Annual cycle connectivity, site fidelity, and habitat use of Pacific Surf, White-winged, and Black Scoters

Project Number: 143

Year Funded: 2014

Lead Institution(s): Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Project Lead: Jason Schamber

Email:

Collaborator(s): Tyler Lewis (ADFG), Tim Bowman (USFWS)

Location: Alaska

Focal Species: Black Scoter (Melanitta americana), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), White-winged Scoter (Melanitta delgandi)

Project Description: We proposed to augment previous satellite telemetry projects of Pacific scoters by filling remaining geographic gaps and boosting effective PTT sample sizes for SUSC, WWSC, and BLSC. Specifically, we proposed to mark adult female scoters with PTTs during winter in major coastal regions of AK; that includes marking SUSC and WWSC in the Southeast (2017) and South-central (2018) regions, and BLSC in the western (2015-2016) region. Satellite data from past studies of Pacific scoters have indicated high return rates to specific winter locations suggesting a possible need to recognize multiple management units throughout the Pacific flyway.

Project Reports: