Volume 40, Number 2 Fall 2013

Home , Ancient murrelet, Guadalupe murrelet, Hawadax Island, Japanese murrelet, Parakeet auklet, Round Island (Nunavut)

A Publication of the Pacific Seabird Group

Volume 40, Number 2 Fall 2013 PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) was formed in 1972 due to the need for better communication among Pacific seabird researchers. PSG provides a forum for the research activities of its members, promotes the conservation of seabirds, and informs members and the public of issues relating to Pacific Ocean seabirds and their environment. PSG members include research scientists, conservation professionals, and members of the public from all parts of the Pacific Ocean. The group also welcomes seabird professionals and enthusiasts in other parts of the world. PSG holds annual meetings at which scientific papers and symposia are presented; abstracts for meetings are published on our web site. The group is active in promoting conservation of seabirds, including seabird/fisheries interactions, monitoring of seabird populations, seabird restoration following oil spills, establishment of seabird sanctuaries, and endangered species. Policy statements are issued on conservation issues of critical importance. PSG’s journals are Pacific Seabirds (formerly the PSG Bulletin) and Marine Ornithology. Other publications include symposium volumes and technical reports; these are listed near the back of this issue. PSG is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Ornithological Council, and the American Bird Conservancy. Annual dues for membership are $30 (individual and family); $24 (student, undergraduate and graduate); and $900 (Life Membership, payable in five $180 installments). Dues are payable to the Treasurer; see the PSG web site, or the Membership Order Form next to inside back cover. World Wide Web Site http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

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

Pacific Seabirds This journal has published short peer-reviewed articles, reports of ongoing work, conservation news, and other items of importance to conservation of seabirds in the Pacific Ocean. The journal is published twice a year in spring and fall. Materials should be submitted to the Editor, except that conservation-related material should be submitted to the Associate Editor for Conservation. Information for contributors to Pacific Seabirds is published in each Fall issue and is on PSG’s web site. Editorial policies accord with those of PSG’s Executive Council; in other matters the journal aims for an unbiased point of view. Back issues of the PSG Bulletin and Pacific Seabirds are posted on the group’s web site or may be ordered from the treasurer (see Membership/Order Form next to inside back cover for details). Submission deadlines are 20 March for the spring issue and 1 October for the fall issue; manuscripts may be submitted at any time.

Pacific Seabirds Editor Vivian M. Mendenhall, 4600 Rabbit Creek Rd., Anchorage, AK 99516, USA. Telephone (907) 345-7124; e-mail: fasgadair@ gmail.com

Associate Editors for this Issue Associate Editor for Article: Laura MacFarlane Tranquilla; Associate Editor for Regional Reports: Leslie Slater

Marine Ornithology Marine Ornithology presents peer-reviewed contributions concerning international seabird science and conservation. The journal is published two times a year. It is available on its web site (www.marineornithology.org) or by subscription. The journal is supported by a partnership of global seabird societies, including the Pacific Seabird Group (PSG), African Seabird Group, Australasian Seabird Group, the Seabird Group (UK), Dutch Seabird Group, and Japan Seabird Group. For further information see www.marineornithology.org

Change of Address Send changes of address to the PSG Membership Coordinator, Michelle Hester, Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge, PO Box 191, Kailua, HI 96795, USA. Telephone: (808) 228-4463; email: [email protected] PACIFIC SEABIRDS A Publication of the Pacific Seabird Group

Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment

Volume 40 2013 Number 2

The Editorʼs Corner ...... 58 Article Historical colony harvesting, at-sea hunting, and local fishing bycatsch of the Japanese Murrelet at Birojima, Miyaziaki-ken, Japan ...... 59 Translations Life history of Synthliboramphus antiquus. By T. Ishizawa; translated from Japanese by Charles A. Pell ...... 70 On the records of the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in the Russian Federation. By Yu.B. Artukhin; translated from Russian by Dmitriy Khvostenko ...... 74 Re-evaluation of the clutch of the Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus perdix from the Commander Islands. By Yu.B. Arthukin; translated from Russian by Dmitriy Khvostenko ...... 76 Book review Attending Alaskaʼs Birds: A Wildlife Pilotʼs Story. By James Gore King; reviewed by Christian Dau ...... 80 Regional Reports for 2013 ...... 82 Alaska ...... 82 Washington and Oregon ...... 84 Northern California ...... 90 Southern California ...... 94 Hawaiʻi ...... 96 Non-Pacific United States...... 99 Canada...... 102 Latin America...... 105 Asia ...... 106 Oceania...... 108 Europe and Africa...... 109 The Lighter Side Japanese Murrelet on vending machine advertises for conservation...... 111 Correction ...... 111 General Information Information on the Pacific Seabird Group ...... Inside Front Cover Publications of the Pacific Seabird Group ...... 112 PSG Committee Coordinators ...... 114 PSG Life Members and Recipients of Awards ...... 116 Membership Application and Order Form ...... 117 PSG Executive Council for 2013 ...... Inside Back Cover THE EDITOR’S CORNER

Volume 40 of Pacific Seabirds will (It’s also led to some frustrations, but Watch for an posting about the survey on be my last stint as Editor. I began the that’s in the past now.) PSG’s Listserv. job (“job” should be in quotes, since it’s The Editor has always been a mem- Volume 41 will be edited by Holly unpaid!) with Volume 27, in the year ber of the Executive Council, and I’ve Freifeld, who has volunteered for one 2000. Incredibly, that’s fourteen years. learned a lot about running an organiza- year, even though her career has headed It has been a superlative experi- tion like PSG. I’m especially indebted, away from seabirds for now. Thank you, ence! It’s allowed me to keep reasonably for their experience and friendship, Holly! current with seabird conservation and to long-time members such as Craig Anyone who would like to edit Pa- research, and I’ve enjoyed reading ev- Harrison, Pat Baird, Mark Rauzon, cific Seabirds in the future, or to assist eryone’s yearly reports. I have especially and George Divoky. I’ve also enjoyed in editing contributions to the journal, valued my work with individual con- writing up “PSG News” and “Meeting would be very welcome. Please contact tributors—authors of articles, regional News,” using the information I noted at Holly, or the Communications Coordina- representatives, and others. EXCO meetings. tor, Hannah Nevins. I would be happy to The character of Pacific Seabirds I am especially grateful to my supply suggestions—if asked! during my tenure was established by editorial assistants over the years: Craig my predecessor, the late Steve Speich. Harrison, Pat Baird, Jo Smith, Laura Finally, two notes: I thank everyone He devised its current appearance and MacFarlane Tranquilla, Leslie Slater, who has read Pacific Seabirds, including implemented peer-reviewed articles. Sarah Allen, and several Regional Rep- people who sent me comments on the Editing per se has been fascinating. I resentatives. publication—both complimentary and started from a grounding in basic journal- corrective. ism, but I’ve learned a vast amount about Times are changing. Pacific Sea- And maybe old editors refuse to give producing a professional-level journal. birds now goes to about half the members up. I will be issuing one more number, More experienced editors gave me valu- via the website (the other half still prefer a Supplement to Pacific Seabirds 40(2), able advice (but only when I asked), to receive a “hard copy” in the mail). The containing a peer-reviewed article and including Tony Gaston and David Duffy. Communications Committee is consider- a report. This issue should appear in Besides editing the copy, I’ve ing more changes, starting with Volume September 2014. learned desktop publishing—laying 41 (2014). They plan to conduct a survey the whole thing out, page by page, in a of PSG members later in the summer, to My best to everyone, and I hope to dedicated layout program. That part may get your guidance on which features of see you at the next Annual Meeting! have been the most fun, since it’s partly Pacific Seabirds you’d like to retain, and art as well as computer manipulation. which ones you hate or don’t care about. —Vivian Mendenhall

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 58 ARTICLE HISTORICAL COLONY HARVESTING, AT-SEA HUNTING, AND LOCAL FISHING BYCATCH OF THE JAPANESE MURRELET AT BIROJIMA, MIYAZAKI-KEN, JAPAN Kuniko Otsuki Abstract: Information on colony harvesting, at-sea hunting, and local fishing bycatch of Japanese Murrelets (Synthli- bo-ramphus wumizusume) in the Birojima area, Miyazaki-ken, Japan, was obtained through interviews with 13 local residents of Kadogawa town. Egg harvesting occurred between 1912 (or possibly earlier) and 1992, but was heaviest in 1940 to 1959 during and after World War II at roughly 1,100–2,080 eggs per year. Between 1912 and 1992, about 47,740–111,880 eggs were harvested. Extensive adult harvesting (180–320 adults per year) occurred between 1944 and 1959, with much lower levels between 1960 and 1970 (16–30 adults per year). Between 1944 and 1970, about 3,056–5,450 adults were harvested. At-sea hunting of small numbers of murrelets (4–12 per year) occurred between 1951 and 1983, with lower numbers (5 per year) in 1940–1950. Between 1940 and 1983, about 187–451 murrelets were shot at sea. Local fishing bycatch of small numbers of murrelets (2–9 adults per year) since 1940 resulted in about 148–666 murrelets killed in fishing nets by 2013. Harvesting and hunting of Japanese Murrelets became illegal in 1918, but people did not follow these regulations until they were partly enforced after 1973. These activities finally stopped when seabird biologists were present on Biro- jima during the breeding season in 1993–1996 and the Kadogawa government began educating fishermen and the public in 1992. The population of Japanese Murrelets at Birojima likely declined between the 1940s and 1960s, due mainly to heavy adult and egg harvesting. Partial or complete recovery apparently had occurred by 1994, when 3,000 Japanese Murrelets (about 1,000–1,500 breeding pairs) were estimated and this colony was recognized as the largest in the world for this species. Key Words: Birojima, egg, fishing bycatch, harvesting, hunting, Japanese Murrelet, Synthliboramphus wumizusume

Japanese abstract: 枇榔島のある宮崎県門川町(日本)において、地元住民 13 人からカンムリウミスズメの繁殖地における採集、洋上での狩猟、門川域内での混獲についての情報を得ることができた。卵の採集は、1912 年(これ以前の可能性あり)から 1992 年まで行われていたが、とりわけ第二次世界大戦前後の 1940 年から 1959 年にかけて、年間 1,100-2,080 卵程度の大規模な採集が行われていた。1912 年から 1992 年にかけて約 47,740-111,880 卵が採集されていたことになる。大規模な成鳥の採集が、1944 年から 1959 年にかけて行われ(年間 180-320 羽)、続く 1960 年から 1970 年にかけては低レベル(年間 16-30 羽)ながら採集が続いていた。1944 年から 1970 年にかけて、おおよそ 3,056-5,450 羽が採集されていたこととなる。1951 年から 1983 年にかけて、小規模ながら、洋上におけるカンムリウミスズメの狩猟が行われていた(年間 4-12 羽)。それ以前の 1940 年から 1950 年においても、カンムリウミスズメの狩猟はあったものの、捕獲の規模はさらに小規模なものと推定された(年間 5 羽)。 1940 年から 1983 年にかけて、約 187-451 羽のカンムリウミスズメが洋上で撃たれていたことになる。門川地域内でのカンムリウミスズメの混獲の規模は小さく(年間 2-9 羽)、1940 年以来 2013 年までで約 148-666 羽が捕獲されたことになる。1918 年には、カンムリウミスズメを採集することも撃つことも違法ではあったものの、1973 年に法規制が一部厳しくなるまで、人々は法律のことは特に気にかけていた様子はない。これらの行動(成鳥や卵の採集、狩猟)は、1993 年-1996 年のカンムリウミスズメの繁殖期に生物学者が枇榔島に存在したこと、および 1992 年開始された門川町の釣り人と一般に対する啓発活動により、ようやく終息を迎えることになった。カンムリウミスズメの個体数は、1940 年から 1960 年代に、おもに、成鳥と卵の大規模な採集により、減少したものと考えられる。1994 年にカンムリウミスズメの個体数が 3,000 羽(約 1,000-1,500 ペア)と推定され、このコロニーが本種にける世界最大のものとして認識された時には、ある程度のもしくは大きな規模での個体数の回復がみられたのは明らかである。

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page PB Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 59 ARTICLE • Japanese Murrelet at Birojima

INTRODUCTION food occurred in the Birojima (32° 28’ N, 131° 44’ E), early to mid-20th also known as Biro Island, is a group century at certain of small islands (including the main is- Japanese Murrelet land, Tatebae Rock, and Ko-Biro Rock) colonies in Japan, but located off the coast of Miyazaki-ken, such activities were Japan, about 7 km east of the main town poorly documented area of Kadogawa and 2.1 km off east (Kuroki 1963, Kuroki of Makiyama district of Kadogawa et al. 1966, Carter et (Figures 1 and 2). Birojima hosts the al. 2002). Because largest known breeding colony of the domestic chickens Japanese Murrelet (Synthliboramphus and eggs were very wumizusume) in the world (Ono 1995, expensive and hard Gaston and Jones 1998, Birdlife Inter- to get after World national 2001) and these islands and War II, some local their surrounding waters have been des- residents harvested ignated as a wildlife protection area. At Japanese Murrelet Birojima, the Japanese Murrelet nests eggs and adults from mainly in rock crevices, and clutches of Birojima. This prob- 2 eggs are laid between mid February ably occurred until and mid April (Whitworth et al. 2014). the 1960s, but the In 2011–2013, the Japanese Mur- exact timing and ex- relet Population Survey Team (work- tent of such harvest- FIGURE 2. Aerial view of the main island of Birojima (with Zenko ing through the Japan Seabird Group) ing has not been de- and Tomozuna areas indicated), Tatebae Rock, and Ko-Biro Rock. conducted spotlight surveys and nest scribed (Otsuki and monitoring to gather standardized Kubota 2012). Low levels of fishing and 157º E; Piatt and Gould 1994). baseline data for long-term monitor- bycatch of murrelets also were known In this paper, I summarize addi- ing of changes in population size and near Birojima but were not well de- tional information obtained through reproductive success (Whitworth et al. scribed (Otsuki and Kubota 2012). interviews with local Kadogawa resi- 2012, 2014; Carter et al. 2013). In addi- Higher bycatch mortality in high-seas dents in 2013–2014 about the timing, tion, information on education, protec- drift nets had been measured in the methods, and degree of impacts from tion, and conservation issues has been non-breeding season in offshore wa- extensive egg harvesting and low levels assembled (Otsuki and Kubota 2012). ters northeast of Honshu (mainly be- of local fishing bycatch. In addition, I Harvesting murrelet eggs for human tween 38° and 44º N, and between 142º document extensive adult harvesting at Birojima and moderate levels of at- FIGURE 1. Location of Birojima near Kadogawa, Miyazaki-ken, Japan. sea hunting near Birojima for the first time. With this more detailed information, I assess historical impacts to this colony from most human sources.

METHODS In 2013, I heard from a shop owner in Nobeoka about M. Kuroki of Kadogawa, who had hunted Japa- nese Murrelets at sea around Birojima in the past. I contacted M. Kuroki and met with him for an interview to obtain more details. This interview encouraged me to attempt to gather more information about egg and adult harvesting and fishing bycatch by Kadogawa residents. Each person interviewed told me about other people to interview. In each interview, I asked the person’s name, birth

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 60 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 61 ARTICLE • Japanese Murrelet at Birojima

year, what form of harvesting, TABLE 1. Kadogawa residents interviewed about colony harvesting, at-sea hunting and local hunting or bycatch of murrelets fishing bycatch of Japanese Murrelets in the Birojima area.

they had conducted, duration and Resident Original Original source Information Interview frequency of this activity, and any interviewed source birth year type1 methods2 other details of these activities that Ikeda, H. Todaka, M. 1954-1955 (est.) Eha M, T they could recall. In Japan, the use of information provided by individ- Iwakiri, H. Self 1965 BC T uals is not illegal for academic use. Iwata, K. Self 1944 EAHa M, T

RESULTS Kawano, F. Self 1932 EHa T I obtained historical informa- Kuroda, T. Self 1945 (est.) BC M, T tion about murrelet harvesting, Kuroki, A. Self 1965 BC M, T hunting and bycatch in the Biro- jima area from 13 Kadogawa resi- Kuroki, M. Self 1938 EAHa, AHu M, T, E dents. Information from 9 people Matsuda, I. Self 1931 EAHa, BC T about egg and adult harvesting at Birojima is summarized in Tables Nagato, K. Kuroki, K. 1946–1948 (est.) EHa M, T 1 and 2. Information from 1 person Nagato, M. Self 1972 LF M ,T, E about at-sea hunting and from 6 people about local fishing bycatch Ogawa, T. Self 1937 EHa, BC T is summarized in Table 3. Below, Takatsuki, H. Self 1924 Eha, EAHa T important details of interviews are Self 1948 EHa restated to support and clarify infor- Yonezawa, G. Takatsuki, M ,T 1919 (est.) EHa mation in the tables. Interview in- M. formation is presented in alphabeti - cal order by last name of the person 1 EAHa, egg and adult harvesting; EHa, egg harvesting; AHu, adult hunting; BC, bycatch; LF, 2 interviewed within each category. local fishing. M; meeting; T, telephone; E, email.

TABLE 2. Numbers of eggs and adults harvested at Birojima (including Tatebae Rock) in 1932-1992, as reported by Kadogawa residents.

Eggs Adults Harvesting Estimated Estimated Original Period trips / year Per trip total / year Per trip total / year source

1932–1954 Many Many Many Unknown Unknown Takatsuki, M. 1937–1954 Some 200 400 0 0 Matsuda, I. 1944–1954 2–3 60–120 120–480 Some Unknown Takatsuki, H. 1945–1955 2 60–120 120–240 10 20 Matsuda, I. 1952–1953 Some <10 Unknown 0 0 Ogawa, T. 1955–1959 Several Some Unknown 0 0 Kuroki, K. 1957–1959 2–3 200–300 400–900 40–50 80–150 Iwata, K. 1961–1963 3 10 30 0 0 Yonezawa, G. ~1940s–1970 Some Some Unknown Some Unknown Kuroki, M. 1971–1973 2–3 40–60 80–180 0 0 Iwata, K. ~1970s–1992 Some 100–200 Unknown 0 0 Todaka, M.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 60 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 61 ARTICLE • Japanese Murrelet at Birojima

TABLE 3. Numbers of Japanese Murrelets killed by hunting, fishing bycatch or surf fishing around Birojima in 1945-2013, as reported by Kadogawa residents.

Mortality Numbers of Hunting or fishing Original Time period Notes source murrelets method1 source Double-barreled Maximum 5–6/trip on one At-sea Hunting 1951–1968 1–2/year Kuroki, M. shotgun trip Fishing Bycatch 1945–1955 0 SN (Oshiki) Matsuda, I. 1952–1953 0 SN (Oshiki) Ogawa, T. 2009 or 2010 1 T Kuroda, T. Historical bycatch reported 2012–2013 0 — Iwakiri, E. but no details available 2012–2013 2–3 SN Kuroki, A. 2013 0 T Kuroda, T. 1–2 netted and — T Matsuda, I. released Surf Fishing 2011 1 SF Nagato, M.

1 SN, set net; T, trawl; SF, surf fishing.

Egg and adult harvesting (Table 2), with most harvesting occur- Tomozuna, near the current landing site. Ikeda, H.: In 1993, M. Todaka of ring at Tatebae Rock. They reached Iwata’s family searched for eggs all over Makiyama told Ikeda about egg har- the island by rowing (or in more recent the island, including the top of the island vesting activities at Birojima (Table 1). times using small outboard engines). In where many nests occurred in 2011– Ikeda has operated a charter boat service 1993, Todaka told Ikeda that he could no 2013 (Whitworth et al. 2012, 2014; for fishermen that surf fish from shore longer harvest murrelet eggs from Biro- Carter et al. 2013). This group usually at Birojima or other nearby islands. To- jima because some scientists were liv- harvested 200-300 eggs per trip (Table daka was one of his clients. Between ing on the island for about two months, 2), although Iwata himself (the young- 1912 and 1960s (during the Taisho and during the murrelet breeding season. est team member) only took 30–40 eggs early Showa eras) and probably earlier Iwata, K.: In 1957–1959, Iwata’s per trip. They usually went to the island than 1912, people from Makiyama area father took him and his older brothers 2 or 3 times during the harvesting sea- would visit Birojima to collect large (3–4 people per trip) in a small wooden son between 21 March and mid-April. numbers of murrelet eggs (about 100– boat (without an outboard engine) to Bi- At this time in Makiyama, 6–7 people 200 eggs per trip; several trips per year) rojima (main island) to collect murrelet visited Birojima for murrelet egg har- eggs (Table 1). vesting, usually 2–4 people in a group. They left the While egg harvesting, the Iwatas mainland from also captured and killed adult murre- a little bay lets in their nest sites. Usually, about called “Fu- 40–50 birds were taken per trip, to- nakakushi” (or taling about 80-150 birds per year “place to hide (Table 2). Other people from Ma- boats”) (Fig- kiyama also harvested adults from ures 1 and 3) nest sites but numbers are not known. in the Maki- After 1959, the Iwata family yama district moved away from Kadogawa, but re- of Kadogawa. turned in 1971. He resumed murrelet Only four egg harvesting at Birojima with his boats used friend in 1971-1973. They took a small this little bay. boat powered by an outboard engine The boat was from Iorigawa port to Birojima. About FIGURE 3. K. Iwata pointing at “Funakakushi” in the Makiyama district anchored by 40–60 eggs were harvested per trip and of Kadogawa. Birojima at they made 2–3 trips during harvesting

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 62 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 63 ARTICLE • Japanese Murrelet at Birojima

TABLE 4. Changes in the hunting period between 1919 and 2014 Nagato, K.: K. leader of the fishing program between (WCMSG 2001). The periods applied to all of Japan except Kuroki of Makiyama 1945 and 1955 and Ogawa joined in Hokkaido. told Nagato about egg 1952–1953. This program had 30–40

harvesting at Birojima people in about 5 boats, and they some- Year Hunting Period (Table 1). Kuroki’s fa- times had to anchor their vessels off 1919–1947 15 October–15 April ther was a fisherman. Birojima during rough sea conditions. 1948–1954 1 November–last day of February In the 1960s, when They did not harvest eggs and adults her father was not heavily, but they loved to eat murre- 1955–1962 1 November–15 March fishing during spring let eggs and adults because they only 1963–1977 1 November–15 February school break (i.e., brought white rice for lunch. Eggs and 1978– 2014 15 November–15 February end of March to early adults were harvested after 21 March. April), he invited 3-4 On average, about 2 harvesting trips oc- children (ages 9–15) curred per year in 11 years from 1945 season (Table 2). The number of eggs to come to Birojima to collect eggs. to 1955. Each person would collect in a nest site was usually 2 but ranged They took a small boat with an out- 2–3 eggs per trip, resulting in 60–120 between 1 and 3. Iwata often went back board engine for the short ride (10–15 eggs per trip and 120–240 eggs per year to the same nest sites to find eggs on minutes) from Makiyama to Birojima. (Table 2). On one occasion, Ogawa remembered finding about 10 eggs in one each trip. He sometimes found eggs in Several trips per year occurred because: area and took them all, but he could not the same nest site where he took eggs on (1) they did not stay overnight on the recall egg numbers taken by all people. a previous trip. For example, he might island; (2) eggs were in high demand Total egg numbers harvested in 1945– take the single egg on his first trip but due to the shortage of chicken eggs; 1955 could be higher than estimated. find 2 eggs in the same nest site ona and (3) refrigerators were not available to preserve eggs on the mainland. They They harvested about 10 birds per trip, later trip. Some murrelets appeared to or about 20 birds per year (Table 2). replace lost eggs. Some eggs had large went to the main island (i.e., not Tatebae Rock) because it was easier climbing They mainly harvested eggs in the embryos inside; these were not eaten. forest on the top of the island where for children and eggs were relatively In 1974, the area was designated the lighthouse was later built in 1976 easy to find. Murrelet eggs were con- as Nippo Kaigan Quasi-National Park (Figure 2). Eggs were found in crevic- sidered a special snack food that people (Natural Parks Foundation 2014), so es covered with grasses. They reached looked forward to eating each spring. they stopped egg harvesting although into crevices at the time of the breed- People from around Kadogawa some other people continued harvesting ing season when adults were incubat- port did not go to Birojima for egg har- eggs (Table 2). In 1975, the Japanese ing 2 eggs. Matsuda did not notice vesting because it was too far by boat. Murrelet became a National Monu- any decline of the murrelet popula- Ogawa, T. and Matsuda, I.: Oga- ment (Hasegawa 1995), and more tion in 1945–1955 but he later noticed wa and Matsuda (Table 1) were fisher- people quit harvesting eggs (Table 2). some decline by about 1984, when he men that often set nets about 200 m off Kuroki, M.: Neighbor fisher- finished set netting at 53 years old. northeast Birojima. Matsuda was the men brought murrelet eggs and adults from Birojima to the Kuroki family in Kadogawa and told Kuroki about their harvesting activities (Table 1). When fishermen had time in spring, they harvested eggs and adults. After World War II, the price of one chicken egg was about 10 yen, and the daily wage was about 250 yen. To get 10 chicken eggs, people had to work for 2 days (for 16 hours). Egg harvesting occurred mainly at Tatebae Rock, the arched rock on the west side of the main island of Birojima (Figures 2 and 4). Unfor- tunately, the rock is not easy to climb and at least two people died while harvesting eggs. Egg and adult harvesting FIGURE 4. Tatebae Rock, off the northwest shore of the main island of Birojima, April 2011. continued until about 1970 (Table 2). Photo by D. Whitworth.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 62 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 63 ARTICLE • Japanese Murrelet at Birojima

Matsuda reported at least 4 murre- sea conditions were suitable, he went to bag or trap; fish are harvested by pulling let egg sellers (about 30-year-old men) the island to collect eggs almost every the net into a boat. Small trawls are also in the Makiyama district, due to the sunny day. He harvested large numbers used to harvest fish, prawns, and other lack of chicken eggs after World War of murrelet eggs on each trip (Table 2). species. Surf fishing is a sport, in which II. Two of them would go together to the fisher stands on shore and uses a rod Tatebae Rocks and Zenko (Figure 2) At-Sea Hunting to cast lure and hook into the waves. and usually would collect more than Kuroki, M.: Often with his father, Iwakiri, E.: No murrelets were 200 eggs in one trip. At least 400 eggs Kuroki hunted seabirds on the ocean caught by the Iorigawa fishery coopera- per year were collected (Table 2). Eggs beginning in 1951, using a double- tive in 2012–2013, but bycatch was re- were often found in the same nest sites barreled shotgun from a small wooden ported in the past (exact years unknown). where a seller took eggs on a previ- boat (about 7 m long) (Table 3). In Kuroda, T.: Kuroda belongs to ous trip. The price of one murrelet egg 1961 or 1962, he obtained a hunting the Kadogawa fishery cooperative. probably was about 1–2 yen. Matsuda license. Their main target species was He caught no murrelets in his set nets. did not know when murrelet egg sell- the Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax He caught one murrelet in his trawl ing had first started but he recalled first carbo). These cormorants breed on net when pulling it up at night in meeting sellers in 1937 or 1938 (when Ko-Biro Rock, the largest rock north about 2010 (Table 3). Unfortunately, Matsuda was 6 or 7 years old) and last of the main island of Birojima (Ono this bird died by the next morning. remembered them in 1953 or 1954. 1995; Figure 2). The legal hunting pe- Kuroki, A.: Kuroki belongs to Takatsuki, H.: In 1944–1954, riod occurred between October and the Kadogawa fishery cooperative. Takatsuki went to Birojima with 2–3 March but changed periodically (Table He usually caught about 2-3 mur- neighbors by small wooden boat (with- 4). Hunting occurred mainly near Biro- relets per year in 70 m x 3 m nylon out an outboard engine) and harvested jima between about 10:00 and 15:00 h. fishing nets (mesh size: 10 cm x10 murrelet eggs (Tables 1 and 2). They A hunting party would consist of about cm) set on the bottom in shallow wa- usually went to the island 2 or 3 times five people. When no cormorants were ters (7-8 m deep) (Table 3). How- during the harvesting season and usu- obtained, they would shoot a few Japa- ever, none were caught in 2012–2013. ally harvested 60–120 eggs per trip, nese Murrelets if possible (although it Nagato, M.: Murrelets are only totaling about 120–360 eggs per year. was not on the 1918 game bird list) to rarely caught on surf-fishing hooks. At this time in Makiyama, 7–8 peo- bring some birds home for food from Her friend caught one murrelet on his ple visited Birojima for murrelet egg the hunting trip. Usually, only 1–2 hook while surf fishing at Hososhima harvesting. On average, each person birds were shot during the hunting port, Hyuga-shi (Figure 1) in spring went to the island 7 times and each period. In one unusual year, the hunt- 2011 (Table 3) (not in 2009, as re- person harvested 30–40 eggs per trip ing group shot about 5–6 birds. Other ported by Otsuki and Kubota [2012]). or 1,470–2,240 eggs per year. Some hunting groups also shot cormorants in Ogawa, T., Matsuda, I. and adult murrelets also were harvested but this same area but Kuroki did not know Takatsuki, H.: These retired fisher- Takatsuki could not provide any details. if they shot any Japanese Murrelets. men fished near Birojima in the past Yonezawa, G.: In 1961–1963, Yo- Around 1983, Kuroki’s hunt- but did not catch any murrelets in their nezawa was taken by the father of his ing group moved their hunting area set nets. A few murrelets (1–2 birds friend T. Yasuda to Birojima for surf to near Kitaura, about 26 km north of per year) have been attracted to bright fishing. Each trip usually involved 5–6 Birojima (Figure 1). The Japan Coast lights when fishermen pull up nets people in a small boat with an out- Guard had become very strict about and they have been caught in nets but board engine. They left home at 03:00 hunting near Birojima at this time. Bi- are rescued and released (Table 3). h (Japanese Standard Time) and fished rojima is within Nippo Kaigan Quasi- with bamboo fishing rods until dawn. National Park and hunting of cormo- DISCUSSION After dawn, Yonezawa and Yasuda har- rants was illegal in the park after it Wildlife laws that protect Japanese vested murrelet eggs, usually about 10 was established in 1974. Hunting con- Murrelets from harvesting and hunt- eggs per trip (Table 2). They usually tinued near Kitaura until around 1989. ing at Birojima evolved slowly in the went to the island 3 times during the 20th century. Four main protections murrelet breeding season. M. Takat- Local Fishing Bycatch have occurred for Japanese Murrelets suki also told Yonezawa about egg har- Three types of fishing activity were in the Birojima region that gradually vesting at Birojima (Tables 1 and 2). mentioned in interviews. Set nets and helped end these activities (Figure 5): Takatsuki was a fisherman in the past. trawls are used in commercial nearshore (1) in 1918, the Game Law made it il- Yonezawa assumed that Takatsuki be- fisheries. A set net (bottom-set net, legal to harvest murrelets (eggs and came a fisherman in 1932 when he fin- teichi-ami) is a series of nets anchored adults) or hunt murrelets; (2) in 1974, ished elementary school. If weather and to the sea bottom that directs fish into a Nippo Kaigan Quasi-National Park

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 64 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 65 ARTICLE • Japanese Murrelet at Birojima

FIGURE 5. Hunting regulations and protection of the Japanese Murrelet and Birojima in relation to colony harvesting in 1910-1992 (Hase- gawa 1995; WCMSG 2013; Ministry of the Environment 2014; Natural Parks Foundation 2014). The thick line refers to heavy harvesting and the thin line to less heavy harvesting.

