Populations of gyrfalcons on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 1968-1972
Swartz LG, Walker Ii W, Roseneau DG, Springer AM. 1975. Populations of gyrfalcons on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 1968-1972. Raptor Research Reports. 3::71-75
This research report by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists describes a raptor study done between 1968 and 1972 in the area of the Seward Peninsula west of 162 degrees west longitude. Virtually all of the area was examined from the air during the first two years of the study. In subsequent years, research was confined to known breeding cliffs. Total numbers of nesting pairs of rough-legged hawks, gyrfalcons, golden eagles, and ravens are given for the five years of study. Gyrfalcon breeding numbers crashed in 1971, and this was attributed to unusually severe winter and spring weather that imposed food stress. Nesting cliff tenacity of gyrfalcons was deemed low relative to other areas of Alaska. It was emphasized that gyrfalcons commonly nested on built structures and that this behavior could be used as a management tool; the authors suggest that nest platforms could be built to augment the population.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Swartz, L; Walker Ii, W; Roseneau, D; Springer, A
- Units
- BELA , WIHO
- Keywords
- Aquila chrysaetos, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Birds, Breeding, Buteo lagopus, Corvus corax, Falco rusticolus, Golden Eagles, Gyrfalcons, Nests, Population, Raptors, Ravens, Rough-legged hawks, Seward Peninsula, Surveys