BEACHED BIRD SURVEYS By: Shandiin Vandervere Mentor: Thomas Van Pelt; Mass Mortality of Guillemots

Thomas Van Pelt  A consultant for the Bering Sea Integrated Ecosystem Project  Currently resides in Anchorage, Alaska  Attended the University of Glasgow, University of California, and Universidad de La Habana  Speaks numerous languages, including German, French, and Spanish  Currently conducting beached bird surveys

What Are Beached Bird Surveys?  To conduct beached bird surveys, teams of scientists go to individual beaches to record and document the number of beached birds they find as the groups analyze the beach  Scientists use a number of scientific equipment to assist them count the deceased birds  du/coasst/ du/coasst/

Most Common Beached Birds Common Murres: the most common bird found beached Northern Fulmar: the second most found beached bird

Percentage of Beached Bird Species  Note: the increase in number of birds found over time reflects an increase in survey effort, not an increase in the number of dead birds -Different Species Found Beached in Years-

Beached Bird Surveys in Progress Kittiwake: these birds are only a few days old Tom Van Pelt: searching in the Kittiwake nests for chicks

Why Does This Matter? Beached Bird Surveys help scientists uncover the reasons why numerous Birds have been beached over course of years. These surveys serve as a baseline or point of reference to determine future effects to the marine environment. By knowing the causes, scientists can now take the steps necessary to save these birds and preserve their habitat. Interview with scientist Julia Parrish

Bibliography   bird-surveys/ bird-surveys/  2_ pdf 2_ pdf