was designated, including Birojima ing available information, a conserva- with adult harvesting in the late 1950s and surrounding waters; (3) in 1975, tive estimate of the annual egg harvest to late 1960s—see below); although the Japanese Murrelet was designated during the 1940s to 1960s was about many eggs likely were replaced by mur- as a national monument; and (4) in 1,100–2,080 eggs per year. To obtain relets after harvesting (as suspected by 2010, Birojima and surrounding waters this estimate, I first assumed that 6–8 egg harvesters—see above). Ono (1993) were designated as a Wildlife Protec- Makiyama residents formed 3 main also noted the possibility of replace- tion Area (Ministry of the Environment groups (I. Iwata and H. Takatsuki, pers. ment of lost eggs by Japanese Murrelets 2014). From 1918 to 1983–1993, some comm.). Second, I summed the estimat- at Kojine Reef off Hachijojima in the people ignored these laws and designa- ed egg harvest for the 3 groups (Table Izu Islands in 1992 (Ono 1993; Figure tions either because: (1) they did not 2). Third, I added 400 eggs collected by 1). Replacement eggs have been docu- know about the laws; (2) people con- egg sellers. Finally, I added about 60 mented with marked birds in the closely- tinued egg harvesting activities because eggs to account for additional harvest- related Scripps’s Murrelet (S. scrippsi) of traditions that had developed before ing by Takatsuki. This estimate was sim- in southern California, USA, which is at 1918; (3) people relied to a greater ex- ilar to H. Takatsuki’s rough estimate of a similar latitude as Birojima (33.5º N; tent on egg and adult harvesting and 1,470–2,240 eggs per year (see above). Murray et al. 1983); however, replace- possibly hunting during and after World While this estimate is rough and may ment eggs have not been documented War II, when fresh eggs and meat were be low, I think it is unlikely that more in Ancient Murrelets (S. antiquus) at difficult to obtain; or (4) little or no en- than 2,500–3,000 eggs were harvested higher latitudes (52–54º N) in Brit- forcement and few patrols were con- in any year because: (1) population ish Columbia, Canada (Gaston 1992). ducted by the Japan Coast Guard. At size in 1993–1994 and 2011–2012 only I suspect that egg harvesting in times, police officers were with hunt- ranged from about 1,000 to 1,800 pairs the 1910s (and likely earlier) to 1930s ers when illegal hunting occurred, but (Ono et al. 1994, Nakamura and Ono was lower than in the 1940s to 1960s, officers did not enforce the laws; and 1997; Carter marine patrols were ineffective un- et al. 2013); TABLE 5. Estimated numbers of Japanese Murrelet eggs harvested at til the early 1980s (M. Kuroki and H. and (2) some Birojima (including Tatebae Rock) in 1912-1992. See text for methods Ikeda, pers. comm.). Below, I summa- murrelets of estimation. rize information obtained from inter- must have Estimated eggs Estimated total views about egg and adult harvesting, been able to Period Years at-sea hunting and local fishing bycatch. reproduce harvested per year eggs harvested successfully 1912–1939 28 550–2,080 15,400–58,800 Egg harvesting for the colony 1940–1959 20 1,100–2,080 22,000–41,600 Egg harvesting at Birojima likely to sustain such occurred through most of the 20th cen- heavy egg har- 1960–1975 16 540 8,640 tury until about 1993, but heavy harvesting (es- 1976–1992 17 100–200 1,700–3,400 vesting occurred in 1940–1960s, during pecially when Total 81 — 47,740–111,880 and after World War II (Table 5). Us- combined

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 64 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 65 ARTICLE • Japanese Murrelet at Birojima because chicken eggs were available I roughly estimated 20% of the annual and shotgun shells were very expen- and outboard engines were less avail- level in 1944–1959 (i.e., 16–30 adults sive—they often used more than 100 able. By the mid 1970s, many people per year) by one group (Table 6), based shells, which cost more than 7,200 yen stopped harvesting eggs because it was on 80% lower egg harvesting by Iwata’s (i.e., over US $100 at this time); (3) clear that egg harvesting was illegal group in 1957–1959 versus 1971–1973, some hunters preferred to hunt wild when Nippo Kaigan Quasi-National and assuming this group’s harvest level boar (Sus scrofa), which was in high Park was established in 1974 and the in 1971–1973 was not affected greatly demand; and (4) cormorants (the princi- Japanese Murrelet became a National by the lower number of people harvest- pal goal of hunters) were not very tasty. Monument in 1975. Eggs also may ing (K. Iwata, pers. comm.; Table 2). have become more difficult to find and By about 1970, harvesting of adults ap- Local fishing bycatch harvest at this time if population de- peared to stop for four possible reasons: Local fishing bycatch of - mur cline had occurred. By 1993–1996, egg (1) it may have been better understood relets or any seabirds has been very harvesting stopped completely at Biro- that killing adults was illegal; (2) popu- poorly documented in the Birojima jima, after four years of island occupa- lation decline had occurred and eggs and Kadogawa area. I could not ob- tion by biologists K. Ono and J. Fries, and adults were becoming more dif- tain any specific details about histori- during spring when eggs were avail- ficult to harvest; (3) chicken eggs and cal bycatch prior to 2012 (except that able. Overall, I estimate that 47,740– meat were easily available; or (4) old it had occurred in the past); I wondered 111,880 eggs were harvested over 81 traditions of egg and adult harvesting if fishermen were simply unwilling years between 1912 and 1992 (Table 5). were reduced or discontinued, possibly to tell me about it. Fishermen were because many individuals that had har- willing to tell me that small numbers Adult harvesting vested heavily since World War II were of murrelets had been killed in nets Adult harvesting at Birojima likely too old to continue harvesting. I estimate in 2012–2013 and one murrelet was occurred in the 1940s to 1960s (Table that 3,056–5,450 adults were killed caught on a surf-fishing hook in 2011. 6) during and after World War II. Heavy over 27 years in 1944–1970 (Table 6). Small numbers of murrelets (about harvesting was recorded in 1957–1959 2–9 per year) also appeared to be killed when 80–150 adults were killed per At-sea hunting each year in fishing nets between at year by one group, totaling about By 1983, hunting stopped near Bi- least about 1940 and 2013, assuming 240–450 adults in these three years rojima when the Japan Coast Guard be- that 2–3 fishermen caught about 1–3 alone. In the late 1950s, similar har- gan to enforce protection of birds in Nip- murrelets per year each; this resulted vesting of adults by other groups from po Kaigan Quasi-National Park. While in an estimate of 148–666 murrelets Makiyama also occurred (K. Iwata and small numbers of adults were reported killed over 74 years (Table 6). Mur- H. Takatsuki, pers. comm.). I suspect shot by Kuroki each year in 1951–1983 relets killed near Birojima likely be- strongly that Iwata’s father harvested (Table 6), other hunters also likely long to the local Birojima population, adults from about 1944 to 1959. At killed small numbers of murrelets that because many murrelets are present least two groups plus Matsuda’s set- were not reported. Kuroki’s father and in nocturnal at-sea congregations in netting group harvested large numbers other hunters also shot seabirds (includ- waters within a few kilometers of the of murrelets. All three of these groups ing a few murrelets) before 1951, but breeding colony from about December could have harvested similar numbers shooting murrelets likely did not occur to May, with only a few in June (Na- of adults, because adult murrelets were before 1940 because outboard engines kamura and Kojima 2010). In contrast, relatively abundant during harvesting in were more difficult to obtain before and relatively high bycatch mortality of 1945–1955 (I. Matsuda, pers. comm.) during World War II. I conservatively Japanese Murrelets was documented in and this situation might have continued estimate that about 4–12 murrelets per offshore areas off northeastern Honshu until 1959 (K. Iwata, pers. comm.). Af- year likely were shot from 1940–1983, (mainly a Korean squid fishery) in the ter 1959, at least one group harvested assuming a minimum of two hunting non-breeding season, in 1990 (98–417 adults until 1970, although population groups each shooting between 2 and 6 birds) and 1991 (40–160 birds) (Piatt size appeared to have declined during murrelets per year; this resulted in an and Gould 1994). Japanese Murrelets this period (I. Matsuda, pers. comm.). estimate of 187–451 murrelets shot over breeding on Birojima have been thought A rough conservative estimate 44 years from 1940–1983 (Table 6). to move toward to the east or northeast of the number of adults harvested in Hunting stopped in 1989 for sev- after breeding (Nakamura et al. 2010), 1944–1959 is 180–320 adults per year eral reasons, including: (1) the Kitaura but it is not clear if any murrelets from (Table 6), assuming that two groups area also is within Nippo Kaigan Quasi- Birojima disperse far to the northeast each harvested 80–150 birds per year National Park (i.e., hunting of cormo- and offshore in the non-breeding sea- plus Matsuda’s group harvested 20 rants also was illegal at Kitaura); (2) son. All birds killed off northeastern per year (Table 2). For 1960–1970, most hunting was for sport at this time, Honshu may have been from colonies

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 66 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 67 ARTICLE • Japanese Murrelet at Birojima

TABLE 6. Estimated numbers of Japanese Murrelets killed by colony harvesting, at-sea stoppage of adult harvesting and re- hunting, and fishing bycatch around Birojima in 1940–2013. See text for methods of duced egg harvesting in the 1970s, estimation. population size likely began to recover.

Mortality Period Years Estimated murrelets Estimated total With reduced hunting in the early 1980s, Source killed per year murrelets killed further recovery of the population size likely occurred, even with continuing Colony 1944–1959 16 180–320 2,880–5,120 relatively low local fishing bycatch. harvesting 1960–1970 11 16–30 176–330 From the 1910s to the 1940s, low to Subtotal 27 — 3,056–5,450 moderate harvesting of eggs appeared to be the main conservation problem fac- At-sea 1940–1950 11 5 55 ing the Birojima murrelet population, hunting 1951–1983 33 4–12 132–396 but it was not clear whether the colony Subtotal 44 — 187–451 declined during this period. In the 1940s Fishing 1940– 74 2–9 148–666 to 1970s, heavy harvesting of eggs and bycatch 2013 adult murrelets was a significant conservation problem, and the colony likely Total — — — 3,397–6,561 was smaller than in the 1994–2012. A relatively large murrelet colony at Bi- in the Izu Islands (Carter et al. 2002). With much adult mortality and rojima murrelet population (i.e., 3,000 It is also not clear when this higher heavy egg harvesting between the 1940s birds or roughly 1,000–1,500 breeding pairs) was first measured in 1994, and mortality developed off northeastern and 1960s, the population of Japanese the importance of this colony to the spe- Honshu, but probably after the 1960s. Murrelets at Birojima probably de- cies was recognized at this time (Naka- clined. However, long-term monitoring mura 1994, Ono et al. 1994, Ono 1995, Impact to the Birojima murrelet data are not available to demonstrate Nakamura and Ono 1997, Gaston and population how much of a decline may have oc- Jones 1998, Otsuki and Kubota 2012, The exact degree of impact on curred. Two potential pieces of evidence Carter et al. 2013). However, for this the Birojima murrelet population from of decline were: (1) reduced egg har- relatively large Birojima colony to exist colony harvesting, at-sea hunting, and vesting (40–60 per year) in 1971–1973 in 1994, much recovery of the popula- local fishing bycatch is difficult toas- by Iwata, compared to 200–300 per year tion size seems likely to have occurred sess with available information. Kill- in 1957–1959; and (2) the stopping of since the 1960s, as a result of the stop- ing breeding adult murrelets can have adult harvesting in about 1970. Egg and page of adult and egg harvesting. This a large impact on the population, due adult harvesting may have gradually de- apparent recovery in the 1970s to early to high juvenile mortality and delayed clined during the 1960s and early 1970s 1990s, and the relatively high popula- breeding. Given that murrelets may live because eggs and adults were harder tion size in 1994 and 2012, possibly to be over 10 years old (assuming simi- to find as the population declined. suggests that mortality of birds from Bi- lar demography to Ancient Murrelets; However, chicken eggs also be- rojima in offshore driftnets off northeast Gaston and Jones 1998), many years came more affordable and available in Honshu was not high (or may not have of reproduction by each individual are the 1960s. In the late 1940s, a chicken occurred) between the 1960s and 2012. lost to the population when one adult egg cost about 10 yen, and the daily Crow predation was found to be a is killed. Murrelets killed at sea may wage was about 250 yen (M. Kuroki, new and significant problem for Japa- have been adults or subadults. Killing pers. comm.). Surprisingly, the cost of nese Murrelets at Birojima in 1993– subadults can have less impact on the one chicken egg is still about the same 1995. This apparently was related to population, since some may not survive today, but the daily wage for part-time enhanced crow populations from eat- to become breeding adults. Relatively workers is now between 5,600 and ing bait and garbage left behind by high egg harvesting also can have less 7,200 yen. To get 10 chicken eggs, peo- surf fishermen (Ono et al. 1995, Ot- impact than adult mortality, because ple now work for only 30 minutes. Few- suki and Kubota 2012). However, evi- many eggs do not contribute to birds er people thus had sufficient reasons to dence of relatively high crow predation that survive to breeding age; also, many harvest murrelet eggs from the danger- at this time was documented for the harvested eggs can probably be re- ous slopes of Birojima after 1970, al- first time by careful biological stud- placed by the nesting pair (see above). though small numbers of people carried ies, and also may have been related However, sufficient eggs must hatch on this tradition. I suspect that between to a larger murrelet population than over time to replace adults that die, 100 and 200 eggs were harvested per in the past. The Kadogawa govern- in order to maintain population size. year between 1976 and 1992. With ment has addressed the crow problem

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 66 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 67 ARTICLE • Japanese Murrelet at Birojima through education of fishermen and 2011–2013. Y. Watanuki, R. Kubota, T. Murray, K.G., K. Winnett-Murray, Z.A. Ep- the public (Otsuki and Kubota 2012). Someya, and Y. Koshio also have been pley, G.L. Hunt, Jr. and D.B. Schwartz. Long-term monitoring has not instrumental in this recent work, and 1983. Breeding biology of the Xantus’ been conducted to determine if the my husband K. Otsuki has provided Murrelet. Condor 85:12-21. population has increased or decreased constant support. Useful comments Nakamura, Y. 1994. Current status of the Jap- since the early 1990s, when educa- were provided by reviewers M. Hasebe, anese Murrelet at Biro Island, Kadogawa tion efforts began (Otsuki and Kubota S.K. Nelson, and L. MacFarlane Tran- town. Nature in Miyazaki 9:13-19. [In 2012). However, surveys in 2012 in- quilla, and by editor V.M. Mendenhall. Japanese] dicated that population size was about Nakamura, Y., and Y. J. Kojima. 2010. The 1,200–1,800 breeding pairs, roughly LITERATURE CITED Birds around Birou Islet. Bulletin of the the same as estimated in 1994 (Carter et BirdLife International. 2001. Threatened Miyazaki Prefectural Museum 30: 13-24. al. 2013), suggesting no major changes birds of Asia: the BirdLife International [In Japanese] in population size since 1993–1994. red data book. BirdLife International, Nakamura, Y., and K. Ono. 1997. On the With the new baseline data in 2011– Cambridge, United Kingdom. Japanese Murrelet Synthliboramphus 2013 (Whitworth et al. 2012, 2014; Carter, H. R., K. Ono, J. N. Fries, H. Hasega- wumizusume at Biro Island, Kadogawa Carter et al. 2013), changes in mur- wa, M. Ueta, H. Higuchi, J. T. Moyer, L. town. Bulletin of the Miyazaki Prefectural relet population size and reproductive K. Ochikubo Chan, L. N. de Forest, M. Museum 20: 25-40. [In Japanese] success can be measured in the future. Hasegawa and G. B. van Vliet. 2002. Sta- Nakamura, Y. T. Suenaga, and H. Fuku- tus and conservation of the Japanese Mur- shima. 2010. Observation of the initial ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS relet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume) in movements of a Japanese Murrelet Valuable information about Japa- the Izu Islands, Japan. J. Yamashina Inst. family group after departing Biro Is- nese Murrelet egg and adult harvesting Ornithol. 33: 61-87. land, Miyazaki, Japan. Bulletin of the was provided by H. Ikeda, K. Iwata, Carter, H., D. Whitworth, Y. Nakamura, M. Miyazaki Prefectural Museum 30: 1-9. F. Kawano, M. Kuroki, I. Matsuda, K. [In Japanese] Nagato, T. Ogawa, H. Takatsuki and G. Takeishi, S. Sato, and K. Otsuki. 2013. Natural Parks Foundation. 2014. Handbook Yonezawa. Unusual information about Surveys of Japanese Murrelets (Synth- of National Parks. Yoshida Printing Co., at-sea hunting also was provided by liboramphus wumizusume) at Birojima, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. 326 p. [In Japanese] M. Kuroki. Valuable information about Miyazaki-ken, Japan, in 2012. Unpubl. Ono, K. 1993. Offshore distribution and fishing bycatch was provided by H. report, Japan Seabird Group, Hokkaido breeding ecology of the Japanese Mur- Ikeda, E. Iwakiri, T. Kuroda, A. Kuroki, University, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. relet Synthliboramphus wumizusume. I. Matsuda, M. Nagato and T. Ogawa. 38 p. Unpubl. M.Sc. thesis, Toho University, I am very grateful to these Kadogawa Gaston, A.J. 1992. The Ancient Murrelet: a residents for sharing their interesting natural history in the Queen Charlotte Chiba, Japan. experiences and many other Kadogawa Islands. T. & A. D. Poyser, London. 249 p. Ono, K. 1995. Japanese Murrelet. In K. Ono people who have kindly shared their Gaston, A. J. and I. L. Jones. 1998. The (editor). Status and conservation of rare wonderful town with me. H. Carter Auks: Alcidae. Oxford University Press, alcids in Japan. Japan Alcid Society, To- encouraged me to obtain more infor- Oxford, United Kingdom. 349 p. kyo. pp. 117-149. [In Japanese] mation on egg harvesting and fishing Hasegawa, H. 1995. Japanese Murrelet. In M. Ono, K., J. N. Fries and Y. Nakamura. bycatch and he greatly assisted with Kato, M. Numata, K. Watanabe, and M. 1994. Estimate of Japanese Murre- English wording, interpretation and lit- Hata (editors). National monuments of let population by counting birds in at-sea erature. I thank K. Ono, Y. Nakamura, Japan. Kodan-sha Publishing Company, congregations. In K. Ono (editor). The and J. Fries for developing my initial Tokyo. p. 645. Japanese Murrelet: its status and conser- interest in Japanese Murrelets and Bi- Kuroki, S. 1963. Birds of Okinoshima - vation. Proceedings of the 1994 meeting rojima and for introducing me to H. Japanese Murrelet, Brown Shrike, and of the Japan Ornithological Society, Toho and S. Ikeda, Kadogawa residents and others. The Kyusyu-Yatyo 3(9):5-10. [In University, Chiba, Japan. pp. 11-15. [In long-time friends who first told me in Japanese] Japanese] 1993–1996 about past egg harvesting Kuroki, S., H. Hayashi, and H. Yoshida. 1966. Ono, K., J. Fries, and Y. Nakamura. 1995. and current fishing bycatch. The Japa- Terrestrial vertebrates at Okinoshima. Crow predation on Japanese Murrelets nese Murrelet Population Survey Team Biologia Fukuokana (6):45-52. [In on Biro Island, Japan. Pacific Seabirds (Y. Nakamura, M. Takeishi, D. Whit- Japanese] 22:39 (abstract). worth, H. Carter, and S. Sato, with fund- Ministry of the Environment. 2014. List of Otsuki, K., and R. Kubota. 2012. Conserva- ing from Suntory Group) has helped me National Wildlife Protection Areas. Re- tion and education for Japanese Mur- to redevelop and expand my interest trieved from http://www.env.go.jp/nature/ relets at Birojima and Kadogawa-cho, in Japanese Murrelets and Birojima in choju/area/area2-1.pdf. Miyazaki-ken, Japan. In Y.S. Kwon, H.Y.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 68 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 69 ARTICLE • Japanese Murrelet at Birojima

Nam, C.Y. Choi, and G.C. Bing (editors). Whitworth, D., H. Carter, Y. Nakamura, K. Kuniko Otsuki P. 71-88 in Status and conservation efforts Otsuki, and M. Takeishi. 2014. Hatching th Japanese Murrelet Population Survey on murrelets. Proceedings of the 6 Inter- success, timing of breeding, and predation Team national Symposium on Migratory Birds, of Japanese Murrelets (Synthliboramphus National Park Migratory Bird Center, 1-18 Ishida wumizusume) at Birojima, Miyazaki-ken, Shinan, Korea. Hokida Fukushima-shi Japan, in 2013. Unpubl. report, Japan Piatt, J.F., and P.J. Gould. 1994. Postbreed- Fukushima-ken 960-8163 Seabird Group, Hokkaido University, ing dispersal and drift-net mortality of Japan Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. 53 p. endangered Japanese Murrelets. Auk [email protected] 111:953-961. Wildlife Conservation and Management Whitworth, D., H. Carter, Y. Nakamura, M. Study Group (WCMSG). 2001. Changes This is a peer-reviewed article. Re- Takeishi, S. Sato, F. Gress, K. Otsuki, and in hunting regulations for game birds. ceived 16 July 2013; returned for re- Y. Watanuki. 2012. Nocturnal spotlight Nihon Ringyo Chsakai Press, Tokyo. 417 vision, 15 February 2014; accepted 24 surveys of Japanese Murrelets (Synthli- p. [In Japanese] boramphus wumizusume) at Birojima, April 2014. Wildlife Conservation and Management Miyazaki-ken, Japan, in 2011. Unpubl. Study Group (WCMSG). 2013. Descrip- report, Japan Seabird Group, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. tion of the Wildlife Protection Law. 43 p. Taisei, Tokyo. 669 p. [In Japanese]

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 68 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 69 TRANSLATIONS

Following are three translations of articles on murrelets that have not been available to many readers. The first was published in Japanese 80 years ago; the other two are recent research that originally appeared in Russian.

LIFE HISTORY OF Synthliboramphus antiquus T. Ishizawa Originally published in Plants and Animals, Tokyo 1: 279-280, 1933. Translated from Japanese by Charles A. Pell.

Editor’s note: The PSG Japanese Seabird Conservation Committee asked Charles A. Pell to translate this article into English to make it more widely available. The article provides the first information about the breeding biology of the Ancient Murrelet in South Korea at Chilbal-do Island. Some aspects of the species’ biology were first reported in this paper, although some work also had been published previously for Alaska (Bendire 1895, Heath 1915, Willet 1915). The reader should be aware that some aspects of biology reported herein have been interpreted differently since then, based on subsequent data (e.g. Sealy 1976, Gaston 1992, Gaston and Jones 1998, Gaston and Shoji 2010, Sealy et al. 2013). Recent studies of Ancient Murrelets also have been conducted at Chilbal-do Island and Gugul-do Island in South Korea (e.g., Park et al. 2012). —Harry Carter Translator’s note: The author refers to the “Kurile Islands” (Japanese spelling), and to North and South Korea together, as part of Japan. Japan controlled these areas when this paper was published in 1933. However, the “Kuril Islands” (Russian spelling) are now part of Russia, and the two Koreas are independent countries, although certain islands are still disputed. Other notes by the translator are in brackets in the text. —Charles A. Pell This translation is followed by the original text in Japanese.

Ancient Murrelets [Synthliboram- length is 131 mm, the short tail is 37 mm, boottiana], while other vegetation is phus antiquus] are distributed at sea in and bill length is 13 mm. Smaller than confined to just a few small shrubs. Kamchatka and its offshore Commander a dove, at first glance the bird gives the In late February, Ancient Murrelets Islands, in the Aleutian Chain, and in impression of a sparrow, hence the acqui- form large flocks [i.e., at-sea congrega- Japan from the Kurile Islands to Korea sition of the Japanese name umisuzume, tions that form beside breeding islands and Taiwan. Their breeding range is meaning sea sparrow. in the late afternoon and at night], and limited to the north Pacific regions cited This article contains new informa- converge to come ashore on this lonely above, and occurs in Japan in the Kuri- tion sent to me by Mr. Hideo Hashimoto, isolated island for the purpose of breed- les and small islands such as Nishijima based on his enthusiastically gathered ing, to the delight of island residents. [Seo-do in Korean, near Chodo Island, observations that responded to my ear- During that time flocks appear Cahngyon, on the east coast of North lier request while he was stationed on every evening, softly calling, “Tsu, tsu, Korea], Sobajima [location unknown], Chilbal-do. His several transmissions tsu, chi, chi, chi” as they come ashore. and Shichihatsuto [Chilbal-do in Ko- cover a wide range of interests that Undeterred by night snowfalls or freez- rean, used hereafter in this translation] contribute to our knowledge of Ancient ing cold, they push on toward their that lie off the southwest coast of the Murrelet life history. destination, lured by whispers of love in Korean Peninsula (off South Korea at Chilbal-do is a small island entirely the sedge everywhere. They number in 34º 47’16” N, 125º 47’ 17” E). Except composed of rock, with a lighthouse the thousands, tens of thousands. This for these areas, Ancient Murrelets appear located in a flat area at the top of the frantic nocturnal activity goes on until only during the nonbreeding season in island. Several members of a humble late March. As young shoots begin to the other areas [of Japan]. lighthouse keeper’s family lead a mea- emerge in the vegetation in mid-March, The Ancient Murrelet is a seabird, ger life in that remote place. The entire egg-laying begins in shallow depres- and its body weight ranges between 187 island is covered by a luxuriant growth sions dug under the higesuge roots, as and 225 g. Body colors are dark gray of a less than one-meter tall sedge called well as at the base of other shrubs and back with white breast and belly. Wing higesuge [Oahu sedge, Carex oahuensis behind rocks.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 70 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 71 TRANSLATION • Ancient Murrelet at Chilbal-do

Each egg of the two-egg clutch weighs task, serenely continuing to brood the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 45 g, totaling 90 g for the clutch weight, eggs in spite of wind and rain. Even if K. Otsuki and H. Carter encouraged close to half the 206-gram weight of the touched by a human hand they stay on and assisted aspects of this translation, parent, certainly a heavy load of eggs for the nest, or if they do leave the nest, assisted with the editor’s note, and pro- the mother to produce. The egg shape is they remain nearby. If there appears to vided literature citations. elongated, as if to prevent rolling. Color be a threat to the eggs, they instinctively is extremely varied, but the eggs are like adapt to the situation admirably, and LITERATURE CITED riverbed stones in overall appearance, smear the eggs with foul-smelling liquid Bendire, C. 1895. Notes on the Ancient Mur- relet (Synthliboramphus antiquus), by with mixed spot sizes giving them a feces for protection. Incubation lasts 26 Chase Littlejohn, with annotations. Auk camouflage effect. The second egg is to 40 days, average 32 days, until the 12: 270–278. laid between the second and 12th day time when a cute chick breaks through Gaston, A.J. 1992. The Ancient Murrelet: a after the first egg, average 6th day. Many the shell and pops out calling, “Chi, chi, natural history in the Queen Charlotte bird species lay an egg every day, but a Islands. T. & A.D. Poyser, London, UK. chi, chi.” 249 p. 6-day spacing is not unusual for a species After departure time, no one has Gaston, A.J., and I.L. Jones. 1998. The Auks: with such heavy eggs. During the first ever seen the chicks swimming around Alcidae. Oxford Univ Press, Oxford, part of April the male and female parents the island with their parents. No one UK. 349 p. Gaston, A.J., and A. Shoji. 2010. Ancient share incubation duties around the clock. knows where they go at sea. Adults and Incubation takes place from the 3rd day Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus). chicks were often released to the sea by In The Birds of North America Online after the second egg is laid to the 12th light keepers. (A. Poole, Editor). Cornell Laboratory day, average 6th day. As parents launch chicks to the sea, of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Re- Once they have begun to incubate, trieved from The Birds of North America they separate from each other, with the parents retain resolute devotion to the Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/ chicks showing no yearning for parental species/132doi:10.2173/bna.132 companionship, going off independently, Heath H. 1915. Birds observed on Forrester swimming and diving, and heading fur- Island, Alaska, during the summer of 1913. Condor 17: 20–41. ther and further out to sea. The parents Park, C., A. Seo, T. Ogura, H. Nam, G. Bing, likewise, with a horse-like determination, S. Cho, S. Park, G. Hong, and H. Chae. charge out into the water. 2012. Breeding status and estimation of In an experiment observing over population size in Japanese and Ancient Murrelets on Gugul-do [Island], Republic 10 groups of chicks on their way out to of Korea. Pp 151–167 in Y. Kwon, H.Y. sea, almost all went about swimming Nam, C.Y. Choi, and G.C. Bing (editors). and diving independently, making no Status and conservation efforts on mur- contact with other individuals. Only two relets. Proceedings of the 6th Interna- tional Symposium on Migratory Birds. individuals in one group stayed together, National Park Migratory Birds Center, chattering and maintaining close contact Shinan, Korea. as they swam away. Thereafter, the Sealy, S.G. 1976. Biology of nesting Ancient Chilbal-do adults and chicks spend their Murrelets. Condor 78: 294–306. Sealy, S.G., H.R. Carter, R.E. Thomson, and time at sea, perhaps along the coast of K.H. Morgan. 2013. Movements of An- Korea or along the Yellow Sea in China, cient Murrelet family groups to northern and will then return again as adults early Vancouver Island, British Columbia. the next spring to assume breeding roles Northwestern Naturalist 94: 209–226. Ancient Murrelet nest and eggs during Willett, G. 1915. Summer birds of Forrester on their home island. incubation Island, Alaska. Auk 32: 295–305.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 70 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 71 TRANSLATION • Ancient Murrelet at Chilbal-do

Original text of “Life History of Synthliboramphus antiquus,” by T. Ishizawa

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 72 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 73 TRANSLATION • Ancient Murrelet at Chilbal-do

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 72 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 73 ON THE RECORDS OF THE MARBLED MURRELET (Brachyramphus marmoratus) IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION Yu. B. Artukhin Originally published in Ornithologia 36: 188–190, 2011. Translated from Russian by Dmitriy Khvostenko, Kharkiv, Ukraine, and published by permission.

