PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP BULLETIN VOLUME 5 WINTER 1978 NUMBER 2 THE CHAIRMAN 1 S PACE 1 FROM THE EDITOR . 2 PACIFIC SEABIRD CROUP NEWS 3 Business Proceedings of Fifth Annual Meeting 3 List of Committee Coordinators 7 Resolution on Status of Large Culls in Alaska 8 BULLETIN BOARD 9 Meeting Notices 9 Announcements and Requests,, 11 Current Literature 12 Letters to the Editor . .... 15 REGIONAL REPORTS — Alaska, B.C., Wash., Ore., N.Cal 18 COMMITTEE REPORT — Seabirds and Fishery Management 31 SHORT ARTICLES.. 34 An Update on the Incidental Mortality of Seabirds in Japanese Gillnets — Anthony R, DeCange. ....... . 34 The Future of the Pribilof Island Seabird Colonies - George L. Hunt 36 The New Migratory Bird Treaty Between the United States and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics — Wilbur N. Ladd 39 Report of the Standing Committee of the International Ornithological Congress for the Coordination of Seabird Research — W.R.P. Bourne 58 FIFTH ANNUAL PSC MEETING — Abstracts 67 ADDRESS LIST OF OTHER SEABIRD CROUPS 90 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND RENEWAL FORM 91 MEMBERS OF PSG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ..inside back cover Black-legged Kittiwake CHAIRMAN’S PAGE There are three real strengths to the PSG: (1) The Pacific Seabird Group Bulletin , (2) our annual meetings, and (3) an interested and active membership. At this point in time, I think it is reasonably certain that seabird interests are great enough in the Pacific area to warrant a long-term, permanent commitment to the PSG. In the next year, our new Chairman and the rest of the Executive Coun- cil will have their hands full getting these solidified interests off on the right foot. If it is accomplished, then PSG can begin planning for such long-term commitments as a journal. .We must therefore pass from the stage of novelty to one of permanence. This means obtaining the commit- ments of previously inactive members and the alliance of as many active seabird researchers as we can gather. The PSG meetings are still the best, in my opinion, that I attend each year. The PSG is still a close-knit group of friends and colleagues; and information exchanges freely at these meetings. That too might be chal- lenged by extensive and rigid consolidations with other seabird or ornithological groups. Thus, it seems important that PSG expand its contacts and activ- ities in working with other such groups, but not at the expense of PSG's localized identity. Consolidation through a unified publication, but not consolidation of such organizations themselves seems to be one way of accomp- lishing this. After all, our major goals are still the understanding and conservation of marine avifauna. Daniel W. Anderson Chairman, 1978 27 December 1978 1 PROM THE EDITOR Contributions for the Bulletin are coming in well as you will note from the fine material herein. Keep up the good work. There was no flood of letters but two of those printed indicate the sort of positive conservation action PSG can and should be taking. Send anything you feel would have more impact coming from PSG to the Chairman for signature. Dan Anderson initiated the letter about the Parallons and Vern Byrd the one on Newell’s Manx Shearwater. The next Bulletin will be in early fall so Regional Reps, and contributers please get me your material by September 1, 1979. John Pitcher our Art Editor says: "Pine clean line draw- ings add immensely to the desirability of a publication and significantly reduce their post-reading mortality. Anyone wishing to contribute pictures to the Bulletin are welcome and encouraged to do so. Good black line drawings are best." Do not send valuable originals but direct positive prints of manageable size. PSG cannot be responsible for valuable art as there is always the possi- bility of damage at the printers. Art work from the Bulletin should not be reprinted without permission. We are particularly indebted to Gonzalo Garino de la Torre of the laboratorio de Omitologio VNAM Mexico for the great drawings he sent to Dan Anderson and that are included here. The other splendid pictures are from Tony DeGange, Charlotte Adamson, Art Sowl and John Pitcher all of Anchorage, Alaska. Our thanks to all of you. We also appreciate the "camera ready" material supplied by Ralph Schreiber. If contributers of longer items could send clean typed originals using the format and spacing of the Bulletin this is a great help to us and precludes the possibility of typographical errors. We are indebted to Mary Lou, Sara and Laura King for the rest of the typing in this issue. Please renew promptly. Our mailing list unlike most modern organisations is kept by hand by the Treasurer who changes every year. He cannot be expected to make repetitive appeals for dues or continue to send Bulletins to those who are not current. James G . King 2 Minutes PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING Asilomar Conference Grounds Pacific Grove, California December 13, 1978 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Dan Anderson at 3:15 p.m. All officers were present except Secretary Stan Harris who was represented by Paul Springer. Other Executive Council members attending were Bob Boekelheide, Jim King, Lora Leschner, Palmer Sekora, Kees Vermeer, and former mem- bers George Divoky and Gene Knoder. Dan Anderson of the Publications Committee reported that copies of the PSG Shorebird Symposium Proceedings for 1976 are now available at $8 as Studies in Avian Biology No. 2 of the Cooper Ornithological Society. Draft policy statements will be prepared in early 1979 by the Seabird Sanctuaries, Human Disturbances, Coastal Sur- veys, and Seabird/Fisheries Interaction Committees. They will stress greater inmLvement in conservation issues. The Committees on Pelagic Observations and on Beached Bird surveys have been inactivated since the manuals these com- mittees were established to develop have been prepared by several federal agencies. It was agreed that with reduction in the Bureau of Land Management and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- tration’s Outer Continental Shelf studies a new committee be formed to consider legislative matters. One function would be to promote funding of programs that support ex- isting treaty obligations. A statement on this subject was prepared previously by Jim King. Sam Patten proposed a position statement patterned after one by Bill Drury that would recognize that greater food supplies have increased