The status of kittiwakes, murres, and cormorants at Cape Peirce, Bristol Bay, Alaska, Summer 2000

Togiak National Wildlife Refuge staff monitored the population and productivity of black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), common murres (Uria aalge), and pelagic cormorants (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) at Cape Peirce in 2000. The average number of black-legged kittiwake adults and nests on all plots were low, breeding chronology was earlier than past years, and breeding performance parameters were the highest since 1992. The average number of common murre adults on all plots were low, breeding chronology was earlier than past years, and breeding performance parameters were the highest since 1993. Pelagic cormorant adult and nest numbers were low, breeding chronology was earlier than past years, and productivity was higher than reported for the previous five years. Predation and disturbances to seabirds were recorded. Common ravens accounted for most of the predation on cliff-nesting seabirds. Throughout the season boats traveled much closer than the recommended limits of 3 miles from shore. It is highly probable that all vessels traveling within 0.5 miles of the shore disturbed seabirds. Aircraft were observed flying below the recommended altitude of2,000 feet above ground level. Aircraft flying lower than 1,000 feet typically flushed seabirds from cliffs while multiple-engine aircraft flying at 5,000 feet or above did not disturb seabirds. Beached bird surveys were performed documenting relatively few washed-up seabird carcasses along Maggy Beach. There has been a wide range in numbers of beached birds since 1989 and this can be attributed to the incidental methodology for documenting this parameter.