 2 SD 30 32 44 57 - 45 - 39 - 12 71 1 51 - 11

Date of max. 5 Aug 2 Aug 23 Jul 3 Aug - 4 Aug - 18 Jul - 4 Aug 4 Aug 21 Jul 8 Aug - 25 Jul count Start timea 1230 1115 1100 1230 - 1230 - 1600 - 1500 1450 1500 1430 - 1400 End timea 1630 1330 1430 1545 - 1430 - 2000 - 1730 1900 1640 1630 - 1900

aTimes are Aleutian Standard Time (-1 hr from Alaska Standard Time).

105 20

0 3 Aug

-5 Deviation (days) from from (days) mean hatch Deviation -10

-15

-20 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 36. Yearly hatch date deviation (from the 1995-2008 average of 3 August) for tufted puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Negative values indicate earlier than mean hatch date, positive values indicate later than mean hatch date. Error bars represent standard deviation around each year's mean hatch date; red highlights the current year.

106

Table 70. Breeding chronology of tufted puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Year Mean hatch SD na First hatch Last hatch First fledgeb

1995 26 Jul 3.5 17 21 Jul 31 Jul >31 Aug 1996 24 Jul 8.0 27 8 Jul 9 Aug 27 Aug 1997 2 Aug 4.0 23 23 Jul 8 Aug >2 Sep 1998 14 Aug 7.2 7 13 Jul 23 Aug >2 Sep 1999 17 Aug 2.2 5 30 Jul 27 Aug >3 Sep 2000 14 Aug - 1 16 Jul 15 Aug >11 Sep 2001 8 Aug 11.1 6 19 Jul 21 Aug 30 Aug 2002 29 Jul 7.4 17 18 Jul 18 Aug 1 Sep 2003 no data - - - - - 2004 28 Jul 4.0 46 26 Jul 17 Aug >27 Aug 2005 8 Aug 6.6 8 21 Jul 14 Aug >30 Aug 2006 5 Aug 9.9 12 22 Jul 25 Aug >2 Sep 2007 2 Aug 7.6 10 26 Jul 19 Aug >30 Aug 2008 24 Jul 6.8 55 11 Jul 15 Aug 22 Aug 2009 26 Aug 5.7 53 14 Jul 11 Aug 1 Sep

107 Table 71. Frequency distribution of hatch dates for tufted puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include only nests in which observations of egg to chick ≤ 7 days.

Julian No. nests hatching on Julian date a date 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

190 - 1 ------no ------191 ------data ------192 ------193 ------1 - 194 ------1 - 195 ------196 ------197 ------198 - 7 ------1 - 199 - 3 ------1 200 ------1 1 - - - - - 12 - 201 ------18 202 2 1 ------2 1 203 ------2 - 204 4 3 1 - - - - 4 - - - - - 16 - 205 ------206 4 ------3 - - 14 207 ------4 - - - - 1 2 - 208 - 3 3 ------32 - - 2 1 1 209 - 2 ------2 210 4 ------1 - - - - - 7 10 211 1 ------212 2 1 3 - - - - 3 - - 1 3 2 - - 213 - 3 ------2 - 2 214 - - 1 ------13 3 - 1 5 8 215 - - 2 - 1 ------1 216 - - 10 1 - - - 2 ------217 - 1 ------1 - 218 ------1 - - - - 1 - 1 - 219 - - 1 - 3 - 1 - - - - 1 - - 1 220 - 1 2 1 - - - 1 - - - - - 2 - 221 - - - - 1 ------222 - 1 ------223 - - - 2 ------1 224 ------1 - - - - 1 1 - - 225 ------1 - - - 1 1 - - - 226 ------3 - - - - 227 - - - - - 1 ------228 ------1 - 229 ------230 ------1 - 1 - 1 - - - 231 ------1 - - 232 - - - 2 ------233 ------1 ------234 ------

n 17 27 23 7 5 1 6 17 - 46 8 12 10 55 55 aJulian dates are adjusted by one day in leap years.

108 100% 38 67 81 85 58 62 57 38 65 79 73 84 136 119

80%

60% Egg loss Chick loss Max. reprod. success 40% Percent of of Percent nest sites

20%

0% 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Year

Figure 37. Maximum potential reproductive performance of tufted puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Values include nest sites with chicks still present but too young to consider fledged at the last check. Egg loss=[(B+H)-D+H]/(D+H); Chick loss=[(D+H)-F+H]/(B+H); Maximum potential reproductive success=[(F+H)/(B+H)], where B=nest sites with eggs; D=nest site with chicks; F=nest sites with chicks fledged; H=nest sites with young chicks still present. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes (B+H).

109

Table 72. Reproductive performance of tufted puffins in artificial and natural burrows at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

(B) (D) (F) (H) (D/B)b (F/D)c (F/B) [(D+H)/(B+H)] [(F+H)/(D+H)] [(F+H)/(B+H)]

1995 32 17 16 6 0.53 0.94 0.50 0.61 0.96 0.58 1996 66 34 25 1 0.52 0.74 0.38 0.52 0.74 0.39 1997 69 18 5 12 0.26 0.28 0.07 0.37 0.57 0.21 1998 65 11 5 20 0.17 0.45 0.08 0.36 0.81 0.29 1999 38 4 1 20 0.11 0.25 0.03 0.41 0.88 0.36 2000 55 47 21 7 0.85 0.45 0.38 0.87 0.52 0.45 2001 48 38 32 9 0.79 0.84 0.67 0.82 0.87 0.72 2002 34 31 26 4 0.91 0.84 0.76 0.92 0.86 0.79 2003 no data ------2004 40 25 0 25 0.63 0.00 0.00 0.77 0.50 0.38 2005 62 20 12 17 0.32 0.60 0.19 0.47 0.78 0.37 2006 49 27 20 24 0.55 0.74 0.41 0.70 0.86 0.60 2007 56 18 13 28 0.32 0.72 0.23 0.55 0.89 0.49 2008 94 72 63 42 0.77 0.88 0.67 0.84 0.92 0.77 2009 97 80 78 22 0.82 0.98 0.80 0.86 0.98 0.84

aChicks still present at last check but too young to consider successfully fledged by fledging age conventions (disappeared >38 d or still present >33 d for tufted puffins). These nests are not included in the number of nest sites w/ eggs (B) or chicks (D) or estimates of success but are used only to calculate a value of maximum potential reproductive success. bFor single-egg species, nesting success (D/B) is the same as hatching success (E/C) because nest sites w/ eggs (B)=total eggs (C) and nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E). cFor single-egg species, fledging success (F/B) is the same as chick success (G/E) because nest sites w/ chicks (D)=total chicks (E) and nest sites w/ chicks fledged (F)=total chicks fledged (G). dValues of maximum potential success include nest sites with chicks still present but too young to consider fledged at the last check; these values may be useful in years when crews leave the island before many chicks reach fledging age.

110

Table 73. Mean growth rates of tufted puffin chicks at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data include chicks measured at least 2 times during the linear phase of growth (up to approximately 450g); chicks that died were excluded.

Mass (g/day) Wing chord (mm/day)a Year Mean SD Range n Mean SD Range n

1996 xx xx xx-xx xx xx xx xx-xx xx 1997 xx xx xx-xx xx xx xx xx-xx xx 1998 xx xx xx-xx xx xx xx xx-xx xx 1999 xx xx xx-xx xx xx xx xx-xx xx 2000 xx xx xx-xx xx xx xx xx-xx xx 2001 xx xx xx-xx xx xx xx xx-xx xx 2002 xx xx xx-xx xx xx xx xx-xx xx 2003 no data ------2004 7.6 1.8 3.0-11.4 23 2.0 1.1 0.6-4.7 25 2005 7.7 2.4 3.4-14.5 23 2.8 0.4 1.8-3.5 23 2006 9.7 3.4 5.1-18.3 20 2.8 0.4 2.0-3.5 15 2007 14.1 3.8 9.7-23.5 13 3.8 0.6 3.1-5.0 11 2008 12.7 5.4 0.9-20.1 17 3.4 0.7 2.0-4.6 17 2009 9.5 5.0 2.3-22.7 28 3.1 0.9 1.1-5.8 28

aAll rates of growth are based on relaxed wing chord measurements, except 1998 when only flat wing data were recorded.

111 1.0

Density

0.8

) 2 0.6

0.4

Density (no. entrances/m

0.2

0.0

Occupancy

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

Occupancy rate (no. occupied burrows/total) 0.2

0.0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1990 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Figure 38. Mean burrow entrance densities and occupancy rates of tufted puffins on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Errors bars represent standard deviation.

