Maps and analysis methods for marine bird surveys
Methods behind Raincoast's seabird data analysis Accurate predictions of pelagic seabird populations (click to enlarge)
In 2005, Raincoast began 4 years of boat-based, systematic surveys of BC’s coastal waters to determine the at-sea abundance and distribution of marine birds. This work is part of our efforts to achieve long-term protection for maritime animals and their habitats.
Over 10,000 km of ocean trackline were surveyed between 2005 and 2008 collecting almost 18,000 sightings of birds. Surveys occurred primarily in the waters between Dixon Entrance (the Alaska-BC border) and Johnstone Strait, as well as into inlets of the central and north coasts. The maps below show of sightings where marine birds were seen. The poster (left) summarizes the methods to analyze this data. This analysis of distribution and abundance continues. With 18,000 ‘sightings’ of over 100,000 birds, this is a large undertaking!
Maps
Pelagic Seabirds
Albatrosses: Black-footed Albatross, Laysan Albatross, Short-tailed Albatross
Alcids: Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Cassin’s Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet, Tufted Puffin, Horned Puffin
Cormorants: Brandt’s Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant
Fulmars and Shearwaters: Northern Fulmar, Pink-footed Shearwater, Buller’s Shearwater, Flesh-footed Shearwater, Short-tailed Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater
Jaegers, Kittiwakes and Gulls: Pomarine Jaeger, Parasitic Jaeger, Long-tailed Jaeger, Black-legged Kittiwake, Bonaparte’s Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer’s Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Sabine’s Gull, Western Gull
Shorebirds
Oystercatchers: Black Oystercatcher
Storm-petrels: Leach’s Storm-petrel, Fork-tailed Storm-petrel
Sandpipers and Phalaropes: Whimbrel, Dunlin, Black Turnstone, Red-necked Phalarope
Marine Waterfowl
Ducks: American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Goldeneye
Geese: Snow Goose, Brant, Canada Goose
Grebes: Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe
Loons: Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Yellow-billed Loon
Sea ducks: Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser
Marine Raptors: Osprey, Bald Eagle
Great-blue Heron, Sandhill Crane, Belted Kingfisher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven
