AMNWR 05/03

ERADICATION OF ARCTIC FOXES WITH INCIDENTAL WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS AT

ATTU ISLAND, ALASKA IN 1999

Key words: Aleutian Islands, Alopex lagopus, Attu Island, arctic fox, introduced species, seabirds, waterfowl, trapping

Greg Thomson and Steve Ebbert U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge 95 Sterling HWY, Suite 1

Homer, AK 99603

April 2005 _____ Cite as: Thomson, G. and S. Ebbert. 2005. Eradication of arctic foxes with incidental wildlife observations at Attu Island, Alaska in 1999. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep AMNWR 05/03, Homer, Alas. 48 pp.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, eradicated introduced arctic foxes from Attu Island, Alaska in 1999. Eradication of non native foxes from all the Aleutian Islands has been a long-term goal for the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, an effort begun in 1949. Attu Island was probably the first island in Alaska to be stocked with non native foxes. This practice, which was initiated by Russian hunters in the 1740’s and continued by American fur farmers into the 20th century, encompassed almost every island the Aleutian archipelago. The consequence to native bird populations was devastating, as foxes greatly reduced, and in some cases, eliminated native species. In 1999, 329 arctic foxes (Alopex lagapus) were killed on Attu. A total of 2466 traps were deployed, including 2264 leg-hold traps, 79 body-grip traps, 46 neck snares, 46 cage traps, and 31 M-44 cyanide ejectors. A recheck for fox sign in 2000 recovered 2 fox carcasses in traps. Various Fish and Wildlife Service crews, including archeologists, ptarmigan capture teams, and seabird survey teams have been at numerous locales on Attu in 2002, 2003, and 2004 and no fox sign has been observed. All evidence to date has Attu as fox free.

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Table of Contents ___________________________________________________________________Page__ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY …………………………………………………………. i LIST OF FIGURES …………………………………………………………………. iii LIST OF TABLES ………………………………………………………………….. iii LIST OF APPENDICES ……………………………………………………………. iii INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………………….. 1 STUDY AREA ……………………………………………………………………… 1 Habitat and Wildlife ………………………………………………………………… 1 History ………………………………………………………………………………. 5 Fur Farming …………………………………………………………………………. 5 World War II ….…………………………………………………………………….. 6 FOX REMOVAL …………………………………………………………………… 6 Methods ……………………………………………………………………………... 6 Results ………………………………………………………………………………. 8 Projected Recovery of Native Species ……………………………………………… 10 WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS …………………………………………………….. 11 Methods …………………………………………………………………………….. 11 Results ………………………………………………………………………………. 11 FOX RECHECKS 2000 – 2004 …………………………………………………….. 12 ACKNOWLEDGEMNTS ………………………………………………………….. 12 LITERATURE CITED ……………………………………………………………… 13 APPENDICES ………………………………………………………………………. 15 _________________________________________________________________________

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List of Figures No._________________________________________________________________Page_ 1. Map showing the Near Island group, Aleutian Islands, Alaska …………………... 2 2. Map showing number of traps deployed, foxes killed and place names used at Attu Island, Alaska in 1999 ………………………………………………………... 3 _________________________________________________________________________ List of Tables No._________________________________________________________________Page_ 1. Gender of arctic foxes killed on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999 …………………….. 9 2. Number of arctic foxes killed by method on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999 ………... 9 3. Number of arctic fox pups killed at den sites on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999 ……. 9 _________________________________________________________________________ List of Appendices No._________________________________________________________________Page_ A. Aleutian Islands Reservation Trapping Permit # 166 for Attu Island, Alaska ……. 16 B. Time schedule related to fox trapping on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999 ………….... 17 C. List of arctic foxes killed on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999 .………………………... 18 D. Weekly trap count and foxes killed by method on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999 ….. 28 E. List of arctic fox pups killed on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999 ……………………... 35 F. List of non target species taken at Attu Island, Alaska in 1999 …………………… 36 G. List of beached bird carcasses found on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999 …………….. 38 H. Annotated list of birds and marine mammals seen on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999.. ……………………………………………………………………………. 39 _________________________________________________________________________

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Off loading Abraham Bay camp, Attu Island, on 25 February 1999.

Off loading Etienne Bay camp, Attu Island, on 24 February 1999.

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INTRODUCTION Islands of the Aleutian archipelago are insular ecosystems that are the breeding grounds for numerous species of seabirds and waterfowl. The introduction of foxes for fur farming devastated these bird populations that had evolved on the islands without land predators (Bailey 1993). One noted casualty was the Aleutian Cackling goose (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia), formerly the Aleutian Canada goose, whose numbers declined so dramatically (to fewer than 1,000 birds) that in 1963 they were placed on a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species List. After WWII, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) initiated a program to eradicate introduced foxes to restore Aleutian Island habitats and allow for the recovery of native bird populations. Attu is the 37th island targeted for fox removal, and the project was conducted in cooperation with U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services (WS). Beginning in late February 1999, up to 10 trappers worked on Attu, some for 190 days. In addition to eradicating foxes, incidental observations of marine mammals and birds were recorded. STUDY AREA Habitat and Wildlife Attu Island (55o 55.4’ N, 172o 55.5’ E at Cape Wrangell) is the westernmost island of the Aleutian Archipelago of Alaska (Fig.1). Attu, together with Agattu and the Semichi Islands (Shemya, Nizki, Alaid) comprised the Near Islands. The Semichi Islands are about 17 miles east by south from Attu and Agattu is 22 miles southeast of Attu. Attu Island encompasses 223,812 acres (143 sq. miles) and has approximately 152.6 miles of coastline. The island is 35 by 15 miles in size and is indented by deep bays and long inlets (Fig. 2). The terrain is very rugged and mountainous with the highest peaks just under 3000 feet. Numerous rivers flow through broad valleys throughout the island and several host salmon (Oncorhynchus sp.) and Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma). Vegetation is similar to that of other Aleutian Islands, composed of maritime and alpine tundra, consisting of mosses, lichens, grasses, sedges, crowberry (Empetrum nigrum). Also found on Attu are plants native to the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia (Hulten 1968, Talbot, et. al 1994, Murie 1937). A comprehensive description of Attu’s coastline and nearshore waters is presented elsewhere (U.S. Department of Commerce. 1995, Williams et al. 1997) Attu lies in the maritime climate zone, characterized by persistently overcast skies, high winds, and frequent cyclonic storms. Winter squalls produce wind gusts in excess of 100 knots. During the summer, extensive fog forms over the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Average temperatures range from 20o to 60o F., but wind chill factors can be severe. Total precipitation is 64 inches annually, with an average accumulated snowfall of 100 inches, primarily in the mountains.

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Figure 1. Map showing the Near Island group, Aleutian Islands, Alaska.

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Relic bird populations still persist at Attu. Seabird colonies are found at Cape Wrangell (black-legged kittiwakes, common and thick-billed murres, red-faced and pelagic cormorants), Gibson Island (tufted puffins, glaucous-winged gulls, red-faced and pelagic cormorants, storm petrels), and Savage Island (tufted puffins) along with several other concentrations scattered along the coast at locations inaccessible to foxes. Nesting terns have been found in Massacre Bay. Attu also has a large population of marbled and Kittlitz’s murrelets which probably nest in the rugged interior at higher elevations. A unique subspecies of rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus Evermanni) endemic to Attu is found throughout much of the island (Murie 1937, Williams et al.1997, Sowls 1978) Wandering Asian migrants come to Attu in the spring, attracting North American Birders with the group “Attours”, an organized birding tour, that operated annually from 1979 - 2001. Norway rats are present throughout Attu. We can find no records of rats being present on the island prior to WWII. Considering that in 1937 Murie found no evidence of rats in the stomachs of Attu foxes and rats compose 30% of the fox diet on Rat Island, and the contents of fox stomachs examined by trappers in 1999 all had rats in them, it is probable rats got on Attu during the WWII era. When trappers began deploying camps on Attu they found their cabins embedded in deep snow drifts. Throughout the winter drifting snow plagued the trappers, blocking cabin doors, burying skiffs and fuel caches, and covering traps sufficiently to render them ineffective. Winter storms were fierce. During the first 53 days on island Attu had only 6 days that were not under weather advisories from the National Weather Service (Camp logs, 1999). On 17 March winds clocked at 120 mph blew a door off a large warehouse at the Coast Guard Station. Another low on 21 March had the barometer reading 28.05 inches of Mercury. Winds from this storm broke the radio antennae at Kearney Beach cabin. Trappers encounter whiteouts and winds strong enough to deter outdoor work. Carburetor icing often effected the proper operation of the out board engines. Once an avalanches blocked a trapline in Etienne Bay. Attu began to “green up” the first week of April. The first shoots of Leymus arenarius (formerly Elymus arenarius) and some ferns were noticed at Etienne Bay on 15 April. Snow cover around the Etienne Bay cabin was still 30% to 40% on 27 April, and extensive snow cover still remained in Etienne Valley, and the mountains and passes behind Etienne Bay on 26 May. Snow persisted well in to May in the mountains. At Engineer Hill snow cover was recorded at 95 % on 25 May. WW II era debris is found throughout Attu, but is especially concentrated on the southeast coast of Attu in Massacre Bay. Trappers found a mine that eventually was detonated by bomb disposal experts. The United States Coast Guard Loran Station is located at Pyramid Cove in Massacre Bay. The Coast Guard maintains a 5,800 foot paved runway. There are about 20 servicemen detailed to Attu year round.

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History In general, prehistory knowledge of the western Aleutian Islands is not well known. The oldest radio carbon date of human remains from Attu is about 2200 year B.P. (West et. al 2003). Near Islanders were isolated enough to develop a singular dialect from other Aleutian Islanders and Kamchatka natives, however it appears they did have knowledge of the Kurile and Commander Islands. Indeed there is evidence of intercontinental contacts throughout their history before Russian explorers put the Aleutian Islands on the map (Black 1984, Coxe 1966). Several cultural innovations unique to Attu are described in early Russian documents. Attuan clothing included a grass cape and the use of fish skins. They also perfected footwear made of seal or sea lion esophagus with soles of seal flippers. This form of footgear is known in recent times throughout the Aleutians, but was not reported by early observers outside the Near Islands. Attuans apparently did not use the famous wooden hats found in other Aleutian Islands, rather they had hats made of sea otter skins. Fire was made by use of a wooden drill just like the Kamchadals, whereas further east Aleuts used flint and tinder. Early Russians also found the Attuans using three hatched kayaks, an idea they took and introduced eastward (Black 1984). Attu, although possibly seen by Bering’s 1741 expedition ships from a great distance, was officially discovered and called “Saint Theodore” by Captain A. I. Chirikov in the spring of 1742. The first Russians to land on Attu were probably a party of promyshlenniki led by Mikhail Nevodchikov, who was with Bering in 1745 (Orth 1967, Shiels 1949, Coxe1967). Conflict soon arose between the Attuans and Russians resulting in the killing of 17 Aleut men and the abduction of women and children (Black 1984, Coxe 1966). By 1748 the Attuans were paying tribute to the Russians, and by 1772 they had accepted baptism, wore Russian clothing and used tobacco. Between the 1830’s and 1860’s all the Aleuts of the Near Islands had been relocated to Attu. The island had 240 inhabitants with the Russian American Fur Company Buildings and an Aleut village located in Chichagof Harbor. The population of the village is listed in the 1880 census 107 people; 101 in 1890; 29 in 1930 and 44 in 1940 (Orth 1967, Tikhmenev 1978). Fox Farming Arctic foxes from Bering Island were first introduced to Attu by Andreian Tolstykh in 1747 (Black. 1984, Narochnitskii. 1989). From the years 1842 to 1861 records show 2421 foxes were exported from the Near Islands (Tikhmenev 1978). Attuans prospered with the fox farming industry that swept the Aleutian Islands the first half of the 20th century. One longtime Aleutian resident remembered native Attuans as poor and living in barabaras in 1920. There were only 3 buildings in the village. They had trapped foxes so hard there were thought to be none left. Fred Schroeder, Manager of the Aleutian Fur Company and a veteran Aleutian hand since 1902, restocked foxes for them. Over the next 20 years fox trapping provided a good income, families built framed houses and the community prospered. (Swanson 1982, Murie 1937) From 1931 to 1939 the Attu native community

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took a total of 1357 fox pelts valued at $33,775.50 from Attu Island (unpubl. Refuge files, Attu Island, App. A). With the onset of WWII the fur industry in the Aleutians collapsed.

World War II

In early June of 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island of Attu capturing the only inhabitants: 41 native Attuans, an American school teacher and his wife. American troops landed almost a year later, on May 11th, 1943. The battle to recapture of Attu took 20 days to complete. At the end of the battle the Japanese had lost 2622 men and 28 surrendered. The Americans casualties were 3829. In proportion to t he numbers of troops engaged, it would rank as the second most costly battle in the Pacific theater for the Americans - second only to Iwo Jima (Garfield 1969).

By the end of the war approximately 20,000 American servicemen were stationed on Attu. The navy and army set up a large base on the island from 1945 to 1958. There were hospitals, pubs, bowling halls, a church, and a movie theater. There were three working runways. The U.S. Coast Loran Station was commissioned in 1960 (AMNWR Files. 1973). The Attuans who survived the war were not allowed to return to Attu, and were resettled on Atka Island in the central Aleutians (Oliver 1988).

FOX REMOVAL Methods FWS personnel conducted a reconnaissance of Attu in August 1996. During this time potential camp sites were documented. This included noting beach types, water availability, assessing hiking routes and limitations and boating hazards. This information was used in recommendations for a trapping strategy (Williams et al. 1997). Since the north and south sides of Attu are separated by a rugged central mountain range, the island was divided in two, north and south, and trapping operations commenced in the winter and focused solely on the south side of the island. In the summer trappers moved to new camps on the north side of the island and finished the project. In 1998 cabins were built at the selected camps on the south side of Attu to accommodate trappers during winter operations. During the summer at north side camps trappers used 12 x 20 aluminum-framed Weatherports and Barney’s Bomb Shelters tents for their accommodations. Existing buildings quartered trappers at Casco Cove. M/V Tiglax began deploying trappers on Attu on 24 February (App. B). Pat Gray, WS, and Greg Thomson, FWS, at Etienne Bay, Leo Faro, WS, and John Garrison, WS, at Abraham Bay, Chris Brockman, WS, and John Spiegel, WS, at Kearny Beach, and Gerald Masolini, WS, and Peter Masolini, WS, at Casco Cove (Fig. 2). Trappers at Etienne Bay worked an 18 mile trapline from Cape Wrangell to Mikhail Point. Abraham Bay trappers worked from Mikhail Point into Nevidiskov Bay, approximately 21 miles. Kearny Beach trappers worked a 21 mile trapline extending from Nevidiskov Bay to Aboud Creek, in Temnac

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Bay, opposite Savage Island. A spike camp was deployed in the East Arm of Nevidiskov Bay and was occasionally manned by Kearny Beach trappers. Casco Cove trappers worked traplines from Aboud Creek to Buchanan Point, about 23 miles. Existing roads, though not maintained, allowed Casco Cove trappers the use of 4 wheeler All Terrain Vehicles. They were able to trap interior lakes and passes, and access areas overlooking heads of Holtz Bay, Chichagof Harbor and Sarana Bay. On 1 June trappers at Etienne Bay and Abraham Bay closed their camps and moved to Kearny Beach. The next day trappers began shuttling their gear to Casco Cove. On 6 June Steve Ebbert, FWS, and Jerry Gutherie, WS, arrived on Attu, and Gerald Masolini departed. All trappers were working out of Casco Cove. On 10 June trappers began shuttling gear to Chichagof Harbor and by 20 June had deployed Blonde Cove camp and were extending traplines through Sarana Bay to the east and Steller Cove to the west. M/V Tiglax arrived on 22 June to support trapping operations. The last two camps were deployed on the north coast and by 30 June trappers had settle into their new camps: Pat Gray and Jerry Gutherie at Bird Bight, Jon Spiegel and Chris Brockman at Earle Cove, Leo Faro and Greg Thomson at Blond Cove, and Steve Ebbert and Peter Masolini at Chichagof Harbor. The lack of deep bays on the north coast made trapline routes shorter, a combined distance of over 60 miles. Trappers Greg Thomson and Leo Faro departed the island before the arrival of Tiglax on 22 August. Trappers from Chichagof Harbor periodically checked Blonde Cove traplines when there were not enough trappers on Island to man all the camps. Tiglax departed Attu with all the camp gear and remaining trappers on 27 August (App. B). Before trapping operation began, trappers gave Coast Guard personnel a briefing on the traps being used, demonstrating how they work, how their locations were marked and where they were likely to find traps. Around the Coast Guard Station and areas frequented by people and their one dog, no lethal M-44’s, snares or body-grip traps were deployed. Live traps were used mainly around the Coast Guard Station. A total of 2264 coil-spring leg-hold traps (size 1 ½), 79 Conibear body-grip traps, 46 neck snares, 46 live traps, and 31 M-44 sodium cyanine ejector devices were set on Attu in 1999. Also trappers used 6 semiautomatic .223 caliber carbines, 2 bolt-action .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire rifles. A 20 gauge shot gun was also available in each camp. Commercial fox lures and baits used included Carmen’s Call, Caven’s Canine Force, Caven’s Gusto, Caven’s Hiawatha Valley Predator Bait, Caven’s Minnesota Valley Predator Bait, Powder River Paste, Milligan Brand Steppenwolfe I, O’Gorman’s Government Call. Sometimes an available bird or fox carcass was used as bait at trap sets. Fox urine was also collected and used as an attractant. Trappers concentrated their efforts on the coastline where foxes often forage for food. Each camp had a 15 foot Avon Inflatable Workboat 460 or a 17 foot Avon Inflatable Workboat 520. The skiffs were the only way to access most of the traplines due to terrain and distance. Coastal topography in Abraham Bay restricted overland access to just camp beach, and trappers there relied solely on their skiff to do the work. During winter

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operations trappers did venture inland on skis and snow shoes but found fox sign to be scarce. Trappers from Abraham Bay skied over mountain passes into Temnac Valley, Etienne Bay trappers got up to Etienne Pass. As the snow melted fox sign was noted at some inland areas and traps were set. Trappers at Casco Cove used 2 All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and trapped interior areas by road. During the last 2 weeks at a camp, traps were checked, adjusted if necessary, and re-baited prior to closing down the camp. Traps were removed from areas likely to be used by people and pets. All M-44’s were removed from the island. Results and Discussion A total of 329 foxes were killed on Attu in 1999 (App. C). Approximately 48% were male and 46 % female (Table 1). Approximately 92 % of the mechanical devices deployed were leg-hold traps, and leg-holds accounted for 77% of foxes killed. Eleven percent of the foxes taken were shot (Table 2). Approximately 234 foxes were killed on the south side of the island, and 95 animals killed on the north side. The southeastern trapline, from Aboud Creek to Chirikov Point, had the highest density of foxes, the take more than twice any other trapline (Fig. 2). Approximately 32% of the foxes were killed during the first month we were on the island, 56% by the end of second month, and 81% by the end of the fourth month (App. D). Eight natal dens were found and 43 pups killed (Table 3, App. E). The last fox killed on the south side before the camps there were closed down was at the cave opposite Savage Island, in Temnac Bay, on 20 May. Working from Tiglax, trappers killed a fox at Etienne Bay on 27 June. A month later trappers working from Earle Cove hiked over the pass to Etienne Bay, stayed two nights, and saw no recent fox sign in the area and noted several dead gulls on the beach that had not been scavenged. Unscavenged beached animal carcasses coupled with lack of fresh fox sign, such as tracks, indicated potential successful eradication in given areas. For example, on 1 March an otter carcass attracted 3 foxes near Kearny Beach, but several bird carcasses went unmolested on beaches west of Krasni Point for several days in mid May. Fox sign was found at inland areas at Jarmin Pass, the Peace Monument and Lake Nichols on 27 May. On 19 May fox tracks were found coming out of Temnac Valley. However, trappers working up Kent Creek found no fox sign at all on 1 July. The last fox caught on Attu was in Sarana Bay, on 2 August. Despite efforts to conceal traps and bait trappers caught a number of non target species. Almost 72% of the non target species caught was the Norway rat. Avian non targets were: 1 Emperor goose, 4 Aleutian Cackling geese, 3 mallards, 1 cormorant, 7 glaucous-wing gulls, 5 common ravens. Only 1 bird was released alive, a glaucous-wing gull (App. F). Trappers removed leg-hold traps from areas that were observed to be frequented by the Aleutian Cackling goose, a species recently on the Endangered Species list. Trappers also documented more than 24 bird carcasses. All but one were on beaches and murres were the most numerous (12); 3 carcasses were oiled (App. G).