112 Table 74. Burrow entrance densities and occupancy rates of tufted puffins on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

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

Densitya 1995 0.41 0.52 0.92 0.86 0.33 0.29 0.89 0.22 0.77 0.44 0.57 0.3 1996 0.39 0.63 0.93 0.87 0.36 0.31 0.85 0.18 0.71 0.42 0.57 0.3 1997 0.40 0.56 0.97 0.76 0.37 0.28 0.83 0.08 0.73 0.42 0.54 0.3 1998 0.35 0.54 0.92 0.76 0.37 0.31 0.74 0.20 0.80 0.35 0.53 0.3 1990 0.34 0.54 0.87 0.97 0.40 0.35 0.79 0.16 0.81 0.43 0.57 0.3 2000 0.32 0.53 0.96 0.86 0.38 0.35 0.81 0.22 0.72 0.39 0.55 0.3 2001 0.33 0.50 0.88 0.83 0.36 0.35 0.89 0.21 0.86 0.39 0.56 0.3 2002 0.22 0.45 0.66 0.67 0.41 0.35 0.83 0.26 0.83 0.37 0.51 0.2 2003 0.36 0.55 0.98 0.64 0.39 0.37 0.86 0.21 0.90 0.36 0.56 0.3 2004 0.33 0.47 0.90 0.80 0.40 0.35 0.85 0.20 0.85 0.41 0.56 0.3 2005 0.29 0.43 0.90 0.69 0.36 0.36 0.71 0.21 0.77 0.41 0.51 0.2 2006 0.30 0.42 0.80 0.72 0.32 0.33 0.79 0.21 0.81 0.32 0.50 0.3 2007 0.31 0.38 0.91 0.76 0.38 0.36 0.86 0.18 0.85 0.35 0.54 0.3 2008 0.33 0.46 0.98 0.83 0.35 0.43 0.95 0.23 0.90 0.34 0.58 0.3 2009 0.34 0.45 0.97 0.77 0.36 0.48 0.87 0.21 1.07 0.38 0.59 0.3

Plot area (m2) 314.2 314.2 314.2 314.2 314.2 314.2 150 98.5 98.5 98.5 - -

Occupancyb 1995 0.82 0.80 0.86 0.97 0.93 1.00 0.85 0.86 0.96 0.93 0.90 0.1 1996 0.87 0.95 0.85 0.96 0.67 0.96 0.90 0.62 0.95 0.81 0.85 0.1 1997 0.71 0.74 0.78 0.88 0.70 0.82 0.89 0.67 0.77 0.55 0.75 0.1 1998 0.70 0.82 0.83 0.81 0.77 0.81 0.87 0.69 0.74 0.63 0.77 0.1 1999 0.74 0.66 0.71 0.71 0.76 0.82 - 0.53 - 0.73 0.71 0.1 2000 0.54 0.36 0.56 0.52 0.51 0.64 0.55 0.63 0.49 0.56 0.54 0.1 2001 0.78 0.73 0.55 0.77 0.70 0.75 0.69 0.57 0.69 0.56 0.68 0.1 2002 0.58 0.62 0.81 0.61 0.78 0.75 0.52 0.65 0.77 0.62 0.67 0.1 2003 no data ------2004 0.39 0.57 0.74 0.57 0.83 0.83 0.66 0.60 0.79 0.76 0.67 0.1 2005 0.60 0.50 0.37 0.69 0.58 0.63 0.51 0.35 0.63 0.39 0.53 0.1 2006 0.53 0.46 0.46 0.69 0.63 0.70 0.54 0.52 0.57 0.56 0.57 0.1 2007 0.52 0.64 0.51 0.53 0.61 0.69 0.76 0.53 0.66 0.41 0.59 0.1 2008 0.73 0.70 0.57 0.79 0.69 0.70 0.65 0.71 0.69 0.56 0.68 0.1 2009 0.86 0.89 0.87 1.02 0.76 0.89 0.93 0.76 0.85 0.70 0.85 0.1

aDensity is expressed as the number of large burrows per m2. bOccupancy rate is expressed as the number of occupied large burrows divided by the total number of large burrows. Large burrows were considered occupied if feathers, droppings, chicks, eggs, or eggshell fragments were observed in the entrance. Because not all burrows were relocated during the occupancy survey, the number of burrows used to calculate occupancy rates was not necessarily the same as that presented for density.

113

Table 75. Burrow entrance densities and occupancy rates of tufted puffins on index plots at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009. Density surveys were conducted on 31 May. Occupancy surveys were conducted on 2 and 9 August and 3 September.

No. burrow entrances 2 Density of Occupancy rate of Plot Area (m ) Small (<9.5 cm) Medium (9.5-14.5 cm) Large (>14.5 cm) large burrows large burrows

1 314.2 1 12 108 0.34 0.86 2 314.2 2 11 141 0.45 0.89 3 314.2 1 28 304 0.97 0.87 4 314.2 4 21 242 0.77 1.02 5 314.2 4 29 113 0.36 0.76 6 314.2 0 5 151 0.48 0.89 7 150.0 1 6 130 0.87 0.93 8 98.5 0 2 21 0.21 0.76 9 98.5 1 5 105 1.07 0.85 10 98.5 0 9 37 0.38 0.70

114

89 63 39 47 25 40 100

Osmeridae Gadidae 60 Ammodytidae Scorpaenidae Hexagrammidae Cottidae 40

Percent biomass (%) biomass Percent Other fish Invertebrates Other

0 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Year

Figure 39. Relative biomass of prey in diets of tufted puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes. Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

115 250 22 11

200 12

Osmeridae 93 91 248 40 Gadidae 150 13 Ammodytidae 161 Scorpaenidae Hexagrammidae

74 Cottidae 100 Other fish Percent Percent occurrence(%) Invertebrates Other

0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Year

Figure 40. Frequency of occurrence of prey in diets of tufted puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes. Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

116 13 22 11 12 161 91 93 248 74 40 100

Osmeridae Gadidae 60 Ammodytidae Scorpaenidae Hexagrammidae Cottidae 40 Other fish

Species composition composition (%) Species Invertebrates Other

0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Year

Figure 41. Species composition of prey in diets of tufted puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Numbers above columns indicate sample sizes. Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

117 Table 76. Relative biomass of prey in diets of tufted puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Numbers represent the percentage of the mass of combined food samples comprised by each prey item (sums to 100% each year). Samples consist of bill loads from adults returning to the colony to feed chicks, collected by blocking from burrow screening using field identification and measurements (1996-1999) or laboratory identification and measurements (2000-2001). Data do not include samples collected 1992-1995 because mass data do not exist. Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

No. samplesa 89 63 39 47 25 40 Total mass (g) 898.8 517.0 299.5 397.0 211.8 405.8

Cephalopoda Gonatidae Unid. squid - 2.9 - - - - Octopodidae Unid. octopus - 0.6 - - - - Euphausiacea Thysanoessa spinifera - <0.1 - - - - Unid. euphausiid - - - 0.6 - - Nereidae Unid. polychaete 0.1 - 0.3 1.9 - - Fish Osmeridae Mallotus villosus 23.6 18.4 1.2 34.7 - 12.6 Gadidae Theragra chalcogramma 55.8 30.0 35.7 5.0 37.7 7.3 Gadus macrocephalus 5.3 4.6 2.0 - - 2.0 Microgadus proximus - - - - 0.8 - Unid. gadid - - - 1.0 6.1 - Scorpaenidae Sebastes aleutianus 0.2 - - - - - Unid. rockfish 0.2 17.2 0.7 - - 0.5 Anoplopomatidae Anoplopoma fimbria 0.4 0.6 - - - 0.6 Hexagrammidae Hexagrammos decagrammus 8.8 11.2 21.7 1.4 4.7 13.3 Unid. greenling - - - - 5.7 - Cottidae Triglops pingelii - - - - 5.7 - Unid. sculpin - - 1.0 - - - Zaproridae Zaprora silenus 0.4 - - - 5.7 - Trichodontidae Trichodon trichodon 0.6 - - 2.3 - - Ammodytidae Ammodytes hexapterus 4.5 13.4 37.2 51.0 32.4 63.6 Pleuronectidae Unid. flatfish 0.1 0.1 - - - - Unid. fish - 0.9 0.2 2.0 1.3 -

aMass data are not always available for all samples; therefore, sample sizes for biomass may not equal those for frequency of occurrence (Table 77) and species composition (Table 78) and some prey types may not appear in biomass data although they were present in diet samples.

118

Table 77. Frequency of occurrence of prey in diets of tufted puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Frequency is expressed as the percentage of food samples in which each prey item was present (usually sums to >100% each year). Samples consist of adult stomach contents (1992-1995) and bill loads from adults returning to the colony to feed chicks, collected by blocking from burrow screening using field identification and measurements (1996-1999) or laboratory identification and measurements (2000-2001). Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

No. samples 13 22 11 12 161 91 93 248 74 40

Cephalopoda Gonatidae Unid. squid - 13.6 27.3 16.7 - 4.4 - - - - Octopodidae Unid. octopus - - - - - 3.3 - - - - Gastrodpoda Unid. snail - - 27.3 41.7 ------Euphausiacea Thysanoessa spinifera - - - - - 2.2 - - - - T. inermis - - - - - 1.1 - - - - Unid. euphausiid ------8.3 - - Amphipoda Unid. amphipod ------1.4 - Decapoda Unid. shrimp ------1.1 - 1.4 - Nereidae Nereis spp. - - - - - 1.1 - - - - Unid. polychaete 30.8 31.8 36.4 50.0 1.2 - 1.1 6.3 - - Fish Osmeridae Mallotus villosus - - - - 9.3 14.3 3.2 22.9 - 15.0 Gadidae Theragra chalcogramma 100.0 81.8 81.8 91.7 83.9 47.3 55.9 25.0 40.5 20.0 Gadus macrocephalus - - 9.1 - 18.0 11.0 4.3 - - 7.5 Microgadus proximus ------1.4 - Unid. gadid 15.4 - - - - 2.2 1.1 8.3 18.9 - Scorpaenidae Sebastes aleutianus - - - - 1.9 - - - - - Unid. rockfish - - - - 0.6 30.8 5.4 - - 10.0 Anoplopomatidae Anoplopoma fimbria - - - - 1.2 2.2 - - - 5.0 Hexagrammidae Hexagrammos decagrammus - - - - 7.5 14.3 12.9 4.2 2.7 15.0 Pleurogrammos monoptergius - - - - 0.6 - - - - - Unid. greenling ------1.4 - Cottidae Triglops pingelii ------1.1 - 1.4 - T. forficatus - - - - 0.6 - - - - - Unid. sculpin - 45.5 9.1 - - - 1.1 - - - Zaproridae Zaprora silenus - - - - 0.6 - - - 1.4 - Trichodontidae Trichodon trichodon - - - - 0.6 - - 2.1 - - Ammodytidae Ammodytes hexapterus - 9.1 - 8.3 5.6 12.1 59.1 68.8 33.8 80.0 Pleuronectidae Unid. flatfish - - - 8.3 3.7 3.3 5.4 8.3 - - Unid. fish - 18.2 9.1 8.3 1.2 3.3 4.3 - 13.5 - Other (rocks and plastics) - 13.6 18.2 8.3 ------

119

Table 78. Species composition of prey in diets of tufted puffins at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Values are expressed as the percentage of total individual prey items comprised by each prey item (sums to 100% each year). Samples consist of adult stomach contents (1992-1995) and bill loads from adults returning to the colony to feed chicks, collected by blocking from burrow screening using field identification and measurements (1996-1999) or laboratory identification and measurements (2000-2001). Diet samples were collected in 2002 and 2004-2009 but have not yet been summarized.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

No. samples 13 22 11 12 161 91 93 248 74 40 No. individuals 125 286 258 333 778 431 475 284 247 237

Cephalopoda Gonatidae Unid. squid - 3.8 7.8 1.2 - 0.9 - - - - Octopodidae Unid. octopus - - - - - 0.7 - - - - Gastrodpoda Unid. snail - - 24.8 4.5 ------Euphausiacea Thysanoessa spinifera - - - - - 0.5 - - - - T. inermis - - - - - 3.2 - - - - Unid. euphausiid ------7.7 - - Amphipoda Unid. amphipod ------0.4 - Decapoda Unid. shrimp ------0.2 - 2.0 - Nereidae Nereis spp. - - - - - 1.2 - - - - Unid. polychaete 12.8 10.8 4.7 6.3 1.2 - 0.4 8.5 - - Fish Osmeridae Mallotus villosus - - - - 2.7 5.1 0.8 5.3 - 3.4 Gadidae Theragra chalcogramma 80.0 38.8 60.5 85.3 81.2 36.2 41.5 16.9 50.2 7.2 Gadus macrocephalus - - 0.8 - 5.5 3.7 1.3 - - 0.8 Microgadus proximus ------0.8 - Unid. gadid 7.2 - - - - 0.5 0.2 3.9 10.5 - Scorpaenidae Sebastes aleutianus - - - - 0.6 - - - - - Unid. rockfish - - - - 0.1 33.4 2.7 - - 1.7 Anoplopomatidae Anoplopoma fimbria - - - - 0.8 0.7 - - - 0.4 Hexagrammidae Hexagrammos decagrammus - - - - 3.9 5.3 6.9 1.1 1.6 3.4 Pleurogrammos monoptergius ------0.4 - Unid. greenling - - - - 0.1 - - - - - Cottidae Triglops pingelii ------0.2 - 0.4 - T. forficatus - - - - 0.1 - - - - - Unid. sculpin - 33.6 0.4 - - - 0.2 - - - Zaproridae Zaprora silenus - - - - 0.1 - - - 0.4 - Trichodontidae Trichodon trichodon - - - - 0.1 - - 1.4 - - Ammodytidae Ammodytes hexapterus - 1.4 - 0.3 2.3 6.0 42.3 51.4 27.1 83.1 Pleuronectidae Unid. flatfish - - - 1.5 0.9 1.6 1.9 - - - Unid. fish - 10.1 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.9 1.3 3.9 6.1 - Other (rocks and plastics) - 1.4 0.8 0.6 ------

120

Table 79. Mean numbers of birds and marine mammals counted during circumnavigation surveys at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Species 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Green-winged teal 1 3 0 1 no 3 no 11 no 25 2 4 1 no 9 Harlequin duck 12 25 8 48 count 3 count 4 count 3 15 21 13 count 9 Short-tailed shearwater 0 0 0 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 0 0 0 - 0 Unid. shearwater 0 0 6 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 0 1 0 - 0 Cormorant (all species) 56 87 160 47 - 51 - 345 - 84 67 53 78 - 176 Pelagic cormorant 36 34 17 17 - 4 - 16 - 0 1 10 2 - 8 Red-faced cormorant 0 0 38 4 - 0 - 229 - 36 0 0 1 - 2 Double-crested cormorant 15 20 17 13 - 27 - 28 - 49 17 17 26 - 19 Unid. cormorant 5 33 89 14 - 20 - 73 - 0 48 26 48 - 149 Bald eagle 7 5 6 10 - 5 - 12 - 16 5 4 8 - 6 Peregrine falcon 0 0 1 2 - 1 - 1 - 4 0 0 1 - 2 Black oystercatcher 31 28 20 23 - 29 - 24 - 28 25 91 41 - 44 Rock sandpiper 0 0 0 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 <1 0 0 - 0 Glaucous-winged gulls NCa NC NC NC - NC - NC - NC NC NC NC - NC Murre (both species) 4989 5898 6398 4414 - 2913 - 602 - 1766 2698 2856 3097 - 2235b Pigeon guillemot 44 35 34 33 - 28 - 9 - 4 16 12 13 - 4 Ancient murrelet xx xx xx xx - xx - xx - xx xx xx xx - 1 Parakeet auklet xx xx xx xx - xx - xx - xx xx xx xx - 1 Horned puffin 92 91 73 52 - 115 - 91 - 40 141 192 195 - 93 Tufted puffin NCa NC NC NC - NC - NC - NC NC NC NC - NC Common raven 4 2 3 10 - 4 - 14 - 13 7 2 9 - 4 Harbor seal 31 28 29 28 - 27 - 23 - 10 21 23 42 - 39 Steller's sea lion 106 3 4 1 - 5 - 47 - 66 62 109 106 - 95 Sea otter <1 0 0 0 - 0 - 0 - <1 1 0 0 - 1

n xx xx xx xx - xx - xx - xx xx xx xx - 2 25 Jun- 21 Jul- 23 Jul- 27 Jul- 9 Jul- 26 May- 22 Jul- 22 Jul- 21 Jul- 22 Jul- 25 Jul- Survey dates - - - - 5 Aug 15 Aug 9 Aug 3 Aug 11 Aug 18 Jul 10 Aug 14 Aug 27 Aug 20 Aug 15 Aug

aGlaucous-winged gulls and tufted puffins were not counted during circumnavigation surveys due to their abundance. bIn 2009, murre counts are birds observed on cliffs and not those rafting below in water.

121

Table 80. Numbers of birds and marine mammals observed during circumnavigation surveys at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009.

Date Species Mean SD 25 Jul 15 Aug

Green-winged teal 5 13 9 6

Harlequin duck 6 11 9 4

Short-tailed shearwater 0 0 0 0

Unid. shearwater 0 0 0 0

Cormorant (all species) 323 29 176 208

Pelagic cormorant 15 NCa 15 -

Red-faced cormorant 4 NCa 4 -

Double-crested cormorant 13 24 19 8

Unid. cormorant 292 5 149 203

Bald eagle 6 6 6 0

Peregrine falcon 0 3 2 2

Black oystercatcher 27 61 44 24

Rock sandpiper 0 0 0 0

Glaucous-winged gullb NC NC NC NC

Murre (both species) 3380 NCa 3380 -

Pigeon guillemot 4 3 4 1

Ancient murrelet 0 2 1 1

Parakeet auklet 2 0 1 1

Horned puffin 100 85 93 11

Tufted puffinb NC NC NC NC

Common raven 2 6 4 3

Harbor seal 29 48 39 13

Steller’s sea lion 67 122 95 39

Sea otter 1 1 1 0

aDue to rough sea conditions, cormorants were not counted in sections 4 and 5 and murres were not counted during 15 August survey. bGlaucous-winged gulls and tufted puffins were not counted during circumnavigation surveys due to their abundance.

122 Table 81. Numbers of birds detected during off-road point count survey (route XXXa) at Ugamak Island, Alaska. Data represent only individuals observed from survey points and do not include birds flying over census area; asterisks indicate species observed between points along the route but not at actual survey points.

Species 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Green-winged teal 3 0 no 0 3 9 0 0 0* 2 1 0* 0 Harlequin duck 0 0 count 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Common goldeneye 0 0 - 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rock ptarmigan 0* 1 - 1 2 3 5 5 6 10 4 2 6 Double-crested cormorant 0 0 - 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Bald eagle 1 0 - 0* 0 12 0 0 2 2 4 3 0 Rough-legged hawk 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0* 1 1 Peregrine falcon 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0* 0* 1 0 0 Black oystercatcher 1 0 - 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0* 0 0 Least sandpiper 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Rock sandpiper 0* 2 - 1 8 2 1 6 4 5 1 9 13 Glaucous-winged gull 10 0 - 23 0 4 1 0 1 0 6 4 2 Tufted puffin 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 Short-eared owl 2 0* - 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0* 0* 0 Common raven 1 1 - 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 4 1 Bank swallow 0 0 - 0 0 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 0 Winter wren 3 3 - 0 5 8 12 1 2 7 1 11 8 American pipit 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 2 0* 9 4 3 Savannah sparrow 19 33 - 8 24 10 14 14 25 33 32 26 22 Fox sparrow 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Song sparrow 5 8 - 17 8 24 23 19 9 1 12 11 3 Lapland longspur 7 5 - 5 15 6 22 9 3 2 9 18 9 Snow bunting 5 2 - 0* 1 1 0 0 1 2 0* 0* 1 Gray-crowned rosy-finch 1 4 - 0 4 5 2 3 12 4 0* 4 5

Date 4 Jun 14 Jun - 16 Jun 18 Jun 4 Jun 4 Jun 9 Jun 22 Jun 11 Jun 12 Jun 10 Jun 13 Jun Survey designb xx xx - xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx B B

aRoute established 8 September 1996. bA=5-minute counts, < and > 50m; B=5-minute counts, distance estimation out to 400m.

123

Table 82. Numbers of birds detected during off-road point count survey (route XXX) at Ugamak Island, Alaska on 13 June 2009. Data represent only individuals observed from survey points and do not include birds flying over census area.

Survey point Between Total % of % of Species a b c d 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 points individuals total points

Harlequin duck 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 1 8 Rock ptarmigan 0 4 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 - 6 8 25 Rough-legged hawk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 - 1 1 8 Least sandpiper 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 1 1 8 Rock sandpiper 0 1 1 2 3 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 - 13 18 75 Glaucous-winged gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 - 2 3 17 Common raven 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 1 8 Winter wren 2 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 - 8 11 50 American pipit 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 3 4 17 Savannah sparrow 3 1 4 1 1 2 1 1 4 2 1 1 - 22 30 100 Song sparrow 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 1 8 Lapland longspur 0 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 - 9 12 50 Snow bunting 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 - 1 1 8 Gray-crowned rosy-finch 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 - 5 7 33

aAdditional species observed between points along the route but not at actual survey points. bTotal number of individuals detected at survey points (not including those observed between points). cRepresents the relative abundance of species, calculated as the percentage of the total number of all individual birds detected on survey. dPercentage of survey points at which species was detected.

