ç This project was headed by Dan Rosenberg, Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

We used superb decoys, crafted by Mike Petrula of ADF&G. to lure the ducks into our mist nets. Note the biological accuracy of these decoys, compared to the live drake, above.è

ç As for the harlequin duck biopsy effort, we used the Discovery as our work platform. In addition to the Discovery's two inflatables, we had a Boston Whaler and another inflatable belonging to ADF&G to move about.

The birds were captured using two sets of double mist nets erected on poles held by floating hubs. The nets were set up on shore.

ç Once erected, the floating nets are moved into the water, and then hauled offshore using the skiffs. This procedure took some time to accomplish, and was frequently hampered by high wind and waves.

The floating nets can be seen here. è There are two nets, set at right angles. The decoys and floats are seen adjacent to the nets.

Once the net was set up offshore, and an observer was placed onshore, the skiffs headed out to move the ducks toward the net. This was a haphazard effort, as the birds could not be easily herded. The birds, having just migrated into Prince William Sound, were busy with courtship rituals and could be approached fairly closely. However, attempts to use a net-gun to capture birds had only limited success. The captured birds were returned to the Discovery for the surgical implantation of the transmitters.

ç Every bird captured is weighed and measured, and is given a uniquely numbered US Fish and Wildlife Service leg band.

Then, a blood sample is withdrawn for genetic analysis and for blood chemistries.è

A close-up of the bird's head in the induction è cone.

ç Celia Hall, CAE, SRA, whose real job is as a realty appraiser for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, was a volunteer for ADF&G on this project. Here she administers anesthesia to a drake surf scoter. Having an experienced anesthetist along makes doing the implantation much easier for me and safer for the birds.

Surgeries were done inside the cabin on the Discovery. Every effort is made make the anesthesia and the surgery as safe as possible for the bird. Having an experienced team of a surgeon and an anesthetist is very important.

Once the surgery is completed, the bird is wrapped in a towel and must be held and observed until recovery from anesthesia is completed. Fortunately, Hannah (left) and Heather (right) Rand, daughters of the skipper of the Discovery, were willing to nurse a recovering scoter (middle) until it was ready to go outside.

ç As for the harlequin trip in early April, the weather was generally crummy, but a clear day in Prince è William Sound can be glorious.