Project Information

Title: Pigeon Guillemot Restoration Research in Prince William Sound, Alaska 15100853

Project Year and Number: 2015: 15100853

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2023: 23110853 , 2022: 22110853 , 2021: 21110853, 2020: 20110853, 2019: 19110853, 2018: 18100853, 2017: 17100853, 2016: 16100853, 2014: 11100853-Am.8.29.13, 2011: 11100853

Principal Investigator (PI): David Irons (USFWS), Dan Roby (Oregon State University)

Managing Agency: USFWS

Assisting Personnel: None

Research Location: Prince William Sound

Restoration Category: General Restoration, Monitoring, Research

Injured Resources Addressed: Pigeon Guillemot

Abstract:

This project, provides an opportunity to restore the population of Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba) in Prince William Sound, Alaska, which has fallen by more than 90% at the Naked Island Group since 1989. A restoration plan for Pigeon Guillemots in PWS was prepared to address the species’ lack of population recovery following injury by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Predation on nests and adults by mink is now the primary limiting factor for guillemot reproductive success and population recovery at the most important historical nesting site for guillemots in PWS (i.e., the Naked Island group). Mink on the Naked Island group are descended in part from fur farm stock and arrived on the island group during the 1980s. The goal of the project is to remove all mink from the Pigeon Guillemot nesting areas and allow for recovery to occur. We trapped for the first time in the winter and spring of 2014. Seventy-six mink were killed. It is unknown how many were left, but one trapper suspected 20-30 might have been left. But the females likely produced more young this summer. We expect it will take 2 to 3 trapping seasons to remove all mink from the nesting areas. This summer we counted 74 pigeon guillemots, up from 53 last year, but control islands also had a similar increase. We did not expect to see an increase in birds the first year. We surveyed active nests and found 11, down from 17 in 2008, which was expected. This winter and spring we will trap again.


Proposal: View (589 KB)

Reports:
Annual Report FY15: View (107 KB)
Final Report: See Project 23110853

Publications from this Project: None Available