A. Status of the Spectacled Eider - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
A. Status of the Spectacled Eider - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
A. Status of the Spectacled Eider - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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feasible if post-fledging staging areas have been identified (task B2.2.3) <strong>and</strong> may also<br />
provide new information about post-fledging areas ifjuveniles are detected coincidentally<br />
with o<strong>the</strong>r surveys. Presumed high mortality rates for juveniles make this approach less<br />
favorable. The best methods should be determined through preliminary studies. These<br />
studies should evaluate juvenile mortality beginning after day 45, when <strong>the</strong> ducklings are<br />
fully fea<strong>the</strong>red with full wings, but before <strong>the</strong>y migrate to <strong>the</strong> coast. Follow-up surveys <strong>of</strong><br />
post-fledging habitats should be incorporated in project plans (see task B2.2).<br />
C2.3.1. Implement juvenile post-fledging mortality study on <strong>the</strong> YKD<br />
C2.3.2. Implement juvenile post-fledging mortality study on <strong>the</strong> NS<br />
C2.3.3. Implement juvenile post-fledging mortality study in AR<br />
C2.4. Quantify duckling mortality. High nesting success may not correlate with high<br />
fledging success if ducklings suffer high mortality rates. Fur<strong>the</strong>r, since predation <strong>and</strong> lead<br />
poisoning are suspected obstacles to recovery, data are needed on duckling survival <strong>and</strong><br />
fledging rates. Sampling design should account for local <strong>and</strong> annual variation in duckling<br />
survival, which may be substantial. Hence, studies should be conducted at more than one<br />
site per breeding population; optimally at <strong>the</strong> same sites as those used to determine egg<br />
production, recruitment, <strong>and</strong> adult mortality.<br />
C2.4. 1. Assess <strong>and</strong> modify methods for radio-tracking hens on <strong>the</strong> YKD to monitor<br />
bro&.znQlIality.. Studies on duckling mortality should be continued at Hock Slough<br />
until sufficient data are available to evaluate variability in duckling survival. Study<br />
protocols, which presently are unable to adequately monitor mortality during <strong>the</strong> first<br />
two weeks post-hatch, should be assessed <strong>and</strong> modified if feasible. Mortality<br />
immediately post-hatch <strong>and</strong> while broods are moving from nesting to initial broodrearing<br />
habitats--a presumed period <strong>of</strong> high mortality--might be detected with more<br />
intensive monitoring. Project was initiated in 1993.<br />
C2.4.2. Implement radio-tracking <strong>of</strong> hens on <strong>the</strong> MS to monitor brood mortality<br />
Comparable data on brood mortality are needed from both developed <strong>and</strong> undevelopedsites<br />
on <strong>the</strong> MS to address <strong>the</strong> hypo<strong>the</strong>sis that industrial development has adversely<br />
affected local populations. Fur<strong>the</strong>r, this information is needed to interpret comparisons<br />
between NS <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r populations. Current studies within <strong>the</strong> MS oil fields could be<br />
duplicated in ecologically similar, undeveloped sites.<br />
• C2.4.3. Implement radio-tracking <strong>of</strong> hens in AR to monitor brood mortality<br />
C2.5. Monitor brood production. Brood surveys would provide <strong>the</strong> most direct evidence<br />
<strong>of</strong>annual breeding success prior to fledging. Production data collected thus far primarily<br />
have been very local in nature (associated with research projects) <strong>and</strong> may not be<br />
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