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OCS Study MMS 90-00” Ecological Research Associates USE of KASEGALUK LAGOON, CHUKCHI SEA, ALASKA by MARINE BIRDS and MAMMALS D

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OCS Study MMS 90-00” Ecological Research Associates USE of KASEGALUK LAGOON, CHUKCHI SEA, ALASKA by MARINE BIRDS and MAMMALS D OCS Study MMS 90-00” Ecological Research Associates USE OF KASEGALUK LAGOON, CHUKCHI SEA, ALASKA BY MARINE BIRDS AND MAMMALS Draft Report of 1989-1990 Studies b“ LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc. 4175 Tudor Centre Drive, Suite 101 Anchorage, Alaska 99508-5917 and Alaska Department of Fish and Game 1300 College Road Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 for U.S. Minerals Management Service Procurement Operations 381 Elden St., MS635 Herndon, VA 2207--4817 Contract 14-35-0002-30491 LGL Report TA863-2 March 1991 OCS Study MMS 90-O(P USE OF KASEGALUK LAGOON, CHUKCHI SEA, ALASKA, BY MARINE BIRDS AND MAMMALS Draft Report of 1989-1990 Studies b’ LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc. 4175 Tudor Centre Drive, Suite 101 Anchorage, Alaska 99508-5917 and Alaska Department of Fish and Game 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 for U.S. Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations 381 Elden St., MS635, Herndon, VA 22070-4817 Contract 1435-0002-30491 LGL Report TA863-2 March 1991 This study was funded by the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Region of the Minerals Management Service, U.S. Dept. of Interior, Anchorage, AK, under contract 14-12-0001-30491. The opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Minerals Management Service. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. PROJECT AND REPORT ORGANIZATION This contract was conducted by LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, in cooperation with the following organizations: Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), Fairbanks, Alaska; North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, Barrow, Alaska; Golden Plover Air, Inc., Colville Village, Alaska. LGL conducted the bird studies, and ADFG, in conjunction with the North Slope Borough (in 1989), conducted the marine mammal studies. Golden Plover Air provided the Cessna 206 aircraft, pilot, and logistics support associated with the aircraft. The contract award for this project was 25 July 1989 and project initiation was 8 August 1989, too late for some aspects of the proposed study to commence according to the schedule proposed by MMS. The beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) surveys that were to commence in early July 1989, and at least one bird survey to be conducted in late July or early August 1989 were deferred until 1991. Thus, this report includes information on only one season (1990) of beluga surveys and only one full season (1990) of bird and seal surveys. Except for the beluga whale surveys in early July 1990, logistics were coordinated so that bird and mammal surveys were conducted during the same time-periods using the same aircraft, pilot, and field accomoclations in 1989 and 1990. Nevertheless, many aspects of the two parts of this study involved different data collection procedures with emphasis on different parts of the study area. Marine mammal studies were focused on the beluga whale migration and on spotted seal (Phoca largha) haulout locations. The beluga migration occurs over a broad area in both nearshore and offshore waters adjacent to the study area in the first half of July. Spotted seals rested at specific haulout sites in Kasegaluk Lagoon from late-July until freeze-up. Most of the mammal surveys were reconnaissance flights over offshore marine areas to detect, count and classify belugas, or they were surveillance flights over specific shoreline haulout locations to count spotted seals. Bird studies, on the other hand, were over a broader range of mixed aquatic and terrestrial habitats in and immediately adjacent to Kasegaluk Lagoon. There were no bird surveys conducted in offshore regions of the Chukchi Sea. As a consequence of these differences in project organization and procedures, this report is divided into two sections. Part I deals with birds and incidental sightings of marine and terrestrial mammals recorded during bird surveys. Part II deals exclusively with marine mammals. PART I MARINE BIRD USE OF THE KASEGALUK LAGOON AREA, CHUKCHI SEA, ALASKA Draft Report of 1989-1990 Studies Stephen R. Johnson, Peter F. Wainwright, and David A. Wiggins LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc. 4175 Tudor Centre Drive, Suite 101 Anchorage, Alaska 99508-5917 for U.S. Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations 381 Elden St., MS635, Herndon, VA 22070-4817 Contract 1435-0002-30491 LGL Report TA863-2 March 1991 This study was funded by the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Region of the Minerals Management %micer U.S. Dept. of Interior, Anchorage, AK, under contract 14-12-0001-30491. The opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Minerals Management Service. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. ii Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TABLE OF CONTENTS . ii LIST OF TABLES . v LIST OF HGmS . ix LIST OF APPENDICES . ...0... xvii ABSTRACT . xix AC~OWLEDGEMENTS . xx INTRODUCTION . 1 Background . 2 Objectives . 3 Research Hypothesis . 5 STUDY AREA. 7 METHODS . 10 Aerial Surveys . 10 Design Considerations . 10 Survey Techniques . 11 Survey Conditions . 13 Sightings . 13 Other Phenomena . 14 Data Mmagement . 14 Data Entry and Verification . 14 Gee-Referenced Data . 16 Data Analysis . 16 RESULTS . 18 Loons . 19 Pacific Loon . 19 Red-throated Loon . 27 Seabirds . 31 Arctic Tern . 31.
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