Ancient murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus): COSEWIC status appraisal summary 2014

Special Concern
2014

Table of Contents

List of Figure

List of Tables

Document Information

COSEWIC
Committee on the Status
of Endangered Wildlife
in Canada

COSEWIC logo

COSEPAC
Comité sur la situation
des espèces en péril
au Cananda

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. This report may be cited as follows:

COSEWIC. 2013. COSEWIC status appraisal summary on the Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquusin Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xxi pp. (Species at Risk Public Registry website).

Production note:

COSEWIC acknowledges Iain Stenhouse for writing the status report on the Ancient Murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus, prepared under contract with Environment Canada. This report was overseen and edited by Marty Leonard, Co-chair of the Birds Specialist Subcommittee.

For additional copies contact:

COSEWIC Secretariat
c/o Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment Canada
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0H3

Tel.: 819-938-4125
Fax: 819-938-3984
E-mail: COSEWIC E-mail
Website: COSEWIC

Également disponible en français sous le titre Sommaire du statut de l’espèce du COSEPAC sur le Guillemot à cou blanc (Synthliboramphus antiquus) au Canada.

COSEWIC Assessment Summary

Assessment Summary - November 2014

Common name
Ancient Murrelet
Scientific name
Synthliboramphus antiquus
Status
Special Concern
Reason for designation
Approximately half of the global breeding population of this burrow-nesting seabird occurs on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Recent survey information for the species is limited and the overall population trend is unknown. There is, however, evidence of declines at some breeding colonies on the west coast of Haida Gwaii, although populations may be increasing at some colonies on the east coast. The species is exposed to a number of threats including predation from introduced predators, habitat degradation, exposure to oil and oceanographic changes. The species may become Threatened if these threats are not appropriately managed.
Occurrence
British Columbia, Pacific Ocean
Status history
Designated Special Concern in April 1993. Status re-examined and confirmed in November 2004 and November 2014.

COSEWIC Status Appraisal Summary

Scientific Name:
Synthliboramphus antiquus
English Name:
Ancient Murrelet
French Name:
Guillemot à cou blanc
 
Range of occurrence in Canada:
British Columbia

Status History

COSEWIC:
Designated Special Concern in April 1993. Status re-examined and confirmed in November 2004 and November 2014.

Evidence

Wildlife species:
 
Change in eligibility, taxonomy or designatable units:
no

Explanation:

No change since last assessment.

Range

Change in extent of occurrence (EO):
no
Change in index of area of occupancy (IAO) :
no
Change in number of known or inferred current locations:
no
Significant new survey information
yes

Explanation:

No additional data on EO, IAO or the number of locations since last assessment. EO and IAO have, however, been recalculated using current methodology (see Technical Summary). There is new survey information for some colonies (see next section).

* Use the IUCN definition of “location”

Population Information:

Change in number of mature individuals:
yes
Change in population trend:
unk
Change in severity of population fragmentation:
no
Change in trend in area and/or quality of habitat:
yes
Significant new survey information
yes

Explanation:

At the time of the last assessment in 2004 the population estimate for Langara Islands was 10,365 +/- 2,011 (SE) pairs based on survey work conducted in 1999. The conclusion at the time was that the colony had not recovered following predator removal (Drever 2002). Shortly after the assessment in 2004, however, the colony was surveyed again and the population was estimated at 24,037 +/- 4,073 pairs. Also following the assessment, the 1999 estimate was revised to 13,014 +/- 2,525 pairs based on an improved calculation of colony surface area (Regehr et al. 2006). So, based on the new survey information from 2004 (24,037 +/- 4,073 pairs) and the revised estimate of the population from 1999 (13,014 +/- 2,525 pairs), it appears that the population showed a substantial increase between 1999 and 2004 (Regehr et al. 2007). Unfortunately, this information only came to light after the previous COSEWIC status report was completed, and so is not documented in the previous status report.

More recent survey information from other colony islands, however, indicates some declines in burrow occupancy rates for this species. Some small seabird colony islands off the west coast of Haida Gwaii have been surveyed a number of times over the last 30 years. Comprehensive surveys were first carried out on the islands of Englefield Bay (Saunders, Helgesen, Little Helgesen, Carswell, Lihou, Instructor, Rogers, and Luxmoore islands) in 1986, when they were found to support an estimated 19,000 pairs of Ancient Murrelets (7% of the Canadian breeding population at the time; Rodway et al. 1990). Several of these colonies were resurveyed in 1993, 2004, and 2011.

By 1993, Saunders, Helgesen, Little Helgesen, and Instructor islands had been seriously affected by the arrival of Raccoons (Procyon lotor), an introduced predator (Gaston & Masselink 1997).

In 2004, repeat surveys on Saunders, Helgesen, Little Helgesen, and Instructor islands indicated no recovery of seabird populations, despite the removal of Racoons from Helgesen and Little Helgesen islands in 1995 (Gaston et al. 2011). Indeed, there was no sign of breeding on Saunders Island or Little Helgesen in 2004.

