Alaska Resources Library & Information Servu:Ies Anchorage
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SUI'H·1ARY OF BIRD OBSERVATIONS
MADE IN THE ANDREANOF, RAT, AND NEAR ISLANDS
13 July - 22 July 1987
Compiled by: Daniel K. Niven, SCA Volunteer, Aleutian Islands Unit, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Adak, AK ~:,, Greg T. McClellan, Biological Technician, Aleutian I Islands Unit, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Adak, AK
Date: August 1987
Aleutian Islands, Andreanof Islands, Rat Islands, Near Islands, Adak, Kanaga, Tanaga, Amchitka, Kiska, Buldir, Asattu, birds, seabirds
ARLIS ' Alaska Resources
0 Library & Information SerVices 0 0 .AnchoraQ"f'. Alnsk~-1 1..0 1..0 I' M M ARLIS Alaska Resources Library & Information Servu:ies Anchorage, Alaska ·;\ ,J
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This ~'epot't SUfTlnlC:Wi zes fie J. d obse~'vat i ems of b i ~~ds made -b)L_:i~"!?J K. NivEm, Gt~eg t. l"lcClellan, Evan Klett, and othet~ membet~s.,.,o,f'f~!j,_!?ld crew in the Andreanof, Rat, and Near Islands of the Aleutian~ f~om 13 July·to 22 July 1987. Both pelagic and land based bird observations are included. The bulk of the pelagic cibservations compiled here were gathered while conducting a series of 32 9uantified pelagic censuses to doc0men~ the dist~ibution, abundance, and biomass of seabirds along the Aleutian Island chain. Land based observations were primarily made while conducting beach surveys along established t~outes on Kiske., and as incidental obset~vations m.::1de while L"<2_nc.iucting more intensive fieldwork aimed at determining the status of Aleutian Canada g~ese on Agatt~ and while searching for fox sign on Kiska.
The objectives of this report are: (1) documentation of observations of rare birds (2) documentation of nesting records and (3) docum~ntation of bird abundance and distribution information for the I island and refuge checklists. r; !
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ARLIS Alaska Resources Library & Informatton Servtces Anchorage, Alaska i!
We c6mp1eted an average of·lo- 12_hours of pelagic and/or land based bird observations each day. All pelagic bird o~servations were made from the 121 foot U.S. ~ish and Wi~dlife Service research vessel M/V Tiglax TC~ptain,· ~lvin Bayer) while enroute between islands. Sufficient instrumentaion was available for the collection o·F numt?r'ou~; var' i ab 1 es of mensLWC:ll da tc:1 potentia 11 y use·Fu l for the analysis of pelagic ~;;eat:lir'd distr'ibution and abundance patteffis. An extensive description of the methods of data collection used for these pelagic censuses is contained in Gould and Forsell (1986).
Land based bird observations were made on foot and from an inflatable boat while enroutc between the research vessel and the islands. Previously established beach transects (Dienes, 1986) were surveyed north of Kiska Harbor (including Salmon Lagoon) and in the Kiska Harbor region (excluding Trout Lagoon). Other land bird observations were made in the Gertrude, Mutt, and Jeff Cove regions of Kiska and on southeastern Agattu between Karab Cove, Aga Cove, and Cape Sabak. We also landed at two locations on Amchitka and on southern Adak and obtained some data from these locations as well.