ßramphus marmoratus) is an Ameri- obtained from the Asian coast at a place (ZIN) of the Academy of Sciences of the can representative of the genus Brachyr- with the non-understandable name USSR, that it was obtained during migra- amphus, which has recently been granted “Kolitjan Is” Looking at the details of tion on 19 May (year not shown) next to the status of an independent species as a this find has given me the thought that the Diomede Islands in the Bering Strait. result of separation from the Asian form, this is exactly the male Marbled Murrelet After I noted that this information was the Long-billed Murrelet (B. perdix) (Fri- collected by Koren on 29 June 1909 next ignored by L.A. Portenko (1973) in his esen et al. 1996). In the bird list of the to Idlidlya Island. I received evidence of monograph about birds of Chukotka, I re- Russian Federation, the Marbled Mur- this from the collection manager, D. Wil- quested the details of this find from V.M. relet is enlisted because of two sightings lard, who told me that according to the Loskot, the curator of the Ornithological on the Chukotsk Peninsula, registered original label, this specimen was initially Department of ZIN, Russian Academy in the beginning of 20th century. Both determined by Koren as Marbled Murre- of Sciences (RAS). He wrote me the observations are from J. Koren, who used let; and the place of the find, “Kolitjan Is” following answer: “In the collection of to collect birds in Northeast Asia in the in the collection catalogue, as was found ZIN RAS we have the skins of definite 1900s to 1910s. out, was incorrectly interpreted from male and female B. marmoratus (coll. The first sighting occurred during hand-written name of Idlidlya Island in # 5028/278-933 and # 5029/278-933), Koren’s travel from Alaska to Chukotka English. (In his 1910 publication Koren which were deposited in the Institute on in June–August 1909 on the boat Teddy has listed it as “Idlidlja”). It is not known 26 August 1933 from James Lee Peters, Bear. On 29 June 1909, next to Idlidlya who has made the re-determination of as a result of a collection material trade Island (67˚ 03’ 06” N, 172˚ 46’ 54” W), the specimen, but it was included in the between the Museum of Comparative located east of Kolyuchin Bay, he ob- Chicago museum L.B. Bishop’s collec- Zoology, Cambridge, Massachusetts and served a pair of “Marbled Murrelets” and tion as a Kittlitz’s Murrelet. ZIN RAS. Those birds were obtained took the male bird. He has reported about Now, it is quite difficult to explain by John Coran [an alternate spelling this in the description of his expedition how Koren could make such a mistake. of Koren], collector in “The John E. (Koren 1910). After this observation, it It is known that he was an excellent ob- Thayer Expedition of 1910-11,” on 19 was included in a report of A.C. Bent server and knew birds of the north well May 1910. Each specimen had 3 labels: (1919) about birds of North America, and (Thayer and Bangs 1914). One possible (1) Original label of collector J. Coran; B. m. marmoratus has been included in reason is that during the first season of (2) Label of the collection’s owner—J. the fauna of the Soviet Union (Buturlin work, Koren did not figure out which Thayer; (3) standard label of ZIN RAS. 1934). This record of the Marbled Mur- species of murrelets lived on the Chukot- In the first label there is a note, made by relet on the Asian coast is figuring in all ka coast. That was the only observation Coran’s hand, that the place of collection avifaunistic reports of Russia (Demen- of murrelets during the summer trip of for both specimens was “Dundas Island tiev 1951, Ivanov et al. 1953, Kozlova 1909, and this find of Kittlitz’s Murrelet B.C.,” i.e., it is explicitly Island of Dun- 1957, Stepanyan 1975, 1990, 2003; Iva- was one of the first for Chukotka. Before das, British Columbia, Canada (54o 33’ nov 1976, Shibaev 1990, Koblik et al. Koren, this species was registered here N, 130o 53’ W). However, Thayer’s label 2006). The only doubts about Koren’s only on 22 June 1879 in the Chukchi Sea, does not mention this island as a place finding were given by L.A. Portenko next to the former village of Pitlekay of finding, but mentions “Diomedes (1973), but he let Marbled Murrelet to (Palmen 1887) and on 4 June 1908 at Id. B.C.” Maybe this change happened stay in the Chukotka list of birds, since the Diomede Islands (collection by A.H. because of handwriting the letter “u” by he did not have a chance to examine the Dunham, FMNH, coll. # 137234 and Coran, where he made a superscript sign, obtained specimen. # 137235). During the next seasons of like in Russian “й”, and during reading In February 2010, R. Day (ABR, work in Chukotka, Koren observed and “Dundas” turned into “Diomedes”. When Inc.–Environmental Research and Ser- obtained Kittlitz’s Murrelets frequently the 3rd institutional label was written, vices) caught my attention with a speci- (Thayer and Bangs 1914). Thayer’s version was transformed into men of Kittlitz’s Murrelet (B. breviros- E.V. Kozlova (1957) published notes “Diomede Islands, Bering Strait”. And tris) in the collection of Field Museum about the second observation of Marbled that was used by E.V. Kozlova (1957), of Natural History, Chicago (FMNH, Murrelets in the USSR and reported, she did not pay attention at letters collection number [coll. #] 126291), with the reference to Zoological Institute “B.C.” (= British Columbia) on both

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 74 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 75 TRANSLATION • Marbled Murrelet records in the Russian Federation

initial labels. L.A. Portenko noticed this by him. So, residency of B. marmoratus Koren, J. 1910. Collecting on Tchoukotsk mistake first and wrote the correct name on the Commander Islands has not been Peninsula. Warbler 6: 2–16. of the finding place with blue ink on the proven yet. Kozlova, E.V. 1957. Charadriiformes. Sub- order Alcae. Fauna of the USSR. Birds. institute label: “Dundas Island, British To my mind, all the above informa- Vol. 2(3). USSR Academy of Sciences, Columbia”. tion can be sufficient for exclusion of Moscow-Leningrad. P. 1–144. The “American” background of B. marmoratus from the bird list of the Nechaev, V.A., and T.V. Gamova. 2009. Birds those specimens is also confirmed by Russian Federation until there are reli- of Russian Far East (an annotated cata- other collections of Koren’s from British able observations of it in this territory logue). Dal’nauka, Vladivostok. 564 p. Columbia, from 8 May till 1 June 1910 of the country. Nelson S.K. 1997. Marbled Murrelet (Brach- (see the catalog of ornithology collection yramphus marmoratus). The birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, of Museum of Comparative Zoology, at LITERATURE CITED editors). The Academy of Natural Sci- Artukhin, Yu.B. 2002. The supplemental Harvard, on the website http://collec- ences, Philadelphia, and the American data on the bird fauna of the Commander tions.mcz.harvard.edu). Samples of B. Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Islands. The biology and conservation marmoratus from the collections of ZIN Number 276, 32 p. of the birds of Kamchatka. Volume 4. refer to the same period of time. Later, Palmen, J.A. 1887. Bidrag till kannedomen Moscow, BCC Press. P. 34–36. om Sibiriska ishafts-kustens fogelfauns in the summer of the same year, Koren Bedard, J. 1966. New records of alcids from continued to collect birds on Chukotka. enligt Vega-expeditionens jakttagelser St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. Condor, 68: och samlingar. Nordenskiold, A.E. Vega- Unfortunately, L.A. Portenko did 503–506. expeditionens Vetenskaplig jakttagelser. not comment on the wrong information Bent, A.C. 1919. Life histories of North Bearbetade af deltagare i resan och andra published by E.V. Kozlova. As a result, American diving birds. US Natl Mus Bull forskare utgifna af A.E. Nordenskiold. this wrong information is still getting 107: 1–245. Bd. 5. Stockholm, F.& G. Beijers Förlag, republished (Stepanyan 1975, Sealy et Buturlin, S.A. 1934. Complete keys to the p. 241–511. birds of the USSR. Volume 1. Moscow- Portenko, L.A. 1973. Birds of the Chukotsk al. 1982, Shibaev 1990, Nelson 1997, Leningrad, KOIZ Press. 256 p. Koblik et al. 2006, Nechaev and Gamova Peninsula and Wrangel Island. Part 2. Carter, H.R., and S.G. Sealy 2005. Who Nauka, Leningrad. 324 p. 2009). solved the mystery of the Marbled Mur- Sealy, S.G., H.R. Carter, and D. Alison. By this means, both registrations relet? Northwest Naturalist 86: 2–11. 1982. Occurrences of the Asiatic Marbled of Marbled Murrelets in the territory of Dementiev, G.P. 1951. Order Alcids, Alci- Murrelet [Brachyramphus marmoratus Russia must be considered as mistakes. formes. Birds of the Soviet Union. G.P. perdix (Pallas)] in North America. Auk At the same time, it is impossible to ex- Dementiev, A.N. Gladkov (editors). 99: 778–781. clude completely the possibilities of the Vol. 2. Sovetskaya Nauka, Moscow. P. Shibaev, Yu.V. 1990. Marbled Murrelet. Birds 169–240. appearance of this species in the far Asian of the USSR—Auks. Nauka, Moscow. Friesen, V.L., J.F. Piatt, and A.J. Baker. 1996. P. 82–88. northeast, considering observations at the Evidence from Cytochrome B sequences Stepanyan, L.S. 1975. Structure and distribu- northwestern end of St. Lawrence Island, and allozymes for a “new” species of tion of the avifauna of the USSR: Non- 50 km from the Russian-American bor- alcid: the Long-billed Murrelet (Brachy- Passeriformes. Nauka, Moscow. 370 p. der (Bedard 1966). However, the most ramphus perdix). Condor 98: 681–690. Stepanyan, L.S. 1990. Conspectus of the probable region in which the Marbled Gibson, D.D., and G.V. Byrd. 2007. Birds ornithological fauna of the USSR. Nauka, Murrelet would be located is the Com- of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Nuttall Moscow. 728 p. mander Islands, which are 340 km west Ornbithological Club and American Orni- Stepanyan, L.S. 2003. Conspectus of the thologists’ Union, Series in Ornithology, ornithological fauna of Russia and ad- of the border of this bird’s range, which is number 1. Washington, D.C. 352 p. jacent territories (within the borders of Attu Island, Aleutian Islands (Gibson and Hartert, E. 1920. The birds of the Commander the USSR as a historic region). Akadem- Byrd 2007). There was also a hypothesis Islands. Novit Zool 27(1): 128–158. kniga, Moscow. 808 p. about B. marmoratus nesting at Medny Ivanov, A.I. 1976. Catalog of birds of the Thayer, J.E., and O. Bangs. 1914. Notes on Island [in the Commanders group] USSR. Nauka, Leningrad. 276 p. the birds and mammals of the arctic coast (Carter and Sealy 2005). Indeed, there Ivanov, A.I., E.V. Kozlova, L.A. Portenko, of east Siberia. Proc New England Zool are 3 records of “Marbled Murrelet” and A.Ya. Tugarinov. 1953. Birds of the Club 5: 1–48. USSR. Part 2: Charadriiformes—Micro- from the Commander Islands (Hartert podiformes. USSR Academy of Sciences, Yu.B. Artukhin 1920, Kartashev 1961, Artukhin 2002), Moscow-Leningrad. 344 p. Kamchatka Branch but a bird was collected only in the first Kartashev, N.N. 1961. Birds of the Com- Pacific Geographical Institute case. This sample (American Museum mander Islands and some proposals Far Eastern Branch of Russian Acad- of Natural History, New York, coll. # for their rational use. Zool J 40(9): emy of Sciences 748164) belongs to the Asian and not to 1395–1410. Rybakov Prospect 19-a, American form; the accuracy of this de- Koblik, E.A., Ya.A. Red’kin, and V.Yu. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683024, termination was confirmed by curator of Arkhipov. 2006. Checklist of the birds of Russian Federation. KMK Scientific Russia the collection P. Sweet, and photos sent Press, Moscow. 256 p. [email protected]

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 74 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 75 RE-EVALUATION OF THE CLUTCH OF THE LONG-BILLED MURRELET Brachyramphus perdix FROM THE COMMANDER ISLANDS

Yu.B. Artukhin

Originally published in the Russian Journal of Ornithology (22) Express Issue 851: 532–538, 2013.Translated from Russian by Dmitriy Khvostenko, Kharkiv, Ukraine, and published by permission.

determination is to Brachyramphus. Kamchatka collec- so insignificant tions of Dybowski contain 3 specimens that, for instance, of B. perdix (all in breeding plumage, E.V. Kozlova described in Taczanowski’s report (1957) has not [1983:1213]), and one specimen of the even mentioned Kittlitz’s Murrelet B. brevirostris in about it in her winter plumage (MIZ coll. # 33509). monograph For all of them, the place of discovery is about auks. Yu.V. mentioned to be “Kamczatka” with no Shibaev (1990) date, except one study skin of B. perdix Figure 1. The egg from B. Dybowski’s findings at Medny Island, has not paid his from 17 June 1881. The choice of B. per- Commander islands (MIZ coll. #49591). Photo by D. Mierzwa. attention to this dix, based on these collections, seems to finding either. be quite appropriate. However, it seems Among Russian strange that in the avifaunistic list of Ka- Famous Polish zoologist Benedykt reports, only G.P. Dementiev (1951) mchatka and Commander Islands (Dy- Dybowski, while working on Kamchatka has included a description of this egg. bowski and Taczanowski 1884), among (1879–1883) as a local doctor, visited Conclusions of researchers abroad are birds registered on Bering and Medny the Commander Islands several times. contradicting: some of them think that islands, there are no Brachyramphus Ornithological collections gathered dur- this egg could belong to another species murrelets—these species are only men- ing that time were sent by him for pro- (Day at al. 1983); others recognize the tioned for Kamchatka. The same situa- cessing to W. Taczanowski at Warszawa Dybowski’s finding as the first known tion was repeated in the edited and more University. At the present time they are nest of B. perdix (Carter and Sealy 2005). completed list which was published after stored in the Museum and Institute of In order to figure this question out, I 40 years (Dybowski 1922). I assume that Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences asked the chair of ornithological collec- the authors had doubts about accuracy of (MIZ). In Dybowski’s collections from tion of MIZ, T. Mazgajski, to send me the this egg, which, along with the absence the Commander Islands there is an egg photos of the egg and tell me the details of birds collected from the Commander of the Long-billed Murrelet Brachyram- of its finding. It is known (Mlikovský Islands, decided them not to include rep- phus perdix. Its description was included 2007) that part of the Warszawa mu- resentatives of genus Brachyramphus in by Taczanowski into the second part of seum’s collection was lost in the first half the list of avifauna of the islands. his report about birds of Eastern Siberia of 20th century, but collections of Dy- Which species did the Dybowski’s (Taczanowski 1893: 1213): “The egg, bowski were saved, including the egg I finding belong to? Among auks found collected by Dybowski at Medny Island, was interested in (MIZ collection number in Kamchatka region and on adjacent is very similar to one of Syntliboramphus [coll. #] 49591). Judging from the label territory, only Ancient Murrelets have antiquus, but it is slightly thicker. The (Figure 1), it was found on Medny Island eggs that look very similar to those of background is yellowish, pretty pale, “Ins. Miedna” in 1882. The species it Brachyramphus murrelets. The cases of covered all over the surface with little belongs to was not determined, the name inappropriate determinations of histori- slate-like grey stains and other numerous contains only its genus Brachyramphus. cal findings of those birds arise from surface stains and red-brownish dots that I do not have any information about the that (Carter and Sealy 2005, 2010). form a crown around the dull end. The author who made the determination. Among those species, only shine is the same like of the mentioned Why has Taczanowski attributed the Ancient Murrelet is nesting on bird. Size 62.5 x 41.2 mm”. this egg exactly to B. perdix, even though the Commander Islands (Artukhin According to A.P. Kuzyakin (1963), he emphasized its similarity with Ancient 1991). The Long-billed Murrelet was the author of the first documentarily con- Murrelet? Obviously, the grounds for only once recorded there (Hartert firmed finding of the Long-billed Mur- that was the accompanying information 1920); assumptions about its nest- relet nest, reliability of Taczanowski’s on the label about the egg belonging ing (Konyukhov and Kitaysky 1995;

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 76 TRANSLATION • Re-evaluation of Long-billed Murrelet from Commander Islands

Artukhin 2002) are hypothetical. The olive-green (sometimes green-yellow) After comparing the photo and residency of the closely related American or yellowish (Day et al. 1999; Kaler et description of Taczanowski with infor- species—Marbled Murrelet B. marmora- al. 2009). The shape of Brachyramphus mation obtained from different sources, tus—is possible, but their presence has eggs is sub-elliptical elongated. including information from experienced not been proven yet for these islands, as The Ancient Murrelet is the more researchers of auks, we can make the well as for the entire North-East of Asia well-studied species and its egg char- conclusion that this egg does not be- (Artukhin 2011). The Kittlitz’s Murrelet acteristics vary along a wide spectrum. long to the Long-billed Murrelet, but was remarked only once on the adjacent Judging from size, there is geographi- to the Ancient Murrelet. The reason is marine area (Artukhin at al. 2001). cal variability: the smallest eggs exist the set of characteristics most closely Specific characteristics of coloration on southern borders of their range, on match the characteristics known for both sides from Pacific (Table 1). The and changes in egg sizes are studied the Synthliboramphus; however, the sum background of the shell varies from least for the Long-billed Murrelet. There of those characteristics does not match pure white to average-brown, sometimes are only 4 egg descriptions known, 2 of any of the Brachyramphus. That’s why bluish, and often contains shades of which were extracted from oviduct of leather-like brown. Surface fulvous or Tazcanowski had pointed out the similar- females (see Table 1). They all had blue- brownish small spots, as well as deeper ity of the egg with the Ancient Murrelet greenish or green-bluish background and greyish spots, are uniformly distributed egg. Probably he was comparing it to tiny surface stains of different brown or become denser at the dull end. Egg the 2 egg samples of that species that he shades. Marbled Murrelet eggs have shape varies from elliptically oval (with possessed (Taczanowski 1893: 1216). varying coloring of background, from non-emphasized difference in round- The egg size slightly exceeds the light olive-green to green-yellowish ing of the ends) to elongated egg-like average values from different regions; (Nelson 1997). The background of eggs (Kozlova 1957, Shibaev 1990, Gaston however, those sizes are in between the of Kittlitz’s Murrelets is usually either 1992; Figure 2). limits of variability (Table 1). The breadth

Figure 2. Variations of Ancient Murrelet eggs, Talan Island, the N Sea of Okhotsk. Collections by E.Yu. Golubova, photos by A.V. Kondratyev.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 77 TRANSLATION • Re-evaluation of Long-billed Murrelet from Commander Islands

TABLE 1. Egg size (mm) in the genus Brachyramphus and in Syntliboramphus antiquus.

Length Breadth

Region Locality n Mean Range Mean Range Source

B. perdix East Asia Okhotsk town 1 63.6 — 39.3 — Kuzyakin 1963

Okhotsk town 1 63.0 — 38–39 — Yakhontov 1979 area Sakhalin Island 1 66.2 — 39.0 — Nechayev 1991

Kamchatka 56.2 — 39.3 — Konyukhov and Kitaysky 1995 B. marmoratus USA, Canada 11 59.8 57.0–63.0 37.6 35.0–39.5 Nelson 1997

B. brevirostris Alaska, NE Asia 13 60.2 55.0–63.8 37.3 30.0–40.6 Kaler et al. 2009

Aleutian Isls. Agattu Island 9 57.2 54.7–60.4 38.1 35.0–40.9

S. antiquus N. Sea of 283 62.0 50.3–69.4 38.8 32.4–48.2 Golubova 2011 Okhotsk S. Primorye 72 60.0 56.4–63.7 36.5 35.9–40.3 Shibaev 1990

Kuril Islands 7 61.1 — 38.4 — Gaston and Jones 1998 of the egg seems to be large, but indeed strictly speaking, the status of this spe- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the shape must be more elongated than in cies breeding on the Commander Islands Author acknowledges T. Mazgajski picture, since the egg shell had cracked is still based only on non-direct proof. (MIZ) for the information about Ka- across and is pictured with its halves Among them, there is an observation of mchatka findings of Dybowski; E.Yu. overlapping. adult birds during the breeding season, From Taczanowski’s description, the Golubova (Institute of the Biological as well as night vocalizations on the color of the egg background is yellow- Problems of the North, Northeast Sci- shore in bird colonies (Stejneger 1885, ish. Judging from the photo it is closer to entific Center [IBPN NESC], Russian Hartert 1920, Artukhin 1999, Klyonova yellow-brownish (leather-like brown)— Academy of Sciences [RAS]); N.B. and Shienok 2012), S.V. Makarov’s find- color d4 from the scale of A.S. Bondartsev Konyukhov, Severtsov Institute of (1954). Brown shades in the background ing of deceased juvenile bird (Zoological Ecology and Evolution, RAS); R. Day of the eggs shell belong to Synthliboram- Museum, Moscow State UniversityU phus, but not to Brachyramphus. Color, coll. # 85538), and often remains of the (ABR, Inc.- Environmental Research dimensions, and the amount and pattern birds found near dens of Arctic Foxes & Services, USA); H. Carter (Carter of distribution of deep and surface spots Alopex lagopus (Shienok 2011). Con- Biological Consulting, Canada) and S. also suit the Ancient Murrelet (Figure 2). sidering the finding of Dybowski to be Sealy (University of Manitoba, Canada) The additional fact is the common- Ancient Murrelet, we recognize it as a for participation in discussions; and D. ness of Ancient Murrelets during summer at Medny Island when Dybowski first documented evidence of the species Mierzwa (MIZ) and A.V. Kondratyev was visiting (Stejneger 1885). However, nesting on the Commander Islands. (IBPN NESB RAS) for taking photos.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 78 TRANSLATION • Re-evaluation of Long-billed Murrelet from Commander Islands

LITERATURE CITED Vol. 2. Moscow, Sovetskaya Nauka, p. Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Artukhin Yu.B. 1991. Breeding avifauna of 169–240. Warszawa, Poland. Part 1: Introduction the Commander Islands and anthropic im- Dybowski B. 1922. Spic systematyczny and European birds. J. Natl Museum pact. Natural resources of the Commander gatunków i ras, należących do avifauny (Prague), Natur. Hist. Ser. 176(3): 15-31. Islands (reserves, current state, problems Kamczatki iwysp Komandorskich. Ar- Nechyev V.A. 1991. Birds of Sakhalin Island. of the protection and use). Moscow State chiwum towarzystwa naukowego we Far East Branch, USSR Academy of Sci- University, Moscow. P: 99-137. Lwowie 3: 1-13. ences, Vladivostok. 748 p. Artukhin Yu.B. 1999. Cadastre of seabird Dybowski B., Taczanowski L. 1884. Liste Nelson S.K. 1997. Marbled Murrelet (Brach- colonies of the Commander Islands. The des oiseaux du Kamtschatka et des îles yramphus marmoratus).The Birds of biology and conservation of the birds of Comandores. Bull. Soc. Zool. France 9: North America (A. Poole nd F. Gill, Kamchatka. Vol. 1. Moscow, Dialog- 145-161. editors). The Academy of Natural Sci- MGU, p: 25-35, 139-144. Gaston A.J. 1992. The Ancient Murrelet: A ences, Philadelphia, and the American Artukhin Yu.B. 2002. The supplemental data natural history in the Queen Charlotte Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. on the bird fauna of the Commander Islands. London, T. & A.D. Poiser. 249 p. Number 276, 32 p. Islands. The biology and conservation Gaston A.J., Jones I.L. 1998. The auks: Alci- Sealy S.G. 1976. Biology of nesting Ancient of the birds of Kamchatka. Vol. 4. BCC dae. Bird Families of the World, number Murrelets. Condor 78: 294-306. Press, Moscow. P. 34–36. 4. Oxford Univ. Press. 349 p. Shibaev, Yu.V. 1990. Marbled Murrelet. Birds Artukhin Yu.B. 2011. On the records of Golubova E.Yu. 2011. Monitoring of the of the USSR—Auks. Nauka, Moscow. the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus Ancient Murrelet (Synthlibopamphus P. 82–88. marmoratus) in the Russian Federation. antiquus) population in the Northern Sea Shienok A.N. 2011. Ornithological finds Ornithologia 36: 188-190. of Okhotsk. Zool. J 90(10): 1216-1229. on Arctic Fox dens on Medny Island Artukhin Yu.B., Zaochny A.N., Kornev S.I., Hartert E. 1920. The birds of the Commander (Commander Islands). Conservation of Nikulin V.S., Testin A.I. 2001. Mortal- Islands. Novit. Zool. 27(1): 128-158. biodiversity of Kamchatka and coastal ity of seabirds in the Japanese driftnet Kaler R.S.A., Kenney L.A., Sandercock B.K. waters: Abstracts of 12th International salmon fishery in Russian waters of the 2009. Breeding ecology of Kittlitz’s Mur- scientific conference. Kamchatpress, Bering Sea, 2000-2001. The biology and relets at Agattu Island, Aleutian Islands, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. P. 272-274. conservation of the birds of Kamchatka. Alaska. Waterbirds 32(3): 363-373. Stejneger L. 1885. Results of ornithological Vol. 3. Moscow, BCC Press, p: 81-85. Klyonova A.V., Shienok A.N. 2012. Find- explorations in the Commander Islands Bondartsev A.S. 1954. Color scales (man- ing of rare auk species on Medny Island and in Kamtschatka. U.S. Natl. Mus. ual for biologists during scientific and (Commander Islands) during summer Bull. 29: 1-382. scientifically-applied research). USSR 2012. Conservation of biodiversity of Taczanowski L. 1893. Faune ornithologique Academy of Sciences, Moscow-Lenin- Kamchatka and coastal waters: Materials de la Sibérie Orientale: Part 2. Mém. grad. 27 p. of 13th International scientific confer- Acad. Imper. Sci. St-Pétersb. Sér. 7. T. Carter H.R., Sealy S.G. 2005. Who solved ence. Kamchatpress, Petropavlovsk- 39. P. 685–1278. the mystery of the Marbled Murrelet? Kamchatsky, p: 238-242. Yakhontov V.D. 1979. New place of nesting of Northwest Naturalist 86: 2-11. Konyukhov N.B., Kitaysky A.S. 1995. The the Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus Carter H.R., Sealy S.G. 2010. Re-evaluation Asian race of the Marbled Murrelet. marmoratus perdix Pall. Birds of North- of the first three Marbled Murrelet nests Ecology and conservation of the Marbled Eastern Asia. Far East Scientific Center, reported in British Columbia. Northwest Murrelet. C.J Ralph, G.L. Hunt Jr., M.G. USSR Academy of Sciences,Vladivostok. Naturalist 91: 1-12. Raphael, and J.F. Piatt (editors). US For- p. 103. Day R.H, Kuletz K.J., Nigro D.A. 1999. est Service, Pacific Southwest Research Kittlitz’s Murrelet (Brachyramphus bre- Station, Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-152. Yu.B. Artukhin virostris). The Birds of North America (A. Albany, California, p. 23–29 Kamchatka Branch Poole a nd F. Gill, editors). The Academy Kozlova E.V. 1957. Charadriiformes. Sub- Pacific Geographical Institute of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and the order Alcae. Fauna of the USSR. Birds. Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy Vol. 2 (3). Moscow-Leningrad, USSR American Ornithologists’ Union, Wash- of Sciences ington, D.C. Number 435. Academy of Sciences, p. 1–144. Rybakov Prospect 19-a, Day R.H., Oakley K.L., Barnard D.R. 1983. Kuzyakin A.P. (1963) 2010. On the biology of Nest sites and eggs of Kittlitz’s and the Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683024, Marbled Murrelets. Condor 85: 265-273. marmoratus perdix. Russian J Ornithol Russia Dementiev G.P. 1951. Order Alcids, Alci- 19(546): 139-146. [email protected] formes. Birds of the Soviet Union. G.P. Mlíkovský J. 2007. Types of birds in the col- Dementiev, A.N. Gladkov (editors). lections of the Museum and Institute of

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 79 BOOK REVIEW

ATTENDING ALASKA’S BIRDS: A WILDLIFE PILOT’S STORY. By James Gore King, with foreword by Jim Rearden. Hancock House Publishers (Blaine, Washington), 2010; originally published by Trafford Publishing, www/trafford.com, 2008.

Reviewed by Christian Dau

Jim King is a biologist and pilot who funded research in Alaskan waters via the on the lifelong process of gaining the surveyed and managed waterfowl for the Outer Continental Shelf Environmental knowledge necessary to “attend Alaska’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) from Assessment Program (OCSEAP). Hun- birds.” Poet/essayist Samuel Johnson de- the early 1950s to 1983. This career is the dreds of biologists were hired to start clared, “There has rarely passed a life of focus of his book, along with accounts studying seabirds. King’s colleagues which a judicious and faithful narrative of Alaska’s landscape, people, and chal- Jim Bartonek and Cal Lensink led the would not be useful.” This seems espe- lenges. However, when Jim encountered work on locating colonies, estimating cially true of Jim King, who continues to the wealth of seabirds along Alaska’s populations, monitoring productivity, be useful and productive. However, he is coasts, he became an early advocate and assessing threats. also quick to acknowledge his numerous for seabird studies and a founder of the Better communication among the mentors and collaborators. Pacific Seabird Group. PSG honored him new seabird biologists was also essential. Jim begins the narrative with a his- with its Lifetime Achievement Award in Jim was in touch with Bill Bourne in tory and pilot’s travelog of the northern 1997, along with our co-founders W.R.P. Scotland. When Jim visited that coun- Gulf of Alaska coast. He then goes back Bourne and Jim Bartonek (Pacific Sea- try in 1971, they discussed the need to the beginning of his resource work birds 24(2): 51-57, 1997). for a new professional group in North in Alaska—a year-by-year process that Jim recounts his involvement with America, along the lines of the Seabird required patience and persistence to gain seabirds in Chapter 9. During a flight Group that Bill had recently established an understanding of Alaska’s birds and along the coast of Bristol Bay in the mid- in the UK. In early 1972, King and Bar- habitats. He stresses the value of basing 1960s, he was astonished to see the huge tonek declared themselves the first two one’s opinions on knowledge, including colonies at Cape Newenham. Shortly members of a new Pacific Seabird Group. a historical perspective. His early work afterwards he flew along the Aleutian That same fall they introduced the idea was mentored by pioneers in the territory Islands (to survey marine mammals) and at a conference of the Western Society of Alaska, as they worked on the “birth saw many more colonies. Yet on the same of Naturalists, to enthusiastic reception. of game management” before statehood. flights he also saw oil pollution, fishing The next steps were to assemble a mail- Waterfowl banding in Alaska moved fleets, and shipwrecks—and on the hori- ing list, start publishing a bulletin, and zon (metaphorically) was large-scale oil arrange PSG’s first annual meeting (in from its infancy to large-scale programs exploration. At the time there had been 1974). Being a good administrator, Jim during the author’s early career. Tech- almost no inventories of Alaskan seabird assigned these tasks to his new assistant, niques had to be developed for logisti- colonies or populations, nor was anyone George Divoky, and “the rest is history.” cally and environmentally challenging assessing threats to them. Jim himself went back to being a water- areas. Local Native people provided Jim initiated aerial surveys of birds fowl biologist—but he remained active in expertise and participated in banding, at sea in southwestern Alaska, in col- PSG for several years, presenting papers which facilitated an atmosphere of rap- laboration with Jim Bartonek and Karl at PSG meetings and even editing the port and trust. King and his colleagues Kenyon. They wrote papers on the global PSG Bulletin (now Pacific Seabirds) in discovered that waterfowl bands they importance of Alaska’s populations, and 1978–1979. applied in Alaska were being recovered throughout North America and in Asia; Jim was able to get Cape Newenham des- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ignated as one of Alaska’s first national the data showed that Alaskan popula- wildlife refuges (NWR). Most of Jim’s book is a warm and tions were of national and international He goes on to chronicle dramatic readable account of his career monitor- importance. Their information was advances in Alaskan seabird work from ing Alaska’s 12 million breeding water- instrumental in getting new refuges and the early 1970s. In anticipation of oil fowl. The book chronicles Jim’s various other conservation lands established and gas exploration, the US government careers, with occasional retrospectives throughout the state.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 80 BOOK REVIEW • Attending Alaska’s Birds, by Jim King

A major part of waterfowl man- the establishment of protected conser- the expertise of many Alaskans, in addi- agement is the annual statewide (and vation areas. All this underscores the tion to their untiring behind-the-scenes continent-wide) aerial survey of breeding importance of collecting long-term data, efforts, influenced the decisions of Con- waterfowl pairs. One of the observers which happened through the foresight gress and the President. is always a biologist who doubles as and persistence of Jim and his colleagues. Jim has involved himself in many pilot. Jim’s career proceeded from Game Always one to learn about another other local, state, and national, conserva- Agent and Warden through his training species, Jim participated in aerial population efforts. He credits his family with and appointment as Wildlife Pilot. He tion surveys of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus roles in establishing and refurbishing praises the encouragement and unfettered leucocephalus) in southeastern Alaska. local trails and parks. They worked to freedom that he received to develop the He and Fred Robards collaborated on convince politicians that public-use ar- work and explore. In turn, he encourages protocols for these surveys. He was eas should be appreciated and protected today’s biologist-pilots to think broadly involved in research and habitat man- (there were plenty of political hurdles), about geographic, habitat, and biological agement for the species, and he assisted and to generate public support. The au- relationships. He gives an interesting in the designation of Admiralty Island thor’s wife, Mary Lou King, began the overview of how the USFWS aircraft National Monument and the Alaska SeaWeek project, a local environmental fleet developed, and how the approaches Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The book education program. Other educators and challenges of management changed details the lengthy process of educating statewide have adapted this tool for use as resource agencies grew. federal and state agencies and the public in their own areas. Residents of Juneau The delta of the Yukon River in far about eagles; their persistence makes will particularly enjoy this history. western Alaska is a mosaic of ponds inspiring reading. Jim’s account includes Jim and Mary Lou have also attend- and tundra and supports millions of wa- the establishment of the American Bald ed to Alaska’s birds in a hands-on way. terfowl. In 1960, Jim accepted a major Eagle Research Institute, in collaboration He describes their waterfowl husbandry career change to become manager of the with the University of Alaska-Southeast and behavior studies at the “Family Bird Clarence J. Rhode NWR. From the new in Juneau. Jim can take pride in his con- Farm” in Juneau. This labor of love has office in Bethel, Jim worked to develop tribution to moving the Bald Eagle from added “waterfowl behaviorist” to Jim’s cooperation with the Yup’ik people of the a bounty species prior to statehood to a specialties, in addition to promoting town and the nine villages in or near the protected species today. environmental education. refuge. Jim’s efforts paved the way for Back with waterfowl, the author Jim’s final two chapters might be subsequent managers to continue work- presents the history of swan surveys in viewed as a synopsis of his retirement ing with local people. Alaska, from local studies in the 1950s to and a summing up of his career(s). The refuge was named for a USFWS the statewide aerial inventories of today. But, unlike General MacArthur, who supervisor who perished in August 1958 Early work progressed to the develop- lamented that “old soldiers . . . just fade when his aircraft crashed in the Brooks ment of Pacific Flyway management away,” the author has seemed to gain Range. Jim describes his participation plans for both Tundra and Trumpeter momentum and remains a voice to be lis- in what was then the largest search ef- Swans (Cygnus columbianus and C. buc- tened to. The book is all about his work, fort in Alaska’s history. The search was cinator). His story provides valuable past and present, and his visions for the unsuccessful, although hikers found the historical insight for today’s biologists future. Throughout he recognizes many and managers. Jim recounts his decades notable mentors and colleagues; their wreckage 40 years later. In 1980 the ref- of support and active participation in the fruitful careers exemplify the importance uge was expanded and renamed Yukon Trumpeter Swan Society, and the group’s of encouragement and friendships. Jim Delta NWR. successful efforts to restore swan popula- provides glimpses of his role as men- The author left his refuge career tions in some of their historic range. tor to fledgling biologists; he continues in 1964 to become chief of Waterfowl Jim describes his instrumental role mentoring—and it’s contagious. Investigations, following in the foot- in the federal statutes that have shaped Benjamin Franklin wrote, “If you steps of his mentor and friend Henry A. Alaskan land ownership and the eco- would not be forgotten, . . . either write Hansen. Jim’s job was to oversee the nomic status of Alaska Natives for the things worth reading or do things worth Alaska–Yukon portion of the breeding past third of a century: the Alaska Native writing.” Not for himself, but to “attend pair survey. Data from the survey are Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA; 1971), Alaska’s birds,” the author has done both required for annual population manage- and the Alaska National Interest Lands of these admirably. ment, including bag limits for waterfowl Conservation Act (ANILCA; 1980). hunters. In addition, the information is ANILCA, which established new refuges Christian P. Dau, U.S. Fish and used in resource planning and in agency and other conservation units, is an impor- Wildlife Service, Anchorage, is among responses to development proposals. Fur- tant hallmark of his career. The author’s the waterfowl biologists whom Jim King ther, the surveys eventually influenced experiences impress on the reader how has mentored.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 81 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013

Regional Reports summarize current and recent seabird work of interest to PSG members. Regional Reports generally are organized by location of the work, not by affiliation of the biologist. They should not be cited without permission of the researchers. Please note that these reports refer to work through September 2013; subsequent work will be reported in Pacific Seabirds 41.

