Summer distribution and abundance of marine birds and mammals off the coast of the Alaska Peninsula between Amber and Kamishak Bays
Bailey EP and Faust NH. 1981. Summer distribution and abundance of marine birds and mammals off the coast of the Alaska Peninsula between Amber and Kamishak Bays. US Fish and Wildlife Service. Anchorage, AK
(Adapted from authors' summary.) A reconnaissance survey of approximately 1,000 km of coastline and 100 islands between Amber and Kamishak bays was conducted in June and July 1980 and 1981. The primary objective was to locate sea bird colonies and assess bird and marine mammal abundance. Roughly 206,000 diurnal sea birds of 18 species were estimated to nest between Amber and Kamishak bays, fewer than any similar length of coastline on the Alaska Peninsula. The authors believe this is due to bear predation. No estimates were made for nocturnal nesting species or Kittlitz's and Marbled murrelets. No introduced foxes remained on any islands and only three islands evidently were used for fox farming. Brown bears have replaced foxes on the islands as the primary limiting factor on nesting of most species of sea birds. Over 90% of the region's sea birds nested on seven islands and two mainland capes. The largest populations occurred in the vicinity of Cape Unalishagvak and on Ugaiushak, Central, Ninagiak, and Long islands, as well as on an unnamed island in Chiginagak Bay. Three thousand four hundred sea lions and 2,300 harbor seals were noted. One walrus and 218 sea otters were encountered between Jute and Kamishak bays.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Bailey, Edgar; Faust, Nina
- Date of Issue
- 1981
- Publisher
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Units
- KATM
- Keywords
- Alaska Peninsula, Amber Bay, Brown Bears, Coasts, Distribution, Habitat, Inventory, Islands, Jute Bay, Kamishak Bay, Katmai National Park And Preserve, Marine Mammals, Nesting, Population, Predation, Reconnaissance Surveys, Sea Birds, Shore Birds, Ursus arctos