Biologist
Western Ecological Research Center
Email:
lmwhite@usgs.gov
Office Phone:
530-631-2143
ORCID:
0000-0002-3830-5921
Location
2885 Mission St Occupancy Agreement # Aca12594
400 Natural Bridges Drive
Santa Cruz
, CA
95060
US
Supervisor:
Josh Adams
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This data relase is a product of Atlas of Breeding Seabirds of the Main Hawaiian Islands Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (KPNWR) is an important seabird breeding site located at the northeastern tip of Kauaʻi in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). Despite the regional significance of KPNWR as one of the most important breeding sites for Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda), Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula), and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Ardenna pacifica) in MHI, robust and accurate population surveys have not been consistently conducted and recent information is lacking. In this study, we completed comprehensive population surveys for these three species during the 2019 breeding season. Using direct censusing...
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We used a stratified-random sampling approach to estimate the total abundance of Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna pacifica) nest sites across Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (KPNWR), Kauaʻi, during 1-7 July 2019. We first identified strata as unique geographic areas of the refuge to account for potential differences in nesting habitat and non-uniform nest site clustering. We then sub-divided strata where we expected high, low, minimal, or no nest site abundance. These distinctions were based on knowledge of shearwater nesting distribution gained while performing extensive ground-searching for tropicbirds across the entire refuge in April and May 2019. We delineated strata boundaries using recent satellite...
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During 13-18 May, 2019, we censused red-footed boobies (Sula sula) at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (KPNWR), Kauaʻi. To evaluate ground-based visual counts and assess variability among methods, we employed photographic techniques to count nesting red-footed boobies at KPNWR in three distinct sub-colony areas: Crater Hill East, Crater Hill Interior, and Crater Hill West (see associated data series report for delineation of sub-colony areas). For ground-based photos, we used a Sony a7rii camera (42 megapixel full-frame) equipped with a Sony 100-400mm F4.5-5.6G lens to allow sufficient resolution to count nests and birds. We achieved pixel resolutions (as a function of camera resolution, focal length, and...
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During 8-11 April, 13-18 May, and 1-7 July 2019, we censused Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) and White-tailed Tropicbird (P. lepturus) nests in Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (KPNWR), Kauaʻi, by searching all foot-accessible areas and by searching all cliffs and islets with spotting scopes from remote vantage points. We censused over the course of three visits to account for prolonged and asynchronous nesting. For ground searching, we used previous nest census results, recommendations from the previous Refuge biologist, and knowledge of tropicbird nesting habitat, to focus searches in areas where nesting was likely: along cliff edges and steep slopes, particularly at the base of ironwood trees...
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During 8-11 April, 13-18 May, and 1-7 July 2019, we censused Red-tailed (Phaethon rubricauda) and White-tailed (P. lepturus) tropicbird nests in Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (KPNWR), Kauaʻi, by searching all foot-accessible areas and by searching all cliffs and islets with spotting scopes from remote vantage points. We censused over the course of three visits to account for prolonged and asynchronous nesting. For ground searching, we used previous nest census results, recommendations from the previous Refuge biologist, and our knowledge of tropicbird nesting habitat, to focus searches in areas where nesting was likely: along cliff edges and steep slopes, particularly at the base of ironwood trees (Casuarina...
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