Resources related to Abundance

Trends in Duck Breeding Populations 1955–2012

This report summarizes information about the status of duck populations and wetland habitats during spring 2012, focusing on areas encompassed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife (USFWS) and Canadian Wildlife Services’ (CWS) Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey. We do not include information from surveys conducted by state or provincial agencies. In the traditional survey area, which includes strata 1–18, 20–50, and 75–77 (Figure 1), the total duck population estimate (excluding scoters [Melanitta spp.], eiders [Somateria spp.

SDJV Implementation Plan 2011-2014

At the inception of the SDJV, the lack of understanding about population delineation was seen as one of the highest priority topics for future work; this priority was confirmed during a 2010 review of program direction. Identifying links among breeding, molting, staging, and wintering areas will help improve the design of monitoring surveys and interpretation of trends, and more effectively direct management actions.

SDJV Implementation Plan 2010-2014

Distribution patterns of wintering sea ducks in relation to the North Atlantic Oscillation and local environmental characteristics

Twelve species of North American sea ducks (Tribe Mergini) winter off the eastern coast of the United States and Canada. Yet, despite their seasonal proximity to urbanized areas in this region, there is limited information on patterns of wintering sea duck habitat use. It is difficult to gather information on sea ducks because of the relative inaccessibility of their offshore locations, their high degree of mobility, and their aggregated distributions.

Sea Duck Joint Venture Strategic Plan 2008-2012

The fifteen species of sea ducks (Tribe Mergini) are the most poorly understood group of waterfowl in North America. The most basic biological information is unknown for some species. Few species have reliable population indices or estimates of annual productivity, and much of our knowledge is based on a very few, localized studies. Also, current survey design is unable to accurately estimate sea duck harvest.

Sea Duck Joint Venture Strategic Plan 2008-2012

Recommendations for Establishing Population Objectives for Sea Ducks

No population objectives are listed for any sea duck population in the most recent (2004) update
or earlier versions of the Plan. The primary reason for lack of sea duck objectives is a lack of
reliable abundance estimates, confounded by inadequate knowledge of sea duck distribution for
some species.
Following a 2008 SDJV progress report to the NAWMP Plan Committee, the PC acknowledged
the need to establish population objectives for sea ducks and stated that this need should be

Recommendations for Establishing Population Objectives for Sea Ducks

Barrows Goldeneye Assessment

More than 90% of the world’s population of Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) breeds from central Alaska to northern California (Robert et al. 2000). The species also breeds in Iceland, where the population is estimated at approximately 2000 birds (Robert et al. 2000). There has also been a small population associated with eastern North America, however, historically, breeding records have been sparse and, in many cases, unconfirmed (Bellrose 1980). Robert et al.

Barrows Goldeneye Assessment

Origin and Availability of Large Cavities for Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica), a Species at Risk

Large secondary-nesting birds such as ducks rely on appropriate cavities for breeding. The main objective of this study was to assess the availability of large cavities and the potential of a managed boreal coniferous landscape to provide nesting trees within the breeding area of the eastern population of Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica), a cavity-nesting species at risk in Canada.

Origin and Availability of Large Cavities for Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica), a Species at Risk, Eastern Boreal Forest

Stellers Eider Survey Near Barrow Alaska

The Alaska breeding population of Steller’s
Eider (Polysticta stelleri) was classified as
threatened under the Endangered Species Act in
June 1997 (USFWS 2002). Recent records suggest
that the species’ current breeding range in northern
Alaska has been greatly reduced and now is
restricted mostly to the vicinity of Barrow
(Quakenbush et al. 2002). Results of aerial surveys
in the past decade verify this distribution pattern
(e.g., Larned et al. 1999, Obritschkewitsch et al.
2008, Ritchie and King 2001).

Stellers Eider Survey Near Barrow Alaska

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