13 JUNE 1998. PERU: SEABIRDS
"El Nino 1997-98 has affected considerably Humboldt penguins
in Peru. Since March 1998, the population of penguins at Punta San Juan
has not recovered after the total breeding failure in the second half of
1997. Between April - June 1998 only 20 - 40 birds have been found on beaches
within Punta San Juan. In April 1997 this headland held approximately 1800
breeding pairs. First breeding season of 1998 (April-July) was skipped
and probably they will not reproduce in the next season neither (August
- December). Sea surface temperature are getting colder and the presence
of anchovy shoals have been reported in the southern coast of Peru. Population
of guanay cormorants, Peruvian pelicans, Inca terns and Peruvian boobies
within Punta San Punta from October 97 onwards have been much lower than
in other years. Guanayes, inca terns, Band-tailed gulls and boobies failed
to breed in October-November 97, whereas pelicans did not attempt to breed.
Also, large flocks of Franklin's gull with breeding plumage have been seen
in the southern coast of Peru, Punta San Juan and Lima in May 98. They
were probably beginning a delayed migration to their breeding sites in
North America."-- "Carlos B. Zavalaga" <czav@telematic.edu.pe>
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1997 El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO 97-98)