Phylogenetic sequence and English and scientific names of the birds obser'ved ·foJ.lc:H-'J th<:?_.f~_.U. Ch_ec~.:;.-l.~st of Nor::_!:;h Amer'ic;_an___ _!?j_r_:-:...<:.L~ abundant very numerous species common certain to be seen in suitable habitat uncommon present, but not always easy to find rar'e seen only a few times during indicated season occ~"lsional seen irregularly over a two to five year span accidental found once/twice during season since the 1880's We subjectively applied these criteria to observations made by us on this trip. An asterik is used to designate evidence of breeding we observed (including the observation of nests, fledglings that had not yet gained the capibility of making interisland flights, or adults which were obviously carrying food to nests>. Pelagic observations were assigned to the island closest to where the observations were made since all observations were less than 100 miles· from the nearest island. .. ·······-- -··----4----'-----·------·---·-.-- .... ,,. ...... BERING SEA .· ., .. , \ r I AN , PACIFIC. OCEAN ,. I o ro •o co eo 100 too ~ 17 5O SCAlf IN MllU ,, Figure 1". Route traveled aboard the M/V.Tigla~ 13- 22 July, 1987. ·.'} ..... ;t·:}::,:.. ': .: . .~; ... .'· .::~~·~\\\~~:{;~:;;: i:~·~/l/ ·}::::: .,;::~~:~ ,·.. . · ·:! Preliminary- Subject to change ,,. Rock SCALE IN MILES AMCHITKA ISLAND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS WILDERNESS PROPOSAL Figure 2. Amchitka Island. Circlea areas indicate ·areas .... ~. ALEUTIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE R,EFUGE visited 14 July and 20 July, 1987. ALASKA f .· ·.:. ·:.. . : . . . . .t ... <.. :: \ :~.··.!···· .. ':···.:;;_.:.·__;··.·:·~··:··:. . . ; . : .:; :.._~ij;~ ~~-.=·~~: ~ -· .. . ·, ,• I • •' ·. ' •' o ·... . • ' .·.' •.• ··.·:·:.···.·.·· ••• ..··,_:.':·:.··;·.::.····:···:,·'' ·, ,. • . -~- .. ·.... ' ;. ·.: ...:~··:~: i:··_.. __ <_~:.:.·.!·~..... ;.,';(\o,:{_~·,:.~.·.~,~··.·.·.,·~;:· . ', 'ORoO o' o I ~~-/-:·J Preliminary- Subject to change ,,. N fllortheast ·:: Rocks ::· ·Haycock Rk Wotchcraft 0 2 3 4 5 10 SCALE IN MILES -,..,._ .. KISKA q_C>"" t IS. 'Oroent PI ·:6-·.TANADAK ISLAND ~ e>o I.....C>t::: ~ .! ' t. . CAPt ST STEPHEN I t:J .. f'4'.;,. .. I' ~Jit . 11 '• F'' KISKA ISLAND .Poont ISLANDS WILDERNESS PROPOSAL ... . 1f"lc ALEUTIAN I pf>.C , . '8Sobako i ALEUTIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Rock . _., Figure 3. Kiska Island. Locations of areas visited 15 July, 1987 ALASKA are circled. Routes of beach surveys.conducted 16 July, 1987 are highlighted. .. ,,. AGATTU ISLAND KRUGLOI POINT McDONALD COVE WEST COVE -. . · . _;_ 0 ••• I ... ,· .: ·. i,' 0 5 lOKm °KOHL ISLAND Figure 4. Agattu Island show~ng route 'surveyed 17 18 July; 1987·. .. ,.·.·. Prchmonory- SubJeCt to c~Jnc,e s£A ,,. N ::..' [ddp •• , .. :.... ~' . 0 2 ~3 4 10 SC.1.L£ IN MILES I I' Bay ADAK ISLAND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS WILDERNESS PROPOSAL, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ''\;. ./ ALASKA,· ..,. Figure 5. Adak Island. ·Areas visited 21 July, 1987 are circled. Table 1. Itjnerary/Activities 13 July Depat~t Adak fot~ f'.":tmchitka (no obset~vations made>-•:"'"'6!ior• 14 En t~ou te to Amch it ka, b t·· i ef 1 and :l ng at 1'"1al·=:at~ i uss:·Ba~~""-,:::--. Amchitka. Completed nine pelagic transects. 15 Arrived Kiska - searched Gertrude, Mutt, and Jeff Coves for fox sign but found none. Enr6ute to Kiska Harbor. 16 Conducted beach surveys in Kiska Harbor and north of Kiska 1-J,:r.d)c:w·, iri-c:luding Sc:i1.mon· Lagoon·~ 17 Enroute to Agattu (passed Buldir). Arrived Agattu, hiked to field camps from Karab Cove. Completed four pelagic transects. _ 18 Surveyed coastal uplands from North Head to Cape Sabak for Aleutian Canada geese and returned to Karab Cove. 19 Enroute to Amchitka (passed Buldir and Kiska). Completed ten pelagic transects. Arrived Amchitka. Surveyed Kirilof Point, Constantine Harbor. Ehroute to Tanaga. Completed four pelagic t t~ansf:~c ts. :21 Tanaga enroute to Adak. Arrived Adak, surveyed Beyer Bay and Hidden Bay, Adak. Completed five pelagic tr~nsects. ....,,.., L.L. Returned to Sweeper's Cove, Adak, via Kag~laska Staights (no observations made). :: F: q.?!i:.h!