PACIFIC SEABIRDS - Volume 44, Number 2 2017 - Pacific Seabird Group
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PACIFIC
SEABIRDS
A Publication of the Pacific Seabird Group
Volume 44, Number 2 2017
PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP
Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment
The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) is a society of professional seabird researchers and managers dedicated to the study
and conservation of seabirds. PSG was formed in 1972 out of a need for increased communication among academic and
government seabird researchers. The principal goals of PSG are to (1) increase the quality and quantity of seabird research
through facilitating exchange of information; (2) identify and assess the importance of threats to seabird populations;
and (3) provide government agencies and others with expert advice on managing populations of seabirds. PSG is headed
by an Executive Council composed of members volunteering their time. Members include biologists, wildlife managers,
students, and conservationists from the United States, Mexico, Canada, Japan and 12 other countries. PSG annual meetings
and publications provide forums where members can share their findings on all research topics relating to Pacific seabirds
and discuss local and large scale conservation issues. Abstracts for meetings are published on our website. PSG publishes
the on-line bulletin Pacific Seabirds (formerly the PSG Bulletin; www.pacificseabirdgroup.org) and the journal Marine
Ornithology (www.marineornithology.org). Other publications include symposium volumes and technical reports; these
are listed near the back of this issue. PSG is a member of the Ornithological Council and the American Bird Conservancy.
Annual dues for membership are $40 (individual); $30 (student, undergraduate and graduate); and $1,200 (Life Membership,
payable in five $240 installments). Dues are payable to the Treasurer; see the PSG website or the Membership Information
at the back of this issue.
Website
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 by U.S. law (IRS Section 501[c][3]).
Pacific Seabirds
This on-line bulletin reports on the work and committee activities of the Pacific Seabird Group, conservation news, and
other items of importance to conservation of seabirds in the Pacific Ocean. The bulletin is a twice-yearly on-line news
bulletin and archive of PSG activities. This issue provides current and recent seabird work to PSG members for 2017. Back
issues of the PSG Bulletin and Pacific Seabirds are posted on the group’s web site.
Pacific Seabirds Editor
Jennifer Lang, editor@pacificseabirdgroup.org
Marine Ornithology
Marine Ornithology is published by the Pacific Seabird Group on behalf of a consortium of seabird groups: African, Aus-
tralasian, Dutch, Japanese, Pacific, and UK. The journal is published two times a year and publishes contributed papers,
forum articles, and book, website and software reviews, on all aspects of marine ornithology worldwide. For details on
submitting to the journal, please go to marineornithology.org.
Change of Address
Send changes of address to the PSG Membership Coordinator, Jennifer Lang, membership@pacificseabirdgroup.org
Photo Credit
All photographs in this issue were generously provided by David Pereksta
PACIFIC SEABIRDS
A Publication of the Pacific Seabirds Group
Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environment
Volume 44 2017 Number 2
Regional Reports for 2017
Alaska and Russia................................................................................................................................................................................... 48
Washington and Oregon..........................................................................................................................................................................51
Northern California.................................................................................................................................................................................55
Southern California................................................................................................................................................................................. 56
Hawaiʻi.......................................................................................................................................................................................................57
Non-Pacific United States........................................................................................................................................................................59
Latin America...........................................................................................................................................................................................59
Canada...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 60
Asia and Oceania..................................................................................................................................................................................... 66
Europe and Africa....................................................................................................................................................................................67
Circumpolar..............................................................................................................................................................................................67
Antarctica..................................................................................................................................................................................................67
Global.........................................................................................................................................................................................................67
PSG’s Treasurer’s Report for FY2017.............................................................................................................................................68
General Information
Information on the Pacific Seabird Group...............................................................................................................Inside Front Cover
Publications of the Pacific Seabird Group.............................................................................................................................................72
PSG Committee Coordinators................................................................................................................................................................74
PSG Life Members and Recipients of Awards......................................................................................................................................76
Membership Information........................................................................................................................................................................77
PSG Executive Council for 2015.................................................................................................................................Inside Back Cover
REGIONAL REPORTS FOR 2017
Compiled by: Robb Kaler, Edited by: Jennifer Lang
Regional Reports summarize current and recent seabird work to PSG members. Regional Reports generally are organized by
location of the work, not affiliation of the biologist. They should not be cited without permission of the researchers.
ALASKA & RUSSIA colony sites were identified, both with Bruner (BYU-Hawaii) and Melinda
confirmed fledging, and one colony with Fowler (Springfield College), the team
Compiled by Robb Kaler
multiple waves of fledglings produced. deployed three 5 gram satellite tags
Post-breeding migration routes were (smaller than what has previously been
ALASKA-WIDE also identified for a majority of tagged tried) on LTJA using leg-loop harnesses
Ed Melvin (Washington Sea Grant), individuals. Robin Corcoran (Kodiak (previous harness type was fully-body).
Rob Suryan, Amanda Gladics National Wildlife Refuge [KNWR], U.S. About 1 month after deployment, the
(Oregon State University [OSU]), Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS]), tags of two birds (a mated pair) stopped
and Kim Dietrich (Kim Dietrich Jill Tengeres (USFWS, OSU), Susan transmitting. One bird was recovered
Consulting) continued analyses of Oehlers, Sanjay Pyare (University dead in July soon after by Jim Johnson
spatiotemporal patterns and trends in of Alaska Southeast), Janelle Lopez (USFWS) near its nesting / deployment
albatross and other seabird bycatch (USFS), and Don Lyons conducted location. The bird was frozen and sent
rates in Alaskan longline fleets based on Aleutian Tern nest monitoring at back for necropsy at the Smithsonian
over 20 years of National Oceanic and colonies in the Kodiak Archipelago and National Zoo. The bird was confirmed
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) near Yakutat, Alaska. Several types of shot and it is likely that its mate’s tag
groundfish fisheries observer data. The predators were observed to cause nest stopped transmitting for the same reason.
project is nearing completion, but the failure. Photos of prey fed to chicks The recovered bird was still carrying the
team did continue some outreach to were also collected at one colony at satellite tag with no abrasion observed.
