Volume 48, No. 1
Volumes > 38 (2010-->)
- Volume 52, No. 2, 2024
- Volume 52, No. 1, 2024
- Volume 51, No. 2, 2023
- Volume 51, No. 1, 2023
- Volume 50, No. 2, 2022
- Volume 50, No. 1, 2022
- Volume 49, No. 2, 2021
- Volume 49, No. 1, 2021
- Volume 48, No. 2, 2020
- Volume 48, No. 1, 2020
- Volume 47, No. 2, 2019
- Volume 47, No. 1, 2019
- Volume 46, No. 2, 2018
- Volume 46, No. 1, 2018
- Volume 45, No. 2, 2017
- Volume 45, No. 1, 2017
- Volume 44, No. 2, 2016
- Volume 44, No. 1, 2016
- Volume 43, No. 2, 2015
- Volume 43, No. 1, 2015
- Volume 42, No. 2, 2014
- Volume 42, No. 1, 2014
- Volume 41, No. 2, 2013
- Volume 41, No. 1, 2013
- Volume 41, Special Issue, 2013
- Volume 40, No. 2, 2012
- Volume 40, No. 1, 2012
- Volume 39, No. 2, 2011
- Volume 39, No. 1, 2011
- Volume 38, No. 2, 2010
- Volume 38, No. 1, 2010
Volumes 28-37 (2000-09)
- Volume 37, No. 3, 2009
- Volume 37, No. 2, 2009
- Volume 37, No. 1, 2009
- Volume 36, No. 2, 2008
- Volume 36, No. 1, 2008
- Volume 35, No. 2, 2007
- Volume 35, No. 1, 2007
- Volume 34, No. 2, 2006
- Volume 34, No. 1, 2006
- Volume 33, No. 2, 2005
- Volume 33, No. 1, 2005
- Volume 32, No. 2, 2004
- Volume 32, No. 1, 2004
- Volume 31, No. 2, 2003
- Volume 31, No. 1, 2003
- Volume 30, No. 2, 2002
- Volume 30, No. 1, 2002
- Volume 29, No. 2, 2001
- Volume 29, No. 1, 2001
- Volume 28, No. 2, 2000
- Volume 28, No. 1, 2000
Volumes 18-27 (1990-99)
- Volume 27, No. 1 & 2, 1999
- Volume 26, No. 1 & 2, 1998
- Volume 24, No. 1 & 2, 1996
- Volume 25, No. 1 & 2, 1997
- Volume 23, No. 2, 1995
- Volume 23, No. 1, 1995
- Volume 22, No. 2, 1994
- Volume 22, No. 1, 1994
- Volume 21, No. 1 & 2, 1993
- Volume 20, No. 1 & 2, 1992
- Volume 19, No. 1, 1991
- Volume 18, No. 1 & 2, 1990
Volumes 5-17 (1978-89) a.k.a 'Cormorant'
- Volume 17, No. 1 & 2, 1989
- Volume 16, No. 1, 1988
- Volume 16, No. 2, 1988
- Volume 15, No. 1 & 2, 1987
- Volume 14, No. 1 & 2, 1987
- Volume 13, No. 2, 1986
- Volume 13, No. 1, 1986
- Volume 12, No. 2, 1985
- Volume 12, No. 1, 1985
- Volume 11, No. 1 & 2, 1984
- Volume 10, No. 2, 1983
- Volume 10, No. 1, 1983
- Volume 9, No. 2, 1982
- Volume 9, No. 1, 1982
- Volume 8, No. 2, 1981
- Volume 8, No. 1, 1981
- Volume 7, 1980
- Volume 5, 1978
Search by author or title:
At-sea congregation surveys to assess the status of Scripps's Murrelets Synthliboramphus scrippsi at islands off western Baja California, México in 2002-2008
Citation
WHITWORTH, D.L., CARTER, H.R., PALACIOS, E. & GRESS, F. 2020. At-sea congregation surveys to assess the status of Scripps's Murrelets Synthliboramphus scrippsi at islands off western Baja California, México in 2002-2008.