_Lt.:s .J:.:l!J.fL.. D i .f:~ r.: L,t.~}.~_i.ilf.l Thit~ty-one 37) ·minute and onf.?. 15 minute pelagic tt~.:,\nsects we.r:.e complett::•d. Copi(?S of the data <::n-·e included in Appendi:-: h·...__:i~, sut~Vf.0ys ~'Jet~f:~ ~ompletcd at Salmon Lagoon and Kiska Hc:wbot"':"·JB\"'!'~"tt~. Copies of these data are included in Appendi:-: 2. Daily bird obserVations for 14 - 21 July are included in appendi:-: 3. We observed a total of 50 species including 2 species not previously reported from Agattti~(Lcast Auklet, Cres~~d Auklet>, 3 species not previously recorded from Kiska (Sooty Shearwater, Leach's Storm-Petrel, Long-tailed Jaeger), 2 species not previously recorded ·h'om P1mchitka -. Red-throated Loon Uncommon. Three birds were observed each day on Agattu in and around upland lakes. Two birds in one pond were possibly holding a territory. One bird flew over the pond calling while <:t second bit~d t~emained on the pond, even when app.t~oache.d.. _ Uncommon. One pair was seen in Salmon Lagoon, Kiska, and a ma:-:imum of eight were observed on Agattu in and around the upland fresh water lakes. An individual bird was also observed flying over Beyer Bay, Adak. B 1 ac k-footed A 1 ba tt~oss Uncommon. Nine were observed in offshore waters between Buldir and Adak. A maximum daily count of five was observed 20 July east of Amchitka, including three at one location wi~h three Laysan Albatrosses. Common. A total of 59 were observed in offshore waters between Buldir and Adak with the highest number (24) recorded on 19 July between Buldir and Amchitka. No~··tht'?n· -Ful mat~ ~~hundant.·- One of the most abundant pelagic species ob~t~v,~-· It ~·Jas t~ecot~ded on all 32 pelagic censuses, in all offsn'b~"'ltet~s. Five to ten bit~ds commonly follo~'\led the =-hip. Alttf6t:.,gl-Tt~i~-tally solitary, at least 75 individuals surrounded the ship while it ~as stopped west of Amchitka. One bird landed on the vessel at about 0200, 17 July near the Sirius Point lava flow on Kiska and was release~. A high count of 324 birds was recorded on 19 July between Buldif~····,fitnd Amchit-ka. No nes.·ting colonies WE?t~e:· obset~ved. Uncommon. Ssen on at least three days between Buldir and Adak. A few individual birds were observed; however, this species and the next were more commonly seen in flocks. A flock of 127 birds was seen off Buldir 19 July. A flock of 750 unidentified shearwaters, probably this species, was seen 21 July south of e.c~ c:d::. t' i Uncommon. Twenty-seven birds near Amchitka and one near Buldir were definitely identified. The identification problems of this and the previous species makes their abundance relative to each other difficult to ascertain. One individual was seen diving for chum near the ship and consistently dove deeper than the fulmars it was associated with. : Common. Observed on 19/32 pelagic surveys. Abundant south of Buldir, less common off Kiska and Amchitka. None were observed E·f.~~:;t of Amc:hitka. A total Df 259 wet~e seen with a high count of :1. 2B on 19 ..July. Common. Althaus~ seen on four days between_ Buldir and Bmchitka, this species was relatively uncommon except south of Buldir where 578 were observed between 0730 and 1030 on 19 July. Common. Found in small numbers in vicinity of all islands we visited, never far from shore. Probably nested with red-fac:ed cormorants on Agattu, however nests were never actually obr:~et~ved. .. Common. ·Also found at all islands we? visited; this sp.ecif::s _1--'Jas -·~.)'!F abundant. only <::1t f':lgattu ~"'het~e OVET a thousEmd wet~e e-:.