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Spectacled Eiders on Yukon Delta NWR Melissa Gabrielson Wildlife Biologist Yukon Delta NWR

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.

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Spectacled Eiders on Yukon Delta NWR Melissa Gabrielson Wildlife Biologist Yukon Delta NWR

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  1. THE QUEST FOR RECOVERY • Spectacled Eiders on Yukon Delta NWR • Melissa Gabrielson • Wildlife Biologist • Yukon Delta NWR • February 15, 2011 The Quest for Recovery Continues - Yukon Delta NWR – February 15, 2011

  2. A Threatened Species • Listed as threatened in 1993 • Breeding pair numbers declined by 96% The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  3. A Threatened Species • Factors affecting Spectacled Eider population • Lead poisoning • Predation • Human activity The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  4. A Threatened Species • Conservation measures • Lead shot banned • Hunting and egging prohibited • Research efforts The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  5. Meet the Spectacled Eider • Long-lived • High adult survival • Small clutch size • Delayed sexual maturity • Extensive parental care The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  6. Meet the Spectacled Eider • Adapted to marine and freshwater environments • Salt glands • Adapted to extreme temperatures • Decrease daily maintenance costs • Use energy reserves The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  7. Where Can You Find Eiders? Figure from Petersen et al. 1999. At-sea distribution of spectacled eiders: A 120 year-old mystery resolved. Auk 116: 1009-1020 The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  8. They Winter Where? 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 The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  9. They Winter Where? • Found in open water between ice packs • Benefits • Decrease energy costs • Reduce effect of storms • Obstacles • Restricted feeding • Extreme weather The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  10. Finding a Place to Call Home • Selecting nest site • Small islands • Peninsulas • Pond shorelines • Constructing nest The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  11. Eggs Oval Shape Light olive green color Total eggs 1-11 Lay one egg every 24 hr Incubation lasts 24 days The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  12. Ducklings • Fully covered with down • Capable of walking, swimming, and feeding • Move to marine habitat • Do not return for 2-3 years The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  13. Who Would Want to Eat an Eider? Arctic fox, red fox, gulls, and jaegers The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  14. Where Does the Research Happen? Bering Sea Kigigak Island The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  15. Past and Present Research • Monitor spectacled eider population • Adult female annual survival • Nest success • Duckling survival • Recruitment • Search plots The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  16. I Found One!! • Initial visit • Identify marked females • Mark nests • Number and age eggs • Subsequent visits • Identify marked females • Nest status • Egg status The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  17. Got Ya! • Females trapped • Mist nests • Bow-net traps • Banding • U.S. Fish & Wildlife metal band • Tarsal Band • Nasal Disc The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  18. What Have We Found?? 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. The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  19. Take Home Message Population is increasing More to learn On the road to recovery??? The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  20. Thank–You The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  21. 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 The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR – February 15, 2011

  22. Finding Spectacled Eiders Search designated plots The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR - February 15, 2011

  23. Aging Eggs Floating Technique The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR – February 15, 2011

  24. Aging Eggs The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR – February 15, 2011 Candling Technique

  25. Trapping Techniques Mist net The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR – February 15, 2011

  26. Trapping Techniques Bow-trap The Quest for Recovery - Yukon Delta NWR – February 15, 2011

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