PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP BULLETIN Vol. 2 Spring 1975 No. 1 'V- . PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) was formed in 1972 out of a need for better communication among Pacific seabird researchers. The Group acts to coordinate and stimulate the field activities of its members and to inform its membership and the general public of conservation issues relating to Pacific seabirds and the marine environment. Current activities include the development of standard techniques and reporting forms for colony cens using, pelagic observations and beached bird surveys. Policy statements are issued on conservation issues of critical importance. While the PSG's primary area of interest is the west coast of North America and adjacent areas of the Pacific, it is hoped that seabird enthusiasts in other parts of the world will join and participate in the Group. Annual dues for membership in the Group are $5.00 and are payable to the Secretary-Treasurer (address on back cover). Menbers receive the PSG Bulletin. The Pacific Seabird Group Bulletin is issued in the spring and fall of each year and contains news of interest to PSG members. Regional reports include a listing of current research and information on seabird conservation. The Bulletin does not act as an outlet for the results of scientific research but welcomes articles on seabird conservation, seabird research or other topics that relate to the objectives of the Group. Articles should be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer. Back issues of the Bulletin (starting with spring 1974) are available from the Secretary-Treasurer for $2, SO each. Natl. Marine Fisheries Service College of Forest Resources Marine Mammal Division University of Washington Sand Point, NSA Bldg. 192 Seattle, WA 98195 Seattle, WA 98115 The 1975 meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group will be held at Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California (near Monterey) on 12-14 December. Further information will be sent to members in August. PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP BULLETIN COMMITTEE COORDINATORS Pelagic Observations Gerald A. Sanger Colony Census ing David A. Manuwal Beached Bird Surveys Conservation David G. Ainley Box 8, Alder Rd. Bolinas, CA 94924 Kenton D. Wohl P. 0. Box 1159 Anchorage, AK 99510 PSG ANNUAL MEETING n R H. DAY PACIFIC SEABIRD CROUP BULLETIN Volume 2 Spring 1975 Number 1 Contents The Chairman's Page 1 Pacific Seabird Group News 2 Regional Reports Alaska 6 British Columbia 9 Washi ngton ....... 10 Oregon ....... ..... . l ] Northern California 12 Southern California ..... ..... 14 Mex i co 16 Hawaii 16 Japan 17 Policy Statement Incidental Seabird Kills from Salmon Gillnet Fisheries 19 Lack of Study of Parasites of Seabirds. ........ 21 Oil Spill Preparations 24 Proceedings of the First* Annual Meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group . . , . 26 Bulletin Board ^ 42 New Members : .. 44 THE CHAIRMAN'S PAGE Over one hundred members attended our first meeting last December in Seattle. It was especially gratifying to see so many people at the meeting and to hear such a wide variety of topics presented in the general papers sessions. I hope that an even greater percentage of the membership will be able to attend in 1975. In response to comments received during and after the meeting, the format for the 1975 meeting will permit more lengthy question and answer periods after each paper and also time for special interest groups to meet and discuss their shared interests and problems. In addition, it will be possible to present data in "poster sessions" which will allow individuals to present more detailed charts and graphs than could be done in the usual oral presentation. Details on this technique will be given in the 1975 call for papers. I hope that you will continue to give your input on meeting format so that the meeting structure will evolve into the form best suited to the special needs of our group. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. M. D. F. Udvardy, Mr. Gerald A. Sanger and Dr. Timothy Myres, outgoing Executive Council members, for their help in getting PSG through its first two years. They have all played a large role in the organization and promotion of our group and although they no longer serve on the Executive Council they continue to be active in PSG affairs. We hope you will remember that the function of the Executive Council is only to play an administrative role in directing PSG activities. In order for the Pacific Seabird Group to continue to be a viable organization and to play a constructive role in the scientific community it is necessary for all members to contribute both ideas and energy. If we are to keep the world fully informed about Pacific seabirds, we must first of all maintain communication among ourselves. Let us hear from you! J . Michael Scott PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP NEWS Executive Council Elections Elections must be held this year to choose 1976-1977 council representatives from British Columbia, Oregon and southern California, and to fill the three seats open to persons not living on the west coast of North America. Our present representat i ves from British Columbia and Oregon now live and work a long way from those respective regions. Elections are thus particularly important for members from those regions. Nominations or volunteerings will be open until 1 June 1975. Ballots will be sent out in June. We had very good participation in the last election. Let's do it again! David G. Ainley, Election Committee Coordinator, Box 8, Alder Rd., Bolinas, CA 94924. Dues For the past year and a half the PSG has operated on two grants from the National Audubon Society totaling $750 and a $200 grant from the Western Oil and Gas Association. The Group is deeply indebted for this support which has allowed the pub- lishing of three Bulletins and the establishment of an organi za t iona 1 framework. So that the Group will be self- sufficient in the future, annual dues of $5.00 are being assessed beginning with this Bulletin. Persons paying their 1975 dues by September can be assured of receiving the fall number of the Bulletin and the announcement of the 1975 annual meeting. Prepayment of 1976 and 1977 dues will be accepted with the payment of this year's dues. Structure of Executive Council Modified At the annual meeting in Seattle the Executive Council voted to modify its structure so that areas away from the west coast of North America have more representation on the council. The eight regions of primary concern to the Group (Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, northern California, southern California, Mexico, and Hawaii) will still be represented by single seats on the council. The non-Pacific U. S. and Canadian seats have been dissolved and the council will now have three " non-regi ona 1 " seats open to anyone who does not live in one of the eight regions listed above. These changes have been incorporated into the bylaws that were distributed with this issue of the Bulletin. The Executive Council will now have 11 members. To fill the extra seat in the period prior to the elections the council has asked Haruo Ogi to serve on the council. Mr. Ogi has had a wide range of experience with Pacific seabirds and is a most welcome addition to the council. 2 Natural Resources Council Announces ^Symposium The Natural Resources Council of America, the U. S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Audubon Society and the- National Wildlife Federation are cosponsoring a symposium, "Conservation of Marine Birds in Northern North America An International Symposium", to be held in Seattle, Washington, 13-15 May 1975, according to Daniel A. Poole, Council Chairman. Other conservation groups, including PSG, have contributed to the planning of this meeting. The objective of the symposium i s to identify problems, basic information needs and action programs related to the conservation of marine birds in northern North , Amer i ca . The papers that are presented will later be published. Major topics that will be treated include: (1) socio-economic considerations of marine birds and their conservation; (2) the marine environment of birds; (3) status of marine bird populations on land and sea; (4) the biology and ecology of marine birds in the North; (5) conflicts between the conservation of marine birds and uses of other resources; (6) programs and authorities related to the conservation of marine birds; and (7) conservation of marine birds in other lands. More than 40 persons regionally and topically knowledgeable about these subjects will be participating. The symposium will be held in the Seattle Hyatt House immediately adjacent to the Sea ttl e-Tacoma International Airport. Persons wishing additional information should contact James C. Bartonek, Warren B. King, or David N. Nettleship, Cochairmen of the Planning Committee. PSG Conservation Symposium Postponed Due in large part to the symposium announced above, the conservation symposium planned for the 1975 PSG annual meeting has been postponed. The 1975 annual meeting will have a half-day session devoted to seabird conservation. Papers at the session will be in the same general categories as outlined on pages 3 and 4 of Vol 1., No. 2 of the Bulletin. Persons wishing to present papers at the session should contact Daniel W. Anderson, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P. 0. Box C, Davis, CA 95616. International Seabird Meeting During the 16th International Congress of Ornithology in Canberra, Australia, there was a meeting called by the Standing Committee for the Coordination of Seabird 1 Research to discuss seabird matters on the evening of 15 August 1974. Sir Robert Falla of New Zealand, Dr. W._ R. P. Bourne of. 3 Scotland, and Dr. J. F. van Tets of Australia acted as chair- man, secretary, and convenor, respectively. About 60 people attended. The topics discussed were: exchange of infor- mation, sea cruises, sea watches, realistic census figures, beach combings, wrecks, effect of anthropogene poisons, monitoring of index species and specimen banks. It was the general concensus of the participants that such regularly repeated censuses that are carried out with the aid of amateurs, e.g., sea watches and beach surveys, are very valuable tools in the long run giving information about the status or an index of seabird populations; their use should be encouraged in all coastal countries. Specimen banks are deep-frozen specimens properly stored, for the most part collected from beach wrecks etc., but also sys tema ti ca 1 1 y . These would serve in the future as comparative material just as science today uses old egg collections for eggshell thinning studies or old preserved fish for mercury contami- nation studies. The participants unanimously passed a resolution that the Standing Committee passed onto the Congress for forwarding. This states that sea coastal countries should, through their appropriate agencies (museums, fish and game department, or others) establish data and specimen banks for seabirds. M, D. F. Udvardy . Conservation Committee To deal with the rapidly growing number of conservation issues relating to the marine environment a PSG Conservation Committee was formed at the annual meeting in Seattle. Mem- bership is open to any person interested in seabird conser- vation who has the time and energy to devote to the committee's activities. If you are interested in being a member of this committee please contact the committee's co- ordinator Kenton D. Wo hi at P. 0. Box 1159, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. The primary functions of the committee are: (1) identify important seabird oriented conservation issues, (2) factually document the issues involved, (3) keep the general membership informed, and (4) prepare conservation policy statements for consideration and issuance by the Executive Council. People wishing to help the committee should send the coordinator information on conservation issues in their region. Documentation of an issue need be no more than a newspaper clipping. Col or-marki ng Schemes In order to increase the number of returns to re- searchers col or-marki ng seabirds in the Pacific and Atlantic, the Pacific Seabird Group will publish and regularly update a list of color-marking schemes involving seabirds. Anyone who is currently co 1 or-mark i ng seabirds or has done so in the past is asked to send the following information to the Secretary : 4 Species Type of marking: (bands, wing markers, streamers, etc). Colors Location of marking: which leg, wing, etc. Banding location: country, state or province, specific location. Name and address of person to whom details of sighting should be sent. 5 REGIONAL REPORTS The following reports contain a listing of current and recently completed research. Persons knowing of additional research projects or conservation issues should contact the appropriate regional representative. Alaska Current Research U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge”! P~. CL Box 5251 , Adak, AK 98791 ). 