Friday, October 12, 2012: 3:00 AM
Hall 4E/F (WSCC)
Emma Nelson
,
Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA
Rob Suryan, PhD
,
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Cheryl Horton
,
Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis
Amanda Gladics
,
Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis
For common murres, a deep diving marine bird, variation in nestling provisioning rates reflects differences in prey availability and foraging efficiency and has direct effects on nestling survival. Differences in provisioning rates can be attributed to both extrinsic and intrinsic factors. We hypothesize that: provisioning rates will vary with time of day, among locations within a colony, and among years. We collected provisioning rate data through direct observations and digital photographs taken during the day light hours at a large murre colony at Yaquina Head, Oregon. We used provisioning rate data from three breeding seasons, 2010-2012.
Findings show that there was a low amount of variation in provisioning rates among individuals, ranging from 1-7 feeds per day. The variation in provisioning rates during time of day is considerable, with large number of feeds in the morning; slightly lower number of feeds during the afternoon, and a low number of feeds during the evening. For the year-to-year comparisons, the findings show that provisioning rates are highest among this year in relation to the previous two years with 2010 having the second highest, and 2011 having the lowest.
This study provides insight for both the scientific and policy world by using common murres to understand how oceanographic changes affect other ecologically similar species, including commercially valuable species, and provide the general public a more complete understanding of their role in coastal marine ecosystems. Along with the scientific significance, a better understanding for spatial planning along the Oregon coast will also be provided.