the Alaska longline fishing industry in Kodiak Island. Diet samples obtained during necropsy
collaboration with Anne Marie Eich Autumn-Lynn Harrison (Smithsonian included shell, feathers (likely shorebird
(NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Region). Migratory Bird Center) together with chick), arthropods, and berries. The
Coastal Observation and Seabird field assistant Arliss Winship (NOAA) third bird remains at liberty. It departed
Survey Team (COASST) was recently deployed 23 geolocators on Arctic its breeding grounds in August, and on
awarded funding from the North Pacific Terns on Alaska’s north slope at the October 7, 2017 began its southward
Research Board to expand beached bird ConocoPhillips Alpine Camp. The migration after an extended high
monitoring in Alaska, and specifically project was part of a North American seas stopover in the eastern North
to launch a “Die-off Alert” program range-wide study in collaboration with Pacific Transition Zone. On October
that provides training on how to Mark Maftei (Environment Canada). In 20 it entered what may be a second
submit structured reports and photos of total, close to 120 tags were deployed in 8 stopover near French Polynesia. It has
beached seabirds encountered outside Arctic Tern colonies throughout the U.S. not entered an EEZ since it departed
of standardized monthly COASST and Canada. The project is a part of the Alaska. The project is a part of the
surveys. Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center’s Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center’s
Don Lyons (OSU), Kelly Nesvacil Migratory Connectivity Project with Migratory Connectivity Project with
(Alaska Department of Fish and Game), the goal of revealing migratory patterns the goal of revealing migratory patterns
and Susan Oehlers (U.S. Forest Service of understudied fauna, including select of understudied fauna, including select
[USFS]) initiated a project to track birds in the Arctic and North Pacific. birds in the Arctic and North Pacific.
the breeding season movements of The study is funded by ConocoPhillips The study is funded by ConocoPhillips
Aleutian Terns (Onychoprion aleuticus) Global Signature Programs. Global Signature Programs.
near Yakutat (Gulf of Alaska) and A small pilot study to satellite track
Dillingham (Bristol Bay, Bering Sea), Long-tailed Jaegers (Stercorarius BERING AND CHUKCHI SEAS
Alaska. Fifteen terns were captured longicaudus; LTJA) from Nome, Alaska Don Dragoo, Greg Thomson, and
in late May and early June and fitted was conducted by Autumn-Lynn Marc Romano (Alaska Maritime
with satellite telemetry (Doppler PTTs) Harrison. Previous satellite tracking National Wildlife Refuge [AMNWR])
tags; most were tracked throughout the studies of LTJA have not been successful collected data on populations of
entire breeding season. The PTT data possibly due either to the size of the Common Murres (Uria aalge) and Thick-
documented dispersal from known transmitter, the harness type, sensitivity billed Murres (Uria lomvia), as well as
colony locations to other nesting of the species, or a combination of productivity of Black-legged Kittiwakes
locations. Two previously unknown factors. Together with field crew, Phil (Rissa tridactyla) at Cape Lisburne,
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 44 • Number 2 • 2017 • Page 48
REGIONAL REPORTS
Alaska. Annual seabird monitoring
at St. George and St. Paul islands was
led by Marc Romano (AMNWR) with
summer-long field crews consisting of
Ryan Mong and Brady Deal (St. Paul),
and Emily Pollom, John Gorey, and
Sarah Guitart (St. George). Both crews
collected productivity, diet, and survival
data on a variety of species including
Red-faced Cormorants (Phalacrocorax
urile), Common Murres, Thick-billed
Murres, Least Auklets (Aethia pusilla),
Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Red-
legged Kittiwakes (Rissa brevirostris). In
addition, population counts (conducted
every three years in the Pribilofs) were
conducted, with assistance by Sarah
Gilman on St. Paul Island, and Matt
Klostermann and McKenna Hanson Black-legged Kittiwake. Photo credit: David Pereksta
on St. George Island.
Rachael Orben, Alexander Kitaysky (AMBON), a five-year program to Science Center for harmful algal bloom
(University of Alaska Fairbanks), monitor the Chukchi Sea ecosystem, analysis. Results indicate that birds died
Rosana Paredes (OSU), Abram funded by a consortium of federal of starvation; however, some birds were
Fleishman, and Scott Shaffer (San Jose agencies and industry. Dan Cushing exposed to saxitoxin via the marine food
State University), in collaboration with (Pole Star Ecological Research LLC) is web but levels detected did not provide
Marc Romano (AMNWR), continued a conducting analyses for the AMBON clear evidence of acute toxicity as a
study of carry-over effects on movements surveys. The 2017 seabird observers cause of death.
and life-history responses of Red-legged for Bering/Arctic surveys were Brian James Lovvorn and graduate student
Kittiwakes (Rissa brevirostris) at St. Hoover, Terry Doyle, Liz Labunski, Timothy Knudson of Southern Illinois
George Island, Alaska. In late May and Catherine Pham, Zak Polen, Martin University (SIU) completed the tenth
June 2017, Rachael Orben and Abram Reedy, Charlie Wright, and Tamara season of nesting ecology research for
Fleishman recovered overwinter loggers, Zeller. Data will be archived in the North the Kittlitz’s murrelet (Brachyramphus
and deployed GPS tags and over-winter Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database. Kathy brevirostris; KIMU) on the western end
loggers during pre-lay and incubation, Kuletz and Liz Labunski also finalized of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
despite complete reproductive failure the final report for the previous five-year This is the final year of field research
for the red-legged kittiwakes. project funded by BOEM, available at: that started in coordination with Alaska
Kathy Kuletz and Liz Labunski https://www.boem.gov/2017-004/ Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, U.
(USFWS) completed another year of During June to September 2017, S. Geological Survey Alaska Science
offshore seabird surveys (now spanning the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Center, and Region 7 U. S. Fish and
2006 – 2017) in the Bering and Alaska Region received reports of Wildlife Service Office of Ecological
Chukchi seas, under a new Interagency more than normal dead and dying Services. The initial five-year plan was
Agreement with the Bureau of Ocean seabirds from the Bering and Chukchi to characterize nesting habitat, monitor
Energy Management (BOEM). This regions. Specifically, carcasses were activities at the nest (incubation shifts,
program relies on collaborations observed from Point Hope south to meal delivery to chicks, prey delivered
with a variety of oceanographic and Bristol Bay, with highest onshore to chicks, etc.), measure chick growth
fisheries projects, and now includes the counts recorded near Nome. Federal, rate, measure reproductive success, and
Arctic Integrated Ecosystem Research state, and local agencies as well as collect samples for genetic analyses.