1. Aleutian Canada Goose restoration project. In its second year, this project will involve the release of captive- raised birds on Agattu Island and the continued study of the wild population breeding on Buldir Island. 2. Beach surveys. Four 1-mile segments of Bering Sea beach at Adak Island are walked regularly to provide baseline data on the natural mortality rates of seabirds and ma r i ne mamma 1 s . Principal Investigator for above two studies: G. Vernon Byrd . 3. Avifauna of Agattu Island. A general avifauna! survey, including location, size and species composition of sea- birdcolonies. 4. Breeding biology and behavior of the Red-faced Cormorant. Principal Investigator for above two studies: John L. Trapp. 5. Avifauna of Buldir Island. A general avifauna! survey, including location, size and species composition of sea- bird colonies. 6. Breeding biology of Fork-tailed and Leach's Storm-Petrels at Buldir Island. Study to include breeding chronology and population estimates. Principal Investigators for above two studies: G. Vernon Byrd, Chris Dau and Matthew Dick. 7. Breeding biology and behavior of the Pelagic Cormorant. Principal Investigator: Matthew Dick. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Ecological Services, P. 0. Box 1 287, Juneau, AK 99802)". Southeast Alaska coastal foundation studies. Location and species composition of seabird colonies in the Alexander Archipelago are noted during the course of wildlife inventories. Principal Investigators: Donald Montgomery and Ronald Berg . U . S . Fish and Wildlife Service ( Energy Del 1 very Systems , 813 D. St., Anchorage, AK 99501). Seabirds of the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound. 6 Aerial and at-sea observations are utilized to determine species composition, distribution and seasonal abundance Principal Investigator: Robert T. Eberhardt. U, S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Izembek National Wildlife Range, Pouch 2, Cold Bay, AK 995/1). The migration, mortality and reproductive success of the Black Brant. Reproductive success is studied on the Izembek Range when the entire population is present in the fall. Mortality and migration are studied along the entire migratory route. Principal Investigator: Robert D. Jones, Jr. U. S, Fish and Wildlife Service (Patuxent Wildlife Research Center , Laurel , . MD 2081 0 ) . Eggshell thinning studies. Pacific seabirds being con- sidered include: Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel , Leach's Storm-Petrel, Common Murre, Thick-billed Murre, Black Guillemot, Pigeon Guillemot, Ancient Murrelet, Cassin's Auklet, Parakeet Auklet, Crested Auklet, Least Auklet, Whiskered Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet, Horned Puffin, and Tufted Puffin. Principal Investigators: Erwin E. Klaas and Harry M. 0 h 1 endorf . U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Systems and Planning, 813 D St., Anchorage, AK 99501). Inventory of seabird resources associated with the pro- posed Coastal National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska. The density and distribution of seabirds adjacent to pro- posed national wildlife refuges are being determined. The information will be used to guide legislative decision making in establishing the most biologically sound offshore refuge boundaries and to guide master planning for the proposed refuges. Principal Investigators: David R, Cline and Edgar P. Bailey. University of Lethbridge (Dept, of Colloquium Study, Lethbridge, Alberta T1 K 3M4), Nesting ecology of the Black Brant in Alaska. In co- operation with the U, S. Fish and Wildlife Service the normal behavioral response of the Black Brant to its breeding habitats is being studied on the Yukon- Kuskokwim Delta. Principal Investigator: John Eisenhauer. Conservation Notes Alaska Considers Beaufort Sea Lea^se . The State of Alaska is considering an oil and gas lease in the Beaufort Sea to provide funds before the Trans-Alaska Pipeline 7 begins production in July 1977. The Beaufort Sea is covered by ice for approximately 9 months a year but from June to October the open waters are a major miqratory path- way and summering area for seabirds. Drilling would pose major environmental problems because oil 'is not readily degraded at the ambient water temperatures in the Beaufort Sea. Recently elected Governor Jay Hammond is seeking alternatives to the Beaufort Sea lease which was originally proposed by the previous administration. Other Alaskan News Biologists Perish Du ring Seabird Survey . On 30 Septem- ber 19747 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists Bob Bergman, Larry Haddock and Leonard Boughton and pilot Bob Johnson departed from Anchorage to conduct a seabird survey in the Gulf of Alaska. They failed to arrive in Kodiak as planned, and an intensive search failed to find any sign of the missing aircraft. The three biologists had worked on a number of projects relating to the impact of oil exploration on seabirds. The seabird library in the Anchorage Office of the Fish and Wildlife Service has been named in honor of Bergman . BLM Funds Seabird Studies in Alaska to Hasten PCS Develop- ment oT Petroleum . The Bureau of Land Management has con- tracted through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for environmental studies related to OCS leasing and development in Alaska in the amounts of $7.6 million in the last quarter of fiscal year 1975 (ending June 30, 1975) and $24.3 million in fiscal year 1976. Of these amounts more than $1.1 million have been ear-marked for bird studies in the Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea and the Beau- fort Sea. Additional funding will come for bird studies in the Chukchi Sea during 1975 or 1976, with money for all areas continuing from 3 to 5 years after the initial funding. Universities, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, agencies of the federal government, and others will be parti- cipating in the research. The newly formed Coastal Ecosystem Program within the Office of Biological Services, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Anchorage, has at the request of NOAA assumed r e s pon s i b i 1 i ty for coordination and review of all marine mammal and marine bird studies being contracted. The objectives of the BLM environmental studies program are: ( 1 ) to provide information for management decisions regarding development of mineral resources, especially oil and gas, (2) prepare environmental impact statements, (3) establish bases for prediction of impacts of OCS activities in frontier areas, and (4) acquire impact data that may re- sult in modification of leasing regulations, operating regulations or orders to permit for efficient mineral resource recovery with maximum environmental protection. Three major tasks related to bird studies were identi- fied as being: (1) to summarize and evaluate existing literature and unpublished data on the distribution, abundance, behavior, and food dependencies of marine birds; (2) to determine the seasonal density distri- bution, critical habitats, migratory routes, and breed- ing locales for principal marine birds species in study areas; to identify critical species particularly in regard to possible effects of oil and gas development; and (3) to describe population dynamics and trophic relationships of selected species at offshore and coastal study sites. Other tasks addressed the needs for assess- ment of acute and chronic effects of crude oil, its component fractions, and other petroleum-associated chemicals on physiological and behavioral mechanisms of selected arctic and subarctic organisms of the marine environment (including birds); determining levels of trace metals and hydrocarbons in selected marine organisms; and determining the incidence of disease in birds for use in evaluating future impacts of petroleum- related activity. Although the support of these kinds of studies is commendable (it is also a legal necessity under the National Environmental Policy Act if petroleum develop- ment is to take place) some Alaskans view the information as coming too late to influence the selection of lease, areas based upon their environmental values. In addition to studies in OCS frontier areas of Alaska, the BLM is considering similar lease programs with associated environmental studies near the Baltimore Channel, Gulf of Mexico and off southern California. Regional representative for Alaska - George J. Divoky. British Columbia Current Research British Columbia Provincial Mus-eum (Victoria, B. C.). T; Inventory and cataloging of seabirds on the coast of British Columbia. 2. Censusing of seabird colonies in the Strait of Georgia and central and northern tip of Vancouver Island. 3, Banding of G1 aucou s-wi nged Gulls. It is hoped that age-class dispersal can be determined. 4 „ The collation of weathership seabird observations. 5. Pelagic field trips. Trips are being organized for spri ng and fall. 9 Principal Investigators: C. J. Guiguet, R. W . Campbell, and R . Y . Edwards. Regional representative for British Columbia - Spencer G. Sealy. Washington Curre nt R ese arch University of Puget Soun d (Dept, of Biology, Tacoma, WA 98416) Biology of an endangered population of Caspian Tern in Grays Harbor, Washington. Principal Investigator: Steven Penland. University of Washington (Wildlife Science Group, College of Forest Resources, Seattle, WA 98195) Two of the three studies initiated in 1974 on Destruction Island will be continued this year. These include studies of the breeding ecology of the Rhinoceros Auklet and the Black Oystercatcher. The Rhinoceros Auklet continues to be the focal point of research at the University of Washington. All three major breeding colonies are now being studied. The study on Protection Island is being initiated this year by graduate student Ulrich Wilson. The major thrust of this study is the effects of human disturbance on the breeding biology of the Rhinoceros Auklet. 1. Population ecology of the Rhinoceros Auklet on Smith Island National Wildlife Refuge. 2. Baseline survey of marine birds in Puget Sound. Principal Investigator for above two studies: David A. Manu wa 1 . 3. Ecology and competitive relationships of the Black Oysterca tcher on Destruction Island. Principal Invest i ga tor : David Nysewander. 4. Ecology of the Rhinoceros Auklet on Destruction Island. Principal Investigator: Lora L. Leschner. 5. Effect of human disturbance on the biology of the Rhinoceros Auklet on Protection Island. Principal Investigator: Ulrich W. Wilson. 