ALASKA of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). concurrently on physical and biological Compiled by Adrian Gall In 2013 they placed observers on six arc- oceanography, benthic ecology, fisher- tic research cruises; they lost a seventh ies, contaminants, marine mammals, All Alaska and Arctic Ocean cruise due to the government shutdown. and seabirds 60–100 nm (110–185 km) Heather Renner and Marc Ro- The 2013 observers were Raymond offshore from the village of Wainwright. mano (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Buskirk, Terry Doyle, Kathy Kuletz, The first round of papers from this study [USFWS], Alaska Maritime National Liz Labunski, Catherine Pham, Pat was published in a special issue of Con- Wildlife Refuge [AMNWR]) worked Pourchot, Martin Reedy, Martin tinental Shelf Research (No. 67) in 2013. with many partners on a status as- Renner, Declan Troy, Charlie Wright, This study is funded jointly by Cono- sessment for Aleutian Terns (Sterna and Tamara Zeller. Data from all the coPhillips, Shell E&P, and Statoil. More aleutica), a population that appears to at-sea surveys will be archived in the information is available at the project have declined by 80% in recent de- North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database. website http://www.chukchiscience.org cades. Twenty-three colonies statewide Results of the USFWS Arctic sur- Adrian Gall made a pit stop at the were opportunistically surveyed in veys are being contributed to two syn- Alak School in Wainwright on her way 2013, using a standardized protocol. thesis efforts. The first effort integrates out to the ship, to participate in a Marine Science Day. Representatives from each In 2013 Falk Huettmann (Eco- the seabird data with three other com- discipline involved in CSESP set up sta- logical Wildlife Habitat Analysis of the ponents of the BOEM-funded Synthesis tions in the gym to introduce students Land and SeascapE [EWHALE] lab, of Arctic Research (SOAR), led by Sue from grades K–12 to the wonders of ben- University of Alaska Fairbanks [UAF]) Moore (National Oceanic and Atmo- thic marine animals, zooplankton, marine and his collaborators worked on an spheric Administration). For one of the mammal acoustics, physical oceanogra- Arctic Shipping assessment, based on SOAR projects, Kathy and Liz teamed phy, and of course seabirds. Adrian took the predicted distributions of 27 seabird with Brendan Hurley (George Mason some inspiration from materials that the species for the entire Arctic. The findings Adrian Gall University), (ABR, Inc.– Seabird Youth Network has available on show that the Arctic, specifically the shelf Environmental Research and Services their website (www.seabirdyouth.org) region, is already highly overcommitted, [ABR]), Bob Day (ABR), and others to develop her station activities. When and that many essential shipping regions to examine seabird distribution in the in doubt, always pack along your study overlap with seabird and colony hotspots. Chukchi Sea. The second synthesis effort skins. The comparison of the kittiwake UAF is now transitioning into is the Pacific Marine Arctic Research and murre-on-a-stick was a huge hit. DSpace (www.dspace.org) as their institu- Synthesis (PacMARS), led by Jackie Don Dragoo, Heather Renner, and tional data repository, and the EWHALE Grebmeier (Chesapeake Biological Greg Thomson (AMNWR) collected lab plans to make their data available Laboratory) and funded by NPRB. data on populations of Common Murres through this repository for public ac- Adrian Gall and Bob Day (ABR) (Uria aalge) and Thick-billed Murres cess and download (stay tuned!). (For completed the sixth field season of (Uria lomvia), and populations and Falk’s work in the Atlantic and Antarctic, boat-based seabird surveys in the north- productivity of Black-legged Kittiwakes see regional reports for those areas.) eastern Chukchi Sea in 2013. The crew (Rissa tridactyla) at Cape Lisburne. included Adrian, Kristen Gorman, Beaufort and Chukchi seas Corey Grinnell, John Rose, and Peter Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Kathy Kuletz and Liz Labunski Sanzenbacher. It was a challenging Annual seabird monitoring at St. (USFWS) completed the final year of field season, with lots of persistent ice George and St. Paul islands was led by a 4-year pelagic seabird survey in the and very few birds to entertain the ob- Marc Romano, with summer-long field Beaufort, Chukchi, and north Bering servers. These surveys are part of the crews consisting of Greg Thomson, seas. The work is part of the Seabird Chukchi Sea Environmental Studies Leslie Slater, and Andy Ganick (St. Distribution in the Offshore Envi- Program (CSESP), an interdisciplinary Paul), and Matt Klostermann, Mal- ronment project, funded by the Bureau oceanographic study that collects data lory St. Pierre, and Naira de Gracia

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 82 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 83 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Alaska

(St. George). Both crews collected surveys funded by USFWS were con- several species including Northern data on a variety of species including ducted between April and October in the Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), Black- Red-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa bre- Aleutian Islands. Kathy also continued legged Kittiwake, Glaucous-winged virostris), Black-legged Kittiwakes, working with others on publications Gull (Larus glaucescens), Common Least Auklets (Aethia pusilla), Com- based on research conducted as part and Thick-billed murres, Rhinoceros mon Murres, and Thick-billed Murres. of the Bering Sea Ecosystem Project (Cerorhinca monocerata) and Parakeet Rachael Orben has completed her (field work conducted in 2008–2010). auklets, and Horned and Tufted puffins field work on the winter distribution Ian Jones (Memorial University, St. (Fratercula corniculata and F. cirrhata). and ecology of Black-legged Kittiwakes John’s, Newfoundland) led geolocation At East Amatuli Island in the Barren Red-legged Kittiwakes, and Thick-billed studies on Whiskered, Crested and Para- Islands, Arthur Kettle (AMNWR), Se- Murres that breed in the southeastern keet auklet (Aethia pygmaea, A. cristatel- rina Brady, Sonia Kumar, and Charlie Bering Sea. Her thesis work is part of a la, A. psittacula) at Buldir Island. His Ylijoki monitored reproductive success, large project funded by North Pacific Re- team included graduate students Carley prey, and population trends of Fork-tailed search Board (NPRB) that is spearheaded Schacter and Katherine Robbins, along Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma furcata), by Dave Irons (USFWS) and Dan with assistants Chelsey Stephenson and Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common and Roby (US Geological Survey [USGS] Mark Dodds. Heather Major (Univer- Thick-billed Murres, and Tufted Puffins. and Oregon State University [OSU]). sity of New Brunswick) and Ian con- A crew of AMNWR staff (Leslie Ann Harding (Auk Ecological Con- ducted additional auklet investigations Slater, John Warzybok, and Peter sulting) has been working on a seabird- on Gareloi Island, together and indepen- Dunlevy) briefly visited Sud Island focused educational outreach program dently, with assistance from Katy Gibbs. in the Barrens group, as a follow-up on the Pribilof Islands. The Seabird Robb Kaler and Leah Ken- to hoary marmot (Marmota caligata) Youth Network is a partnership between ney (USFWS) continued monitor- eradication efforts conducted in 2011. the Pribilof School District, St. George ing of Kittlitz’s Murrelet (Brachyr- In addition to looking for sign of mar- Traditional Council, St. Paul Tribal amphus brevirostris) at Adak Island. mot presence, the crew examined areas Government, the St. George Institute, Coral Wolf and Stacey Buck- used previously by nesting Rhinoceros and the wider scientific community. The Auklets to look for current activity, and elew (Island Conservation) led a crew Network held summer camps on both they re-photographed vegetation plots of 7 people in the 5th year of post- St. George and St. Paul, where students established prior to marmot work. Leslie rat-eradication monitoring on Rat Is- learned about seabirds through hands-on also assisted with outreach efforts with land, which has now been renamed experience and active data collection. Girl Scouts by teaching identification and Hawadax Island. Some species con- Collaborators included AMNWR, and counting techniques of ledge-nesting sea- tinue to show increases in abundance, scientists from UAF and the University birds on 60-foot Rock (Kachemak Bay) now that rats have been eliminated. of Alaska Anchorage. For more details and Gull Island (western Cook Inlet). Jeff Williams, and Gary Drew on the program, please visit the project John Maniscalco and Sadie Ulman (USGS) led an interdisciplinary team website and blog www.seabirdyouth.org (Alaska SeaLife Center) deployed five of researchers investigating ecosys- Ed Weiss (Alaska Department of time-lapse cameras on Barwell Island tem recovery at Kasatochi Island. Fish and Game) managed the monitor- in Resurrection Bay to record repro- ing of Black-legged Kittiwake, Common The volcanic island erupted on 7 Au- ductive success of Common Murres. Murre, and Pelagic Cormorant (Phala- gust 2008 and destroyed habitat for Laura Phillips and Elisa Weiss crocorax pelagicus) populations and hundreds of thousands of seabirds. (Kenai Fjords National Park [KEFJ]); productivity at Round Island, Alaska, John Piatt (USGS) led a crew Jennifer Curl and Christine Hunter within the Walrus Islands State Game of many, collecting Tufted Puf- (UAF, Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Sanctuary. The field crew, including fin (Fratercula cirrhata) diet sam- Unit); and Leslie Slater completed the Ryan Morrill and Ben Histand, collect- ples in the western Aleutian Islands. last year of a 3-year collaborative study. ed data during 15 May–15 August 2013. Efforts focused on a comparing survey Kathy Kuletz and Liz Labunski Gulf of Alaska methods and identifying factors that completed the final year of a 4-year Nora Rojek (USFWS) coordi- affect those methods; results will shape pelagic seabird survey in the Beaufort, nated long-term seabird demography the development of a long-term moni- Chukchi, and north Bering seas, as monitoring for AMNWR at Chowiet toring plan for ledge-nesting seabirds. Island, Semidis group, off the south- part of the Seabird Distribution in the In particular, Glaucous-winged Gulls east coast of the Alaska Peninsula. The Offshore Environment project (see the were used to test survey methods for summer field crew, Matthew Hen- Beaufort and Chukchi section, above). abundance estimation, which included schen and Brette Soucie, worked with Among other locations, eight at-sea boat-based observer counts, boat-based

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 82 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 83 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Alaska photographs, and photographs from a he- nounced change in the marine regime of Alexis Will completed the fi- licopter at multiple colonies within KEFJ the region, which began around 2008. nal season of data collection for her and AMNWR. In addition, six time-lapse Marty Reedy, John Warzybok, graduate work at UAF, with fund- cameras were deployed throughout Andy Ganick, and Terry Doyle (US- ing from NPRB, as part of the Gulf of the breeding season to examine nest- FWS) participated in GOAIERP cruises Alaska Integrated Ecosystem Research attendance patterns and detection prob- to record seabirds and marine mammals, Program (GOAIERP). She is studying abilities during surveys for this species. following an established grid of transects Rhinoceros Auklets on St. Lazaria, pri- Historical plots at Black-legged Kitti- in the eastern and western Gulf of Alaska. marily to learn about adult foraging lo- wake colonies in AMNWR, which were Alan Burger (University of Vic- cations during the breeding season. established during studies of the 1989 toria [UVIC], British Columbia) and Sadie Youngstrom (Alaska Exxon Valdez oil spill, were also counted his former grad student Jenna Cragg Department of Fish and Game) checked and photographed. Finally, a study of the (UVIC) completed a study of Marbled artificial burrows at Lowrie Island distribution of colonial seabird species (Brachyramphus marmoratus) and Kit- to get a gross estimate of productiv- using passive acoustics (Song Meter, tlitz’s murrelets on Kodiak Island, Alaska ity of species known to use the bur- Wildlife Acoustics Inc.) continued for and are preparing papers for publication. rows. Species included Fork-tailed seabirds in Kenai Fjords that are difficult and Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Ancient to detect through visual surveys, such as Southeast Alaska Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus), nocturnal, burrow-nesting Rhinoceros Tim Marcella (MS candidate, and Cassin’s Auklet (Ptychoramphus Auklets and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels. OSU), in collaboration with Daniel aleuticus). Scott Hatch of the Institute for Sea- Roby (U.S. Geological Survey and OSU) Jessi Hallman Behnke (Pacific bird Research and Conservation (ISRC) and Scott Gende (National Park Ser- Rim Conservation, Honolulu, HI) is in coordinated long-term studies of seabird vice), are continuing to analyze and sum- the final stages of writing up the results breeding ecology, life histories, and for- marize results from a 2011–2012 study of her master’s research in collabora- aging behavior on Middleton Island. In that investigated cruise ship disturbance tion with Marjorie Brooks (Southern partnership with David Irons (USFWS, to Kittlitz’s Murrelets in Glacier Bay Na- Illinois University Carbondale) and Eric Office of Migratory Bird Management), tional Park. Tim expects to complete his Anderson (Simon Fraser University). three volunteers (Jennifer Aragon, degree requirements in early 2014, with She is investigating inorganic contami- Erica Lander, and Alan Nowlin) partic- publications to follow shortly thereafter. nants in Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspi- ipated in data collection. Other collabora- The 2013 seabird monitoring cillata) and White-winged Scoters (M. tors included: Kyle Elliott (Ph.D. candi- crew at St. Lazaria Island consisted fusca) in Southeast Alaska and in Puget date, University of Manitoba); Thomas of Amanda Millay, Vanessa Cur- Sound–Georgia Basin. Merkling (PhD candidate), Sarah ran, Rebecca Mostow, Nora Rojek, Leclaire (Post-doctoral associate), and and Leslie Slater (AMNWR), with two field assistants (Anika Immer and assistance from Alexis Will (UAF). Julie Grousseau) from Université Paul Data were collected for the following: WASHINGTON AND Sabatier (Toulouse, France); and Profes- OREGON sor Sasha Kitaysky and PhD student • Population trends: Fork-tailed and Compiled by Peter Hodum Alexis Will (UAF). Lorraine Chivers Leach’s (O. leucorhoa) Storm-Pe- (Queen’s University, Belfast, Ireland) trels; Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacro- Colonies—Washington supervised ongoing studies of birds nest- corax pelagicus), Glaucous-winged Scott Pearson (Washington Depart- ing on and off the Middleton tower, and Gull, Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus ment of Fish and Wildlife [WDFW]) con- (with Kyle Elliott) conducted detailed columba), Common and Thick- tinued a long-term study of reproductive research of known-aged Black-legged billed Murres, Rhinoceros Auklet, success patterns and diet of Rhinoceros Kittiwakes. Her study included offshore Tufted Puffin Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) in foraging (GPS tracking and accelerom- • Annual productivity: Fork-tailed Washington (WA). His collaborators etry) and parental behavior. Scott and and Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Pelagic include Tom Good (National Oceano- Martha Hatch renovated buildings and Cormorant, Glaucous-winged Gull, graphic ad Atmospheric Administration constructed new seabird nesting habitats. Common and Thick-billed Murres, [NOAA], Northwest Fisheries Science Cold water continued to prevail at sea in Rhinoceros Auklet, Tufted Puffin Center [NWFSC]) and Peter Hodum 2013; associated with this, availability of • Chick growth: Fork-tailed and Leach’s (University of Puget Sound [UPS] and capelin (Mallotus villosus) to kittiwakes Storm-Petrels, Rhinoceros Auklet Oikonos). Study colonies are Protec- was high, as was their consumption of the • Diet sampling: Fork-tailed and tion Island (eighth year), Destruction fish. The species’ breeding performance Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Glaucous- Island (sixth year) and Smith Island was very good. All this reflected a pro- winged Gull, Rhinoceros Auklet. (second year). As in previous years,

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 84 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 85 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Washington and Oregon

diet on Protection Island was domi- are currently counting birds in digital tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) ac- nated by Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes photos via a GIS geospatial database. tivity in a Rhinoceros Auklet colony on hexapterus). The Destruction Island Sue Thomas and Lee Robinson Protection Island. The objectives of this diet was comprised predominantly of (retired, USFWS) completed the third study were to assess how frequently deer northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) and final year of a breeding success use seabird nesting habitat during the but showed higher diversity than on study of Pigeon Guillemots nesting in auklet breeding season, and how much Protection Island. Preliminary analyses natural cavities on Protection Island in damage the deer cause. The island sup- of burrow occupancy and fledging suc- 2013. This project follows methodology ports the third-largest Rhinoceros Auklet cess suggest that both parameters were established by Lee in a long-term study nesting colony in North America, with comparable to previous years on both of breeding success in nest boxes on approximately 71,000 auklets (Pearson Protection and Destruction islands. the island. The information will assist et al, Condor 115(2): 356-365, 2013). Undergraduate research students Refuge staff in managing and protecting In addition, a high-density herd of in Peter Hodum’s lab at UPS, in col- breeding habitat for this species on Pro- black-tailed deer (124 deer/mi2; 47.9/ laboration with Oikonos, initiated a tection Island NWR. This is particularly km2) are browsing and bedding down in population monitoring program for relevant due to plans for restoration of auklet burrow nesting habitat. A study Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba) vegetation in adjacent habitats. In addi- conducted in 2010 (Balbag 2011, unpubl. in the Tacoma area during the sum- tion, Sue Thomas and Lorenz Sollmann senior thesis, University of Puget Sound) mer of 2013. They mapped breeding conducted an island-wide guillemot sur- and 2012 (WMNWRC, unpubl. data) colonies, determined reproductive suc- vey to determine abundance and distribu- documented damage to auklet burrows. cess, and evaluated diet composition. tion of breeding and nonbreeding Pigeon However, there was no temporal aspect Sue Thomas and Lorenz Sollmann Guillemot on Protection Island, follow- to the previous studies, so we could (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [US- ing survey methodology established by not quantify damage during the auklet FWS], Washington Maritime National Evenson et al 2004 (Proceedings of the breeding season. Frequency of deer use Wildlife Refuge Complex [WMNWRC]) 2003 Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Re- was determined using remote infrared conducted a 4-hour aerial seabird colony search Conference). Breeding phenology cameras to monitor thirty 5x10-meter survey of 27 islands within Flattery appears to have been 1–2 weeks early; plots, which were randomly selected Rocks, Quillayute Needles, and Copalis therefore the second year of burrow throughout the auklet colony, for two National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) counts was rescheduled to 2014 due to months each. Damage was determined on 2 July 2013. Species surveyed in- previous staffing commitments. The goal by a thorough assessment of burrow cluded Common Murre (Uria aalge); of these two surveys is to assess distribu- conditions before and after monitor- Double-crested, Brandt’s, and Pelagic tion and abundance of active guillemot ing in a subset of 19 5x10-meter plots. Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus, nests island-wide, and to determine the Results will provide baseline data for P. penicillatus, and P. pelagicus); and proportion of nonbreeding birds using the development of a deer management Glaucous-winged, Western and hybrid the island during the breeding season. plan for protecting seabird nesting habi- Gulls (Larus glaucescens, L. occidenta- Sue Thomas, Lorenz Sollmann, tat on Protection Island. Results are not lis, and L. glaucescens X occidentalis). and Phil Green (The Nature Conser- yet analyzed, but preliminary results This survey is part of a larger effort to vancy) conducted surveys of breeding suggest that approximately 25% or provide a population index for seabird seabirds on the San Juan Islands NWR more of burrows in all plots were dam- colonies along the U.S. Pacific Coast. on 8–9 July 2013. This long-term moni- aged during the 2013 breeding season. The same survey methodology is fol- toring project began in 1975 to assess Sue Thomas teamed up with lowed along the coast of Oregon (OR) species richness and relative abundance NOAA’s Ed Bowlby to test the use of and in California (CA). Colonies were of breeding birds, including Pelagic Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) surveyed from a 206 B3 Bell helicopter and Double-crested Cormorants and [i.e., drones] for use in monitoring at 700 to 1000 feet above ground level Glaucous-winged Gulls. Each island seabird colonies within Flattery Rocks, (AGL). The helicopter circled each island within the Refuge is circumnavigated Quillayute Needles and Copalis NWRs or headland until staff captured images once at 2–5 knots from roughly 200 along the outer coast of WA. Objectives of all surfaces where nesting seabirds yards (183 m) offshore, depending on included (1) determine the degree of might be observed. Common Murres currents and obstructions. All adults disturbance to wildlife caused by the were nesting on Erin and Erin’s Bride, of any species, as well as chicks and UAS, and (2) evaluate the quality of North Rock, Huntington, Cakesosta, occupied seabird nests, are counted. video and still frame footage from two Table, and an unnamed island in the Sue Thomas, Lorenz Sollmann, types of UAS. The vehicles were a northern section of Quillayute Needles; and Brian Root (USFWS, Inventory and fixed-wing airplane (Puma) and a small also on Jagged, Carroll Island and Pil- Monitoring Program) recently completed helicopter (Quadracopter Md4-1000). lar, White Rock, and West Bodelteh. We an assessment of the impacts of Black- Optics on the Quadracopter provide

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 84 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 85 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Washington and Oregon higher video quality with a 24-mega- impossible to count birds on a colony analysis; however, the initial data review pixel camera, while the Puma carries using still frame or video footage from indicates 80 to 90 puffins appeared to a 5-megapixel camera. The units were the Puma. have nested. We also documented many tested during the last two weeks of June negative interactions with gulls and around 15 islands with seabird colonies. Colonies—Oregon disturbances by eagles, as well as inter- Because the Quadracopter has a restrict- Shawn W. Stephensen and David esting social behaviors between puffins. ed range (< 0.5 mi) and launch location B. Ledig of the Oregon Coast National In response to documented mamma- (land only), as well as being unstable in Wildlife Refuge Complex (OCNWRC) lian predation on some near-shore island moderate winds, the Quadracopter was conducted an aerial seabird colony sur- seabird colonies along the southern OR flown for only 1.5 hours. The Puma was vey that included the entire OR coast on coast, David Ledig and Bill Bridgeland operated for 11.5 hours and therefore 3–4 June 2013. The aircraft used was (OCNWRC) have been monitoring pred- became the primary unit tested in this a Bell Jet Ranger III helicopter operator activity and seabird response for sev- study. ated by Mike Nehring of Northwest eral years. In 2012, the existing monitor- Seabird response to the Puma was Helicopters (Olympia, WA). Total flight ing program was intensified on selected minimal, with a few mild alert behav- time was approximately 10 hours. All colonies based on their vulnerability to iors observed in cormorants and murres Common Murre, Brandt’s, Pelagic, visitation by mainland meso-carnivores at the lowest level of flight (200 feet or and Double-Crested Cormorant colo- (i.e., proximity to the mainland), and 61 m AGL). More often, seabirds were nies were photographed using digital their known history of predator pres- observed landing on the island while cameras, and birds were counted on the ence and activity. Our objectives were the Puma was flying around it. Overall, images utilizing geographic informa- to document predator species, timing of a similar response was noted in seabirds tion system (GIS) computer software. activity, and seabird response, to inform to the Quadracopter. Species observed Thousands of digital images were management response to predator dam- include Brandt’s, Pelagic and Double- organized and archived for future refer- age. Our strategy included regular field crested Cormorant, Common Murre; ence. Colony attendance by murres was surveys to document changes in surface- Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata), slightly depressed compared to previous nesting seabird colony configurations Western, Glaucous-winged and hybrid years; however, they returned to nest at (which might indicate disturbance); gulls; Pigeon Guillemot, Brown Pelican several historical colony sites that had predator sign on the adjacent mainland (Pelecanus occidentalis), Common not been attended in the last ten years. intertidal areas; and inspections on each Loon (Gavia immer), and Black Tim Halloran (USFWS volunteer) island, when these could be done without Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani). and Shawn W. Stephensen conducted disturbing the nesting birds. In addition, No Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus a status assessment of the Tufted Puffin we installed 16 trail cameras on five marmoratus) were observed prior to population at Haystack Rock, which is islands to photograph seabirds or preda- launch or during UAS flight. Marine in the Oregon Islands National Wildlife tor access trails. Cameras at colonies mammals showed similar responses. Refuge. The project also included a were equipped with external batteries A raft of 75 sea otters (Enhydra lutris) pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of and set to take photos every minute for showed no signs of disturbance from monitoring additional reproductive pa- either 12 hours (dusk to dawn), or 24 the Puma flown as low as 350 feet AGL. rameters at the island, such as breeding hours per day, for the majority of the Marine mammals observed during test phenology, from shore-based vantage breeding season. The cameras were not flights include sea otter, Steller’s sea lion points. The number of Tufted Puffins accessible for us to download photos (Eumetopias jubatus), California sea present at Haystack Rock was document- until the birds had completed nesting. lion (Zalophus californianus) and har- ed in 4 consecutive years ( 2010-2013) Other cameras directed at predator ac- bor seal (Phoca vitulina). These results by conducting instantaneous counts of cess trails were programmed for motion- are in agreement with those from test birds on the land, water, and in the air detection photography, and memory flights in the Channel Islands National at 15-minute intervals. The daily mean cards and batteries were retrieved peri- Marine Sanctuary and National Park counts were 42, 33, and 13 birds dur- odically throughout the breeding season. (CA) in 2012. ing 2010, 2011, and 2012 respectively. Results to date include photographs Due to bandwidth limitations in Burrow occupancy was determined and that document raccoon (Procyon lo- the downlink, video and still frame the annual breeding population estimate tor), river otter (Lontra canadensis), shots from the Puma were compressed was calculated based on the number of and mink (Neovison vison), or some down from the original resolution. viable occupied burrows. We estimated combination of those species, on three Furthermore, additional image quality the Tufted Puffin breeding population of the five islands we monitored. On one was lost while converting to a format (individual birds) at Haystack Rock to island where raccoon predation appeared suitable for post-processing. As a result, be 127 in 2010, 97 in 2011, and 74 in to result in abandonment of a Common the image quality was so low that it was 2012. We have not completed 2013 data Murre and Brandt’s Cormorant colony

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 86 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 87 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Washington and Oregon

in 2012, both seabird species returned in 54–77% respectively). Hatching phenol- Smith River could not be surveyed. Cape greater numbers in 2013, and they suc- ogy in 2013 was slightly later than 2012 Elizabeth north to Tunnel Island was not cessfully fledged young this year. Rac- (the 2013 median hatch date was 4 July), surveyed because of insufficient daylight. coons and mink were still documented but not as late as in previous years. While We included all bays, rocks, reefs, is- on the island but did not cause significant murres may have experienced subopti- lands, coastal beaches, and waters up disturbance to the birds. On two other mal foraging conditions at times during to 0.5 mile (0.8 km) offshore that were islands that had nesting Leach’s Storm- 2013, the greatest reproductive loss not shrouded in fog. The aircraft used Petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), rac- this year can be attributed to increased was a fixed-wing Cessna 185, operated coons and river otters preyed upon adult disturbance by Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus by USFWS pilot Charles (Corky) W. birds and nests, but it is unclear whether leucocephalus). Initial disturbance by Roberts (Office of Law Enforcement, there was a significant impact on the eagles (i.e., during murre incubation) Burbank, WA). Survey flight altitude colonies. Analyses of the hundreds of was moderate in 2013. However, eagle ranged from 60 to 245 m AGL, and thousands of photographs produced by disturbance increased through murre aircraft speed ranged from 145 to 210 the cameras are not complete, but it is chick-rearing. Furthermore, it concen- km/h. A GPS recorded the flight track clear that cameras can provide consider- trated on a previously unaffected area of the aircraft throughout the entire sur- able insight into the source, chronology, of the colony, likely contributing to vey. A total of 7,018 individual pelicans and intensity of predator disturbance to the total failure of nests in those plots. was counted in 2013; counts conducted Unlike 2012, when Brown Pelicans nesting seabirds. We intend to continue between 2001 and 2012 resulted in a (Pelecanus occidentalis) caused 39% camera surveillance and timely preda- range of 6,664 to 18,769 (Figure 1). of all disturbances, pelicans were not an tor control on these colonies next year. Deborah Jaques (Pacific Eco Logic) and important cause of disturbances in 2013. A new study to develop non-inva- volunteer boat operator Curt Clumpner Rob Suryan’s additional re- sive methods to monitor burrow-nesting conducted a boat-based pelican survey search on Short-tailed Albatrosses seabirds will evaluate acoustic recorders of East Sand Island, Columbia River (Phoebastria albatrus) Asia is de- and remote cameras, and will compare scribed in that regional report. estuary, on the same day as the USFWS new indices for determining burrow aerial survey. Jaques estimated a total Dan occupancy. Collaborators include Brown Pelicans of 2455 pelicans; USFWS estimated Roby (Oregon State University [OSU] In several past years, a few pelicans 2360. East Sand Island continues to be and US Geological Survey–Oregon on East Sand Island have been observed the site of the largest congregation of Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research practicing breeding behavior (courtship, pelicans during summer on the OR coast. Unit [OCFWRU]); Rob Suryan (OSU, nest construction, and nest attendance) Hatfield Marine Science Station); and on East Sand Island. This year, in early Terns, cormorants, and fish on the Roberta Swift (USFWS, Migratory Bird July, three pairs of pelicans were ob- Columbia River and Habitat Programs [MBHP]). Funding served to be fastidiously attending nests Researchers from OSU, ORCF- will come through the USGS–USFWS in beach grass adjacent to the Caspian WRU, Real Time Research, Inc. (RTR), Science Support Partnership. This proj- Tern colony. It was later confirmed that and other cooperators continued studying ect will commence in 2014 with support these nests contained eggs. This is be- interactions between seabirds and forage from Roy Lowe, Shawn Stephensen, lieved to be the northernmost documen- fish in the Pacific Northwest in 2013. and Bill Bridgeland (OCNWRC). tation of breeding (egg-laying) by Cali- This year, research was conducted on Rob Suryan, Amanda Gladics, fornia Brown Pelicans. Unfortunately, East Sand Island in the Columbia River Cheryl Horton, Amelia O’Connor, all nests were abandoned by the end of estuary, where large breeding colonies Jessica Porquez, (OSU), and Stephanie July, prior to any eggs hatching. (Observ- of Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia) Loredo (Environment for the Americas ers of pelicans at East Sand Island were and Double-crested Cormorants reside, intern) conducted studies of Common those listed in the following section.) and also on colonies of Caspian Terns, Murres at the Yaquina Head colony in USFWS biologists Shawn W. Ste- Double-crested Cormorants, American Newport, OR. This is the seventh consec- phensen and Michael J. Szumski con- White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythro- utive year of collaborative studies at this ducted a coastal aerial survey of Califor- rhynchos), and several gull species site among OSU, Bureau of Land Man- nia Brown Pelicans on 12–13 September (Larus spp.) located throughout the agement, and USFWS. Reproductive 2013. The 2013 survey area was from region. Investigations into the effects success for murres (fledglings per eggs Mack Arch, OR, to Cape Elizabeth, WA. of avian predation on survival of ju- laid) was low again in 2013 (24%), as in The proposed survey extent was from venile salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.) 2012 (27%). Reproductive success for Smith River, Del Norte County, north- in the Columbia River basin were a the last three years (2011–2013) has been ern CA, to Tunnel Island, Grays Harbor continuing emphasis of this research. greatly reduced compared to the previ- County, central WA. However, due to fog In 2013, the U.S. Army Corps of ous four years (2007–2010; 22–27% and and poor visibility, Mack Arch south to Engineers (USACE) maintained 0.6

