31 MAY 1998. CALIFORNIA: SEABIRD
"Ancillary migrant coastal seabird studies and observations concurrent with the spring gray whale cow/calf migration from Point Piedras Blancas, San Luis Obispo Co., California, mid-March thru 22 May suggest little if any 'El Nino' impacts on most seabird species since comparative observations and studies at this site commenced in 1994. Weather continued unseasonably wet through the season. The normally prevailing 20-25kt NNW longshore afternoon winds were infrequent and often replaced with several days of atypical southerlies. Many days were essentially calm (winds light & variable <15kts) which resulted in the usual nearshore upwelling which is usually visible at the surface seldom being strong and discernible at all. Only by mid-May did conditions begin to settle into the more normal springtime pattern. Coastal sea surface temperatures were generally running 1-2 C above the average. Some of this can be attributed to lack of the usual wind born mixing of colder nearshore sub- surface waters rather than just plain 'warmer' waters overall. In general, total estimated numbers of loons (all species) was equally comparable to previous seasons, at least since 1994. Likewise, Brant, scoters, phalaropes, Bonaparte's and Sabine's Gulls, and Forster's Terns appeared to be present in relatively 'normal' numbers and densities. However, tubenose and 'resident' alcid species of seabirds were present in a fraction of their usual numbers but picked up to near expected rates by mid-May, so it may have just been a late start or the earlier birds were further offshore beyond detectable range. Some Alaskan seabird species were exceptionally numerous and irruptive this winter/spring, most notably Black-legged Kittiwakes and to a lesser degree, Ancient Murrelets. On some days in March and April, up to 600 northbound Black-legged Kittiwakes were seen. Straggler kittiwakes and Ancient Murrelets continued to be seen well into mid to late May. The Pacific Loon migration got off to a slow start but peaked with record flights observed (counted) on April 26 and 27 (~60,000 each day), then tapered off abruptly thereafter to 5 - 10,000 per day (early May) to 2 - 5,000 per day (mid-May). Best estimate for the period 20 March thru 22 May for Pacific Loons was 465,000. Several days during the 'peak' were lost in fog and rain. The persistent and sometimes strong southerlies on some days dispersed the usual tight near-shorebound packs and threads allowing for more loons to pass doubtlessly undercounted. Despite all this, I believe 500 - 600,000 Pacific Loons probably passed the 'point', a figure which is thought to be 'normal' at this site each Spring based on observations annually here since 1994. So, in a nutshell; no apparent or significant negative 'El Nino' related impact on loon, brant, and scoters at least from this site. Sorry to be the bearer of such good news... this mailing list I note tends to lean heavily toward El Nino's negative impacts and effects (the 4-D's -- death, disaster, destruction, disease) more than neutral or positive :-). Neutral (positive) data is just as important as negative, but just not as much fun to collect (report) ....or something like that as the saying goes :-) Perhaps the 'El Nino' warmed waters and storm tracks were responsible for a few otherwise unusual warm water and tropical seabird sightings. A Red-billed Tropicbird was seen over the 'Point' on March 24. There were at least two Brown Boobies, an adult on April 05 and an immature on April 26. The latter may have been the same individual which was seen sporadically since December at several locations along the San Luis Obispo County coast. Three northbound Black Skimmers were seen on May 21. On the other hand, Baja-dispersing Heermann's Gulls seem to be present in much lower numbers than those observed in 1996 and 1997 when they were then observed northbound by the scores by mid-May. By contrast and by the end of the period (May 22), the rate of dispersal continued at a trickle of occasional one's and two's. Post breeding summertime northbound dispersal of Brown Pelicans passing the site was a little slow and late in getting started but by early to mid-May, the numbers were running strong and in the 500 to 1,000+ range per day on some days."--Richard Rowlett Pagodroma@aol.com.