kimu presentation
TRANSCRIPT
Kittlitz's Murrelet
Kodiak Island
Kodiak Island
Kodiak Island
3,595 square miles
Kodiak Island
3,595 square miles 2nd largest island in the US
Kodiak Island
3,595 square miles 2nd largest island in the US Population ~ 6,000
Kodiak Island
3,595 square miles 2nd largest island in the US Population ~ 6,000 Home to the Kodiak brown bear
Kodiak Island
Kodiak Island
3,595 square miles 2nd largest island in the US Population ~ 6,000 Home to the Kodiak brown bear Also home to the Kittlitz's murrelet
Kittlitz's Murrelet (KIMU)
Kittlitz's Murrelet (KIMU)
Small seabird
Kittlitz's Murrelet (KIMU)
Small seabird Lives up to 15 years
Kittlitz's Murrelet (KIMU)
Small seabird Lives up to 15 years Lives in ocean between Alaska and
Russia
Kittlitz's Murrelet (KIMU)
Small seabird Lives up to 15 years Lives in ocean between Alaska and
Russia Eats primarily fish
Kittlitz's Murrelet (KIMU)
Small seabird Lives up to 15 years Lives in ocean between Alaska and
Russia Eats primarily fish Nests inland
KIMU Nesting Habits
Nests on mountains in Alaska and Russia
KIMU Nesting Habits
Nests on mountains in Alaska and Russia Nests below a nest rock
KIMU Nesting Habits
KIMU Nesting Habits
Nests on mountains in Alaska and Russia Nests below a nest rock Lays one egg
KIMU Nesting Habits
Nests on mountains in Alaska and Russia Nests below a nest rock Lays one egg Breeds every 2 – 3 years
KIMU Nesting Habits
Nests on mountains in Alaska and Russia Nests below a nest rock Lays one egg Breeds every 2 – 3 years Starts breeding between 2 – 4 years old
KIMU Nesting Habits
Nests on mountains in Alaska and Russia Nests below a nest rock Lays one egg Breeds every 2 – 3 years Starts breeding between 2 – 4 years old Slow population growth ! ! !
A Vulnerable Species
Used to be an endangered species
A Vulnerable Species
Used to be an endangered species Taken off list recently
A Vulnerable Species
Used to be an endangered species Taken off list recently Vulnerable to habitat changes and
environmental disasters
Why Should We Study Them?
Vulnerable species
Why Should We Study Them?
Vulnerable species Mystery bird
Why Should We Study Them?
Vulnerable species Mystery bird Can tell us about ocean health and
fish quality
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
⅔ of Kodiak Island
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
⅔ of Kodiak Island 10th largest national wildlife refuge
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
⅔ of Kodiak Island 10th largest national wildlife refuge No public roads
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
⅔ of Kodiak Island 10th largest national wildlife refuge No public roads Mostly grassland and spruce forest with
some glaciers and tundra
Study Area
Study Area
Four camps
Study Area
Study Area
Four camps Only accessible by floatplane or
walking
Study Area
Four camps Only accessible by floatplane or
walking Closest ~ 3 miles apart
Study Area
Four camps Only accessible by floatplane or
walking Closest ~ 3 miles apart Farthest ~ 13 miles apart
Study Area
Four camps Only accessible by floatplane or
walking Closest ~ 3 miles apart Farthest ~ 13 miles apart Carried personal and group gear with
us
Study Area
Nest Searching
Searched for nests on scree
Nest Searching
Nest Searching
Searched for nests on scree Walked in line 15 feet apart
Nest Searching
Nest Searching
Searched for nests on scree Walked in line 15 feet apart Watched for adult to flush off nest
Nest Searching
Searched for nests on scree Walked in line 15 feet apart Watched for adult to flush off nest Routinely walked 6+ miles everyday
Nest Discovery
Weighed, measured, and floated egg
Nest Discovery
Nest Discovery
Weighed, measured, and floated egg Estimated egg hatch date
Nest Discovery
Weighed, measured, and floated egg Estimated egg hatch date Watched for predators
Nest Discovery
Nest Discovery
Weighed, measured, and floated egg Estimated egg hatch date Watched for predators Set up nest camera
Nest Discovery
Nest Discovery
Chick Checks
Returned to discovered nests after eggs hatched
Chick Checks
Returned to discovered nests after eggs hatched
Weighed and measured chick, if present
Chick Checks
Chick Checks
Returned to discovered nests after eggs hatched
Weighed and measured chick, if present Watched for predators
Chick Checks
Returned to discovered nests after eggs hatched
Weighed and measured chick, if present Watched for predators Banded chick if old enough
Chick Checks
Chick Checks
Returned to discovered nests after eggs hatched
Weighed and measured chick, if present Watched for predators Banded chick if old enough Inspected nest camera
Camp Life
Lived in a tent for 75 days
Camp Life
Camp Life
Lived in a tent for 75 days Worked with six other people
Camp Life
Camp Life
Lived in a tent for 75 days Worked with six other people No running water
Camp Life
Lived in a tent for 75 days Worked with six other people No running water No electricity
Camp Life
Lived in a tent for 75 days Worked with six other people No running water No electricity No cell service, only satellite phones
Camp Life
Camp Life
Lived in a tent for 75 days Worked with six other people No running water No electricity No cell service, only satellite phones Fished, played cards, and read in free
time
Camp Life
Camp Life
Lived in a tent for 75 days Worked with six other people No running water No electricity No cell service, only satellite phones Fished, played cards, and read in free time Never stopped eating
Camp Life
Outcome
Found 17 nests
Outcome
Found 17 nests 6 eggs hatched
Outcome
Found 17 nests 6 eggs hatched 4 chicks banded
Outcome
Found 17 nests 6 eggs hatched 4 chicks banded 3 chicks fledged
Questions?