Fifteenth Census of Seabird Populations in the Sanctuaries of the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1998-1999

For the first time since the tradition began in 1925, the quinquennial census of seabirds in the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries of the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence was divided between two years in 1998-1999. Trends between 1993 and 1998-1999 were variable across species and sanctuaries. In particular, following the large decreases in both species noted in 1993, the 1998-1999 survey showed that Black-legged Kittiwakes had declined further, while the number of Herring Gulls had stabilized. Alcids were all doing well except for the Atlantic Puffin which showed severe yet unexplained drops at all major colonies. Law enforcement efforts appear reflected in seabird population trends, as well-patrolled sanctuaries such as St. Mary's Islands seem to do well, whereas many species at the Baie des Loups and Île à la Brume sanctuaries are far from their historical levels. In addition to a better law enforcement program, research is needed in order to identify other conservation problems that some species may be facing.Pour la première fois depuis 1925, l'inventaire quinquennal des oiseaux marins des refuges d'oiseaux migrateurs de la Côte-Nord du Golfe Saint-Laurent fut mené sur deux ans, soit en 1998 et 1999. Les tendances des populations entre 1993 et 1998-1999 étaient variables selon l'espèce et le refuge. En particulier, suite à une décroissance notée chez les deux espèces en 1993, l'inventaire de 1998-1999 a démontré que la Mouette tridactyle avait encore diminué, tandis que le nombre de Goélands argentés s'était stabilisé. Les populations d'Alcidés ont toutes semblé en bonne santé sauf celle du Macareux moine dont les colonies importantes ont diminué de façon sévère et inexpliquée. Les efforts de protection par l'application de la loi se reflètent visiblement dans les tendances des populations d'oiseaux de mer, puisque les refuges les mieux surveillés comme celui des Îles Sainte-Marie vont bien, alors que plusieurs espèces aux refuges de Baie des Loups et de l'île à la Brume sont loin de leurs niveaux historiques. En plus d'un meilleur programme d'application de la loi, la recherche est nécessaire pour identifier les autres problèmes de conservation auxquels certaines espèces font face

Third Census of Seabird Populations of the Gaspé Peninsula, Québec, 2002

In the tradition of the quinquennial census of seabirds in the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along Québec’s North Shore, which began in 1925, this paper presents the results of the first three seabird censuses of the Gaspé Peninsula conducted in 1979, 1989, and 2002, with an emphasis on the third census and on changes in seabird populations that occurred between the second and third censuses. In 1979 the population of seabirds was estimated at 134,163 birds, and this increased 72% to 231,186 birds in 1989. The upward trend in population continued in the 1990s but less sharply. The 2002 census recorded 279,276 birds, a 21% increase over the second census. The seabird community of the Gaspé Peninsula comprises 14 species. In each of the three censuses, three species accounted for over 75% of the total seabird population: Northern Gannet, Black-legged Kittiwake, and Common Murre. Between 1989 and 2002, Common Eider, Northern Gannet, Great Cormorant, Ring-billed Gull, Razorbill, and Black Guillemot increased in numbers, whereas Herring Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake, and Common Tern all suffered declines. Populations for Double-crested Cormorant, Great Black-backed Gull, and Common Murre all remained stable. Very small populations (<25 birds) of Leach’s Storm-Petrel and Atlantic Puffin have been recorded during the censuses at only one location, Bonaventure Island. In the 2002 census there were no petrels observed, neither of adults nor of active burrows.À l’instar des inventaires quinquennaux des oiseaux marins dans les refuges d’oiseaux migrateurs de la Côte-Nord, entrepris en 1925, cet article présente les résultats des trois premiers inventaires complets des oiseaux de mer nicheurs en Gaspésie, menés en 1979, 1989 et 2002. Une attention particulière est mise sur le statut des espèces d’après le troisième inventaire, et sur les tendances des populations entre les deux derniers inventaires. En 1979, le nombre d’oiseaux marins nicheur était évalué à 134 163 oiseaux, puis ce total a augmenté de 72% pour atteindre 231 186 oiseaux en 1989. Cette tendance à la hausse a continué dans les années 90, mais moins rapidement. En 2002 l’estimation était de 279 276 oiseaux, soit une hausse de 21 % par rapport au deuxième inventaire. La communauté d’oiseaux de mer de la Gaspésie est formée de 14 espèces nicheuses. Dans chacun des trois inventaires, trois espèces représentaient plus de 75 % de la population totale des oiseaux marins: le Fou de Bassan, la Mouette tridactyle, et le Guillemot marmette. Entre 1989 et 2002, l’Eider à duvet, le Fou de Bassan, le Grand Cormoran, le Goéland à bec cerclé, le Petit Pingouin et le Guillemot à miroir ont vu leurs nombres croître, tandis que le Goéland argenté, la Mouette tridactyle et la Sterne pierregarin subissaient des déclins. Les populations de Cormoran à aigrettes, Goéland marin et Guillemot marmette sont demeurées stables. Les petites populations (<25 oiseaux) d’Océanite cul-blanc et de Macareux moine n’ont été vues durant ces inventaires qu’à l’île Bonaventure. Cependant, aucun nid actif d’océanite ne fut localisé à cet endroit en 2002

Sixteenth Census of Seabird Populations in the Sanctuaries of the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2005

The Migratory Bird Sanctuaries of the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence are important breeding grounds for many seabird species. The quinquennial censuses of seabirds in these sanctuaries have been carried out for 80 years (since 1925), in order to detect changes in the distribution and population levels of seabirds breeding on the North Shore. Between 1998-1999 and 2005, the most striking trends observed were the near doubling in numbers of Common Eiders in most sanctuaries, and the strong population growth rate of Razorbill. Unexplainable declines of Common Murre and Atlantic Puffin were observed at some of the larger colonies of these species. The last active colonies of Leach’s Storm-Petrel (Corossol Island) and Caspian Tern (Île à la Brume) on the North Shore seem on the verge of disappearing, with zero and three birds observed in 2005, respectively. Seabird populations in the larger, more accessible and disturbed sanctuaries are still markedly smaller than in historical times.Les refuges d’oiseaux migrateurs de la Côte-Nord du Golfe du Saint-Laurent constituent d’importants sites de nidification pour plusieurs espèces d’oiseaux marins. Des inventaires quinquennaux des oiseaux marins dans ces refuges sont effectués depuis 80 ans (depuis 1925), pour détecter les changements dans la répartition et les niveaux de population des oiseaux marins nichant sur la Côte-Nord. Entre 1998-99 et 2005, les tendances les plus marquantes étaient chez l’Eider à duvet, dont les effectifs ont pratiquement doublé dans la plupart des refuges, et chez le Petit Pingouin, dont les populations ont également connu une croissance rapide. Des déclins énigmatiques chez le Guillemot marmette et le Macareux moine ont été observés à plusieurs des colonies les plus importantes de ces espèces. Les dernières colonies actives d’Océanite cul-blanc (à l’île du Corossol) et de Sterne caspienne (à l’île à la Brume) sur la Côte-Nord semblent sur le point de disparaître, avec respectivement zéro et trois oiseaux observés en 2005. Les populations d’oiseaux marins demeurent à des niveaux bien endeça de ceux rapportés historiquement dans les refuges de grande superficie, davantage accessibles et sujets au dérangement

Mortality of Migratory Birds from Marine Commercial Fisheries and Offshore Oil and Gas Production in Canada

There is an imminent need for conservation and best-practice management efforts in marine ecosystems where global-scale declines in the biodiversity and biomass of large vertebrate predators are increasing and marine communities are being altered. We examine two marine-based industries that incidentally take migratory birds in Canada: (1) commercial fisheries, through bycatch, and (2) offshore oil and gas exploration, development, and production. We summarize information from the scientific literature and technical reports and also present new information from recently analyzed data to assess the magnitude and scope of mortality. Fisheries bycatch was responsible for the highest levels of incidental take of migratory bird species; estimated combined take in the longline, gillnet, and bottom otter trawl fisheries within the Atlantic, including the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Pacific regions was 2679 to 45,586 birds per year. For the offshore oil and gas sector, mortality estimates ranged from 188 to 4494 deaths per year due to the discharge of produced waters resulting in oil sheens and collisions with platforms and vessels; however these estimates for the oil and gas sector are based on many untested assumptions. In spite of the uncertainties, we feel levels of mortality from these two industries are unlikely to affect the marine bird community in Canada, but some effects on local populations from bycatch are likely. Further research and monitoring will be required to: (1) better estimate fisheries-related mortality for vulnerable species and populations that may be impacted by local fisheries, (2) determine the effects of oil sheens from produced waters, and attraction to platforms and associated mortality from collisions, sheens, and flaring, so that better estimates of mortality from the offshore oil and gas sector can be obtained, and (3) determine impacts associated with accidental spills, which are not included in our current assessment. With a better understanding of the direct mortality of marine birds from industry, appropriate mitigation and management actions can be implemented. Cooperation from industry for data collection, research to fill knowledge gaps, and implementation of mitigation approaches will all be needed to conserve marine birds in Canada

Tracking long-distance migration to assess marine pollution impact

Animal tracking provides new means to assess far-reaching environmental impacts. In the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, a long-distance migrant, the northern gannet (Morus bassanus) suffered the highest oiling among beach-wrecked birds recovered. Analysis of bird-borne tracking data indicated that 25 per cent of their North American population from multiple colonies in eastern Canada migrated to the pollution zone. Findings contrasted sharply with available mark-recapture (band recovery) data. The timing of movement into and out of the Gulf indicates that immature birds would have absorbed most oil-induced mortality. Consequently, one of two outcomes is likely: either a lagged (likely difficult to assess) population decrease, or an undetectable population response buffered by age-related life-history adaptations. Tracking research is especially useful when little information on animal distributions in pollution zones is available, as is the case in the Gulf of Mexico. Ongoing research highlights current risks and conservation concerns

Seventeenth census of seabird populations in the sanctuaries of the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2010

Seabirds in the 10 migratory bird sanctuaries of the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec, Canada, which were created in 1925, have been censused regularly for the last 85 years. The sanctuaries support 16 seabird species, many of which are found in significant numbers. From 2005 to 2010, some notable population changes were observed: large increases in Common Murres (Uria aalge), Razorbills (Alca torda), and two species of cormorants and continuing declines in Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) and Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica). The status of Leach’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) and Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) is extremely precarious because of their small breeding populations. Between 2005 and 2010, seabird numbers in the sanctuaries increased 19% overall and were stable in most sanctuaries (≤ 15% change); however, notable increases were observed at Îles Sainte-Marie (60%), Baie des Loups (47%), and Île à la Brume (44%). Nonetheless, considering historical records, increased surveillance and raising of awareness of seabird conservation in local communities near the sanctuaries of Île à la Brume, Baie des Loups, and Saint-Augustin would be most beneficial

Eighteenth census of seabirds breeding in the sanctuaries of the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2015

In 1925, ten migratory bird sanctuaries were created on the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and their breeding seabird populations have been censused every five years since. Between 2010 and 2015, only three alcid species exhibited positive population trends (Razorbill [Alca torda], Common Murre [Uria aalge], and Atlantic Puffin [Fratercula arctica]), while the remaining 13 species showed declining trends. Leach’s Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous) and Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) are on the verge of disappearing from the sanctuaries, and the prolonged and rapid decline in Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) is worrisome. Based on historical records since 1925, it appears that seabird communities are faring well in some sanctuaries (e.g., Baie de Brador, Îles aux Perroquets, and Îles Sainte-Marie), while numbers are at low levels in others (e.g., Île à la Brume, Baie des Loups, and Saint-Augustin). Human disturbance, harvest of seabirds (eggs and birds), and predation are among the issues potentially most affecting seabird populations on the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Les oiseaux marins nicheurs dans l’aire de coordination du parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent

Dans l’aire de coordination du parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent, on compte 27 sites abritant des colonies actives d’oiseaux marins. Cette communauté compterait plus de 23 000 couples nicheurs appartenant à 8 espèces, dont 4 laridés et 3 alcidés, en plus du cormoran à aigrettes (Phalacrocorax auritus). Le goéland argenté (Larus argentatus) et le cormoran à aigrettes, de par leur abondance et leur répartition, sont sans doute les deux espèces les plus représentatives de l’aire d’étude. Quatre espèces sont tout près de la limite amont de leur aire de répartition dans le Saint-Laurent. Les effectifs de la plupart des espèces ont fluctué passablement depuis le milieu des années 1970, mais apparaissent maintenant relativement stables. Deux tendances plus récentes apparaissent cependant : la multiplication rapide du guillemot marmette (Uria aalge) et le déclin du guillemot à miroir (Cepphus grylle) jusqu’à un niveau très bas. Des recommandations sont émises pour la conservation et la gestion de cette communauté.Twenty-seven sites within the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park coordination zone (Québec, Canada) host active seabird colonies. These hold approximately 23,000 breeding pairs of 8 species (4 larids, 3 alcids and the Double-crested Cormorant [Phalacrocorax auritus]), 4 of which are close to the upstream limit of their breeding range in the St. Lawrence. Due to their abundance and distribution, the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) and the Double-crested Cormorant are undoubtedly the most representative members of this group in the study area. The numbers of most of the 8 species have fluctuated significantly since the mid-1970s, but are now relatively stable. However, in recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the Common Murre (Uria aalge) population and a decline in that of the Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle), which has dropped to a very low level. Recommendations are made for the conservation and management of this bird community

Les oiseaux marins nicheurs dans l’aire de coordination du parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent

Dans l’aire de coordination du parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent, on compte 27 sites abritant des colonies actives d’oiseaux marins. Cette communauté compterait plus de 23 000 couples nicheurs appartenant à 8 espèces, dont 4 laridés et 3 alcidés, en plus du cormoran à aigrettes (Phalacrocorax auritus). Le goéland argenté (Larus argentatus) et le cormoran à aigrettes, de par leur abondance et leur répartition, sont sans doute les deux espèces les plus représentatives de l’aire d’étude. Quatre espèces sont tout près de la limite amont de leur aire de répartition dans le Saint-Laurent. Les effectifs de la plupart des espèces ont fluctué passablement depuis le milieu des années 1970, mais apparaissent maintenant relativement stables. Deux tendances plus récentes apparaissent cependant : la multiplication rapide du guillemot marmette (Uria aalge) et le déclin du guillemot à miroir (Cepphus grylle) jusqu’à un niveau très bas. Des recommandations sont émises pour la conservation et la gestion de cette communauté.Twenty-seven sites within the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park coordination zone (Québec, Canada) host active seabird colonies. These hold approximately 23,000 breeding pairs of 8 species (4 larids, 3 alcids and the Double-crested Cormorant [Phalacrocorax auritus]), 4 of which are close to the upstream limit of their breeding range in the St. Lawrence. Due to their abundance and distribution, the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) and the Double-crested Cormorant are undoubtedly the most representative members of this group in the study area. The numbers of most of the 8 species have fluctuated significantly since the mid-1970s, but are now relatively stable. However, in recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the Common Murre (Uria aalge) population and a decline in that of the Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle), which has dropped to a very low level. Recommendations are made for the conservation and management of this bird community