Getting Out is Really Getting Inâ¦Into the Interior - Catalina Island ...

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Conservation Updates Counting Marine Mammals Along Catalina’s Coastline May 14 th was a cool, cloudy morning and the mostly calm seas registered a chilly 60 degrees, but this did not deter numerous California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) from frolicking about in the waters of Avalon Harbor, along Pebbly Beach and on past the quarry. As we approached Seal Rocks, it became obvious that it was going to be an amazing day to view marine mammals. Using binoculars, we counted at least 117 sea lions hauled out on the rocks and beaches of the Seal Rocks area. Several more could be seen darting back and forth amongst a pod of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops tuncatus) traveling through the nearby waters. Catalina’s ecosystems are not only essential for terrestrial plants and animals, but also for marine mammals, such as seals and sea lions, which use the island’s numerous beaches and offshore rocks to haul out for important activities such as molting and pupping. Each spring and fall, Conservancy biologists conduct a census of the marine mammals that use the island’s various beaches and offshore rocks. The census records the number and type of marine mammals in order to monitor how their populations fluctuate through time. This spring’s count was our fifth and largest census ever. With the help of volunteer Captain Scott Wauben and his boat Dulcinea, we began our clockwise circumnavigation of the island at around 7 AM. As we proceeded around the far East End of the island and just west of Binnacle Rock, we came across our first sighting of Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina), a group of 35, including a few young pups, hauled out on the beach and not the least bit interested in our position 200-300 feet offshore. Continuing westward we came across even larger congregations of Harbor Seals hauled out on the beaches between China Point and Ben Weston, with several groups numbering more than 50 individuals. Then at Land’s End, we observed another large assemblage of sea lions, 35 this time, lounging on some offshore rocks. The surf had become increasingly choppy as we rounded Land’s End and we were all ready for a change of pace as the waves began to flatten out and our peaceful journey resumed once more on the Channel side of the island. As we traveled past the coves and Isthmus, we continued to record seal and sea lion sightings both in the water and hauled out on rocks and beaches along the way. However, a wonderful surprise still awaited us on a beach near Frog Rock. There we observed a female Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris), a new marine mammal for our species list, hauling out of the water. It was approximately 2 PM when we pulled back into Avalon Harbor and our census was concluded. Overall, 565 pinnipeds were observed that day, 285 seals (two species) and 280 sea lions, making it our largest count ever. The fact that pinniped numbers were three times greater than those for past spring counts suggest that prey items, such as squid and anchovy, may have been extremely plentiful in Catalina’s waters at the time of the census, perhaps attracting seals and sea lions from other areas to the island. Angela Aarhus Field Biologist Helping Hands The Facilities Management Department gives a heartfelt thank you to the following volunteers for all of their efforts: NCCC Western Region Americorps, Jani Eisenhut, Fred Freeman, David Larsen, Tracy Larsen, Paul McIlroy, Calvin Parsons, Richard Pelouze, Bruce Seibert, and Chris Messett U.C.L.A. 6 Catalina Island Conservancy
Conservation Learning More About Orange-crowned Warblers The Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata) breeds widely over western and northern North America, and east across Canada. There are four recognized subspecies of this warbler. One of them, the sordida subspecies (Vermivora celata ssp.sordida), is endemic to the Channel Islands and reaches its highest density on Santa Catalina Island. This subspecies is fairly different from others that breed on the continent, however, its life history is poorly known. While mainland Orange-crowned Warblers are long distance migrants and strict ground nesters, the sordidas are year round residents on the islands or migrate a very short distance to the coast of Southern California and nest in shrubs or trees as well as on the ground. In March 2003, researchers from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and the University of California at Riverside began a long-term study on Santa Catalina Island to better understand the life history and ecology of this warbler. One hundred individuals including males, females and nestlings were captured and banded. This banded population will allow determination of which proportion of the population stays year round or leaves the island during the fall. Over 90 nests are being monitored. On the island, these warblers start breeding in early March and nest mainly in shrubs (Lemonade Berry, Coyote Brush, Monkey Flower), although several nests were found on the ground as well as in trees (Island Scrub Oak) at 3 or 4 meters high. A very interesting finding is that the island sordida warblers are double brooders, in contrast with the mainland Orange-crowned Warblers that have only one brood a year. Orange-crowned Warblers feed by gleaning insects from plant leaves. During March the warblers forage mainly on oaks and in late April and May they also get many insects from the grass and nectar from flowers. We are approaching the end of the breeding season for the sordida Orange-crowned Warblers and the field is loaded with newborn fledglings. So, hurry up, get your binoculars and try to find them! If you are lucky you will get to see their puffed orange crown. Note: If you encounter any banded bird try to get the color combination on its legs and please let us know when and where you saw it. You can email the researchers at susanaip@ucr.edu. Susana Peluc Researcher U.C. Riverside The Status of Bison on the Island Maintaining a herd size of 150 - 200 animals, a change in the time of shipping extra animals, and a request for more study on the interaction of bison and nonnative annual grasses were among the new bison management guidelines adopted by the Board of Directors of the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy at its April meeting. After reviewing the results of a two year study documenting the ecological impacts of bison on Catalina’s natural resources, the Board was able to make an informed decision based on sound scientific findings. The study was conducted by independent outside researchers from the University of North Dakota and the University of California at Davis. The final report was received in January 2003, and the Conservancy Board of Directors and staff gave it careful review before the management decisions were made. The report, Population Ecology and Ecological Effects of Bison on Santa Catalina Island, is available to the public at Conservancy offices, the public library, and on the Internet. A recap of the management strategy is as follows: v Herd size will be maintained between 150 to 200 animals. v Bison will continue to be allowed range between the fence at Two Harbors and the fence at the Summit. Health of the animals is important and will be monitored. v Further research will be conducted to explore the relationship between bison and non-native annual grasses on the island, especially as related to the potential of wildland fire, and the spread of nonnative grasses. v The Conservancy will seek the advice of expert range mangers to explore management options to further reduce the impacts of bison on the island’s natural resources. v An annual roundup to maintain animal numbers at a target of 150 will be completed by August. Extra animals will be shipped to the mainland. Conservancy Times 7
Page 1 and 2: Arctostaphylos catalinae A p u b l
Page 3 and 4: Welcome Dr. Ann M. Muscat New Presi
Page 5: Island Recreation sometimes, chilly
Page 9 and 10: Volunteers erosion and chemistry, a
Page 11 and 12: Featuring . involved on Catalina SU
Page 13 and 14: aces and Places Knee deep in weeds,
Page 15 and 16: Member Happenings Surprises from th
Page 17 and 18: Conservation New Vegetation Map Aid
Page 19 and 20: The View rom Here This collection o

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