Program Phase II, funded by the North the Coastal Observation and Seabird Ongoing analysis at SIU will investigate
Pacific Research Board and BOEM. In Survey Team (COASST) collaborated to the influence of diet on nest success,
2017, seabird observers were placed on collect information, synthesize records, and will assess the hypothesis that
9 Bering or Chukchi research cruises and send carcasses for necropsies and the KIMU population has declined in
from June to early-October. This was disease testing to the U.S. Geological part due to lower chick growth rates
also the second field season of the Arctic Survey (USGS) National Wildlife resulting from reduced availability of
Marine Biodiversity Observing Network Health Center and to the USGS Alaska high-energy forage fish. Support was
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 44 • Number 2 • 2017 • Page 49
REGIONAL REPORTS
provided by the USFWS (KNWR and tridactyla) and Common Murre (Uria in 2017 to begin collaboration with
Office of Ecological Services) and the aalge) breeding success. In August, Mayumi Arimitsu and John Piatt
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. he, Rachel Barda, and Jaclyn Lucas (U.S. Geological Survey) on long-term
surveyed monitoring plots of Fork-tailed monitoring of forage fish in the Gulf
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma furcata) of Alaska and Prince William Sound
Annual seabird monitoring at Buldir and Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata). as part of GulfWatch Alaska. Vital
and Aiktak islands was led by Nora Rojek Kathy Kuletz and Liz Labunski funding comes from the Exxon-Valdez
(Alaska Maritime National Wildlife (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service) Oil Spill Trustee Council. Scott and
Refuge [AMNWR]) with summer-long worked with Dan Cushing (Pole Star Martha Hatch, joined by Shawn and
field crews. On Buldir, Kevin Pietrzak, Ecological Research LLC) to conduct Kelly Pummill, opened the season
McKenzie Mudge and Stephanie offshore seabird surveys and analyses in early April for spring cleaning,
Walden collected productivity, diet as part of the Long Term Monitoring facility maintenance, and camp set-up.
and population data on a variety of - Northern Gulf of Alaska project, The core research team—Kyle Elliot,
species including Common (Uria aalge) led by Russ Hopcroft (University of Sarah Leclaire, Morgan Benowitz-
and Thick-billed Murres (U. lomvia); Alaska, Fairbanks). This (primarily Fredericks, camp leader Shannon
Parakeet (Aethia psittacula), Least oceanographic/zooplankton) program Whelan, Josh Cunningham, Anne
(A. pusilla), Whiskered (A. pygmaea), has been monitoring the ‘Seward Line’ Moullier, Sidney Collins, Kristen
and Crested (A. cristatella) Auklets; and adjacent regions via spring and fall Lalla, Mae Lacey, Drew Sauve,
Horned (Fratercula corniculata) and cruises for 20 years, with the USFWS Maxime Pineaux, Ségolène Humann-
Tufted Puffins (F. cirrhata); Black- team involved since 2006. In addition, Guilleminot, Thomas Pagnon, Lucie
legged (Rissa tridactyla) and Red- Kathy Kuletz partnered with NOAA Abolivier, and Camille Toscani
legged Kittiwakes (R. brevirostris); and Alaska Fisheries Science Center and arrived at intervals from late April
Fork-tailed (Oceanodroma furcata) and the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee through June and continued the work
Leach’s Storm-petrels (O. leucorhoa). Council to have Jessica Stocking through 15 August. In 2017, the team
Sarah Youngren and Dan Rapp at (Prince William Sound Science Center) saw a continuation, though possible
Aiktak Island monitored Common and conduct seabird surveys onboard the waning, of conditions dominated by
Thick-billed Murres; Ancient Murrelets NOAA research vessel Oscar Dyson in the so-called “warm blob” anomaly in
(Synthliboramphus antiquus); Horned the northern Gulf of Alaska. the North Pacific. As in 2016, Black-
and Tufted Puffins; Glaucous-winged Kathy Kuletz submitted the final legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactlya) had
Gull (Larus glaucescens); Fork- report for seabird surveys (funded by virtually no fish available during April-
tailed and Leach’s Storm-petrels; and BOEM) conducted in conjunction with May, relying instead on invertebrate
Double-crested, Red-faced, and Pelagic NOAA and the Kachemak Bay National prey such as copepods and polychaetes.
Cormorants (Phalacrocorax pelagicus, Estuary Research Reserve in Lower Unusual behavior during chick-
P. urile, and P. auritus). Cook Inlet (authors Martin Renner, rearing, including foraging trips of
Nora Rojek also conducted seabird Kathy Kuletz, and Liz Labunski; unprecedented distance and duration,
coastline surveys in late July and available at: https://www.boem. reflected changing conditions in the
August in the eastern Aleutians, based gov/2017-011/). The report summarizes northern Gulf of Alaska.
off the AMNWR’S research vessel surveys conducted 2012-2016, as well
the M/V Tiglax. The surveys included as maps of historic seabird data for the PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND
completion of Unalaska Island (started region. Sam Stark has completed fieldwork
in 2016), as well as all islands east of Seabird research and monitoring for his thesis with Dan Roby at Oregon
Unalaska to Unimak Pass (Krenitzin continued on Middleton Island in 2017, State University. His research, which is
islands). Additional survey crew conducted by an international team funded by the National Fish and Wildlife
members included Jeff Williams and from Canada, France, and the United Foundation and the Exxon Valdez Oil
Aaron Christ (AMNWR), Dean States. The work was overseen by Kyle Spill Trustee Council, is part of a long
Kildaw, Barry Sampson, Deb Rudis, Elliott (McGill University), Sarah -term effort organized by David Irons
Judy Alderson, and Steve Holtzman Leclaire (Universite Paul Sabatier, to restore the nesting populations of
(USFWS). Toulouse, France), Morgan Benowitz- Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba)
Fredericks (Bucknell University), in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Sam’s
GULF OF ALASKA Vicki Friesen (Queen’s University), project aims to evaluate the effect of
At East Amatuli Island, Arthur Shoshanah Jacobs (University of removal of introduced mink (Mustela
Kettle (AMNWR) installed time-lapse Guelph), and Scott Hatch (Institute for vison) on guillemot abundance and
cameras for season-long monitoring Seabird Research and Conservation). nesting success at the Naked Island
of Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa The Middleton project was fortunate Group.