6. The present distribution and abundance of the Double- crested Cormorant in Puget Sound and Gulf Island of British Columbia. Principal Investigators: David A. Manuwal and R. Wayne Campbell (British Columbia Provincial Museum). Conservation Notes Oil tra ns port in Puget Sound and coastal Washington . 1 1 is evident that the oil issue in this state is going to be a 10 critical one to the welfare of existing marine bird populations. Several proposals for transporting oil have been made. These include tanker traffic directly to the Anacortes area, construction of an underwa ter . pi pel i ne from Port Angeles to Anacortes, a major facility at Port Angeles, and offshore oil tanker terminals connected via pipeline to Port Angeles. There are undoubtedly others. At this point it is difficult to say just what is going to happen. Regional representa ti ve for Washington - David A. Manuwal Oregon Current Research Audubon Society (Corvallis, OR 97330) Pelagic field trips. Trips are scheduled at least twice a year (spring and fall). For further information con- tact Fred Ramsey, Dept, of Statistics, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331. Oreqon State University (Corvallis, OR 97331) 1. Taxonomic and behavioral aspects of interbreeding be- tween G1 aucous -wi nged and Western Gulls. Field work is being done on Destruction Island, Washington; Greater Chain Island, British Columbia; and Yaquina Head, Oregon. Principal Investigators: Wayne Hoffman and John A. Wiens (Dept, of Zoology), and J. Michael Scott (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hawaii). 2. Resource allocation in Leach's and Fork-tailed Storm- Petrels. Recently completed work. Principal Investigators: William A. Pearcy (Dept, of Oceanography ) andJ. Michael Scott (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hawaii). 3. Community organization and pelagic distribution of seabirds off'Oregon. Manuscript in preparation. Principal Investigator: J. Michael Scott (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hawaii). 4. Distribution and abundance of seabirds in Yaquina Bay, Oregon. Weekly censuses of Yaquina Bay. Principal Investigators: Robert E. Olson and Peter Rothlisberg (Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, Newport, OR 97365). U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (William Finley National Wildlife Refuge, Route 2, Box T08, Corvallis, OR 97330) Annual aerial census of marine bird colonies in Oregon. Principal Investigator: Dick Rodgers. Independent Studies Distribution and abundance of Oregon birds. Presently in preparation. Principal Investi ga tor : M . Ralph Browninq (Bird and flammal Laboratory, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D. C. 20560). Personnel Change C. Fred Zeillemaker, formerly of William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, is now assistant refuae manager of Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Regional representative for Oregon - J. Michael Scott. Northern California Current Research California Department of Fish and Game (1416 9th St. Sacramento , CA 95814) 1. Inventory of nesting birds on offshore rocks in California. 2. Cormorant nesting studies. 3. Brown Pelican inventory. 4 Pelagic bird inventories. Principal Investigator: Howard R. Leach. California Department of Fish and Game (Marine Technical In- formation Center, 350 Golden Shore, Long Beach CA 90802) Seabird observations in the California current. Seabird observations are made from research vessels and included in the annual data report "California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations". Copies of the report can be obtained from the Center's librarian. California State University, Humboldt (Dept, of Bioloqy, Areata, CA 9 5 521 ) 1. Studies on the biology of s torm-petrel s . Principal Investigator: Stanley W. Harris 2. Taxonomy of the Yel 1 ow-f ooted Western Gull ( Larus occidental is 1 i yens ) in the Gulf of California. Principal Investigator: Ron LeValley 3. Distribution and occurrence of birds off extreme northern California. Principal Investigators: Stanley W. Harris and Ron LeVa 1 1 ey . California State University, Moss Landing Marine Laboratory (Moss Landing, C A 95039 ) 1. Taxonomy of fossil marine birds of central California. 2. Distribution and occurrence of marine birds in Monterey Bay . Principal Investigators: G. V. Morejohn and students. 3. Diets of marine birds in Monterey Bay. Principal Investigator: Don M. Baltz. 12 California State University, Sacramento (6000 J. St., Sacramento, CA 95819) 1. Functional anatomy in marine birds. 2 . Biol ogy of al ci ds . Principal Investigator: M. D. F. Udvardy. California State University, San^ Jose . ( San Jose, CA 95514) Circannual and circadian rhythms in marine birds on the Faral 1 on Islands. Studies are being conducted in con- junction with the Point Reyes Bird Observatory. Principal Investigator: L. R. Mewaldt Point Reyes Bird Observatory (Box 321, Bolinas, CA 94924) 1. Studies on the marine bird community on and near the Farallon Islands. 2. Beached bird survey of California. 3. Maintenance of Farallon Research Station for studies (by other workers) on marine birds and mammals. Principal Investigators: David Ainley and staff. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (California State University, Humboldt, Areata, CA 955215 Birds of coastal bays and estuaries. Principal Investigator: Paul Springer. University of California, Bodega . Mar i ne . Labora tor i es (P. 0. Box 247, Bodega Bay, CA 94923) Studies on pollutants in marine ecosystems and their biological effects. Principal Investigator: Robert W. Risebrough. University of California, Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, CA 95060) T~. Behavi oral e c o 1 ogy of g u 1 Is. Principal Investigators: R. Pierotti and K. Briggs. 2. Studies on the biology of marine mammals. Principal Investigator: K. W. Norris. Conservation Notes Deep Water Tanker Port. A deep water oil tanker port is being considered by Standard Oil of California for positioning three miles off the California coast at Morro Bay. Super tankers would discharge their oil at a buoy and the oil would then be piped to refineries in the Richmond area (overland route). Environmental impact statements are now being drafted. Much local oppostion exists. There is of course next to nothing known about .mari ne bird popu- lations using that area. Volunteers in the Point Reyes Bird Observatory 1 s beached bird census have been tallying marine birds dead on at least one beach in the Morro Bay area for four years. 13 Herring Fishery In Tomales and San Francisco Bays . During the past two years an unregulated herring fishery was brought under control by legislation authored by State Senator Peter H. Behr. Much of the catch was being (is) shipped to Japan but it is now limited to 600 tons annually. Legislation now being considered would restrict the harvest to experienced herring fishermen who own boats outfitted with the proper equipment. Senator Behr is considering legislation to ban the fishery al- together. Recent, yet to be published work completed by re- searchers from Point Reyes Bird Observatory and the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (UC Berkeley) indicate herring to be part of the diets of marine birds and mammals in the area but this work does not include populations of these predators that use Tomales and San Francisco Bays heavily. Casual observations indicate herring eggs to be important for local populations of larids durinq a very short period (herring spawning) each year. Regional representative for northern California - David G. Ai nl ey . Southern California Current Research This time, current research will be broken down by general topic. Hopefully, this will provide more interesting reading. Studies of the ye 1 1 ow- footed Western Gull Judith Hand (Biology Dept., UCLA Los Angeles, CA) will obtain sound recordings and other field data in the vicinity of Cabo San Lucas and Bahia de Magdalena durinq the field season of 1975. This is an area of possible overlap between the wyman i and 1 i yens subspecies. Ron LeValley (Dept, of Biology, Humboldt State University, Areata, CA) will write up data obtained in 1974, and will obtain more data from the Gulf of California in 1975. Several manuscripts are being prepared by George Hunt, (Dept, of Population and Environmental Biology, University of California at Irvine) and Dan Anderson (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P. 0. Box C, Davis, CA) on the breeding biology of this species. Baseline studies for the evaluation of environmental impact of offshore oil drilling . For the past six months, much has been said and proposed, but no studies were begun at the writing of this report. The latest word is that by the end of February, BLM will begin to let contracts for baseline studies. As yet, a program manager for southern California has not been designated. Hopefully, I can include a list of the 14 studies underway and their investigators in the next PSG Bulletin . As it appears now, most baseline research will be conducted by various universities and other re- search agencies in southern California, and proposed research is being reviewed now by BLM. Studies of the California Brown Pelican . Dan Anderson (USFWS) and Howard Leach (Calif. Dept, of Fish and Game 1416 9th St., Sacramento CA) will con- tinue surveys of breeding pelicans off the California coast. Anderson will also conduct surveys of product- ivity, numbers, and pesticide residues in the Gulf of California. Jim Keith (USFWS, Bldg. 16, Federal Ctr. Denver CO) will study the effects of food shortage and pollutants on reproductive behavior of Brown Pelicans in the Gulf of California. Ecological studies of vari ous , seabi rd.. species . George Hunt (UC, Irvine) will continue his studies of supernormal clutches and female-female pairing in Channel Islands Western Gulls. He will also supervise a thesis study on Mandarte Is., B. C., of structure and predation in cormorant colonies, Howard Leach (DFG) is trying to coordinate an ecological study of Brandt's Cormorants on San Nicolas Island. J. R. Jehl , Jr. (San Diego Nat. Hist. Mus. P. 0. Box 1390 San Diego, CA) will continue to survey pelagic birds off southern California and Baja California. Conservation Notes , European rabbits on San Martin Island .. San Martin has had its problems! Brown Pelicans have nearly been elimi- nated from there as a breeding bird by overenthus i as ti c tourists and "scientific" curi os i ty- seekers . Human disturbance seems to have been a major problem for other nesting seabirds on that island, as well. Now, I recently received an unconfirmed report from J. R. Jehl that European rabbits have most likely been introduced onto the island by a local fisherman. There have been several sightings of rabbits recently, and an ex- pedition is needed to confirm this. If true, action should be taken to eliminate the rabbits from the island. Offshore oil development . This potential environmental insult is proceeding at a rapid pace in southern Cali- fornia, and the rapid development of offshore oil has attracted the opposition of several high-level politicians from California. 