Completing the Picture: Spring Body Condition and Breeding Propensity of Surf Scoters along the Pacific Coast
Project Number: 93
Year Funded: 2007
Lead Institution(s): US Geological Survey
Project Lead: John Takekawa
Collaborator(s): Susan Wainwright-De La Cruz (USGS), John Eadie (UCDavis), Matthew Wilson (UCDavis), Dan Esler (SFU), Erika Lok (SFU), Eric Anderson (UW), Jim Lovvorn (UW)
Location: Pacific Coast
Focal Species: Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)
Project Description: Pacific Surf Scoters have been the subject of a growing body of research during winter, however very little is known about their spring migration ecology, and even less about breeding ecology. Spring migration conditions have important implications for waterfowl productivity, and nutrient reserve levels and body condition during spring migration have been identified as potentially important factors affecting broad-scale and long-term population declines.
To assess spring body condition and breeding propensity of Pacific Surf Scoters collections were conducted during late spring 2005 and 2006 along the coast of southeast Alaska. Specific field study locations that were used in the study included: West Behm Canal and the southern end of Annette Island in the Ketchikan area; Gastineau Channel, Stephens Passage, and Berners Bay near Juneau, and several areas around the northern end of Lynn Canal; including Sullivan Island, Chilkoot Inlet, Chilkat Inlet, and Taiya Inlet. Collections were also conducted in the greater Yellowknife area, Northwest Territories, Canada. These sites were chosen based on use and residency of Pacific Surf Scoters marked with satellite or VHF transmitters. These birds had been previously marked in one of four wintering areas from Baja, Mexcio to the Strait of Georgia, Canada.
To assess spring body condition and breeding propensity of Pacific Surf Scoters collections were conducted during late spring 2005 and 2006 along the coast of southeast Alaska. Specific field study locations that were used in the study included: West Behm Canal and the southern end of Annette Island in the Ketchikan area; Gastineau Channel, Stephens Passage, and Berners Bay near Juneau, and several areas around the northern end of Lynn Canal; including Sullivan Island, Chilkoot Inlet, Chilkat Inlet, and Taiya Inlet. Collections were also conducted in the greater Yellowknife area, Northwest Territories, Canada. These sites were chosen based on use and residency of Pacific Surf Scoters marked with satellite or VHF transmitters. These birds had been previously marked in one of four wintering areas from Baja, Mexcio to the Strait of Georgia, Canada.
Project Reports: https://seaduckjv.org/pdf/studies/pr93.pdf