Observations of Marine Birds and Mammals in the Northern Chesapeake Bight

摘要

Sightings of 56 species of marine birds and 11 species of marine mammals recorded from 1971 to 1977 are summarized to show species composition and spatial and temporal distribution over the Continental Shelf in the northern Chesapeake Bight. Distributional abundance of seabirds is indicated relative to sounding contours and to the average distance from shore. Cetaceans and pelagic birds are most abundant between the 30- and 40-fathom contour and along the edge of the Continental Shelf, especially Baltimore Canyon. Gulls of the genus Larus composed 71.8% of the offshore avifauna from November through March. Wilson's storm petrel accounted for 66.6% of all seabirds counted from May through September. Distribution of tropical and subtropical seabirds and cetaceans corresponds to the presence of warm slope water and Gulf Stream eddies.