spectacled eiders on yukon delta nwr melissa gabrielson wildlife biologist yukon delta nwr
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THE QUEST FOR RECOVERY. Spectacled Eiders on Yukon Delta NWR Melissa Gabrielson Wildlife Biologist Yukon Delta NWR February 15, 2011. A Threatened Species. Listed as threatened in 1993 Breeding pair numbers declined by 96%. A Threatened Species. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Quest for Recovery Continues - Yukon Delta NWR – February 15, 2011 1
Spectacled Eiders on Yukon Delta NWRMelissa Gabrielson
Wildlife BiologistYukon Delta NWR February 15, 2011
A Threatened Species
Listed as threatened in 1993Breeding pair numbers declined by 96%
2The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011
A Threatened Species
Factors affecting Spectacled Eider populationLead poisoningPredationHuman activity
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A Threatened Species
Conservation measuresLead shot bannedHunting and egging prohibited
Research efforts
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Meet the Spectacled Eider
Long-lived High adult survival Small clutch size Delayed sexual
maturity Extensive parental
care
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Meet the Spectacled Eider
Adapted to marine and freshwater environmentsSalt glands
Adapted to extreme temperaturesDecrease daily maintenance costsUse energy reserves
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Where Can You Find Eiders?
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Figure from Petersen et al. 1999. At-sea distribution of spectacled eiders: A 120 year-old mystery resolved. Auk 116: 1009-1020
They Winter Where?
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Figure from Peterson, M. R. and D. C. Douglas. 2004. Winter ecology of spectacled eiders: Environmental characteristics and population change. The Condor 106: 79-94
They Winter Where? Found in open water
between ice packsBenefits
○ Decrease energy costs○ Reduce effect of storms
Obstacles○ Restricted feeding○ Extreme weather
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Finding a Place to Call Home
Selecting nest siteSmall islandsPeninsulasPond shorelines
Constructing nest
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Eggs
Oval Shape Light olive green color Total eggs 1-11 Lay one egg every 24 hr Incubation lasts 24 days
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Ducklings
Fully covered with down Capable of walking,
swimming, and feeding Move to marine habitat Do not return for 2-3
years
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Who Would Want to Eat an Eider?
Arctic fox, red fox, gulls, and jaegers
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Where Does the Research Happen?
Kigigak Island
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Bering Sea
Past and Present Research
Monitor spectacled eider populationAdult female annual survivalNest successDuckling survivalRecruitment
Search plots
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Initial visitIdentify marked femalesMark nestsNumber and age eggs
Subsequent visitsIdentify marked femalesNest statusEgg status
I Found One!!
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Got Ya!
Females trapped Mist nestsBow-net traps
BandingU.S. Fish & Wildlife metal
bandTarsal BandNasal Disc
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What Have We Found??
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Tables taken from: Fischer, J. B., R. A. Stehn, and G. Walters. 2010. Nest population size and potential production of geese and spectacled eiders on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, 2009. Unpubl. Rep., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK.
Take Home Message
Population is increasing More to learn On the road to recovery???
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Thank–You
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Additional Slides
The following slides were not included in the slide show
They contain more details on some of the methods that we use on Kigigak Island
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Finding Spectacled Eiders
Search designated plots
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Aging Eggs
Floating Technique
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Aging Eggs
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Candling Technique
Trapping Techniques
Mist net
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Trapping Techniques
Bow-trap
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