~'t-~~d to be nesting on the cliffs at Kat~ab and Aga Coves. Cfii'ic~~~-:~>:-~. appeared to be nearly ready to fledge. Uncommon. Si~-~ere seen ~n Kiska Ha~bor i5 July. Fourteen adults as well as three broods (7, 5, and 4) and one nest (7 eggs) were found on Agattu 17 - 18 July between Aga Cove and Cape:1 Sc:d:Jak. Common. Often seen in suitable habitat Uncommon. One female was observed in Salmon Lagoon, Kiska, on 16 July. Uncornmon. Three females with two broods of approximately 10 chicks eac:h were seen on small ponds near Kirilof Point, Amchitka. -- Common. Although not sesn on Amchitka, this species was common on Agattu and Kiska, often with chicks. On Agattu glaucous-winged gulls were observed attacking, and eventually eating a juvenille eider in spite of the adults attempts to pt~cJtect it. Hat~ J. egu in Due k ( t-ti s t t~ ion i cus hi. .? tt~J on i CLIS) Common. This species was seen, usually in small groups, in the nearshore waters of Adak and Kiska. Unc:ommDn. Five birds were seen in Kiska Harbor on 16 July. Unornmor1. SE::·en on both Kiska and Adak. A female was seen with six ~hicks in Jeff Cove~ Kiska 15 July. - ~ Common. ·:rh is species ~·Jas vet~y common on {idak ··and {-imch·~41 ka.,._ Ho~'Jevet~. it was less abundant on ~:::iska and none vJet~f~·""s~n p,~F.~ttu .(.Buldit~ Island is the ~.o,~estr~t~n limit of its tJ:f-ee-t~~~ range). One nest was found in the vicinity of Hidden Bay, Adak. F'f? r'es t~ :in f.? Falcon Uncomrncm. In-··C:-ontt~ast to- the pt~eceeding s;.pecies, F'et~e!=:wine Falcons seemed to be fairly common on Agattu, where at least eight birds were seen on 17 - 18 July, mostly near cliffs with colonies o·f nesting mLwt~es, puffins, k:itti~.o,~akes, and cormot~c:mi;s. One was seen near Salmon Lagoon, Kiska on 16 July, and none were recorded east of Kiska. Common. Seen fre9uently on Kiska and Amchitka. Two broods with at least 3 - 4 chicks each were found on each island. The chicks appeared to be less than one week old in each case. None were found on Agattu. Common. Seen along rocky beaches on Kiska, Amchitka and Adak, with the highest number (10) seen on Amchitka. ;: Common. Seen on all islands visited, both along rocky beaches and in short upland tundra where their aggitated behavior indicated that nesting was taking place. However, no nes~s or fledglings were found. Uncommon. Two birds were flushed near small ponds on Agattu. Common. A total of 150 were seen between Buldir and Adak, us:.ually in small flocks, including 70 south of Buldir 19 July. One light phase adult was seen southwest of Buldir 17 July. Commpn. Lone dark phase adults were occasionally seen in offshore waters between Adak and Agattu. Eleven birds were seen on Agattu 17 - 18 July. .. One adult was seen flying southeast Abundant. Seen on all days and on 23/32 pelagic transects. Most abundant in nearshore waters of all islands visited, especially on Agattu where aproximately 2000 were seen on the southeastern p~~t of the )slahd. M~hy chicks were found both along the beaches and on the bluffs above the cliffs on Agattu. Rare. One adult was observed in nearshore waters off Karab Cove, Agattu 17 July. B 1 ac k -1 e 9 g e d K i t t i ~"~ Et k e ( B.L?..2E.L ..:tr:.t9..££...t_'i l_fi) * Abundant. Seen every day, and on 20/32 pelagic transects. It was most abundant at its nesting colonies on Agattu where over 1000 were seen on 18 July. Rare. One bird in first summer plumage was seen in Kiska Harbor, Kiska 16 July. An adult circled the ship while it was stopped west of Amchitka 19 July. : Common. Seen in all nearshore waters from Amchitka west. Most abundant in nearshore waters and on cliffs around Agattu where it nested. Many murres were not identifiable to the species level, but judging f~om the birds positively identified it appeared that this species was less common ~han thick-billed mut"'t"'es. Common. Abundant around Agattu. Not observed east of Buldir. N~~ste·d on c 1 i ffs neat"' Aga Cove, Agattu. Pigeon Guillemot q:2QE.I?...bus __ .f..Ol,1.1m.!Ja) * Common. Seen in nearshore waters at all islands visited. Usually solitary or in small groups, a maximum of about 100 were seen 20 July near Constantine Harbor, Amchitka. They apparently nested under the pier at Constantine Harbor where adults were returning with fish. '· Common. ·Seen in most neat~shot~e and offshc:.t~e vJatet~s. ,PLrna:d.rnum count of 292 vJas obtained on 15 J·uly between Get~tntel-e-.