The status of kittiwakes, murres, and cormorants at Cape Peirce, Bristol Bay, Alaska, Summer 1995

Togiak National Wildlife Refuge staff has monitored populations and reproductive performances of black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), common murres (Uria aalge), and pelagic cormorants (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) in the Cape Peirce area since 1984, and in the Cape Newenham area since 1990. The objectives of this annual monitoring program are to detect changes and determine causes of changes in population size and reproductive performance of these cliff nesting seabirds for comparison with similar efforts elsewhere in Alaska. At Cape Peirce in 1995, shore-based populations (adults and nests) of kittiwakes were among the lowest recorded since 1985. Kittiwake breeding chronology was similar to past years, and reproductive parameters were among the lowest recorded since 1981. Shore-based populations (adults) of murres were similar to past years, but on 40 population plots they were the second lowest recorded since 1990. Murre breeding chronology and reproductive parameters were similar to past years. Shore-based populations (adults and nests) of cormorants were among the lowest recorded since 1990. Cormorant breeding chronology was later than past years, and most reproductive parameters were the lowest recorded since 1986. Food shortages appear to be the most plausible explanation for low populations and productivities. This implies the Bering Sea ecosystem may be undergoing significant changes, and integrated studies are necessary to evaluate the affects of these changes on seabirds.

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Maintainer Brent Frakes
Last Updated July 28, 2019, 12:33 (CDT)
Created July 28, 2019, 12:33 (CDT)