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 44 • Number 2 • 2017 • Page 50
REGIONAL REPORTS
ALASKA PENINSULA California. The program has used boat- Department of Agriculture, Forest
Nora Rojek coordinated long-term based transects in the coastal waters of Service, Pacific Northwest Research
seabird demography monitoring for this area since 2000 to monitor murrelets. Station. Martin Raphael and Teresa
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Other seabird species are also recorded. Lorenz also completed an analysis
Refuge [AMNWR] at Chowiet Island, In 2017, surveys on the outer coast of and manuscript on Marbled Murrelet
Semidis group, off the coast of the Alaska Washington were led by Scott Pearson productivity and density data from
Peninsula. The summer-long field crew, and Monique Lance (Washington surveys completed in the San Juan
Stacie Evans, and Dan Schultz, worked Department of Fish and Wildlife) and Islands, WA, 1995 to 2012.
with several species including Common Oregon and California surveys were Lora Leschner reports that the Pacific
and Thick-billed Murres (Uria aalge and led by Craig Strong (Crescent Coastal Bird Habitat Joint Venture has expanded
U. lomvia), Rhinoceros and Parakeet Research). Other contributors to the to include all of the US controlled
Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata and monitoring program are Jim Baldwin territories in the Pacific. Partners can
Aethia psittacula), Horned and Tufted and Nels Johnson (US Forest Service now apply for North America Wetland
Puffins (Fratercula corniculata and [USFS]), Kim Nelson (Oregon State Act grants (NAWCA) plus receive help
F. cirrhata), Black-legged Kittiwake University), Deanna Lynch (USFWS), on habitat protection or restoration
(Rissa tridactyla), Glaucous-winged Martin Raphael, Teresa Lorenz projects. See www.pacificbirds.org for
Gull (Larus glaucescens), and Northern (USFS), and Rich Young (USFWS). more information.
Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis). Many seasonal technicians made Scott Pearson (Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife),
Tom Good (National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration), and
Peter Hodum (University of Puget
Sound and Oikonos) continued their
long-term study of reproductive
success patterns of Rhinoceros Auklets
(Cerorhinca monocerata) at Protection
(eleventh year) and Destruction (ninth
year) Islands, Washington. Dietary
studies were conducted during the
early and late chick-rearing stages on
both islands. Preliminary analyses of
burrow occupancy and fledging success
suggest that occupancy was comparable
to long-term averages at Destruction
Island but markedly lower at Protection
Island, possibly related to the adult mass
Rhinoceros Auklet. Photo credit: David Pereksta mortality event that occurred during the
2016 breeding season. Fledging success
WASHINGTON & the population surveys possible. Bill on both islands was comparable to long-
McIver (USFWS) now coordinates the term averages. Diet on Protection Island
OREGON program. was similar to previous years but differed
Compiled by Peter Hodum Martin Raphael, Gary Falxa significantly from the historically poor
(USFWS), and Alan Burger (University provisioning of 2016. In addition to
WASHINGTON of Victoria) completed a major synthesis the Rhinoceros Auklet study, they also
The Marbled Murrelet Effectiveness of research pertaining to the Marbled expanded their conservation research
Monitoring Program continued at- Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) program on Tufted Puffins (Fratercula
sea surveys for Marbled Murrelets in the Northwest Forest Plan area: cirrhata), focusing on mapping of active
(Brachyramphus marmoratus) in 2017 Raphael, M.G., G.A. Falxa, and A.E. breeding burrows on Protection, Smith
in Washington, Oregon, and California. Burger. In press. Chapter 5 – Marbled and Destruction islands and breeding
The goal is to estimate Marbled Murrelet Murrelet. In: Spies, T.A., Stine, P.A. season monitoring and foraging ecology
populations and trends and to evaluate Synthesis of Science to Inform Land of puffins on Destruction Island.
the effectiveness of the Northwest Forest Management Within the Northwest The Coastal Observation and Seabird
Plan in conserving murrelets from the Forest Plan Area. Gen. Tech. Rep. Survey Team (COASST) had a busy
Canada–Washington border to central PNW-GTR-XXX. Portland, OR: U.S. year! Since the fall of 2016 COASST
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 44 • Number 2 • 2017 • Page 51REGIONAL REPORTS
conducted a coastal aerial survey of
has documented three unusual mortality was slightly depressed in comparison
California Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus
events: Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca to previous years; however, murres
occidentalis californicus) on 25-26
monocerata) in Puget Sound, Strait of returned to nest at several historical
September 2017. The 2017 survey
Juan de Fuca and the northern outer coast colony sites (particularly Three Arch
of Washington; Puffins and Crestedarea included from Smith River, Del Rocks area) that had not been attended
Norte County, northern California
Auklets (Aethia cristatella) on the the last ten years.
to Willoughby Rock, Grays Harbor
Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea; and Tim Halloran (USFWS volunteer)
County, central Washington. We
Tubenoses (Short-tailed Shearwaters, and Shawn W. Stephensen of the
Puffinus tenuirostris and Northernincluded all bays, rocks, reefs, islands, Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge
coastal beaches, and waters up to
Fulmars, Fulmarus glacialis) in the Complex conducted a population status
Chukchi and Bering Seas. COASST 0.5 mile offshore. The aircraft used assessment of Tufted Puffin (Fratercula
was a fixed-wing Cessna 182, FAA
survey data combined with anecdotal cirrhata) at Haystack Rock, Cannon
registration number N5VE, operated
reports documented approximately 950, Beach which is within the Oregon
by Inter-State Aviation pilot Brian
350 and 1,200 carcasses respectively for Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The
Elfers from Pullman, Washington.
these events. In partnership with tribal, project also included a pilot study to
state, federal and NGOs, COASST Survey flight altitude ranged from 60 evaluate the feasibility of monitoring
to 245 meters above ground level and
continues to gather all of the relevant additional reproductive parameters at
aircraft speed ranged from 145 to 210
physical and biological data, ranging the island, such as breeding phenology
km/h. A Global Positioning System
from records of sea-surface temperature and data collection success from shore-
recorded the flight track of the aircraft
to measures of zooplankton/forage fish based vantage points. The number of
throughout the entire survey. A total of
abundance and composition, to explore Tufted Puffins present at Haystack Rock
3,866 individual pelicans were counted
the causal mechanisms of these events was documented during 2010-2017 by
in 2017, in comparison to counts during
and the effects they may be having on conducting instantaneous counts of
breeding population size. 2001 to 2016 that resulted in a range birds on the land, water, and in the air
COASST data were used this yearof 3,416 to 18,769. Technicians under at 15 minute intervals. The daily mean
the direction of Dan Roby (Oregon
in the following publication: Jones, counts were 42, 33, 13, 35, 22, 21, and
State University [OSU]) counted 2,265
T., Parrish, J.K., Punt, A.E., Trainer, 23 birds during 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013,
pelicans on East Sand Island from a boat
V.L., Kudela, R., Lang, J., Brancato, 2014, 2015, and 2016 respectively.