gull populations, which, in turn, may jeopardize other bird populations, A resolution for the PSG Chairman to prepare a letter on this matter and send it to interested organizations and individuals was proposed by Ralph Schreiber, Seconded by Dave Manuwal, and passed. PSG Bulletin editor Jim King stated that short articles are now being encouraged. Reports of the Regional Representatives will be included in one issue a year. The cost of printing Vol. 5, No. 1, which featured a number of reports by the Fish and Wildlife Service at the Victoria meeting, was subsidized by the Service, and copies were distributed to' its offices concerned with seabird work. Persons present at the Council meeting were compli- mentary of this issue, and the PSG Chairman was directed 3 to send a letter of appreciation to Ann Schneider, Typist, and John Pitcher, Artist, for their contributions. A new Bulletin editor will have to he appointed, to start in 1980. Treasurer Dave Manuwal gave a brief financial report. In order to standardize and streamline office procedures, he suggested that the treasurer send out dues notices and collect dues, maintain the mailing list, and prepare and send mailing labels to the office from which the Bulletin is mailed. Requests for back issues would be sent to trie treasurer who would notify the secretary, in whose office they are stored. Vice-Chairman Ralph Schreiber reported he attended a meeting of the Seabird Working Croup at the International Ornitho- logical Conference in Berlin in June, 1978 and would prepare a report for the Bulletin . He also commented on papers submitted for pr e s ent a-fcion at the PSC meeting the next two days. Most were by students, which is indicative of an interested, viable organisation. Secretary-Elect Paul Springer reported that the files had been transferred to his office from former Secretary Stan Harris’s office. In order to provide a permanent address for inquiries to PSG when the current officers or other council members are not known, he was asked to investigate the use of Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Box 321, Bolinas, California 94924 for this purpose. (PRBO agreed to this arrangement . ) Springer was also asked to investi- gate the possible printing and mailing of the Bulletin in Areata. Since the bylaws do not provide for resolution of tie votes, Chairman Anderson suggested and it was agreed that the Executive Council should decide the winner. Anderson then announced the results of the mail ballot: Chairman — lora Leschner and Ralph Schreiber tied, Vice-Chairman — Palmer Sekora, Treasurer — Betty Anne Schreiber , and Secretary - Paul Springer. The Council elected Schreiber as Chairman. In the previous election for Regional Representatives the following were chosen: Mexico - Bemado Villa-Ramirez, Alaska - Bob Gill, Hawaii - Craig Harrison, Northern California - Bob Boekelheide, Non-Regional - Bill Drury and Spencer Sealy. John Ogden of the Colonial Waterbird Group reported that its executive board at their October meeting expressed interest in closer affiliation with PSG through occasional joint meetings and possible sponsorship of a joint journal. 4 Each organization would continue to issue separate news- letters, CWG also voted to discuss possible merger of the organizations in the future. The Executive Board expressed interest in these proposals and agreed to discuss the matters further with CWG. Two suggestions included a joint meeting during the American Ornithologists' Union annual meeting at Port Collins, Colorado, in 1980, and development of a joint questionnaire by the two organizations, whereby members could express their opinions on this and other subjects. The matter of how future nominees for Regional Representa- tives would be selected was left for the Chairman to consider. The meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m. ************** The minutes of the Executive Board meeting were read at the PSG business meeting held on December 15. Discussion centered principally on closer affiliation between PSG and CWG. While the need for a journal on seabirds was indicated, it was pointed out that a firm commitment was needed to support such a venture and that the journal should maintain high standards. The date of the next annual meeting was also discussed, and the majority present were in favor of San Diego at a date to be determined. No local chairman or facility was decided on. Subsequently it was decided that the next meeting will be at Asilomar January 23 to 25, 1980. Palmer C. Sekora will be program chairman (address on back cover) and he is soliciting program suggestions. Short-tailed Shearwaters 5 6t. . Phaeton aethereus PRELIMINARY TREASURER'S REPORT 1978 Balance from 1977 $1998.42 INCOME for 1978 Pre-registration from 4th meeting (Victoria) 687*40 Membership dues and back issues of PSG Bulletin 1585*50 TOTAL INCOME 2272.90 EXPENDITURES for 1978 Fourth annual meeting 846.57 Fifth annual meeting (deposit to Asilomar) 500.00 PSG Bulletin (Vol 4 (2), 5 (1) 1024*01 PSG envelopes 125*78 Postage 211.85 Ralph Schreiber (travel to IOC) 100.00 Treasurer (labels, photocopying, supplies) 42.18 Bank (service charges, currency exchange) 48.97 TOTAL EXPENDITURES 2899*36 1977 checking balance plus 1978 income minus 1978 expenditures 1371.96 Transfer to savings account 587*40 Balance of checking account 784*56 Withdrawal from savings account (shorebird symposium) 6000.00 Interest on savings account 279*27 Transfer from checking account 587*40 Balance of savings account (as of Nov. 29, 1978) 1166.67 TOTAL ASSETS IN CHECKING AND SAVINGS ACCOUNTS 1951*23 (as of December 31, 1978) Submitted by David A. Manuwal, Treasurer, COMMITTEE COORDINATORS Seabird sanctuaries: Palmer Sekora U. S. Fish, and Wildlife Service Finley National Wildlife Refuge Route 2, Box 208 Corvallis, Oregon 97330 Human disturbances to seabirds: Paul R. Kelly California Department of Fish, and Came Wildlife Management Branch 350 Golden Shore Long Beach, Calif. 90802 Coastal surveys : Robert Gill Jr. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1011 E. Tudor Road Anchorage, Alaska 99503 Publications: Daniel W. Anderson Division Wildlife and Fisheries University of California Davis, California 95616 Seabird/fisheries interaction : George L. Hunt, Jr. School of Biological Sciences University of California Irvine, Calif. 