Document Author: Anne Schaefer

Marine Bird Winter Surveys in Prince William Sound – 2024

In September and November 2024, staff from PWSSC conducted surveys of marine birds in and around the Prince William Sound’s tanker escort zone and the VMT. Highlights from the surveys include:

  • The densest populations were found in Port Valdez and Hinchinbrook Entrance during both September and November.
  • In September, the population was dominated by kittiwakes (over 60%), including over 3000 nesting pairs in Port Valdez.
  • Fewer birds were encountered in November, and the species shifted dramatically. Cormorants, deep ducks, and inshore ducks were the most common species.

Their report summarizes the survey’s findings and recommendations for continued monitoring.

Marine Bird Hotspots in Prince William Sound

A Pacific Loon, or gavia pacifica, swims on calm water, The bird has black, grey, and white coloring in varying patterns.
The Pacific Loon was the most-sighted of the loon species group. Photo by Kevin Cole.

Researchers Bishop and Schaefer combined 14 years of data from at-sea marine bird surveys, collected during March 2007-2014 and 2018-2023, to identify areas of Prince William Sound where marine birds tend to gather. They identified 12 marine bird species groups and created a series of hot spot maps showing the high-use areas in Prince William Sound. Primary areas identified for prioritized protection were Hinchinbrook Entrance, the head of Port Valdez, the Knowles Head anchorage area, and the Southwest Passages.

This information will be useful to help identify areas that may need extra protection in the event of an oil spill.

Marine Bird Winter Surveys in Prince William Sound – 2023

The survey was designed to complement the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council (EVOSTC) funded Gulf Watch Alaska surveys conducted from 2007-2022 by the PWS Science Center (raw data available on AOOS.org). Marine bird and mammal distribution and density around much of the tanker lane, Valdez Arm, and Port Valdez is largely unknown as the EVOSTC funded surveys did not cover these regions and many of these areas had not been surveyed in over a decade.

Chart showing density of bird species from 2021-2023. Click for higher resolution image.

Results in this report underscore the importance of protected nearshore habitat for marine birds and mammals during the winter. Researchers found areas of repeated high marine bird density that may warrant prioritized protection in the event of an oil spill. The primary areas for protection include Hinchinbrook Entrance (Port Etches, Zaikof Bay, Rocky Bay, and outer coastlines) and the head of Port Valdez between the Valdez Container Terminal and the outflow of Lowe River.

The data from this and previous reports is now available on NOAA’s Environmental Response Management Application: View Seabird Concentration

Marine Bird Winter Surveys in Prince William Sound – 2022

This work will help the Council understand local bird populations and habitats, the risks posed from an oil spill, and where special monitoring or protection is needed. Additionally, these surveys provide baseline monitoring information that can be used to understand the environmental impacts of terminal and tanker operations on marine bird species.

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