Marine Ornithology 48: 41
- 52
http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.48.1.1345
Received 03 September 2019, accepted 06 November 2019
Date Published: 2020/04/15
Date Online: 2019/03/05
Key words: at-sea congregation, Baja California, Islas Coronado, San Benito, San Jerónimo, Todos Santos, Scripps's Murrelet, spotlight surveys
Abstract
In 2002−2008, we conducted spotlight surveys and at-sea captures to determine the distribution and to estimate the population size of Synthliboramphus murrelets at nine islands off the Pacific coast of Baja California (BC), México. Scripps's Murrelets S. scrippsi (SCMU) were detected in nocturnal at-sea congregations near six islands: Islas Coronado (IC), Todos Santos (TS), San Martín (SM), San Jerónimo (SJ), San Benito (SB), and Cedros (CD). Nest searches confirmed breeding at all islands except SM and CD, where breeding was presumed based on congregation attendance. Historically, SCMU were known or suspected to breed at all of these islands except CD, but knowledge of population size and trends prior to 1999 was limited to qualitative estimates and speculation. In 2002−2008, we estimated the total SCMU breeding population in the region to be 1686−4428 pairs, including 1117−2933 at IC, 262−688 at TS, 19−49 at SM, 24−64 at SJ, 231−607 at SB, and 33−87 at CD. SCMU populations have likely increased at IC, TS, SM, and SB since the eradication of cats in the late 1990s, but the small colony on SJ may be limited by competition for nest sites by a large and growing Cassin's Auklet Ptychoramphus aleuticus colony. Recent trends are unknown for the remnant SCMU population at CD, where breeding is restricted to isolated refuges safe from terrestrial predators. Although these surveys were conducted 11−17 years ago, these data provide the most recent population estimates available for these islands and offer a reliable modern baseline for measuring future population trends.
References
BAIRD, S.F. 1859. Notes on a collection of birds made by Mr. John Xantus, at Cape St. Lucas, Lower California, and now in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia 11: 299-306.
BANCROFT, G. 1927. Notes on the breeding coastal and insular birds of central Lower California. The Condor 29: 188−195.
BEDOLLA-GUZMÁN, Y., MÉNDEZ-SÁNCHEZ, F., AGUIRRE-MUÑOZ, A. ET AL. 2019. Recovery and current status of seabirds on the Baja California Pacific Islands, Mexico, following restoration actions. In: VEITCH, C.R., CLOUT, M.N., MARTIN, A.R., RUSSELL, J.C. & WEST, C.J. (Eds.) Island Invasives: Scaling Up to Meet the Challenge. Occasional Paper SSC no. 62. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
BIRT, T.P., CARTER, H.R., WHITWORTH, D.L. ET AL. 2012. Rangewide population structure of the Xantus's Murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus). The Auk 129: 44-55.
BIRT, T.P., FRIESEN, V.L., CARTER, H.R., WHITWORTH, D.L. & NEWMAN, S.H. 2008. Genetic structure and inter-colony dispersal of Xantus's Murrelets: progress report. Unpubl. Report. Kingston, Canada: Queen's University and Davis, USA: California Institute of Environmental Studies.
CARTER, H.R., SEALY, S.G., BURKETT, E.E. & PIATT, J.F. 2005. Biology and conservation of Xantus's Murrelet: discovery, taxonomy and distribution. Marine Ornithology 33: 81−87.
CHESSER, R.T., BANKS, R.C., BARKER, F.K. ET AL. 2012. Fifty-third supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check List of North American Birds. The Auk 129: 573−588.
DEWEESE, L.R. & ANDERSON, D.W. 1976. Distribution and breeding biology of Craveri's Murrelet. Transactions of the San Diego Society of Natural History. 18: 155−168.
DOF (DIARIO OFICIAL DE LA FEDERACÍON). 2016. Decreto por el que se declara Área Natural Protegida, con el carácter de reserva de la biosfera, la región conocida como Islas del Pacífico de la Península de Baja California, Diario Oficial de la Federación. http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5464451&fecha=07/12/2016
DROST, C.A. & LEWIS, D.B. 1995. Scripps's Murrelet (Synthliboramphus scrippsi). In: P.G. Rodewald (Ed.) The Birds of North America, No. 164. Ithaca, USA: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. doi:10.2173/bna.164
FAIR, J., PAUL, E. & JONES, J. 2010. Guidelines to Use of Wild Birds in Research. Washington, USA: Ornithological Council. [Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET. Accessed 21 October 2019].
GRINNELL, J. & DAGGETT, F.S. 1903. An ornithological visit to Los Coronados Islands, Lower California. The Auk 20: 27−37.
HAMILTON, C.D., GOLIGHTLY R.T. & TAKEKAWA, J.T. 2011. Relationships between breeding status, social-congregation attendance, and foraging distance of Xantus's Murrelets. The Condor 113: 140−149.
HOWELL, A.B. 1910. Notes from Los Coronados Islands. The Condor 12: 184−187.
HOWELL, A.B. 1911. Some birds of the San Quintin Bay region, Baja, California. The Condor 13: 151−153.
HOWELL, A.B. 1912. Notes from Todos Santos Islands. The Condor 14: 187−191.
HOWELL, A.B. 1917. Birds of the islands off the coast of southern California. Pacific Coast Avifauna 12: 1-127.
JEHL, J.R. & BOND, S.I. 1975. Morphological variation and species limits in murrelets of the genus Endomychura. Transactions of the San Diego Society of Natural History 18: 9−22.