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 86 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 87 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Washington and Oregon hectares (1.5 acres) of suitable Caspian (eastern WA) using remotely down- ductivity continued to be low and variable Tern nesting habitat on East Sand Island, loadable Global Positioning System among these five sites, however, ranging approximately the same area that was (GPS) transmitters. Previously we from 0 to 0.37 fledglings/breeding pair. available in 2012. Peak colony size was knew that individuals from this colony The Draft Environmental Impact preliminarily estimated at approximately sometimes travel to the middle Co- Statement (DEIS) on “Double-crested 7,400 pairs, up from the 2012 estimate lumbia River (> 30 km away), where Cormorant Management to Reduce of 6,400 pairs. In addition to an appar- they consume juvenile salmonids dur- Predation of Juvenile Salmonids in the ent increase in the colony population, ing the fishes’ migration to the ocean, Columbia River Estuary” was released terns were more resilient to disturbance based on recovery of salmonid tags for public review June 19, 2014. The by Bald Eagles and depredation of eggs at the colony. GPS-tracking results in DEIS was written by USACE and co- and chicks by Glaucous-winged and 2013 indicated that at least two-thirds operating agencies (WDFW, ODFW, Western Gulls. Productivity estimates of the tagged terns traveled to the Co- USFWS, US Department of Agriculture- are pending. However, it is apparent that lumbia River or its major tributary, the Wildlife Services). The comment period productivity was greater than seen during Snake River. This finding documents closes August 4. More information can 2010–2012, although it did not approach the largest foraging range ever observed be found on the project website: http:// levels seen in the early 2000s. Amaz- in breeding Caspian Terns (≥ 93 km). www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/ ingly, adult terns were fledging chicks Ongoing implementation of the Currentprojects/CormorantEIS.aspx. into the first week of October 2013. Caspian Tern Management Plan con- Studies were initiated in 2011 to test tinued in 2013. USACE has recently Pelagic studies strategies for limiting the extent of the constructed six islands to attract Caspian At the mouth of the Columbia Double-crested Cormorant colony on Terns away from the Columbia Basin. River, Don Lyons (OSU) and Dan Roby East Sand Island; this work continued Five of these sites were used by breeding (OCFWRU) initiated a pilot study to in 2013. Privacy fencing was used to Caspian Terns in 2013, including islands investigate the use of diving waterbirds define an area for cormorant nesting, in Sheepy Lake, Lower Klamath NWR to collect physical oceanographic data. with human hazing to prevent cormorants (CA); Tule Lake, Tule Lake NWR (CA); Adam Peck-Richardson (OSU) led nesting outside that area. In 2013, the Crump Lake in the Warner Valley (OR); the fieldwork, which involved tagging amount of area available to cormorants East Link Impoundment in Summer Brandt’s Cormorants with GPS tags was reduced from 4.5 ha (11 ac) in 2012 Lake Wildlife Area (OR); and Malheur having integrated depth and pressure to 1.5 ha (3.8 ac), and the location of the Lake, Malheur NWR (OR). (One island sensors. Preliminary depth estimates for cormorant site was moved adjacent to at Summer Lake was not used in 2013.) geolocated bottom dives by cormorants the 2012 nesting area. The 1.5 hectares A total of over 1,100 breeding pairs correlated well with high-resolution ba- of habitat made available to cormorants of Caspian Terns nested at these restora- thymetry data derived from sonar. This in 2013 was modestly larger than the area tion sites in 2013, an increase of 50% over suggests that diving waterbirds may be they had actually used in recent years 2012, the previous most active year. Pro- able to collect bathymetry data in areas (1.0–1.2 ha during 2005–2012 [2.5–3.1 ac]). Despite the shift in nesting location and reduction in available habitat, the peak size of the Double-crested Cor- morant colony on East Sand Island was tentatively estimated to be ca. 15,000 breeding pairs, the largest estimate of colony size ever recorded at this site. Productivity estimates are also pending for cormorants, but preliminary analyses suggest chick survival was within the historical range for this colony. Brandt’s Cormorants continued to nest amongst Double-crested Cormorants at East Sand Island; our preliminary estimate of the peak colony size for Brandt’s Cormorant is over 1,000 pairs, similar to 2011–2012. In 2013, we examined the foraging ecology of Caspian Terns nesting Figure 1. Number of California brown pelicans counted during 2001 to 2013 on at Goose Island, in Potholes Reservoir the Oregon and Washington coast.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 88 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 89 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Washington and Oregon

that are difficult to access, or under by Craig Strong (Crescent Coastal Re- that smaller vessels use streamer lines hydrologic conditions where traditional search). Other contributors to the moni- voluntarily. To jumpstart West Coast sampling equipment is difficult to oper- toring program included Marty Raphael bycatch avoidance and promote volun- ate safely or successfully. Jim Lerczak and Tom Bloxton (U.S. Forest Service tary use of seabird bycatch mitigation (OSU’s College of Earth, Ocean, and [USFS]–Pacific Northwest Research measures on smaller vessels, the team Atmospheric Sciences) was an important Station [PNW], Olympia, WA), Sherri continues to work with NMFS to provide collaborator on the project, which was Miller, C.J. Ralph and Jim Baldwin streamer lines to the tribal and non-tribal funded by the Office of Naval Research. (USFS–Pacific Southwest Research Sta- West Coast fleet at no charge. Over 250 Rob Suryan, Jessica Porquez, tion, Berkeley, CA), Kim Nelson (OSU), streamers have been distributed from Amelia O’Connor, and Amanda Andrew Shirk (PNW), Deanna Lynch Northern CA through WA since 2009. Gladics (OSU) began regular vessel- (USFWS, Lacey, WA), and Rich Young Ed Melvin participated in the based surveys of the marine bird com- (USFWS, Portland, OR). Many seasonal May 2012 meeting of the Agreement munity along the Newport Hydro- technicians made the population surveys on the Conservation of Albatrosses graphic line and at a proposed marine possible. Gary Falxa (USFWS, Arcata, and Petrels, Seabird Bycatch Working energy-testing facility off Newport. CA) coordinates the program. Prelimi- Group, held in La Rochelle, France. He Elizabeth Phillips is a PhD student nary results were recently presented at chaired the pelagic longline and gill- in the Fisheries Acoustics Research lab the workshop, “Predators and California net mitigation sessions of the working at the School of Aquatic and Fishery Current Preyscape”, hosted by Point group. He plans to work with BirdLife Sciences, University of Washington Blue Conservation Science. Reports International and other collaborators (UW). She is examining the influence with results of habitat and population to provide training on seabird bycatch of river plumes on seabird-forage fish monitoring are available at: http://www. avoidance to the Asian longline fleets interactions, with a focus on the two reo.gov/monitoring/mm-overview.shtml. in Taiwan and Korea in the fall of 2013, dominant seabirds in the northern Cali- and he continues to collaborate with fornia Current System: Sooty Shearwater Seabird-fisheries interactions Japanese scientists on seabird bycatch (Puffinus griseus) and Common Murre. Ed Melvin and Troy Guy, Wash- mitigation research in the North Pacific. She is working in collaboration with ington Sea Grant, and Rob Suryan and In December 2011, a Geographic Jen Zamon (NOAA–National Marine Amanda Gladics, OSU, continue to Information Systems (GIS) mapping Fisheries Service [NMFS]) and others at promote seabird conservation through project was initiated to examine whether NWFSC and the Southwest Fisheries Sci- research and outreach in CA, OR and there was a correlation between the ence Center, and Josh Adams (USGS). WA groundfish fisheries with fund- declining Marbled Murrelet population The Marbled Murrelet Effectiveness ing from NWFSC, National Fish and trends and increasing gillnet fishery land- Monitoring Program (MMEMP) aims to Wildlife Foundation, and the Packard ings in Puget Sound, WA. The first com- assess the status and trends of Marbled Foundation. They recruited vessels ponent of the GIS mapping project over- Murrelet populations and nesting habitat, to host research that aims to adapt laid Marbled Murrelet population densi- from the Canada–WA border to central streamer lines, developed and proven ties with fisheries catch effort by marine CA. The program has used boat-based effective in fisheries of Alaska (AK), to catch areas for commercial fisheries of transects in the coastal waters of this suit the longline vessels and varied fish- WA. Goals were to (1) examine seasonal area to monitor murrelets since 2000; ing gear of West Coast fisheries. With variations in foraging and fishing trends, other seabird species are also recorded. additional help from Joe Tyburczy, and (2) identify areas of concern where The goal is to estimate Marbled Murrelet California Sea Grant, they distributed increased fisheries and high murrelet populations and trends, and to evaluate seabird identification and life history densities coincided for 2001–2010. Over- the effectiveness of the Northwest For- information, and bycatch mitigation all results demonstrated that in areas of est Plan in conserving murrelets. Recent outreach materials in major fishing ports high Marbled Murrelet densities, lower efforts include development of statistical from Northern California to WA. This fishing effort occurred; conversely, in models to investigate the relative influ- was in response to the recent USFWS areas of low Marbled Murrelet densities, ences of amount and distribution of nest- Biological Opinion for West Coast higher fishing effort occurred. Efforts are ing habitat (older coniferous forest up to groundfish fisheries that establishes an currently underway to overlay and map 80 km inland) and ocean indicators of incidental take limit of two Short-tailed treaty-tribal fishing effort with Marbled foraging habitat on the status and trend Albatrosses over two years across West Murrelet densities, to see whether tribal of murrelet populations. MMEMP sur- Coast groundfish fisheries (trawl, pot, fishing effort is demonstrating the same veys in WA were led by Scott Pearson and longline). The opinion also calls trends. Cooperators include Gary Falxa and Monique Lance (WDFW) in Puget for the mandatory use of streamer lines and Martin Raphael, Deanna Lynch Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the WA on longline vessels over 55 ft (16 8 m) and Nancy Brennan-Dubbs (USFWS), coast. Surveys in OR and CA were led long, starting in 2014, and recommends William Beattie (Northwest Indian

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 88 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 89 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Washington and Oregon

Fisheries Commission), Kyle Adicks tion with Marjorie Brooks (Southern the western portions of OR, WA, and and Kendall Henry (WDFW), and Illinois University Carbondale) and British Columbia (www.pcjv.org). Lora Amilee Wilson and Barbara Seekins Eric Anderson (Simon Fraser Uni- is also on the advisory board of the Olym- (NMFS). This work is funded by NOAA. versity). She is investigating inorganic pic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Its completion is expected by 2015. contaminants in Surf Scoters (Melanitta Staff of FWS-MBHP (Portland, perspicillata) and White-winged Scoters OR) participated in meetings concerned Conservation—other (M. fusca) in the Puget Sound–Geor- with two proposed renewable energy Rob Suryan and collaborators at gia Basin and in Southeast Alaska. projects in OR: an offshore wave en- OSU and UW completed the first year ergy development near Newport, and of a project to design, test, and deploy Other studies and news a wind power project off Coos Bay. an integrated sensor array that will Michelle Kappes is an instructor MBHP staff provided technical as- continuously monitor interactions (in- and researcher in the Department of sistance regarding potential impacts to cluding impacts) of avian and bat spe- Fisheries and Wildlife at OSU, where migratory birds, particularly seabirds. cies with offshore wind turbines. They she has been teaching classes online and are developing a synchronized array on-campus, and is continuing research on of sensors, including accelerometers, albatrosses in collaboration with Robert contact microphones, visual and infrared Suryan at OSU and Gabrielle Nevitt NORTHERN CALIFORNIA spectrum cameras, and bioacoustic moni- at the University of California Davis. Compiled by Jessie Beck and tors. Custom-designed post-processing Undergraduate research students Hannah Nevins of data and statistical-based software in Peter Hodum’s lab at UPS, in col- will detect impacts from other distur- laboration with Oikonos, are analyzing Colony monitoring bances and trigger event recording. stable isotopes to characterize historical With a grant from the National Undergraduate research students and contemporary diets of Tufted Puf- Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in Peter Hodum’s lab at UPS, in col- fins, using museum specimens from the Pacific Seabird Program, Audubon fa- laboration with Oikonos, quantified Slater Museum of Natural History and cilitated the second year of survey work the frequency of occurrence and types the Burke Museum of Natural History for Ashy Storm-petrels (Oceanodroma of marine plastic debris present in the and Culture (University of Washington). homochroa) at Point Reyes National stomachs of forage fish species caught Julia Parrish, Jane Dolliver, Liz Seashore. Results suggest that Point by Rhinoceros Auklets during sum- Mack and Charlie Wright (UW) contin- Reyes, especially Bird Rock, is an immer of 2013. This work was part of ued to monitor seabird mortality indices portant small colony area for this rare a larger program to document plastic through the Coastal Observation and and declining species. The field work ingestion patterns in Pacific seabirds. Seabird Survey Team (COASST) citizen was conducted by Harry Carter and The Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) science network. Now in its fifteenth his team from California Institute of is a state agency in WA that coordinates year, the program collects beached bird Environmental Studies, and Ben Becker regional efforts to improve the health of survey data across 495 sites (Eureka, CA at Point Reyes National Seashore. Puget Sound. PSP has adopted popula- to Kotzebue, AK). From October 2012 Ron LeValley of Mad River Biolo- tion abundance, breeding success, and to September 2013 COASST recorded gists, in conjunction with the Sea Ranch diet of three species of marine birds, 3549 carcasses of 100 species and added California Coastal National Monument Rhinoceros Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot, 78 participants (800 current surveyors). (CCNM) Stewardship Taskforce, Men- and Marbled Murrelet as indicators of Peter Kappes is working on a PhD docino Coast Audubon Society and biophysical conditions in Puget Sound. with Katie Dugger at OSU, investigating other groups, has continued monitor- Scott Pearson (WDFW) and Nathalie the reproductive ecology and population ing Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Hamel (PSP), in collaboration with dynamics of Adélie Penguins (Pygos- pelagicus) colonies in the Mendocino WDFW, USFS, and other organizations, celis adeliae). He will be departing to County region of northern California will be compiling and analyzing the data Ross Island, Antarctica in Novem- (CA) for the 5th year. Citizen scientists for the Partnership. The report is avail- ber 2013 for his second field season. have volunteered to monitor known able from: [email protected]. Lora Leschner is the Washington colonies. More volunteers and sites have Jessi Hallman Behnke (Pacific coordinator for the Pacific Coast Joint been added to the project, and more Rim Conservation, Honolulu, HI) is in Venture. People can check the website than 15 sites with 5 to 25 nests each are the final stages of writing up the results for monthly bird news and grant infor- now being monitored for reproductive of her master’s research in collabora- mation for HI, AK, northern CA, and success. The 2013 season was highly

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 90 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 91 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Northern California

productive compared to the past three In 2013, the CCNM Taskforce moni- mon Murres (Uria aalge), Cassin’s years. Ron is collaborating with others up tored Black Oystercatchers on the Mon- Auklets, Black Oystercatcher, Tufted and down the Pacific Coast to compile a terey Peninsula. This project is a partner- Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata), and Pi- broad assessment of Pelagic Cormorant ship with Environment for the Americas geon Guillemot (Cepphus columba). reproductive success over multiple years. and covers the most extensively visited 2013 was a high-productivity year The Sea Ranch CCNM Stewardship portion of the CCNM. The report will for all species breeding on the Farallones. Taskforce continued to support weekly be posted to BLM’s CCNM website: There was strong upwelling throughout breeding surveys of seabirds, nests, and H.J. Ceja, S. Aroche, and H.E. Hanks, the spring and summer, leading to high young at Galleon’s Reach, near Sea 2013. Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus ocean productivity and an abundance of Ranch—Arched Rock, Black Point and bachmani) reproductive success, Point krill (euphausiids) around the islands. Gualala Point Island (Sonoma County). Pinos to Asilomar, Monterey Peninsula, The krill-feeding Cassin’s Auklets ex- Five aerial flights over the colony supple- CA. Unpublished manuscript. 19 pp. hibited high productivity for the fourth mented photographs by the U.S. Fish and 2013 marked the 21st consecutive consecutive year and had a high rate of Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National year of seabird monitoring at Año Nuevo double brooding. Very high abundance Oceanographic and Atmospheric Admin- Island and the adjacent mainland. Mi- of juvenile rockfish in the chick diet led istration (NOAA) of seabird colonies chelle Hester, Ryan Carle, Jessie Beck, to above-average breeding success for on Gualala Point Island and Fish Rocks and David Calleri (Oikonos Ecosystem Common Murres, Rhinoceros Auklets, (Mendocino County). Data from Gualala Knowledge) monitored the populations and Pigeon Guillemots. In addition, Point Island were reviewed for popula- and productivity of all breeding species, Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorants and tion trends among breeding seabirds plus diet of Rhinoceros Auklets (Cero- Western Gulls all experienced high and correlations of population changes rhinca monocerata). Productivity was breeding success in 2013, after sev- with ocean conditions. This work was above average for Rhinoceros Auklets, eral years of complete or near-complete funded by the Bureau of Land Manage- Cassin’s Auklets (Ptychoramphus aleuti- breeding failure. For Brandt’s Cor- ment (BLM), Madrone Audubon Society, cus), Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis), morant it was the highest productivity and the Sea Ranch CCNM Stewardship and Brandt’s Cormorants (Phalacroco- observed since 1999. California Gulls Taskforce. The following report will be rax penicillatus), probably driven by an (L. californicus) successfully fledged a posted on the BLM CCNM website: M. abundance of quality prey. Juvenile rock- handful of chicks for the first time since García-Reyes, J.A. Thayer, and W.J. fish (Sebastes spp.) and anchovy (En- they began breeding on SEFI in 2008. Sydeman, 2013. Citizen science stud- graulis mordax) together made up 95% Among the non-seabird species, neither ies of Gualala Point Island: Seabird of Rhinoceros Auklet chick diet. The the Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) populations and productivity, 2007-2012: Rhinoceros Auklet population remained nor the Common Ravens that bred on Historical, Regional and Environmental stable, while the Cassin’s Auklet popula- the island in recent years were success- Comparisons. Unpublished report. 28 pp. tion grew to over 100 breeding individu- ful this season. Canada Geese (Branta Ron LeValley has also worked with als for the first time. Pelagic Cormorant canadensis) nested on the Farallones for Anna Weinstein of California Audubon, productivity was the greatest on record the fourth consecutive year but failed to Joleen Osello of the Mendocino Coast for the island (ca. 2.3 chicks per pair), but produce any young. The Northern Gan- Audubon Society, the Sea Ranch CCNM was very poor on the mainland (ca. 0.25 net (Morus bassanus) that arrived on the Stewardship Taskforce, and Audubon chicks per pair), due to Common Raven island in the spring of 2012 has remained Chapter citizen scientists to monitor (Corvus corax) predation of eggs. Plant and is observed roosting on the island the reproductive success of Black Oys- restoration efforts for burrow-nesting on a daily basis. Several Blue-footed tercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) in Rhinoceros and Cassin’s auklets contin- Boobies (Sula nebuoxii) were also ob- coastal Mendocino for the third year. ued to be successful, with record num- served at the Farallones during fall 2012. Sites included rocks and islands in the bers of both species breeding in natural The Common Murre Restoration California Coast National Monument burrows in the restoration area in 2013. Project concluded its 18th season of and islands off the Sea Ranch coastline. Russ Bradley, Pete Warzybok, seabird productivity and disturbance Eighty-five to 100 nests were monitored Ryan Berger (Point Blue Conserva- monitoring. Co-Principal Investigators through fledging or nest failure in 2012 tion Science) and collaborator Gerry on the project are Gerry McChesney and 2013. Reproductive success has McChesney (USFWS) monitored popu- (USFWS) and Rick Golightly (Hum- been variable both from year to year lation size, reproductive success, and boldt State University [HSU]); Al- and from site to site. Researchers will diet for 13 species of breeding seabirds lison Fuller (HSU) coordinated continue this effort to establish baseline on Southeast Farallon Island (SEFI). field activities. Field biologists in data for future analysis, including the Species included gulls (Larus spp.), 2013 included Crystal Bechaver, mapping of oystercatcher nests and ter- storm-petrels (Oceanodroma spp.), Katie Percy, Jason Tappa, Katrina ritories across suitable habitat in the state. cormorants (Phalacrocorax spp), Com- Olthof, Johanna Anderson, and Lacey

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 90 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 91 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Northern California

Hughey. The project is funded by the intern) monitored the California Least observed “occupied” behaviors in all Luckenbach Oil Spill Trustee Council. Tern (Sternula antillarum browni) colo- monitored Reserves and all MMCAs, Four colony complexes were ny at Alameda Point, a former Naval Air with the exception of the Shaw Creek monitored by six seasonal field biolo- Station in Alameda, Alameda County, MMCA. gists in 2013, including Point Reyes CA. Despite a disastrous year in 2012, Radar surveys track murrelets trav- Headlands (Marin County, CA), Drakes in which the colony had been heavily eling to and from nesting areas within Bay Colony Complex (Marin County, preyed upon by Peregrine Falcons and the MMCAs and Reserves. Radar CA), Devil’s Slide Rock and Mainland American Kestrels (Falco sparverius), counts are considered indices of the (Pacifica, CA), and Castle-Hurricane the Least Terns returned to make 2013 breeding population. In 2013, 56 radar Colony Complex (Big Sur, CA). The a very successful reproductive year. surveys were conducted at 14 sites. breeding season commenced earlier The estimated number of breeding pairs Most murrelets tracked by radar were at than average. Murre numbers contin- was 276; the number of nests was 292. Humboldt Redwoods State Park and the ued to increase at Devil’s Slide Rock, Of 556 eggs laid, 472 (85%) hatched; Allen Creek MMCA. Although AV sur- which was recolonized using social at- an estimated 306 fledglings survived to veys did not detect murrelets at Shaw traction from 1996 to 2005. Preliminary migrate, compared to only 17 in 2012. Creek, radar surveys detected murre- Common Murre productivity estimates Breeding success was 1.11 fledglings lets at this stand. Final analyses of the on breeding plots at Devil’s Slide Rock per breeding pair. Predation decreased 2013 data have not yet been conducted. and Castle-Hurricane were the high- by 87%, from 372 incidents in 2012 The 2012 data indicated that, after ten est on record—0.95 and 0.81 chicks to 47 in 2013. Approximately 12% of years of monitoring (since the 2002 fledged per pair, respectively. The eggs were either abandoned or failed to baseline), there has been an increase in preliminary productivity estimate on hatch. Fifty-six eggs were recovered for radar counts in the MMCAs but not in breeding plots at Point Reyes (0.43 analysis. the Reserves. chicks fledged per pair) was slightly Bill Henry and Breck Tyler below average, but higher than 2012’s (University of California Institute of Foraging ecology, pelagic studies dismal productivity, during which ju- Marine Science) report that results Scott Shaffer (UCSC) and his stu- venile Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus oc- from the 2013 Central Coast Marbled dents are doing research in many parts cidentalis) disturbed the Murre colony Murrelet [Brachyramphus marmoratus] of the Pacific. Melinda Conners, his to the point of near-complete breeding Monitoring (Region 6) were upbeat, a doctoral student (and a Nancy Foster failure. Brandt’s Cormorant productiv- welcome change for this imperiled pop- fellow), has completed field work ity estimates were also above average ulation. for her dissertation at Tern Island, at all colony complexes, with some of The Humboldt Redwood Company, Northwest Hawaiian Islands. Shaffer, the highest numbers since at least 2007. LLC (HRC) continued its conservation and Sarah Gutowsky from Dalhousie Aircraft and boat disturbance was rela- activities for the Marbled Murrelet un- University in Nova Scotia, Canada, are tively low in 2013. der the company’s Habitat Conservation continuing to study foraging ecology Additionally, the effectiveness of Plan (HCP). Project leaders were Sal Albatrosses from Midway Atoll. These newly established marine protected ar- Chinnici and Mark Freitas of HRC. projects are is described further in the eas is being monitored via the Baseline The HCP requires tracking of murre- Hawai‘i regional report. Seabird Monitoring Studies in the let occupancy and numbers over time, Shaffer’s student Rachael Orben California North Central Coast Study using both audiovisual (AV) and radar has completed field work for her doc- Region. Reports are being finalized techniques. Surveys were continued in toral thesis at UCSC. Her study is part of in collaboration with Dan Robinette 2013 at the Headwaters Forest Reserve a large project funded by North Pacific of Point Blue Conservation Science, and Humboldt Redwoods State Park Research Board (NPRB) that is spear- Harry Carter of Carter Biological (Reserves), and also at the Marbled headed by Dave Irons (USFWS) and Consulting, and others. In 2013, re- Murrelet Conservation Areas (MMCAs) Dan Roby (USGS); see the Alaska reports summarizing population trends of on HRC forest lands. Collaborators gional report. Corey Clatterbuck and Brandt’s Cormorants in south-central were Mad River Biologists, O’Brien Anne Cassell, Master’s students of CA and the Monterey Bay area were Biological Consulting, and Adam Shaffer’s at San Jose State University finalized, in collaboration with Phil Brown. (SJSU), are examining incubation be- Capitolo of University of California Since the inception of HCP moni- havior and diets of Western Gulls at Año Santa Cruz (UCSC) and others. toring (1999), AV surveys have detected Nuevo Island. Master’s student Emma Threatened and endangered species “occupied” behaviors (below-canopy Susan Euing (USFWS), Meredith flight or circling) in the MMCAs and Kelsey is studying incubation routines Elliott (Point Blue Conservation Reserve stands. In 2013, surveyors con- of Cassin’s Auklets at SEFI, in col- Science), and Julia Fiske (USFWS ducted 136 surveys at 33 stations and laboration with Russell Bradley, Pete

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 92 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 93 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Northern California

Warzybok, and Jaime Jancke of Point Current region. They anticipate data Oikonos), Josh Adams (USGS), and Blue Conservation Science. analyses by D. Ainley and L. Spear Ryan Carle (Oikonos). Invasive ice Shaffer’s new graduate students in- (HT Harvey and Associates), including plant (Carpobrotus edulis) in this area clude Caitlin Kroeger, who originally a species-specific evaluation of seabird can limit seabird nesting habitat, by started at SJSU with him. The two are vulnerability to energy infrastructure, overgrowing crevices where Pigeon collaborating with David Thompson based on ranging behaviors, area use, Guillemots nest and the flat coastal ter- and Paul Sagar of the National Institute and new information on heights of sea- races used by Brandt’s Cormorants. The of Water and Atmospheric Research in bird flight. project removed ice plant from four New Zealand. Kroeger is starting doc- plots on this popular stretch of coast and toral research on the foraging ecology Conservation, restoration, and oil restored the native coastal plant com- and energetics of two albatross species spill preparedness munity. 2013 was the third year that cit- at Campbell Island in New Zealand. izen scientist Alayne Meeks monitored Audubon and partners in the Morgan Gilmour has completed a population and productivity of Brandt’s California Forage Coalition (Audubon, Master’s degree at Bucknell University Cormorants nesting adjacent to restora- Oceana, Ocean Conservancy, Natural with Don Dearborn and is also starting tion plots. Resources Defense Council, Pew a doctoral degree with Shaffer. Jeff Davis Phil Capitolo Dave Trusts) supported the development of , , Ryan Carle (Oikonos Ecosystem Lewis, Bill Henry, Peter Gaede, a State Forage Policy for CA. This his- Knowledge) is finishing an MS project and Glenn Ford (UCSC; Breck Tyler, toric policy prevents the development on Rhinoceros Auklet diet and reproduc- Principal Investigator) continued to of new commercial fisheries on -cur tion at Año Nuevo Island, CA. He is us- conduct aerial surveys of marine birds rently unfished species (such as smelts ing stable isotopes to investigate carry- and mammals over California continen- [Osmeridae] and sand lance), or the over effects of spring and winter diet on tal shelf waters in 2012, under contract expansion of existing fisheries, without breeding parameters, sex-specific and with CDFG-OSPR (Laird Henkel and first accounting for the needs of seabirds age-specific diet differences, and sea- Holly Gellerman). The surveys are and other marine predators. The policy sonal trophic shifts in this species. He designed to collect baseline distribu- can be found at: http://www.fgc.ca.gov/ is working under Jim Harvey at Moss tion and abundance data, and to main- policy/p2fish.aspx - FORAGE Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) tain rapid-response capabilities for oil and with Michelle Hester, Jessie Beck, A workshop on conservation of ma- spills. During the past year, surveys and David Calleri of Oikonos. rine forage species, “Towards ecosys- were conducted from Del Norte to San Josh Adams, United States tem-based fishery management in the Diego counties. The team (Glenn Ford, Geological Survey (USGS), and Bill California Current System—Predators Principal Investigator), along with Mike Henry (MLML) recently launched the and the preyscape,” was held on 9–13 Parker, also continued to provide aerial California Current Ecosystem Seabird September at Point Blue Conservation survey support to USFWS for studies Telemetry Atlas. This project compiles Science in Petaluma, CA. Included related to the Deepwater Horizon oil seabird tracking data into a common for- among the predators were seabirds, pin- spill in the Gulf of Mexico. mat and serves to guide ocean planners nipeds, and cetaceans; prey included Hannah Nevins and Stori Oates and managers to primary data holders. anchovies (Engraulis spp), sardines (University of California Davis [UCD] Josh Adams Jonathan and (Sardinops spp), juvenile rockfish, ju- and CDFG) are working on a multi- Felis (USGS) are working with venile salmon (Salmonidae), squid, and year study of the thermal dynamics of Oikonos (P. Hodum) and collabora- smelts (Osmeridae). The workshop was oiled seabirds during the rehabilita- tors (D. Hyrenbach, Hawai‘i Pacific attended by about 50 California Current tion process. Focusing on alcids and University, and E. Phillips, University of researchers and agency representatives, grebes (Podicepiidae), they are using Washington) to evaluate seabird utiliza- as well as researchers for other east- an infrared camera and thermal Passive tion of marine areas off the Pacific Coast ern boundary currents. A final report is Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags to (CA, OR, and WA). They have been fo- forthcoming, and about a dozen papers measure changes in heat loss relative to cusing on the Pink-footed Shearwater presented and discussed at the work- environmental and behavioral changes (Puffinus creatopus) since 2006, and shop will be published in Journal of throughout the 24-hour day. This proj- added Common Murres in 2012–2013. Marine Systems. Contact David Ainley ect is supported by CDFG’s Oil Spill With support from the Bureau of Ocean ([email protected]) for Response Trust Fund, through the Oiled Energy Management (BOEM), data more information. Wildlife Care Network at the Wildlife from satellite telemetry will be com- Restoration and monitoring of sea- Health Center, School of Veterinary bined with vessel-based transect surveys bird habitat at West Cliff Drive, Santa Medicine, UCD. Other collaborators are to better inform alternative energy plan- Cruz, CA was expanded in 2013 under the San Francisco Oiled Wildlife Care ning at sea within the greater California the management of Bill Henry (USGS, and Education Center, Fairfield, CA and