92664 7 PSG RESOLUTION PASSED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL December 13, 1978 Status of Large Gull Populations in Alaska Whereas studies from Juneau to the Prince William Sound area of the Northeast Gulf of Alaska indicate that the populations of Glaucous-winged Gulls ( Larus glaucescens ) are increasing , Whereas recent observations along the Northwest Coast of Alaska indicate that the age structure of Glaucous Gulls ( Larus hyperboreus) is close to that of the Atlantic Coast Uerring Gull (Larus argent atus) population, whose numbers have increased steadily within the last seven decades. Whereas observations in other areas also indicate that increasing populations of large gulls have both positive and negative effects on other seabirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl, We conclude that these are reasons to predict that a second- ary effect of development associated with Outer Continental. Shelf Gas and Oil Exploration and Production in addition to the rapidly developing coastal and marine fisheries will result in increasing populations of large gulls in Alaska, We therefore believe that studies should be made now to: a) establish the distribution and numbers of large gulls (Larus) in Alaska both during the breeding season and during the winter, a critical period of survival, b) establish the age structure of these large gulls, c) establish the relationship of successful breeding to sources of food resulting from human waste, garbage and fish offal, and to d) observe the effects of dense large gull populations on other wildlife species. (W. H. Drury with the assistance of S. M. Patten) 8 BULLETIN BOARD Meeting announcement : The sixth annual meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group will be held on 23-25 January 1980 at the Asilomar Conference Grounds, Monterey Peninsula, Pacific Grove, California. A local committee will be formed at a later date and Palmer C. Sekora, USFWS, Route 2, Box 208, Corvallis, Oregon 97330 will serve as program chairman. Any ideas and suggestions for the program should be sent to Palmer prior to October 1979. Abstracts for papers are invited. Please consider possi- bilities for a meeting theme, possible symposium, workshop, etc. Himantopus mexicanus 9 FIRST NOTICE SYMPOSIUM ON BIRDS OF THE SEA AND SHORE NOVEMBER 1979 UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN ORGANIZED BY: THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN SEABIRD GROUP THE WESTERN CAPE WADER STUDY GROUP and THE CAPE BIRD CLUB A five-day symposium, consisting of three days of formal sessions and two days of excursions, will be held at the University of Cape Town, South Africa during the second half of November 1979. The theme of the symposium will be "Birds of the sea and shore" and papers will be given on seabirds and waders, both inland and coastal. Excursions are planned for an offshore seabird breeding island, Langebaan Lagoon and a seawatching cruise. Persons interested in attending the Symposium should write to the Organizing Secretary, Mr. G.D. Underhill, 12 Roseberry Road, Mowbray 7700, South Africa for further information. Those persons wishing to deliver a paper should also write to Mr. J. Cooper, Southern African Seabird Group, c/o FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700,. South Africa, giving details of their proposed paper. Abstracts will be requested at a later stage. It is intended to publish the formal proceedings as a special supplement to The Cormorant , Bulletin of the Southern African Seabird Group. 10 THE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE REPORTS DUE TO EFFECTIVE OPPOSITION BY THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION THE PROPOSED NONGAME FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROGRAM DID NOT PASS THE 95TH CONGRESS BEFORE IT ADJOURNED SUNDAY EVENING OCTOBER 15, 1978. Congressman Edwin Forsythe (N.J.) fought for the bill right up to the final gavel. Even in defeat, he deserves the thanks of every group and individual interested in nongame or wild- life in general. . Hon. Edwin Forsythe House Office Building Washington, D. C. 20515 WESTERN CAPE WADER STUDY GROUP : REPORT ON SOUTH WEST AFRICA NOW AVAILABLE The western Cape Wader Study Group has recently published a Report entitled "An Ornithological Expedition to the Namib Coast." This report describes the group's trip to South West Africa in the summer 1976/1977. The purpose of the expedition was to count all waders and other waterbirds along the coast between Sandwich Harbour and Cape Cross, and to do as much ringing as possible. Besides the formal content, namely the census and ringing totals, there are chapters giving a full account of the ex- pedition, a description of the area, a discussion of the bird census methods used by the Wader Group, and a record of our observations on each species. The final chapter discusses the major wetlands and makes suggestions for their conservation. Copies of the report (price R3,00) are available from Manfred Waltner, 5 Montague Way, Pinelands, 7405. (Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to the Western Cape Wader Study Group.) TO CONTINUE RESEARCH ON MILLIONS OF MARINE BIRDS INHABITING several small islands between Alaska and the Soviet Union, a $91,710 supplemental contract was awarded to the College of the Atlantic (Bar Harbor ME) by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A principal purpose is to learn what types of prey seabirds in large colonies are feeding upon at several islands in Norton Sound near the Seward Peninsula and the Bering Strait. Research results will include the role of ocean currents circulation patterns in carrying oil pollutants to seabird colonies and feeding areas, and the rate at which some species can be expected to recover their numbers after deaths resulting from contamination or dis- turbance of breeding habitats. 11 Species being studied include common and thick-billed murres, homed puffins , and crested and least auklets. The informa— tion will be used to develop models fox’ predicting the environmental effects of proposed mineral development in the area. The contract is part of a major environmental study, conducted by NOAA, to determine the probable ecological impacts of oil exploration and development activities on Alaska’s outer continental shelf. THE CHAIRMA N OF THE PACIFIC SEABIRD SHOOT has been asked to serve as a representative on the Working Group on Seabirds for the International Council for Bird Preservation. The purposes of the Working Group are: 1. serve as a source and clearinghouse of information to ICBP, other organizations and governments on the conser- vation status of seabirds and their habitats. 