Population Demography of Surf Scoters Wintering in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia

Project Number: 3

Year Funded: 2005 (year endorsed)

Lead Institution(s): Simon Fraser University

Project Lead: Sam Iverson

Email:

Collaborator(s): Sean Boyd (CWS), Dan Esler (SFU)

Location: British Columbia

Focal Species: Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica), Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), Black Scoter (Melanitta americana), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)

Project Description: Several Pacific sea duck populations appear to be declining. Without basic information on the age/sex structure of populations and knowledge of survival, recruitment, and dispersal rates it is impossible to identify demographic causes of population changes. We are developing new methods to collect and analyze demographic data for several species, including Black Scoters, Surf Scoter, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Common Goldeneye, and Harlequin Ducks in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia. Objectives of this project include: 1) Build on findings of Surf Scoter recruitment studies to document recruitment at local and regional scales; 2) Estimate other demographic attributes (e.g., survival in association with ongoing studies of scoter – aquaculture interactions); 3) Coordinate with ongoing CWS studies of Surf Scoter contaminant exposure and shellfish aquaculture, to consider demographic effects of these local impacts; 4) Establish a protocol for conducting mid-winter surveys for selected sea duck species and evaluate/publish relevant information on sea duck densities, the sex/age structure of populations, and habitat association patterns for populations wintering in the Strait of Georgia; 5) Estimate other demographic attributes (e.g., survival in association with ongoing studies of scoter – aquaculture interactions) and use these data in population models; and 6) Develop an identification key, available to researchers both on the Sea Duck Joint Venture website and in a field guide, which will assist researchers in the identification of sea duck age and sex classes, for all 15 North American species, using plumage and bill characteristics.

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