15 Proposed projects first require meaninaful environmental impact s ta tements-- the statements, however, need to be predicated on sound and thorouuh scientific data and technical expertise. Then, to prevent environmental damane, impacts that are envisioned, predicted, or sus- pected in the impact statement are avoided in the actual development of the resources utilization. Controversy arises at all levels in this process. There is concern in California (and in other oil lease areas) that adequate research will not be accomplished for a meaninqful impact statement. Too much research, in fact, may cause delays in oil development that are unacceptable to economic and political qoals. Environmentalists are concerned that oil development will be pushed forward, reoardless of potential impact, or that research spendinq will skirt the real issues, satisfy the impact statement requirements, but not the environmental issues. State politicians feel the federal government is forcing this upon the state, and that the state itself stands to lose environmentally--and financially. The oceanic ecosystem and all livinq ocean resources stand to lose if proper research is not conducted, and then if proper safeguards are not initiated. Regard inn the initial phase of impact evaluation, I believe a cen- tral issue in environmental protection here will be the insti nation of adequate coordination of research activi- ties, and how strong, authoritative, and knowledgeable the coordinating agency will be. The issue itself is undoubtedly a mixture of politics, eneray policy, and envi ronmental concern. Where do the seabirds stand? Regional representative for southern California - Daniel W. Anderson. Mex i co No report was received. Hawa i i Current Research Sea Life Park (Oahu, HI) Rearing of Red-footed Boobies. Originally chicks were collected from a nearby colony and raised in the park. Now several pairs breed in the park each year. Program in tenth yea r . State University of New York at Buffalo (Dept, of Physiology, Dept, of Medicine, Buffalo, NY 14214) Eggshell permeability studies. Permeability of eggshells is being determined to establish a baseline index so that the effects of future environment pollution can be measured. Principal Investigator: Charles A. Paqanalli. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (337 Uluniu St., Kailua, hi 96734) ' 1. Status, abundance and distribution of the seabirds of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Continual monitoring of populations in the leeward Hawaiian Islands. 2. Status, abundance and distribution of the seabirds of Johnston and Rose Atoll and Baker, Jarvis, and Howland Islands National Wildlife Refuges. Principal Investigators: Palmer C. Sekora and C. Fred Zeillemaker. U. S. National Park Service (Haleakala National Park, HTJ Status and distribution of the Dark-rumped Petrel ( Pterodroma pheaopyg i a sandwi c hens i s ) Conservation Notes Northwest Islands . Wilderness designation is be inn held up by boundary negotiations with the state although the President has submitted to congress a wilderness proposal for approximately 1700 acres of exposed land. The issue of ownership of submerged lands is complicated by pressure to open inshore waters for commercial fishing. Kaula Rock , This island lies off Niihan and is a bombing target for the military. The outcome of con- gressional hearings regarding Kahoolawe Island may determine whether pressure for expanded use of alter- nate sites (such as Kaula) will be a problem in the future . Regional representa t i ve for Hawaii - Robert Sha 1 1 enberger . Japan Current Research Hokkaido University (Research Institute of North Pacific Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Had od ate) 1. Food and feeding habits of alcids are being studied from 10 April to 31 May, 1975 in the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bowers Bank in the Bering Sea by the RV Habomai flaru No. 21. ‘ ~ 2. Seabird observations around the Buldir Island by the RV Haboma i Ma ru No . 21 . Principal I nves ti qa tor : Tsuneyasu Hamanaka Hokkaido University (Division of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Fisheries) PCB concentration in seabirds. Principal Investigator: Kozo Takaqi Association for the Protection of Wild Ansers (983 Sendai -Shi, Ha ra -Mac hi 1 -2-31 , M iyagi -Ken , Japan ) Goose observations on the northern migration route from the overwi nter i ng area. Principal Investigator: Yoshio Yokota Regional representa t i ve for Japan - Haruo Ogi. 18 PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP POLICY STATEMENT Incidental Seabird Kills from Salmon Gillnet Fisheries The Danish salmon gillnet fishery off West Greenland has been responsible for the incidental death annually of approxi- mately one-half million Thick-billed Murres (Uria lomvia ) and a smaller number of other seabirds. Hunting losses on the Greenland coast account for an additional three-quarters of a million birds annually. Deaths from natural causes, from oil pollution and from an unknown amount of hunting on the Newfoundland coast undoubtedly bring the total kill well above 1.5 million birds, the annual production of this species in the western North Atlantic (Tull, Germain and May, Nature 237 ( 5349 ): 42-44 , 1 973). An agreement between the United States and Denmark will curtail Denmark's gillnet salmon catch pro- gressively until 1976, when only an inshore catch of 1,100 tons will be permitted. In the North Pacific the Japanese salmon gillnet fishery, operating since 1952, would be expected to have an even more destructive effect on seabirds, considering that their annual salmon catch is about one hundred times that off West Greenland. The Japanese mothership fishery operates west of 175°W and north of 46°N, the land-based fishery operates west of 175°W and south of 46°N and the coastal fishery, made up of 1,380 short-haul vessels, operates off Hokkaido. Based on the 1970 landings of 108,982 metric tons, the relative salmon catches of these three fisheries are 33.4%, 44.9% and 21.7% respectively. Data recently collected on research vessels of the U. S. National Marine Fisheries Service permit an estimate of the magnitude of the seabird kill by the Japanese salmon gillnet fishery for the mothership area and eastward to 165°W. The Japanese salmon fishery is restricted to the waters west of 175°W by agreement with the United States. The estimate of the total kill of seabirds in the mothership area may be made by calculating the bird mortality per length of gillnet set by research vessels, multiplied by the total length of gillnets set by the 369 catcher-boats of the Japanese mothership fishery. About 2,900 miles of nets are set and retrieved daily during the 65 day (approximately ) fishing season. The estimated annual mortality in the mothership area is 70,000 to 245,000 birds. The lower figure is based on data from 10 cruises west of 175°W. The higher figure is based on data from 20 cruises, including those in the first figure, west of 165°W. Assuming similar seabird densities in the areas of the land-based and coastal fisheries and knowing the fishing effort in these two areas, the estimated annual mortality is between 210,000 and 732,000 birds. Since 1952 as many as 4.7 million birds may have been killed by the Japanese salmon gill- net fishery. It must be stressed that seabird densities are 19 not known to be similar for the three areas in question, so that projection of bird kill figures from one area to all three is highly speculative. Nevertheless, these figures point to the potential magnitude of the problem. In the mothership area and adjacent seas to the east, in addition to murres (58% of birds killed), significant numbers of shearwaters (27%), puffins (9%), and fulmars (5%) are killed, as are lesser numbers of small alcids, albatrosses and storm- petrels. The murres and puffins taken in the mothership area are of U.S. and Russian origin, while the shearwaters come from New Zealand, Australia and Chile. In the coastal fishery area Japanese and Russian alcids are taken. Our knowledge of the populations of the species affected is insufficient to suggest whether their annual reproduction can tolerate such losses. The birds suffering the qreatest mortality as a result of the g i 1 1 net fishery are diving birds: Murres and puffins. Diving birds as a group are also the most vulnerable to oil pollution and have suffered heavy losses as a result of past oil spills (J. Smail et al., California Birds 3:25-32, 1972; W.R.P. Bourne, Ibis 112:44-51, 1970). In addition, most North Pacific seabirds are at the height of their breeding season during the salmon gillnet season and have their greatest densities within 50 miles offshore from breeding islands and headlands. In view of this alarming situation, the Pacific Seabird Group respectfully urges governments of nations with extensive fishing fleets, and particularly the governments of Denmark, Japan and Korea to undertake the following: 1. Immediately begin research on the best means of reducing the mortality of seabirds from driftnets without substantial harm to their fishing industries. 2. Eliminate gillnet fisheries within 50 miles of any seabird breeding colonies. 3. Place observers aboard the gillnet boats to provide more detailed information on the distribution, abundance and annual mortality for seabirds in the general area of the fishery. 20 LACK OF STUDY OF PARASITES OF SEABIRDS Study of the ecology and biology of a species is incomplete without inclusion of the parasites (both ecto- and endopara s i tes ) and their effect on populations. Admittedly, parasites generally seem to have little effect on the health of the host, but many parasites do, on occasion, cause pathological conditions, and parasites add a constant stress which may overwhelm the host when it enters an extreme situation. Determination of the importance and effects of a particular parasitic infection, a supposed parasitic epizootic for instance, can be greatly aided by knowledge of the prevalence and intensity of normal parasites of that host. This knowledge is lacking for most aquatic (and terrestrial) birds in North America with regard to reported helminth parasites. Fifty-one per cent of freshwater species, but only 17% of marine species, have had some parasite survey made; at the other end of the scale 20% of freshwater species and 52% of the marine species have never had even one specimen examined thoroughly (see table). The most typically marine birds are the poorest known; 12 species of alcids and 22 species of the tubed-nosed swimmers have never been examined for parasites in North America. All the possible aspects of parasite infections cannot be recognized until the parasites have been collected. Conditions of migration, sex, age, food habits, habitats, alternation of habitats, associated host species, may all be reflected in the parasites. Parasites from beached, diseased, or injured birds and from healthy normal birds of all ages are needed. Preferably, any category to be analyzed and compared should be represented by about fifteen specimens as a minimum. Carcasses should be fresh, or quick-frozen and maintained in frozen condition until examination. Few specialists are available for such examination; this area of study needs some new workers to fill an unexploited gap of knowledge. Parasitologists should be urged to influence students toward such studies, particularly where numbers of beached and normal birds could be provided. The junior author of this note is a specialist in this field and would be happy to examine any specimens sent to him or to enter into cooperative studies with other research workers. Students of parasites of northern Pacific birds have the advantage of a large amount of parasitological survey work performed in Siberia. A series of Soviet helminthological expeditions, many of several years' duration, covered Chukotka, Kamchatka, Wrangel and Bering Sea islands, Sakhalin, Yakutia, etc., examining thousands of birds for parasites. We have no data for alcids and petrels from the area, but assume information is relatively complete, as emphasis was placed on fish eating 21 birds and birds of potential economic importance, positive or negative. In Yakutia (inland, unfortunately) helminths listed average 24.2 per species in shore birds, 20.1 for gulls and terns, 27.6 for loons, and 41.9 for waterfowl, many more than known for these groups in North America. There are no compact manuals or reference books for identification of parasites of individual bird groups. The senior author recently published a "Key to nematodes reported in waterfowl" (Resource Publ. 122, Fish and Wildlife Service), and hopes to make such keys available for other groups of waterfowl parasites also. The junior author hopesto complete an identification manual for parasites of marine birds. Malcolm E. McDonald, Bear River Res. Station, Bo x 459, Brigham City, Utah, 84302 and William Threlfall, Department of Biology , Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland Canada, A 1 C 5S7 . 