124 Table 83. Mean numbers of birds detected on beach transect surveys along Old Camp Beach, Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent species’ presence but not necessarily absence in all years.

Species 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Black oystercatcher 7 7 9 9 no 0 5 4 8 6 6 6 6 4 Rock sandpiper 0 0 0 0 count 0 1 0 <1 0 0 0 0 <1 Winter wren 3 4 0 1 - 2 2 3 4 2 1 1 3 2 Savannah sparrow 4 3 N/Aa 2 - 1 1 4 5 N/A 2 6 8 3 Song sparrow 6 7 5 5 - 9 4 9 7 12 12 8 10 7 Gray-crowned rosy finch 0 2 0 0 - 0 <1 0 3 1 <1 0 0 <1

n 5 5 5 4 - 1 5 6 5 3 4 5 5 6 First survey 21 Jun 1 Jun 11 Jun 8 Jun - 7 Jun 2 Jun 26 May 30 May 6 Jun 1 Jun 1 Jun 1 Jun 4 Jun Last survey 10 Jul 10 Jun 20 Jun 18 Jun - - 13 Jun 13 Jun 12 Jun 12 Jun 14 Jun 14 Jun 14 Jun 14 Jun

aN/A indicates species was not counted during surveys, so presence is unknown.

Table 84. Numbers of birds detected on beach transect along Old Camp Beach, Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009.

Date Species Mean SD 4 Jun 8 Jun 9 Jun 11 Jun 12 Jun 14 Jun

Black oystercatcher 3 5 4 7 5 2 4 2 Rock sandpiper 0 0 0 0 1 0 <1 <1 Winter wren 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 1 Savannah sparrow 2 6 2 7 2 0 3 3 Song sparrow 6 7 6 8 6 6 7 1 Gray-crowned rosy finch 0 1 0 0 0 0 <1 <1

Start time xx xx xx xx xx xx End time xx xx xx xx xx xx

125 Annotated list of wildlife species observed at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009 (21 May-4 September).

Abundance categories were defined as follows: Status categories are defined as follows: Abundant: annual, sure to see many Breeder: evidence breeding, either confirmed Common: annual, sure to see some (observations of current nests, eggs, or chicks; Uncommon: annual, likely to see some adults carrying nesting materials or food to nests Rare: annual but not guaranteed to see any or chicks; recently fledged young; distraction Irregular: not annual but numerous records displays) or probably (observations of pairs or Casual: not annual, only a few records territorial behavior) Accidental only one or two records ever Resident non-breeder: occurs throughout season but does not breed at site Migrant: through-migrant BIRDS

Emperor goose (Chen canagica). Rare migrant. From 28 May until 4 June two adults were observed feeding and roosting on and around intertidal rocks off New Camp Beach and Old Camp Beach. On 31 August, a single individual was observed with gulls in the water off beach below Petrel Valley stream.

Aleutian cackling goose (Branta hutchinsii). Uncommon. A flock of up to 25 birds were observed flying around and periodically landing on the island from 21 to 28 May. On 4 June, 14 birds were observed flying over Aiktak heading north towards Ugamak Island. A single individual was heard calling while flying in the fog and then observed in the gull colony on 6 June. On 29 and again on 31 August, up to two individuals were observed calling and being chased in the channel between Aiktak and Ugamak by juvenile peregrine falcon.

Northern shoveler (Anas clypeata). Rare. Pair was observed foraging Aleutian cackling goose in gull colony in kelp in front of cabin on 2 June.

Green-winged teal (Anas crecca). Common breeder. Many observed in marshy areas of Petrel Valley and along shore in kelp beds on the northern side of the island throughout the summer. On 8 June, five ducklings and attending male and female were observed in stream heading towards beach. Male was vigilant while female and ducklings fed. On 9 June, three dead and one live duckling were found in large stream hole off Petrel Valley. Female was attending and calling to ducklings which were stuck in the hole. At least two other broods were observed along the stream with nine and four ducklings on 10 June and 29 July, respectively. On 15 June, a group of at least 25 males were observed flying from New Camp Beach towards southeast end of island. Throughout late June and July ducklings were observed and heard along the stream in Petrel Valley and near Teal Pond area. Large groups (40-50) of birds were observed around Ivory Cove in late August.

Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus). Common resident non-breeder. Groups of two to 15 birds were observed regularly throughout the summer along the northern side of the island, feeding in nearshore waters or loafing on the rocks. Males were in breeding plumage from late May through mid July, when they began entering eclipse plumage; throughout August, most birds were unable to fly due to molting.

Black scoter (Melanitta americana). Rare. Five females or immature males were observed rafting and diving in front of camp on 22 and 23 May. On 2 June, three individuals were observed in front of camp.

126

Red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator). Rare. Four females and single male were observed foraging off New Camp Beach in front of cabin on 6 June and a single male was observed again on 8 June in the same location.

Rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus). Rare. Single individual was heard calling and observed flying in the mossy area above Rocky Platform 2 along northern trail. On Ugamak Island, six individuals were observed during the off-road point-count on 13 June.

Fork-tailed storm-petrel (Oceanodroma furcata). Abundant breeder. This species nests primarily in soil burrows on slopes of creek drainages across the island. Highest concentration of nesting birds were found among index plots of Petrel Valley. Birds were also incidentally found nesting in rock crevices in Pleasure Cove and Petrel Valley Cove. One artificial storm-petrel burrow was occupied by this species in plot A4. Birds were heard calling in Petrel Valley and along the banks of New Camp Beach at night throughout the summer. Birds were already on eggs during out initial check of productivity and chronology plots beginning on 27 May. Most laying occurred during June, but continued throughout July. First chicks were observed within productivity plot 11 on 6 July. Seventeen chicks were found dead in chronology and productivity plots usually the first check after hatch. None of the monitored chicks fledged before our last check on 2 September.

Leach’s storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa). Abundant breeder. This species nests primarily in soil burrows along creek drainages and slopes across the island. Birds were also incidentally found nesting along the bottom edge of grass tussocks across the island and a single nest was found in the space between the lid and surrounding soil of an artificial tufted burrow (#27) in plot D. Highest concentration of nesting birds were found among index plots of Petrel Valley. Four artificial storm-petrel burrows were occupied by this species in plot A2. Birds were heard calling in Petrel Valley and along the banks of New Camp Beach at night throughout the summer. Eggs were laid mostly in June and July with the first found on 3 June and the last lay found on 21 July. First chicks were observed within plots 25 and 27 on 14 July. Thirteen chicks were found dead in chronology and productivity plots usually the first check after hatch. None of the monitored chicks fledged before our last check on 2 September.

Double-crested cormorant (Phalacroorax auritus). Abundant breeder. This species was found nesting on the cliffs of Southwest Bight and along the south coast around to Petrel Valley Cove. By 4 June, nest building was underway at Southwest Bight and 31 potential cormorant (double-crested, pelagic, and red- faced) nest sites were observed. On 16 June, six nests were observed in Southwest Bight, three of which had at least two eggs. On a subsequent check on 20 June, all nests were empty and only a few still had attending adults. The area was visited throughout the rest of the summer for monitoring murres and no cormorants were observed re-nesting after the initial egg loss. On 25 July, two adults with fish in bills were observed on Tuxedo Rock.

Red-faced cormorant (Phalacrocorax urile). Abundant breeder. This species was found nesting on the cliffs of Southwest Bight and along the south coast around to Petrel Valley Cove. By 4 June, nest building was underway at Southwest Bight and 31 potential cormorant (double-crested, pelagic, and red- faced) nest sites were observed. On 16 June, two nests were observed with attending adults, one with a single egg. On a subsequent check on 20 June both nests were empty. The area was visited throughout the rest of the summer for monitoring murres and no cormorants were observed re-nesting after the initial egg loss. On 25 July, an adult was observed with fish in its bill on Tuxedo Rock.

127 Pelagic cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus). Abundant breeder. This species was found nesting on the cliffs of Southwest Bight and along the south coast around to Petrel Valley Cove. By 4 June, nest building was underway at Southwest Bight and 31 potential cormorant (double-crested, pelagic, and red- faced) nest sites were observed. On 16 June, 26 nests with adults, three of which contained at least one egg, were observed. On a subsequent check on 20 June, the nests were empty and only a few still had attending adults. The area was visited throughout the rest of the summer for monitoring murres and no cormorants were observed re-nesting after the initial egg loss. On 25 July, an adult was observed with fish in its bill on Tuxedo Rock.

Cormorants (all species combined). On 14 June, over 160 cormorant nests (double-crested, pelagic, and red-faced) were observed on cliffs of circumnavigation sections 4 and 5. In the same sections on 25 June, 69 double-crested nests, 233 red-faced, and 47 pelagic cormorant nests with unknown contents were observed. During subsequent surveys on 25 July and 15 August cormorant nests were not recorded to species, due to rough seas, and a total of 291 and 216 nests were counted in sections 4 and 5, respectively. Adults carrying fish in their bills were observed starting on 25 July. Large chicks, both with and without attending adults, were observed in nests during the 15 August circumnavigation.