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Table 1. Gender of arctic foxes killed on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999. Gender Total % of Total Male 159 48 Female 152 46 Unknown 18 6 Table 2. Number of arctic foxes killed by method on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999. Method Total % of Total Leg-hold 254 77 Snare 7 2 Body-grip 11 3 Live trap 9 3 M-44 9 3 Shooting 37 11 Denning 1 >1 Other 1 >1 Table 3. Number of arctic fox pups killed at den sites on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999. Den Total Kreska Point 7 Earle Cove 5 Earle Creek 5 Rock Creek 5 HWY den 4 Tower Cove 4 East trapline 8 West trapline 4 Bird Bight 1

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Projected Recovery of Native Birds Endemic avian populations on Attu have been pressured by 2 introduced predators, arctic foxes and Norway rats. Although foxes also prey on rats they do not regulate rat populations (Sinclair et. al 1990, Korpimaki et. al 1998, Blackwell et. al 2001). Rats will continue to be a limiting factor on some bird species, such as burrow nesters and some smaller ground nesting birds. However, observations at rat infested Amchitka and Adak Islands, where foxes have been removed or significantly reduced; indicate waterfowl, loons, geese, jaegers, terns, ptarmigan and even winter wrens have increased noticeably. Hence the removal of one tier of introduced predators should ease the pressure on a number of avian populations at Attu. Loons.--- common loons are thought to nest historically on Attu (Murie 1937). Common loons were sighted several times in the deep bays on Attu’s south side, and large lakes, like Lake Nichols and Etienne Lake, could accommodate this species nesting preference. Red-throated loons were seen on small ponds and flying along river valleys where good nesting habitat is found. This species was found nesting on Nizki Island after foxes were eradicated there (Thomson et al. 1992). Geese.--- Attu Island is within the historical breeding grounds of Aleutian Cackling geese (Byrd and Woolington 1983). Introducing predatory foxes to their nesting range resulted in near extinction of the species. Geese only survived on only a few islands where foxes were not introduced. In the Near Islands, introduced foxes have been removed from Agattu and the Nizki-Alaid Islands, and geese have been successfully translocated to the islands, and they are thriving. Although there are no plans to translocation geese to Attu, it is possible geese could return to breed on this island now that foxes have been removed (see Fox Rechecks 2000-2004, p.12). Also, migrating and non breeding geese, such as Emperor geese, will benefit from fox free Attu Ducks.--- Although trappers often saw various species of ducks (mallards, teal, pintails, goldeneyes, harlequins, oldsquaws, scoters, eiders) on lakes and in nearshore and offshore waters, only 3 mallard nests and 2 common eider nests, and 1 eider brood, were seen on Attu in 1999. Attuans told Murie that scaup nested on the island before foxes were introduced (Murie 1937). The numbers of nesting common eiders rose dramatically on Nizki-Alaid after the removal of foxes. (Thomson 1992). Undoubtedly ducks have more success nesting on fox free Attu. Seabirds.--- One small colony of terns has remained on Attu since Murie saw it in 1937. Several colonies of ledge nesters (murres, kittiwakes, cormorants) are scattered along Attu’s coast at areas inaccessible to foxes. Burrow nesting seabirds (tufted puffins, ancient murrelets, storm petrels) are still breeding on offshore islands. Although rats may limit the recovery of burrow nesters on mainland Attu, the opportunity of ledge nesters ground nesting sea birds to expand is greater now.

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Ptarmigan.--- Ptarmigan have persisted on several Aleutian Islands despite the presence of foxes. Evermann’s rock ptarmigan was once found on all the Near Islands, but now only inhabits Attu. Prior to 1999, the refuge estimated only 1000 birds were on Attu (Ebbert Proposal, 2002). Although trappers saw ptarmigan throughout Attu, only a half dozen sightings of broods were reported in 1999. This species is expected to increase with the removal of foxes. In 2003, the refuge began an effort to establish a population of ptarmigan on Agattu by translocating birds there from Attu. WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS Methods Observations of bird and marine mammal species we recorded daily incidental to the fox work. The level of detail and extent of observation effort varied. The summary below is based on regular observations by Thomson supplemented by incidental records from other trappers. Counts were made opportunistically at seabird colonies and sea lion haulouts and rookerys. Large flocks of geese and ducks and numbers of seabirds were generally estimated not counted. Nests and their contents were recorded, as were chicks and fledglings, however only the general location was recorded and habitat was not usually documented. The arrival and departure dates of migratory birds were noted, as was plumage change. Results Seventy one species of birds were observed on Attu. There was evidence of 11 bird species breeding on Attu, including mallard, common eider, black-legged kittiwake, murres rock ptarmigan, song sparrow, Lapland longspur and common raven. Colonial ledge nesting black-legged kittiwakes and murres were the most obvious breeding birds seen at Attu. Counts of the Cape Wrangell colony are found elsewhere (App. H) Few nests of ground nesting birds were found. We found no evidence of burrow nesters on Attu proper. Emperor geese, present on island in abundance when we were deployed on island, were seen daily to the beginning of April when sightings became more sporadic. The last sighting of this species was 7 May. The first sighting of migrating Aleutian cackling geese was 23 April. The first sighting of the season for Lapland longspur was 9 May. The first tufted puffin in breeding plumage was noted on 2 May. Interesting sightings include spectacled eider, king eider, smew, white-tailed eagle, black-crowned night heron, terek sandpiper, Ross’s gull, common cuckoo, yellow wagtail, black-backed wagtail, olive-backed pipit, arctic warbler, Siberian rubythroat, rustic bunting and brambling (App. H). We observed 8 species of marine mammals. Three sea lion haul / rookerys were noted. Counts were made opportunistically (App. H). Although we had numerous sightings of harbor seals and sea otters throughout the season, almost no pups were sighted. Interesting sightings include harbor porpoise and gray whales.

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FOX RECHECKS 2000 - 2004 Trappers and FWS personnel have returned to Attu to look for fox sign since the 1999 field season. In 2000, 2 fox carcasses were found in traps. Otherwise, no fox sign has been reported. The evidence is that the fox eradication effort on Attu in 1999 was a success. From 29 March to 12 April 2000 trapper Gerald Masolini and Ralph Lohse, WS, searched the Massacre Bay area, from Krasni Point to Alexai Point. No fox sign was found, and a dead sea otter and dead common eider did not attract scavenging foxes. Gerald reported that more ptarmigan were observed then the previous year, a personal observation concurred with by veteran Attour birders. Six common eider nests found and 2 active raven nests. Aleutian Islands Unit Biologist Jeff Williams specifically looked for fox sign on Attu on 17-19 July 2003. He walked the sand beaches at Etienne Bay, Abraham Bay, Steller Cove and Byrd Bight. He found no fox sign. Of note however were 2 broods of Aleutian cackling geese on the beach at Steller Cove (Byrd et al. 2003). Although not searching intensely for fox sign, other FWS personnel working projects on Attu have reported no fox sign: Rock Ptarmigan capture crews, including trapper Steve Ebbert, were on Attu 2003 and 2004 for several days. FWS Archeologists were at Austin Cove 2002 and Massacre Bay in 2003 (Debbie Corbett, pers. comm.). In addition, Coast Guard personnel at the Attu Loran Station have not reported seeing any foxes. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The fox removal project was a cooperative effort between U. S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services (WS), and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Corey Rossi, WS, selected 8 of the 10 trappers, and Jon Spiegel, WS, provided training. Steve Ebbert, FWS, was the project leader and supervised all aspects of the field season’s planning, budgeting, preparation, logistics, and implementation. Dave Sennitt, WS, packed the field gear. Captain Kevin Bell and crew of M/V Tiglax transported most of the trappers to and from Attu. The Commander Dave Fowler and personnel of the U. S. Coast Guard Loran Station, Attu, provided support, flights to and from Attu, and overall generous hospitality of their station, including meals, telephone service and showers. The staff of the Alaska Maritime NWR, Aleutians Islands Unit, Jeff Williams, Jenna Mueller, Lisa Scharf and Craig Hill, provided radio and logistical support throughout the season. Chris Brockman, Steve Ebbert, Leo Faro, John Garrison, Pat Gray, Jerry Guthrie, Gerald Masolini, Peter Masolini, Jon Spiegel and Greg Thomson trap the island.

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LITERATURE CITED Bailey, E.P. 1993. Introduction of foxes to the Aleutian Islands—history, effects on

avifauna, and eradication. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Resour. Publ. 193, Wash D.C. 55 pp.

Black, Lydia T. 1984. Atka, An Ethnohistory of the Western Aleutians. Limestone Press,

Kingston, Ontario. Blackwell, G.L., M.A. Potter, E.O. Minot. 2001. Rodent and predator population dynamics

in an eruptive system. Ecological Modelling, Vol. 142, No. 3. Camp logs. 1999. Casco Cove and Kearny Beach, Attu Island, camp logs. Unpubl. files,

AMNWR. Ebbert, Steve 2002. Proposal to transplant rock ptarmigan from Attu to Agattu Island,

Aleutians. Unpubl. files, AMNWR. Byrd, G. V., J. C. Williams. 2003. Cormorant surveys in the Near Island group, Aleutian

Islands, Alaska, in July 2003, with notes on other species. U. S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep. AMNWR 03/13.

Coxe, William. 1966. The Russian Discoveries Between Asia and America. Readex

Microprint Corporation. Garfield, Brian. 1969. The Thousand Mile War. Doubleday, Garden City, New York. Korpimak, E. and K. Norrdahl. 1998. Ecology, Vol. 79, No. 7. Masterson, James R. and Helen Bower 1948. Bering's Successors, 1745-1780,

contributions of Peter Simon Pallas to the History and Exploration toward Alaska. University of Washington Press.

Narochnitskii et. al., editor. 1989. Nizhnekamchatsk, Russkie ekspeditsii

poizucheniiusevernoi chasti Tikhogo okeana vo vtoroi polovine XVIII v. Sbornik dokumento.

Oliver, Ethel Ross. 1988. Journal of an Aleutian Year. University of Washington Press. Orth, Donald J. 1967. Dictionary of Alaska Place Names. 1967. Geological Survey

Professional Paper 567. United States Department of Interior. Shiels, Archie W.1949. Little Journeys into the History of Russian America and the

Purchase of Alaska. Buckram.

14

Sinclair, A.R.E., P.D. Olsen, T.D. Readhead. 1990. Can Predators regulate small mammal populations? Evidence from house mouse outbreaks in Australia. Oikos, Vol. 59.

Sowls, A. L., S. A. Hatch, and C. J. Lensink. 1978 Catalog of Alaskan seabird colonies. U.

S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological Services-Coastal Ecosystem, Anchorage, Alaska. 153pp.

Swanson, Henry.1982. The Unknown Islands. Cuttlefish VI. Talbot, S. S., Talbot, S.L. 1994. Numerical Classification of coastal vegetation of Attu

Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Journal of Vegetation Science. 5:867-876. Thomson, G. and T. Staudt. 2004. Bird and mammal observations on Nizki and Alaid

Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska in 1992. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep., AMNWR 04/02. Homer, Alas. 95 pp.

