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UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT d memoran urn U.S. FISH AND WI LDLI FE SERVICE

1011 E. TUDOR RD.

TO: Regional Office Units/Field Units Region 7

ANCHORAGE. ALASKA 99503 1907) 27~3800

SE

FROM:

SUBJECT:

Chief, Division of Endangered Species Region 7

DATE: 2 B MAR 1984

Observation of Endangered Species While Conducting Field Work

In the past, several Service biologists have observed endangered species while ·conducting field work for various programs and reported the sightings to this office. This information has increased our knowledge of the distribution of some of the listed species under our jurisdiction.

In Alaska, the five listed threatened and endangered species are:

1. 2. 3. 4. s.

Arctic peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus tundrius) American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) Aleutian Canada goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia) Eskimo curlew (Numenuis borealis) Short-tailed albatross (Diomedia albatrus)

STATUS

T E E E E

In addition, there are 30 plant species that are considered candidates for possible future listing as threatened or endangered. A list of these rare plants was sent to your office on February 28, of this year.

Peregrines are highly migratory and can potentially be observed throughout the state. During the breeding season, they are commonly associated with cliffs or bluffs overlooking rivers or other bodies of water. The Aleutian Canada goose breeds only in the western Aleutians but its stopover areas and migra­tion route(s) to the wintering grounds in California are unknown. The Eskimo curlew, though widely felt to be at the threshold of extinction, apparently survives in low numbers in the Northwest Territories. Recent sightings of this bird by Canadian Wildlife Service personnel and unconfirmed sightings in Alaska encourage us to continue the search. The Short-tailed albatross breeds on islands off Japan but ranges into coastal and offshore areas of Alaska.

To a ssist the Endangered Species Division in collecting information on these species, we request that you advise your staff, particularly all· field person­nel, of the importance of recording endangered species sightings . The infor ­mation we would most appreciate when a sighting is made includes date,

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specific location, the individual's behavior (e.g., vocal, defensive, forag­ing, etc.), and the age of the bird if known (e.g., adult Arctic and American peregrines are gray and white, immatures are bro~m). The attached sighting/ nest record form can be used to organize and report observations for pere­grines.

The following table provides general information on where endangered species and candidate plants may be encountered on Service lands:

2

Arctic & American P. Falcon

Aleutian Can. Goose

Eskimo Curlew

S-T­Albatross

Candidate Plants

Alaska Haritime

Alaska Peninsula

Arctic

Becharof

lnnoko

lzembek

Kanuti

Kenai

Kodiak

Koyukuk

No..,.:.tna

Selawik

Tetlin

Togiak

Yukon Delta

Yukon Flats

X X H

X ?

X H

?

X H

? ?

X

X

?

X

X

X H

X

X

X H

X

X Known or probable occurrence H Historical Record ? Possible occurence

X X

?

X

?

X

X

? X

X

3

For more specific information on endangered species, we h~ve a limited number of life history accounts for the above specits. These publications are avail­able on a loan basis from our Endangered Species office.

We also offer a reminder to review all Service activities for possible effects on threatened and endangered species. All activities which may affect these species must be reviewed through the Section 7 consultation process.

For questions, comments, or to report sightings, you may contact Dennis Money, Michael Amaral or Dan Benfield at 786-3435 in Anchorage; or Skip Ambrose at 456-Q239 in Fairbanks.

Thank you for your assistance.

' . -. . !~1e --------------------RAPTOP. SIGHTING/NEST RE CORD Date --------------------·,

.. species. _________________________________________ usn~s No. __________________ _

Lccation _____________________________________ __;Iat. ____ _:I.ong ·-------

Habitat Description~------------------------------------------------------

Nest Description: Cliff Tree Other -----------------------------------Substrate (or species)---------------------------------------------------

Height~-------__:Length/DBH~------~EA10Sure ________________ ___

Nest Height. ____________ ....;Distance to River _____________________ _

.Accessibili ty ____________ Distance to M3.jor Lakes ______________ __ _

Visibility ________________ __:Distance to Raptors ______________________ __

Fdjacent D:veloprrents

Dista.r">.ce to !bad or Trail ·-----------------------------------------Distance to Human Activity/Type _____________________ _

Land OWnership ________________________________________________________ _

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Photo, l-'.ap and/or Description:

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