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Satellite Telemetry on Sea Ducks Projects
| Characterization
of the Beaufort Sea Flyway:
Common Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks
The primary objectives of this study are to locate and describe staging areas and habitats used by common eiders and long-tailed ducks in the Beaufort Sea. These objectives include:
Marking - Satellite telemetry is a useful tool to determine movement patterns and locate staging areas for species that are difficult to survey because of frequent inclement weather, unknown distribution, and remote locations (Petersen et al. 1995, Clausen and Bustnes 1998, Petersen et al. 1999). Individual adult female common eiders and long-tailed ducks were marked with implanted satellite transmitters using the surgical technique first described by Korschgen et al. (1996) and subsequently modified for eiders and other sea ducks (D. Mulcahy personal communication). Transmitters were programmed to maximize the frequency of locations per individual while still adequately covering the period birds may be in the Beaufort Sea. To document post-nesting staging areas, foraging sites, and autumn migration pathways, 12 transmitters per year were programmed to provide location information for 6 hours during a 25 hour period and provide locations for about 4 months. To characterize spring migration corridors and staging areas, 18 birds received transmitters that are programmed to deliver location data every 8 days until 1 May of the following year, when the radios switched to deliver signals for 6 hours every 25 hours. These transmitters were expected to last approximately 1 year. Thus, there are two sets of transmitters; one will provide locations in autumn and the other the following spring. By the end of the project we hope to have data from two years of autumn and two years of spring migration from each species (maps).
Eider and long-tailed duck locations are plotted on maps using ArcView software. Maps which are posted here will be updated weekly during migration or until batteries fail to allow anyone interested to track the birds movements. References Alldredge, J. R. and J. T. Ratti. 1986. Comparison of some statistical techniques for analysis of resource selection. J. Wildl. Manage. 50:157-165. Clausen, P. and J. O. Bustnes. 1998. Flyways of North Atlantic light-bellied brent geese Branta bernicla hrota reassessed by satellite telemetry. Pp. 235-249 in Mehlum, F., Black, J. M., and Madsen, J. (eds.): Research on Arctic Geese. Proceedings of the Svalbard Goose Symposium, Oslo, Norway, 23-26 September 1997. Norsk Polarinstitutt Skrifter 200. Flint, P. L., R. B. Lanctot, J. C. Franson, T. Hollmén, J. Fischer, J. B. Brand and M. Howell. 2000. Monitoring Beaufort Sea Waterfowl and Marine birds. Unpublished Report. US Geological Survey, Alaska Biological Science Center, Anchorage, AK. Goudie, R. I., A. V. Kondratyev, S. Brault, M. R. Petersen, B. Conant, and K. Vermeer. 1994. The status of sea ducks in the North Pacific Rim: Toward their conservation and management. Trans. N. Am. Wildl. and Nat. Res. Conf. 59:27-49. Goudie, R. I., G. J. Robertson and A. Reed. 2000. Common Eider (Somateria mollissima). In A. Poole and F. Gill, (eds.): The Birds of North America, No. 546. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Johnson, L. L. 1971. The migration, harvest and importance of waterfowl at Barrow, Alaska. M.Sc. Thesis. Univ. Alaska, Fairbanks, AK. Johnson, S. R. 1984. Prey selection by oldsquaws in a Beaufort Sea lagoon, Alaska. Pp. 12-19, in D. HN. Nettleship, G. A. Sanger and P. F. Springer (eds.), Marine birds: their feeding ecology and commercial fisheries relationships. Can. Wildl. Serv., Ministry of Supply and Service, Canada. Johnson, S. R. and D. R. Herter. 1989. The Birds of the Beaufort Sea. BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. Johnson, S. R., D. R. Herter and M. S. W. Bradstreet. 1987. Habitat use and reproductive success of Pacific eiders Somateria mollissima v-nigra during a period of industrial activity. Biol. Conserv. 