50-75 meters offshore, whereas USFWS
M.S., Odell, A. and Hickey, B., 2017. Burrow occupancy was determined and
counted 2,300 from the air. East Sand
Mass mortality of marine birds in the the annual breeding population estimate
Island continues to be the site of the
Northeast Pacific caused by Akashiwo was calculated based on the number of
sanguinea. Marine Ecology Progresslargest congregation of pelicans during viable occupied burrows. We estimated
Series, 579, pp.111-127. the summer on the Oregon coast. the Tufted Puffin breeding population
Jennifer Lang (Seattle Audubon) isShawn Stephensen and Jennifer (individual birds) at Haystack Rock to
actively managing three community Nelson of the Oregon Coast National be 127 in 2010, 115 in 2011, 92 in 2012,
Wildlife Refuge Complex conducted
and citizen science programs hosted 143 in 2013, 125 in 2014, 121 in 2015,
by Seattle Audubon, including the an aerial seabird colony survey on 21 and 124 in 2016. We have not completed
and 22 June 2017 that included the
Puget Sound Seabird Survey (PSSS), a 2017 data analysis, however, initial
entire Oregon coast. The aircraft used
program established in 2007 designed data review indicate 40 to 50 puffins
was a Bell Jet Ranger III helicopter
to enumerate wintering seabirds using appeared to have nested. We also
operated by Mike Everette (Northwest
the nearshore (within 300 m) marine documented many negative interactions
Helicopters). Total flight time was
environment in Puget Sound. In 2018, with gulls and disturbances by eagles,
approximately 10 hours. All Common
PSSS will be expanding it’s range to as well as interesting social behaviors
Murre (Uria aalge), Brandt’s Cormorant
northern Puget Sound and the San Juan between puffins.
(Phalacrocorax penicillatus), Pelagic
Islands, and will be developing an oil Joe Liebezeit, Amelia O’Connor
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus),
spill response plan thanks to a generous (Audubon Society of Portland), and
and
grant from the Environmental Protection Double-crested Cormorant Jennifer Nelson (USFWS Intern)
Agency through the Washington (Phalacrocorax auritus) colonies were conducted a community science
Department of Fish and Wildlife. photographed using digital cameras seabird monitoring project within
and birds were counted on the digital the Cape Perpetua and Cape Falcon
OREGON images utilizing GIS computer Marine Reserves. With the help of 26
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service software. Thousands of digital images volunteers, breeding productivity for
(USFWS) wildlife biologists Shawn were organized and archived for future Brandt’s (Phalacrocorax penicillatus;
Stephensen and Mike Szumski reference. Colony attendance by murres BRAC), Pelagic (P. pelagicus; PECO),
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 44 • Number 2 • 2017 • Page 52REGIONAL REPORTS
agencies by regular uploading to online
portals; and (iii) Provide data products,
analyses, and reports that summarize
and communicate analyses to BOEM
and the general public to support
incorporation of marine bird abundance
and distribution into planning processes
and risk assessment of renewable energy
siting and decisions.
Amanda Gladics (OSU), Ed Melvin
(Washington Sea Grant), Rob Suryan
(OSU), Tom Good, Jason Jannot
(NOAA), and Troy Guy (Washington
Sea Grant) completed their research
and outreach project to develop fishery-
specific solutions to seabird bycatch in
California, Oregon and Washington
longline fishery for sablefish
Brandt’s Cormorant. Photo credit: David Pereksta (Anoplopoma fimbria). Their research
findings were recently published in
and Double-crested (P. auritus; at Yaquina Head and Haystack Rock Fisheries Research, and could frame
DCCO) Cormorants and abundance see Seabird Colony Monitoring annual forthcoming policy. The U.S. Fish and
of Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca reports at http://audubonportland.org/ Wildlife Service incorporated these
monocerata; RHAU) and Pigeon issues/community-science. findings into a Biological Opinion that
Guillemots (Cepphus columba; PIGU) The Bureau of Ocean Energy will soon trigger new federal regulations
were documented. Monitoring sites Management (BOEM), Department of to protect the endangered Short-tailed
were in high-use tourist areas, including the Interior (DOI), and the U.S. Fish Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) in
Heceta Head, Sea Lion Caves and and Wildlife Service Pacific Region West Coast longline fisheries. The team
Haystack Rock, where information was (USFWS), have completed an agreement will be developing a short outreach
provided to the public about Oregon’s to secure proper data management publication about the research findings
marine reserves, seabird ecology, and and obtain data synthesis of long-term and albatross bycatch avoidance best
conservation. At Cape Perpetua, five aerial seabird colony data (photographs) practices and will distribute it to all
plots (66 nests: BRAC=52, PECO=4, collected at breeding sites surveyed sablefish permit holders this winter.
DCCO=10) on five separate cormorant by USFWS Oregon Coast National Rob Suryan, Stephanie Loredo,
colonies, and RHAU and PIGU counts Wildlife Refuge Complex (OCNWRC) Jane Dolliver, Ana Paula Medina
in the Sea Lion Caves were conducted and Washington Maritime National Roman, Jessica Porquez (OSU), and
once a week during the breeding Wildlife Refuge Complex (WMNWRC) Isabel Justiniano (Environment for
period. Using a 25 day fledging period, along the Oregon and Washington the Americas, Intern) conducted studies
51 chicks (BRAC=30, PECO=0, coasts. The specific objectives are: (i) of Common Murres (Uria aalge) and
DCCO=21) fledged from monitored Secure seabird colony count legacy data Pelagic and Brandt’s Cormorants
cormorant nests. Sea Lion Cave counts collected from 1972 to the present by (Phalacrocorax pelgicus and P.
yielded a low estimate of breeding converting film slides to digital images, penicillatus) at the Yaquina Head colony
pairs using the cave, 109 individual and cataloging, archiving, and counting in Newport, OR. This is the eleventh
PIGU adults and 19 individual RHAU birds on aerial images of seabird colonies consecutive year of collaborative studies
adults were the maximum counts. to estimate colony site populations at this site among OSU, the Bureau of
Chicks were rarely sighted, though six by species. Slide processing will be Land Management, and the U.S. Fish
different PIGU chicks were observed. conducted by Oregon State University and Wildlife Service. For the third
At Cape Falcon, 46 cormorant nests personnel (Kirsten Bixler and Jess consecutive time in the 15-year time
(BRAC=17, PECO=16, DCCO=13) in Porquez) under supervision of Shawn series, murres experienced reproductive
four plots were monitored weekly. These W. Stephensen and Erin Stockenberg failure. Reproductive success for
nests fledged 48 chicks (BRAC=18, (USFWS); (ii) Develop and populate a murres during the past 6 years (2011-
PECO=10, DCCO=20). For more database that will make data available 2016; 0-27%) has been greatly reduced
information on these monitoring results to the scientific community, the compared to prior years (2007-2010; 54-
and comparisons to control colonies general public, and other government 77%).