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 92 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 93 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Northern California the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and publication. In October 2013, Erica tral CA coast. A Wildlife Disturbance Education Center, San Pedro, CA. Donnelly-Greenan, Jim Harvey, Reporting Packet has been developed Kyra Mills (Oiled Wildlife Care Hannah Nevins, Michelle Hester, and in order to (1) help resource managers Network, UCD) is studying post-re- William Walker submitted “Prey and target education efforts, (2) track repeat lease survival and migratory patterns Plastic Ingestion of Pacific Northern offenders, and (3) target enforcement of Western Grebes (Aechmophorus oc- Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis rogersii) efforts. The packet includes: a Wildlife cidentalis) captured in San Francisco from Monterey Bay, California.” Disturbance Reporting Form, protocols Bay. Collaborators are Joseph Gaydos, The Marine Seabird Health Study is for reporting a wildlife disturbance in- L. Ignacio Vilchis (SeaDoc Society), entering its eighth year, coordinated by cident, instructions on filling out the Christine Fiorello, Emily Whitmer, Hannah Nevins (UCD), with Melissa reporting form, and a matrix describing Michael Ziccardi (Oiled Wildlife Care Miller (UCD and CDFW-OSPR]), wildlife laws, regulations and respon- Network, UCD), Susan De La Cruz, Laird Henkel (CDFW-OSPR), and sible authorities. For more information, and Dan Mulcahy (USGS). Erica Donnelly-Greenan and Jessie or to obtain a Wildlife Reporting Packet, Beck (Oikonos). The project is housed contact [email protected]. Mortality and non-oil pollution at CDFG’s Marine Wildlife Veterinary Stewards of the Coast of Redwoods, Coastal Ocean Mammal and Care and Research Center in Santa Cruz with support from the BLM and the Bird Education and Research Surveys (MWVCRC). It aims to provide a quan- Gulf of the Farallones National Marine (BeachCOMBERS) is coordinated titative demographic assessment of dis- Sanctuary, established the first Seabird and managed by Hannah Nevins and ease, chronic oiling, plastics and other Protection Network that is not funded Erica Donnelly-Greenan, headed by mortality factors affecting seabirds in by maritime oil spill funds through the Principal Investigator Jim Harvey. The CA, using specimens from beach sur- Natural Resource Damage Assessment program surveys beaches in the Santa veys, fishery bycatch, and rehabilita- (NRDA) process. The new chapter Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo tion centers. The goal is to provide a covers the Sonoma County coast, from County systematically, to determine hu- regional information center for federal, Bodega Bay northward. This commu- man and natural impacts on marine birds state, and local resource managers, and nity-based team of volunteers has fo- and mammals in our coastal ecosystem. is supported in part by CDFG-OSPR, cused initially on monitoring seabirds Project leaders completed a volunteer Moss Landing Marine Labs (MLML), at Bodega Head Island. Their website is training session at MLML in September UCD’s Wildlife Health Center, Oikonos http://www.stewardsofthecoastandred- 2013. In January 2013, a new Southern Ecosystem Knowledge, NOAA, and woods.org/st_seabirdmonitoring.htm Chapter of BeachCOMBERS was initi- USFWS. Since 2005 the program’s staff ated that covers San Luis Obispo County have necropsied more than 3,400 speci- south to Leo Carillo State Beach, Los mens representing 76 species. Angeles County. The Southern Chapter In 2013, the Marine Seabird Health is headed by Robert McMorran of Study at MWVCRC, in collaboration USFWS. with Michelle Hester (Oikonos) and SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA The Biological Indicators of Ocean supported by NFWF and NOAA, con- Compiled by Annette Henry Plastic Pollution Program (BiOPS) tinued investigating the demographics of Oikonos in Santa Cruz includes of seabird bycatch and the incidence of Colony Studies researchers Hannah Nevins, Erica plastic ingestion by Northern Fulmars Charles Collins (emeritus, Cali- Donnelly-Greenan, and Jessie Beck. and other species collected as bycatch fornia State University, Long Beach) They continue to track trends in plastic by NOAA’s fishery observer programs read the bands on Caspian Terns (Hy- ingestion by procellariids: albatrosses in Hawai‘i and Alaska) droprogne caspia) and Black Skimmers (Phoebastria spp.), Northern Fulmars (Rhynchops niger) as part of long- (Fulmarus glacialis), and shearwaters Education and outreach term survival analysis. Among those (Puffinus spp.). Specimens originate Sage Tezak and Karen Reyna seen in 2013 were two 20-year-old as (1) bycatch in commercial fisheries (NOAA-Gulf of the Farallones National Caspians and one 23-year-old skim- in Alaska and Hawai‘i, and (2) car- Marine Sanctuary) coordinated activi- mer. The observations are continuing. casses collected from beach surveys ties of the Seabird Protection Network Kathy Keane (Keane Biological in the Monterey Bay National Marine (SPN). Since August 2005, SPN has Consulting) and her colleagues Nathan Sanctuary. In 2012–2013 we added conducted outreach that targets pilots, Mudry, Wally Ross, Matt Teutimez, data to the long-term monitoring pro- boaters and general ocean users, in an Bob Schallmann, Nick Liberato, and gram, and we are preparing a review effort to reduce human disturbance to Santiago Lopez continue to oversee paper on plastic ingestion for scientific breeding seabird colonies along the cen- the nesting site for the endangered

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 94 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 95 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Southern California

California Least Tern (Sternula antil- and continued below-average success (Growing Solutions). Habitat restoration larum browni) at Los Angeles Harbor, for Western Gulls and Black Oyster- on Scorpion Rock is ongoing; native as well as nesting at the site by Caspian catchers at VAFB, which began in 2004. plant percent cover to support expanded Terns, Elegant Terns (Thalasseus el- In the Channel Islands National Cassin’s Auklet nesting is approaching egans), and Black Skimmers. Kathy is Park, reproductive monitoring was target goals, with several additional years also finalizing a research project for the conducted as follows: Santa Barbara of site maintenance work (weeding and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regard- Island—Scripps’s Murrelets (Synth- monitoring) needed to complete plant ing California Least Tern foraging near liboramphus scrippsi), Cassin’s Auk- community restoration. Social attraction more than 20 Corps dredging locations lets (Ptychoramphus aleuticus), Ashy and disturbance reduction efforts for in southern California. She lives part- Storm-petrels (Oceanodroma homoch- the Ashy Storm-Petrel were continued time on the east coast of Baja, where roa), Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus oc- in the sea caves and offshore rocks of she watches Magnificent Frigatebirds cidentalis), Brandt’s Cormorants, Pe- Santa Cruz Island. The nesting colony at (Fregata magnificens), Yellow-footed lagic Cormorants, and Double-crested Orizaba Rock has responded positively Gulls (Larus livens) and other species, Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus); to restoration efforts. Concurrent studies leads bird walks, and presents talks about Santa Cruz Island—Cassin’s Auklets, included: (1) investigation of the demo- bird identification and conservation. Ashy Storm-Petrels, and Western Gulls graphics of the Ashy Storm-Petrel using In 2013, Point Blue Conservation (Larus occidentalis); and Anacapa Is- platform transmitting terminal (PIT) Science (formerly PRBO) completed its land—Brown Pelicans, Scripps’s Mur- tags, (2) audio studies using Acoustic 15th year of seabird monitoring at Van- relets, Cassin’s Auklets, and Ashy Recording Units (ARUs) of the Ashy denberg Air Force Base (VAFB), central Storm-Petrels. Staff for each island Storm-Petrel at nesting colonies, and (3) California. Focal species include Pelagic are named under “Restoration,” below. evaluation of the impacts of predation Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus), by Common Ravens (Corvus corax). Brandt’s Cormorant (P. penicillatus), Restoration A feasibility study on the status of Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba), In the Channel Islands National Ashy Storm-Petrels, Scripps’s Murrelets, Western Gull (Larus occidentalis), Park (CINP), the California Institute of and Cassin’s Auklets at Anacapa Island California Least Tern, and Black Oys- Environmental Studies (CIES; Laurie in 2011–12 was completed by collabora- tercatcher (Haematopus bachmani). Harvey) and the National Park Service tors Matthew McKown (University of Monitoring focuses on how these species (Dan Mazurkiewicz) continued to California, Santa Cruz), Harry Carter utilize coastal and nearshore habitats for implement seabird restoration projects (CBC), and Franklin Gress and Mike breeding, roosting, and foraging, with under the Montrose Settlements Resto- Parker (CIES), to determine restoration emphasis on seabird use of California’s ration Program (MSRP) with multiple potential. This study resulted in the first newly established marine protected areas partners. On Santa Barbara Island, alcid documented Ashy Storm-Petrel nest on (MPAs). Additionally, estimated rates of habitat restoration is ongoing to benefit Anacapa Island (in 2011). A summary re- human-caused disturbance to breeding Scripps’s Murrelets and Cassin’s Auk- port of findings was completed this year; and roosting sites are used to inform lets. This project is scheduled to continue future restoration work is being consid- outreach and law enforcement efforts of through at least 2017. Concurrent studies ered under Phase 2 of the MSRP plan. the Seabird Protection Network (SPN). included: (1) the effects of Barn Owl MPA and SPN initiatives have helped (Tyto alba) predation on nesting (Sarah Pelagic Research expand this program along the coast Thomsen, Simon Fraser University), Since 2011, the Southwest Fisheries from Point Piedras Blancas to the Tijuana and (2) use of nest cameras to investigate Science Center (SWFSC) of the Na- River estuary, including Santa Cruz Is- breeding biology of Scripps’s Murre- tional Oceanographic and Atmospheric land. Program staff for 2013 included lets (in collaboration with Nina Kar- Administration (NOAA), La Jolla, has Dan Robinette, Julie Howar, Steven novsky, Pomona College). Reproductive had no ship time for continuing our Tuckerb Bernardo Alps, Katharine monitoring for these and other species time series of cetacean and ecosystem Goodenough, Tom McIntyre, Har- was conducted as in previous years. assessment surveys in the Pacific. rison, Hyatt, and Tomas Barcinas. On Santa Cruz Island, two ongo- (We are hopeful for 2014). These sur- Noteworthy results from 2013 included ing MSRP projects to benefit Cassin’s veys were the platforms on which continued rapid growth of the Brandt’s Auklets and Ashy Storm-Petrels were seabird data were historically collected. Cormorant colony that was established continued with partners Josh Adams Seabird research by Lisa T. Bal- at VAFB in 1995; return of average to (US Geological Survey), Franklin lance and Robert Pitman (SWFSC) above-average reproductive success Gress (CIES), Bill McIver (U.S. Fish has therefore focused on mining exist- for many Least Tern colonies, after and Wildlife Service), Harry Carter ing data, largely through collabora- anomalously low reproductive success (Carter Biological Consulting; CBC), tions with graduate students. Summer throughout southern California in 2012; and Karen Flagg and Don Hartley Martin, a doctoral student at Scripps

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 94 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 95 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Southern California

Institution of Oceanography (SIO), batross and Sooty Shearwater” at the President and Center Director Linda is quantifying ecosystem services to Pacific Seabird Group annual confer- Elliott led wildlife emergency response compare extractive with existence ence in Portland, OR, February 2013. trainings on O‘ahu, a statewide avian values (including existence values for Ballance and Pittman are pursuing botulism training on Hawai‘i Island, seabirds) in the eastern tropical Pacific. a multinational effort with colleagues Kaua‘i, Maui, O‘ahu and Moloka‘i, and Trevor Joyce, a doctoral candidate from Central American countries to in- a seabird fallout response preparedness working with Lisa T. Ballance at SIO vestigate the role of the Costa Rica Dome training on Lāna‘i. Assistance was also and SWFSC, continued research on in the greater eastern tropical Pacific, provided to Rota in the Commonwealth the oceanic distribution, feeding ecol- including its importance to seabirds. of the Northern Mariana Islands for a ogy, and marine abundance of com- Annette Henry continues to look seabird epizootic. In addition, HWC mon and threatened seabird species, em- at the distribution of select seabird spe- has developed a wildlife rehabilitation ploying SWFSC’s extensive time series cies within the eastern tropical Pacific training program at the HWC facil- of seabird transects surveys in the Central and California Current, using data col- ity and welcomed two biologists from and Eastern Pacific. He used strip-tran- lected by the SWFSC as part of their American Samoa to its inaugural class. sect data to estimate absolute abundance cetacean and ecosystem assessment for Newell’s Shearwater (Puffinus new- surveys. She also works on Eared Grebes Colony and pelagic studies elli) and Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma (Podiceps nigricollis) and loons (Gavia Melinda Conners (doctoral stu- sandwichensis) in the eastern and cen- spp.) with Joseph Jehl (Smithsonian dent of Scott Shaffer at the University tral tropical Pacific. He also used flock Institution), with a focus on migration of California Santa Cruz (UCSC), and data to investigate El Niño/Southern energetics and physiology (Jehl and a Nancy Foster fellow, has completed Oscillation (ENSO) effects on seabirds Henry, J Avian Biology 44: 97, 2013). fieldwork for her dissertation at Tern in the eastern tropical Pacific. For his Island, French Frigate Shoals, Northwest research on Newell’s Shearwater colo- Hawaiian Islands. She has been focusing nies in Hawai‘i, see that regional report. on the diets and foraging ecology of Lay- R. Cotton Rockwood, a doctoral san Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) student at SIO, in collaboration with HAWAI‘I and Black-footed Albatross (P. nigripes). Compiled by Annette Henry Lisa Ballance, is assembling a map of The start of the 2012–2013 breeding sea- the major at-sea anthropogenic threats to son marked the 11th season of research Rehabilitation seabirds in the North Pacific. They are on the albatrosses at Tern Island, but a using a geographic information system to Rae Okawa, Development Coor- weather-related disaster closed the island create a spatially explicit tool to inform dinator for the Hawai‘i Wildlife Center just as research was getting underway. It conservation and management. They are (HWC), reports that the Center celebrat- is unclear when (or if) Tern Island will focusing on the North Pacific, and the ed its one-year anniversary in September. reopen for research activities. Shaffer is maps include these measures of threats: Seabirds admitted to HWC for treatment continuing to study the foraging ecology organic pollution, inorganic pollution, and rehabilitative care included juvenile of Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses shipping, marine debris, large oil spills, Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula rubripes), from Midway Atoll, in collaboration with bycatch, fisheries competition, fisheries Black-winged Petrels (Pterodroma ni- Maura Naughton and John Klavitter of ecosystem disturbance, sea surface tem- gripennis), endangered Hawaiian Petrels USFWS. Shaffer is also co-advising Sar- perature change, and wind speed change. (P. sandwichensis), Leach’s Storm-Pe- ah Gutowsky from Dalhousie University By identifying the intensity and number trels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), Wedge- in Nova Scotia, Canada. Sarah is compar- of threats co-occurring across space, the tailed Shearwaters (Ardenna pacifica, ing the foraging ecology of albatrosses maps will identify regions of high and formerly Puffinus pacificus chlororhyn- (Phoebastria spp.) from multiple colo- low concern with regard to anthropogen- chus), Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria nies in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. ic impacts. Additional comparisons will immutabilis), one Newell’s Shearwater Trevor Joyce, a doctoral candidate be made for important ecological regions (Puffinus newelli), and a Sooty Shear- working with Lisa T. Ballance of the such as the California Current, Bering water (P. griseus). A variety of other Southwest Fisheries Sceince Center in Sea, and the North Pacific transition shorebirds, waterbirds, and birds of prey California, completed his third and final zone, as well as among established, pend- were also admitted. Birds were received year of fieldwork assessing the habitat ing and recommended Important Bird from all main Hawaiian Islands. The use of Newell’s Shearwater and its breed- Areas. A manuscript is in preparation. HWC now has a wildlife technician on ing and non-breeding season distribu- Parts of the work were presented staff to assist with the increasing numbers tions from Kaua’i, Hawai’i, using Global in a talk, “Patterns of At-sea Anthropo- of wildlife being brought to the Center. Location System (GLS) tags. The species genic Threats to Seabirds in the North Statewide response, training and is listed as endangered by the Internation- Pacific: A Comparison of Laysan Al- capacity-building continued this year. al Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 96 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 97 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Hawai‘i

David Duffy is the proud co-author and recoveries the following year. They Kaua‘i: Newell’s Shearwater, Hawaiian on a paper by Aly McKnight, et al. on also sampled for stable isotopes and Petrel and Band-rumped Storm-Petrel. At the role of upwellings in the migration genetic analysis. (Isotopes: Peggy Os- an island-wide scale, the project has con- of Alaskan Arctic Terns (Sterna para- trom, Michigan State University and tinued to conduct annual radar surveys at disaea) (Mar Ecol Progr Ser 491: 253, Anne Wiley, Akron State University, 15 permanent radar sites to assess long- 2013). He is also the lead author on a with Marie VanZandt, Jay Penniman, term population trends of both Newell’s more modest account of how Arctic Fern Duvall, Isabelle Walker, David Shearwater and Hawaiian Petrel—trends Terns cross the Andes on their southern McPherson, Zane de la Cruz, Grazel that continue to show a long-term decline. migration from Chile to reach the rich Caceres, and Alicia Rhoades; genetic The majority of work conducted area off Chubut Province, Argentina. analysis: Rob Fleischer and Helen by the KESRP project in 2013 was Duffy is still contemplating how to do James, Smithsonian Institution). Colony funded through a State Wildlife Grant his bucket-list project of looking at nest- research focused on reproductive suc- or the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative ing vegetation and ecology of nesting cess monitoring at one Lāna‘i colony (KIUC) Short-term Habitat Conservation seabirds in the Northwestern Hawaiian (Isabelle Walker and Jay Penniman); Plan. Auditory survey work continued islands and more tropical atolls. Un- for other projects see “Conservation and in previously unsurveyed areas and new fortunately access seems to be getting restoration,” below. On Lāna‘i, MNSRP seabird colonies of all three species were harder and harder, thanks to budget cuts conducted inventory surveys for sea- discovered. Song meters were deployed and political difficulties in Congress. bird presence or absence in Upper Ka- at new sites for a month at a time as a The Maui Nui Seabird Recovery hikinui, Maui (Marie VanZandt, Alicia tool to identify new breeding areas for the Project (MNSRP) seeks to quantify sea- Rhoades, David McPherson, Isabelle target species. The project also continued bird use and colony distribution as well Walker, Jay Penniman, and Mat- to monitor two seabird colonies in con- as to protect and enhance seabird popula- thew McKown, Conservation Metrics). junction with introduced predator control tions and habitat. Within Maui County, For Newell’s Shearwater, Marie and habitat management work. The first the MNSRP carried out the following sea- VanZandt, Alicia Rhoades, David site is the Upper Limahuli Preserve, in bird research and management activities: McPherson, Isabelle Walker, Jay collaboration with the National Tropical For the Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Penniman, and Matthew McKown did Botanical Gardens, where a total of 17 they studied adult foraging range while inventory surveys of seabirds and their Hawaiian Petrel and 43 Newell’s Shear- provisioning chicks, using short-term predators in Upper Kahikinui, Maui. water burrows have been identified to (one- to six-day) GPS deployments and MSNRP conducted inventory sur- date. The second site involves three man- recoveries (Isabelle Walker, David veys for presence or absence of Band- agement areas within the Hono o Na Pali McPherson, and Jay Penniman on rumped Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma Natural Area Reserve System (NARS), Maui. A broader Hawaiian effort was castro) in Upper Kahikinui, Maui. in collaboration with NARS staff. A total led by Josh Adams, USGS). Other re- Personnel included Marie VanZandt, of 84 Hawaiian Petrel and 7 Newell’s search projects included: (a) Monitoring Alicia Rhoades, David McPherson, Shearwater burrows were identified. Bur- reproductive success at one Maui colony Isabelle Walker, Jay Penniman, and rows monitored in these areas helped to (Victoria Stout, Isabelle Walker, and Matthew McKown. Inventory sur- assess the effectiveness of management Jay Penniman); (b) Annual monitor- veys for predators of seabirds in Upper work at the sites. Monitoring methods ing of colony size and activity at five Kahikinui, Maui were conducted by included the use of remote cameras on Maui County colonies (Victoria Stout, David McPherson, Alicia Rhoades, burrows, static song meters recording at Isabelle Walker, and Jay Penniman); Isabelle Walker, and Jay Penniman. fixed sites on an annual basis and stan- and (c) Creating a banded population Surveys for seabirds included ground dardized auditory survey techniques us- to test a source/sink hypothesis for searches, nighttime auditory surveys, ing binoculars, infrared and night vision. Maui County offshore islets and Maui, night-vision and thermal imaging ob- Five satellite tags were attached to Moloka‘i, and Lāna‘i, by banding pre- servations, and remote audio recording adult Hawaiian Petrels in August 2013, fledging chicks annually, and recaptur- stations using song meter technology. in collaboration with USGS Western ing adults returning to the colonies in The Kaua‘i Endangered Seabird Ecological Research Center (funded spring (Fern Duvall, State of Hawai‘i, Recovery Project (KESRP) is a project by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Man- Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Jay of the Hawai‘i Division of Forestry agement) to investigate the foraging Penniman, and Isabelle Walker). and Wildlife (DOFAW), administered locations of birds provisioning chicks. MNSRP studied adult ranging be- through the Pacific Studies Cooperative At the time of writing, two tags were havior of the Hawaiian Petrel during Unit of the University of Hawai‘i. Andre still transmitting (the other three had the non-breeding season, using GLS tag Raine provided an update on a project been retrieved), with birds traveling deployments during the breeding season focused on three endangered seabirds on thousands of kilometers northward.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 96 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 97 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Hawai‘i

At Kilauea Point National Wild- Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge At a Hawaiian Petrel colony on life Refuge (KPNWR) on Kaua‘i, 14 (KPNWR) on Kaua‘i. Collaborators are Lāna‘i, MNSRP undertook predator Newell’s Shearwater burrows were the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), control of feral cats (Felis sylvestris), monitored in 2013, with at least 6 chicks USFWS, and the Kaua‘i Endangered rats (Rattus spp.), and Barn Owls (Tyto present as of November 2013. For more Seabird Recovery Project. This fence alba) (Zane de la Cruz, Grazel Cace- information on the project, see the will provide sanctuary to a seabird spe- res, and David McPherson); invasive website at http://kauaiseabirdproject. cies that is in rapid decline and largely plant control in the seabird colony org/ or the Kaua‘i Endangered Sea- (>90%) endemic to Kaua‘i. She will (Zane de la Cruz, Jay Penniman, bird Recovery Project Facebook page. begin with preparations necessary to James Leary, Marie VanZandt, Ali- David Hyrenbach, with the Pe- translocate Newell’s Shearwaters to the cia Rhoades, and Isabelle Walker); lagicos lab at Hawai‘i Pacific Uni- site, once it is secure from predators. and inventory surveys for predators versity, reports that graduate student This fence will build on the previous of seabirds in Upper Kahikinui, Maui Shannon Lyday defended her thesis success of Hawai‘i’s first predator-proof (David McPherson, Alicia Rhoades, research, “Shearwaters as Ecosystem fence at Kaena Point, O‘ahu, which Isabelle Walker, and Jay Penniman). Indicators: Connecting Predators in the has seen a doubling in seabird pro- MNSRP coordinates Maui’s Save California Current” in October 2013. ductivity as well as colonization by Our Seabirds program, which rescues Pam Michael, who graduated from a new species in its first three years. seabirds during the fall fledging “fallout” the lab in 2011, has published her the- Jessi Hallman Behnke (PRC) per- season (Jay Penniman, Alicia Rhoades, sis chapter: Michael, P.E., et al. 2013. formed ecological monitoring for the Isabelle Walker, David McPherson, Relative influence of static and dy- Nihoku Ecosystem Restoration Project at and Victoria Stout). The MNSRP namic features on black-footed albatross KPNWR on Kaua‘i, under the direction provides public outreach programs and (Phoebastria nigripes) habitat use in of Lindsay Young, and in partnership awareness of seabird light distraction central California Sanctuaries. Fisheries with the ABC, USFWS, and KESRP. (i.e., bus posters, theater ad campaign, Oceanography, DOI: 10.1111/fog.12039. Within the nearly 8-acre site, baseline radio ads, etc.). They also respond to Beth Flint (U.S. Fish and Wildlife data were collected quarterly on soils, reports of “fallout,” and they triage, treat, Service [USFWS], Honolulu) partici- plants, invertebrates, birds, rodents, cats, transport and release downed seabirds. pated in the US team (Ed Melvin, Mi and other potential predators, in prepara- They document fallout locations with Ae Kim, and Marlene Menard) that tion for the construction of the predator- GPS, and sources of seabird distrac- attended the meetings of the 7th meeting proof fence. In the project’s second year, tion that contribute to fallout, includ- of the Advisory Committee of ACAP Jessi will experiment with Christmas ing unshielded lights and aerial wires. (Agreement on the Conservation of berry (Schinus terebinthifolius) removal, The KESRP project of DOFAW Albatrosses and Petrels) in La Rochelle, and aid in the design of a restoration (see under “Colony and pelagic stud- France in May 2013. She provided plan geared toward the 2015 transloca- ies,” above) also addresses the effects information about the North Pacific al- tion of Newell’s Shearwater chicks to of powerline collisions and light attrac- batrosses, which are listed as ACAP the site once it is secure from predators. tion. Song meters are proving to be a species, at the meeting of the Popula- Eric VanderWerf tion and Conservation Status Work- Along with , promising technique for recording the Young ing Group, of which she is a member. continued to monitor Laysan Al- sound of birds hitting power lines, as batrosses (Phoebastria immutabilis) and observers also verified mortality us- Wedge-tailed Shearwaters at Kaena Point ing extensive radar surveys, ground Conservation and restoration David Duffy and Lindsay Young Natural Area Reserve on O‘ahu, as well to searches for downed birds, and both are nearing completion of a review of monitor and manage threats of Red-tailed carcass removal and searcher efficiency the effects of climate change on Hawai- Tropicbirds on O‘ahu. Young is also trials. Data collection and analysis for ian seabirds, which has been chronically participating in a multi-species tracking this aspect of the project is ongoing. in preparation. Duffy is also finishing project, to determine pelagic habitats David Hyrenbach, with the Pe- a paper on how to detect mongoose for use in considering applications for lagicos lab at Hawai‘i Pacific Univer- (Herpestes javanicus), which may or wind energy permits. Species include sity (www.facebook.com/pelagicos), may not have established a resident Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Red-tailed pursued three lines of seabird research population on Kaua‘i, representing a Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda), in 2013: (1) Documenting the patterns major new threat to burrow-nesting New- and Red-footed Boobies. Project part- and impacts of plastic ingestion by ell’s Shearwater and Hawaiian Petrels. ners are U.S. Geological Survey (Josh North Pacific seabirds; (2) advanc- Lindsay Young of Pacific Rim Adams), Oikonos (Michelle Hester), ing the conservation of Wedge-tailed Conservation (PRC)) is working on a DOFAW (Amarisa Marie), and Hawai‘i Shearwater (3) collaborating on an second predator-proof fence, this one at Pacific University (David Hyrenbach). archipelago-wide seabird tracking study.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 98 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 99 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Hawai‘i

The plastic ingestion research in- abundance information on a broad range Maine to mid-Florida, approximately volves opportunistic sampling of sea- of marine taxa from a single survey 7,300 nm (13,500 km); in 2012, the entire birds from the main Hawaiian Islands, platform. Among others, Iain Sten- Atlantic coast in March and October; and focused studies of Laysan Albatross house (BRI), Richard Veit (CUNY), and in September 2013, a full survey of and Tristram’s Storm-Petrel (Oceano- and Beth Gardner (North Carolina the coast, with four USFWS air crews droma tristrami) from Tern island (north- State University [NCSU]) are co-project in Kodiak aircraft. Personnel in 2013 western Hawaiian Islands) by graduate investigators (PIs) on the broader study. were from the Division of Migratory Bird students Sarah Youngren and Dan Tim White is currently working as a Management and the Coastal Program. Rapp. Wedge-tailed Shearwaters are be- guest investigator with Gareth Lawson Data from these surveys will provide ing studied at O‘ahu’s Freeman Seabird and Peter Wiebe (Woods Hole Oceano- better scientific information about the Preserve, in collaboration with Hawai‘i graphic Institute). They are examining distribution and abundance of seabirds in Audubon. We have been monitoring the associations between seabirds and ce- the offshore environment to USFWS and developing chicks and studying the taceans with prey and hydrographic fea- its partners in marine conservation. Spe- diving behavior of provisioning adults. tures at the northwest Atlantic shelf break. cifically, we hope to be able to estimate With support from DOFAW, we have Holly Goyert defended her PhD densities for each transect by season, for also completed two years of shearwater thesis on foraging associations among common species and/or species groups fallout surveys along the southeast O‘ahu terns, cetaceans, and tunas, and has (e.g., large terns); however, certain spe- shoreline, with ongoing work during accepted a post-doctoral research posi- cies are difficult to identify to the species the 2013 fledging season. The tracking tion in Beth Gardner’s lab at NCSU. level in this type of survey. The data also study is described earlier in this section. In partnership with USFWS, Iain are being provided to other researchers Stenhouse, Andrew Gilbert, Kate Wil- to aid in modeling the exposure compo- liams, and Wing Goodale (BRI) will nent of risk. Risk analyses will be used conduct aerial surveys for waterfowl, for regulatory planning when review- shorebirds, and other avian species in ing potential alternative energy leases NON-PACIFIC UNITED the New York waters of Lake Erie in along the Atlantic Coast. During fiscal the fall of 2013 and spring of 2014. year 2014, USFWS is scheduled to fly STATES These surveys are carried out at the one more winter survey for seabirds. Compiled by Iain Stenhouse request of the Great Lakes Commis- Contacts are Tim Jones ,Tim_jones@ sion (GLC), as part of their ongoing fws.gov or Melanie Steinkamp, US- Pelagic surveys avian studies in the broader region. FWS, [email protected]. Dick Veit, Tim White, and Simon The Atlantic Marine Assess- Perkins (City University of New York ment Program for Protected Species Modeling Exercises [CUNY]) continued aircraft surveys for (AMAPPS) is a multi-agency project Brian Kinlan of the National Oce- seabirds off southeastern Massachusetts, that includes the US Fish and Wildlife anic and Atmospheric Administration’s and conducted a special set of aerial Service (USFWS), National Oceanic and National Centers for Coastal Ocean surveys for post-breeding Roseate Terns Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], Science (NCCOS) and Robert Rankin (Sterna dougallii) in the same general Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, (formerly at NCCOS, now at Murdoch area during July–September 2013. This and the US Navy. The project’s purpose University Cetacean Research Unit, Aus- group continues collaborative work is to gather baseline information on tralia) for the past two years to produce with the Biodiversity Research Institute the distribution and density of marine been working on seasonal statistical (BRI) on seabird surveys off Virginia and birds (USFWS), turtles, and mammals models and high-resolution maps of the Maryland (see below), and ship-based (NOAA) in the marine environment. estimated long-term average relative surveys off the US east coast with the The Division of Migratory Bird Man- occurrence and abundance of approxi- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). agement of USFWS is in the 4th year of mately 30 marine bird species off the Funded by the Department of En- aerial seabird surveys, using transects mid-Atlantic U.S. coast, from Cape Hat- ergy, BRI continues its second year of perpendicular to the coast, out to a teras to Cape Cod. He has collaborated on broad-scale baseline surveys for marine distance of 30 m or to 50 nm (92 km) this project over the past 2 years with the birds, marine mammals, and sea turtles from the coast. During these surveys, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Input in the mid-Atlantic region, using a all seabirds, sea turtles, and marine is based on at-sea survey records in the combination of aerial surveys (employ- mammals are counted. Surveys have Atlantic Seabird Compendium database. ing high-definition videography) and included: in 2010, the south Atlantic This project is funded by the Bureau of boat-based surveys. High-definition coast in summer, and the Wind Energy Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). video is proving to be an effective Areas (WEAs) off Virginia in December; Maps and models were developed to sup- method, capturing distribution and in 2011, the entire Atlantic coast from port spatial planning and environmental