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Common breeder. On 22 and 23 May, two active nests were located - one near stake 87 and Arch’s Cove and a second nest on the southeastern cliffs of Big West Island. Two adults were attending both nests. The nest near stake 87 had one fuzzy chick sitting up and at least one egg in nest, while the nest on Big West had a presumably incubating adult and nest contents remained unknown. On 31 May, the nest near stake 87 had only one chick in nest bowl and both adults attending and defending aerie. By 14 July, one adult was observed near nest and large fully-feathered chick was standing three meters below nest on cliff and calling. On 31 May, the nest on Big West still had adult lying in nest, but by 4 June adult was observed brooding at least two white chicks - one was able to sit up and the other could only lift head. Both adults were observed on 5 June feeding chicks an adult glaucous-winged gull and on 8 June the chicks were also being fed by both adults. On 3 July, two large feathered chicks were observed in nest - one lying down and the other having a difficult time keeping its head up. By 24 July, both adults were absent from aerie and no chicks were observed in nest. On 6 August, adults were back in aerie where they continued to be observed for the duration of the season, but no chicks or fledglings were seen. Throughout May, June, and early July adults and subadults were observed flying over and landing within glaucous-winged gull colonies. Carcasses of adult gulls were observed within the colonies and high egg loss was occurring during this time. Eagles spent the majority of their time perched on cliffs along the perimeter of the island. In Sea Lion Cove, throughout June and early July, up to 10 subadults were observed simultaneously feeding on a sea lion carcass. A maximum number of 25 individual eagles were recorded on 23 May on Aiktak. Eagles seemed to decrease in number on Aiktak in late July and remained low throughout August, possibly due to late-summer salmon runs on Unimak Island, located approximately 15 miles to the north (USFWS protocol files). Juveniles (at least two) were observed around camp flying near cliffs on 1-4 September.

Rough-legged hawk (Buteo lagopus). Rare. A single individual was observed hovering just below Gull Mountain in strong northeast winds (45-50 knots) on 27 August. An adult was observed on Ugamak Island during the off-road point count on 13 June.

Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). Uncommon breeder. On 16 June and again on 2 July, a territorial pair observed calling and chasing common raven and bald eagle around cliffs of Southwest Cape. In the same vicinity, one adult and at least two fledglings were observed. On 8 July, a nest was found below stake 89 on southeastern end of island. An adult was observed near nest and then returned and brooded two chicks in nest bowl: one larger sitting up and other small and lying down. On 29 July, two big, white

128 chicks were observed in nest with both adults attending. Two fledglings were observed flying around aerie and landing on cliffs opposite nest while calling frantically on 14 August. Throughout August fledglings (at least three) and adults (at least four) were observed flying around island diving and chasing most other species of birds. All observed attempts were unsuccessful, although carcasses were found along beaches and within gull and puffin colonies.

Semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus). Rare migrant. Single individuals were observed foraging in the kelp wrack on New Camp Beach on 22-23 May and again on 8 June.

Black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani). Common breeder. Up to 34 individuals were observed daily on beaches around the island, mostly along the northern coast. On 22 May, the first nests, two with full three-egg clutches, were observed and the first chicks were observed on 15 June. Most nest sites were littered with limpet shells and adults were observed feeding chicks limpets during the chick-rearing period. A maximum count of 61 individuals (adults and juveniles) was recorded during a circumnavigation on 15 August.

Wandering tattler (Heteroscelus incanus). Uncommon migrant. Up to seven individuals were observed foraging in the intertidal areas of Tower Cove, New Camp Beach, and Old Camp Beach from 21 May until 6 June. Beginning 26 August until our departure on 4 September, a single individual was observed foraging on west end of New Camp Beach below gull colony.

Bristle-thighed curlew (Numenius tahitiensis). Rare migrant. On 22 May, three adults were observed flying and calling 20 meters off shore at Ivory Cove.

Ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres). Rare migrant. Starting 21 May until 2 June, up to two adults in breeding plumage were observed foraging in kelp on New Camp Beach below camp. On 18 July, a single adult was observed flying from ocean across island towards northwest coast. A group of five individuals were observed on Old Camp Beach on 24 and 26 August.

Least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla). Uncommon possible breeder. Beginning on 22 May and continuing throughout June, up to three individuals were observed foraging, calling, and displaying on New Camp Beach. On 17 June, a single individual was flushed up from the stream in Petrel Valley. Two individuals were observed sleeping on beach on 3 July, while watching ANMU chicks leaving nests. A single individual was observed on New Camp Beach on 29 August.

Rock sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis). Uncommon. On 13 July, a group of 12 individuals were observed foraging around Guillemot Rock. Throughout the rest of July and into August, small groups of up to three individuals were observed periodically foraging on intertidal rocks around Guillemot Rock and also in Petrel Valley Cove.

Dunlin (Calidris alpina). Rare migrant. Two individuals were observed on New Camp Beach on 12 June.

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax). Rare migrant. Male bird in breeding plumage was observed in Ivory Cove early in Male ruff Male ruff in breeding plumage

Male ruff Male ruff in breeding plumage 129 the day and then later with three black oystercatchers in Sea Lion Cove on 6 June. On 8 June, the same individual was observed on New Camp beach foraging in kelp and occasionally being chased by a territorial pair of black oystercatchers.

Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). Rare. A single individual was heard off Guillemot Rock and another single individual was observed preening with glaucous-winged gulls on intertidal rock off New Camp Beach gull colony on 10 July and 27 July, respectively.

Glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens). Abundant breeder. Gulls primarily nested in the interior of the island, concentrated mainly on Gull Mountain and the Southwest Slope. Smaller numbers of birds also nested along and at the base of the low bluffs backing Old and New Camp beaches. Nest building was already underway on our first check into the colonies on 24 May but no eggs were found until 2 June. Chicks hatched between 4 and 19 July and the first fledgling was observed on Old Camp Beach on 24 August. This was the lowest of four consecutive years of low nesting and hatching success, due to high rates of egg loss during incubation. On more than one occasion while conducting nest checks within the gull productivity and chronology plots, unattended eggs were destroyed and sometimes eaten by neighboring gulls. A total of 38 nests successfully hatched chicks out of 200 nests that contained at least one egg. During a circumnavigation on 15 August, 13 fledglings were observed on the back of Southwest Cape, five west of Sail Rock on rocky outcrops, and four on East Island and associated islets.

Common and thick-billed murre (Uria aalge and U. lomvia). Abundant breeders. Through late May and June many birds were observed rafting on the water below the cliffs off the southern coast, but by late June were present on cliffs with highly variable attendance. By mid July, attendance was more consistent and both species of birds were observed on cliffs. Common murres outnumbered thick-billed and accounted for 66% of all murres in index plots. Many murres were observed loafing on cliffs through July but reproductive effort appeared to be extremely low. Most birds faced seawards occasionally turning and sitting in incubating posture, but most flushed when ravens flew over or landed on the cliffs. Successful reproductive effort was observed only in plots 3, 5, and 8. The first eggs were observed in plot 3 on 10 July and the first chicks were observed in plots 3 and 8 on 20 August. Most chicks were still young and a few birds were still incubating eggs at our last visit on 26 August. Attendance at all plots was erratic throughout the season, but dropped off consistently across all plots starting in early August. Common ravens were seen carrying murre eggs on numerous occasions and a few times were observed taking eggs directly from incubating birds. Glaucous-winged gulls were observed eating unattended murre eggs or remains from earlier predation events. Murres have not bred in great numbers on Aiktak since 2001.

Pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba). Fairly common breeder. Singles and pairs of birds were seen frequently in nearshore waters around the island, most abundant in Arch’s Cove, Petrel Valley Cove, and off of Old Camp Beach. A maximum of 21 guillemots was counted at index plots around the island on 12 June. On that date, birds were observed copulating and displaying while going into and out of the rocks on the beach of Arch’s Cove. On 19 June, birds were observed bringing fish into rock crevices of Arch’s Cove.

Ancient murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus). Abundant breeder. Birds were found occupying soil burrows along beach cliffs and creek drainages as well as shallow holes under grass tussocks and among driftwood piles along the northern and western coasts of the island. Two nests were found within storm-petrel plot 17 (burrows 2B and 66) at top of Petrel Valley Cove and one nest was found in an artificial puffin burrow-A55 in plot A. About 20% of birds in nests monitored for productivity and chronology were on eggs in late May, but the majority of laying occurred during the first two weeks of

130 June. Chicks hatched between 18 June and 22 July. At night throughout July, small numbers of adults and chicks could be seen or heard in the water and among the vegetation along New Camp Beach as adults led chicks to sea.

Fledgling Cassin's auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus). Rare breeder. On 22 July, a single Cassin’s fledgling was found sitting just below deck of the cabin at 2230h. The fledgling auklet was brought inside the cabin and put into a box until 2330h when it began to get dark and was subsequently released on the beach below camp. The fledgling made two unsuccessful attempts to fly from the beach only to crash and tumble into rocks and kelp, but on the third try successfully flew about 35 meters from shore.

Parakeet auklet (Aethia psittacula). Rare. Two adult individuals in breeding plumage were observed flying past boat just south of East Island during a circumnavigation survey on 25 July.

Whiskered auklet (Aethia pygmaea). Rare possible breeder. On 25 and 26 August, during a late-night (~2300h) tufted puffin check on Little West Island, at least five individuals were heard calling from talus slope on east coast of Big West Island. The birds were heard both from the rocks of talus slope area as Fledgling well as the water in between Pleasure Cove and Big West Island. One bird was Cassin’s observed flying up around Little West Island but all others were only heard auklet vocalizing. Presumably these birds are breeding in this talus slope and possibly also around Pleasure Cove area.

Rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata). Rare possible breeder. A single, recently deceased individual was found lying on drift wood amongst the grass above the beach in Tower Cove on 31 August. The bird displayed brood patches with new feather re-growth (hmm…). There was no obvious cause of mortality and the individual was very fresh and in prime condition and so was collected for further study.

Horned puffin (Fratercula corniculata). Abundant breeder. Several hundred birds nested among beach boulders, in rock crevices, and in cracks in the cliffs around the island, with the highest concentrations in Petrel Valley Cove and other coves along the southern coast. Numbers of birds rafting on the water varied markedly throughout the day; in Petrel Valley Cove where the highest number of birds congregated, peak attendance on the water during late June through July was found to be consistent with 2008 and in the late afternoon. Chicks in nests followed for productivity hatched between 20 July and 14 August; none had fledged by our last check on 3 September.

Tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata). Abundant breeder. Starting on 28 May, thousands of birds were observed soaring in the air above the cliffs of the island and attending the surface of colonies in vegetation above burrows. Colony attendance was sporadic through the season but more consistent once chicks hatched and were being fed in July and throughout August. Only about 30% of artificial burrows were occupied this year, which is similar to occupancy rates in recent years. Chicks in productivity nests hatched between 14 July and 11 August. A few chicks fledged between 30 August and 2 September but most were still present at our last check on 3 September. On calm days throughout July and August, many adults were found wandering in the thick vegetation in Petrel Valley. Some individuals were found dead in the stream and surrounding areas but most were taken to the beaches and joyously tossed into the air. On 30 August, after a storm with gale-force winds, 18 adults were found dead in and among the rocks of Petrel Valley Cove. Some birds were scavenged by peregrine falcons but many lay

131 apparently where they died. Most were among the large boulders at the base of the ravine and a few showed signs of internal bleeding and broken bills as if the strong winds at their back denied them adequate lift to clear the rocks.

Oriental cuckoo (Cuculus optatus). Rare migrant. On 19 June, single individual was observed flying around the cabin area and roosting up Petrel Valley. Bird seemed nervous, flying about and landing periodically on stalks of vegetation in the stream valley.

Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus). Rare. Single adults were commonly observed flying low over Petrel Valley throughout the summer and pellets with bird bones were found on more than one occasion. Birds were seen mostly around storm-petrel plot 21 and artificial plot A5. On 16 June, an adult was observed dive-bombing an eagle that was roosting where the owl was frequently observed roosting. Four birds were observed on 7 August at 2300 flying, calling, and momentarily landing around storm-petrel plots 26 and 27 in Petrel Valley.

Common raven (Corvus corax). Fairly common breeder. Throughout the summer groups of up to eight individuals were commonly observed flying around cliff edges and across the island. A nest was observed 22 May on the cliffs below murre stake 06. One adult was defending the nest from bald eagle and other adult was incubating/brooding. On 9 June, at least three fledglings, still showing reddish gapes, were observed cavorting and terrorizing puffins lounging on ledges around Petrel Valley Cove. A single individual was observed with a murre egg in its bill that it subsequently cached on grassy cliffs above Petrel Valley Cove on 9 July. On 10 and 29 July, at least two individuals were observed landing on ledges of Southwest Bight, bouncing around and squawking and eventually approaching incubating murres until they flushed, leaving their eggs easily accessible to the ravens. On 15 August, over 50 ravens were observed flying around cliffs and feeding on sea lion carcasses on the beaches of Ugamak Bay.

Bank swallow (Riparia riparia). Uncommon. Periodically throughout the summer up to 4 individuals were observed foraging around the stream in Petrel Valley.

Winter wren (Troglodytes troglodytes). Common breeder. High numbers of birds persisted throughout the season mostly along the perimeter of the island on beaches and cliffs. On 30 June, the first fledglings were observed on Rocky Platform I as well as a nest with five nestlings on cliffs of Sea Lion Cove. Several broods with new fledglings were observed throughout the rest of the summer across the island with the last groups observed in the camp area on 24 August.

American pipit (Anthus rubescens). Uncommon. One individual was observed foraging on New Camp Beach on 23 May. Throughout August groups of up to five were commonly observed flying around interior and high coasts of island. This species was fairly common on Ugamak in upland habitats during point count on 13 June and on subsequent visits during the summer. Nests have previously been found on Ugamak Island (Helm et al. 2007).

Yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia). Rare. On 1 September, two individuals were observed foraging among vegetation around Teal Pond in Petrel Valley.

Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis). Abundant breeder. Birds were seen regularly throughout the summer both along the beaches and in vegetation of the interior. They were frequently observed in high numbers feeding on insects in the kelp wrack along the north coast. The first fledgling

132 was observed in Sea Lion Cove on 30 June and newly fledged chicks were observed throughout July across the island. On 13 June, an adult was flushed from a nest with four eggs on Ugamak Island.

Fox sparrow (Paserella iliaca). Rare. A single adult was observed at base of cliffs in Petrel Valley Cove on 2 June. On 23 August, a single individual was observed below artificial tufted plot A in slight cove on New Camp Beach.

Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia). Abundant breeder. Birds were commonly observed all across the island but highest numbers were along the beaches, coastal cliffs, and low areas of the interior. Beginning on 22 May and continuing through late June, nests were found low in vegetation on slopes and along trails, most had four-egg clutches and were located by flushing incubating adults. By 5 June, the first fledglings were observed around camp and newly fledged chicks continued to be observed across the island throughout June and July.

Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). Rare. On 31 May, at least five adults were observed along the north-coast trail in mossy, tundra-like area. Males were performing flight displays and females were flitting about. On 19 August, an adult female was observed flying near north-coast trail. This species was common on Ugamak and during point-count on 13 June, many males were observed performing flight displays and heard calling in upland areas.

Snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis). Absent. Not seen on Aiktak. A single male was observed on Ugamak Island during the off-road point count on 13 June.

Gray-crowned rosy finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis). Uncommon breeder. Small groups of one to four birds were observed regularly in Pleasure Cove, Petrel Valley Cove, and along the bluffs of the southern and northern cliffs.

Marine Mammals

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris). Uncommon resident non-breeder. On 22 May, nine individuals, one group of three and others singly or in pairs, were observed foraging along the northeast coast of the island. One adult was observed feeding on a fish. These individuals were commonly observed throughout the rest of May although lower numbers were frequently observed in June. On 31 May, an orca was observed swimming towards a sleeping otter. The orca came up directly under the otter, the otter twisted and dove straight down and the orca did a similar twist, turning its head to the side before both animals disappeared for over two minutes. The orca was then observed approximately 30 meters from where the otter dove and the otter was not seen again. A continuous examination of the water both east and west along the coast was made for at least 15 minutes and no otter was observed. Throughout July, no more than two otters were observed in a single day and the frequency of observations was much lower than June. Numbers continued to be low throughout the rest of the summer until our departure on 4 September.

Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). Common breeder. Throughout the summer, up to 20 individuals were observed hauled out around the island on rocky ledges, mostly on the north coast within Harbor Barbor and Phoca Cove. Beginning on 11 June, again mostly within Harbor Barbor and Phoca Cove, small pups were observed with adults with a maximum of nine pups on 8 July. On 11 June, a female was observed carrying a dead pup still covered with white lanugo fur (often an indicator of premature birth) in her mouth

133 up onto rocks and then back into the water. She was observed carrying the pup and defending it with growls and lunges, directed towards other seals, until 29 June.

Steller’s sea lion Harbor seal with dead pup Harbor seal carrying dead pup (Eumetopias jubatus). Fairly common breeder. Individual and small groups of bulls were frequently seen hauled out on Little West Island, Pleasure Cove, and Old Camp Beach throughout the summer. In addition, groups of up to 20 animals were observed regularly hauled out along the southeast end of the island between Arch’s Cove and Sail Rock. A small group of about 10 individuals, both males and females, two of which had small pups on 16 June, were observed on Sea Lion Rock throughout the summer. In mid to late August, larger groups of 50-100 sea lions, probably coming over from the Ugamak Island rookery, were observed along Old Camp Beach and along the southern end of the island from Sail Rock to Arch’s Cove.

Harbor seal with dead pup Humpback whale (Megaptera novoangliae). Uncommon. On 23 May, an individual was observed twisting, diving, and splashing for about 30 minutes ~100m off shore from Petrel Valley Cove. On numerous occasions during the summer, when visibility was more than 300m, up to 10 individuals were observed feeding in rip tides around Aiktak and surrounding islands. The whales were usually accompanied by thousands of shearwaters and on more than one occasion were making audible moans.

Orca (Orcinus orca). Rare. On 31 May, a single large male was observed heading east about 20m off the north coast. See above ‘Sea Otter’ entry for details on interesting sea otter/orca interaction.

Terrestrial Mammals

Tundra vole (Microtis oeconomus) Accidental. One dead vole was found in low vegetation around storm-petrel plot 25 on 11 August. This species (Ebbert, pers. comm.) is found on Ugamak Island in high densities and was likely brought over by an avian predator. No evidence of breeding was found on Aiktak.

Fish

Dusky rockfish (Sebastes ciliatus). Fairly common. Caught in east and west Tundra vole opening of channel between Aiktak and Ugamak Islands with silver spinner. On 28 June, more than 30 individuals were observed chasing lures and then other fish about 20m offshore of the east end of Ugamak Island.

Atka mackerel (Pleurogrammus monopterygius). One individual was observed being fed upon by immature bald eagle on beach below Upland Access on 18 June.

Rock greenling (Hexagrammos lagocephalus). One Individual was caught using a silver spinner near data logger off New Camp Beach.

* All images by A. Larned or S. Sapora

134 Table 85. Observations and breeding status of birds and selected mammals at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Dashes indicate species not recorded that year but may not necessarily indicate absence from the island during the time period (e.g., species not observed although present, or species not recorded although observed).