22 s*. ra s jz to aj s- o s- 4— x CD 4- 3 5- o CL C *r— E cu sz o to •I— fO CL E o o 0) 4-3 o c cu cu oo ra u S- aj fC -M to ra o o -a s- CD 4-> ra JZ to 4-> cu SZ -r- CD -r- U CEO) Cr- a ra cu to G£ 3 : "JZ to CD Cn C * 1 - ra * 1 “ u S- £ CU to C ZC to sz to X ■0 ra cu s- CU s_ *r— CU SZ *r» cu O > CU cu ■{— E CO sz CL SZ ra *r~ CO X cu S- cu sz ra *1— s to CU CO >> £- •r- JZ cu ra U 4-3 > sz CU *r- $- CL £ 3 X CO CO sz to fa 4- CU O o • cu CCr ra •«-• o &- £ CD CU r— Q. > CU to c 3 : E S-. 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CO to OJ CO I i o o o o to o 00 to cn 00 • CM CO CS -5 to CO - to I— LO CM CM CO __j 1 — o I — to SZ CO O SZ *< — o 4-> o O 1 — r— ■ - r- CU o sz O *r- S- *> x tf_ >i — sz a ra sz E *»— s- o 4- tO T3 CU S- O O- CU u (O JZ 4-3 sz cu X CU to 3 CO CU a cu CL to r- CU SZ J z O 4-> £ JC O CO a 3 o 4 -> _£Z CO 4 -> O £ C CU >s > cu X sz ra *0 cu sz •I — E ra X s- cu jQ ra JO o S- 4-3 Q_ ra s 4-> ra JZ 4-3 to •«- cu JD SL. fa 4- CU -O JZ (U sz • >i 4-> O »r- * r— S- +-3 CU r— o CU r— 3 CL -a X CL 4- cu cu fa E c £ fa CO X *r- >> CU CO t— CO 4-> S_ fa to O s_ to SZ JZ cu -M E C •r- *r- U E CU r- CL cu to JC 4- o cu c o CL 3 >, O r— s- c cn o O 4- E to >>*” jQ co fa CU JO -1“ o ** S- >> o cu > s- 3 CO 4-> CO o cu nz sz O I c 3 cn 5— C Cl ra E cu S- X cu sz £ CL . Data . from these surveys permit estimates of numbers of each species within the study area and these are presented. A discussion of survey techniques for pelagic seabirds is also presented, with special emphasis on the Alcidae. The breeding distri bu tions and present status of alcid dodu- IT VifTTi r~iH? St -™ North A me rica and west Greenland . ~DAVTn N. NETTLESHIP, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, Ontario. Fact Rec ® nt surveys of alcid populations in Atlantic Canada, Eastern Canadian Arctic, and West Greenland indicate that several species are declining in numbers. In temperate Ki?ic nS, ^ the pp haS been a lon 9 -term gradual decline of Razor- bills and puffins towards the southern periphery of their ?hp e R^ 9 p| a F 9e H S ’ es P ec i a !^ in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Bay of Fundy and vicinity. Common Murres have decreased at certain locations (e.g. north shore of the Gulf of St Lawrence) and either maintained their numbers (e.g. Labrador) or increased dramatically (e.g. east Newfoundland) in olher bins iVirl Jf?i S rS time per1od ' In arctic waters, Razol- hl>! H flurres, Dovekies, and puffins appear to have declined considerably since the 1949's and 1950's, al- though reliable population data from earlier times are scarce The occurrences and status of the Black Guillemot are un- certain. Reasons for these declines are obscure- possible prime causes are outlined and reviewed. possioie 31 Coexistence, coevolution and convergent evolution in sea - bird communities: 1 a comment ." 33 BEDARD , Department de Bioiogie, Faculte des Sciences, Universite Laval, Quebec, Que. A recent article paralleling two seabird (Alcidae) communities of the North Pacific and the North Atlantic oceans is reviewed critically. A careful reappraisal of the literature cited reveals some looseness in the screen- ing and interpretation of available facts. Furthermore, the quantitative basis upon which the argument of parallelism is based is demonstrated to be ethereal at best. Finally, doubts are raised, on methodological grounds, about the appropriatedness of comparing a fragment of a large North Pacific community lacking many of its important elements with an entire North Atlantic community. The model of ecological segregation proposed for these birds is burdened with shortcomings and cannot adequately describe nor usefully model any significant trait of the organization of the bird communities involved. : Coexistence, coevolution and convergent evolution in seabird communities by Martin L. Cody, Ecol ogy 54( 1 ) : 3 1 - 44 ( 1 973 ). General Paper Sessions Interspecific interaction in Brown Pelican feeding situations . DANIEL W. ANDERSON, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Davis, California. Brown Pelican feeding interactions were observed over the period 1971 to 1974 in the Gulf of California and off the California coast. This period covered years of high to moder- ate productivity as well as a year of nearly complete reprod- uctive failure due to oceanographic changes. Brown Pelicans feed more successfully when involved in the interaction-situation (pileup), feeding with other species of seabirds, sea mammals, and large, predatory fish. These situations are compared to those where pelicans feed more or less solitarily, and feeding success drops. The proportion of the adult population that breeds each year as well as re- productive success from year to year varied in relation to the proportion and frequency of pileups that pelicans en- countered during the breeding season, and probably prior to it. Feeding interactions following breeding showed lower feeding successes by both adults and younger birds, as well as a greater proportion of solitary feeding. This is the period when the population is most dispersed. 32 Piracy on pelicans by Heermann‘s Gulls was also more successful in the pileup situation, but was never observed to exceed less than 5 % success, even in pileups. Scavenging in the pelican breeding colonies during feeding of pelican young was much more successful for Heermann's Gulls, as well as Western Gulls. Competition between the Pel agio. Cormorant and B1 a c k-1 egged Kittiwake and its possible effects . MATTHEW D I CK, Mar i n e Col 1 ecti ons, Museum of Biol ogy , Uni versi ty of Alaska, Fair- banks, Alaska. The northern Pelagic Cormorant ( Phal acrocorax pel agi cus pel agi cus ) and Black-legged Kittiwake ( Rissa tridactyla ) are sympatric from the Kurile Islands to southeastern Alaska. The Pelagic Cormorant nests among dense kittiwake concentra- tions, scattered along cliffs away from kittiwakes, or in monospecific or monogeneric colonies. It is the cormorant closest in size and nest site requirements to the kittiwake. At Cape Peirce, Alaska, 1970, a segment of the Pelagic Cormorant population nesting among charadr i i f orm seabirds showed twice the nest mortality of a segment nesting apart, even though the latter was much closer to a Glaucous-winged Gull concentration. This discrepancy may have been due to 1) incidental predation by gulls attracted to the seabird concentration and 2) direct competition of cormorants with kittiwakes for nest space and material. At Buldir Island, Alaska, 1974, Pelagic Cormorants gen- erally nested away from kittiwakes, whereas the larger and earlier-nesting Red-faced Cormorants tended to nest among them. This indicates a competition-related separation of Pelagic Cormorants and kittiwakes. The disruption of Pelagic Cormorant nest-building by kittiwakes possibly selects for earlier building and laying peaks in the northern race over the southern, P.p. resplendens , even though the environment of the northern is more severe. The plumage sequence and voice of the Yel 1 ow-footed .Wes tern Gull (Larus occidental is livens) wi th comments on the taxo - nomic implications of these characters . RONALD R. LEVALLEY, Department of Biology, Humboldt State University, Areata, Cal i form* a . The Yellow-footed Western Gull has been considered a race of Larus occidental is since first being described by Dwight in 1919. In 1925, Dickey and Van Rossem distinguished the Western Gulls in the Gulf of California as being an endemic, yellow-footed race, and predicted that the form would event- ually be described as a distinct species. Since then few data have been gathered to support this thesis. This invest- igation is primarily concerned with an evident difference in the plumage sequences of the forms of Western Gull and dif- 33 ferences apparent in the voices of these forms. These char- acteristics suggest that the Yellow-footed Western Gull is specifically distinct from the pink-legged races of Larus occidental is . Speculation concerning the ancestors of Larus occ i denta 1 i s livens , using these characters, can now be discussed. Intergradat i on between Western and G1 aucou s -wi nged Gulls. WAYNE HOFFMAN, JOHN A. WIENS, AND J. MICHAEL SCOTT, Depart- ment of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Historical records indicate that Western and Glaucous- winged Gulls have occupied breeding ranges similar to their present ranges at least since 1900. Dawson (Birds of Washington, 1909) observed numerous birds of intermediate plumage. At the present time Glaucous- winged and Western Gulls are i n terbreed i ng , with varying frequency, from Yaquina Head, Oregon, north probably to the West coast of Vancouver Island. Hybirds are fertile and successfully reproduce. The present study compares the morphology of the Western Gull population of the Farallon Islands, Calif, and the G1 aucous -wi nged Gull population of the Chain Islands, off Victoria, B.C. with the morphology of the breeding colony on Destruction Island, in the area of overlap. The Destruct- ion Island colony exhibits complete i ntergrada t i on in mor- phology, which suggests that Western and Glaucous-winged Gulls should be considered conspecific. However, field studies indicate that mating patterns in the Destruction Island Colony are far from random, so that the specific status is questionable. Various species criteria are explored with references to this prob 1 em . Movements and mortality in the Western Gull (Larus occiden- t a 1 i s ) dur i n g the no n-b reeding season . MALCOLM C . COULTER , Genetics Group, University of California, Davis, California. Banding returns of the Western Gull from different col- onies along the Pacific coast of the United States were analyzed. Birds from the southern colonies were shown to have dispersive rather than migratory movements. There was a decline in dispersal tendency. Birds from the northern colonies moved farther than those from the southern colonies. Birds from Haystack Rock, the northernmost colony studied, showed age-specific dispersal tendencies, the younger birds moving farther. Mortality for the southern colonies was con- centrated shortly after the breeding season; mortality for Haystack Rock birds was concentrated during the winter. These findings are related to increased demand on the environment and decreased carrying capacity of the environment at the end of the breeding season and during the winter. The situation is compared with that found in other species of gulls. 