-~~nd Kiska Harbor, Kiska. Uncommon. Approximately 20 birds were seen just west of Amchitka 19 ,Jul-y. They-f·ed e:u~ound the ship vJhile it ~·JE:\S stopped and a few landed on the ship that night. Common. Seen in offshore waters near most islands. Usually solitary birds were observed. They were most common off Agattu and Buldir. \ i Abundant. Small flocks were seen from Tanaga west. The highest ' I density was observed on the evening of 15 July off Kiska between Gertrude Cove and Kiska Harbor. Over 1000 birds were observed flying north in the direction of the Sirius Point lava flow (where over 1.5 million breed). Many birds circled in the lights of the ship as we passed the lava flow at night. Common. Seen in flocks in offshore waters near most islan~s._ Most·abundant between Buldir and Amchitk~. Tuftf?CI Puffin (ft-:_§\t§.ccq}a cit~t~t,?ta>* Abundant. Seen every day, in all nearshore and offshore. waters, and on 29/32 pelagic transects. The highest concentration was seen at breeding colonies on Agattu. Common. Also seen every day in both nearshore and offshore waters of most islands, however they were usually in lower concentrations than tufted puffins. They were seen on 11/32 pelagic transects. The greatest number ~300) was se~n 20 July at Constantine Harb6r and Kirilof Point, Amchitka. They carried food in their bills under the pier at Constantine Harbor, which indicated that they were nesting there. Rare. One individual and a pair were seen on the tundra in sout~eastern Agattu. A few pellets were found. Uncommo~ .-.. A 1 though vet~y common on Adak, only.a few other birds were seen on Agattu and none on Kiska or Amchi tka. ~e''"-~--- ~· (..~ ..'t~f:i:·~ . . -. Common. Commonly seen feeding on the beaches of Agattu, Kiska, and Amchitka. Few birds were qbserved inland. No birds were seen on the bea·ches of Acrak, ~\lhc·?t"'e s·ong s:;pat~r~ows at~e common ( ~;ee song s5pc:u~rovJ) • Song Spat~t"'OvJ (!"·1elosptza mC?l.od~a IT].f:~:-:..if.Da) Uncommon. Although common on Adak, only a few birds were seen on Agattu and none were seen on Kiska or Amchitka where winter wrens and snow buntings are common. This points to the possibili~y of competition between these species. Common. Seen in upland areas of all islands visited. Many chicks were seen on Agattu. One flew into a pond and was t··escued. ' Snm\1 Bunting Common. Seen on the beaches of Kiska and Amchitka. most abundant on the beaches of Kiska, where song sparrows were not Si7:>en (see song spat"'t"'m-J). 1·1,::~ny ·fledglings wet~e .. ·feed.ing ...--on_ the beach at Kiska Harbor, Kiska. Common. Found both along the beaches and in the upland areas of most islands. ------~------~------~------1,: ·' ~ ~. Table ..:: . Bi ,.~ds. ob~:;E?~~vcd on E~ach islcmd visited 14 - 21 .Ju 1 y, :L987. ::····. .·,~,,, ~ 10.1ga t tu Bul d i ~~ Kiska Amch i tka. Tan.:,\ga. ~:::anaga Adak Red-th ~~oa ted Loon X -'!~~.i-·- ~--- CommDn Loon X X ~·~· ~t.~~~~,, X B l.:.ic k-·Footed Albc:\tt~oss X X X X Laysan P1l bat ~~oss X X X ..}' Not~t:hen Fulmat' X X X X X X X Sooty Sh f.:! a t~~rJa t e t' X X X X X Shot't-t:ai led Sheat~wa tet' X X Fod::-tai led Stm~m-Pet t'e 1 X X X Leach's Stot·m-Pett'·el X X X Pelagic Co~'mot···c:mt X X X - Red-faced Cot•mot~an t X X X Literature Cit~d -~···· .. Amt.~t~i can Ot~n i thol og i sts' Union, 1983. Bit~ds. ·s:.;-:th ed. A.O.U. 877 p. Deines, F. G., 1986. Pretreatment survey and monitoring of birds and mammals o~ Kiska Island, June 1985. Unpublished Report, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Scvice, Anchqrage, AK. 52 p. Gould, P. J., and D. J. Forsell, 1986. Techniques for shipboard surveys o~ marine birds. Unpublished Report, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK. 36 p. Zeillemaker, C. F., 1987a. Birds of the Aleutian Islands Unit, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Unpublished USFWS checklist. 10 p. Zeillemaker, C. F., 1987b. Birds of Agattu, Alaid, Nizki, Shemya and Buldit~ Islands, Aleutia.n Isl.::mds Unj_t, P1laska 1'1at~itime National Wildlife Refuge. Unpublished USFWS checklist. 6 p. Zeillemaker, C. F., 1987c. Birds of Kiska, Segula, Rat, Little Sitkin, Anchitka and Semisopochnoi Islands, Aleutian Islands Unit, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Unpublished USFWS checklist. 6 p. Zeillemaker, C. F., 1987d. Birds of Tanaga, Kanaga, Great Sitkin, Atka Amlia and Seguam Islands, Aleutian Islands Unit, Alask~ Maritime National Wildlife Refus•· Unpublished USFWS ch~c~list. 3p.