Aerial Population Survey of Common Eiders and Other Waterbirds in Near Shore Waters and Along Barrier Islands of the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska, 24-26 June 2008

摘要

The tenth consecutive aerial survey of common eiders and other waterbirds along the coastline of the Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) of Alaska, including barrier islands, was conducted from 24 to 26 June 2008. Observations were made from an amphibious Cessna 206 (N61599) by a pilot/observer and right seat observer. The study area, established when the survey was initiated in 1999, encompasses approximately 1,050 km of the Chukchi and Beaufort sea coastlines from Omalik Lagoon north and east to the Canadian border and an additional 190 and 325 linear kilometers, respectively, of barrier island and peninsular habitats off Kasegaluk Lagoon and from Point Barrow to Demarcation Bay. Shorefast ice along the Chukchi Sea coast was much more extensive in 2008 than 2007 and fog prevented a complete survey. Beaufort Sea ice cover was less extensive in 2008 than in 2007 and, with the exception of southern Dease Inlet, the area was completely surveyed. River mouths and most lagoons were either ice free or had considerable open water and in addition, there was a considerable increase in open water along exposed shorelines in 2008. As in previous years most near shore sea ice was deteriorating rapidly and was usually covered with melt water.