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 98 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 99 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Non-Pacific United States assessment of offshore renewable energy high-resolution map products with asso- tagging additional Razorbills at multiple facilities, in particular, offshore wind en- ciated accuracy assessments. These will breeding colonies in 2014. Data can ergy. A final report and digital data pack- aid in spatial planning and environmental be viewed at http://www.seaturtle.org/ age were to be submitted to BOEM in the assessment of offshore wind facilities. tracking/index.shtml?project_id=881. fall of 2013; it will be available to the Initial results are expected in mid- to Iain Stenhouse, Lucas Savoy, public via NCCOS and BOEM websites late 2014, and final results in late 2015. Carrie Gray (BRI), Bill Montevecchi and appropriate data portals soon after. (Memorial University of Newfound- In January 2012, Brian Kinlan Colony-based studies land), Alicia Berlin and Ron Therrien (NCCOS), and Elise Zipkin, Allan Steve Kress and Paula Shannon (USGS) collaborated on a satellite O’Connell, Mark Wimer, and Allison of the National Audubon Society’s Sea- telemetry study of diving bird species Sussman (USGS) began a BOEM- bird Restoration Program (NAS-SRP) wintering in the mid-Atlantic region. funded study of statistical power analysis continued long-term monitoring of Funded by BOEM, and coordinated for marine bird relative abundance and breeding seabird populations in the Gulf by USFWS (Scott Johnson and Caleb occurrence “hotspot” and “coldspot” of Maine. They focused on diet studies, Spiegel), this study has been highly detection. The aim was to support sta- productivity, growth, and populations successful in tracking the movements tistically based guidelines for timing, of terns (Sterna spp.), Atlantic Puffins of three focal marine bird species— frequency, and spatial distribution of (Fractercula arctica), Razorbills (Alca Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus), marine bird surveys needed to guide torda), and Black Guillemots (Cepphus Red-throated Loons (Gavia stellata), placement of offshore renewable energy grylle). To track winter movements and Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicil- facilities, such as wind farms, to reduce of Atlantic Puffins, 13 geolocators lata). Birds were caught at sea in winter potential impacts on birds. The first were deployed on breeding adults. In specifically to examine their winter use phase of this project was completed in partnership with the nonprofit explore. of the mid-Atlantic continental shelf December 2012; the report and supple- org, NAS-SRP deployed four high- area and their migratory movements in mentary information are available online definition cameras that streamed live relation to the federally designated Wind at http://www2.coastalscience.noaa.gov/ video of nesting puffins, terns, and Os- Energy Areas off the eastern seaboard. publications/search.aspx (search for prey (Pandion haliaetus) to the internet. The project team is preparing for a third “avian sampling”). The second phase of Audubon’s internship train- year of capture and tagging in early 2014. this project involves further development ing program continued, with interns Tracking of Caribbean seabirds of species-specific statistical guidelines from 12 states and three countries. is being continued by Patrick Jodice for hotspot and coldspot detection over (USGS and Clemson University), Wil- the next two years, in collaboration with Tracking Studies liam Mackin (Guilford College), and USGS and Michigan State University. Linda Welch (USFWS) and col- a host of collaborators. To date this In 2013, Brian Kinlan and Arliss leagues at Maine Coastal Islands Na- team has been able to establish tracking Winship (NCCOS) also launched the tional Wildlife Refuge deployed 10 solar efforts on seabird species in the Baha- next phase of a marine bird mapping and satellite tags on Razorbills breeding mas (Audubon’s Shearwater Puffinus modeling effort, expanding the scope at Matinicus Rock. Project objectives lherminieri, White-tailed Tropicbird to the entire US Exclusive Economic were: (1) test the ability to externally Phaethon lepturus), Jamaica (Masked Zone from Maine to Florida. Funded by attach satellite tags to Razorbills, (2) Booby Sula dactylatra), Tobago (Audu- BOEM and in cooperation with USGS, identify foraging areas of chick-rearing bon’s Shearwater, Red-billed Tropicbird USFWS, and other federal, public, aca- Razorbills, and (3) document at-sea Phaethon aethereus), Statia (Red-billed demic, and non-governmental organiza- characteristics of foraging habitat (during Tropicbird), and Mexico (Masked tions partners, NCCOS will conduct in- chick-rearing, migration, and wintering). Booby). In spring 2014, they hope to tegrative statistical modeling and predic- The team believes this is the first attempt initiate tracking work on the British tive mapping of marine bird distribution to externally equip Razorbills, which are Virgin Islands (Magnificent Frigatebird and abundance on the Outer Continental capable of diving to 120 m, with satellite Fregata magnificens, Brown Booby Shelf of the US Atlantic coast. Models tags. The birds primarily foraged within Sula leucogaster). These efforts were will be developed using a combination 25 km of the breeding colony and were funded by USFWS, National Fish and of at-sea marine bird survey data in the observed feeding on herring and hake. Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and other Atlantic Seabird Compendium database Upon departure from the breeding money that the PIs scrounged for and and marine environmental data records. colony, the birds spent several weeks squirreled away! Each project has a col- Models of occurrence and abundance near a small Razorbill colony located laborator from the home island. Much will be integrated with vulnerability and 125 km from Matinicus Rock. The birds of the work grew from the Seabird Ca- sensitivity indices being produced by may have undergone a post-breeding pacity Building workshop that Jodice, other research group, to develop a suite of molt at this location. Linda anticipates Mackin, Chris Haney (Defenders of

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 100 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 101 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Non-Pacific United States

Wildlife), and Lisa Sorenson and Ann During a 6-hour period on 31 Au- unprecedented die-off of Atlantic Puf- Sutton (Society for the Conservation gust, Jeff resighted 68 HYs (representing fins on the Atlantic coasts of both the US and Study of Caribbean Birds) conducted almost 20% of the Roseate Tern chicks and UK. SEANET staff led this collab- during summer of 2012 in San Salvador, given PFR bands in 2013) and 23 adults orative effort among many scientists and Bahamas, with funding from NFWF. with PFR bands on a small section of veterinarians from the US and Canada. The South Carolina Cooperative beach in the northwest section of the With funding from the Maine Out- Research Unit also initiated a project Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS) door Heritage Fund, Iain Stenhouse during the spring of 2013, funded (the Provincelands area). That gave a (BRI) led a one-year project to assess the by BOEM, to track Brown Pelicans total of 91 terns. On 21 August, in the current degree of mercury contamination (Pelecanus occidentalis) from colo- Nauset Estuary area, and on several across the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, us- nies in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. other days later in the Chatham area ing marine birds as biomonitors. Project of CCNS, Jeff read the “national ring” partners include Brad Allen (Maine Other studies and news on a Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sand- Department of Inland Fisheries and Jeff Spendelow (USGS) coordi- vicensis) that had been banded as a Wildlife ), Steve Kress, Paula Shannon nated a long-term cooperative research chick in 2002 on Coquet Island, off the (NAS-SRP), and Linda Welch (US- project on the meta-population dynamics northeast coast of England, UK, possibly FWS). Focal species included Common and ecology of the endangered northwest representing the first sighting of a Euro- Eider (Somateria mollissima), Double- Atlantic breeding population of Roseate pean-banded Sandwich Tern in the U.S. crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Terns (Sterna dougallii). Since 2011, Iain Stenhouse, Andrew Gilbert, auritus), Black Guillemot, and Leach’s the collaborators have examined the Kate Williams, and Wing Goodale Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa). temporal and geographic variation in (BRI) will assist the GLC in integrat- Evolutionary geneticist Kevin Mc- staging site use in southeast Massachu- ing existing survey data and develop- Cracken (University of Alaska Fair- setts by hatch-year (HY) Roseate Terns, ing a research approach designed to banks) has been named the inaugural which are given 3-character plastic field- understand nearshore and offshore bird Kushlan Chair in Waterbird Biology readable (PFR) bands as chicks. Study populations in the Great Lakes. This and Conservation at the University of sites are in Nova Scotia, Maine, New will inform decision makers in offshore Miami. Kevin will serve a dual ap- Hampshire, Connecticut, and (new for wind energy development and gen- pointment as associate professor in the 2013) New York. Colony-site coopera- eral conservation planning in the region. Department of Biology at the College tors color-banded chicks (and at some Brian Kinlan (NCCOS) is work- of Arts and Sciences and in the Division places, adults too) at 8 sites in 2013. ing with a multi-investigator group, of Marine Biology and Fisheries at the Three Roseate Terns banded as chicks including Andrew Gilbert (BRI), Beth Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmo- in 2012 returned to North America in Gardner (North Carolina State Univer- spheric Sciences. His research interests 2013. By mid-September the project sity), and Dick Veit (CUNY), to integrate lie at the intersection of population collaborators also had seen many re- various research components toward biology, genomics, and physiological turning two-year-olds—more than half developing a framework for marine bird genetics. Kevin has also carried out of all the former hatch-year birds that risk mapping for wind energy planning in studies on waterbirds as interconti- were seen on Cape Cod in 2011, and the mid-Atlantic. This is part of a larger nental carriers for pathogens, such as that were expected to have survived project funded by the North Atlantic influenza, and on waterbird systematics. until 2013. These new results indicate Landscape Conservation Cooperative. The Northwest Atlantic Marine Bird that a significantly higher percentage Sarah Courchesne (Seabird Eco- Conservation Cooperative met March of the entire northwest Atlantic Roseate logical Assessment Network; SEANET) 6–8, 2013, in Charleston, South Carolina, Tern population makes use of this area reports that all content for the “Field in conjunction with the Circumpolar in July-September than was previously Guide to Beached Birds of the South- Seabird Expert Group (CBird) meeting. suspected. They could be at risk of hurri- eastern United States” is complete, and The two groups met together for most canes, oil spills, habitat modification, etc. the book is now in the hands of a graphic of the first day and shared national and Collaborators in this research in- design and layout team. She anticipates project updates. Members of the Con- clude Ellen Jedrey, Cris Luttazi, the book will be printed and ready for servation Cooperative continued their Kathy Parsons, Karli Rogers (Mas- purchase by throngs of eager buyers at meeting for the following day and a sachusetts Audubon’s Coastal Waterbird the beginning of 2014. This summer, half. Discussions included the highest- Program), Mary Hake, Nuray Taygan Sarah & Julie Ellis (SEANET) authored priority science needs for marine birds, (CCNS), Stephanie Koch (USFWS), a presentation delivered at the annual how to address data gaps, where to focus and Edie Ray and Jonathan Shuster meeting of the Wildlife Disease Associa- resources, and pre- and post-construction on Nantucket Island. Funding support tion regarding the past winter’s severe monitoring for offshore wind projects. is from the Canadian Wildlife Service. mortality of some alcids, including the A summary of the meeting and copies

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 100 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 101 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Non-Pacific United States of presentations can be found on the breeding location of this species in Laurie Wilson (CWS, Delta) coor- Marine Bird Cooperative website at BC. Harry also reported that he has dinated the CWS seabird colony moni- www.acjv.org/marinebirds.htm. Con- been collating and reassessing histori- toring program in 2013. They revisited tact: Kirsten Luke, Atlantic Coast cal information to identify earliest BC permanent plots at the Cassin’s Auklet Joint Venture, [email protected] breeding records for many species of colony on East Copper Island and the seabirds, such as Leach’s Storm-Petrel Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus an- (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), Fork-tailed tiquus) colony on George Island (both in Storm-Petrel (O. furcata), Black Oyster- Haida Gwaii, BC). Field crew consisted catcher (Haematopus bachmani), Pigeon of Laurie, Glen Keddie (CWS contrac- CANADA Guillemot (Cepphus columba), and oth- tor, Lasqueti Island, BC), and Erika Lok Compiled by Ken Morgan ers. He is collaborating with Spencer and Courtney Albert (CWS, Delta). Sealy (University of Manitoba [UoM], Pacific Canada Winnipeg, Manitoba [MB]) and others. Populations— Spencer Sealy Colony studies— Trudy Chatwin They recently published results in Carter, (UoM, Winnipeg, MB) reported that he (Ministry of Forests, Lands and Nat- H.R., et al, 2012. Historical colony has summarized information on southern ural Resource Operations [FLNRO], Na- status and recent extirpations of burrow- at-sea movements of Ancient Murrelet naimo, British Columbia [BC]) reported nesting seabirds at Seabird Rocks, Brit- family groups from northern BC to Or- that the last complete survey of Pelagic ish Columbia. Wildlife Afield 9:13–48. egon (OR), with Harry Carter, Rick (P. pelagicus) and Double-crested (P. Mark Hipfner (Wildlife Research Thomson (DFO, Sidney, BC), Ken Mor- auritus) Cormorants in the Strait of Division [WRD], Delta) reported that gan, and Scott Pearson (Washington De- Georgia (SOG), from Mitlenatch Island the summer of 2013 marked the 20th partment of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, to the southern Gulf Island, BC) took year of the Centre for Wildlife Ecology’s Washington [WA]). Spencer worked place in 2000. In 2013, Trudy and Harry seabird research and monitoring program on summaries of vagrant alcids, with Carter (Carter Biological Consulting, on Triangle Island (BC). The 2013 field Harry Carter and others. He also became Victoria) resurveyed most cormorant crew consisted of Mark Drever and the new editor for the journal Wildlife colonies in the SOG, except certain Kevin Fort (Canadian Wildlife Service Afield, which has been publishing many nesting locations in Vancouver and along [CWS], Delta), David Green (Simon papers on seabirds in BC. Spencer’s BC’s Sunshine Coast. Because they were Fraser University, Burnaby, BC), Ka- recent publications include: (1) Sealy, unable to survey all locations, Trudy tie Haman (PhD student, University S.G., and H.R. Carter, 2012. Rare inter- cannot compare the 2013 results with of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC), ocean vagrancy in Crested Auklet and those from 2000. However, the recent Catherine Jardine (Bird Studies Canada Parakeet Auklet. Waterbirds 35:64-73; survey results do show a marked decline [BSC], Delta), and Katie Studholme (2) Sealy, S.G., and H.R. Carter, 2012. when compared to the counts conducted (MSc student, Dalhousie University Biology and conservation of the Ancient in 1987; and two islands, Mandarte and [DAL], Halifax, Nova Scotia [NS]), Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) in Mitlenatch (BC), have become increas- in addition to Mark. They monitored North America. In Kwon, Y., et al, edi- ingly important nesting locations for breeding chronology and success and tors. Status and conservation efforts on cormorants in BC. Trudy also reported related ecological parameters in Cas- murrelets. Proceedings of the 6th Inter- that staff of FLNRO is working on over sin’s Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuti- national Symposium on Migratory Birds. 200 Marbled Murrelet [Brachyramphus cus), Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca National Park Migratory Birds Center, marmororatus)] Wildlife Habitat Areas monocerata), Black Oystercatcher, and Shinan, Korea, pp 25-52; and (3) Sealy, for Vancouver Island and the BC Cen- Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glauce- S.G., and H.R. Carter, 2012. Body condi- tral Coast area. And last but not least, scens). Glenn Crossin (DAL, Halifax, tion and survival of vagrant Long-billed Trudy noted that she recently published: NS), Dan Shervill (CWS, Delta) and Murrelets, Brachyramphus perdix, in Chatwin, T.A., et al, 2013. Set-back Strahan Tucker (Fisheries and Oceans North America. Can Field-Nat 126:6-14. distances to protect nesting and roosting Canada (DFO), Nanaimo, BC), Mark seabirds off Vancouver Island from boat and Katie were involved in a joint Restoration— Chris Gill (Coastal disturbance. Waterbirds 36(1): 43-52. DAL-EC project to deploy Global Lo- Conservation, Tappen, BC) provided an Harry Carter, along with Marilyn cation Sensing (GLS) logging tags on update of a seabird restoration project Lambert and Daniel Donnecke (Victo- Rhinoceros Auklets at Triangle, Pine, that is taking place in Gwaii Haanas ria Natural History Society), monitored Lucy and the Moore islands (BC). They National Park Reserve (GHNPR) and Brandt’s Cormorant (Phalacrocorax also completed the second year of a the Haida Heritage Site (HHS) (both penicillatus) nests at Mandarte Island. joint EC-DFO project investigating the on Haida Gwaii, BC). Co-leaders of Nesting was not previously known at consumption of salmon (Onchorhyn- the 5-year project are Chris and Laurie Mandarte, and it is currently the only cus spp.) by seabirds in BC waters. Wein (Parks Canada, Skidegate, BC). In

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 102 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 103 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Canada

2009, Parks Canada and the Haida Nation gull species (Larus spp.). Caroline re- (CWS, Delta), and Karen Barry and launched a 2-phase program to restore cently started a post-doctoral fellowship Christopher Di Corrado (BSC, Delta). seabird nesting habitat and associated investigating the environmental drivers Ken Morgan (CWS, Sidney, BC) ecosystem processes at islands that are of at-sea distributions and densities of investigated the spatial/temporal overlap ecologically and culturally significant in BC’s marine birds. With a large data set of commercial groundfish fishing and the GHNPR, the National Marine Con- that spans BC’s north and central coast seabirds in Pacific Canada waters. This servation Area Reserve, and the HHS. In waters, Caroline and collaborators will is in collaboration with two post-docs Phase 1 (2011), Parks Canada developed develop predictive geospatial models for (Caroline Fox (Raincoast Conservation partnerships with Coastal Conservation, a large suite of seabird species for use in Foundation and UVIC, Victoria, BC) Island Conservation, and the Luckenbach risk assessments and marine planning. and Sarah Wong (Acadia University, Council to eradicate Norway rats (Rattus Bernard Shroeder (Bernard K. Wolfville, NS. Pat O’Hara (CWS, Sid- norvegicus) from Arichika Island and Schroeder Consulting, Nanaimo, BC), ney, BC) assisted in the development of the Bischof Islands (total area approxi- conducted vessel line-transect seabird predictive models for the distribution of mately 100 ha). Phase 2 commenced in surveys in the Prince Rupert region seabirds from at-sea data. Ken has con- early September 2013 with the aerial (BC) for environmental assessment work tributed to recent papers, including: (1) broadcasting of brodifacoum (a second- related to a proposed liquefied natural Ellis, J.I., et al., 2013. Mortality of Mi- generation anticoagulant rodenticide) on gas plant and shipping terminal. This gratory Birds from Marine Commercial Murchison and Faraday islands in the work is being conducted for Aecom Fisheries and Offshore Oil and Gas Pro- park (total area approximately 800 ha). Environmental (Camarillo, California). duction in Canada. Avian Conserv Ecol The target for phase 2 is the black rat (R. A set of surveys was conducted during 8(2): http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ACE- rattus). A repeat application took place four seasonal periods to characterize 00589-080204; and (2) Wong, S.N.P., et around the end of September. Overall spring migration, summer residents, al. (submitted). Hotspots in cold seas: the project goals are to improve or restore fall migration, and winter residents. composition, distribution and abundance nesting populations of Ancient Murrelet, Bernard also conducted Marbled Mur- of marine birds in the North Ameri- which is listed as Special Concern under relet radar surveys at the Sarita River on can Arctic. J. Geophys Res—Oceans. Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA), Vancouver Island (BC) to characterize Cassin’s Auklet, and Fork-tailed and commuting behavior and flight heights. Planning, analysis— Doug Ber- Leach’s Storm-Petrels. Other species These surveys were conducted for as- tram (WRD, Delta, BC) worked on that may also benefit from rat removal are sessment of a proposed run-of-river population trend analyses of the Marbled Marbled Murrelet (listed as Threatened hydropower project for EDI Environ- Murrelet, with Mark Drever, Bernard under SARA), Black Oystercatcher, and mental Dynamics Ltd (Nanaimo, BC.) Schroeder, Dave Lindsay (Timber- Pelagic Cormorant. Monitoring of rats Laurie Wilson began a three-year West, Nanaimo) and Deborah Faust by remote cameras, live traps and chew study to better understand the at-sea (consultant, Kingston, Ontario). Doug blocks will commence after the second movements of Ancient Murrelets in BC. also reported that he co-authored two application of the rodenticide and will Geolocators were attached to 50 breed- papers: (1) on trends in Western Grebes last for two years. Eradication experts ing adults on George Island and on Susk (Aechmophorus occidentalis) along the who assisted with the project included Gwaii (Frederick Island), Haida Gwaii. west coast of North America: Wilson, Pete McClelland (New Zealand [NZ] The field crew included Laurie, Glen S. et al., 2013. Citizen science reveals Department of Conservation), David Keddie, Erika Lok, Courtney Albert, and an extensive shift in the winter distri- Gale (Heliotago, Dunedin, NZ), Araceli Rhonda Millikin (CWS, Delta). Finally, bution of migratory Western Grebes, Samaniego Herrera and Noé Silva Es- Laurie continued with her assessment of PLoS ONE 8(6): e65408. doi:10.1371/ tudillo (Conservación de Islas, Ensenada, seabird bycatch in commercial gillnet journal.pone.0065408); and (2) on plastic Mexico), Gregg Howald (Island Conser- fisheries. Reports of bird entanglements ingestion: Avery-Gomm, S. et al, 2013. vation, Kelowna, BC) and David Will from DFO test fisheries with associated Plastic ingestion in marine-associated (Island Conservation, Santa Cruz, CA). observer programs and bycatch events bird species from the eastern North reported by fishers were tallied. These Pacific. Mar Poll Bull 72: 257–259. Pelagic studies, fishery interac- data will be used to derive seabird by- Louise Blight (WWF, Vancouver, tions— Caroline Fox (Raincoast Con- catch estimates. Seabird surveys were BC) has been on an extended contract servation Foundation and UVIC) re- conducted in August and October 2013 in with the World Wildlife Fund Canada ported that she completed her PhD on upper Johnstone Strait (BC), to develop (WWF-Canada) to “. . . address . . . sundry ecological interactions at Pacific herring estimates of the numbers (and behav- tasks and publications related to marine (Clupea pallasii) spawning events, iors) of birds attending fishing vessels. conservation.” Those tasks have included including those between Bald Eagles Including Laurie, the field crew so far working on management solutions for (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and several has consisted of Yuriko Hashimoto underwater noise in BC, reviewing a

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 102 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 103 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Canada draft federal Update Status Report for well as nutritional ecology of Canada mouth, NS) continues to coordinate Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria Geese (Branta canadensis) and Lesser the collection of pelagic seabird data albatrus) in Canada, and sitting on the Snow Geese (Chen c. caerulescens) from offshore from Atlantic Canada. Be- Advisory Committee for the Bowie Akimiski Island (James Bay, Nunavut tween(Oct 2012 and Oct 2013, over Seamount Marine Protected Area (BC). [NU]). In addition, Sam will be supervis- 20,000 km were surveyed on the Scotian Alan Burger (University of Vic- ing graduate students from the University Shelf (NS), the Grand Banks (New- toria (UVIC), BC) continued to work of Western Ontario (London, ON) on a foundland and Labrador [NL]), and the on Marbled Murrelet issues in BC, variety of projects conserving waterfowl Labrador Shelf (NL); they also have in- and was the principal author of the and wetlands throughout the Great Lakes. creased their survey effort in the eastern draft Marbled Murrelet Recovery Strat- Arctic. In addition, this past summer, gull egy for Canada. Alan also recently Atlantic Canada colonies were surveyed by air through- completed the Status of Endangered Tony Diamond (University of New out coastal NS and the Bay of Fundy Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) up- Brunswick [NB]) reported that his lab, (on both the NS and the NB coasts) to date for the Short-tailed Albatross. the Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Re- assess the current breeding status and Jo Smith (Birdsmith Ecological search, continued to work on the seabird trends of large gulls in these provinces. Research, Smithers, BC) continues to community of Machias Seal Island (NB). Ground surveys, led by Sabina Wilhelm work with the Marine Planning Partner- Following a winter wreck of mostly (CWS, St. John’s, NL) and Karen Potter ship for the North Pacific Coast (MaPP) Razorbills (Alca torda), and to a lesser (CWS, Dartmouth, NS), were conducted to develop ecosystem-based marine extent, Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arc- at a subset of colonies, in order to es- management plans for the Northern tica), Razorbills had a normal breeding tablish correction factors for the counts Shelf Bioregion, from just south of year. In marked contrast, puffins had done by air, and to estimate ratios of Campbell River (BC) north to the Alaska the latest and worst breeding season in Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus ma- border (www.mappocean.org). A portal 19-years of monitoring. Twelve (of 26) rinus) to Herring Gulls (L. argentatus). supports planning and contains more geolocator tags deployed on puffins in Rob Ronconi (Acadia University, than 100 data layers including seabird 2012 were recovered, but they had a Wolfville, NS) worked as a Post-doc manufacturing fault that interfered with colonies (source: CWS), at-sea obser- researcher with Phil Taylor and Mark waterproofing. In other work at the lab, vations of shearwaters (Puffinus spp.) Mallory (both at Acadia) investigating Kirsten Bowser has completed her MSc and albatrosses (Phoebastria spp.), and interactions between seabirds and off- thesis on “NextGeneration” sequencing Marine Important Bird Areas (BSC, shore oil and gas platforms on the Scotian of a seabird food chain—Atlantic puffins Delta). Jo also continues limited work Shelf in eastern Canada. The project is a and Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus). on the Canadian Albatross and Shear- partnership between academia (Acadia), Kevin Kelly is writing his MSc thesis water Recovery Team (Louise Blight, industry (Marielle Thillet; Encana Cor- on physiological indicators of health in Peter Hodum [Oikonos–Ecosystem poration, Halifax, NS) and government Atlantic Puffins; Erin Whidden (MSc) Knowledge and University of Puget agencies (Karel Allard and Carina is deep into a MARK analysis of factors Ken Morgan Gjerdrum Sound, Tacoma, WA), , affecting recruitment in puffins; and ; CWS, Sackville, NB, and and others) to review of an update on Lauren Scopel is similarly involved Dartmouth, NS respectively). Using status of the Short-tailed Albatross for with the database on Arctic Terns (Sterna various devices, they tracked several COSEWIC (written by Alan Burger). paradisaea), in collaboration with other different focal seabird species. On Sable members of the Gulf of Maine Seabird Island (NS), Rob used VHF, satellite, and Central Canada Working Group. They are exploring the GPS archival tags to track the foraging Gail Fraser (Faculty of Environ- patterns and causes of the abandonment trips and platform interactions of Herring mental Studies, York University, Toronto, of North America’s largest Arctic Tern and Great Black-backed Gulls. From ON) continues to work on Double-crested colony in 2006. Andre Breton (Colorado Sable and Country Island (NS), MSc Cormorants (P. auritus) in Lake Ontario. Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research student Jessica Stephens (Acadia) used Samantha Richman wrote that Unit, Colorado State University, Fort VHF tags to monitor incubation patterns she has “finally” landed a permanent Collins, Colorado) is working with Tony and track foraging trips of Arctic and job as the Research Scientist at Long to analyze the relationship of adult puffin Common (S. hirundo) Terns. PhD stu- Point Waterfowl (BSC, Port Rowan, survival to the herring stock; their paper dent Ingrid Pollet (DAL, Halifax, NS) ON). Sam will be continuing her has been accepted for publication: Breton, used VHF and archival geolocator tags work with captive Common Eiders A.R., and A.W. Diamond. 2014. Annual to track Leach’s Storm-Petrel foraging (Somateria mollissima) and White- survival of adult Atlantic PuffinsFrater - trips from two NS colonies. The field winged Scoters (Melanitta fusca) at cula arctica varies with Herring Clupea team also completed a census of breeding the Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Con- harengus availability; Ibis, in press. terns and gulls on Sable Island in 2013. servancy (Litchfield, Connecticut), as Carina Gjerdrum (CWS, Dart- Arctic Canada

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 104 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 105 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Canada

Between mid-July and early-August, From north to south, these are: Coronado ing. As a member of the Albatross Task 2013, Kyle Elliott (UoM, Winnipeg, (three islands and one islet, near the Force-Chile (ATF-Chile), Cristián is MB), Christine Eberl (WRD, Ottawa, US-Mexico border), Todos Santos (two participating in experiments demonstrat- ON), and Orla Osborne (UVIC, Victo- islands), San Martín, San Jerónimo, ing the role of streamer lines used simul- ria, BC) visited the Thick-billed Murre Natividad, San Roque, and Asunción. taneously with the absence of discard (Uria lomvia) colony at Coats Island, Priority seabird species for the restora- in reducing seabird bycatch. He is also NU. Ice-off was late in Hudson Bay this tion efforts include the Cassin’s Auklet participating in the Scientific Commit- year, and consequently, median hatch (Ptychoramphus aleuticus), Brandt’s tee of Biodiversity-Seabirds, a group date for murres was about a week later Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus), organized by the Chilean Government than in recent years. Research highlights Double-crested Cormorant (P. auritus), to share recommendations for seabird included deploying GPS loggers on about California Brown Pelican (Pelecanus oc- conservation, with emphasis on fishery 150 murres and testing 75 known-age cidentalis), Ashy Storm-Petrel (Oceano- bycatch and providing seabird identifica- murres for response to experimental vac- droma homochroa), and Scripps’s tion and other training in seabird biology cination with Newcastle Disease vaccine. Murrelet (Synthliboramphus scrippsi). to scientific observers with Instituto de There were still at least two birds present GECI’s work focuses on the re- Fomento Pesquero (IFOP). Cristián has that were banded as chicks in 1981 (and colonization of these species by means provided support and collaboration in di- therefore 32 years old, which ties the of social attraction techniques: decoys etary studies of nesting seabirds in Chile, oldest published murre records that Kyle and playback calls for diurnal species, such as the Black-browed and Grey- is aware of); there were also some birds and playback calls for nocturnal species. headed (T. chrysostoma) Albatrosses, banded as adults in the late 1980s, and They have installed artificial nest boxes documented major negative effects on therefore now probably in their early 30s. for the burrowing species. Also, they are seabird colonies of the introduction of Sarah Wong (Acadia University, carrying out invasive vegetation control domestic predators (e.g., dogs) on islands Wolfville, NS) recently began a post- in both Coronado and Todos Santos, and islets, and the capture of Magellanic doctoral fellowship with Mark Mallory and are designing a boardwalk for San Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) for (Acadia, NS) looking at the marine distri- Martín and San Jerónimo to avoid bur- direct consumption and use as bait in the bution of seabirds in the North American rows being trampled by people walking longline fishery. He has also dictated the Arctic. Sarah is analyzing a 5-year data around. As part of the environmental University-level course “Seabirds: Biol- set of at-sea surveys conducted across education program, they organized a ogy, Ecology and Conservation,” which western and eastern Arctic, to identify weeklong event on Bahía Asunción for had an outstanding turnout by Marine habitat associations and important mar- children and adults, in collaboration Biology students at the Universidad ine areas. Collaborators include Carina with the local fishermen’s community Católica de la Santísima Concepción. Gjerdrum (CWS, Dartmouth, NS) (California de San Ignacio Cooperative). Programs focused on conservation and Ken Morgan (CWS, Sidney, BC). The main topic was seabirds on islands, of the Pink-footed Shearwater (Puffinus and the importance of keeping islands creatopus) are ongoing under Oikonos free of invasive species. The activi- Ecosystem Knowledge, in collabora- ties included painting murals, theater, tion with American Bird Conservancy music, and biosecurity workshops. (ABC), Pro Delphinus, the Corporación Nacional Forestal (Chilean federal agen- LATIN AMERICA Chile cy), and Environment Canada. Work in- Compiled by Annette Henry Since 2012, Cristián G. Suazo has cludes long-term conservation research, published a paper describing basic biol- community outreach and education, and México—seabird restoration ogy and ecology of seabirds such as the restoration programs in Chile focused Grupo de Ecología y Conservación Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis) at on the. Current research includes breed- de Islas, A.C. (GECI) is the recipient of islands of western Patagonia (Suazo et ing season monitoring, assessments of the Montrose-Luckenbach Restoration al., Ornitología Neotropical, 23: 235, invasive predator impacts, surveys of Funds for seabirds in Baja California, 2012); and one detailing interactions boat captains to assess bycatch frequency in addition to Mexican Government between artisanal fishermen and seabirds in artisanal fisheries, assessments of funds, the in-kind collaboration of in the southern archipelagos of Chile impacts from lights in towns during the the Mexican Navy, and other private (Suazo et al., Oryx, 47: 184, 2013). The breeding season, and satellite tracking resources. Yuri V. Albores-Barajas, latter paper identified levels of seabird of post-breeding adults to further refine María Félix-Lizárraga, and Alfonso bycatch in longline fishing from reduced our understanding of migratory routes Aguirre-Muñoz, all with GECI, are to null. A collaborative review synthe- and wintering hotspots. Recent com- currently working on seven groups of sizing seabird bycatch and mitigation munity activities include establishing islands washed by the California Current. actions in Chilean waters is forthcom- local soccer tournaments with a shear-

