Summary

Description

This report summarizes the results of spawning ground surveys for red salmon producing waters conducted in 1954 in the Cook Inlet.

Summary

Description

A survey of whitefronted geese Anser albifrons and Canada geese Branta canadensis was conducted on 69.0 miles of Dulbi Slough in Alaska. Seven hundred and eighty seven adult and 287 young whitefronted geese, 22 adult Canada geese, and one adult snow goose and new young snow geese or possibly snow goose X whitefronted goose hybrids were observed.

Summary

Description

The recorded harvest between 25 April and 8 June in Gambell was 1499 walruses. There were 373 adult males, 528 adult females, 405 calves, and 193 of unknown sex. Adult refers to animals older than calves yet not necessarily sexually mature. This was the largest harvest recorded in Gambell in the last 5 years and perhaps in recent history. Several factors influenced the high harvest. The last two of three strikes on bowhead whales Balaena mysticetus was lost 26 April and walrus hunting commenced 29 April. Although this was 2 weeks earlier than the walrus hunt in 1983 Sease 1983, it was a week or more later than the bunts in 1982 Malloy 1982 and 1981 Lourie 1981. However, not catching a whale certainly motivated the hunters to bring in more walrus meat. There were 26 days during the 1984 monitoring period when walrus were captured as opposed to 20 days in 1983 and 19 days in 1982. Ice and wind conditions were such that hunters had greater access to walrus than the previous three years. During the 1982 and 1983 monitoring periods, there were only two days each year on which more than 100 walrus were retrieved. During the 1984 monitoring session, the catch exceeded 100 walrus on six days Table 2. The hunters were reporting large herds and good ice conditions. Small amounts of ice persisted until 1 June which was the last day 15 or more walrus were retrieved. The shore ice on the north beach held fast until 2 June. It seemed that thick ice capable of supporting walrus persisted a week longer in 1984 than the previous 3 seasons. Proportionately more females and calves were caught during the 1984 monitoring session than during 1981 chisquare 16.34, 2 df or during 1983 chisquare 23.48, 2 df, Table 3. More male walrus were taken than expected during the 1984 season when compared to 1982 chisquare 8.23, 2 df. The distribution of hunting days relative to the walrus migration probably explains the differences in sex composition between years. There were fewer hunting days at the end of May and the beginning of June during 1982 than 1983 or 1984 Malloy 1982, Sease 1983. This year there were more hunting days in April and early May than during 1983. Female and calf walrus are the first to migrate and tend to stay with thicker ice Fay 1982. Male walrus migrate later and were taken in greater numbers by Gambell hunters during the end of May and beginning of June. Female and calf walrus are preferred for their meat in Gambell and are taken in large numbers early in the hunting season.

Summary

Description

This report summarizes the caribou distribution and abundance data through the fall of 1989. Results of a literature review prior to preparation of the Refuge caribou inventory plan are presented below as background. Survey results are presented in four separate sections: distribution, abundance, Waring Mountains Burn, and radiotelemetry. A description of the study area, methods used, and a discussion of the results is covered. Management recommendations are also included. Maps of the study area are attached.

Summary

Description

The U.S. Fish Wildlife Service contracted a local individual to monitor the walrus harvest at Wales in 1984. The recorded harvest between 21 May and 30 June in Wales was 271 walruses. The magnitude of the harvest was greater than any of the preceding four years. The harvest was comprised of 90 adult males 33.2, 132 adult females 48.8 12 calves 4.4 and 37 adult unknown sex 13.6. A 40:60 male to female sex ratio was exhibited in the harvest of known sex adults. The 1982 harvest was the only other year in the last five years when the harvest favored females. Approximately 16 manhourswalrus were expanded based upon a sample of 35 hunting trips, 2146.5 man hours effort and retrieval of 134 walruses. Since some hunting effort was directed toward seals and waterfowl during the course of walrus hunting the catch per unit figures should be considered as inflated. A total of 15 hunting days occurred during the study period.

