|
|
RESPONDENT
|
|
Daniel Ruthrauff
|
|
|
SITE NAME
|
|
Andreafsky Wilderness, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA
|
|
| Contact details
(phone/fax//e-mail//address): |
| (907) 786-7162//(907) 786-7021(fax) // druthrauff@usgs.gov // USGS Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USA
|
|
PROJECT DETAILS |
|
|
|
Start of survey:
|
End
of survey: |
Team
size: |
|
17.06
|
24.06
|
|
|
WEATHER
CONDITIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date of ice-break on
rivers: |
|
|
| Date of final loss of
snow: |
|
|
BIOTIC
CONDITIONS
|
| Rodents abundance evaluation: |
low
|
|
|
Breeding conditions:
|
A research team of six biologists was present at this site on 17-24 June in order to investigate the migration ecology of Bristle-thighed Curlews (http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/shorebirds/btcu.html). The site is comprised of low, rolling hills blanketed by tussock tundra in lowlands and dwarf shrub tundra on ridges and hilltops, with small creeks draining the larger valleys. Bristle-thighed Curlews were the only wader that we detected breeding at the site; moreover they are breeding there in relatively high densities. The Wilson's Snipe were observed winnowing at the study area each day, but no other evidence of breeding was noted. The Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Solitary Sandpiper, and Pacific Golden-Plover were also detected at the site, but only as passing birds.
We observed no voles or lemmings during our stay, and observed very few avian predators. We detected Long-tailed Skua, Common Raven, and Bald Eagle during our stay, but in very low numbers. The remains of a Curlew, apparently killed by a falcon, were found at the site as well.
Due to our short duration of stay at the site, we are unable to comment on the seasonal phenology of the region in 2007 or to assess site conditions this year relative to other years.
|
|
|
Rodent dynamics:
|
|
|
|
Rodent species recorded:
|
|
|
|
|
Summary
of fauna studies: |
|
|
|