2. prepare and update regularly a programme of global conservation priorities for seabirds. 3. initiate and carry out conservation or research projects on selected priorities identified in its conser- vation programme. 4. promote development of projects on other identified 5^ organize meetings or conferences on seabird conser- vation and issue or sponsor publications as the need or opportunity arises. . ,, 6. advise the compiler of Vbl* II, Aves m the IHCN Red Bata Book 'series on the status of endangered seabirds. 7. screen seabird conservation projects for IUCN and World Wildlife Fund. „ ^ ' _ . , 8. advise the ICBP Secretariat on letters of inter- vention on threats to seabirds or their habitats. I would appreciate receiving any and all suggestions from members of the PSGus to information to pass along to this very worthwhile organization. Ralph Schreiber BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION MEETING- March 26-28, 1977 Ibis 120 (1): 103-136 Jan. 1978 This meeting was "diTised to be of maximum use to active seabird research workers”. The Ibis has printed abstracts of most of the 44 papers presented, as above. Most dealt with the North Atlantic. Subjects ranged . from effects ot pollution, fishing and hunting to basic biology and includ much on survey techniques, beached birds, photography etc. 12 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION; COLOR-MARKED SHOREBIRDS IN ALASKA During 1979 > the U.S. Fish, and Wildlife Service will again be color-marking and banding large numbers of shorebirds on the Alaska Peninsula and Yukon Delta. Our efforts this summer will continue those begun in 1976 in conjunction with a study of fall migration routes and strategies of Shorebirds in Alaska. Dunlin and Western sandpipers are primarily involved, although lesser numbers of Rock Sandpipers and Black Turnstones will be marked. Birds will be color-banded and/or color-dyed. If you see one of our birds, we would appreciate knowing about it. Please record the species (with age, if possible), location, date, time, and color marks. If the bird is dyed, please note the color and the area of the bird that is dyed. Por colored and metal bands, please note the color(s), the leg(s) they are on and their placement above or below the "knee" . Reports of sightings should be sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, care of Robert Gill, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503 and the Bird Banding Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland 20811. We will acknowledge all reports. THE SEABIRD SANCTUARIES COMMITTEE lias initiated a critical habitat catalog 7 ¥or the purpose of identifying important seabird habitats which the PSG needs to identify, monitor and, if necessary, encourage appropriate countries, govern- ment agencies, private interests, etc. to protect and manage for the well being of the seabird resource. The Committee feels that this is an action which needs to occur and in which the PSG should take an active role. Eventually we hope that this catalog will include all seabird habitats. In order for this effort to be successful we need the full participation of the PSG membership. If you know of such areas of importance, whether they are for nesting, feeding, resting, etc., please submit your information in the follow- ing format. Name of area Location-Country, state, latitude-longitude, map should be included. Seabird use-species, numbers, etc. Any paper or references you can include would be most useful. Status-Ownership, protected status, pressures, etc. Recommendations- Suggested actions for providing better management and protection. Actions which the PSG can suggest and push. All information should be sent to Palmer C. Sekora, Seabird Sanct- uaries Committee, Rt 2, Box 208, Corvallis, Oregon 97330. 13 FARALLON BIOLOGIST POSITION The Point: Reyes Bird Observatory is seeking a vertebrate biologist with a Ph.D. or Master 1 s degree to fill an open staff position. Principal duties are to continue current long- term studies of the breeding biology of seabirds and marine mammals on Southeast Farallon Island in the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, Some time for individual research is avail- able, and such work is encouraged. PRBO employs three Farallon Biologists; usually two of these will be present on the island at any time. Each biologist spends approximately eight months of each year on Southeast Farallon, in a modern but very isolated field station. In addition to having field experience with birds (preferably seabirds) and / or marine mammals, the candidate must know or be willing to learn how to run and maintain small boats and motors, and perform simple mechanical maintenance on genera- tors. Some logistic work is required while not on the island (buying supplies, correspondence, etc.). Because of the extremely isolated living and working conditions, ability to work successfully with the current Farallon staff will be an important consideration. This is an exciting but demanding position. Salary is $650 per month; excellent food is provided while on the island, and Observatory staff are covered by the Kaiser Medical Plan. Applications should include three letters of recommendation, CV with list of publications, and transcripts. Letters from persons who have worked in the field with the candidate will be especially influential. Address applications to: Co-Directors Point Reyes Bird Observatory 4990 Shoreline Highway Stinson Beach, CA 94S PRBO anticipates filling this position by April. Initial contract would be for one year with possibility of renewal. Initial contract would be Anous stalidus 14 Mayor Eduardo Malapit County of Kauai 4396 Rice Street Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766 Dear Mayor Malapit: At the recent meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group in Monterey, California, a paper was given entitled, "The Status of Newell's Manx Shearwater, a Threatened Species" by Vernon Byrd, John Sincock (both with U. S. Pish and Wildlife Service on Kauai), and Tom Telfer (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources on Kauai) . As you know the A'O', which once nested on all the main islands of Hawaii, is now confined almost totally during the nesting season to the island of Kauai. They nest in earthen burrows which they dig themselves on steep mountain slopes under dense uluhe fern. Like many other birds that feed in the sea and only come to land to nest, the Newell's Manx Shearwater flies to and from land