Evaluation of methods for estimating population abundance and mapping distribution of wintering scoters and other sea birds

Project Number: 56

Year Funded: 2005

Lead Institution(s): US Fish and Wildlife Service

Project Lead: Mark Koneff

Email:

Collaborator(s): Doug Forsell (USFWS), Scott Boomer (USFWS), Andy Royle (USGS), ACJV, SDJV, USFWS, USGS

Location: Atlantic Flyway

Focal Species: All Sea Ducks, Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica), Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis), Common Eider (Somateria mollissima), King Eider (Somateria spectabilis), Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri), Steller’s Eider (Polysticta stelleri), Common Merganser (Mergus merganser), Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus), Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator), Black Scoter (Melanitta americana), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), White-winged Scoter (Melanitta delgandi)

Project Description: This study evaluated an adaptive 2-phase stratified sampling plan to estimate wintering scoter (and other sea duck) population size and provide information on bird distribution. Experimental survey protocols were applied in near- and offshore waters of the mid-Atlantic Coast from New Jersey to Virginia and included estuarine waters of the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays.

Project Reports: