Changes in Diurnal Cliff-Nesting Raptor Occurrence on the Ungalik River in Western Alaska: 1977, 1979, and 2008

Diurnal cliff-nesting raptors were inventoried on the Ungalik River, Alaska, in 1977 and 1979. In 2008 we resurveyed the drainage, replicating the techniques used in 1979. The density of nesting raptors during the late nesting season has doubled in the past three decades, from six occupied territories detected in 1977 and four in 1979 to 12 in 2008. A single Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) was sighted during aerial surveys in 1977, and a pair of Peregrine Falcons was detected during a boat survey in 1979; however, nesting by these birds was not confirmed. In contrast, we detected five occupied Peregrine Falcon territories along the Ungalik River in 2008. Other changes in cliff-nesting raptor occurrence included a decrease in occupied Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) territories from four in 1977 to one in 1979 and two in 2008, a decrease in Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) nests from one in 1979 (none in 1977) to none in 2008, and increases in Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nests, from two in 1977 and 1979 to five in 2008. Changes in the number of nests of cliff-nesting raptors in this small population may have resulted, in part, from natural variation associated with changes in weather or prey abundance. However, it is likely that the increase in nesting Peregrine Falcons is related to global population recovery. Our data indicate that factors other than available nesting sites limit cliff-nesting raptor numbers along the Ungalik River. Spatial analysis indicated that cliff-nesting raptor nests were most often on hills or cliffs that face away from the coast, which is the source of most storms.En 1977 et en 1979, des rapaces diurnes nichant en falaise ont été répertoriés sur la rivière Ungalik, en Alaska. En 2008, nous avons réalisé de nouveaux relevés dans le bassin hydrographique, en reprenant les techniques employées en 1979. La densité des nids de rapaces en fin de saison de nidification a doublé au cours des trois dernières décennies. En 1977, il y avait six territoires occupés, puis quatre en 1979, et 12 en 2008. Un seul faucon pèlerin (Falco peregrinus) a été vu durant les relevés aériens de 1977 et une paire de faucons pèlerins a été observée pendant un relevé en bateau en 1979, bien que la nidification de ces oiseaux n’ait pas été confirmée. En revanche, en 2008, nous avons observé cinq territoires de faucon pèlerin occupés le long de la rivière Ungalik. Parmi les autres changements dans l’occurrence des rapaces nichant en falaise, on compte une diminution des territoires de faucon gerfaut (Falco rusticolus) occupés, passant de quatre en 1977 à un en 1979, puis à deux, en 2008; une diminution des nids de buse pattue (Buteo lagopus), passant de un en 1979 (aucun en 1977) à aucun en 2008; une augmentation des nids d’aigle royal (Aquila chrysaetos), passant de deux en 1977 et en 1979 à cinq en 2008. Les changements caractérisant le nombre de nids de rapaces nichant en falaise dans cette petite population pourraient découler, en partie, de la variation naturelle liée aux changements climatiques ou de l’abondance des proies. Toutefois, il est probable que l’augmentation de faucons pèlerins en nidification soit liée au rétablissement de la population mondiale. Nos données indiquent que des facteurs autres que les sites de nidification disponibles limitent le nombre de rapaces diurnes nichant en falaise le long de la rivière Ungalik. Une analyse spatiale démontre que les rapaces diurnes nichant en falaise faisaient plus souvent leur nid sur les collines ou les falaises à l’opposé du littoral, d’où proviennent la plupart des tempêtes.

High-Speed, Photon Counting CCD Cameras for Astronomy

The design of electron multiplying CCD cameras require a very different approach from that appropriate for slow scan CCD operation. This paper describes the main problems in using electron multiplying CCDs for high-speed, photon counting applications in astronomy and how these may be substantially overcome. With careful design it is possible to operate the E2V Technologies L3CCDs at rates well in excess of that claimed by the manufacturer, and that levels of clock induced charge dramatically lower than those experienced with commercial cameras that need to operate at unity gain. Measurements of the performance of the E2V Technologies CCD201 operating at 26 MHz will be presented together with a guide to the effective reduction of clock induced charge levels. Examples of astronomical results obtained with our cameras are presented.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Mapping the laws which apply to intercepting wireless communications in a Western Australian legal context

The rapid evolution and deployment of WiFi technology creates a new environment where offenders can intercept and obtain sensitive information for use in the commissioning of further criminal activity. This paper explores how the law applies to an protects the wireless communications environment, with specific focus on the interception of WiFi data communications

High-resolution imaging and spectroscopy in the visible from large ground-based telescopes with natural guide stars

Near-diffraction limited imaging and spectroscopy in the visible on large (8-10 meter) class telescopes has proved to be beyond the capabilities of current adaptive optics technologies, even when using laser guide stars. The need for high resolution visible imaging in any part of the sky suggests that a rather different approach is needed. This paper describes the results of simulations, experiments and astronomical observations that show that a combination of low order adaptive optic correction using a 4-field curvature sensor and fast Lucky Imaging strategies with a photon counting CCD camera systems should deliver 20-25 milliarcsecond resolution in the visible with reference stars as faint as 18.5 magnitude in I band on large telescopes. Such an instrument may be used to feed an integral field spectrograph efficiently using configurations that will also be described.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure

Strategic Planning in Yemen

The first ever Landmine Impact Survey was completed in Yemen in July 2000 by the Mine Clearance Planning Agency. With the help of Cranfield Mine Action, Yemen has been developing a strategy to maximize the efficiency of its mine action program

Installment 2 of "Creating a Sustainable Food Future": Reducing Food Loss and Waste

Approximately one out of every four calories grown to feed people is not ultimately consumed by humans. Food is lost and wasted to a varying extent across the globe, across all stages of the food value chain, and across all types of food. As a result, overall global food availability is lower than it would be otherwise, negatively affecting food security and requiring the planet's agriculture system to produce additional food to compensate for the food that is not ultimately consumed by people. The potential benefits of reducing food loss and waste are large. As a strategy for closing the food gap between food available today and food needed in 2050 to adequately feed the planet's projected 9.3 billion people, reducing food loss and waste satisfies each of the development and environmental criteria we introduced in the first installment of the Creating a Sustainable Food Future series. While increasing food availability, reducing food loss and waste can alleviate poverty and provide gender benefits while reducing pressure on ecosystems, climate, and water. Reducing food loss and waste may be one of those rare multiple "win-win" strategies.How can the world go about reducing food loss and waste on a large scale? This installment of the forthcoming "World Resources Report Creating a Sustainable Food Future" addresses that question. This working paper, which will feed into that report, begins by clarifying definitions of food loss and waste, then quantifies the scale of the problem and explores the impact addressing the problem could have on the food gap. The paper then focuses on practical solutions for reducing food loss and waste and presents case studies of successful initiatives. It concludes by offering recommendations for how to scale up reductions in food loss and waste