during darkness. Birds become confused and blinded by bright lights, and they collide with powerlines, buildings, and other structures. Many birds are run over by cars, and dogs kill some. The worst part of the problem occurs in fall (October-November) when young birds fly for the first time from their nests to the sea. These young seem to be more attracted to the lights than adults and probably a high percentage of each years production collides with something before they get to the ocean. Since Kauai is the last stronghold for the A'O', what happens to it there determines its fate. Our group of professional biologists who work with marine birds all over the Pacific area would like to congratulate the citizens of Kauai on their remarkable efforts to pick up fallen shearwaters this past fall. We understand approxi- mately 900 birds were turned in at shearwater aid stations. Most of these birds were sucessfully released back into the wild. We would like to encourage those involved in planning future developments in Kauai to consider the hazards to these unique birds. Perhaps consideration could be given to future lighting around resort and residential areas so that it could be no brighter than necessary and perhaps reduced or shielded during the critical period for shearwaters (October thru November). We understand Messers. Byrd, Telfer, and Sincock are planning an experimental study of light modifi- cation to reduce shearwater mortality and they may be able to help in development plans. Ralph Schreiber Chairman cc County Planning Dept. County Planning Commission County Council 15 Pacific Seabird Group DEDICATED TO THE STUDY AND CONSERVATION OF PACIFIC SEA8IRDS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT William D. Sweeney Area Manager, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2800 Cottage Way Room E-2740 Sacramento, CA 95825 Dear Mr. Sweeney: I am writing in behalf of the Pt. Reyes Bird Observatory as Chairman of the Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) . The PSG is a group of about 300 knowledgeable and concerned seabird biologists in western North America. Our group probably contains every major seabird researcher in western North America. PSG has a working group, as well, on "Seabird Sanctuaries” (PSG Bull . 5(1) :4). I enclose a copy of our most recent bulletin. We are therefore much interested in the outcome of developments at the Farallon Islands Refuge and PSG urges the increased USFWS support of PRBO on the Farallons. PRBO is doing important work — it conducts perhaps the most significant overall seabird effort on the West Coast, with important biological and long-term data being produced — but more important is the informed presence of biologist on the island to insure protection of the nesting seabirds there. PSG urges strong USFWS support of this important PRBO effort. December 12, 1978 Sincerely Daniel W. Anderson Chairman My address: Wildlife and Fisheries Biology 188 Briggs University of California, Davis Davis, California 95616 16 6 November 1978 James G. King U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Investigations P. 0. Box 1287 Juneau, A K 99802 Bear Jim: I continue to think it would he nice to have something like Mammalian Species accounts for our seabirds. Originally I made inquiries to several qualified and potentially important contributors but received little enthusiasm; maybe everyone wanted to do it by himself. I liked the accounts you sent on, but I had in mind something more formal and less "popular" . In any event, I have lost enthusiasm for group projects and while I might contribute to them, I can’t take the lead in organizing them at this point. As for publication in the Bulletin — if the write-ups are done correctly, I don’t think the Bulletin would be an appropriate place for publication. A series of high quality separates would be needed. Maybe we can discuss this more at Monterey, and perhaps someone will want to carry it on. Sincerely, Joseph R. Jehl, Jr. Hubbs-Sea World Research 1700 S Shores Rd Mission Bay San Biego, Ca 92109 17 REGIONAL REPORTS ALASKA Uncle's rules states that all good things must come to an end or at least slow down, and it appears that OCSEAP funded seabird work in Alaska, at least as we knew it during 1975-1978, is not exempt. While several of the larger OCSEAP projects were completed in 1978 and many others are scheduled for completion in 1979, surprisingly, the overall number of studies addressing marine birds will remain about the same through this summer. This is due primarily to the recent initiation of several small, non-OCSEAP funded projects focusing on many of the data gaps identified during the intensive seabird investigations of 1975- 1978. The following are new or continuing projects not likely to be listed in previous issues of the PSG Bulletin , abstracted from the 1978 annual meeting (also this issue) , or discussed in Current Research Profiles for Alaska, Fifth Edition 1978 (available from the Artie Environmental Information and Data Center, Univ. of Alaska, Anchorage). CURRENT RESEARCH (1) During the summer 1979 the USFWS and Alaska Department of Fish & Game will color mark Brant at several different nesting areas throughout the state. Colored plastic neck collars will be used to follow the birds from their breeding grounds to their principal fall staging area at Izembek Lagoon on the Alaska Peninsula, and subsequently to follow local movements while on their wintering grounds along the Pacific coast. 18 (2) In a related but separate study Dirk Derksen, USFWS, Anchorage, plans to study the autumn molt and migration of Brant at selected coastal areas in Alaska in 1979. Both Dirk T s and the previous study are intended to provide much needed population data for a new international Brant management plan. (3) Yet another seafowl study beginning in February 1979 will focus on the feeding ecology of Steller T s Eiders. Keith Met zner, USFWS, Anchorage, and the Univ. of Missouri-Columbia, is conducting the study which will be centered at Izembek Lagoon on the NW Alaska Penisula. (4) Since November 1977 beached bird surveys have been conducted along Lower Cook Inlet, Kodiak Island, N. Gulf of Alaska, and the western Aleutian Islands. The surveys, which are to run through 1979, are being coordinated by Kent Wohl, USFWS, Anchorage, and being conducted by volunteer help, mostly by National Wildlife Refuge personnel and private citizenry. (5) Colleen Handel, UC Davis and USFWS, Anchorage, will return to the Yukon -Kuskokwin Delta in 1979 