In Washington, Tufted Puffin (TUPU) populations have undergone widespread colony abandonment along with an order of magnitude population decline consistent with a general pattern of regional range contraction (Pearson et al., submitted). The primary objective of my research is to gain an understanding of the TUPU breeding population dynamics and trends on 3 active breeding sites in Washington (Destruction, Protection, and Smith Islands) by conducting an inter-annual comparison of variability in burrow occupancy and breeding success. This research complements concurrent TUPU diet research in Prof. Hodum’s lab which will inform conservation planning for TUPU populations

Fross, Olivia M

English

In Washington, Tufted Puffin (TUPU) populations have undergone widespread colony abandonment along with an order of magnitude population decline consistent with a general pattern of regional range contraction (Pearson et al., submitted). The primary objective of my research was to gain an understanding of the TUPU breeding population dynamics and trends on 3 active breeding sites in Washington (Destruction, Protection, and Smith Islands) by conducting an interannual comparison of variability in burrow occupancy and breeding success

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University of Puget Sound Sound Ideas Summer Research Summer 2022 Population Dynamics and Trends of an Endangered Seabird: Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) in Washington Olivia M. Fross Follow this and additional works at: https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/summer_research Population Dynamics and Trends of an Endangered Seabird: Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) in WashingtonOlivia Fross and Dr. Peter HodumBiology Department University of Puget SoundSummer Quest Sept. 2022PRINTED BY PRINT & COPY SERVICES AT UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND  | PUGETSOUND.EDU/PCSPrimary Goal: v Assess TUPU breeding population dynamics and trends on three active breeding sites in Washington (Destruction, Protection, and Smith islands) by conducting an inter-annual comparison of variability in colony attendance patterns, burrow occupancy, and breeding success.Specific Research Objectives:v Contribute 2022 breeding season data to time series for Destruction and Smith islands and conduct inter-annual comparisons in reproductive parameters.v Conduct a comprehensive survey of TUPU population on Protection Island for the 2022 season to determine size of breeding population.Current ProgressDestruction Island (DI):v From early June to early August 2022, we conducted land-based surveys to determine total number of burrows, burrow occupancy rates, and breeding success of the TUPU. We mapped all active burrows onto established colony photographic maps, recorded visits and the delivery of prey to individually marked burrows and used an infra-red camera system to determine contents and fates of marked burrows.Protection Island (PI):v From late May to late July 2022, we conducted land- and boat-based surveys to determine burrow locations and burrow occupancy of the TUPU population.Smith Island (SI):v Similar to the method described for PI, in mid-July, we conducted boat-based surveys to determine breeding burrow locations and burrow occupancy rates of the TUPU population.I created a database for all previous years of DI, PI, and SI reproductive success, colony attendance patterns and chick provisioning rates.AcknowledgmentsFuture DirectionsHanson T., and G.J. Wiles, 2015 Washington State Status Report for the Tufted Puffin (2015) - WDFW Publications | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. WDFW Publications.Referencesv Understanding population dynamics and trends is fundamentally important to inform and advance the recovery of threatened and endangered species.v Based on rapidly declining population trends over recent decades, seabirds are considered to be one of the most threatened groups of birds globally.vTufted Puffins (TUPU; Fratercula cirrhata) are currently listed as Endangered by Washington State. v TUPUs in Washington have undergone widespread colony abandonment, with the population declining by 90+% (Figure 1). v TUPU population trends in Washington are consistent with patterns of regional decline throughout the California Current System.TUPU populations are predicted to continue to decline in Washington due to ongoing threats from multiple factors and to become functionally extinct within 40 years. An understanding of population dynamics and trends is critical to developing informed conservation planning for Tufted Puffins.Introduction Research Goal and Objectiveshttps://www.birdguides-cdn.com/Figure 1.  Locations and historical maximum population estimates for 44 TUPU historic breeding colonies documented in Washington (Hanson and Wiles 2015). Circled are the Islands covered in my study; Destruction (blue), Protection (purple), and Smith land (green).All Photo Credits: Olivia Fross and Peter HodumI will conduct an interannual comparison of variability in Island burrow occupancy (both Destruction and Smith islands) and breeding success data (Destruction Island only) from past seasons along with data we collected in the 2022 breeding season. v Have burrow occupancy and breeding success changed over multiple seasons? v Chi-square statistical tests will analyze burrow occupancy, activity patterns, and breeding success over time.This study will form the basis for my senior thesis, and I will present my findings at the 2023 Pacific Seabird Group conference.This study will contribute to conservation planning and priority-setting for the species in Washington. I would like to thank Prof. Peter Hodum and his colleagues, Drs. Scott Pearson (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife), Tom Good (NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center) and Eric Wagner (Center for Ecosystem Sentinels) for their contributions to this ongoing research.I also thank the gracious McCormick Scholar Award Donors for making my summer research experience a reality.Puget Sound is committed to being accessible to all people. If you have questions about event accessibility, please contact accessibility@pugetsound.edu or visit pugetsound.edu/accessibility.