Codes: B=confirmed breeder, P=probable/possible breeder, X=observed non-breeder X/B?=bred in other years but not specified in current year

Species 2000 2001 2002 2003a 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Greater white-fronted goose ------X - - Emperor goose X X X - X X X X - X Brant goose - - - - X X - X - - Aleutian cackling goose - X X - X X X X X X Gadwall ------X Eurasian wigeon ------X - - American wigeon ------X - - Mallard - - - - - X X - - X Northern shoveler - X X X X - - - - X Northern pintail X X X - - X - X X - Green-winged teal B B B B B B B B B B King eider - - - - X - - - - - Harlequin duck X X X X X X X X X X Surf scoter - - - - X - - - - - White-winged scoter - - X - X - - - - - Black scoter ------X - X X Long-tailed duck - - - - X - - - - - Common merganser - - - - - X - X - - Red-breasted merganser X X X - X X X X - X Rock ptarmigan - - - X X - X - X X Common loon - - - - X - - - - - Red-necked grebe - - - - - X - X X - Northern fulmar X - X - X - - X - - Sooty shearwater ------X - - Short-tailed shearwater - - - - - X X X - - Fork-tailed storm-petrel B B B B B B B B B B Leach’s storm-petrel B B B B B B B B B B Double-crested cormorant B X B B B X B B B B Red-faced cormorant X B B B B X P B B B Pelagic cormorant B B B B B X B B B B Bald eagle B B B B B B B B B B Rough-legged Hawk ------X Golden eagle - - - - X - - - - - Peregrine falcon B B B B B B P B B B Semipalmated plover X - - X X X X X X X Black oystercatcher B B B B B B B B B B Terek sandpiper X ------Gray-tailed tattler ------X - - Wandering tattler X X X X X X X X X X Lesser yellowlegs - - - - - X - - - - Wood sandpiper - X - - - - X - - - Bristle-thighed curlew ------X - X Bar-tailed godwit X ------Ruddy turnstone X X X - - X X X X X Semipalmated sandpiper ------X - - Western sandpiper ------X - - Least sandpiper X X X X X P P P P P Rock sandpiper X X X - X P X X X X Dunlin ------X Short-billed dowitcher X X X - - - X - X - Red-necked phalarope - - - - X - - - - - Red phalarope ------X Black-legged kittiwake - X - - - X X - - X

aData may be incomplete in 2003 due to the early departure of field crew (10 July).

135 Table 85 (continued). Observations and breeding status of birds and selected mammals at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Dashes indicate species not recorded that year but may not necessarily indicate absence from the island during the time period (e.g., species not observed although present, or species not recorded although observed).

Codes: B=confirmed breeder, P=probable/possible breeder, X=observed non-breeder X/B?=bred in other years but not specified in current year

Species 2000 2001 2002 2003a 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Slaty-backed gull - - - - X - - X - - Glaucous-winged gull B B B B B B B B B B Common murre B B X B X X B B B B Thick-billed murre B B X B X X B B B B Pigeon guillemot B X/B? B P P B B B P B Marbled murrelet ------X - - Ancient murrelet B B B B B B B B B B Cassin’s auklet ------B Parakeet auklet X - X - - - - X - X Least auklet - - X ------Whiskered auklet ------X - P Rhinoceros auklet X - - - - X - - - P Horned puffin B B B B B B B B B B Tufted puffin B B B B B B B B B B Oriental cuckoo ------X Short-eared owl X P X X X X X X X P Belted kingfisher - - - - X - X - - - Common raven P B B B B P P B B B Purple martin - - - - - X - - - - Tree swallow - - - - X X X - X - Violet-green swallow - - X ------Bank swallow X X X X X - X X X X Cliff swallow - X - - - - - X - - Barn swallow - - X - X - - - - - Winter wren B B B B B B B B B B Ruby-crowned kinglet X ------American pipit X X X - - X X X X X Yellow warbler ------X Savannah sparrow B B B B B B B B B B Fox sparrow X X - - X - X X - X Song sparrow B B B B B B B B B B Golden-crowned sparrow X - - - X X - - - - White-crowned sparrow - X ------Lapland longspur - - - - X X - - X X Snow bunting - - - - X - - - - - Gray-crowned rosy-finch B B B X X B B B B B

Sea otter X X X X X X X B X X Harbor seal X/B? X/B? X/B? B B B B B B B Steller’s sea lion ? ? ? X X X X X X B Harbor porpoise ------X - - Humpback whale X - - - X - - X X X Minke whale ------X - Gray whale - - - - X - - - - - Orca X - - - X X X X X X

21 May - Observation dates xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx 4 Sep

aData may be incomplete in 2003 due to the early departure of field crew (10 July).

136 Table 86. Appearance of first fledglings at Aiktak Island, Alaska. Question marks indicate fledglings were not observed but probably existed; question marks with superscript “AD” indicate fledglings were not observed but likely appeared after departure from the island; dashes indicate the species did not breed successfully that year; “N/A” indicate fledging data could not be determined using historic reports.

Species 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Aleutian green-winged teal Ducklings 19 Jun 13 Aug 4 Jun 5 Jun 9-Jun 12 Jun ? 5 Jun 13 Jun 8 Jun AD Fledglings N/A N/A 2 Aug ? 11 Jul ? ? 7 Aug 11 Jul ? AD AD AD AD Fork-tailed storm-petrel N/A N/A ? ? 19 Aug 30 Aug ? ? ? ? AD AD AD AD AD AD AD AD Leach’s storm-petrel N/A N/A ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? AD Double-crested cormorant N/A N/A 25 Aug ? - - - - 20 Aug ? AD Pelagic cormorant N/A N/A 17 Aug ? - - - - 25 Aug ? AD Red-faced cormorant N/A N/A 14 Aug ? - - - - 25 Aug ? AD Bald eagle N/A N/A - ? 19 Aug ? 17 Aug 10 Aug - ? b Peregrine falcon 16 Jul 17 Jul unk. date 7 Jul 9 Jul ? ? 14 Jul 10 Jul 15 Jul Black oystercatcher Walked from nest N/A N/A ? ? 12 Jun 2 Jul ? 17 Jun 22 Jun 15 Jun Flew from nest area 29 Jul N/A 23 Jul ? 30 Jul ? 26 Jul 27 Jul 21 Jul 20 Jul AD Glaucous-winged gull 11 Aug mid Aug 13 Aug ? 10 Aug 20 Jul 27 Aug 8 Aug 19 Aug 15 Aug AD AD AD AD Common murre N/A N/A - ? - - ? ? ? ? AD AD AD AD Thick-billed murre N/A N/A - ? - - 29 Aug ? ? ? AD AD AD Pigeon guillemot N/A N/A ? ? ? 21 Aug 27 Aug ? ? ? Ancient murrelet N/A N/A ? ? 27 Jun 21 Jun 21 Jun 25 Jun 6 Jul 3 Jul AD AD AD AD AD Horned puffin N/A N/A ? ? ? ? 28 Aug ? ? ? AD AD AD AD Tufted puffin 27 Aug N/A 6 Sep ? ? ? ? ? ? 1 Sep Common raven N/A N/A 13 Jun 6 Jun 6 Jun ? ? < 26 May 7 Jun 9 Jun Winter wren N/A N/A 8 Jul 25 Jun 25 Jun ? 8 Jul 2 Jul 11 Jul 30 Jun Savannah sparrow N/A N/A ? 15 Jun 15 Jun ? 4 Jul 24 Jun 3 Jul 30 Jun Song sparrow N/A N/A 7 Jul 14 Jun 15 Jun ? 10 Jun 4 Jun 2 Jun 5 Jun Gray crowned rosy-finch N/A 8 Sep ? ? ? 18 Aug 10 Aug 20 Jul 10 Jul ?

aData may be incomplete in 2003 due to the early departure of field crew (10 July). bFledglings observed but date not recorded.

137 Table 87. First flowering dates of plants indentified on Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent the day a fully-opened flower was first observed on the island each year. Dates may be poor indicators of actual phenology because observations of initial flowering events for uncommon or inconspicuous plants may be missed or depend on timing of field crew activities. Identifications are made by field personnel on-island and have not been confirmed by other authorities.

Family Species 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Lycopodiaceae Lycopodium selago selag - - 16 May late May - - - L. annotinum annotinum - - 16 May late May - - - Equisetaceae Equisetum arvense 3 Jun - 18 Jun 27 May late May early Jun 8 Jun Ophioglossaceae Botrychium lunaria ------28 May Athyriaceae Cystopteris fragilis fragilis - - early Jun 1 Jun - - 8 Jun Athyrium filix-femma cyclosorum - - early Jun early Jun - - 8 Jun Graminae Poa spp. 22 May 15 Jul - - - - - Elymus arenarius mollis 20 Jun 10 Jul - - early Jul 12 Jul early Jul Calamagrostis canadensis 25 Jun 15 Jul - - - - Jul Festuca rubra aucta 14 Jun 15 Jul - - - - Jul Phleum commutatum americanum early Jun 10 Jul - - - - 2 Jul Hordeum brachyantherum - 17 Jul - - - - Jun Cyperacea Eriophorum russeolum spp. 15 Jun 26 Jun 5 Jul 18 Jun - late Jun - E. angustifolium subarcticum - 27 Jun - - - - - Carex macrochaeta - 1 Jun - - - - 2 Jun C. saxatilis laxa - 1 Jun - - - - - Carex spp. 4 Jun - - - - 7 Jun - Juncaceae Luzula multiflora multiflora - 1 Jul - - - - - L. multiflora Kobayasii - 1 Jul - - - - - Juncus arcticus sitchensis - 1 Jul - - - - - Liliaceae Fritillaria camschatcensis 8 Jun 12 Jun 4 Jun 6 Jun 27 Jun 26 Jun 12 Jun Orchidaceae Platanthera convallariaefolia 2 Jul 1 Jul early Jul 25 Jun 27 Jun 2 Jul 23 Jun P. dilatata 19 Jun 16 Jun - - - - - Listera chordata 5 Jun 1 Jun - - - - - Dactylorhiza aristata 3 Jun 29 May 4 Jun 27 May 26 Jun 13 Jun 28 May Salicaceae Salix arctica crassijulis 19 Jun 26 Jun - 14 Jun 26 May 22 Jun - S. reticulata - - - 29 Jul 29 Jul - - Polygonaceae Oxyria digyna - - - - 27 Jun - - Rumex fenestratus - 3 Jul early Jul 20 Jun late Jun 2 Jul 29 Jun Polygonum viviparum - - - 23 Jul 1 Aug 25 Jul 7 Jul Portulaceae Claytonia sibirica <18 May 13 May 16 May 24 May 29 May 3 Jun 24 May Montia fontana Fontana ------Jun Caryophyllaceae Honkenya peploides major - 13 May 30 May 19 Jun - 9 Jun 13 Jul Cerastium beeringianum grandiflorum - 12 Jun - 27 May late May 13 Jun 10 Jun Cerastium fischerianum ------<30 Jun Moehringia lateriflora ------1 Jul Stellaria media - - - - late Jun - 24 May S. ruscifolia - - - 31 May - - - S. sitchana bongardiana - - - 13 Aug - - 7 Jul

138

Table 87 (continued). First flowering dates of plants indentified on Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent the day a fully-opened flower was first observed on the island each year. Dates may be poor indicators of actual phenology because observations of initial flowering events for uncommon or inconspicuous plants may be missed or depend on timing of field crew activities. Identifications are made by field personnel on-island and have not been confirmed by other authorities.