to continue her study of the nesting ecology of the Black Turnstone, concentrating on time-energy budgets. ITEMS OF INTEREST (A) For those who have been anxiously awaiting a copy of the Alaska Seabird Colony Catalog, your wait is about over. Art Sowls assures me that the catalog will be out of the printers and available by the time 19 you receive this issue of the bulletin. At this writing, however, it has not been determined how and to whom this tome (265 pp in 11" x 15 format) will be available. Not to worry, however, because some 2000 copies are planned. (B) As further fallout from previous Alaskan seabird work and an indication that seabird studies will continue in the immediate future, there will probably be substantial funds beginning FY '80 to continue seabird colony inventories, principally in southeast Alaska, the south Alaska Peninsula area, and the eastern Aleutian Islands. (C) It appears that the OCS lease schedule is headed for yet another revision. Word has it that a new schedule will be completed around February 1980 and will show substantial changes in tract selection and scheduling in the Beaufort, Norton, and Bristol Basin lease areas. For the Bristol Bay/St. George Basin this will probably mean inclusion on the schedule, which up to now, the "resource community" has been able to prevent. What all this means is that there should be increased funds for seabird related studies in these areas in the next few years. Robert Gill, Jr. 20 Biological Activities on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta fciarfinnp Hhode NVtej Alaska The Clarence Rhode National Wildlife Refuge maintains two field stations and several field camps in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta area for field investigations during the summer field season (May-Sept ember) . Cooperative efforts with various universities and the USFWS-Research Branch along with newly initiated and ongoing refuge projects are as follows: 1. Ecology and Energetics of Reproduction in the Cackling Goose U. California (Davis) D. Raveling T, Aldrich 2. Nesting Biology and Interspecific Nest- site Predation of Geese U. California (Davis) C. Ely 3. Foraging Ecology and Energetics of Cackling Geese in the Post-breeding Period U. California (Davis) J. Sedinger 4- Ecology of the Black Turnstone on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta U. California (Davis) C. Handel 5. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Shorebird Populations in Coastal Areas of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta USFWS OBS/CE 6. Ecology and Population Dynamics of the Lesser Sandhill Crane USPWS - Patuxent 7. Nesting Biology of Geese and Eiders on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta USPWS - Refuges 8. Phenology of Spring Weather Conditions as They Relate to onset Nesting and Production of Migratory Waterfowl USPWS - Refuges 9* Ecology and Productivity of the Wrangel Island (USSR) Snow Goose Population as Determined During Pall Migration on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta USPWS - Refuges 10. Seasonal Abundance and Species Composition of Birds in Near-shore Waters of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta USPWS - Refuges (inactive since 1975) 11. Productivity of Whistling Swans on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta USPWS - Refuges Staff These projects are supplying a continuum of necessary predictive information from restricted areas of the Refuge. These data will be supplemented with additional observations and possibly R. Gill C. Boise C. Dau C . Dau C. Dau C .Dau 21 additional cooperative projects sufficient to assess popu- lations in the entire Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Complex. Chris Dau BRITISH COLUMBIA CURRENT RESEARCH 1. w. Campbell and S. Sealy plan a book on the birds of the Queen Charlotte Islands to be finished in 1980. 2. S. Sealy and W. Campbell are conducting a winter feeding ecology study on four species of alcids near Victoria, October, 1978 - April, 1979. 3. H. Carter, plans a study on the food and reproduction of Cassin's Auklets and Ancient Murrelets, Rankin Islands, Queen Charlotte Islands for 1979. 4. Sarah Groves finished her Black Oystercatcher investi- gation on Cleland Island in 1978. 5. Tom Reimchen initiated a study on predator - prey relations of loons on lakes in the northern Queen Charlotte Islands in 1978. 6. J. P. Kelsall, K. Simpson and P. Whitehead continued an inventory and toxic chemical investigation on Great Blue Herons for a second summer in British Columbia. One major breakthrough of the study was the development of a new trapping method for adult herons which resulted in the banding of about 60$ of the adult population m one particular colony. The investigators plan to study the effect of human disturbance on Great Blue Herons in 1979. 7. R. McKelvey studies for the second year the effects of Trumpeter Swans on their wintering habitat. 8. K. Vermeer, L. Cullen and R. Billings conducted a study on the reproduction and food of Rhinoceros Auklets, Tufted Puffins and Cassin’s Auklets on Triangle Island during the summer of 1978. 9 K. Vermeer, W. Campbell, G. Kaiser and I. Robertson plan to finish a first draft of a Seabird Atlas of British Columbia by 1979. The Atlas will show the distribution of birds at sea as well as the magnitude of the breeding seabird populations along the British Columbia coast. 22 10. G. Kaiser and D. Aldcroft are continuing a color-marking investigation of Dunlins and Western Sandpipers along the Fraser Delta Foreshore. 11. M. Shepard presently conducts an inventory on marine birds and mammals at Tsehum Harbour, Sidney. He fin- ished an inventory on marine birds and m amm als at Race Rocks, near Victoria. 12. B. Pendergast and R. Hunter are conducting a food and habitat study of dabbling and diving ducks in three estuaries, south eastern Vancouver Island, 1978 - 1979. ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. Public hearings were held from October 24 to November 2, 1978 on a planned port expansion on Roberts Bank, Fraser Delta Foreshore, Vancouver. Environmental and concerned citizen groups as well as governmental agencies (both federal and provincial) responsible for natural resources objected to the proposed expansion on the basis of habitat encroachment on fishes, marine invertebrates and marine birds. A variety of evidence was presented that showed no need for the expansion. The environmental panel will report to the Minister of Environment by February, 1979. 