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 44 • Number 2 • 2017 • Page 53REGIONAL REPORTS
Rob Suryan, Rachael Orben, extending west from Newport, Oregon. tagging, research vessel-based transect
Stephanie Loredo, Don Lyons (OSU), In collaboration with scientists from sampling, colony visits, beached bird
and Josh Adams (U.S. Geological the NOAA Northwest and Southwest surveys, focal individual behavioral
Survey) continued a project with Fisheries Science Centers and the observations, and tracking data analysis.
funding from the Bureau of Ocean Farallon Institute, Michael Force A protocol framework for Brandt’s
Energy Management to use individual (Farallon Institute) conducted seabird Cormorants (Phalacrocorax
tracking to characterize resident and surveys throughout the southern and penicillatus) and Common Murres (Uria
migrant seabird distribution and three northern California Current System. aalge) in the California Current System
dimensional movement patterns during Rob Suryan, Amanda Gladics, Dan (CCS) was prepared by Bill Bridgeland
winter, night, and inclement weather Roby (OSU), Roberta Swift (Migratory (USFWS), Nadav Nur (Point Blue),
for species off Oregon. Stephanie Birds and Habitat Program, USFWS), Steve Holzman, Roberta Swift and
Loredo’s MS thesis from this project is Shawn Stephensen, Bill Bridgeland, Kevin Kilbride (USFWS) with input
titled “Three-dimensional habitat use and Jess Porquez continued to develop from a long list of cooperators, reviewers,
of common murres off the northern and test non-invasive population and USFWS staff from California,
California Current Ecosystem”. The monitoring techniques for burrow- Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, and
project also involves some integration nesting seabirds. The approach combines biologists from British Columbia. Its
of ship-based surveys. The team simultaneous data collection using completion and approval is expected by
tracked Common Murres (Uria aalge), remote cameras and acoustic recorders the end of the 2017. The sampling design
Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis), and in long deployments up to an entire will allow both large scale (CCS-wide)
continued to track Pacific Loons (Gavia breeding season. During 2017, the group and local inference on population trends
pacifica) with Joel Schmutz (USGS). deployed equipment at Goat Island, and distribution of both species. This
Shawn Stephensen, Bill Bridgland, and near Brookings, Oregon for a fourth was the first demonstration project by
crew from the Oregon Coast National season, and Saddle Island for a second the USFWS’s Pacific Seabird Program,
Wildlife Refuge Complex (OCNWRC, season. This project is in partnership which was recently established to
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) with Matthew McKown and Abram coordinate seabird survey efforts among
collaborated in deploying instruments Fleishman (Conservation Metrics). federal, state, and NGO partners to
on Common Murres and gulls along the Analysis comparing and assessing the assess range-wide status and trends for
Oregon coast. Western Gulls are being use of these multiple survey methods at seabirds. Steve Holzman (USFWS) was
tracked with solar power GPS/GSM tags both locations is in progress. hired as the program’s Data Manager
and gulls are currently still using areas Don Lyons, Kirsten Bixler (OSU), and is currently working on a number
from Cape Mendocino, CA to Willapa Tim Lawes (OSU), and Rob Suryan of priority data management projects,
Bay, WA. Western Gull studies included initiated a pilot effort to create a nest including leading a data management
collecting bacterial and contaminate box colony of Pigeon Guillemots working group to help draft the CCS
samples for a collaboration with Scott (Cepphus columba) underneath the ship protocol framework, developing
Shaffer, Hillary Young (U.C. Santa operations dock at the Hatfield Marine seabird colony catalog online mappers,
Barbara), and Corey Clatterbuck (San Science Center for education, outreach, and identifying and documenting
Diego State University / U.C. Davis). and research purposes in 2016. In 2017, a seabird databases to include in a
Alayna Lawson (OSU pair of guillemots laid 2 eggs and raised centralized database system planned for
Undergraduate), and Don Lyons one chick in one of the nest boxes. A development during Fiscal Year 2018.
monitored Western Gulls (Larus live video feed was available (http://
occidentalis) at the Cleft-in-the-Rock webcam.oregonstate.edu/pigu).
colony south of Yachats, Oregon, Don Lyons and Renee Albertson
at the Yaquina Head colony, and on (OSU) continued spring introductory
various buildings in Newport, Oregon. and summer immersive courses on
Nest success and the average number marine and estuarine birds. The fall
of fledglings produced per nest were course on behavior and physiology
highest on buildings in Newport, with methods was modified to a hybrid
poorest success at Yaquina Head. format including a week at Hatfield
Rob Suryan and Jess Porquez (OSU) and then the remainder of the course
continued coordinating vessel based conducted online. All courses are taught
at-sea surveys of seabird distribution at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science
off Oregon. The research areas include Center in Newport, Oregon, and include
the Newport Hydrographic Line, an several types of experiential learning,
oceanographic cross shelf sampling line such as seabird capture, banding, and
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 44 • Number 2 • 2017 • Page 54REGIONAL REPORTS
NORTHERN continued more than 2 years after the University) to compare the foraging
spill. Most detections were made in ecology of Western Gulls along
CALIFORNIA central California at Pillar Point Harbor; California and Oregon.
