Coastal waterbird colonies: Maine to Virginia 1984-85; An update of an atlas based on 1977 data, showing colony locations, species and nesting pairs at both time periods. Part I: Maine to Connecticut
Andrews R. 1990. Coastal waterbird colonies: Maine to Virginia 1984-85; An update of an atlas based on 1977 data, showing colony locations, species and nesting pairs at both time periods. Part I: Maine to Connecticut. United States Fish And Wildlife Service. Newton Corner, MA
From the summary: "Colonial nesting seabirds and wading birds are important and conspicuous components of coastal ecosystems. A survey was conducted in 1977 to locate and describe all nesting colonies of those birds from the Maine-Canada border to the southern boundary of Virginia. Teams of experienced field observers used both aerial and ground methods to obtain the best possible estimates of nesting populations, and the findings were published in an atlas with maps and tables. An estimated 305,019 pairs of waterbirds of 28 species (excluding common eider and green-backed heron) nested at 835 colony sites in 10 states. In 1984, an effort was launched to update the 1977 survey, using similar techniques when possible. Several of the states had initiated annual or biannual counts to update population data on some or all species of colonial waterbirds. Special surveys were conducted in the other states. Not all states were able to conduct complete surveys in 1984, so 1985 data were used in a few states and, for some species or sites, inventories conducted in other years. Colony locations are shown on 7.5-minute quadrangle maps. The 1977 maps have been revised to reflect slight changes in locations of colonies, and new colony sites have been added. For each time period, the estimated number of breeding pairs of each species is shown on an accompanying table. Information showing location, size, habitat, nesting substrate, and ownership for each colony site, as well as inventory date and survey method, are depicted for the 1980s. The mid-1980 data indicated about 410,614 pairs of colonial waterbirds, an increase of 35% since 1977. Substantial increases were recorded for doublecrested cormorants, laughing gulls, great black-backed gulls, and common terns. Only snowy egrets, black-crowned night herons, and glossy ibis showed much decline. Some of the indicated changes may reflect better coverage or different survey techniques."
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Andrews, Ralph
- Date of Issue
- 1990-11
- Publisher
- United States Fish And Wildlife Service
- Units
- ACAD
- Keywords
- Babbidge Island, Babson Island, Baker Island, Bald Porcupine Island, Bar Island, Bean Island, Birds (Aves), Black Island, Burnt Island, Butter Island, Drum Island, Duck Island, Egg Rock, Great Spoon Island, Green Island, Green Island Ledge, Greening Island, Hardwood Island, Hat Island, Heron Island, Hog Island, Islands, Johns Island, Jordan Island, Little Babson Island, Little Duck Island, Little Gott Island, Little Moose Island, Little Spoon Island, Nests & Nesting, Opechee Island, Pond Island, Preble Island, Rolling Island, Schoodic Island, Sheep Island, Sheep Porcupine Island, Ship Island, Spruce Island, Sutton Island, The Hub, The Ledges, Trumpet Island, Water Birds