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RESPONDENT
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Richard Anthony
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SITE NAME
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Yukon-Kuskokwim outer Delta south-west, Alaska, USA
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| Contact details
(phone/fax//e-mail//address): |
| (907)786-3508/(907)786-3636(f) // mike_Anthony@usgs.gov // Alaska Science Center, USGS, Biological Science Office, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA
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PROJECT DETAILS |
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Project name:
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Black Brant Video Nesting Survey
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Start of survey:
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End
of survey: |
Team
size: |
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6.06
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12.06
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2
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WEATHER
CONDITIONS
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| Date of ice-break on
rivers: |
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| Date of final loss of
snow: |
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BIOTIC
CONDITIONS
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| Rodents abundance evaluation: |
low
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Breeding conditions:
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| Despite a late onset of the breeding season (about 10 days later than recent years), in general conditions were good. Vole and fox populations were low (based on snap trapping 3 voles in 1080 trap nights at six sites in July and snow tracking of foxes along 360 km of snow machine transects in April); the occurrence of historically high coastal flooding in fall 2005 was the probable cause of these low populations in 2006. Total number of brant nests was fewer than 2005. Nineteen foxes were trapped in a 54 km2 area at the Tutakoke River colony; consequently, nest losses to foxes were negligible compared to 2005. Although 8 foxes were trapped on Kigigak Island (as in 2005), estimated number of nests there were reduced from 2005. Number of nests at Kokechik Bay increased again in 2006, likely a result of decreased human activity in the colony compared to problem years of 2003 and 2004. The trend in the annual mean of estimates continues to be negative.
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Rodent dynamics:
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Rodent species recorded:
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Summary
of fauna studies: |
| Number of brant nests in 5 colonies were estimated from aerial digital photography, continuing a survey that was begun in 1992. 2006 report to Pacific Flyway Council is attached.
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