United States Coast Guard, 1973. Seventeenth Coast Guard District. General Information

Relating to the Loran Transmitting Station Attu. AMNWR Files. United States Department of Commerce. 1995. U.S. Coastal Pilot, book 9 (17th ed.) Wash.

D.C. West, D. L., C. Lefevre, D. Corbett and S. Crockford. 2003. A burial cave in the western

Aleutian Islands. Arctic Anthropology, 35(1): 223-233. Williams, J. C., Tom Paragi, and G. Thomson. 1991. A reconnaissance of selected

Aleutian Islands for future fox eradication. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Rep AMNWR 07/03. Adak, Alas. 125 pp.

15

APPENDICES

16

Appendix A. Aleutian Island Reservation Trapping Permit # 166 for Attu Island, Alaska Pelts takena Year Permittee Blue White Pelt value $ 1931 Attu Native Community 350 3 9,037.50 1932 Attu Native Community 76 2 1,925.00 1933 Attu Native Community 316 7 6,390.00 1934 Attu Native Community 35 1 1070.00 1935 Attu Native Community 241 16 6410.00 1936 Attu Native Community 20 0 600.00 1937 Attu Native Community 43 3 1327.50 1938 Attu Native Community 219 11 6707.50 1939 Attu Native Community 14 0 308.00 Total 1314 43 33,775.50 aArctic fox, blue and white phase

Attu village, Alaska 1934, U.S. Navy Photograph.

17

Appendix B. Time schedule related to fox trapping on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999 Date Event Days on Attu --- Dave Sennitt begins packing gear in Homer --- WS trappers arrive in Homer 1 Feb Greg Thomson arrives in Homer 9 Feb Load M/V Tiglax with Attu south camp gear 10 Feb Safety orientation aboard Tiglax 11 Feb Tiglax departs Homer --- Trappers fly to Adak 18 Feb Tiglax arrives Adak, departs with trappers for Kanaga 19-21 Feb Fox recheck at Kanaga 23 Feb Tiglax arrives Attu 24-26 Feb Begin deploying fox camps on Attu …………………………………1 13 May Load M/V Tiglax with Attu north camp gear 22 May Trappers Ebbert and Gutherie leave Adak aboard Tiglax 22-25 May Fox recheck at Kanaga 26 May Fox recheck at Great Sitkin, Tiglax hits rock, Attu support delayed 1 June Etienne and Abraham trappers move to Kearny Beach camp ……… 97 2 June Begin shuttling gear to Casco Cove 6 June Al trapper at Casco Cove 6 June Steve Ebbert and Jerry Gutherie arrive Attu ………………………... 102 10 June Begin shuttling gear to Chichagof Harbor ………………………….. 106 20 June Trappers deploy Blonde camp ……………………………………… 116 22 June Tiglax arrive Attu, begins fox support ……………………………… 118 25 June John Garrison departs Attu …………………………………………. 121 26 June Deploy Earle camp …………………………………………………. 122 30 June Deploy Bird camp …………………………………………………... 126 1 July Tiglax departs Attu 24 July Greg Thomson departs Attu ………………………………………… 150 12 Aug Leo Faro departs Attu ……………………………………………….. 169 24 Aug Chris Brockman departs Attu 22-27 Aug Tiglax arrives Attu, begins fox support, camp pick up ……………… 184 30 Aug Fox reconnaissance Tanaga, Kanaga fox recheck 1 Sept Tiglax arrives Adak, trappers depart ………………………………….189

18

Appendix C. List of arctic foxes killed on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999.

Number Date Campa Genderb Methodc Location Comments

1 27 Feb EB M L south Etienne Bay 2 27 Feb KB F Sh Elliot Beach 3 27 Feb KB M Sh Elliot Beach 4 27 Feb CC M Sh Casco Cove jetty 5 27 Feb CC M Sh Casco Cove jetty 5 total 6 1 Mar EB F Sh Etienne camp 7 3 Mar EB M L north Etienne Bay 8 3 Mar EB F L north Etienne Bay Stomach-rat & birds 9 3 Mar EB M L south Etienne Bay 10 4 Mar EB F L north Etienne Bay 11 5 Mar EB M L south Etienne Bay 12 1 Mar AB M M-44 AEMO 13 3 Mar AB F L AEOS 14 6 Mar AB F L AE2 15 1 Mar KB M M-44 camp to wood barbe 16 1 Mar KB M M-44 above Barge Beach 17 1 Mar KB F Sh Theodore Point 18 1 Mar KB M M-44 above Elliot Beach 19 2 Mar KB M L near Elliot Beach 20 2 Mar KB F L near Elliot Beach 21 2 Mar KB F Sh Back Door Cove 22 2 Mar KB M Sh Sanders Point 23 2 Mar KB F Sh Dead Sea Otter Cove 24 3 Mar KB F M-44 Theodore Point 25 3 Mar KB M L Theodore Point 26 5 Mar KB F Sh Sanders Point 27 5 Mar KB M L south of Sanders Pt. 28 5 Mar KB F L south of Sanders Pt. 29 5 Mar KB M L south of Sanders Pt. 30 5 Mar KB M L south of Sanders Pt. 31 28 Feb CC U L Casco-Murder Point 32 28 Feb CC U L Casco-Murder Point 33 28 Feb CC U L Casco-Murder Point. 34 1 Mar CC U L Casco-Murder Point

Continued…

19

App. C. Continued.

Number Date Campa Genderb Methodc Location Comments

35 1 Mar CC U L Casco-Murder Pt 36 1 Mar CC F Sh Telephone Pole Cr. 37 1 Mar CC M Sh Krasni Point 38 2 Mar CC F LT Casco Point 39 3 Mar CC F LT inshore Loaf Island 40 3 Mar CC M LT Barabara Point 41 4 Mar CC M L Casco Cove 42 4 Mar CC M L Casco Cove 43 4 Mar CC F L Casco Cove 44 4 Mar CC M LT Casco Cove 45 4 Mar CC F LT Warehouse 46 4 Mar CC M LT Dock 1, Navy Town 47 5 Mar CC F L east Massacre Bay 48 5 Mar CC M L Murder to Krasni Pt. 49 5 Mar CC M M-44 Telephone Pole Cr. 50 5 Mar CC F M-44 east Telephone Pole 51 5 Mar CC F M-44 west Telephone Pole 52 6 Mar CC M L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 53 6 Mar CC M L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 54 6 Mar CC M L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 55 6 Mar CC F L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 56 6 Mar CC M L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 51 for week / 56 total 57 8 Mar EB M L south Etienne Bay Stomach-rat & birds 58 8 Mar EB F L south Etienne Bay Stomach-rat & birds 59 10 Mar EB M L north Etienne Bay 60 10 Mar EB F L north Etienne Bay 61 10 Mar EB F L north Etienne Bay 62 10 Mar EB M L north Etienne Bay 63 7 Mar AB M L VB4 64 7 Mar AB M L VB5 65 9 Mar AB F BG VB7 66 9 Mar AB F BG AB 13 67 7 Mar KB M L east side Nev. Bay 68 7 Mar KB M L east side Nev. Bay

Continued…

20

App. C. Continued.

Number Date Campa Genderb Methodc Location Comments

69 7 Mar KB F L east side Nev. Bay 70 10 Mar KB F L near Kaufman Creek 71 9 Mar CC M LT inshore Loaf Island 72 11 Mar CC M BG creek before Krasni 73 11 Mar CC M L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 74 11 Mar CC M L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 75 11 Mar CC F L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 76 11 Mar CC M L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 77 11 Mar CC F L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 78 11 Mar CC F L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 79 11 Mar CC M L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 80 11 Mar CC M Sh Massacre-Alexai Pt. 24 for week / 80 total 81 15 Mar EB M L Mikhail Point 82 19 Mar EB F L Military Beach 83 16 Mar AB F L Mikhail Point 84 16 Mar AB F L MJ4 85 16 Mar AB F L MJ6 86 15 Mar KB M L Temnac Beach 87 15 Mar KB M L Temnac Beach 88 15 Mar KB F L Temnac Beach 89 15 Mar KB F L Temnac Beach 90 15 Mar KB F L Temnac Beach 91 18 Mar KB F L Barge Beach 92 18 Mar KB F L Barge Beach 93 19 Mar KB F L Temnac Beach 94 14 Mar CC M L west of Murder Point 95 14 Mar CC M L head of Casco Cove 96 14 Mar CC F L Casco point 97 14 Mar CC M L east Casco Cove 98 14 Mar CC M L west Casco Cove 99 14 Mar CC M L west Casco Cove 100 16 Mar CC F LT Navy Cove Point 101 16 Mar CC F L Rathouse Rock 102 16 Mar CC F Stone Massacre-Alexai Pt.

Continued…

21

App. C. Continued.

Number Date Campa Genderb Methodc Location Comments

103 16 Mar CC M L Massacre-Alexai Pt. 104 20 Mar CC M L near camp 24 for week / 104 total 105 22 Mar EB F L north Etienne 106 22 Mar EB F L north Etienne 107 25 Mar EB M Sn north Etienne 108 25 Mar AB U U ML4 109 26 Mar AB M M Chuniksak Point 110 26 Mar AB F F Chuniksak Point 111 26 Mar AB M M Chuniksak Point 112 27 Mar AB M M CHJ8 113 22 Mar KB M M Theodore Point 114 25 Mar KB F F east side Nev. Bay 115 25 Mar KB U U east side Nev. Bay 116 27 Mar KB M M east side Nev. Bay 117 27 Mar CC M M Alexai Point 118 27 Mar CC M M Alexai Point 119 27 Mar CC M M Alexai Point 120 27 Mar CC M M Alexai Point 121 29 Mar EB M M north Etienne 122 29 Mar EB M M north Etienne 123 29 Mar AB F F AUC1 124 29 Mar AB M M ALO1 125 31 Mar AB M M CHL10 126 31 Mar AB F F CHL11 127 31 Mar AB F F CHL16 128 31 Mar AB F F CHJ8 129 31 Mar AB F F CHJ9 130 3 Apr AB M M ALO4 131 28 Mar KB F F east side Nev. Bay 132 31 Mar KB F F Temnac Beach 133 2 Apr KB F F Nev. spike camp 134 2 Apr KB F F Nev. Spike camp 135 30 Mar CC M M Navy Cove point 136 31 Mar CC F F Massacre Bay

Continued…

22

App. C. Continued.