Compiled by Anna Weinstein several were found as far north as Scott Shaffer and Greg Taylor
the Columbia River mouth, OR. For are wrapping up a project with Josh
Deborah Jaques (Pacific Eco Logic), the most part, pelicans appeared and Ackerman (USGS) to examine the
Kyra Mills (Oiled Wildlife Care behaved like the wild population except effects of mercury contamination on
Network [OWCN]), Christine Fiorello for a lag in molt and expression of less the egg attendance behavior of Forster’s
(OWCN), and Michael Ziccardi gular pouch color approaching the Terns (Sterna forsteri) in San Francisco
(University of California Davis) breeding season, possibly indicating Bay. Finally, Scott is collaborating with
completed field work in August 2017 lingering spill effects on internal organs. Olivier Chastel, Pierre Blevin, Henri
with assistance from citizen scientist, A draft manuscript is in review. Weimerskirch, Fredric Angelier,
Barton Selby, for their study of post- Scott Shaffer and his new student and Christophe Barbraud of Centre
spill survival and field condition of the Cole Jower, are continuing research National de Recherche Scientifique
California Brown Pelican (Pelecanus with Russell Bradley, Pete Warzybok, - Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de
occidentalis californicus) following the and Jamie Jahncke of Point Blue Chize (CNRS-CEBC) in France to
2015 Refugio Beach Oil Spill Incident Conservation Science at the Farallon examine egg attendance behavior and
(RBOS). This study is a companion to Islands to examine the foraging and contaminants in high latitude species.
an electronic tracking study conducted breeding ecology of Western Gulls Researchers from H.T. Harvey &
by OWCN and Clemson University (Larus occidentalis) and Rhinoceros Associates, University of California
researchers (Juliet Lamb, Patrick Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata). Santa Cruz, Point Blue Conservation
Jodice, and Yvan Satge). Searches This research is part of a larger Science, Oikonos-Ecosystem
for tagged birds took place from Baja project with Sue Cockerham, Cleber Knowledge, National Marine Fisheries
California, Mexico to Grays Harbor, Ouvnery (San Jose State University), Service and National Oceanic and
WA. More than 50% of the 42 pelicans Rob Suryan, Leigh Torres, Amanda Atmospheric Administration (NOAA
rehabilitated and released from the Gladics, Rachael Orben (Oregon State )Sanctuaries are synthesizing ~40
RBOS incident were detected alive at University), Hillary Young (University years of data on prey availability,
non-breeding communal roosts 1-year of California Santa Barbara), Josh seabird diet and population dynamics
post spill, and high field encounter rates Adams, Emma Kelsey (USGS), and for Common Murres (Uria aalge),
with color banded post-spill pelicans Corey Clatterbuck (San Diego State Brandt’s Cormorants (Phalacrocorax
Laysan Albatrosses. Photo credit: David Pereksta
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 44 • Number 2 • 2017 • Page 55REGIONAL REPORTS
penicillatus), and Rhinoceros Auklets may have contributed to the highly now in development for Pacific herring
(Cerorhinca monocerata) in waters off productive season observed in 2017. in California. Audubon, the Pew Trusts,
central California. This project is funded Brandt’s Cormorants (Phalacrocorax and other NGOs are collaborating to
by NOAA. Projects underway include penicillatus) were present at the highest advocate for precautionary management
“Environmental conditions and prey- level ever observed in the time series and of northern anchovy on the west coast.
switching by a seabird predator impacts had reproductive success well above the Management attention on northern
juvenile salmon survival” conducted by long-term mean (1995-2016). Monitoring anchovy is ongoing in 2017-2018 at the
Brian Wells, Jarrod Santora, Mark of disturbance to the cormorant colony Pacific Fishery Management Council.
Henderson, Pete Warzybok, Jaime showed the lowest rate of disturbance Don Lyons, Adam Peck-
Jahncke, Russ Bradley, David Huff, since 2006, most of which was caused Richardson, and Alexa Piggott (OSU)
Isaac Schroeder, Pete Nelson, John by military aircraft and recreational joined a large-scale oceanographic
Field, and David Ainley; “Impacts fisherman in small boats. The Western research project along the central
of El Niño on adult Chinook Salmon Gull (Larus occidentalis) breeding California coast and deployed prototype
(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the population declined to low levels, telemetry tags on Brandt’s Cormorants
Gulf of the Farallones” conducted by however their productivity was also well (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) that
Pete Adams, David Ainley, and Peter above the long-term mean (1999-2016). integrated sensors to measure pressure
Nelson; “Ecosystem-based management Pelagic Cormorants (Phalacrocorax (depth), temperature, and conductivity
affecting Brandt’s Cormorant resources pelagicus) did not nest on the Island (salinity). Dive data were geolocated
and populations in the central California for the fourth consecutive year and the using Global Positioning System (GPS)
Current region” conducted by David few nesting pairs of California Gulls technology and transmitted to a database
Ainley, Jarrod Santora, Phil Capitolo, (Larus californicus) were unsuccessful using Global System for Mobile
John Field, Jessie Beck, Ryan Carle, in fledging chicks. Only two Black Communication (GSM) technology.
Erica Donnelly-Greenan, Gerry Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) This effort was funded by the Office of
Chesney, Meredith Elliott, Russ pairs nested on Alcatraz in 2017, down Naval Research and initial results have
Bradley, Kirsten Lindquist, Peter from three pairsthe previous year. Video provided promising characterization of
Nelson, Jan Roletto, Peter Warzybok, cameras were used for the third year to bathymetry in the region.
Michelle Hester, and Jaime Jahncke; monitor reproductive success and diet of
and, “Prey switching and consumption Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba).
by seabirds in the California Current Anna Weinstein (Audubon SOUTHERN
upwelling ecosystem: implications for California) and Laurie Harvey (Sutil
forage fish management” conducted by Conservation Ecology) continued CALIFORNIA
Pete Warzybok, Jarrod Santora, Russ statewide coordination and data Compiled by André F Raine
Bradley, David Ainley, John Field, management for Black Oystercatcher
Phil Capitolo, Ryan Carle, Jessie Beck, (Haematopus bachmani) productivity Annette Henry continues to
Meredith Elliott, Gerry McChesney, studies from Mendocino through San work with the National Oceanic &
Michelle Hester, and Jaime Jahncke. Luis Obispo counties. From 2012- Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
H.T. Harvey & Associates, Ecological 2016, between 50-110 individuals have Fisheries’ National Seabird Program
Consultants, Inc. and Shearwater conducted weekly seasonal surveys which is tasked to (1) monitor and reduce
Expeditions (Deborah Shearwater) tracking nest success (through fledge seabird bycatch in US Fisheries, (2)
are summarizing data from 7 major, or failure) of 85-130 pairs of birds. support global efforts to reduce seabird
regional aerial and vessel surveys plus Participating organizations and agencies interactions with international fisheries,
1,150 citizen science pelagic trips, from include several State Park units, and (3) promote the importance of
1976-2015, to determine population the Bureau of Land Management’s seabirds as ecosystem indicators as
size and dynamics, and distribution California Coastal National Monument, a vital component of healthy ocean
of Ashy Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge, and habitats. She is continuing to study the
homochroa) in the California Current four Audubon chapters. Audubon and migration energetics of Eared Grebes
region. NGO marine conservation partners (Podiceps nigricollis).
