Lead Institution(s): University of Alaska Fairbanks
Project Lead: Abby Powell
Collaborator(s): Eric Taylor (USFWS), Eric Rexstad (UAF), Laura Phillips (UAF), CMI, NSB, CPA
Focal Species: King Eider (Somateria spectabilis)
Project Description: King eiders migrate east along the Beaufort Sea during spring (May- June) to arctic nesting areas in Russia, Alaska and Canada. During the molt migration (early July - August) and fall migration (mid-August - October), eiders move west along the Beaufort Sea coast to areas in the Chukchi and Bering Seas; however, some adult male king eiders molt in the Beaufort Sea. Although the timing and route of the offshore spring migration is likely determined by the availability of open water in the pack ice, information on distance offshore and the frequency and location of potential staging areas is lacking. Little is known about the migration corridor and staging and molting areas of non-breeders. This study was begun to better understand use (timing, location, duration) of nearshore (barrier island to the mainland coast) and offshore (seaward of the barrier islands) habitats of the Beaufort Sea to migrating, staging, and molting adult king eiders using satellite telemetry (PTTs). Objectives were to (1) document movements and locations of spring, summer and fall migrating adult king eiders marked on breeding areas in Kuparuk, Alaska, (2) describe potential staging areas used during spring and fall migration, (3) determine if adult female king eiders molt in the Beaufort Sea prior to fall migration to overwintering areas, and (4) describe sea ice and open water conditions of the Beaufort Sea relative to observed locations of satellite transmitter implanted king eiders.
SDJV24 Interim Report FY03
SDJV24 Interim Report FY04
Related Publications
Phillips, L. M., and A. N. Powell. 2006. Evidence for Wing Molt and Breeding Site Fidelity in King Eiders. Waterbirds 29:148–153. https://doi.org/10.1675/1524-4695(2006)29[148:EFWMAB]2.0.CO;2
Phillips, L. M., A. N. Powell, and E. A. Rexstad. 2006. Large-Scale Movements and Habitat Characteristics of King Eiders Throughout the Nonbreeding Period. The Condor 108:887. https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/108.4.887
Phillips, L. M., A. N. Powell, E. Taylor, and E. Rextad. 2007. Use of the Beaufort Sea by King Eiders Breeding on the North Slope of Alaska. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:1892–1898. https://doi.org/10.2193/2005-636