Number Date Campa Genderb Methodc Location Comments

137 31 Mar CC M L Alexai Point 138 31 Mar CC M L Alexai Point 139 31 Mar CC M L Alexai Point 140 31 Mar CC M L Alexai Point 141 31 Mar CC F L Alexai Point 142 32 Mar CC F L Alexai Point 22 for week / 142 total 143 5 Apr EB F L north Etienne 144 5 Apr EB F L north Etienne 145 8 Apr EB M Sh Cape Wrangell 146 8 Apr EB F L Cape Wrangell 147 8 Apr EB F L Military Beach 148 8 Apr EB F L Military Beach 149 8 Apr EB M L Military Beach 150 8 Apr EB M L Military Beach Oiled fur 151 8 Apr EB M L Military Beach 152 8 Apr EB M L Military Beach 153 8 Apr EB F L Etienne Head 154 8 Apr AB F L Etienne Head 155 8 Apr KB F L CHJ09 156 5 Apr KB M L East side Nev. Bay 157 8 Apr KB M L east Temnac Bay 158 8 Apr KB F L east Temnac Bay 159 8 Apr KB M L east Temnac Bay 160 5 Apr CC M Sh east Temnac Bay 161 5 Apr CC F L Alexai Point 162 5 Apr CC F L Alexai Point 163 5 Apr CC U L Alexai Point 164 5 Apr CC F L Alexai Point 165 5 Apr CC F L Alexai Point 166 5 Apr CC F L Alexai Point 167 5 Apr CC M L Alexai Point 168 5 Apr CC M L Alexai Point 169 9 Apr CC M L Massacre Beach 170 9 Apr CC M L Alexai Point Continued…

23

App. C. Continued.

Number Date Campa Genderb Methodc Location Comments

171 9 Apr CC M L Alexai Point 172 9 Apr CC F L Alexai Point 173 9 Apr CC M L Alexia to Thief Cove 174 9 Apr CC F L Alexia to Thief Cove 175 9 Apr CC F L Alexia to Thief Cove 176 9 Apr CC M L Alexia to Thief Cove 177 9 Apr CC M L Alexia to Thief Cove 178 9 Apr CC F L Alexia to Thief Cove 179 9 Apr CC F L Sarana Bay 37 For week / 179 total 180 12 Apr EB M L Military Beach 181 12 Apr EB F L Military Beach 182 12 Apr EB M L Etienne Head 183 15 Apr EB F L Etienne camp beach 184 12 Apr AB F L CHW01 5 for week / 184 total 185 18 Apr EB M L Cape Wrangell south 186 18 Apr EB M L Cape Wrangell north 187 18 Apr EB F L Cape Wrangell north 188 18 Apr EB F L Cape Wrangell south 189 18 Apr EB M L west of Military 190 18 Apr EB F L west of Military 191 18 Apr EB M L Cape Wrangell south 192 18 Apr EB M L Cape Wrangell south 193 18 Apr EB F L Cape Wrangell south 194 18 Apr EB F L Cape Wrangell south 195 18 Apr EB F L Etienne Head 196 19 Apr EB M L Mikhail Point 197 18 Apr AB F BG UB7 198 18 Apr AB F BG MHL09 199 19 Apr AB M Sn CHL09 200 22 Apr AB M L EAL05 201 22 Apr AB F L EAL02 202 23 Apr AB F BG ABL42 203 23 Apr AB M BG ABL43 204 23 Apr AB M L ABL1/2

Continued…

24

App. C. Continued.

Number Date Campa Genderb Methodc Location Comments

205 18 Apr KB F L Temnac River 206 24 Apr CC M L Murder Point 22 for week / 206 total 207 28 Apr AB U M-44 ABM03 208 25 Apr CC M L north Massacre Bay 209 26 Apr CC M L north Massacre Bay 210 26 Apr CC F L Massacre – Alexai 4 for week / 210 total 211 3 May EB F L Cape Wrangell north 212 3 May EB F L Cape Wrangell north 213 3 May EB M L Cape Wrangell north 214 3 May EB M L Cape Wrangell north 215 3 May AB M L CHWL02 216 4 May AB F L CHWJO2 217 ------- AB U L MJ07 218 4 May KB M L east side Nev. Bay 219 3 May CC F L Buchanan Head 220 3 May CC M L Buchanan Head 221 3 May CC F L Chirikof Point 222 3 May CC F L Chirikof Point 223 3 May CC U L Chirikof Point 224 3 May CC F L McCloud Head 225 3 May CC M L McCloud Head 226 4 May CC M L Little Thief Cove 227 4 May CC M L Little Thief Cove 228 4 May CC F L Little Thief Cove 229 5 May CC F L Little Thief Cove 230 5 May CC F L Little Thief Cove 231 5 May CC F L Little Thief Cove 232 5 May CC M L Little Thief Cove 233 5 May CC M L Little Thief Cove 234 5 May CC F L Little Thief Cove 235 5 May CC M L Little Thief Cove 236 5 May CC F L Little Thief Cove 237 5 May CC M L Little Thief Cove 238 7 May CC F L Massacre Bay north

Continued…

25

App. C. Continued.

Number Date Campa Genderb Methodc Location Comments

239 7 May CC F L east Hidalgo Cove 29 for week / 239 total 240 20 May KB F L cave by Savage Is. 241 22 May CC M L Thief Pass Creek 2 for week / 241 total 242 10 Jun CH F L Chichagof Harbor 243 10 Jun CH M L Chichagof Harbor 244 10 Jun CH F L Chichagof Harbor 245 10 Jun CH M L Chichagof Harbor 246 10 Jun CH M L Sarana Bay 247 10 Jun CH M L Sarana Bay 248 10 Jun CH M L Sarana Bay 249 10 Jun CH M L Sarana Bay 250 10 Jun CH M L Sarana Bay 9 for week / 250 total 251 13 Jun CH M L west Holtz Bay 252 13 Jun CH M L west Holtz Bay 253 13 Jun CH M Sh Holtz-Blonde Cove 254 13 Jun CH M L east Holtz Bay 255 13 Jun CH M L east Holtz Bay 256 14 Jun CH F L west Holtz Bay 257 14 Jun CH F L west Holtz Bay 258 15 Jun CH M L west Holtz Bay 259 17 Jun CH M L Chich.-Cape Kleb. 260 17 Jun CH F L Chich.-Cape Kleb. lactating 261 17 Jun CH F L Chich.-Cape Kleb. lactating 262 17 Jun CH M Sn Chich.-Cape Kleb. 263 18 Jun CH F L east of Austin Cove 264 18 Jun CH M L Waterfalls Creek 265 18 Jun CH F L Chichagof to Sarana 15 for week / 265 total 266 20 Jun BC M Sh Blonde Cove 267 20 Jun BC M L Blonde Cove 268 21 Jun BC F BG Blonde Cove 269 21 Jun BC F Sh Brunette Cove 270 21 Jun BC U Sh Brunette Cove 271 21 Jun BC F Sh Auburn Cove 272 21 Jun BC F Sh Redhead Cove

Continued…

26

App. C. Continued.

Number Date Campa Genderb Methodc Location Comments

273 22 Jun BC F Sh Beyond 274 22 Jun BC M Sh Sleepy Fox 275 22 Jun BC M Sh Sleepy Fox 276 22 Jun BC M Sh Earle Point 277 22 Jun BC F Sh Sleepy Fox lactating 278 20 Jun CH M L east Holtz 279 20 Jun CH F L east Holtz lactating 280 20 Jun CH F L east Holtz lactating 281 20 Jun CH U L near Point Able 16 for week / 281 total 282 30 Jun BC F L Austin Cove 283 30 Jun BC M L Blonde to Austin 284 30 Jun BC M L Blonde to Austin 285 2 Jul BC M L Brunette Cove 286 2 Jul BC M L Auburn Cove 287 3 Jul BC F BG Blonde Cove 288 3 Jul BC F L Blonde Cove 289 27 Jun EC M Sh west of Earle Cove 290 28 Jun EC F D east of Earle Cove 291 28 Jun EC F Sh east of Earle Cove 292 28 Jun EC F L east of Earle Cove 293 29 Jun EC F Sh Tower Cove 294 30 Jun EC M L near Redhead 295 30 Jun EC F L near Redhead 296 30 Jun EC F L near Redhead 297 1 Jul EC M L west of Earle Cove 298 1 Jul EC F L west of Earle Cove 299 1 Jul EC F L west of Earle Cove 300 1 Jul EC M Sn west of Earle Cove 301 2 Jul EC F Sn east of Earle Cove 302 2 Jul EC F L east of Earle Cove 303 2 Jul EC F L east of Earle Cove 304 2 Jul EC M L east of Earle Cove 305 2 Jul EC M L east of Earle Cove 306 2 Jul EC M L east of Earle Cove

Continued…

27

App. C. Continued.

Number Date Campa Genderb Methodc Location Comments

307 27 Jun EB F L south Etienne 308 1 Jul BB M Sh east Bird Bight 309 2 Jul BB M Sh west Bird Bight 310 2 Jul BB F Sh west Bird Bight 311 3 Jul BB F BG Camp den 312 3 Jul BB F L east trapline 313 29 Jun CH F L west Holtz 314 30 Jun CH M L Khlebnikof Point 315 7 Jul CH U L Goltsov to Waterfall 316 7 Jul CH U L Goltsov to Waterfall 317 7 Jul CH U L Goltsov to Waterfall 318 7 Jul CH U L Goltsov to Waterfall 319 8 Jul BC M L Blonde to Austin 320 8 Jul BC M L Austin Cove 321 9 Jul BC F L Brunette Cove 322 5 Jul EC M L Tower Cove 323 5 Jul EC M Sn Tower Cove 324 16 Jul CH F L Lake Canirco 325 12 Jul BC F L near Redhead Cove 326 12 Jul BB U L east trapline 327 14 Jul BB F L east trapline 328 18 Jul BB M L Waterfall 329 2 Aug CH F L Sarana Bay

28

Appendix D. Weekly trap count and foxes killed by method on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999. Fox Kills Week / Method Traps Deployed Method Weekly Total To Date Total % of Total 21-27 February 5 5 Leg-hold trap 27 1 Neck snares 2 0 Body-grip traps 0 0 M-44 7 0 Live traps 10 4 Shooting 28 Feb – 6 Mar 51 56 Leg-hold trap 202 28 Neck snares 5 0 Body-grip traps 4 0 M-44 30 8 Live traps 24 7 Shooting 8 7-13 March 24 80 Leg-hold trap 324 19 Neck snares 5 0 Body-grip traps 5 3 M-44 31 0 Live traps 27 1 Shooting 1 14-20 March 24 104 32 Leg-hold trap 443 22 Neck snares 6 0 Body-grip traps 5 0 M-44 31 0 Live traps 28 1 Shooting 1 Continued...