In 2011, Saunders was visited again and Helgesen, Little Helgesen, and Lihou were systematically resurveyed (at least in part), using the same methods as the original survey in 1986 (Gaston et al. 2011). Again, there was no evidence of breeding on Saunders or Little Helgesen islands as in 2004. In 2011, sample burrows on the southern and central sections of Helegesen Island indicated an occupancy rate of 0.11 compared with 0.63 in 1986, a decline in the population estimate of ~90% (Gaston et al. 2011). Surveys on Lihou Island in 2011 indicated an occupancy rate of 0.12 (Gaston et al. 2011), as compared to the Haida Gwaii mean of 0.63 in 1986 (Lihou was not surveyed in 1986). If the overall population estimate in 1986 reflected the population on Lihou at that time, then a decline in the breeding population on Lihou Island of ~50% occurred between 1986 and 2011.

A major blow-down of forest on several of the Laskeek Bay colony islands in the winter of 2010-11 reduced the amount of nesting habitat available to Ancient Murrelets (Gaston et al. 2011). Given the other habitat issues this species is experiencing (e.g. invasive species), additional habitat loss of this kind could have potential consequences at the population level by limiting suitable breeding sites further. Recent evidence from East Limestone Island, part of the Laskeek Bay colony islands, indicates that the number of chicks produced has fallen sharply in areas where the trees have fallen down (T. Gaston, pers. comm. 2014).

Burrow occupancy has been assessed at a couple of larger colonies, one off Haida Gwaii’s west coast (Frederick Island) and one off the east coast (George Island), somewhat regularly since the 1990s (L. Wilson &. M. Lemon, unpubl. data). In the late 1990s (1998), Frederick Island had burrow occupancy rates of 73%. By the mid-2000s, occupancy rate had declined to 41% (in 2005), but this was a poor year for seabird productivity in the region generally (Sydeman et al. 2006). In 2013, burrow occupancy at Frederick Island remained low at 47%, but in 2014 rates had increased to 58% (L. Wilson pers. comm. 2014). In the mid-1990s (1996), George Island had occupancy rates of 83%. Occupancy has remained relatively high at George Island (74% in 2003; 73% in 2008; 76% in 2013) since that time, although surveys in 2014 showed a drop in occupancy rates to 65% (L. Wilson pers. comm. 2014).

In general, it is very difficult to assess population trends for this species because estimates depend crucially on an assessment of occupancy rates. Breeding colonies are rarely visited and reliable data are extremely sparse. Even cursory assessments of occupancy are rare, with often decades between successive visits, leaving a lot to best guesses in the calculation of colony population estimates. Table 1 shows estimates for known Ancient Murrelet colonies. Many of these are out of date, or problematic in some way (e.g. were very cursory or included only a very limited area of the colony) but constitute the only existing data. As such, drawing conclusions from them is extremely difficult.

Threats:

Change in nature and/or severity of threats:
unk

Explanation:

All limiting factors and threats previously considered in the 2004 status assessment (introduced mammalian predators, oceanographic changes, habitat destruction/loss, oil exploration, disturbance, and commercial fisheries) still apply.

Introduced predators

Introduced mammalian predators continue to impact this species. In the decade following the eradication of Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus) on Langara Island in the mid-1990s, there was a rapid expansion in colony area, initially associated with a decrease in burrow density, and then a gradual increase in burrow occupancy (Bertram 1995, Taylor et al. 2000, Regehr et al. 2007). Large areas of suitable habitat remain uninhabited by Ancient Murrelets on Langara Island, however, and the availability of nesting habitat is not considered to be limiting the expansion of the colony (Major et al. 2012). Likewise, some islands, which either did or could potentially support Ancient Murrelet breeding populations, have been cleared of rats since 2012 by the Gwaii Haanas Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (GHPRHHS) management. This has created further potential breeding habitat (GHPRHHS pers. comm.). Raccoons remain a serious predator on easily-accessible islands (i.e. close to shore) in Englefield Bay and elsewhere.

Relatively recently, Ancient Murrelet populations were reported to be stable or increasing on all monitored colonies in Canada known to be free from introduced predators (Regehr et al. 2007, Gaston et al. 2009, Rodway & Lemon 2011), and the population increase at Langara Island was thought to indicate that ecological conditions in the region remained highly suitable for Ancient Murrelets (Gaston et al. 2009).

The most recent monitoring surveys, however, indicate declines in burrow occupancy rates at some colonies where mammalian predators have either been removed or were never introduced (Gaston et al. 2011, T. Gaston pers. comm. 2013). The cause(s) of these recent declines in burrow occupancy are unknown, but they appear to be unrelated to predation or disturbance by introduced predators. Notably, the status of stormpetrels on some of the same colony islands (Little Helgesen and Lihou) remains unchanged since the 1986 surveys (Gaston et al. 2011), suggesting that mammalian predators are not the main culprit, as one would expect all small, burrowing seabirds to be affected in some manner.