34 Nesting of Caspian Terns on Grays Harbor, Washington . GORDON D. ALCORN , Department of Biology, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma , Washington. The life cycle including the nidology and oology of a colony on an island in Grays Harbor Co. in Washington will be presented. The colony is about 20 years old and shows quality of saturation in nesting habitat. A small spill- over occurred in the breeding season of 1974 that probably resulted from overpopulation on the main island. Brief remarks will be made concerning limited records of banded birds. Biology of the Western Gull . RAYMOND PIEROTTI, Department of Natural Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, Cal ifornia. While investigating the breeding behavior and ecology of the Western Gull on Southeast Farallon Island in 1973 and 1974, I became aware of a conspicuous sexual dimorphism. This dimorphism was primarily behavioral and ecological rather than morphological , even though there was signifi- cant evidence for the last as well. It appears that males and females have specific and well-defined roles in reprod- uction and parental care. In addition, there is considerable evidence to suggest that males and females exploit quite different food resources. Since to my knowledge this type of situation has never before been reported in larids, I feel this to be of significant interest. In addition, it may suggest methods by which sexual dimorphism may arise in more extreme forms. Behavioral thermorequlatian in the Noddy Term (Anou-s .stall dus-h ROBERT J. SHALLENBERGER, Hawaii Division of Fish and Game, Honolulu, Hawaii. The Noddy Tern on Manana Island, Hawaii nests in large numbers under rigorous environmental conditions. Behavioral and physiological adaptations in both adults and chicks per- mit maximum utilization of available nest sites, despite high levels of insolation. This investigation examines the .im- portance of color, age, and behavior in thermoregulation, as well as the role that and shade play in the survival of this species. The utilization of select microclimates is highly significant. Other selective factors are examined, particularly In reference to color of chicks. Field and laboratory data are presented on heating and cooling rates under variable environmental conditions. 35 The association of seabirds with the Arctic pack. ice o ff Alaska . GEORGE J. DIVOKY, Division of Wildlife Research, U, S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks, Alaska. Observations in the Beaufort, Chukchi and Bering seas have shown that birds are more numerous at the ice edge than in the open water south of the pack. The apparent reason for this distribution is the concentration of organisms found at the ice edge. Plankton blooms in and under the ice support an under-ice fauna that is an important food source for certain Arctic seabirds. While birds are found at the ice edge through- out the year it is probably most important in winter when sur- face waters in the Arctic are severely depleted of organisms. The Ivory Gull and Black Guillemot spend much of the year at the ice edge and are rarely found in pelagic areas away from the ice. Ross' Gull may also depend on the under-ice fauna for. much of its food since it apparently winters in high Arctic areas feeding in leads in the ice. Species which utilize the ice edge but are also frequently found away from the ice include the Glaucous Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Slaty -backed Gull, Black- legged Kitti wake and Common and Thick- bill ed Mu r res . G rowth of captive juvenile murres .. DAVID C. SMITH, International Bird Rescue Research Center, Berkeley, California. Several orphaned juvenile murres ( U r i a a a 1 g e ) were raised in captivity at the International Bird Rescue Research Center and measurements taken at irregular intervals. Growth curves are plotted for six separate parameters and attempts are made to match curves by adjusting their placement along the time axis. Comparisons with measurements of museum specimens allow crude estimations of absolute ages. The possibility that growth rates in the wild differ from growth rates in capti- vity could limit the utility of these measurements as tools for aging wild juvenile murres. Ora noc h I or i ne residues in eggs of Alaskan seabirds . . HARRY M. OHLENDORF , JAMES C. BARTONEK, ERWIN E. KLAAS , and GOERGE J. DIVOKY, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, (Ohleridorf, Klass) and Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Fairbanks Station, Alaska (Bartonek, Divoky). Eggs of Double-crested Cormorant (Pnalacrocorax auritus ), Gi aucous-wi nged Gul 1 (Larus g 1 aucescens ) , Black -legged Kitt- wake (Rissa tr i dac ty 1 a ) , Common Murre ( U r i a aa 1 ge ) , and Tufted Puf f i rT Ti-unda ci r rhata ) were collected from Shaiak Island and Round Island (northern Bristol Bay), Amalik Bay, and Bogos- lof Island in 1973. These eggs were analyzed for’ organ o- chlorine chemicals. Maximum values for each chemical were in eggs from Bogolof Island or Shaiak Island. The greatest amounts of DDE (11.2 ppm, wet weight) and PCB's (6.26 ppm) were in Glaucous-winged Gulls from Bogoslof Island. Tufted Puffins 36 had the greatest diversity of chemicals in their eggs. Kitti- wakes had a lower DDE/PCB ratio than that in other species. Common Murres sometimes had greater amounts of hexachloro- benzene than of DDE or PCB's. The significance of dredge spoil islands to col oni ally nesting waterbirds in certain national parks . P. A. BuCKLEY and F. G. BUCKLEY, National Park Service, North Atlantic Regional Office, Boston, Massachusetts. The first complete censuses of all colonies of breeding waterbirds on Long Island, N. Y. and on the Outer Banks of North Carolina revealed the hitherto unappreciated signifi- cance of man-made dredge spoil islands as colony sites. Begun as studies of the waterbird avifaunas of four National Parks -- Fire Island National Seashore, Gateway National Recreation Area, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and Cape Lookout National Seashore, -- censusing was expanded to place each of the parks breeding waterbird resources in regional perspective. It was then apparent that avian use of these islands -- up to 95% of all pairs of breeding birds were located on them in Cape Hatteras National Seashore in 1973 -- indicated an aggressive program of censusing, protection and management was needed. A series of recommendations based on our observations and on recent studies of spoil island ecology is made, applicable to most waterbird areas, and emphasizing the urgency of similar habitat-use tabulations on regional bases throughout the continent. A pilot census of seabirds of New England . WILLIAM H. DRURY, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, Massachusetts. A pilot census of the seabirds breeding in New England was taken between 1971 and 1973. This survey included aerial estimates made in June, 1972 and surface counts made from boats or on the islands during all three years. Many other counts have been made between 1962 and 1969 in the course of numerous visits each year to about 30 i si ands ' dur i ng studies of Herring Gull reproduction. Some comments are made on the techniques used and the dependability of the data. The numbers of individual seabirds at an island vary within broad limits in response to events immediately around the island and on the feeding grounds. For ideal results con- sideration should be given to the tide and the state of the sea. Photographs should be taken not only to supply a rig- orous count, but to provide a record which can be reprocessed later. Alaskan pelagic bird observations, and a data. bank proposal . JAMES G. KING, GEORGE MARSHAL, JAMES H. BRANSON, FRANCIS H. FAY, and WILLIAM ALLEN, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Juneau, Alaska, National Marine Fisheries, Washington, D. C., 37 National Marine Fisheries, Kodiak, Alaska (Branson, Allen), and Arctic Health Research Laboratory, College, Alaska. Simple instructions were developed for recording obser- vations of birds from ships at sea. The method was followed on eight cruises in Alaskan waters by 13 observers of various levels of experience. Observations of 153,535 birds are dia- grammed to show distribution and abundance by degree blocks of latitude and longitude and by seasons. It is concluded that a vast volume of data could be gathered by this method if a proper data bank were established. Such a data bank would be extremely valuable to resource managers and ornith- ologists. Model estimation of energy flow in Qregon coast al seabi rd populations. JOHN A. WIENS and J. MICHAEL SCOTT, Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. A computer simulation model is employed to explore the patterns and magnitudes of population density changes and population energy demands in Oregon populations of Sooty Shearwaters, Leach’s Storm- Petrel s , Brandt’s Cormorants, and Common Mur'res. The species differ in seasonal distribution and abundances, with shearwaters attaining high densities during their migratory movements through Oregon waters, and rnurres exhibiting the greatest seasonal stability in popu-. lation umbers, On a unit area basis, annual energy flow is greatest to murre and cormorant populations, but because they occupy a larger area during their transit, shearwaters dom- inate the total energy flow through the four-species seabird "communi ty " . Consumption of various prey types is estimated by coup- ling model output of energy demands with information on dietary habits. This analysis suggests that during a year ffiurres consume nearly twice as many herring as any other prey type and consume relatively equal quantities of ancho- vies, smelts, cods, and rockfish. Cormorants consume a lelatively small quantity of bottom- swel 1 i ng fish, while storm-petrels take roughly equal quantities of euphausiids and hydrozoans. Anchovies account for 43% of the 62,500 met- ric tons of prey estimated to be consumed by the four species during a year, and 86% of this anchovy consumption is by shearwaters. The consumption of pelagic fish within the neritic zone by these four populations may represent as much as 22 % of the annual production of these fish, Di stri bu tion of seabird nesting colonies on the Washington .. Islands Nat i onaT~WlTdl i f e Refuge: ROBERT L. '"REX H VAN WORMER, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Boise, Idaho. Seabird nesting colonies of the Washington Islands Nat- ional Wildlife Refuge extend from Grays Haroor to Tatoosh 38 Island along the Pacific Coast of Washington. They involve 26 known nesting islands and over 750 small rocks that are used as loafing sites by adult breeding birds. Fourteen species of seabirds use these islands; however not all islands support all species of birds. The refuge is divided into two sections with Destruction Island forming an imaginary center line. The division is based on variations in bird species with the dominant gull species being the apparent controlling factor. The south portion is dominated by surface nesting birds with Western Gulls while the north is predominately burrow building birds with Glaucous-winged gulls. Ninety percent of all Common Murres nest on six islands ap- proximately 16 miles south of Destruction Island. They share the crowns of the islands with mixed Western Gull-Double- crested Cormorant colonies while Pelagic Cormorants use the perpendicular faces. North of Destruction Island, Tufted Puffin, petrels and Cassin's Auklets use islands with suf- ficient soil cover for burrow building. The two petrel species are separated, Leach's on Carroll Island and the Fork-tailed Petrel on Bodelteh Island 13 miles further north. All is- lands or rocks with perpendicular faces support Pelagic Cor- morants. Quillayute Needles contains a small Brandt's Cor- morant colony. Black Oysterca tc hers and Pigeon Guillemot are scattered throughout the entire refuge. Destruction Island contains both Western and Glaucous- winged Gull nesting colonies and an apparent growing colony of Wes tern-Gl aucous -wi nged hybirds. Other than gulls, the nesting population is restricted to burrowing birds; possibly because of the G1 aucous- wi nged Gulls. It contains the only Rhinoceros Auklet colony in the Refuge, and the largest pop- ulation of Black Oysterca tchers as well as Tufted Puffin. T he breeding seabird resource in the Rat Islands, Aleutians with emphasis on the Alcidae . CLAYTON M. WHITE, Departent of Zoology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. The Rat Island group is situated in the west-central Aleutian Islands. It consists of nine major islands and one small pyramidal shaped rock; together they have about 325 miles of coastline while the largest island has about 106 miles. Estimates indicate about the following nesting densi- ties: 250 fulmar, 2,500 cormorants, 6,500 gulls, 40,00 kitti- wake, 30,000 murre, 630,000 auklets and 28,000 puffins. The islands will be discussed in terms of their physiography and major contribution to the seabird resource. Comparisons will be made with previous literature. Alcidae will be em- phasized and the differential sizes of the colonies of various species on the various islands will be discussed. A new Red- legged Kittiwake colony on Buldir will be mentioned as will findings on plastic particles in auklet stomachs in this group of islands. 