29

App. D. Continued. Fox Kills Week / Method Traps Deployed Method Weekly Total To Date Total % of Total 21-27 March 16 120 Leg-hold trap 536 10 Neck snares 8 1 Body-grip traps 5 0 M-44 28 0 Live traps 28 0 Shooting 5 28 Mar – 3 Apr 22 142 Leg-hold trap 573 19 Neck snares 8 1 Body-grip traps 7 1 M-44 31 0 Live traps 38 1 Shooting 1 4 -10 April 37 179 Leg-hold trap 676 35 Neck snares 17 0 Body-grip traps 11 0 M-44 32 0 Live traps 28 0 Shooting 2 11 – 17 April 5 184 56 Leg-hold trap 688 5 Neck snares 17 0 Body-grip traps 14 0 M-44 31 0 Live traps 28 0 Shooting 0 Continued...

30

App. D. Continued. Fox Kills Week / Method Traps Deployed Method Weekly Total To Date Total % of Total 18 – 24 April 22 206 Leg-hold trap 852 17 Neck snares 22 1 Body-grip traps 18 4 M-44 31 0 Live traps 28 0 Shooting 0 25 Apr -1 May 4 210 Leg-hold trap 892 3 Neck snares 21 0 Body-grip traps 20 0 M-44 28 1 Live traps 32 0 Shooting 0 2 -8 May 29 239 Leg-hold trap 1068 29 Neck snares 23 0 Body-grip traps 21 0 M-44 27 0 Live traps 32 0 Shooting 0 9 – 15 May 0 239 Leg-hold trap 1139 0 Neck snares 23 0 Body-grip traps 25 0 M-44 6 0 Live traps 32 0 Shooting 0 Continued...

31

App. D. Continued. Fox Kills Week / Method Traps Deployed Method Weekly Total To Date Total % of Total 16 – 22 May 2 241 73 Leg-hold trap 1188 2 Neck snares 23 0 Body-grip traps 26 0 M-44 6 0 Live traps 32 0 Shooting 0 23 – 29 May 0 241 Leg-hold trap 1242 0 Neck snares 27 0 Body-grip traps 28 0 M-44 0 0 Live traps 32 0 Shooting 0 30 – 5 June 0 241 Leg-hold trap 1249 0 Neck snares 23 0 Body-grip traps 30 0 M-44 0 0 Live traps 32 0 Shooting 0 6 – 12 June 9 250 Leg-hold trap 1338 8 Neck snares 25 0 Body-grip traps 30 0 M-44 0 0 Live traps 32 0 Shooting 1 Continued...

32

App. D. Continued.

Fox Kills Week / Method Traps Deployed Method Weekly Total To Date Total % of Total 13 – 19 June 15 265 81 Leg-hold trap 1472 14 Neck snares 25 1 Body-grip traps 34 0 M-44 0 0 Live traps 29 0 Shooting 20 - 26 June 16 281 Leg-hold trap 1529 5 Neck snares 28 0 Body-grip traps 39 1 M-44 0 0 Live traps 35 0 Shooting 10 27 Jun – 3 Jul 33 314 Leg-hold trap 1750 22 Neck snares 36 2 Body-grip traps 60 2 M-44 0 0 Live traps 39 0 Shooting 6 Denning 1 4 – 10 Jul 9 323 Leg-hold trap 1978 8 Neck snares 44 1 Body-grip traps 60 0 M-44 0 0 Live traps 41 0 Shooting 0 Continued..

33

App. D. Continued. Fox Kills Week / Method Traps Deployed Method Weekly Total To Date Total % of Total 11 – 17 July 4 327 Leg-hold trap 2132 4 Neck snares 44 0 Body-grip traps 62 0 M-44 0 0 Live traps 41 0 Shooting 0 18 – 24 July 1 328 Leg-hold trap 2168 1 Neck snares 46 0 Body-grip traps 75 0 M-44 0 0 Live traps 43 0 Shooting 0 25 – 31 July 0 328 Leg-hold trap 2168 0 Neck snares 46 0 Body-grip traps 75 0 M-44 0 0 Live traps 46 0 Shooting 1 – 7 August 1 329 100 Leg-hold trap 2199 1 Neck snares 46 0 Body-grip traps 77 0 M-44 0 0 Live traps 46 0 Shooting 0 0 Continued...

34

App. D. Continued.

Fox Kills Week / Method Traps Deployed Method Weekly Total To Date Total % of Total 8 – 14 August 0 329 Leg-hold trap 2217 0 Neck snares 46 0 Body-grip traps 79 0 M-44 0 0 Live traps 46 0 Shooting 0 15 -21 August 0 329 Leg-hold trap 2219 0 Neck snares 46 0 Body-grip traps 79 0 M-44 0 0 Live traps 46 0 Shooting 0 22 -28 August 0 329 100 Leg-hold trap 2264 0 Neck snares 46 0 Body-grip traps 79 0 M-44 0 0 Live traps 46 0 Shooting 0

35

Appendix E. List of arctic fox pups killed on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999. Number Date Campa Genderb Methodc Location 1 1 July EC U Kesta Point 2 1 July EC U Keats Point 3 1 July EC U Kesta Point 4 1 July EC U Kesta Point 5 1 July EC U Kesta Point 6 2 July EC U Earle den 7 2 July EC U Earle den 8 2 July EC U Earle den 9 2 July EC U Earle den 10 2 July EC U Earle den 11 2 July EC U Earle Creek den 12 2 July EC U Earle Creek den 13 2 July EC U Earle Creek den 14 2 July EC U Earle Creek den 15 2 July EC U Earle Creek den 16 2 July EC U Rope Creek den 17 2 July EC U Rope Creek den 18 2 July EC U Rope Creek den 19 2 July EC U Rope Creek den 20 2 July EC U Rope Creek den 21 2 July EC U HWY den 22 2 July EC U HWY den 23 2 July EC U HWY den 24 2 July EC U HWY den 25 5 July EC U Tower Cove 26 5 July EC U Tower Cove 27 5 July EC U Tower Cove 28 5 July EC U Tower Cove 29 8 July EC U Kesta Point 30 8 July EC U Kesta Point 31 3 July BB U Sn East trapline den 32 3 July BB U Sh East trapline den 33 3 July BB U Sh East trapline den 34 3 July BB U Sh East trapline den 35 4 July BB U L Beach west of camp den 36 6 July BB F East trapline den 37 6 July BB M East trapline den 38 6 July BB M East trapline den 39 6 July BB U BG Bird den 40 6 July BB M East trapline den 41 10 July BB M Beach west of camp den 42 10 July BB F Beach west of camp den 43 10 July BB U Beach west of camp den aBB=Bird Bight, EC=Earle Cove. bM=male, F=Female, U=Unknown gender cBG=Body-grip trap, Sn=snare, D= denning.

36

Appendix F. List of non target species taken at Attu Island, Alaska in 1999. Species Total Datea Campb Method Norway rat 2 28 Feb - 6 Mar Casco L Norway rat 1 28 Feb - 6 Mar Casco L Emperor goose 1 7 - 13 March Etienne L Common raven 1 7 - 13 March Etienne L Norway rat 1 14 - 20 March Kearny L Norway rat 1 14 - 20 March Casco L Common raven 1 11 - 17 April Etienne L Norway rat 1 18 - 24 April Kearny L Glaucous-winged gull 1 18 - 24 April Kearny L Norway rat 4 25 April - 1 May Casco L Norway rat 2 25 April - 1 May Kearny L Norway rat 2 2-8 May Casco L Norway rat 1 2-8 May Kearny L Norway rat 1 2-8 May Abraham L Glaucous-wing gull 2 2-8 May Etienne L Aleutian Cackling goose 1 2-8 May Etienne L Norway rat 6 9-15 May Kearny L Aleutian Cackling goose 3 9-15 May Casco L Mallard 3 9-15 May Casco L Cormorant species 1 9-15 May Casco L Common raven 1 9-15 May Casco L Norway rat 6 9-15 May Kearny L Norway rat 1 9-15 May Casco L Norway rat 3 16-22 May Kearny L Norway rat 7 16-22 May Casco L Norway rat 3 23-29 May Kearny L Glaucous-wing gull 1 23-29 May Kearny* L Norway rat 1 23-29 May Etienne L Norway rat 3 23-29 May Casco L Norway rat 3 20-26 June Chichagof L Norway rat 3 4-10 July Chichagof L Norway rat 6 11-17 July Chichagof L Glaucous-wing gull 1 11-17 July Bird L Norway rat 3 18-24 July Chichagof L Glaucous-wing gull 1 18-24 July Bird L Norway rat 3 18-24 July Bird L Norway rat 1 25-31 July Chichagof L Norway rat 7 25-31 July Bird L Continued…

37

App. F. Continued. Species Total Datea Campb Method Norway rat 1 25-31 July Chichagof L Glaucous-wing gull 1 25-31 July Bird L Common raven 1 25-31 July Chichagof L Norway rat 2 1-7 August Bird L Norway rat 4 1-7 August Chichagof L Norway rat 1 8-14 August Bird L Norway rat 3 8-14 August Chichagof L Norway rat 8 15-21 August Bird L Norway rat 1 15-21 August Chichagof L Common raven 1 15-21 August Bird L Glaucous-wing gull 1 15-21 August Bird L aDate given is a weekly time frame and corresponds to App. C. bNon target occurred on given camp’s trapline. *Released unharmed

38

Appendix G. List of beached bird carcasses found on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999. Species Number Date Location Comments Emperor goose 1 26 February Etienne Bay Scavenged Pelagic cormorant 1 28 February Etienne Bay No oil Common murre 4 8 March Etienne Bay No oil, storm Least auklet 1 9 March Abraham Bay Exhausted, alive Common murre 2 29 March Etienne Bay No oil Murre species 1 1 April Abraham Bay Tufted puffin 1 1 April Abraham Bay Heavily oiled Northern fulmar 1 2 April Nevidiskov Bay Oiled carcass Unknown bird sp. 1 12 April Chuniksak Point Oiled carcass Thick-billed murre 1 15 April Etienne Bay Common murre 1 15 April Etienne Bay Murre species 2 15 April Etienne Bay Glaucous-wing gull 1 15 April Etienne Bay Pigeon guillemot 1 15 April Etienne Bay Glaucous-wing gull 2 15 April Abraham Bay Least auklet 1 15 April Abraham Bay Northern fulmar 1 17 April Etienne Bay Shearwater species 1 18 April Etienne Bay Murre species 2 19 April Etienne Bay Common murre 3 10 May Etienne Bay Northern fulmar 2 10 May Etienne Bay White phase bird Aleutian cackling goose 2 12 May Etienne Valley Cormorant species 2 22 July Murder point Glaucous-wing gull Several 27 July Abraham Bay Shearwater species Several 28 July Abraham Bay