2. Foothills Pipelinge Ltd. applied to the U. S. Energy Commission and the National Energy Board to ship oil from Valdez to Skagway. From Skagway the oil is planned to be piped to the Alaska Highway, south of Whitehorse, and from there to Edmonton, Alberta. The proposal seems illogical as the oil could be piped directly from Valdez to the Alaska Highway and from there to Edmonton. The Kitimat oil pipeline and terminal proposal may well rear its head again as an alternative to the Skagway t erminal . Kees Vermeer WASHINGTON CURRENT RESEARCH University of Washington, College of Forest Resources , Wildlife Sciences Group . Survey of coastal and San Juan Islands - Steve Speich, David Manuwal, Bob Pitman 23 Seabird survey of the Straits of Juan de Fuca and Northern San Juan islands - David Manuwal and Terry Wahl, NOAA grant Breeding biology of several seabird species in Barren Islands, Alaska Ted Simons and John Pierce Battelle Northwest Laboratories, Ecosystems Department , 600 Area, Richland, WA, Fitzner Nesting ecology of ring-billed gulls, California gulls, and Forsters terns Study of movements of ring-billed and California gulls nesting on Columbia River islands Shore bird seasonal use of ponded habitats Washington State Game Department . Coastal zone habitat study - Thomas Juelson, Environ- mental Management Division Dunlin banding in Grays Harbor - Jack Smith, Game Management Division Black brant banding and neck-collar project to study a population that winters in Skagit Bay and breeds in Queen Elizabeth islands - Dick Parker, Game Management Division Projects completed: Marine Shoreline Fauna of Washington, Vol. I & II, Eaton, et. al., 1976. Padilla Bay Wildlife Study, 1978. Steve Sweeny U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge - Joe Welch, Manager . Beached bird surveys on Longbeach Peninsula Eradication of introduced rabbits on Destruction Island Negotiated with U.S. Navy and stopped the bombing of Sea Lion Rocks Annual aerial counts of offshore islands Survey of shorebirds on Leadbetter Point, Longbeach Peninsula - Ralph Widrig ." 24 Pr g . tectlQK island : Attention is focused on protecting the Rhinoceros Auklet, Glaucous-winged gull, and Pigeon Guillemot colonies on this Island, The Washington State Game Department currently owns part of the Rhin- oceros Auklet colony hut the majority is privately owned and unprotected. It has been proposed to the U. S. Pish and Wildlife Service for "unique wildlife habitat * 1 2 * * * * * * * * 11 consideration. Lara Lynn Leschner OREGON CURRENT RESEARCH 1. Dr. Daniel H. Varoujean, University of California - Davis, collected Common Murres during the summer period of 1978 near Cape Arago, near Coos Bay, Oregon for the following purposes: A* Determine diet of Common Murre adults during the nesting and postfledging period. B. Define the ontogeny of chick feeding independence and chick growth rate. Essentially, determine the diet and local distribution of dependent and independent chicks. (Note: Dan also hoped to obtain fish relative abundance figures from this summer f s ichthyology class trawling study to transform the dietary analyses into information about Common Murre feeding ecology). C. Determine if one or two adults attend fledged chick. D. Determine the sex(es) of the attendant adult (s). E. Establish average diving times for unsuccessful vs. successful dives. 2. Personnel of the Willamette Valley and Oregon Coastal National Wildlife Refuge Complex out of Corvallis, Oregon have initiated beach mortality transects along the Oregon coastline and also offshore transects to gather baseline data on seasonal seabird distribution and abundance. The offshore work is accomplished from available Coast Guard and NOAA vessels, ITEMS OF INTEREST Dr. Varoujean, University of California - Davis, working for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service compiled a pre- liminary seabird colony catalog for the coasts of 25 California, Oregon and Washington* This is considered to be the most current and complete summary of existing information on seabird colonies along the west coast. Hopefully this report will soon be available for distri- bution from the Migratory Bird Program, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 N. E. Multnomah Street, Portland, OR 97232. Seabird Sanctuaries Committee Report This newlv formed Committee presently includes Gene Knoder, Stan Senner, Jim Bartonek, Craig Harrison, Roger Clam), Art Sowls and Palmer Sekora as chairman. A initial PSG nolicy statement on "Seabird Sanctuaries” has been drafted and is being reviewed by the committee and hope- fully will be presented to the Executive Committee early in 1979. . Palmer C. Sekora Anous stalidus 26 Northern California Regional Report Current Research : (1) Coastal and pelagic surveys — Daniel Anderson, of U. C. Davis, aided by Tom Harvey and others at Moss Landing Marine Lab, is continuing surveys of coastal Brown Pelican roosting areas, with particular emphasis on population age structures. Dan Anderson, in coop- eration with Cal Fish and Game, is continuing ongoing studies of Brown Pelican breeding populations in the Gulf of California and the southern California bight, emphasizing predator-prey relationships of pelicans and anchovies. Dan Varoujean, also of U. C. Davis, and supported by the USFWS, is cataloging and mapping sea- bird breeding colonies in coastal Washington, Oregon, and California. PRBO is continuing pelagic surveys in the Gulf of the Farallones during transit to and from the Farallon Islands, and coastal surveys of shorebirds using estuaries in Marin County. Aleutian Canada Geese using offshore rocks in Del Norte County for roosting sites during migration are being monitored by the USFWS under Paul Springer. (2) Beached bird surveys — PRBO is continuing its beached bird project, guided by David Ainley with the help of many individuals and institutions. The manual for identification of beached birds should be available soon. 27 (3) Breeding biology and ecology — Long term studies of Farallon Island breeding species continue as before by David Ainley, Steve Morrell, and Harriet Huber of PRBO. Emphasis has shifted to breeding characteristics and population dynamics of known-age birds banded during the past decade. Larry Spear of Moss Landing Marine Lab is investigating the known-age Western Gulls. Tom Harvey, also of Moss Landing, is completing a breeding biology study of sympatric tern species in Elkhom Slough. Carl Benz of Humboldt State University is viewing nesting behavior and colony