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SITE NAME
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Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, USA
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| Contact details
(phone/fax//e-mail//address): |
| 907-786-3908/907-786-3641 // Christian_Dau@fws.gov // U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Management Division, Mail Stop 201, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503-6199, USA
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PROJECT DETAILS |
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Project name:
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Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Coastal Waterfowl Survey
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Start of survey:
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End
of survey: |
Team
size: |
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1.06
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10.06
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3
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WEATHER
CONDITIONS
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Weather conditions: |
| Ice and snow phenology was approximately 3-5 days later than in 1999 and 7 days later than normal. Minor flooding due to snowmelt and delayed run-off was reported. Ice-break took place around 3 June on coastal study area, and on 20 May on Kuskokwim-Yukon Rivers. All habitat became available by 2 June.
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| Date of 50%
snow-cover: |
15 May
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| Date of ice-break on
rivers: |
20 May
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| Date of final loss of
snow: |
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BIOTIC
CONDITIONS
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| Rodents abundance evaluation: |
high
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Breeding conditions:
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As reported by ground observers, Arctic Foxes were seen more often than normal and increased rates of nest depredation was recorded. According to subjective evaluation Arctic Skuas and Short-eared Owls were more abundant than normal.
Numbers of estimated breeding pairs of geese went down 20-22%, although nest phenology was approximately 3 days earlier than 1999.
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Rodent dynamics:
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| Tundra voles were abundant along coast to 15 km inland during nest surveys between 5 and 15 June.
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Rodent species recorded:
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| Latin | Abundance |
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| Microtus oeconomus | abundant |
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Summary
of fauna studies: |
| A study of distribution and abundance of swans, geese, brant, eiders and cranes were carried out.
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