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Appendix H. Annotated list of birds and marine mammals seen on Attu Island, Alaska in 1999. BIRDS Emperor goose (Chen canagica). This species was seen daily from our arrival on Attu on 24 February, through the first week of May. Numbers of birds observed usually from a few birds to over 2 dozen. The highest number of birds reported in a given area was 60, at Abraham Bay on 1 March. Southwest of Murder Point 20 birds were reported on 26 February. Trappers counted 12, 19, and 20 birds along Etienne Bay’s south shore on 25, 26 and 27 February, respectively. Along Etienne Bay’s north coast 45 birds were counted, including 27 at Goose Rocks, on 2 March. The next day 25 birds were counted there. Thirty four birds were seen at Goose Rocks on 10 March. Between 20 to 30 birds were at Mikhail Point on 9 April. Numbers of emperor geese began to decline by mid April; “very few emperors” was the report from Abraham Bay on 15 and 22 April. Only 9 birds were in Etienne Bay on 24 April and no emperor geese were seen along either coast of Etienne Bay on 26 April and 29 April. The geese persisted longer on the eastern end of Attu. On 21 April trappers reported “still quite a few emperors from Thief Pass to McCloud Head, but not so many in Casco Cove”. About 30 birds were in a small cove half way between Alexai Point and Chirikov Point, and another 30 birds at Thief Cove, on 5 May. The last sightings of Emperor geese was 4 birds on 7 May near Casco Cove. A bird with a broken wing was seen near Murder point on 22 April. Aleutian Cackling goose (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia). The first observations of these birds were on 23 April; 1 at Casco Cove and 1 in Abraham Bay. Two days later trappers at Kearny Beach saw a flock of 30 birds flying west and trappers at Abraham Bay also recorded 30 birds. Trappers counted flocks of 15, 12, 41, 7, 25, and 12 flying west by Kearny Beach on 26 April. Ten birds landed behind Kearny cabin on 30 April. By early May sightings were routine and in large numbers: 320 birds in Temnac Bay on 2 May, over 400 birds at Nevidiskov Bay on 3 May, and 250 birds at Alexai Point 5 May. On 2 May 28 birds were seen at Chuniksak Point and three flocks – 48, 30, 50 birds respectively, were counted Mikhail Point. Trappers saw several flocks, from 20 to 150 birds each, while working around Cape Wrangell on 3 May. Goose droppings were frequently observed on the ground at Cape Wrangell throughout the month of May. Aleutian cackling geese were observed on lake shores, beach dunes, and coastal slopes and elsewhere. On 18 May, in a group of 13 birds on the ground at Mikhail Point, one bird had a blue neck collar, with the numbers - - 4, possibly 784. The last recorded observation was a single bird in the mountains above Chichagof Harbor on 8 August. Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus). Two birds were at a pond near Casco Cove camp on 7 March. Trappers from Kearny Beach reported 14 birds on 23 April. One bird was seen at Casco Cove on 25 April. Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope). Four birds were seen near Kearny Beach on 23 May.

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Aleutian green-winged teal (Anas crecca nimia). Sighting of this species included 9 birds on a small pond near Etienne Lake on 16 May, 8 birds in Abraham Valley on 17 May, and 7 birds on Little Abe Lake on 19 May. Mallard (Anas platyrynchos). Mallards were seen swimming with common eiders near McCloud head on 21 April. Two birds were seen in Etienne Bay on 14 May and a pair was seen on a small pond near Etienne Lake on 15 May. A pair was seen off the north shore of Etienne Bay on 24 April. Two birds were seen on Little Abe Lake on 19 May Three drakes were on pond near Etienne cabin on 29 May. Trappers found 3 nests, one with 9 eggs near Kaufman Creek on 17 May, one with 7 eggs at Mikhail Point on 20 May and a nest in Nevidiskov Bay on 29 May. An adult with 3 chicks was seen at Goltsov Point on 13 July. Pintail (Anus acuta). Trappers saw 3 birds at Mikhail Point on 2 May. Tufted duck (Aythya fuligula). The only sightings of this species were 2 birds were on Little Abe Lake on 19 May and 3 males and 1 female that were seen near Abraham cabin on 22 and 23 May. Greater scaup (Aythya marila). This species was occasionally seen on small ponds and lakes in the broad coastal valleys and on adjacent bays. Reported sightings include a pair swimming on Abraham Bay and 6 birds on Little Abe Lake on 19 May, and 6 birds in Abraham Valley on 22 and 23 May. One was seen on a pond in Etienne valley on 20 May. Spectacled eider (Somateria fischeri). The only sighting was 1 bird at Alexai Point on 22 May. King eider (Somateria spectabilis). Two immature birds were seen at Temnac Bay on 26 and 29 April and 1 bird on 1 May. Four immature birds were seen in Nevidiskov Bay on 3 May. Common eider (Somateria mollissima). Common eiders were frequently seen in offshore waters, or swimming among nearshore reefs, and to a lesser extend, inland areas. The most noted in a single day was approximately 200 birds while boating from Etienne camp to Cape Wrangell on 16 March. Among the reefs at Mikhail Point there was always a flock of 20 to 40 birds from 7 March to 18 May. On 1 July 2 female birds flew off a river in Steller Valley heading inland on 1 July. About 50 birds were on the beach at Auburn Cove on 2 July. A nest with 3 eggs was found in Austin Cove on 11 July, and 3 eider chicks were seen in Steller Cove on 15 July. A nest with 2 eggs was found at 600 ft. elevation near Earle Cove on 17 July. Harlequin duck (Histrioicus histrioicus). Harlequin ducks were seen almost daily in nearshore waters. Most flocks varied in size from 8 to 25 birds. However, larger groups were counted: 62 birds along south shore of Etienne Bay on 23 April, 60 birds offshore from Etienne camp on 25 April, 71 birds seen from camp in Etienne Bay on 29 April, and 61 birds in Etienne Bay on 11 May.

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Long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis). Flocks ranging from 12 (27 February and 2 March) to 60 (17 April) birds were occasionally seen in Etienne Bay. Approximately 12 birds were seen in Temnac Bay on 15 March and again on 19 March Black scoter (Melanitta nigra). Between 27 February and 11 May flocks of these birds were sighted six times in Etienne Bay. Their numbers ranged from 4 to 17 birds. White-winged scoter (Melanitta fusca). At Etienne Bay 3 were seen 5 March and 2 were seen on 13 May. Fifteen were seen near Etienne Head on 24 May. Common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula). This species was seen occasionally at Etienne Bay from 2 birds to 12 birds. There were 12 at Goose Rocks (north coast Etienne Bay) on 4 March and again on 10 March. Smew (Mergellus albellus). There were only two sightings of this species: 1 male flying by Cape Wrangell on 15 May and a pair seen in Temnac Bay on 20 May. Red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator). A male in breeding plumage was in front of Etienne Bay camp on 14 May. There were 16 in Steller Cove on 15 July. Common merganser (Mergus merganser). One male was seen at Etienne Bay on 3 March and again on 16 March. A male and 1 female seen near Cape Wrangell on 8 April and the next day 1male and 1 female were at Mikhail Point. Rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus). This species was usually seen in upland areas of the island, although a few were seen in Abraham Valley on 30 March. Two all white birds were sighted in high mountains north of Etienne Bay on 15 April. Trappers at Abraham Bay reported seeing birds changing colors on 14 May; Of a pair seen in Abraham Valley on 28 May, the female was in breeding plumage, the male about 30% black (breeding plumage). Four birds were seen in upland areas above Blond Cove on 6 July and 2 family groups, one with 3 and one with 6 young, were seen in the upland areas behind Earle Cove on 9 August. Two adults and 2 downy chicks were seen above Auburn Cove on 12 July, and 2 broods, 6 juveniles in each, were seen in uplands area above Goltsov Point on 13 July. Two birds were seen at Theodore Point on 5 May. Red-throated loon (Gavia stellata). A bird in breeding plumage was seen in Etienne Bay on 14 May. There were 2 birds seen near Kaufman Creek on 17 May. One was seen on a pool outside Abraham cabin on 18 May. One bird flew into a pond formed by the river by Etienne cabin on the morning of 20 May and was there again on 26 May. There were 2 birds on a pond in the Steller River valley on 1 July. Two birds were seen in Auburn Cove on 9 July. Common loon (Gavia immer). There were 6 sightings of common loons at Etienne Bay: 1 on 5 March, 2 on 14 March, 1 on 23 April, 2 on 4 May, 3 on 18 May, and 3 on 19 May. Two were on Etienne Lake on 26 May. Abraham camp reported watching a seemingly hostile interaction between a common loon and red-throated loon. The red-throated loon

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took evasive action consisting of diving and finally flying away. One was seen in east Nevidiskov Bay on 13 April. Yellow-billed loon (Gavia immer). The only sighting was 1 bird in Temnac Bay on 18 April. Horned grebe (Podiceps auritus). There were only a few reported sightings of this species including 2 in front of Etienne Bay camp on 4 March, 1 at Cape Wrangell on 8 April, 1 at Mikhail Point on 9 April, and 2 in breeding plumages at Mikhail Point on 21 April. Laysan Albatross (Phoebastri immutabilis). One was seen offshore from Etienne Head on 24 May. Northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis). Thousands of birds were seen on offshore waters of the north coast from Steller Cove to Austin Cove on 11 July. Similar numbers were observed in a more extensive area of offshore waters, between Earl Cove and Chichagof Harbor, on 17 July. Red-faced cormorant (Phalcrocorax urile). We saw the first birds in breeding plumage near Military Beach on April 12. Trappers noted “numerous” red-faces in Temnac Bay on 20 April. There were birds attending nests in an incubating posture on the west side of Holtz Bay on 14 June, but we made no counts were made and the nest contents were not known. Pelagic cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelacius). We were seeing many birds in breeding plumage by 21 April. Three birds on nests in incubating posture at Etienne Head on 4 May. Unidentified cormorant (Phalacrocorax spp.). The most cormorants seen in a day was over 50 were noted while boating from Etienne camp to Cape Wrangell on 16 March. A nesting colony was seen on cliffs south of Sanders Point on 10 May, however no other details were described. Black-crowned night-heron (Nyctanassa violacea). This bird was observed on 30 March. He was hidden amongst large beach boulders on the southeast shore of Etienne Bay approximately one quarter mile from camp. The bird flew from the observer’s (Thomson) feet to approximately 100 feet distant where the following characteristics were noted for several minutes. Black cap with white lower forehead and face. The eyes were red. The upper back was black and the lower back gray. In flight orange feet trail behind the body, and there was a thin white strip down the middle back - the head plumes trailing? Also flew with neck crooked so head was against the body. White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) This bird was flying over Driftwood Beach, approximately 1 mile east of Etienne Head on April 24. White tail was very prominent against darker body and head; observed for about 2 minutes.