Population Dynamics and Trends of an Endangered Seabird: Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) in Washington

University of Puget Sound Sound Ideas Summer Research Summer 2021 Population Dynamics and Trends of an Endangered Seabird: Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) in Washington Olivia M. Fross University of Puget Sound Follow this and additional works at: https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/summer_research Recommended Citation Fross, Olivia M., "Population Dynamics and Trends of an Endangered Seabird: Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) in Washington" (2021). Summer Research. 389. https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/summer_research/389 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Sound Ideas. It has been accepted for inclusion in Summer Research by an authorized administrator of Sound Ideas. For more information, please contact soundideas@pugetsound.edu. SAFETY - Keep all important elements, including text, at least 1/2-inch from edge of page.Population Dynamics and Trends of an Endangered Seabird: Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) in WashingtonOlivia Fross and Dr. Peter HodumBiology Department University of Puget SoundSummer Quest Sept. 2021PRINTED BY PRINT & COPY SERVICES AT UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND  | PUGETSOUND.EDU/PCSPrimary Goal: v Assess TUPU breeding population dynamics and trends on three active breeding sites in Washington (Destruction, Protection, and Smith islands) by conducting an inter-annual comparison of variability in colony attendance patterns, burrow occupancy, and breeding success.Specific Research Objectives:v Contribute 2021 breeding season data to time series for Destruction Island and Smith Island and conduct inter-annual comparisons in reproductive parameters.v Conduct a comprehensive survey of TUPU population on Protection Island for the 2021 season to determine breeding population size and breeding success.Current Progressv Creation of a database for all previous years of DI reproductive success, colony attendance patterns and chick provisioning rates.Destruction Island:v From early June to early August, we conducted land-based surveys to determine total number of burrows, burrow occupancy rates, and breeding success of the TUPU population for the 2021 breeding season. We mapped all active burrows onto established colony photographic maps, recorded visits and the delivery of prey to individually marked burrows and used an infra-red camera system to determine contents and fates of marked burrows.Protection Island:v From late May to late July, we conducted land- and boat-based surveys to determine burrow locations and burrow occupancy of the TUPU population for the 2021 breeding season.Smith Island:v Similar to the method described for Protection Island, in mid-July, we conducted boat-based surveys at Smith Island to determine breeding burrow locations and burrow occupancy rates of the TUPU population.AcknowledgmentsFuture DirectionsHanson T., and G.J. Wiles, 2015 Washington State Status Report for the Tufted Puffin (2015) - WDFW Publications | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. WDFW Publications.Referencesv A critical application of modern ecological science is the identification and recovery of threatened and endangered species. Understanding population dynamics and trends is fundamentally important to inform, aid, and assess the recovery of species in danger of extinction.v Based on rapidly declining population trends over recent decades, seabirds are considered to be one of the most threatened groups of birds globally.v Tufted Puffins (TUPU; Fratercula cirrhata) are currently listed as Endangered by Washington State. v TUPUs in Washington have undergone widespread colony abandonment along with an order of magnitude population decline (Figure 1). v TUPU population trends in Washington are consistent with patterns of regional decline throughout the California Current System.TUPU populations are predicted to continue to decline in Washington due to ongoing threats from multiple factors and will become functionally extinct within 40 years. An understanding of population dynamics and trends is critical to developing informed conservation planning for the TUPU.Introduction Research Goal and Objectiveshttps://www.birdguides-cdn.com/Figure 1.  Locations and historical maximum population estimates for 44 TUPU historic breeding colonies documented in Washington (Hanson and Wiles 2015). Circled are the Islands covered in my study; Destruction (blue), Protection (purple), and Smith land (green).All Photo Credits: Olivia Fross, Peter Hodum, and Scott Pearsonv Finish digitizing data from current and past seasons.v Analyze and organize photos of TUPU bill loads.I will conduct an interannual comparison of variability in Island burrow occupancy (both Destruction and Smith Islands) and breeding success data (Destruction Island only) from past seasons along with data we collected in the 2021 breeding season. v Have burrow occupancy and breeding success changed over multiple seasons? v Chi-square statistical tests will analyze burrow occupancy, activity patterns, and breeding success over time.v Information gathered in this study will contribute to the Endangered Species listing process.I would like to thank Prof. Peter Hodum and his colleagues, Drs. Scott Pearson (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife), Tom Good (NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center) and Eric Wagner (Center for Ecosystem Sentinels) for their contributions to this ongoing research.I also thank the gracious Agricola Scholar Award Donors for making my summer research experience a reality.Puget Sound is committed to being accessible to all people. If you have questions about event accessibility, please contact accessibility@pugetsound.edu or visit pugetsound.edu/accessibility.

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Population Dynamics and Trends of an Endangered Seabird: Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) in Washington

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