Family Species 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Ranunculaceae Caltha palustris asarifolia - 17 May 24 May 28 May late Jun 11 Jun 8 Jun Aconitum maximum - 16 Jul - 14 Jul - 25 Jul 22 Jul A. delphinifolium delphinifolium - 16 Jul mid Jul mid Jul 2 Aug late Jul 25 Jul Ranunculus spp. - 15 Jun mid Jun 1 Jun mid Jun 3 Jun - Ranunculus occidentalis ------5 Jun Ranunculus eschscholtzii ------8 Jun Anemone narcissiflora villosissiflora - 13 May 19-May 24 May 24 May 31 May 26 May Cruciferae Draba hyperborea 26 May 13 Jun - 26 May - 1 Jun 22 May D. borealis 26 May 25 May late May 27 May - early Jun 17 Jun D. nivalis - - - 14 Jun - - - Cardemine umbellata 15 Jun 15 Jun 5 Jul 31 May mid Jun mid Jul 23 May Arabis lyrata - 15 Jun - - - - - Cochlearia officialis oblongifolia - - - 28 Jul - - - Saxifragaceae Saxifraga punctata insularis 25 Jun 25 Jun - 19 Jun 1 Jul 15 Jun 2 Jul S. bracteata 5 Jun 5 Jun - 31 May - 20 Jun 28 May Parnassia palustris - - - 8 Aug - - - P. Kotzebuei - - - 27 Jun - - 30 Jul Chrysosplenium wrightii ------13 Jul Rosaceae Rubus arcticus stellatus 14 Jun 30 May 19 Jun 6 Jun late Jun 3 Jul 16 Jun Potentilla villosa 30 May 10 Jun 16 Jun 6 Jun mid Jun 20 Jun 10 Jun Geum macrophyllum 19 Jun 16 Jun - 27 Jun 26 Jul 11 Jul 26 Jun Sanguisorba stipulata - 20 Jun 29 Jul - mid Jul - 2 Aug Leguminosae Lupinus nootkatensis <18 May 13 May 25 May 28 May 28 May 13 Jun 5 Jun Geraniaceae Geranium erianthum early Jun 29 May 4 Jun 2 Jun 27 Jun 29 Jun 23 Jun Violaceae Viola langsdorffii 23 May 17 May 31 May 28 May 29 May 9 Jun 28 May Onagraceae Epilobium glandulosum 7 Jul 6 Jul - 4 Jul 8 Aug 20 Jul 19 Jul E. treleaseanum - - - 28 Jul - - - E. angustifolium - 14 Aug 6 Aug 29 Jul - 28 Aug 15 Aug E. behringianum - - 27 Jul - - - - E. hornemannii - - 27 Jul - - - - E. leptocarum - 29 Jul - - - - - E. sertulatum ------16 Jul Apiaceae Heracleum lanatum 25 Jun 2 Jul 5 Jul 11 Jul 13 Jul 15 Jul 7 Jul Angelica lucida 15 Jun 30 Jun 5 Jul 28 Jun 1 Jul 10 Jul 29 Jun Ligusticum scoticum-Hultenii 27 Jun 30 Jun late Jun - 26 Jul 7 Aug late Jul Conioselinum chinense - 20 Jul 4 Aug 28 Jul 10 Aug 19 Aug 18 Jul Ericaceae Rhododendron camtschaticum 7 Jul 26 Jun 8 Jul 17 Jul 23 Jul 31 Jul 16 Jul Primulaceae Trientalis europaea arctica 25 Jun 30 Jun 5 Jul 14 Jun - 11 Jul 30 Jun

139 Table 87 (continued). First flowering dates of plants indentified on Aiktak Island, Alaska. Data represent the day a fully-opened flower was first observed on the island each year. Dates may be poor indicators of actual phenology because observations of initial flowering events for uncommon or inconspicuous plants may be missed or depend on timing of field crew activities. Identifications are made by field personnel on-island and have not been confirmed by other authorities.

Family Species 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Primulaceae Androsace chameajasme Lehmanniana 8 Jun 7 Jun - - - - 20 Jun Primula tschuktschorum ------21 Jun Gentianaceae Gentiana amarelle acuta var. Plebeya - - 28 Jul - - - 16 Jun Polemoniaceae Polemonium acutiforum 25 Jun 15 Jun 10 Jul 20 Jun late Jun 14 Jul 3 Jul Hydrophyllaceae Romanzoffia unalaschecensis - 10 Jun - - - - 21 Jun Boraginacea Mertensia maritima - - - - 7 Jul - - Scrophulariaceae Mimulua guttatus 7 Jul 5 Jul 6 Jul 29 Jun 16 Jul 25 Jul 14 Jul Pedicularis langsdorffii langsdorffii 15 Jun 23 Jun 15 Jun 22 Jun 14 Jul 11 Jul 14 Jul Veronica stelleri 11 Jun 11 Jun - - - 29 Jun 23 Jun V. wormskjoldii - - - 15 Jun - - - Castilleja unalaschcenis 8 Jun 15 Jun 5 Jul 9 Jun 30 Jun 11 Jul 23 Jun Rhinanthus minor boreales - 27 Jul 29 Jul 8 Aug 8 Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug Lagotis glauca - - - 8 Jun - 25 Jun 15 Jun Rubiaceae Galium aparine - 26 Jun 5 Jul 23 Jul - 24 Jul 13 Jul Campanulaceae Campanula lasiocarpa lasiocarpa - 28 Jul 1 Aug 23 Jul - 5 Aug 14 Jul C. chamissonis - - - 30 Jul 27 Aug - - Asteraceae Petasites frigidus 25 Jun 17 May - 31 May late May 23 May 22 May Achillea borealis 15 Jun 2 Jun - 19 Jun 27 Jun 11 Jul 11 Jul Senecio pseudo-arnica 3 Jul 17 Jul 7 Jul 10 Jul 23 Jul 20 Jul 13 Jul Taraxacum trigonolobum 15 Jun 23 Jun 30 Jun 13 Jun 22 Jul 3 Jul 19 Jun Erigeron peregrinus 7 Jul 2 Jul 6 Jul 29 Jun - 19 Jul 7 Jul Anaphalis margaritacea - - 29 Jul 25 Jul 18 Aug 12 Aug 14 Jul Solidago multiradiata - 1 Aug - 22 Aug - - 16 Aug

140 9.0

8.0

7.0 C)

6.0 Temperature (

5.0 2009 Mean 1998-2008

4.0

3.0 7-13 14-20 21-27 28 May- 4-10 11-17 18-24 25 Jun- 2-8 9-15 16-22 23-29 30 Jul- 6-12 13-19 20-26 27 Aug- 3-9 10-16 May May May 3 Jun Jun Jun Jun 1 Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul 5 Aug Aug Aug Aug 2 Sep Sep Sep

Figure 42. Mean weekly sea surface temperatures (°C) at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

141

Table 88. Mean weekly sea surface temperatures (°C) at Aiktak Island, Alaska.

Week 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

7-13 May - - - no data 4.4 - 4.7 - - - - - 14-20 May 4.8 - - - 4.5 5.3 4.8 - 4.1 - - 3.6 21-27 May 5.1 - - - 4.8 5.5 5.1 - 4.5 3.7 3.8 3.8 28 May-3 Jun 5.4 4.1 - - 5.2 6.2 5.4 - 5.0 3.9 4.1 4.1 4-10 Jun 5.6 4.4 - - 5.7 6.5 5.5 - 5.4 4.3 4.3 4.4 11-17 Jun 5.8 4.8 5.2 - 5.9 6.5 6.0 - 5.6 4.6 4.8 5.3 18-24 Jun 6.2 4.9 5.3 - 6.3 6.9 6.0 - 5.7 5.2 5.0 5.4 25 Jun-1 Jul 6.6 5.2 5.7 - 6.7 7.1 6.8 - 6.1 5.2 5.3 5.7 2-8 Jul 7.1 5.8 6.0 - 7.3 7.2 6.9 - 6.8 5.9 5.6 5.9 9-15 Jul 7.1 6.2 6.4 - 7.0 7.7 7.5 - 7.0 6.0 5.8 6.4 16-22 Jul 7.6 6.3 6.4 - 7.6 8.1 7.6 7.5 7.5 7.2 6.0 6.4 23-29 Jul 7.7 6.5 7.2 - 7.5 8.3 7.9 8.2 7.7 6.9 6.6 6.6 30 Jul-5 Aug 8.3 6.3 6.9 - 8.6 8.7 7.4 8.4 7.8 6.9 6.7 6.9 6-12 Aug 8.5 6.4 7.2 - 8.3 8.9 8.1 7.8 7.8 7.6 8.0 7.2 13-19 Aug 8.2 7.1 7.7 - 8.9 8.9 8.1 8.7 8.0 7.8 8.3 6.9 20-26 Aug 8.1 7.0 7.7 - 8.5 8.8 8.8 8.7 8.2 8.0 7.7 7.2 27 Aug-2 Sep - 7.0 7.4 - 8.8 8.9 - - 8.6 7.8 7.8 7.0 3-9 Sep - - 7.9 - 8.2 9.3 - - - - - 6.9 10-16 Sep - - 7.6 - - 9.5 ------

142 9.0

8.0

7.0 C) °

6.0 Temperature ( Temperature

5.0

4.0

3.0 21-May 4-Jun 18-Jun 2-Jul 16-Jul 30-Jul 13-Aug 27-Aug

Figure 43. Sea surface temperature (˚C) at Aiktak Island, Alaska in 2009. Values represent daily mean temperature.

143