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Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). One bird was at Military Beach on 16 March and again on 27 March. One was seen in Abraham Valley on 30 March. One was seen in the Grand Canyon – 3.5 miles up Kent River in Steller Cove - on 1 July and another at Byrd Bight camp on 7 July. A was seen bird harassing unidentified dark colored eagle in Abraham Bay on 1 May. Possible nest sites were in Temnac Bay (5 April) Leo reports Peregrine nest on 12 April. Pacific golden plover (Pluvialis fulva). Two were seen in Etienne valley on 20 May, 2 were seen at Mikhail Point on 20 May, 6 were seen at Chuniksak Point on 21 May And 1 was seen by the Kearny crew on 15 May. Wood sandpiper (Tringa gareola). Two were seen near Etienne camp on 22 May and 1 was seen in a pass above Military Beach on 24 May. Long-toed stint (Calidris subminuta). One was seen near Etienne camp on 22 May. Ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres). One was seen at the mouth of Earle Creek on 9 August. Common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos). One was at Kearny Beach on 5 June. Terek sandpiper (Xenus cinereus). Birders from “Attours” showed the Casco Cove crew 1 bird on 29 May. Rock sandpiper (Calidris ptilocemus). One was seen in a pass above Military Beach on 24 May, 2 were seen on Abraham Bay camp beach on 11 May, and several were seen in Abraham Valley on 17 May. Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago). One was seen at Chuniksak Point on 2 May and 2 were seen by the Kearny crew on 15 May. Red-neck phalarope (Phalaropus labatus). Two were seen near Mikhail point on 18 May. Red phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius). Two were seen at Casco Cove on 30 May. Semipalmated plover (Charadrius smipalmatus). A lone bird was on Camp Beach from 23 to 26 May. Parasitic jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus). Two were at Chuniksak Point on 14 May. A dark phase and a light phase were seen at Mikhail Point on 18 May. On various days single birds were seen flying west of Austin Cove, near Earle Cove camp and upland areas behind Earle Cove camp. Ross’s Gull (Rhodostethia rosea). Birders from “Atours” group showed the Casco Cove Trappers this bird on 20 May.

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Mew Gull (Larus canus). One adult bird was on Etienne Camp beach on 29 & 30 April. Glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens). Several large groups were seen including 40 Etienne’s camp beach on 2 March, and again 78 were there on 13 May. About 80 were loafing and feeding in the intertidal area off the north side of Cape Wrangell on 3 May. There were 13 on Etienne Lake on 16 May. Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). There is a colony located on the south side of Cape Wrangell. Two consecutive counts birds on the cliffs were made on 15 May with numbers of 1280 and 1330, with 51 nests attended by adults. There were 200-300 birds here, with about half on the cliffs, on 27 March. Birds were first observed attending nests at Cape Wrangell on April 22 and noted again on 3 and 5 May. A small nesting colony was seen on nearshore pinnacles on the north side of Cape Wrangell on 5 May. An injured bird on a beach east of Earle Cove on 19 July Common murre (Uria aalge). Two were seen in Etienne Bay from the southeast shore on 26 February. Several were seen in Temnac Bay on 15 March. Trappers reported “many” in Earle Cove on 6 August. Murre spp. (Uria spp.) Single birds were seen at Etienne Bay on 4 March 1 and at Mikhail Point on 7 March. About a dozen seen at Military Beach (The Garrison) on 27 March. Over 100 were rafting near Cape Wrangell on 8 April, and by 3 May murres were on the cliffs in a cave there with nesting Black-legged kittiwakes there. About 300 were roosting on nearshore rocks at Middle Point, near Military Beach, on a fairly level surface, on 22 April and again noted on 3 May. Pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba). We saw very few birds of this species through the month of March, and sightings were only single birds. There were 4 birds in breeding plumage near Military Beach on 12 April. More birds were being observed in later April. About 15 were seen by Etienne trappers enroute to Cape Wrangell on 3 May. One dead bird was on Etienne Beach with other bird carcasses on 15 April. Marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus). Two were seen in Etienne Bay on 15 May. Kittlitz’s murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris). We saw dozens of this species between Kearney Beach and Casco Coves on 2 June. Ancient murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus ). The first one observed was on 27 March while boating in Etienne Bay. One was seen in Abraham Bay on 21 May. Two were seen at Temnac Bay on 19 March. Least auklet (Aethia cristatella). Trappers found an exhausted bird on Etienne Bay’s camp beach on 9 March after a wild storm. One was seen between Casco Cove and Kearny Camp on 7 May.

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Horned puffin (Fratercula cornicula). The first sighting of this species was near Etienne Head and in Abraham Bay on 14 May. Tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata). Very few birds of this species were seen before the month of May. The first bird in breeding plumage 2 May at Mikhail Point. There were 28 birds at Chuniksak Point on the same day. There were 20-30 birds at Cape Wrangell and 40 in the grass on a nearshore rock at Etienne Head on 3 May. This may be a relic breeding colony. Another colony was reported west of Kresta Point on nearshore rock, on 20 July. About 39 birds were seen along the east coast of Abraham Bay on 15 May. Numerous birds were seen between Casco Cove and Kearny Camp on 7 May. By June trappers were seeing many more puffins. Common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). One bird was seen near Casco Cove on 3 June. Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus). There were several sightings of lone birds of this species including 1 at Abraham Bay on 10 and 11 May, 1 near Kaufman Creek on 17 May, 1 in west Massacre Valley on 27 May and 1 in Holtz Bay Valley on 15 June. Common raven (Corvus corax). Two were seen high above the mountains from Etienne camp on 25 February and again the next day. Two were seen in Etienne Bay on 10 March And 2 were at Mikhail Point on 9 April. A pair was building a nest near Murder Point on 22 March and 3 April. There was a nest on north shore of Etienne Bay opposite Masolini Island on 21 April, but the contents could not be ascertained. There was a possible nest site in Temnac Bay on 5 April. Yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava). One was seen near Casco Cove on 3 June. Black-backed wagtail (Motacilla alba lugens). One was seen in Etienne Bay and another in Abraham Bay both on 10 May. Olive-backed pipit (Anthus gustavi). One was seen near Casco Cove on 3 June. Winter wren (Troglodytes troglodytes). Trappers recorded only one sighting of this resident species, a single bird on the south coast of Etienne Bay on 26 February. Arctic warbler (Phylloscopus borealis). There were 2 below Theodore Point on 3 June. Siberian rubythroat (Luscinia calliope). One bird was seen the evening of 1 June in Casco Cove and another near there on 3 June. Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia maxima). Trappers found a nest with 4 eggs at Mikhail Point on 20 May. In addition 3 song sparrow nests were found on 17 May near Kaufman Creek. Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). The first bird of the season was reported in Abraham Bay on 9 May. One was at Military Beach on 24 May. Two juveniles were

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observed in upland areas behind Steller Cove on 15 July. Several fledglings were seen at Blonde Cove on 8 July. Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica). Two were seen on 26 April in upland area west of Etienne camp. Two were seen by Abraham Bay trappers on 10 May. Snow bunting (Plectrophenx nivalis). Birds of this species were seen throughout the island, at high elevations to sea level. Several were observed in the Wrangell Mountains north of Etienne Bay on 15 April. Several birds were feeding about the Etienne cabin on 26 April. Twelve were counted in the mountains north of Etienne Bay on 11 May, and several were seen at Chuniksak Point on 14 May. Gray-crowned rosy finch (Leucosticte arctoa). Three were noted at Abraham Bay on 17 April and 2 were seen in the mountains north of Etienne Bay on 11 May. Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla). One male was seen on Abraham Bay beach on13 May and 2 were seen by the Etienne cabin the morning of 20 May. MARINE MAMMALS Dall porpoise (Phocoendoides dalli). Several animals followed the skiffs while hauling gear between Kearny Beach and Casco Cove on 6 June. Six swam with skiff near Austin Cove on 18 June. Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Two were seen in Temnac Bay on 20 May and 1 was seen near Tower Cove on 13 July. Killer whale (Orcinus orca). One bull was seen in Temnac Bay on 15 March. About 8 to 10 about a half mile offshore of Byrd Bight swimming east to west on 14 July. One killer whale was in Earle Cove on 12 August. Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). There were more then a dozen sightings of this species, all single animals, from 20 April through 11 August, all around the island. Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus). Two were within 75 m of shore at Abraham Bay on 29 May. They were seen both in the morning and the evening. One was seen just a few meters from the beach at Etienne camp on 30 May. Sea otter (Enhydra lutris). There were numerous sightings of otters throughout the season on Attu. The most counted in a day was 23 along the north shore of Etienne Bay on 11 May. Twenty were counted on this route on 26 April. Sea Otter Rocks was a favored location for otters in Etienne Bay, counts were 8 on 3 March, 13 on 4 March and 10 on 29 March. About 12 were at Masolini Island, east of Etienne Head, on 12 April. There were 16 animals counted at Mikhail Point on 2 May, and 6 were seen in Abraham Bay on 1 March. A young otter came ashore at Kearny Camp during a storm a walked by the cabin on 28 February.

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Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi). There were numerous sightings of this species. The highest count was 10 on an offshore rock at Blonde Cove on 3 July. Trappers from Kearny camp counted 9 animals Barge Beach on 27 May. At Mikhail Point 8 were counted on 7 March, 6 on 2 May and 4 on 18 May. At Etienne Head 6 were counted on 12 April and 7 on 18 April. Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). There were numerous sighting of sea lions through the coast of Attu. About 5 or 6 were on rock near Little Point on 18 March. Ten were at Theodore Point on 10 April. Counts at the haul out at Cape Wrangell south were 220 on 16 March, 275 on 8 April and 270 at Cape Wrangell on 18 April. Counts at the haul out at Cape Wrangell north were 104 on 3 May and185 on 21 May. At the rookery west of Kreska Point there were 60 to 70 on 13 July, 40 to 50 on 20 July, 16 including 3 pups on 24 July and 20 near Kreska Point on 8 August. At a haul out near Tower Cover there were 40 animals on 9 July, 30 on 13 July, 30 to 40 on 12 August. Of 4 bulls were seen at Tower Cove on 5 July, one had something tangled around his neck. A dead sea lion cow was found on the south side of Cape Wrangell on 28 July. Kearny trappers watched a sea lion eat cod on 22 May.

Sea lions at Cape Wrangell, 18 April 2005.

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Brunette Cove with Red Head in background, upper right, 1 July 1999.

Surfs up, Etienne Bay, March 1999.