Heather Robinson (Farallon Institute) at Oceana, Pew Trusts, Earthjustice, Jeff Davis, Phil Capitolo, Dave
and Tori Seher (National Park Service, and Ocean Conservancy collaborated Lewis, Peter Gaede, Mike Parker, and
Golden Gate National Recreation Area) to protect forage fish including Pacific Glenn Ford (University of California,
continued the long-term monitoring of herring (Clupea pallasii) and northern Santa Cruz; Breck Tyler, Principal
breeding seabird colonies on Alcatraz anchovy (Engraulis mordax). Audubon Investigator) continue to conduct aerial
Island in San Francisco Bay. Favorable and Oceana are formal advisors to the surveys of marine birds and mammals
ocean conditions and prey availability state on for the fishery management plan over California continental shelf waters
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 44 • Number 2 • 2017 • Page 56REGIONAL REPORTS
under contract with Holly Gellerman project using radar were published between Hawaiian island populations.
of the California Department of Fish in Condor (Raine et al. 2017, Condor A paper was also published on the
and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention 119:405-415), revealing a dramatic breeding phenology of Band-rumped
and Response. The surveys are designed decline (between 1993 and 2013) of Storm-petrel on Kaua’i and Lehua Islet
to collect baseline distribution and 78% in overall numbers of Hawaiian (Raine et al. 2017, Marine Ornithology
abundance data and maintain rapid- Petrels and a 94% decline overall in 45:73-82).
response capabilities for oil spills. numbers of Newell’s Shearwaters. Most Marc Travers, Angela Stamen,
(92%) radar sites showed significant Adam Elzinga, and André Raine
declines of Newell’s Shearwaters (Kaua’i Endangered Seabird Recovery
HAWAI’I across the entire survey period, as did Project) continue to investigate seabird
Compiled by André F Raine 62% of sites for Hawaiian Petrels. To take through power line collisions on
counter these declines, a number of Kaua’i. Using acoustic monitoring of
K. David Hyrenbach continues to conservation initiatives continue to run power line collisions, direct observations
conduct research at the Pelagicos Lab on Kauai. Long-term predator control of seabird collisions and dead birds
of Hawaii Pacific University, which and seabird monitoring continues at under wires, our data indicate that power
involves different aspects of seabird Upper Limahuli Preserve and five sites line collisions are the single greatest
foraging, including the diet, plastic in Hono o Na Pali NAR, with intensive documented source of mortality for
ingestion, stable isotopic levels, and cat, rat, pig, and introduced Barn Owl Newell’s Shearwaters (Puffinus newelli)
the concentrations of other pollutants (Tyto alba) control. A translocation and Hawaiian Petrels (Pterodroma
in seabird tissues. Pelagicos recently project for Newell’s Shearwater and sandwichensis) on Kaua’i. Working
published two papers quantifying Hawaiian Petrel entered its third year, with funding from the Kaua’i Island
plastic ingestion in Hawaiian seabirds with 18 Newell’s Shearwater and 20 Utility Co-operative (KIUC), the team
via necropsy (Rapp et al. 2017, Marine Hawaiian Petrel being translocated in has been developing a number of ways
Pollution Bulletin 123: 269-278) and 2017 from mountain colonies to the to reduce these collisions, including the
the dissection of albatross boluses predator proof fence at Nihoku (Kilauea creation of laser fences at key collision
(Hyrenbach et al. 2017, Marine Point NWR) as part of a multi-partner hot spots (to create a visual barrier for
Ornithology 45: 225–236), working project including KESRP, Pacific birds to fly over power lines) as well
with colleagues from the Oikonos – Rim Conservation, American Bird as looking at bird diverters, removal
Ecosystem Knowledge, the U.S. Fish Conservancy, National Fish and Wildlife of the top power lines and the potential
and Wildlife Service, the State of Hawaii Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife for relocation or realignment of existing
Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Service, Hawaii DLNR (Department lines. A study using eObs data loggers
U.S. Geological Survey. Other research of Land and Natural Resources), and downloading stations on both
avenues involve ongoing monitoring Pacific Studies Co-operative Unit, and species in mountain colonies was also
of Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna National Tropical Botanical Garden. undertaken to create an understanding
pacifica) reproductive success and fallout KESRP also continues to undertake of key flight routes, flight heights and
during the fledging season. Current seabird monitoring on Lehua Islet, with timings of arrivals and departures of
graduate student projects focus on Red- annual albatross counts, song meters breeding individuals at colonies to
footed Booby (Sula sula) diet (Sarah targeting endangered seabirds and 75 help guide powerline minimization
Donahue), Bonin Petrel (Pterodroma permanent seabird plots focusing on initiatives.
hypoleuca) plastic ingestion (Lauren ground nesting seabirds. In conjunction Lindsay Young and Eric
Fraser), and Christmas Shearwater with Rachel Sprague of Pulama Lanai, VanderWerf (Pacific Rim
(Puffinus nativitatis) diet and diving KESRP has also continued in its third Conservation [PRC]) just completed
behavior. year of monitoring the Hawaiian Petrel the third and final year of translocating
André Raine, Megan Vynne, Scott colonies of the island of Lanai, using Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria
Driskill and the rest of the team from the a combination of song meters, burrow immutabilis) chicks into the predator
Kaua’i Endangered Seabird Recovery checks, auditory surveys and burrow free area at James Campbell National
Project (KESRP) continued a number of cameras. Lastly, as part of its on-going Wildlife Refuge (JCNWR). The
long running conservation and research work with Band-rumped Storm-petrels, Laysan Albatross translocation was
programs on the island of Kaua’i, focused KESRP obtained blood samples from accomplished using eggs laid on a military
on Newell’s Shearwater (Puffinus over 40 storm-petrels captured at a runway on Kauai that were brought to
newelli), Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma colony on the Na Pali coast as part Oahu, hatched, and then hand-raised
sandwichensis), and Band-rumped of a MSc study by Carmen Antaky at James Campbell National Wildlife
Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma castro). (Research Corporation of the University Refuge until they fledged. Out of the
Results from a long-term monitoring of Hawaii) to assess genetic differences 50 chicks translocated, 46 successfully
Pacific Seabirds • Volume 44 • Number 2 • 2017 • Page 57You can also read