Summary

Description

Complete estimates of waterfowl populations in each of 164 management units through the fortyeight coterminous United States were systematically developed for May 1965 and each month from August 1965 through April 1966. Estimates were made for all duck species except sea ducks, mergansers, Florida, mottled, and Mexican ducks; for all species of geese, except Rosss geese; and for American coots. This set of estimates is termed the Target 1 Waterfowl population model.

Summary

Description

This report summarizes the results of a study on the reproductive success of Blacklegged Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla and two species of cormorants. Populations of Pelagic Cormorants, Redfaced Cormorants, Glaucouswinged Gulls, Common Murres, and Pigeon Guillemots are also estimated. A description of the study area, methods used, and a discussion of the results is covered. Management recommendations are also included.

Summary

Description

For the fourth consecutive year, USFWS conducted a walrus harvest, health and welfare study in five northern Bering Sea coastal villages during the spring of 1983. Goals were to determine harvest levels, age structure, and contaminant levels for various body organs and tissue of harvested walruses Odobenus rosmarus divergens. The documented harvest level for the Nome and. King Island areas were 407 and 230 walruses respectively. One hundred fortyfour pair of teeth and tissue specimens from 16 walruses were acquired and await analysis. Sex composition of the harvest was appreciably different than previous years for Nome while the King Island sex composition of harvested walruses varied to a lesser degree from previous years. A documented minimum harvest of 119 bearded, 44 ringed and 10 spotted seals were recorded at Nome.

Summary

Description

During June 1989, selected areas of the southern Askinuk Mountains were surveyed for raptor nests. Ten nests were located on rock outcroppings at seven locations. Four nests were active. Five nesting territories were determined to be inactive. The remaining nest was of undetermined status. Only a small portion of the Askinuk Mountains was surveyed for raptors and raptors nests. In the future a complete survey should be conducted to document all raptor nesting sites.

Summary

Description

A survey to determine the number of whitefronted geese Anser albifrons and Canada geese Branta canadensis within the boundaries of the Koyukuk NWR was conducted from 11 July to 22 August 1986. The population estimates were 5352 2081 SE for whitefronted geese and 1049 725 SE for Canada geese. The highest densities were along the river corridors, with the most observed on the Koyukuk River.

Summary

Description

An accuracy assessment was conducted to evaluate the photointerpretation of vegetation types and disturbance levels along seismic trails in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A sample of 200 of the 4914 photointerpreted points were visited to obtain ground information. Determinations of vegetation types and disturbance levels on the ground were compared with photointerpretations, and errors were divided into three categories: cutpoint errors between closely related classes, definition errors where a more detailed definition was needed in the key and misclassification errors which were either incorrect application of the key or exceptions to the key. The accuracy of interpretation of vegetation types was 75. Eighteen percent of all points were wrong due to cutpoint errors, 3 due to definition errors, and 5 due to misclassification errors. Most cutpoint errors were due to small differences in estimates of shrub cover, moisture or microrelief. The accuracy of disturbance levels was 66. Most errors 29 of all points were from trying to discriminate between closely related classes that were often difficult to differentiate on the ground. Nine definition errors resulted in suggested improvements to the key. Omission and commission errors for disturbance levels were equal indicating that the overall distribution was representative of what actually existed on the ground. Therefore, photo interpretation proved a useful tool for evaluating the extent of disturbance over a wide variety of sites on the coastal plain.

Summary

Description

Presented at the 3rd Northern Furbearer Conference, Fairbanks, Alaska, March 2223, 1983.

