Field Projects: Sea Ducks

Pacific Common Eider Reproductive Ecology and Survival in the Central Arctic (map)

The Pacific Common Eider population that nests in central and western Arctic Canada declined by more than 50% between 1976 and 1996. Reasons for the decline are unknown. This study examines their reproductive ecology and survival in a core breeding area east of Bathurst Inlet to determine if conditions on the breeding grounds are contributing to the population decline.

Duration: 2000 to 2010

Partners: Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB), Polar Continental Shelf Project (PCSP)

Contact: Lynne Dickson

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Survival and Reproduction of King Eiders at Karrak Lake (map)

North American King Eiders are believed to have decreased by 75% over the last four decades. Basic information on changes in population size, breeding and wintering ecology of King Eiders is needed to develop a management and conservation strategy for this species. A study has been initiated at Karrak Lake which supports a "semicolonial" nesting aggregation of King Eiders.

Duration: 1995-2003

Partners: NWMB, PCSP, Institute for Waterfowl and Wetlands Research, Delta Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Stations, University of Saskatchewan, Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP)

Contact: Ray Alisauskas

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Location of Pacific Common Eider Moulting and Wintering Areas (map)

The Pacific Common Eider population that nests in central arctic Canada and winters west of the continent declined by more then 50% between 1976 and 1996. The reasons for the decline are unknown. Harvest statistics indicate it is not heavily hunted, and most of the nesting grounds remain undisturbed by human activity. Similar declines in the other three eider species in the Bering Sea area suggest the cause is due to changing conditions on the winter areas. The at-sea location of Pacific Common Eiders is poorly understood, including where they occur in the Bering Sea. This study proposes to delineate important moulting and wintering areas for Pacific Common Eiders nesting in central arctic Canada.

Duration: 2001 to 2004

Partners: US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), PCSP, Sea Duck Joint Venture, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Contact: Lynne Dickson

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Eider population count during migration past Point Barrow, Alaska (map)

Most of the eiders that nest in western Arctic Canada pass by Point Barrow, Alaska during spring migration, making it possible to count their numbers. Systematic counts conducted in 1976, 1987, 1994 and 1996 indicated that both the King and Common Eider declined by >50% over the twenty year period. The counts will be repeated in 2003 and 2004 to determine whether these two western Arctic populations of eiders have continued to decline in numbers.

Duration: 2003 to 2005

Partners: University of Alaska Fairbanks, North Slope Borough Alaska, USFWS

Contact: Lynne Dickson

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Population Studies of Common and King Eiders Breeding in East Bay, Southampton Island (map)

Eiders are heavily hunted in maritime Canada, parts of the NWT and Nunavut, and south-west Greenland. East Bay supports one of the highest densities of Common and King Eiders in the eastern Canadian arctic. Data collected on eider survival and reproduction from this site will provide baseline information needed to effectively manage the species.

Duration: 1996-2006

Partners: NSTP, Trent University, Coral Harbour Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO), Nunavut Research Institute (NRI), Greenland Research Institute, Memorial University.

Contact: Grant Gilchrist, Myra Roberston

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Winter Ecology of the Hudson Bay Eider in the Belcher Islands, Nunavut (map)

Hudson Bay eiders are an economically important species to the community of Sanikiluaq. Eiders spend the winter in open water leads near the Belcher Islands and off the west coast of Quebec. Mass die-offs can occur when these open water leads freeze. This study examines the winter ecology and winter habitat use of the eiders which will provide a better understanding of the frequency, magnitude, and impacts of these die-offs.

Duration: 1998-2003

Partners: Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB), Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Atlantic Cooperative Wildlife Ecology Research Network, Sanikiluaq, Satellite Imaging Centre of Alaska.

Contacts: Grant Gilchrist, Greg Robertson

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Heavy metal contamination in King Eiders at Karrak Lake: relationship to adult survival rates(map)

North American King Eiders are believed to have decreased by 75% over the past four decades. Earlier studies documented relatively high concentrations of cadmium and other metals in sea ducks in the Canadian arctic. This study is examining the relationship between concentrations of heavy metals in blood samples of adult, female King Eiders and their subsequent survival rates.

Duration: 1997 to 2001

Partners: ECB, CWS - HQ, ERD, Northern Ecosystem Initiative (NEI)

Contact: Mark Wayland

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Marine Bird Surveys in Frobisher Bay (map)

While the numbers of eiders are declining in Nunavut, Frobisher Bay represents one area that is thought to support substantial numbers. It is also the site of key marine sites, notably polynyas, that support migrating or overwintering marine birds. This study will survey the islands in Frobisher Bay thought to support colonies of eiders and guillemots. It will also survey polynyas in Frobisher Bay for temporal distribution of marine birds prior to breeding.

Duration: 2002 to 2005

Partners: NCD

Contact: Mark Mallory

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Habitat Requirements of White-winged and Surf Scoters in the Mackenzie Delta Region(map)

Combined White-winged and Surf Scoter populations have experienced apparent long-term declines across the continent, and those populations in the boreal forest of northern Alberta, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories (NT) may have declined by as much as 75% in the past 50 years. The main objective of the study is to evaluate how specific wetland characteristics affect the abundance, distribution, and productivity of White-winged (Melanitta fusca) and Surf Scoters (M. perspicillata) in the part of their core breeding range near Inuvik, NT. In particular, this research has been designed to look for evidence of habitat selection by these species.

Duration: 2000 to 2003

Partners: Arctic Institute of North America, EC - Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), EC - Northern Ecosystems Initiative, EC - Science Horizons, Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board (GRRB), Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research (IWWR), National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP), Polar Continental Shelf Project (PCSP), U of S - Department of Biology

Contact: Bob Clark

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