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Movements, nesting, and response to anthropogenic disturbance of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in Redwood National and State Parks, California.
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2006-05-01
[PDF-2.75 MB]
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Abstract:During three nesting seasons a total of 102 marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) were captured on the ocean off
northern California and had radio transmitters attached. Reproductive success varied between years, and the average reproductive success
was 6.9-13.5%, depending on assumptions in the calculations. Most nest failures occurred early in incubation. Predation by corvids was
implicated as a major source of nest failure.
When nests were exposed to disturbance in form of sound from an operating chainsaw, neither incubating adults or chicks flushed
from the nest. The proportion of resting behavior was significantly less when the saw was operating than before or after. Reproductive
success was not reduced when nests were exposed to the sound disturbance. No correlation was found between nest success and distance
from roads or trails. However, there was a potential for indirect effects of longer-term noise (greater than 15 minutes) due to potential
attraction of corvids.
Murrelets that were feeding chicks flew inland later in the morning than other inland flying murrelets. Only chick-feeding
murrelets flew inland in the evening. Murrelets whose breeding attempts failed still continued to fly inland. At one nest equipped with
a persistent video, murrelets nested at the same location on the platform for five years, but lost their eggs to Steller’s Jays or Ravens
in 3 of 5 years
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