Summary

Description

A total of 60 observations of wolf tracks were recorded and 12 wolves were observed groups of 3, 3, 4 and. 2 Figure 2. Tracks were observed along all of the transects flown. As expected, wolf activity was most concentrated in drainages, i.e. along the Yukon and Nowitna rivers and their tributaries. Although no definitive conclusions can be drawn from the number of wolves seen, it is highly unlikely that this type of survey would result in nearly 20 of the total wolf population being observed. This lends further credence to our belief that the wolf numbers derived are minimum estimates. Known harvest levels for wolves have been relatively low in recent years 3 in 1985, 3 in 1986, although refuge trappers have reported an increase in wolf numbers. Land and shoot wolf tapping activity has apparently increased on the refuge in 1987, and at least 12 wolves have been harvested this spring. An accurate determination of the Nowitna NWR wolf population has become necessary in light of the recent decline in the areas moose population.

Summary

Description

In the summer of 1961, reproductive success among North American geese was seldom better than fair, and in some cases was decidedly poor. Nesting conditions apparently were unsatisfactory in many parts of the Arctic breeding grounds of these geese. Only those species having very extensive and diversified nesting ranges seemed able to escape the full brunt of the debacle. Yet the populations of most geese will enter the 1962 breeding season with some great advantages.

Summary

Description

A total of 26,036 individuals of 29 nominal species were observed during an aerial survey conducted March 914, 1977 which covered more than 90 of the Kodiak Island coastline. The population density in the coastal waters was conservatively estimated at 100.71 24.68 birdskm2. The winter bird population is composed primarily of sea ducks 51, dabbling ducks 17, diving ducks 12, gulls 8, and alcids 6. The upper ends of the bays and estuaries contained high concentrations up to 368 birdskm2 of dabbling ducks, goldeneye, scoters, and murres. Results are compared with previous surveys and the distribution pattern of each species is discussed.

Summary

Description

This report is a tabulation of watersheds and their respective drainage areas in the Chatham Area of the Tongass National Forest. The tabulation was compiled by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the planning effort for the Tongass Land Management Plan prepared in 1978. The watershed boundaries were delineated for the purpose of developing a stratified sampling scheme for determination of fishery habitat protection zones along streams in the Tongass National Forest.

Summary

Description

Walrus Odobenus resmarus harvest data was collected for the Nome and King Island area from May 10 to July 10, 1984 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FWS with cooperation from the Eskimo Walrus Commission EWC. The documented minimum retrieved harvest for Nome and King Island, respectively, was 46 and 111 walruses, far below harvest levels experienced during the preceding four years. The harvest from King Island was comprised of a majority of female walruses for the first time. Changes in the sex ratio of the harvest from Nome were inconclusive due to the low number of animals taken. Fortyfive pairs of teeth, for ageing purposes, and three sets of specimens for contaminant analysis were acquired. Take of other marine mammals for Nome and King Island incidental to walrus hunting included a minimum of 91 bearded seal Erignathus barbatus, 25 ringed seal Phoca hispida, spotted seal Phoca largha, 2 unidentified seals and 1 polar bear Ursus maritimus. Prolonged consolidated ice conditions in the Norton Sound bel1eved to have limited hunting success.

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Description

Narrative report of the Gambell Walrus Collection Project, May 7 to June 1970, Gamblel, St. Lawrence Island, including observations and recommendations for future surveys.

Summary

Description

In 1961 an effort was launched to conduct a full scale operational aerial brood survey, previous experimental failures notwithstanding. The project was terminated as unsatisfactory when the production report came due in late July after only four days of actual transect flying. In lieu of aerial surveys, there is real hope for good production forecasts from ground studies if comparability can be developed through continuity of personnel and study areas. Logistics and mobility has been a major obstacle in the past, but this has been minimized to a large extent with the stowaway sectional skiff developed last year. This is an 11, 1401 plastic boat with five nesting sections capable of fitting into a Cessna 180 equipped with an auxiliary fuel tank.

