Field Projects: Seabirds

Population and Behavioural Studies of Sabine's Gulls, at East Bay, Southampton Island (map)

The Sabine's Gull occupies an ecological niche different from other seabirds because it feeds on a variety of marine and fresh-water organisms. This study monitors long-term population densities at East Bay and identifies factors influencing annual population variation and reproductive success. Survival rates and fidelity of Sabine's Gulls to mates and nest sites will also be determined.

Duration: 1998 to 2003

Partners: Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP), Polar Continental Shelf Project (PCSP), Memorial University, Coral Harbour Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO), Nunavut Research Institute (NRI).

Contacts: Grant Gilchrist, Iain Stenhouse (Memorial University)

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Population Surveys of Ivory Gulls Breeding on Ellesmere Island (map)

The Ivory Gull which breeds in remote areas of the high arctic is considered vulnerable by COSEWIC because of its low numbers, few known breeding colonies and intolerance of disturbance. The last population survey was in 1985. Recently, Inuit from Resolute and Grise Fiord have reported fewer sightings of Ivory Gulls in their areas. This project will re-survey breeding colonies on Ellesmere Island, and will establish population trend data for the species. Initial surveys suggest a substantial decline in populations across Nunavut.

Duration 2002-2004

Partners: World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Polar Continental Shelf Project (PCSP), SARA

Contact: Grant Gilchrist, Mark Mallory

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Population Dynamics of Thick-billed Murres (map)

Thick-billed Murres are the second most-hunted migratory bird in Canada. Substantial mortality also occurs due to oiling and drowning in gill nets. In addition, aspects of murre breeding biology (diet, timing of laying, adult mass and chick growth) are affected by environmental conditions. Studying year-to-year changes in Thick-billed Murre ecology at Coats Island helps us to keep track of ongoing changes in local marine ecosystems. This ongoing study will increase our knowledge of Thick-billed Murre population dynamics so that more effective management strategies may be formulated.

Duration: 1984 to present

Partners: PCSP, University of Ottawa, Memorial University of Newfoundland, CWS-AR, Nunavut Research Institute (NRI), Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP)

Contact: Tony Gaston

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High Arctic Seabird Studies in Lancaster Sound (map)

The Canadian High Arctic, especially the Jones Sound/Lancaster Sound region, is an important area for breeding seabirds: Northern Fulmars, Glaucous and Thayer's Gulls, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Thick-billed Murres, and Black Guillemots. Despite the ornithological importance of the region, little is known of population trends of these species. Biological processes in High Arctic marine ecosystems are closely tied to annual schedules of sea-ice break-up and freeze-up. Current global warming trends are likely to advance the break-up of sea-ice, and possibly reduce the amount of floating ice present at sea in summer. At present, nothing is known of the effects of recent climatic changes on Eastern Canadian High Arctic marine ecosystems or their seabirds. At Prince Leopold Island, a comparison of the current situation with information obtained on breeding biology, phenology and diet of polar seabirds in the 1970's is to be used to monitor ongoing ecosystem changes, and how seabirds are responding to them.

Duration: ongoing

Partners: PCSP, University of Ottawa, and NSTP

Contact: Tony Gaston, Grant Gilchrist

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Eastern Arctic Seabird Population Monitoring (map)

In the late 1970's and early 1980's, population monitoring began at several eastern arctic seabird colonies. By comparing the populations of study plots over time, population increases and/or decreases of selected Thick-billed Murre, Northern Fulmar, and Black-legged Kittiwake colonies are monitored. Study plot assessment occurs at five-to-ten year intervals, rotating among colonies.

Duration: 1996 to 2006

Partners: PCSP, NRI

Contact: Grant Gilchrist, Tony Gaston, Gilles Chapdelaine (Ungava Bay colonies), Mark Mallory

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Contaminants in Arctic Seabirds (map)

Seabirds, by virtue of their position in the food chain, can be used as an indicator of the health of marine ecosystems through their degree of chemical contamination. There is increasing evidence that arctic biota are exposed to contaminant levels higher than expected. This is an ongoing project which has measured contaminant levels in selected arctic-nesting seabirds and eggs since the 1970's.

Duration: periodic and ongoing

Partners: PCSP, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (INAC)

Contact: Birgit Braune

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Reproductive Ecology of Sabine's Gull at East Bay, Southampton Island (map)

Since its discovery, in 1818, Sabine's Gull has been rarely studied, and information on the general ecology of this species is based on little more than anecdotal reports. As an Arctic breeder and a trans-equatorial migrant, its breeding areas are rarely visited, its wintering areas have only recently been established with any certainty, and migration routes still remain something of a mystery. In addition, the Sabine's Gull is considered an outlier within the gull family (Laridae) and is recognized as phylogenetically distinct, as well as highly atypical in many aspects of behaviour. It is precisely this behavioural distinction that makes Sabine's Gull an interesting and useful subject for a reproductive ecology and behavioural study.

Duration: 1998 to 2002

Partners: NCD, Memorial University

Contact: Grant Gilchrist

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Survey of Thick-billed Murres at Cape Parry, NWT (map)

Cape Parry supports the smallest known Thick-billed Murre colony in the Canadian Arctic. Recent genetic analysis confirms that these murres belong to the north Pacific population, rather than the north Atlantic population. Consequently, this colony occurs at the western margin of the range for the Pacific population, and may serve as an important site for population monitoring. This project surveyed the Cape Parry colony to detect any changes in the breeding population there, and contributes to an over-all seabird monitoring strategy of the Canadian Arctic developed by the Canadian Wildlife Service in 1998. Cape Parry will be surveyed every 5-10 years.

Duration: ongoing - survey every 5 to 10 years

Partners: NCD

Contact: Grant Gilchrist

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