STATE OF WASHINGTON January 2015 Status Report for the Tufted Puffin Thor Hanson and Gary J. Wiles The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains a list of endangered, threatened, and sensitive species (Washington Administrative Codes 232-12-014 and 232-12-011, Appendix B). In 1990, the Washington Wildlife Commission adopted listing procedures developed by a group of citizens, interest groups, and state and federal agencies (Washington Administrative Code 232-12-297, Appendix B). The procedures include how species listings will be initiated, criteria for listing and delisting, public review standards, the development of recovery or management plans, and the periodic review of of listed species. The first step in the process is to develop a preliminary species status report. The report includes a review of information relevant to the species’ status in Washington and addresses factors affecting its status. The procedures then provide for a 90-day public review opportunity for interested parties to submit new scientific data relevant to the draft status report and classification recommendation. At the close of the comment period, the Department incorporates new information and prepares the final status report and listing recommendation for presentation to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. The final report and recommendations are then released for public review 30 days prior to the Commission presentation. The draft status report for Tufted Puffins was reviewed by researchers and state and federal agencies. This was followed by a 90-day public comment period from September 12–December 11, 2014. All comments received were considered during the preparation of the final status report. The Department intends to present the results of this periodic status review to the Fish and Wildlife Commission for action at the February 2015 meeting. This report should be cited as: Hanson, T. and G. J. Wiles. 2015. Washington state status report for the Tufted Puffin. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, Washington. 66 pp. Cover photos by Peter Hodum showing an adult Tufted Puffin and seabird burrows at Destruction Island, Washington Inside cover photo © Charles Bergman; back cover photo © Bill Hoglund Washington State Status Report for the Tufted Puffin Tufted Puffin at Tatoosh Island, Washington (Photo © Charles Bergman) Thor Hanson The SeaDoc Society, 942 Deer Harbor Road, Eastsound, WA 98245 Gary J. Wiles Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501-1091 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Program, Diversity Division 600 Capitol Way N Olympia, WA 98501-1091 January 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................................................................. iv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................................. v INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 TAXONOMY ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2 DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................................................................. 2 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION .......................................................................................................................... 3 World ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 North America ................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Washington ...................................................................................................................................................................... 3 NATURAL HISTORY...................................................................................................................................................... 4 Daily Habits ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Diet and Foraging ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 Reproduction, Longevity, and Survival ....................................................................................................................... 6 Migration and Dispersal ................................................................................................................................................. 8 Molting ............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Ecological Relationships ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Diseases and Parasites .................................................................................................................................................. 10 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................................................... 10 POPULATION STATUS AND TRENDS ................................................................................................................ 11 Global Status and Trends ............................................................................................................................................ 11 Washington Status and Trends ................................................................................................................................... 13 HABITAT STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................ 17 Past .................................................................................................................................................................................. 17 Present and Future ....................................................................................................................................................... 17 CONSERVATION STATUS ........................................................................................................................................ 18 RESEARCH, MONITORING, AND RESTORATION ........................................................................................ 19 FACTORS AFFECTING CONTINUED EXISTENCE ....................................................................................... 20 Adequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms ........................................................................................................ 21 Reduced Prey Availability ............................................................................................................................................ 21 Climate Change Effects ............................................................................................................................................... 24 Environmental Contaminants ..................................................................................................................................... 26 Introduced Species ....................................................................................................................................................... 28 Commercial and Tribal Fishing Bycatch ................................................................................................................... 29 Human Disturbance ..................................................................................................................................................... 30 Bald Eagle Predation .................................................................................................................................................... 31 Other Factors ................................................................................................................................................................ 31 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION .................................................................................................... 32 LITERATURE CITED................................................................................................................................................... 34 PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS AND SOURCES OF UNPUBLISHED DATA .................................... 46 Appendix A. Counts of Tufted Puffins at breeding sites and other locations in Washington, 1886-2013. ...... 47 Appendix B. Washington Administrative Codes 232-12-011, 232-12-014, and 232-12-297 and Revised Codes of Washington 77.15.120 and 77.15.130. ...................................................................................................... 57 Appendix C. WDFW responses to public comments received during two public review periods .................... 63 January