Summary

Description

This report presents a census of colonial waterbird sites at Lake Louise and Slikak lake on 21 and 22 July 1981 respectively. Both Lake Louise and Skilak Lake are accessible from the southcentral Alaska road system, Lake Louise 55 km northwest of Glennallen and Skilak Lake 30 km east of Soldotna. Censuses were made from a small inflatable boat powered by an outboard motor. Nesting islands were circumnavigated while 34 observers counted the adult birds and chicks. In two cases observers were landed on islands to facilitate the counting of chicks. The results of our counts and additional colony information are given in the Colony Status Records Appendix lae. Breeding colonies on Skilak Lake are under the jurisdiction of USFWS, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Lake Louise islands are privately owned, but the gravel bar on which Arctic Terns Sterna paradisaea nest is probably owned by the State of Alaska.

Summary

Description

Results of a biological survey of Nunivak Island, July 225, 1985. 755 birds, comprising 24 species were recorded on 12 bird transects. Waterfowl and shorebirds were predominant. Nine habitat types were identified: Dry Crowberry Tundra, Alpine Crowberry Tundra, Barren Boulder Fields, Dune Complexes, Tidal PoolsBackshores, Grass Sedge Hummocks, Sedge Meadow Tundra, Riparian Tundra, and Cliff tops. These habitat types are all characterized by low growth form plants. However, the Riparian Tundra does contain 2m willows, the tallest trees on the island. Snap trapping yielded only one small mammal, an arctic shrew during 700 trap nights. Small mammal populations appear very low at this time. Approximately 1520 musk ox and 3550 reindeer were observed, some animals daily.

Summary

Description

The total documented retrieved harvest at Gambell for the spring of 1982 was 942 walruses Odobenus rosmarus, including 211 adult males, 404 adult females, 29 adults of unknown sex, and 298 calves. The bull harvest was disproportionately lower and the cow and calf harvests slightly higher in 1982 than in 1981. Cow:calf ratios in the harvest did not differ significantly between years. The number of animals shot and lost was not determined. Lower canine teeth unaccompanied by soft tissue specimens were obtained from 117 animals, reproductive tracts with teeth were collected from 88 females, and stomachs with teeth were collected from 32 animals. The median age of 80 adult male walruses whose teeth were examined was 21 years. The median age of 140 adult females was 14 years. The number of manhours spent per walrus retrieved was 8.91. In 1981, 2.3 manhours were expended per walrus retrieved. However, the overall harvest in 1981 961 walruses was quite close to this years total. Little or no change in crew, boat, and motor sizes was observed.

Summary

Description

Waterfowl banding on Amchitka Island, Alaska was conducted between 5 August and 6 October 1980. Five traps were constructed and set for a total of 195 trap days. The banding project was terminated on 6 October, coinciding with the shutdown of the Amchitka facility. Eight birds were recaptured in 1980. Information on banding location and time is presented. The small number of recaptures suggest that we may not be banding large enough numbers of birds to overcome annual mortality and show up in subsequent years.

Summary

Description

Complete estimates of waterfowl populations in each of 164 management units through the fortyeight coterminous United States were systematically developed for May 1965 and each month from August 1965 through April 1966. Estimates were made for all duck species except sea ducks, mergansers, Florida, mottled, and Mexican ducks; for all species of geese, except Rosss geese; and for American coots.

Summary

Description

Population composition and movements were monitored through routine vehicle, boat and dump surveys and by eagle banding operations in the winter and summer. Nest surveys in a sample area throughout the breeding season provided egg and production nesting counts. Eagle carcasses, usually from birds electrocuted on naval Station power lines, provide measurement data which can be correlated to sex through necropsy. Eagle visitation to Naval Station appears to correspond to seasonal phenomenon, peaking in winter and summer, and decreasing in the fall and spring. Production figures from the sample area are 2.07 eggs per active nest, and 0.813 nestlings per active nest, indicating a stable eagle population. Insufficient data precluded the determination of new measurement criterion, but the tarsal width and mandible length criterion established last year still appear to be valid indications of sex. A more efficient means of capturing eagles for banding and subsequently sighting them would be useful. Production figures from the sample area indicate a stable eagle population. More data must be collected before any new measurements yield correlative figures.