Distribution and Abundance of Birds in the Eastern Chukchi Sea in Late Summer and Early Fall

摘要

Pelagic seabird observations were conducted on nine cruises in mid-July to mid-October during the period 1970-86. Sightings from 1537 15-minute observation periods form the data base. The Chukchi Sea was found to have a pelagic avifauna containing both arctic and subarctic components, reflecting the transitional nature of Chukchi waters. From late July to late August murres, Black-legged Kittiwakes and phalaropes are the most numerous seabirds. The density and diversity of seabirds in the Chukchi Sea were found to be intermediate between the abundant and diverse avifauna of the Bering Sea and the low densities and number of species in the Beaufort Sea.