KAEDING, H.B. 1905. Birds from the west coast of Lower California and adjacent islands. The Condor 7: 105−138.
KARNOVSKY, N.J., SPEAR, L.B., CARTER, H.R. ET AL. 2005. At-sea distribution, abundance and habitat affinities of Xantus's Murrelets. Marine Ornithology 33: 89-104.
KEITT, B.S. 2005. Status of Xantus's Murrelet and its nesting habitat in Baja California, Mexico. Marine Ornithology 33: 105−114.
LAMB, C. 1909. Nesting of Xantus Murrelet as observed on Los Coronados Islands, Lower California. The Condor 11: 8−9.
LAMB, C.C. 1927. The birds of Natividad Island, Lower California. The Condor 29: 67−70.
MCCHESNEY, G.J. & TERSHY, B.R. 1998. History and status of introduced mammals and impacts to breeding seabirds on the California Channel Islands and Northwestern Baja California Islands. Colonial Waterbirds 21: 335−347.
MURRAY, K.G., WINNETT-MURRAY, K., EPPLEY, Z.A., HUNT, G.L. Jr. & SCHWARTZ, D.B. 1983. Breeding biology of the Xantus' Murrelet. The Condor 85: 12-21.
OSBURN, P.I. 1909. Notes on the birds of Los Coronados Island Lower California. The Condor 11: 134-138.
OSBURN, P.I. 1911. Collecting Socorro and Black Petrels in Lower California. The Condor 13: 31-34.
SAMANIEGO-HERRERA, A., PERALTA-GARCÍA, A., & AGUIRRE-MUÑOZ, A. (Eds.). 2007. Vertebrados de las islas del Pacífico de Baja California. Guía de campo. A.C. Ensenada: Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas.
SEALY, S.G. 1976. Biology of nesting Ancient Murrelets. The Condor 78: 294−306.
SEMARNAT (SECRETARÍA DE MEDIO AMBIENTE Y RECURSOS NATURALES). 2010. NORMA Oficial Mexicana NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, Protección ambiental—Especies nativas de México de flora y fauna silvestres—Categorías de riesgo y especificaciones para su inclusión, exclusión o cambio—Lista de especies en riesgo. Diario Oficial de la Federación. 30 diciembre 2010. 2: 1−77.
STEPHENS, F. 1921. Early spring notes on birds of Coronado Islands, Mexico. The Condor 23: 96-97.
VAN DENGURGH, J. 1924. The birds of Todos Santos Islands. The Condor 26: 67−71.
WHITWORTH, D.L. & CARTER, H.R. 2014. Nocturnal spotlight surveys for monitoring Scripps's murrelets in at-sea congregations at Anacapa Island, California. Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist 7: 306−320.
WHITWORTH, D.L. & CARTER, H.R. 2018a. Population trends for Scripps's Murrelet following eradication of black rats. Journal of Wildlife Management 82: 232−237. doi:10.1002/jwmg.21370
WHITWORTH, D.L. & CARTER, H.R. 2018b. Scripps's Murrelet at San Miguel Island, California: status of a small population at the northwest limit of the breeding range. Western North American Naturalist 78: 441−456.
WHITWORTH, D.L., CARTER, H.R., DVORAK, T.M., FARLEY, L.S. & KING, J.L. 2014. Status, distribution, and conservation of Scripps's murrelet at Santa Catalina Island, California. Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist 7: 321−338.
WHITWORTH, D.L., CARTER, H.R., PALACIOS, E., & GRESS, F. 2018a. Breeding of Craveri's Murrelet Synthliboramphus craveri at four islands off west-central Baja California, México. Marine Ornithology 46: 117−124.
WHITWORTH, D.W., CARTER, H.R., PARKER, M.W., GRESS, F. & BOOKER, M. 2018b. Long-term monitoring of Scripps's murrelets and Guadalupe murrelets at San Clemente Island, California: evaluation of baseline data in 2012-2016. Western North American Naturalist 78: 457−473.
WHITWORTH, D.L, TAKEKAWA, J.Y., CARTER, H.R. & MCIVER, W.R. 1997. A night-lighting technique for at-sea capture of Xantus' Murrelets. Colonial Waterbirds 20: 525-531.
WILLETT, G. 1913. Bird notes from the coast of northern lower California. The Condor 15: 19-24.
WOLF, S., PHILLIPS, C., ZEPEDA-DOMINGUEZ, J.A., ALBORES-BARAJAS, Y. & MARTIN, P. 2005. Breeding biology of Xantus's Murrelet at the San Benito Islands, Baja California, México. Marine Ornithology 33: 123-129.
WRIGHT, H.W. 1909. An ornithological trip to Los Coronados Islands, Mexico. The Condor 11: 96−100.
WRIGHT. H.W. 1913. The birds of San Martin Island, Lower California. The Condor 15: 207−210.