Monitoring Populations and Productivity of Seabirds at Colonies in Lower CookInlet, Alaska in 1993 and 1994

摘要

The objectives of the surveys in 1993 and 1994 were to assess population levelsand reproductive success of key species. Furthermore, comparisons were made with past data to assess trends. The 1993 study was more intensive and extensive than the 1994 surveys. During the 1993 and 1994 breeding seasons, kittiwakes appeared to initiate nesting within the normal range of dates, but murres may have been slightly late. Most species of seabirds had relatively low rates of productivity in 1993 at Chisik and Duck Islands. Kittiwakes also failed at 60-foot Rock, and cormorant productivity was below normal. Reproductive success for kittiwakes at Gull Island was only slightly higher than at 60-foot Rock in 1993. In contrast, tufted puffins seemed to produce well at Flat Islands in 1993.