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 104 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 105 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Latin America water theme, stuffed shearwater chick Geological Survey [USGS]) his team tris). One again the number of gulls workshops for schoolchildren, and the from Oregon State University (OSU). attempting to breed was small (less than collaboration with an artists’ collective to About 20 Greater Crested Terns (T. 1,000 pairs) and their success was poor. paint a shearwater mural on a wall of the bergii) were on the island the day after Rhinoceros Auklets started breeding 2 community school. Restoration efforts the audio-system was installed, and weeks later than average, and fledgling have focused on stabilizing breeding some landed on the island again in early numbers were the lowest during 10 years colonies by transplanting native plants June. About 2,600 Greater Crested Terns of monitoring. Kenji Hoshina (Hokkai- on denuded slopes that suffer from high and a maximum of 19 Chinese Crested do University) put GPS loggers on Rhi- rates of erosion. Collaborators on these Terns were observed on 1 August, and noceros Auklets, and Akinori Takahashi projects include Valentina Colodro, some nested on the island. At least (National Institute of Polar Research) and Peter Hodum, Verónica López, Chris- 600 Greater Crested Tern chicks were his students put acceleration data-loggers tian López and Paola González of fledged from the new colony, along with and geolocators. The Common Murre Oikonos, Holly Freifeld and George at least one Chinese Crested Tern chick. (Uria aalge) restoration program was Wallace of ABC, Joanna Alfaro and Many cooperators contributed to the carried out at Teuri by Yuuji Watanabe Jeff Mangel of Pro Delphinus, and Chinese Crested Tern project. Roby’s and Makoto Hasebe (Ministry of Envi- Ken Morgan of Environment Canada. team included Don Lyons and Stefanie ronment) was successful, as was the con- Collar (OSU), who advised on tern resto- trol of avian predators around the breed- Argentina, Galápagos ration techniques and assisted with prep- ing ledge; 8 fledglings were observed. Dee Boersma, with the University aration of habitat and social attraction Kuniko Otsuki monitored Japanese of Washington and the Wildlife Con- materials. Stefanie spent two months Murrelet nests. In April–July 2013, the servation Society, and her students are in China assisting with the monitoring Japanese Murrelet Population Monitor- starting year 30 of the Magellanic Pen- of the restoration effort. Project leaders ing Team (Yutaka Nakamura, Darrell guin (Spheniscus magellanicus) Project included Chen Shuihua (Zhejiang Mu- Whitworth [USA], Kuniko Otsuki, at Punta Tombo, Argentina. This is the seum of Natural History), Simba Chan, Harry Carter and Spencer Sealy [Can- largest Magellanic Penguin colony in and officials from the Xiangshan Ocean ada], and others) conducted nest searches the world. She also continues to study and Fishery Bureau. The restoration and monitored the largest known colony Galápagos Penguins (S. mendiculus), project is sponsored by several interna- on Birojima, Miyazaki-ken, Japan. They and to build nest sites to increase their tional funders, including the Japan Fund were funded by the Suntory Group and population, in cooperation with Godfrey for Global Environment, the U.S. Fish assisted by town residents of Kadogawa. Merlen and the Galápagos National and Wildlife Service (Wildlife Without A total of 40 nest crevices were tagged Park. A book edited by Pablo Garcia Borders), OSU, USGS, the Ocean Park in plots under the forest canopy on top Borboroglu and Dee Boersma, “Pen- Conservation Foundation Hong Kong, of the island and in shoreline caves. guins: Natural History and Conserva- and BirdLife International supporter Egg laying ranged from late February tion” was published by University of Mark Constantine. In China, the Xiang- to late April. Hatching success was Washington Press and is available online. shan Ocean and Fishery Bureau, the relatively high, but much evidence of Jiushan Islands National Nature Reserve, egg and adult predation, at least some and the Zhejiang Museum of Natural by Jungle Crows (Corvus macrorhyn- History provided vital matching funds. chos) and owls, was found in the forest. Fujii Tadashi ASIA In Japan, and his Fears of possible island invasion by colleagues did at-sea surveys from the introduced rats (Rattus sp.) has yet to be Compiled by Yutaka Watanuki commercial ferry to investigate the dis- confirmed, but more studies are planned. tribution of seabirds in the Seto Inland In March–April 2013, Midori Chinese Crested Tern (Thalas- Sea of Japan. They plan to elucidate the Takashima (Kaminoseki Nature Con- seus bernsteini) restoration at Jiushan environmental factors affecting distri- servation Association; KNCA), in col- Islands, Xiangshan County of Zhejiang bution of Arctic Loons (Gavia arctica), laboration with Shinichi Watanabe and Province, China, was very successful wintering Pacific loons (G. pacifica) and his students from Fukuyama University, in the first year, as reported by Simba Japanese Murrelets (Synthliboramphus conducted boat surveys, nest searches, Chan (BLI). A workshop on tern resto- wumizusume) that may breed in the area. and radio-telemetry of Japanese Mur- ration was held in March 2013. Tiedun At Teuri Island, Japan, Yutaka relets in the Seto Inland Sea near Ka- Dao (a small island within the Jiushan Watanuki (Hokkaido University) and minoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Work Islands) was identified as the primary his students monitored Rhinoceros Auk- was funded by Seven Eleven Funds, restoration site. About 300 decoys were lets (Cerorhinca monocerata), Japanese Patagonia, and Takagi Funds for Citizen placed there in early May, with the Cormorants (Phalacrocorax capillatus) Science, and this project was assisted technical support of Dan Roby (US and Black-tailed Gulls (Larus crassiros- by US scientists John Takekawa and

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 106 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 107 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Asia

Darrell Whitworth. Japanese Murrelets now in its twelfth year, includes collabo- 2013, 20 of these burrows were known can be found in the waters around Ka- rators at the Yamashina Institute for Orni- to be occupied by Collared Petrels. minoseki throughout the year, but to date thology (Ministry of Environment Japan) Tuverea Tuamoto (invasive spe- no nests have been found on any islands and USFWS. Current work focuses on cies manager for NatureFiji–Mareqe- in the Seto Inland Sea. As many as 11 monitoring colony attendance by hand- tiViti) accompanied a team of researchers Japanese Murrelets and 7 Ancient Mur- reared birds that were introduced to a in surveying a total of nine islands in relets (Synthliboramphus antiquus) were new colony on Mukojima as chicks. We the Lomaiviti and Lau group between counted during boat surveys on 26–28 are also monitoring breeding attempts by 1 and 14 July 2013. The boat journey March. Nest searches were conducted on these birds, and are analyzing and writ- went past Gau (presumed nesting lo- four islands (Uwashima, Houjiroshima, ing up satellite-tracking data from the cation for the Fiji Petrel) and Taveuni Koiwashima and Kojima), but no evi- newly fledged chicks as they went to sea. (presumed nesting location for Tahiti dence of breeding was found. Two adult Michele Kappes, Rob Suryan, and Petrel). The team surveyed for seabirds murrelets with brood patches were cap- collaborators at the Yamashina Institute at sea for more than 50 hours, traveling tured and fitted with VHF transmitters, for Ornithology begun to analyze Short- over 400 nm (741 km). They recorded but both murrelets apparently moved tailed Albatross tracking data collected 26 Tahiti and 6 Collared Petrels; un- out of the study area soon after release. during the 2006–2008 chick-rearing pe- fortunately, no Fiji Petrels were seen. KNCA will continue surveys and radio riod. This tracking effort was completed Mark O’Brien (BLI) observed telemetry in February–March 2014. just as the translocation and fledgling Buller’s Shearwaters (Puffinus bulleri) In April 2013, Masayoshi Take- tracking project started, so the data have flying over Vanua Levu waters. Small sishi (Kitakyushu Museum of Natural not yet been fully analyzed and published. but increasing numbers of sightings of and Human History) led an expedition Buller’s have been recorded in recent to further evaluate the feasibility of OCEANIA years (3 in 2009, 2 in 2010, and 3 in restoring Japanese Murrelet habitat on Compiled by Yutaka Watanuki 2012); this is in line with a known Okinoshima and nearby Koyashima via increasing breeding population. In rat eradication. Much assistance with Oceania—Fiji May 2013 Mark and Frank Hawkins obtaining funding and trip planning was Dick Watling reported that the 2013 (International Union for the Conserva- provided by Kuniko Otsuki. Expedi- project on the Fiji Petrel (Pseudobul- tion of Nature; IUCN) caught the ferry tion members included: Okabe Hiroto, weria macgillivrayi) is well underway. from Suva to Taveuni and counted a Takuma Hashimoto, Gregg Howald This project employs two Moultrie® minimum of 150 of these shearwaters, (Island Conservation, Canada), Dar- digital cameras that operate in infrared all flying east just off the southern shore rell Whitworth and Olivier Langrand and use motion detection to capture still of Vanua Levu. A flock of about 70 birds (USA), and Bruce Fitz Earle (Canada). images of activity around burrows. Both was rafting off the Taveuni coastline Spotlight surveys in nearshore waters cameras were at burrows that showed at dusk as the ferry arrived. The next at night confirmed continued colony signs of activity, but no petrels were morning birds could be seen flying north attendance by small numbers of mur- seen there. The cameras will be relo- through the gap between Vanua Levu relets, despite the presence of rats. Rat cated to different burrows each week to and Taveuni toward open ocean. Similar eradication at Okinoshima (95 ha) is try to determine occupancy by species. numbers of birds were counted the next feasible, but the steep cliffs (maximum The Fiji Petrel fledgling that ground- day on the return trip from Taveuni to elevation 254 m) necessitate the use of an ed at the Nukuloa school in November Savusavu on Vanua Levu. The counts aerial broadcast technique for distribut- or December 2012 provided important coincided with a large weather front to ing baits. The sacred nature of the island, information on the timing of the breed- the North andWwest of Fiji, suggest- many native and endemic plant and ani- ing season. Petrels of similar size to Fiji ing that birds may have deviated from mal species, a large colony of Streaked Petrels have about a 6-week incubation their normal path to the north Pacific. Shearwaters (Calonectris leucomelas), period and a 3-month chick-rearing and heavy use by the fishing commu- period. Thus, Fiji Petrel egg-laying prob- Oceania—other areas nity all require careful consideration ably occurs about mid-June to July, with In the Oceania region, many conser- while planning an eradication effort. hatching during August to September and vation activities are conducted by Bird- An international symposium, en- fledging in November and December. Life International (BLI) Pacific Partners. titled “Japanese Murrelet and the Sea Burrows of Collared Petrels (Pterodroma Thomas Ghestemme reported that in of Miracles” will be held in Yamaguchi, brevipes) contained medium-sized chicks French Polynesia, between January and Kyoto, and Tokyo in August 2014. that are expected to fledge at the end of September 2013, Société Calédonienne Rob Suryan (OSU) continued satel- July and into August. Eighty-one petrel d’Ornithologie (SCO) project officers lite-tracking efforts on Short-tailed Alba- burrows were identified in four loca- rescued 128 Tahiti Petrels (Pseudobul- tross (Phoebastria albatrus). This study, tions of Gau Island. As of late summer weria rostrata). They had mainly been

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 106 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 107 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Asia found by locals on Tahiti. Good companies are operating where most of the Pacific Secretariat of BLI, together with munication between local residents and breeding colonies are. Mining operators the Te Ipukarea Society (BLI partner) SCO project officers played an important are involved in the project and a manage- and the Cook Islands National Environ- role in this recovery operation. Rescues ment plan will be produced for mining ment Service conducted a ground-based involve searches for birds, then mea- companies to mitigate their impact. Ef- rat-eradication operation on Suwarrow surements and observations of handled fective rodent and cat control has been Atoll in April and May 2013. The eradi- birds. This work is accomplished mostly implemented in some breeding colonies, cation involved the application of rat by volunteers, who are members of a and efforts have been made to locate new baits on three infested islands, follow- network formed by Lucie Faulquier, breeding colonies to gain better knowl- ing a well-structured program. Suwar- marine bird Manager for the Société edge and understanding of the Gould’s row is internationally recognized as an d’Ornithologie de Polynésie. SCO Petrel breeding habitat requirements. Important Bird Area that hosts eleven funded this work at the beginning of the Conservation of Fairy Terns (Sterna species of breeding seabirds; it supports year; grants are being sought to continue. nereis) was also carried out in New Cale- regionally significant colonies of Lesser Other seabirds that were observed donia. The Fairy Tern is globally vulner- Frigatebirds (Fregata ariel), Red-tailed during this campaign included 3 Collared able (IUCN Red List) and restricted to tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda) and Petrels (Pterodroma brevipes), which are the southwest Pacific. Three subspecies Sooty Terns (Onychoprion fuscatus). known to be breeding on the island but are recognized: S. n. nereis in Australia, The Atoll also supports a good number burrows have not been found; and 13 S. n. davisae in New Zealand, and S. n. of Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula), Audubon’s Shearwaters (Puffinus lher- exsul in New Caledonia and the Coral Brown Boobies (S. leucogaster), Black minieri). Funding is also being sought Sea. Old records and museum specimens Noddies (Anous minutus), and Great to locate Collared Petrels breeding sites. show that this small tern was widely Frigatebirds (F. minor). Shorebirds such Conservation of the Tahiti Petrel was car- distributed in New Caledonia until the as Bristle-thighed Curlews (Numenius ried out on Temehani, Raiatea Island (a mid-20th century. Now, however, the tahitiensis), Ruddy Turnstones (Are- protected area). An ongoing study there population is fragmented and consists naria interpres), and Wandering Tattlers involves nest monitoring and evaluat- of only 100–120 breeding pairs. More (Tringa incana) winter on this atoll. It ing the breeding population of Tahiti than 20 small islands are known to sup- will take some time until it is known if Petrels. Conservation actions such as port Fairy Tern breeding colonies, of the eradication his been successful; but cat (Felis sylvestsris) and raptor control which six were impacted by introduced visitors’ reports and other indications that were implemented in February hsve rats. Between 2008 and 2010 the SCO are positive. The three organizations shown little success. Setbacks were and Partners eradicated rats from the are working together to produce and identified and control efforts improved. six islets. The benefits of these opera- implement a biosecurity plan to pre- This study is funded by the Ministry of tions have extended beyond Fairy Tern vent a re-invasion of rats to Suwarrow. Environment of France with support to all ground-nesting seabirds. On one from the French Polynesia Government. island the near-threatened Tahiti Petrel U.S. National Wildlife Refuges in Julien Baudat-Franceschi reported Pseudobulweria rostrata has begun to the tropical Pacific on the Cconservation of Gould’s Petrel re-establish, and a historical breeding (Compiled by Annette Henry) (Pterodroma leucoptera) in New Caledo- site of the endangered Polynesian Storm- nia. The species is “vulnerable” on the of Petrel Nesofregetta fuliginosa is expected Beth Flint (U.S. Fish and Wildlife the IUCN Red List. It is heavily impacted to do the same. All Fairy Tern colonies Service [USFWS], Honolulu) reports by introduced predators (rats Rattus spp., are fenced and are surveyed during the that the 2011 Palmyra rat eradication feral cats, and pigs Sus scrofa), in addi- breeding season. A network of protected effort has been declared successful tion to habitat destruction (bush fires and areas for Fairy Terns and other seabirds and that the vegetation, terrestrial and open-cast mining). Light-induced mor- (including the Chesterfield Islands in the intertidal invertebrates, and seabirds tality is also of concern locally. The SCO Coral Sea) is being developed with local there are all responding positively to the and Partners implemented a program stakeholders. The next step for SCO is to release from the herbivory and predation controlling these predators within a petrel push forward a Species Action Plan to be by Rattus rattus. Rats had shaped the breeding colony. One aim is to secure implemented by local stakeholders. Ac- ecosystem for at least the last 70 years. the support of stakeholders (including tivities being planned for the next stage In May 2012, after many years of the South Province and mining com- will encourage re-colonization of breed- preparation, a project to eradicate the panies) for predator control and long- ing colonies using decoys and improve two species of rats at Wake Atoll was term management of the Gould’s Petrel knowledge on diet and foraging strategy. finally implemented by the US Air colonies. An associated objective is to Sia Rasalato from BLI sum- Force, USFWS, and Island Conserva- advocate for the conservation of this marized rat eradication projects from tion. This action was apparently suc- seabird, because nickel mining com- Suwarrow Atoll (Cook Islands). The cessful in eliminating Rattus tanezumi.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 108 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 109 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Oceania

They came very close to removing all UK in 2013. Akiko Shoji and Annette visual tracking and transect surveys at a R. exulans, but by December of 2012 it Fayett (PhD candidates, University of selection of colonies in 2009–2011, and became clear that R. exulans survived Oxford), Jennifer Roberts, Chris Per- the collated underlying environmental on two of the 3 islands in the atoll. An rins, and project leader Tim Guilford variables. The goal is to create a spatial external review of all factors in planning (University of Oxford) visited Skomer surface of relative distributions both and implementation yielded information Island, Wales. They studied migration within surveyed and unsurveyed areas. that will inform a second attempt, mak- and wintering areas of Manx Shearwa- Ellie Owen, Royal Society for ing that effort more likely to succeed and ters (Puffinus puffinus), Atlantic Puffins the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and benefit the nesting seabirds at the site. (Fratercula arctica), Razorbills (Alca the staff of the STAR project (Seabird Refuge staff and volunteers at torda), Common Guillemots (Uria Tracking and Research) completed a Johnston Atoll continued their system- aalge) and Black-Legged Kittiwakes fourth year of multispecies, multisite and atic attempts to eradicate Anoplolepis (Rissa tridactyla) using geolocator multi-tag-type tracking from UK seabird gracilipes ants, which were first de- technology (GLS). They also deployed colonies—11 colonies in Scotland, three tected there in 2010. While the project global positioning system (GPS) loggers in England, three in Wales, and one in has not achieved complete eradication and GLS to examine foraging move- Northern Ireland. Over 1,500 GPS tags yet, they have reduced the ants to lev- ment of shearwaters at Skomer Island, have now been retrieved, along with els that no longer completely preclude Lundy Island (England), Lighthouse 160 TDR dive loggers (dual-deployed ground-nesting seabirds in infested areas. Island (Copelands, Northern Ireland), with GPS tags) and 65 GLS tags from Flat and declining budgets have ne- and Rum Island (Scotland). Addition- five species: Black-legged Kittiwake, cessitated the closure of field camps, in at ally, they deployed GPS loggers and Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis, least the near term, at two important sea- time-depth recorders to study foraging Common Murre, Razorbill, and Euro- bird-monitoring sites in the Northwestern behavior of Razorbills at Skomer Island, pean Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis. Hawaiian Islands—Laysan Island and and Black Guillemots (Cepphus grylle) These data are being used to run habitat Tern Island, in French Frigate Shoals. at Lighthouse Island and the Bangor association models to identify and pre- Long time series of data on seabird marina in Northern Ireland. For the first dict foraging densities of UK seabirds population monitoring have been inter- time they deployed time-depth record- during the breeding season. The goal rupted at both those sites. However, staff ers on Atlantic Puffins as a pilot project is to inform marine spatial planning, in and volunteers remain at Midway Atoll, and recovered 8 out of 12 recorders. particular marine protected areas and where a study on albatross survival and An extremely dry summer made things offshore renewable energy development. the annual albatross nest count continue. easier for researchers and some seabirds, Falk Huettmann (University of Beth Flint participated in the US as very few chicks were found with Alaska Fairbanks) and colleagues from team (Ed Melvin, Mi Ae Kim, and symptoms of the disease puffinosis at the Senckenberg Institute (Frankfurt, Marlene Menard) that attended the 7th Skomer Island, and Razorbills had much Germany) finished a pelagic study of sea- meeting of the Advisory Committee of higher breeding success than in 2012. birds off Iceland in 2013. They showed ACAP (Agreement on the Conserva- However, kittiwakes had a very poor a wide lack of seabirds during August tion of Albatrosses and Petrels) in La year on Skomer Island. Regular ongoing 2011. Falk plans to teach with Semester Rochelle, France in May 2013. She pro- monitoring (breeding success, phenol- at Sea (www.semesteratsea.org) in fall vided information about the North Pacific ogy, chick-growth rates in shearwaters) 2014, which will allow for more sea- albatrosses, which are listed as ACAP was supplemented with feather sampling. bird work in the Atlantic and its ports. species, at the meeting of the Popula- Linda Wilson (Joint Nature Con- Tim Guilford continued research tion and Conservation Status Work- servation Committee) continues to work with Rhiannon Meier (PhD can- ing Group, of which she is a member. with that agency’s Seabird and Cetaceans didate, University of Southampton, team and the four Statutory Nature Con- Southampton, UK), Russ Wynn (Uni- servation Bodies. Her work will identify versity of Southampton), and field the most suitable marine areas to be organizers, Miguel McMinn and Anna recommended as special protected areas Rodriguez, on the at-sea and migratory EUROPE AND AFRICA for the four larger tern species breeding behavior of the critically endangered Compiled by Steffen Oppel in the UK (Arctic Sterna paradisaea, Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus maure- Common S. hirundo, Sandwich S. san- tanicus), on Mallorca and Menorca North Atlantic and Mediterranean dicensis, and Roseate S. dougallii). A in the western Mediterranean Sea. The Oxnav group (Animal Behav- habitat modelling approach is applied iour Research Group, University of Ox- to establish statistical relationships of South Atlantic ford, United Kingdom [UK]) conducted the environmental preferences of terns, The Ascension Island Government, seabird research on four islands of the using foraging location data collected via in collaboration with the Universities

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 108 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 109 REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2013 • Europe and Africa of Exeter (UK) and the RSBP (Stef- ently skipped or abandoned breeding Playback trials were conducted dur- fen Oppel and Mark Bolton) tracked and no birds were available to tag. Some ing the cold and hot breeding seasons, Masked Boobies (Sula dactylatra) and Red-billed Tropicbirds (Phaeton aeth- confirming earlier suspicions that birds Ascension Frigatebirds (Fregata aquila) ereus) were tracked with GPS loggers breeding in one season do not respond in February and September to identify from breeding colonies on St Helena. to calls from birds nesting in another offshore foraging areas. Similar track- The St Helena Government, in col- season and may therefore be consid- ing work was planned on neighboring laboration with Steffen Oppel, Mark ered a separate species new to science. St Helena, where Steffen Oppel and Bolton, and Vicki Friesen (Queens Falk Huettmann (University Pete Mayhew, in collaboration with University, Ontario, Canada) proposed of Alaska Fairbanks) is helping to the St Helena Government, attempted to clarify the status of Band-rumped co-edit the Biogeographic Atlas for to track Masked Boobies, but found (to Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma castro) Antarctica and its open access data, their surprise) that all birds had appar- nesting on Ascension and St Helena. which will be released during 2014.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 110 Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page PB THE LIGHTER SIDE

Vending machine in Kadogawa, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. The cheerful Japanese Murrelet is advertising protection of the species, which nests on nearby Bi- rojima. In the past, residents of Kadogawa harvested murrelet eggs and adults, but now they help mitigate threats to the murrelets. The vending company, Suntory, has recently funded Japanese Murrelet monitoring. Photo by Kuniko Otsuki; see her article on page 59 of this issue.

CORRECTION In Pacific Seabirds 40(1), page 27, a person was mis-named in the photo of the 2012 Executive Council. The lady on the right is Kim Rivera, not Kim Nelson. Apologies to both.

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 111 PUBLICATIONS OF THE PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP

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

SYMPOSIA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 112 PSG PUBLICATIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF THE AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. Daniel W. Anderson, D. Tommy King, and John Coulson (editors). Proceedings of a Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group. Waterbirds, Volume 28. Special Publication 1, 2005. Published by the Waterbird Society. $15.00. Order from PSG Treasurer (order form on last page).

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

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

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

TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS EXXON VALDEZ OIL SPILL SEABIRD RESTORATION WORKSHOP. Kenneth I. Warheit, Craig S. Harrison, and George J. Divoky (editors). Exxon Valdez Restoration Project Final Report, Restoration Project 95038. PSG Technical Publi- cation Number 1. 1997. Available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org METHODS FOR SURVEYING MARBLED MURRELETS IN FORESTS: A REVISED PROTOCOL FOR LAND MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH. Pacific Seabird Group, Marbled Murrelet Technical Committee. PSG Technical Pub- lication Number 2. 2003. Available free of charge at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 113 PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP COMMITTEE COORDINATORS FOR 2013

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

AWARDS COMMITTEE The Awards Committee consists of the Past Chair, Chair, and Chair-Elect. Committee members from February 2013 until Feb- ruary 2014 are Kim Rivera (Past Chair), Doug Forsell (Chair), and Jo Smith (Chair-Elect). Their contact information is on the inside back cover. CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Stan Senner, Ocean Conservancy, 4189 SE Division St., Portland, OR 97202, USA. Telephone: (503) 236-8694; mobile: (907) 903-6796; email: [email protected]

CRAIG S. HARRISON CONSERVATION SMALL GRANTS COMMITTEE Verena Gill, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., MS 341, Anchorage, AK 99503-6199, USA. Telephone: (907) 786-3584; fax: (907) 786-3816; mobile: (907) 250-3721; e-mail: [email protected]

ELECTION COMMITTEE Alan Burger, email: [email protected]

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Verena Gill, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., MS 341, Anchorage, AK 99503-6199, USA. Telephone: (907) 786-3584; fax: (907) 786-3816; cell phone: (907) 250-3721; e-mail: [email protected]

CHINESE CRESTED TERN WORKING GROUP Verena Gill, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., MS 341, Anchorage, AK 99503-6199, USA. Telephone: (907) 786-3584; fax: (907) 786-3816; cell phone: (907) 250-3721; e-mail: [email protected]

JAPAN SEABIRD CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Kuniko Otsuki, 1-18 Ishida Hokida Fukushima-shi, Fukushima-ken 960-8163 Japan. Telephone and fax: (+81) 24-546-5556; email: [email protected] and Kim Nelson, Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Oregon State Uni- versity, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-3803, USA. Telephone: (541) 737-1962; fax: (541) 737-1980; email: [email protected]

KITTLITZ’S MURRELET TECHNICAL COMMITTEE John Piatt, U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, c/o 616 Marrowstone Point Rd., Nordland, WA 98358-9633, USA. Telephone: (360) 744-0516; fax: (360) 385-7207; e-mail: [email protected]

MARBLED MURRELET TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Kim Nelson, Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-3803, USA. Telephone: (54) 737-1962, fax: (54)737-1980, email: kim.nelson@ oregonstate.edu and Peter Hodum, Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge and University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner St., Ta- coma, WA 98416, USA. Telephone: (253) 879-2789; email: [email protected]

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 114 PSG COMMITTEE COORDINATORS

SEABIRD MONITORING COMMITTEE Scott Hatch, email: [email protected]

SCRIPPS’S AND GUADALUPE MURRELET TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Shaye Wolf, Center for Biological Diversity, 351 California St., Ste. 600, San Francisco, CA 94104. Telephone: (415) 632-5301 (office), (415) 385-5746 (mobile); fax: (415) 436-9683; e-mail: [email protected] and Harry R. Carter, Carter Bio- logical Consulting, 1015 Hampshire Road, Victoria, BC V8S4S8, Canada. Telephone: (250) 370-7031; email: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Michelle Hester, Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge, PO Box 191, Kailua, HI 96795, USA. Telephone: (808) 228-4463; email: [email protected]

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS COMMITTEE Melanie Steinkamp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 11510 American Holly Drive, Laurel, MD 20708. USA. Telephone: (301) 497-5678; mobile (only when travelling): (413) 687-5950; fax: (301) 497-5706; e-mail: [email protected]

PSG DELEGATES TO THE ORNITHOLOGICAL COUNCIL Pat Baird, Simon Fraser University, Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6. Telephone: (604) 928-5510; e-mail: [email protected] and Doug Forsell, 47130 Iversen Point Rd., Point Arena, CA, USA. Telephone: (707) 884-1514; e-mail: [email protected]

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 115 PSG LIFE MEMBERS 2013 ______David Ainley Lisa Haggblom Koji Ono Sarah G. Allen Judith Latta Hand Steffen Oppel Daniel W. Anderson Craig S. Harrison Katie O’Reilly Edgar P. Bailey Scott A. Hatch Julia K. Parrish Pat Herron Baird Monica Herzig Zürcher Robert Pitman Lisa Ballance Nancy Hillstrand Jennifer Provencher Mrs. Don Bishop Joel D. Hubbard C. John Ralph Kenneth T. Briggs David B. Irons William P. Ritchie Joanna Burger Ronald Javitch Chad Roberts Douglas Causey Sarah Keller Daniel D. Roby Ellen W. Chu James G. King Gerald A. Sanger Roger B. Clapp Joohn Konecny Palmer C. Sekora Cheryl Conel Kathy Kuletz Nanette Seto Kathy Cousins James Kushlan Kouzi Shiomi Theodore L. Cross Lora Leschner Joanna Smith Jeff Davis David B. Lewis William E. Southern Robert H. Day Peter Major Arthur L. Sowls Tony DeGange Eugene Y. Makishima Jeffrey A. Spendelow Jan Dierks Vivian Mendenhall Craig Strong George Divoky Godfrey Merlen Takaki Terasawa Kyle Elliott Pat Mock W. Breck Tyler Stewart Fefer Ken Morgan Enriqueta Velarde Gonzalez Lloyd C. Fitzpatrick Edward C. Murphy Kees Vermeer Elizabeth Flint Maura Naughton John S. Warriner Douglas J. Forsell S. Kim Nelson Yutaka Watanuki Michael Fry Yasuaki Niizuma Jennifer Wheeler Adrian Gall David R. Nysewander Jeff Williams Harou Ogi

HONORARY MEMBER John Cooper

RECIPIENTS OF PSG’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

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

RECIPIENTS OF PSG’S SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Malcolm Coulter= Hiroshi Hasegawa Arthur L. Sowls = Franklin Gress Lora Leschner Steven M. Speich George J. Divoky Edward Melvin Mark J. Rauzon Craig S. Harrison S. Kim Nelson Yutaka Watanuki =Deceased

Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 116 Pacific Seabird Group Membership Application/Publication Order Form (Please copy)

Membership (includes subscription to Pacific Seabirds) (You may also join or renew online at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org) Individual $40.00 Student (undergraduate and graduate) $30.00 Subscription to Pacific Seabirds by mail $10.00 (can be downloaded free at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org) Life Membership1 $1,200.00 (optional payment plan: five $240 installments) Sponsored Membership $40.00 Name of Sponsored Member______$______

Donations2 To the Endowment Fund1 $______Other (please specify)______$______

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

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

PSG Symposia Status and Conservation of the Marbled Murrelet in North America ______x $20.00 $______Biology of Marbled Murrelets: Inland and at Sea ______x $12.00 $______Biology, Status, and Conservation of Japanese Seabirds______x $75.00 $______The Biology and Conservation of the American White Pelican ______x $15.00 $______TOTAL ENCLOSED Prices include postage (surface rate) and handling.

SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER (payable in US dollars to the Pacific Seabird Group) to: Lindsay Young, PO Box 61493, Honolulu, HI, 96839-1493. Telephone: (808) 741-9479; e-mail: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIPS (new and renewing) and DONATIONS may also be paid online at www.pacificseabirdgroup.org ______1 Proceeds from Life Memberships go to the Endowment Fund, which supports the publications of the Pacific Seabird Group. Contributions may be given for a specified purpose. 2 Donations may be tax-deductible; see inside front cover for more information. Member/Sponsor or Order Deliver/Ship to (if different) Name______Name______Address______Address______Telephone______Telephone______Fax______Fax______E‑mail______E‑mail______Pacific Seabirds • Volume 40, Number 2 • Fall 2013 • Page 117 PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2013 For Executive Council members in current year (if different), see PSG’s web site, http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org

Officers Chair Doug Forsell, 47130 Iversen Point Rd., Point Arena, CA, USA. Telephone: (707) 884-1514; e-mail: [email protected] Past Chair Kim Rivera, NOAA Fisheries, National Seabird Program, Alaska Region, P.O Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, USA. Telephone: (907) 586-7424; e-mail: [email protected] Chair-Elect Joanna Smith, 408-9000 Birch St., Chilliwack, BC, V2P 8G2, Canada. Telephone: (604) 795- 9332; mobile: (604) 813-9200; e-mail: [email protected] Vice-Chair for Conservation Stan Senner, Ocean Conservancy, 4189 SE Division St., Portland, OR 97202, USA. Telephone: (503) 236-8694; mobile: (907) 903-6796; email: ssenner@oceanconservancy. org Treasurer Lindsay Young, PO Box 61493, Honolulu, HI, 96839-1493. Telephone: (808) 741-9479; e-mail: [email protected] Secretary Pat Baird, Simon Fraser University, Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6. Telephone: (604) 928-5510 (mobile); e-mail: pab7@ sfu.ca Editor, Pacific Seabirds Vivian Mendenhall, 4600 Rabbit Creek Rd., Anchorage, AK 99516, USA. Phone: (907) 345- 7124; fax (907) 345-0686; e-mail: [email protected]

Regional Representatives Alaska and Russia Adrian Gall, ABR, Inc.–Environmental Research & Services, P.O. Box 80410, Fairbanks, AK 99708, USA. Phone: (907) 455-6777 x125; fax: (907) 455-6781; e-mail: [email protected] Canada Ken Morgan, Institute of Ocean Sciences. P.O. Box 6000, 9860 W. Saanich Rd., Sidney, BC, Canada V8L 4B2. Phone: (250) 363-6537; fax: (250) 363-6390; e-mail: [email protected]‑mpo. gc.ca Washington and Oregon Peter Hodum, Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge and University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner St., Tacoma, WA 98416, USA. Phone: 253-879-2789; email: [email protected] Northern California Hannahrose M. Nevins, Moss Landing Marine Labs, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039. Phone: (831) 771-4422; fax (831) 632-4403; e-mail: [email protected] Southern California, Latin Annette Henry, Marine Mammal & Turtle Division, NOAA Fisheries, 8901 La Jolla Shores America, and Hawai‘i Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Phone: (858) 546-5672; mobile: (858) 735-7733; fax: (858) 546-5623; email: [email protected]

Non-Pacific United States Iain Stenhouse, Biodiversity Research Institute, 625 Main St., Gorham, ME 04038, USA. Telephone: (207) 839-7600; fax: (207) 839-7655; e-mail: [email protected] Europe/Africa Steffen Oppel, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, United Kingdom. Telephone: +44 1767-693452; mobile: +44 7590-441443; e-mail: [email protected] Asia and Oceania Yutaka Watanuki, Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato- cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan 040-8611. Phone: +81 (138) 46-8862; fax: +81 (138) 46-8863; e-mail: [email protected] Student Representative Sarah Thomsen, Dept of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Dr, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6, Telephone: (778) 782-3981; e-mail: [email protected]