characteristics of cormorants at Gull Rock in Humboldt County. Also at Humboldt, Mark Phillips is completing trophic studies of murres on the north coast. Work continues on the behavioral taxonomy of breeding ale ids on the Farallones by Douglas Nelson of the University of Michigan. (4) Shorebird research — Work continues as before on Sanderling foraging ecology by Frank Pitelka, Peter Connors, and Peter Myers of U. C. Berkeley. At Elkhorn Slough Bernadette Allen of Moss Landing Marine Lab is inves- tigating local movements of Western Sandpipers. Inves- tigations of Snowy Plover distribution, abundance, and breeding parameters continue as before by Gary Page and others at PRBO. Elliott Burch at U. C. Santa Cruz has begun surveys of shorebird habitat use at 28 Ano Nuevo Island. Lastly, Jim Blick of the University of Michigan, is continuing studies of raptor predation and flocking behavior of shorebirds on Bolinas Lagoon. (5) Environmental/Pollution research — PRBO and U. C. Davis are concluding studies of the effects of ingested petroleum on the reproductive physiology of Cassin's Auklet, led by David Ainley and Dick Grau. Their studies are now shifting to the dynamics of egg formation in various alcid species breeding on the Farallon Islands. Items of Interest : The initiation of the BLM environmental assessment program for northern and central California continental shelf areas seems imminent. Despite earlier disregard by oil companies for the northern California coast, and doubts about exploitable oil reserves, it appears that new interest is being expressed concerning the area’s oil development potential. Rumor has it that proposal requests for marine bird and mammal research will be issued early in 1979. Concern continues to mount for Mono Lake. Dave Winkler and David Gaines of the Mono Lake Committee are leading the fight to limit water diversion by the city of Los Angeles and to maintain the quality of the lake environment. Water levels at the lake have dropped substantially during the past couple years, threatening the insular breeding population of California 29 Gulls. The effects of increased salinity may ham the endemic brine shrimp population, the major prey species for migratory Eared Grebes and phalaropes on their way to coastal wintering areas. Their address: Mono Lake Committee, P. 0. Box 2764, Oakland, GA 94602. Bob Boekelheide Northern California Regional Repres entative . 30 Report to the Pacific Seabird Group of the Committee on Seabirds and Fisheries Management Recent events in the area of fisheries management have focused attention on the potential for very large detrimental impacts on seabird populations of fisheries management decisions. The Pacific Seabird Group therefore directed this committee to examine the potential interactions of fisheries and seabirds and to suggest means by which potential negative impacts could be mitigated. The Committee first discussed the potential economic and social benefits derived from healthy seabird populations. These included: 1) There are increasingly large numbers of the public who are interested in seabirds. This interest has generated a substantial charter business involving thousands of paying customers taking trips from 10-20 West coast ports . 2) This activity results in a considerable number of days of boat charter each year, some of which come in slack times for fishing. 3) Seabirds form an important means by which fisherman locate fish. 4) There is a growing body of evidence that seabirds are sensitive local indicators of the availability of the foods upon which they depend. 5) Seabirds provide a valuable early warning of contamination or disturb- ance of the marine ecosystem. 6) In several areas of the world, seabirds provide a valuable source of guano . 31 We then considered possible areas of conflict between fisheries manage- ment and the conservation of seabirds - Two areas of major concern were identified. The first was the depression of food resources . Most seabirds have long life spans as adults and relatively low yearly reproductive outputs . For many years a population will experience minimal levels of reproductive success. Interspersed will be the rare year of high reproductive output. These peak years may be critical for the mainte- * nance of seabird populations and may require an unusually high abundance of food organisms. Either widespread chronic depressions, or local, short- term depletion of food stocks could have very serious detrimental impacts on seabird numbers through limitation of food stocks below the level required to sustain necessary levels of seabird reproductive success. The second area of major concern was the impact of large-scale inciden- tal" mortality of seabirds in gill nets. Because seabirds are long-lived and because they have a low reproductive rate, elevated mortality rates of adults can quickly damage a seabird population, as the lost birds will be replaced only very slowly. Several recommendations were indentified as means of minimizing these negative impacts. 1) Marine resources management agencies should contact adequate stud- ies to determine the linkages between seabirds and the foods on which they depend. 2) Resource agencies should adopt an ecosystem rather than a single- species approach to fisheries management to ensure the continued well- 32 being of the diverse elements of the marine ecosystem. 3) Regulations should be adopted that will result in minimal incidental loss of seabirds to gill-net fisheries. These regulations should include areas in the vicinity of major colonies from which net fishing is excluded. Additionally, the Committee felt there was a strong need for quantitative documentation of the social and economic impact of the public interest in seabirds and better documentation of the mortality of seabirds caused by fisheries activities. Such documentation of fisheries impact should include not only numbers and types of birds killed and the time, location and type of net involved in the kill, but should also attempt to document the '’incidental" kill of seabirds in other types of fisheries, including hook and line sport- fisheries. The Committee agreed that, after adequate debate and refinement of the Committee Report by the Pacific Seabird Group, the Committee should pre- pare a brief statement on behalf of the Pacific Seabird Group that could be sent to regulatory agencies. Submitted for the Committee George L. Hunt, Jr., Chair Daniel Anderson Committee Members: Dave Ainley John Butler Paul Kelly Alex McCall 33