39 Monitoring overwater bird movements by. radar . WARREN L. FLOCK. Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. A number of radar systems operated by civil and military agencies provide coverage of coastal areas and allow monitoring of overwater bird movements. Many of the ACW radars and all of the DEW radars in Alaska are located along the coast and capable of monitoring overwater movements. Of special interest are the overwater flights between Asia and North America across the Bering Strait and the north-south migrations in the same area. The Tin City ACW radar is well located for monitoring these migrations. A radar at Ft. Lawton, Seattle gives ex- cellent coverage of part of puget Sound. The Cape Charles, Virginia radar site is an example of one that provides good coverage of a portion of the Atlantic Coast. Factors limiting the capability of monitoring overwater bird movements are the sea-clutter echoes and the limited range for low-flying birds. The sea-clutter echoes themselves are spiky and target-like and can be confused with bird echoes. The limited coverage from land-based radars can be extended by the use of shipborne radar. The conventional surveillance radar has at best only a very crude ability to identify birds as to type of size, but the recording of var- iations in the amplitude of the radar echo from a bird may allow such identification for a reasonable fraction of targets. Proposed Alaskan seabird refuges . (slide presen ta t i on ) . EDGAR P. BAILEY, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage Alaska. Largely because of increased oil exploration and the tre- mendous additional tanker traffic which will occur after com- pletion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the Fish and Wildlife Service is focusing more attention on marine bird research and habitat preservati on . Approx i ma tely 48,000 acres of public lands and adjacent waters have been recommended to Congress as the Alaska Coastal National Wildlife Refuges. It is one of nine new refuge proposals under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Ac t . The Shumagin Islands, lying south of the Alaska Peninsula, have over a million birds, primarily murres, kittiwakes, puf- fins and cormorants. Marine waterfowl, sea otters, sea lions, and seals also inhabit the area. The Barren Islands, north of Kodiak Island, are inhab- ited by puffins, murres, kittiwakes, Glaucous -winged Gulls, cormorants, and Parakeet Auklets- Shearwaters are abundant offshore. 40 Roughly, 2,000,000 seabirds nest at Capes Thompson and Lisburne, site of the proposed Chukchi Sea Refuge and the largest colonies along the Arctic coast. Murres, kittiwakes. Horned Puffins, and Glaucous Gulls are the primary species. Fairway Rock and Sledge Island, with an estimated 150,000 breeding pairs, will be added to the existing Bering Sea Refuge, and numerous islets and rocks are planned additions to the Kodiak Refuge. Os teoarthri ti s in the Short-tailed Albatross : a crash - landing syndrome ? STUART L. WARTER. California State University, Long Beach, California. Aleut middens excavated on Amchitka Island in the Aleut- ian chain are rich in bones of seabirds. A high percentage of Short-tailed Albatross bones exhibit arthritic involvement of certain joints in the legs, hips, and shoulder girdle, or show evidence of other past traumatic injuries. Taken together these abnormalities might be interpretable as constituting a pattern resulting from stresses received upon hard landings and/or takeoffs. No similar phenomenon was noted among remains of other seabirds. Systematic Observations of birds off the Washington Coast. TERRY WAHL, 3041 Eldridge, Bellingham, VIA; and DENNIS PAULSON Burke Museum, University of Washington, Seattle. A series of boat trips out of Westport, Washington, over the past 7 years has allowed us to assess some aspects of the distribution, abundance and seasonality of many species of pelagic birds out to about fifty miles offshore. These trips were concentrated in May and September but records are avail- able from mid-April continuously through to mid-October. Al- though the collection of data was not as objective as that characteristic of many ocean cruises, primarily because we sought concentrations of birds, comparisons within our data are possible. Most of the Procel 1 ari i formes can be found almost any time from May to October, but Buller's Shearwater moves into the area only from late August on and Leach's Storm-Petrel is usually found only in mid- summer. Gulls, terns, jaegers and phalaropes are most abundant in spring and fall, as would be expected, but occasional indivi- duals of these groups are encountered in mid-summer. From our records, it would appear that September is the month of peak numbers of most species, and of birds in general, but this may be an artifact of our more frequent trips during that month. Most high counts of at least certain species (albatrosses, northern Fulmars, Flesh-footed and Pink-footed Shearwaters, many gulls) were associated with fishing boats, which attract many of these birds. 41 Bulletin Board Translation Available With the aid of student translators the paper by Claus Schdnert entitled Zur Brutbiologie and Ethologie der Zwerqseeschwal be (Sterna albifrons albrifrons Pallas) [The breeding biology and ethology of the Little Tern ( Sterna albifrons albifrons Pallas)] which appeared in Schi 1 dmacher , H., Beitrage zur Kennthis Deutscher Vogel, 1961: pp 131-187, has been translated into English, Copies are on deposit, in the Van Tyne Library of the Wilson Ornithological Society at the University of Michigan and the reprint files of the ornithology departments of the American Museum of Natural History and the U.S. National Museum. Workers who are parti- cularly interested in the biology and behavior of terns may obtain a xerox copy, at cost, by writing Dr. Charles T. Collins or Dr. Stuart L. Warter, Department of Biology, California State University, Long Beach, Calif. 90840. Employment Opportunities The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is undertaking several studies to assess populations, distribution, pop-^ ulation dynamics, migration, trophic relationships, behavior, and critical habitats of marine birds as related to the U.S. Department of the Interior's plans for accelerated leasing of outer continental shelf for petroleum development in the Gulf of Alaska and in the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. From April 1975 through at least September 1976 the Service will have need for several qualified temporary employees to assist project leaders and to conduct field studies with a degree of i ndependency . Land-based studies will generally be conducted from late April through September; however, some will be conducted intermittently throughout the year. Ship- board studies and of f i ce- 1 aboratory work will be conducted throughout the year. Studies will be conducted from offshore areas into and including littoral areas. In addition to those species and groups that are tradi ti ona 1 1 y regarded as being "seabirds", waterfowl and shorebirds will be studied when in the marine environment. Persons wishing to be con- sidered for temporary employment should complete a Civil Service Commission Standard Form 171 "Personal Qualifications Statement" (available at Post Offices) and write a letter, stating periods of availability, any qualifications not listed on SF 171, specific interests and conditions of employment and send these to: Dr. Calvin J. Lensink, Activity Leader - Coastal Ecosystems, Biological Services, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 813 D Street, Anchorage, AK 99501. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is an equal opportunity employer. 42 Book Avai 1 abl e The new edition of the Hawaii Audubon Society's field guide, "Hawaiian Birds", will be available by 1 June. The book has been considerably revised and expanded to include new information and photos. Cost of the book is $2.50 and orders can be sent to Hawaii Audubon Society, P. 0. Box 5032, Honolulu, HI 96814. 43 NEW MEMBERS The following is a list of persons who have joined the PSG since Vol . 1, No. 2 of the Bulletin was issued. The list includes the member's occupation and interests and/or studies relating to seabirds. A. Binion Amerson, Jr. Environment Consultants, Inc. 14325 Proton Rd. Dallas, TX 75240 Robert T. Barrett Marine Biological Station N-9000 Tromso Norway John Alexander Bartle Flat 1 1 Allenby Tee. Wellington 1 Mew Zealand Alice Benedict 1411-1/2 High St. Apt. D Bellingham, WA 98225 Gerard Adrian Bertand, Jr. Sea Grant Program 1800 University Ave. University of Wisconsin Madison, WI 53706 Vertebrate Ecologist Studies: Natural history of seabirds on central Pacific Islands. Interests: Seabird ecology and ecto- parasites. Island ecology and bio- geography. Assistant in Marine Biology Studies: Working on a graduate thesis on factors affecting breeding success of the Black-legged Kittiwake. Have worked on general census work on sea- bird colonies of northern Norway. Scientist Studies: Past work with breeding biology of Pterodroma pycroft : . Current work on seabirds in Cook Strait. Interests: Breeding biology and popula- tion ecology of all Procellarii formes. Graduate Student-Western Washington State College Studies: Temperature regulation and enzyme adaptations in feet of Rhino- ceros Auklets. Preliminary work on morphology of burrows of Rhinoceros Auklets. Interests: Physiological adaptation to life in open sea and possible result- ant specialization for life in spec- ific areas. Biological Oceanographer Studies: Zona ti on and distribution of seabirds on the central Oregon coast. Feeding habits of migratory seabirds. Interests: Protection of coastal breed- ing areas from interference. 44 T. R. Birkhead Edward Grey Institute Dept, of Zoology South Parks Rd. Oxford 0X1 3PS England Bayard H. Brattstrom Dept, of Biology California State University Fullerton, CA 92634 Sherman D. L. Causey Dept, of Population and Environmental Biology University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92664 S. Conant 3663 Alani Dr. Honolulu, HI 96822 John Cooper Percy Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology University of Cape Town Rondesbosch 7700 South Africa E. H. Down "Grey Plovers" Hendon Wood Lane Mill Hill London N.W.7 England Thomas J. Dwyer U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Jamestown, ND 58401 Research Student Studies: Population dynamics breeding biology and social behavior. Common Murre and other alcids on Skomer Island, South Wales. Interests: Population studies, eco- logical segregation and social behavior. Professor Studies: Islas Revil lagigedo, Mexico. Repopulation studies on San Benedicto Island after 1952 volcano. General natural history and ecology of sea and other birds on the other islands in the group. Socal behavior of seabirds. Graduate Student Studies: Socal behavior of Phala- crocoracidae and Haematopodidae. Interests: Behavioral ecology of Pel ecani formes and Charadriiformes. Research Associate - Hawaiian IBP Project Interests: Distribution and behavioral ecology. Research Assistant Studies: Thermoregulation, energetic growth, energy budgets of South African inshore birds (penguins, gannets, cor- morants, gulls). Company Director Wildlife Biologist Interests: Reproductive strategies of alcids. 