A. Status of the Spectacled Eider - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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A12.2. Initiate control of Glaucous Gulls in selected Spectacled Eider nesting habitats
Predation by Glaucous Gulls may at certain times and in some areas be an important factor
in the high post-hatch mortality of eider ducklings on the Yukon Delta. A recent study on
the YKD suggested that gulls nesting in the Hazen Bay area did not feed on eider
ducklings. It may be possible to temporarily reduce local gull populations by destruction
of nests or similar means. Suitable sites should be identified on the YKD and possibly NS.
Control should not be initiated without more evidence that predation is a problem. Local
residents should participate in decisions about gull control and its implementation, where
possible, as specified under the Memoranda of Agreement (task A4. 1; also see related
tasks All.3, G4 and GS).
A12.3. Investigate and. if feasible, implement mechanisms to reduce artificial food
sources to reduce predator numbers on Spectacled Eider nesting grounds. Artificial food
sources such as garbage handouts, open landfills and fish processing wastes may be
sustaining populations of eider predators above historical levels. The direct effects of
waste food availability on predator populations have not been documented; however,
reducing artificial food sources may benefit Spectacled Eiders by lowering the local
carrying capacity for predator populations (primarily large gulls and foxes). The Service,
other agencies, and local communities should work together (see task A4. 1) to investigate
and, if feasible, implement mechanisms for reducing waste availability to wildlife in
Spectacled Eider range. This concern should be addressed in section 7 consultations,
where appropriate.
A13. Conduct experimental translocation of both wild and captive-reared eiders to assess the
feasibility of this method for recolonizing vacated areas. Ifcurrent population trends continue,
Spectacled Eiders will reach critically low numbers on at least the YKD within the next few
decades. Translocation experiments should be completed before translocation or captive
rearing and release become necessary, so that translocation could- be implemented efficiently
should the need arise in the future. Experiments with similar species such as King Eiders may
be appropriate. Translocation between populations should not be initiated until distinctiveness
ofthe populations is evaluated (task H2.).
A14. Maintain a captive flocks program to support the recovery effort for Spectacled Eiders
Captive flocks would be used for studies of physiology, body condition, and contaminants
effects, and for documentation of plumage sequences, development of non-lethal diet sampling
techniques, development of captive propagation techniques, and other studies. The Service
should work cooperatively with the International Species Information System and Captive
Breeding Survival Group to maintain an up-to-date data base of all captive Spectacled Eiders
worldwide. The Service also should develop a protocol for handling sick or injured birds
found in the wild. Criteria are needed for determining whether or not birds found
incapacitated in the wild should be transported to a rehabilitation center or treated in the field,
and whether they subsequently should be released, sent to a captive rearing facility, or
sacrificed for necropsy and analysis. (Initiated 1994)
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