2008 Northwestern Fjord Ground-Nesting Marine Bird Inventory
Hahr M. 2009. 2008 Northwestern Fjord Ground-Nesting Marine Bird Inventory. Kenai Fjords National Park
We surveyed for ground-nesting marine birds and their nests in Northwestern Fjord between 24 and 29 June, 2008. All known camping beaches were surveyed by observers walking the length of the particular coastline segment. Along areas where camping was not known to occur but considered possible, we surveyed the shoreline from a distance of 5 – 10 m using a sea kayak. All nest locations and other site data were recorded using a handheld GPS unit, and all nest location and bird observation data were incorporated into the park’s GIS for use with other natural and cultural resource and visitor use datasets. We documented the distribution of six active Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) nests and three active Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) nests. Ground-nesting birds were found on all of the camping beaches in Northwestern Fjord except Redstone Glacier Beach and the small beach near Southwestern Glacier Beach. This information provides valuable baseline data that may be used to conduct a cumulative assessment of the overall extent of impacts to ecological and cultural resources and the visitor experience in the park’s coastal backcountry.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Hahr, Meg
- Date of Issue
- 2009-02
- Units
- KEFJ
- Keywords
- Abundance, Alaska, Black oystercatcher, Charadrius semipalmatus, Distribution, Gulf Of Alaska, Haematopus bachmani, Harris Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, Northwestern Fjord , Seabirds, Semipalmated Plover, Shorebirds