41:77-89. Korschgen, C. E., K. P. Kenow, A. Gendron-Fitzpatrick, W. L. Green and F. J. Dein. 1996. Implanting intra-abdominal radiotransmitters with external whip antennas in ducks. J. Wildl. Manage. 60:132-137. Otis, D. L. and G. C. White. 1999. Autocorrelation of location estimates and the analysis of radiotracking data. J. Wildl. Manage. 63:1039-1044. Petersen, M. R., D. C. Douglas and D. M. Mulcahy. 1995. Use of implanted satellite transmitters to locate spectacled eiders at-sea. Condor 97:276-278. Petersen, M. R., W. W. Larned and D. C. Douglas. 1999. At-sea distribution of spectacled eiders: A 120-year-old mystery resolved. Auk 116:1009-1020. Schamel, D. 1977. Breeding of the common eider (Somateria mollissima) on the Beaufort Sea coast of Alaska. Condor 79:478-485. Seaman, D. E., J. J. Millspauch, B. J. Kernohan, G. C. Brundige, K. J. Raedeke, and R. A. Gitzen. 1999. Effects of sample size on kernel home range estimates. J. Wildl. Manage. 63:739-747. Suydam, R. S., D. L. Dickson, J. B. Fadely and L. T. Quakenbush. 2000. Population declines of king and common eiders of the Beaufort Sea. Condor 102:219-222. Thompson, D. Q. and R. A. Person. 1963. The eider pass at Point Barrow, Alaska. J. Wildl. Manage. 27:348-356. Wilbor, S. L. 1999. Status Report on the Bering/Pacific Oldsquaw (Clangula hyemalis) Population. Unpublished Report. Alaska Natural Heritage Program, Environment and Natural Resources Institute, University of Alaska Anchorage. Woodby, D. A. and G. J. Divoky. 1982. Spring migration of eiders and other waterbirds at Point Barrow, Alaska. Arctic 35:403-410. This study was funded by: US Geological Survey, USFWS Science Support funds with in-kind support from: For more information
about this study please contact:
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Populations
of common eiders (Somateria mollissima) and long-tailed
ducks (Clangula hyemalis) have been listed as species-at-risk
by Region 7, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) because both
species are declining (Goudie et al. 1994, Suydam et al. 1997,
Wilbor 1999, Suydam et al. 2000). Current and proposed development
activity throughout the Beaufort Sea raises concern for these
species. Historically, large numbers of both of these species
were found on coastal barrier islands and lagoons of the Beaufort
Sea. Coastal Beaufort Sea is exposed to increasing disturbance
and habitat change as a result of expanding oil and gas development.
Information on how sea ducks use the Beaufort Sea is limited primarily
to anecdotal data or site specific studies (Johnson and Herter
1989, Wilbor 1999).
In
the fall and spring, western arctic populations of common eiders
and long-tailed ducks migrate along the coast of the Beaufort
Sea to and from breeding areas in Canada and Alaska (Johnston
and Herter 1989). Currently (1990’s) about 72,600 common
eiders migrate past Point Barrow in spring (May and June) and
autumn (August - October) (Suydam et al. 2000). Data on how common
eiders use Beaufort Sea waters is fragmentary except during the
brood rearing period when successfully nesting hens and ducklings
are found near barrier islands. How much eiders use the Beaufort
Sea in summer and autumn is unknown. In spring, eiders are known
to migrate past points in the Beaufort Sea; however, staging locations,
if they occur, are unknown for eiders nesting on barrier islands
in the coastal waters of the Beaufort Sea in Alaska. Identification
of spring staging areas, key foraging areas and habitats used
in summer, and fall staging areas throughout the Beaufort Sea
is poorly described for common eiders and long-tailed ducks. 
Long-tailed
ducks were captured at molting areas at Point Thompson in 2002
and common eiders from nests near Egg Island in 2001. The number
of individuals for each sample is the minimum number necessary
to obtain sufficient locations to meet statistical requirements
(Alldredge and Ratti 1986, Otis and White 1999, Seaman et al.
1999), and derived by taking into consideration transmitter performance
and battery life. Sampling is expected to be completed in 2003.