45 Todd Eberhardt U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service 813 D. St. Anchorage, AK 99501 Thomas and Cary n Eley Dept, of Pathobiology The Johns Hopkins University 615 North Wolfe St. Baltimore, MD 21205 Erma J. (Mrs. Bradley) Fisk Winter - 17101 SW 284 St. Homestead, FL 33030 Summer - P.0. Box 308 South Orleans, MA 02662 Warren Flock Dept, of Electrical Engineering Univ. of Colorado Boulder, CO 80302 Glen A. Fox Toxic Chemical Section Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Ottawa, Ontario Canada Roger L. Gentry Natl. Marine Fisheries Service Marine Mammal Division Sand Point, NSA Bldg. 67 Seattle, WA 98115 Harvey Gils ton Chemin des Mouettes 16 1007 Lausanne Switzerland Wildlife Biologist Graduate Student Studies: Black Oystercatcher food habits in Humboldt and Del Morte Co., California. Ecto- and endoparasites of seabirds in Humboldt and Del Morte Co. Interests: Ecology and behavior of sea- birds and their parasites. Role of seabirds in marine ecosystems. Bird bander; Director, Natl. Audubon Society; Board member, Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Tern Warden, Cape Cod Natl* Seashore. Studies: Distribution and protection of Least Tern and related colonies on the Atlantic Coast. Roof-nesting seabirds. Professor Studies: Radar studies of bird mig- gration along coastline of Alaska. Interests: Migration of eiders. Snow Geese, Black Brant, shorebirds and seabirds in general. Biologist Interests: Pollution effects in sea- birds and relationships between F alco peregrinus peali . Wildlife Biologist and Animal Behaviorist Studies: No formal studies but frequent contact with seabirds during research on seals. Interests: Social behavior and ecology. Retired Interests: Field identification and species habitats. 46 Tsuneyasu Hamanaka Research Institute of North Pacific Fisheries Faculty of Fisheries Hokkaido University Hakodate, Hokkaido Japan Murray D. Hansen 2183 Calle de Vida Tuscon, AZ 85715 M. P. Harris Institute of Terrestrial Ecology Hill of Brathens Banchory Kincardineshire AB3 4BY Scotland Dennis W. Heineman 2609 Jaeger St. Bellingham, WA 98225 Yukio Higuchi Town Office 1657-7 Nagashima Kiinagashima-machi Ki tamurogun. Hie Japan Hank Hosking 1000 South Hoyt Anchorage AK 99504 W. J. Houck Biology Dept. Humboldt State University Areata, CA 95521 Graduate Student Studies: Heavy metal concentrations in marine organisms, especially in alcids. Housewife Studies: Presently engaged in study of raptor migration routes (west of 100° meridian) Interests: Colony censusing and beached bird surveys. Professional Ornithologist- Natural Environment Research Council Studies: Reasons for the decline in Common Puffin in Britain. The impact of tourism on seabird populations in the Galapagos. Interests: Ecology of seabirds in the widest sense - control of breeding and populations of tropical species. Biology Student-Western Washington State College Interests: Ecological isolating mechanisms. Resource partitioning, interspecific and intraspecific competition and general distribution of marine birds. Public Service Employee Studies: Life history of Japanese Murrelet. Interest: Conservation of Japanese Murrelet and other Pacific seabirds. Fishery Biologist Professor Interests: Systomatics and distribution. Marshall A. Howe Natl. Fish & Wildlife Laboratory Natl, Museum of Natural History Washington, D.C. 20560 Michael J. Jacobson LL $ .. Fish & Wildlife Service P. 0. Box 1287 Juneau, AK 99802 Jorn Vestergaard Jensen HoVtevej 13 DK-8GQ0, Aarhus C Denmark Calvin J. Lens ink U, S. Fish & Wildlife Service 813 D St. Anchorage, AK 99501 Bob Lu ter bach 2830 Lakeview Ave. Regina, Sask. S4S 1G5 Pscer F Major Division of Natural Sciences Ap Sci 151 University of California Santa Cruz, CA 95064 Hike and Diane McBride Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge China Foot Bay via Horner, AK 99603 Maicolm E« McDonald Bear River Research Station P 0 ftrw Brigham" City, UT 84302 Ornithologist Interests: Behavioral ecology of breeding alcids, gulls and cormorants in mixed colonies. Biologist Studies: Coastal zone studies in southeast Alaska. Interests: Primarily faunistic and ecological. Especially interested in the distribution of seabirds in the Mediterranean and off tropical west Africa, Wildlife Biologist - Activity Leader, Coastal Ecosystems Program, Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Studies. Bird populations of the Yukon Delta, Student Interests: Photography and conservation. Graduate Student Studies: Flocking and predation in shorebirds Interests: Flocking, pelagic dis- tribution in relation to meteor- ological and oceanographic conditions. Wilderness Lodge Owners and Managers Wildlife Bioloqist Studies: Taxonomy and ecology of helminth parasites of waterfowl. Interests: Relation of parasitism to populations, disease and mortality of aquatic birds Maintain literature file on all parasites reported in aquatic birds in North America. 48 G. Victor Morejohn Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Moss Landing, CA 95039 and Biology Dept. San Jose State University San Jose, CA 95192 Professor Studies: Beached bird survey. Feeding habits of seabirds in Monterey Bay. Bi-monthly oceanic survey of pelagic seabirds in Monterey Bay. Fossil seabird avifauna of northern California. Comparison of avifauna! components of pre-Spanish times in California coastal Indian middens with present coastal avifauna. E. Mortensen Klokkaragota 24 3800 Torshaun Faroe Island via Denmark Baker Interests : Di str i buti on popul ati on status and conservation. Grace C. Nellis 20455 Cleo Ave. San Jose, CA 95129 Student Tsuneo Nishiyama Research Institute of North Research Associate in Ocean Ecology. Faculty of Fisheries Hokkaido University Hakodate, Hokkaido Japan Studies: Competition for food between seabirds and fish in the northern North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. Interests: Bioenergetics of seabirds. David L. Olsen 9417 Athens, Rd Fairfax, VA 22030 Population Ecologist Studies: Worked on Hawaiian Islands Natl. Wildlife Refuge for five years. Raymond Pierotti Dept, of Biological Sciences California State University Sacramento, CA 95819 Graduate Student Studies: Sexual roles in reproduction in the Western Gull. Breeding behavior of Pigeon Guillemots. Behavior of pinnipeds. Ecology of Western Gulls in different habitats. Jim Rearden P. 0. Box 313 Homer, AK 99603 Outdoors Editor, Alaska Magazine. Studies: Popular articles for magazines and newspapers. Interests: Member of the Alaska Board of Fish & Game. Formerly a biologist with Alaska Dept, of Fish and Game. 49 Robert Ricklefs Dept, of Biology University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 19104 William G. Roe 614 Willow St. Cranford, NJ 07016 Robert P. Russell, Jr. 1020 Ashland Ave. Wilmette, IL 60091 Fred B. Samson 205 Forest Resources Laboratory Penn State University University Park, PA 16802 David Saunders Sunnyhill Rosemarket Milford Haven Pembrokeshire 'Wales England Madeline Schouten 14916 Thrift Ave. White Rock, BC Canada Elinor B. Seelye 2264 Del Norte St. Los Osos, CA 93402 Professor Studies: Energetics and development of young in Sooty Terns, Common Terns, Laughing Gulls and Leach 1 s, Storm-Petrels. Attorney Interests: Several pelagic trips and two summers in Alaska. Writer-Naturalist Studies: Orientation in relation to weather of Greater Shearwaters off southwest Ireland. Interests: Populations and feeding patterns off the continental shelves. Geographic distribution and limiting factors of alcids. Professor Interests: Ecological significance of colonial nesting in birds. Popula- tion dynamics of colonial nesting birds. Environmental pollution. Author and Lecturer Studies: Organizer of Operation Seafarer 1969, a survey of breeding seabirds conducted by the British Seabird Group. Coauthor of Seabirds of Britian and Ireland". Interests: Breeding distribution of North Atlantic seabirds. Man's exploitation of seabirds past and present. Physical Therapist Studies: Attempting to coordinate a beached bird survey. Pelagic trips. Interests: Teaching bird identifica- tion courses. Hoping to form a group of people who could assist in the event of a seabird disaster. Retired Interests: Conservation Chairman of Morro Coast Audubon Society. 50 Stan Senner c/o Fairbanks Environmental Center P. 0. Box 1796 Fairbanks, AK 99701 Ian D. Smith British Columbia Fish & Wildlife Branch Parliament Buildings Victora, BC John Sproul , Jr. 226 Russell Lab University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin 53706 Ronn Storro-Patterson Natural Environmental Studies UNEX - University of California Berkeley, CA 94720 Lou Swenson 1527 Wintergreen St. Anchorage, AK 99504 Richard R. Tenaza Dept, of Biological Sciences University of the Pacific Stockton, CA 95204 Atsuo Tsuji 568 Matoba Issha Idaka-cho Chikusa-ku Nagoya Japan Professional Conservationist Inventory coordinator for B.C. Fish & Wildlife Branch Graduate Student Studies: Surveying PCB, DDE, and Di el dr in residues in Icelandic marine birds. Interests: Breeding and non- breeding distribution, habitat requirements and niche segregation. Studies: Primary interest is with cetaceans. The field work for this provides the opportunity to work with seabirds. Interests: The associations of marine mammals and seabirds. Professor Studies: Behavior and nesting success relative to nest location in Adelie Penguins. Study in progress on adaptations to cliff nesting in the Pelagic Cormorant, Interests: social communication. The ecology of social organizations and the evolution of behavior. Mathematician Studies: Counting the number of shore- birds in migration on the wetland of Nabeta or Shiokawa. Interests: Protection of wetlands from reclamation projects. Professor 51 Eric Tull c/o LGL #201 10110 124 St. Edmonton, Alberta Canada Masami Unemoto 2-32-2 Befu Settsu, Osaka Japan Thomas Van't Hof Bird Division Museum of Zoology University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Kenneth L. Wilson 24 Hedgerow Lane Jericho, NY 11753 Environmental Consultant Studies: Pelagic distribution of Atlantic seabirds. Murre mortality in salmon nets. Interests: Pelagic distribution and environmental problems as they relate to seabirds. Student Studies: Photographic work with seabirds. Research Assistant Interest: Behavior and egg temperature studies. Student Studies: Black Guillemots at Kent Island N.B. Canada 52 PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP DEDICATED TO THE STUDY AND CONSERVATION OF PACIFIC SEABIRDS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 1975 Chairman: J. Michael Scott, P. 0. Box 44, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718 Vice-Chairman: Spencer G. Sealy, Dept, of Zoology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 Secretary-Treasurer: George J. Divoky, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1412 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99 701 -|g: Other Council Members: David G. Ainley, Box 8, Alder Rd. , Bolinas, CA 94924 Daniel W. Anderson, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P. 0. Box C, Davis, CA 95616 C. Eugene Knoder, National Audubon Society, 9250 West Fifth Ave., Lakewood, CO 80226 David A. Manuwal , College of Forest Resources, University of Washington, WA 98195 David N. Nettleship, Canadian Wildlife Service, 2721 Highway 31, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W1 Robert J. Shallenberger, Ahuimanu Productions, P. 0. Box 1166, Kailua, Oahu, HI 96734 jj? Bernardo Vi 11 a- Ramirez, Universidad Nacional Autonoma, Institute Biologia, Laboratorio de Mastazoologia, Apartado Postal 70-153, Mexi co 20 D. F. , Mexi co