Thus, these recent declines in burrow occupancy may be the direct or indirect result of some other known threat (such as those referred to below), or indication of an emerging threat not previously considered.

Oceanographic changes

Long-term changes in oceanographic conditions, driven by climate change, are thought to have considerable impact on the health and abundance of seabird populations (Veit et al. 1996, Sydeman et al. 2001). Higher sea surface temperatures in spring, for example, are associated with decreased reproductive success in seabirds (Bertram et al. 2001), including Ancient Murrelets (Gaston & Smith 2001, Shoji et al. 2012). More sudden ecosystem changes, brought about by regime shifts, also affect seabird communities, usually indirectly through the abundance, availability, and/or timing of their plankton or fish prey populations (Anderson & Piatt 1999, Gaston et al. 2009).

At Canadian colonies that are not suppressed by introduced mammalian predators, however, Ancient Murrelets appear to be either stable or increasing, suggesting that oceanographic conditions are still suitable for this species (Gaston et al. 2009).

Habitat destruction/loss

In Canada, Ancient Murrelets generally nest in burrows dug in soft soils or in cavities under tree roots. Stormdriven blow-downs can disturb habitats by removing the tree canopy and/or blocking access to the ground. These disturbances to habitat quality will potentially worsen with climate change, if predictions on the increasing frequency and intensity of storms are accurate (Dale et al. 2001). Logging activities can destroy habitat by removing the forest canopy and/or compacting the soil. Natural forest succession also opens up previously unsuitable habitat, however, as trees grow up to a suitable canopy height. As discussed above (Introduced predators), the presence of introduced mammalian predators causes effective habitat loss, by altering the suitability of otherwise good quality habitat.

Oil exploration

Large hydrocarbon reserves are known to exist off the BC coast, and the Queen Charlotte Sound area has significant oil production potential (Schofield et al. 2008). The majority of these resources are present in the Queen Charlotte Basin, in the Hecate Strait region, which falls under federal jurisdiction. An informal federal moratorium on tanker traffic and exploratory drilling, initiated in 1972, is currently in place in the Hecate Strait. The provincial government of BC has requested that the federal moratorium on drilling be lifted, but, as yet, this situation appears to be unresolved. If exploratory drilling is allowed and commercial production follows, however, oil slicks and sheens will form around platforms from currently allowable operational discharges (O’Hara & Morandin 2010) and the risk of a medium- to large-scale oil spill event in the area will increase. Chronic oiling from small-scale oil spills and tank flushing currently exists in the region (O’Hara & Morgan 2006). Aerial surveillance for oily discharges has increased since the last assessment, but in the marine waters occupied by the species, where surveillance effort has been relatively low, analysis of surveillance data up to 2006 did not demonstrate a decrease in detection rate in response to increased surveillance (O’Hara et al. 2013). Indeed, there is growing evidence that illegal discharges have been simply displaced in time (increased nighttime discharges in areas under Dutch Aerial Surveillance: B. Vollaard pers. comm. 2013, as cited in Serra-Sogas et al. 2014) and space (no evidence of increased compliance of international regulations for oil discharge rates: Gullo, 2011). This suggests that illegal discharges may be increasing in areas with less or no surveillance. Chronic oiling could also worsen with increasing tanker traffic; marine waters in Hecate Strait and Dixon Entrance are both predicted to see increases associated with the proposed Northern Gateway Project (National Energy Board and Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 2013).

Disturbance

The activities of boaters, kayakers, and campers may unintentionally disturb seabird breeding colonies. Fishing lodges have been established on the southern end of Langara Island, and activity at these facilities (which include tourist services such as boat and helicopter tours of the area) may prevent Ancient Murrelets from breeding in nearby Henslung Cove, formerly a high density area of the colony (D. Bertram, pers. comm. 2014).

Commercial fisheries

Bycatch in commercial and small-scale fisheries remains an important and pervasive threat to seabird populations worldwide (Croxall et al. 2012), including the inshore and offshore waters of BC. Bycatch in gillnets may have had a significant role in the decline of Ancient Murrelets at Langara Island (Bertram 1995). Fisheries also interact as competitors with seabirds, and the overfishing of forage fish or other marine resources can have direct or indirect impacts on the health of marine bird populations.

Protection:

Change in effective protection:
no

Explanation:

No apparent changes in effective protection; all previous conservation status listings (provincial, federal, continental, global) remain in effect.

Rescue Effect:

Change in evidence of rescue effect:
no

Explanation:

The likelihood of rescue is unknown. The species is considered Highly Imperilled in Alaska (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006), and Asian populations are known to be subject to mortality from gill-net fisheries (DeGange & Day 1991). There are recent indications, however, of increases in some parts of Alaska due to predator eradication (T. Gaston pers. comm. 2014). Overall immigration is possible, although general declines in outside populations and a potential for introduced predators to limit breeding sites in Canada could decrease the likelihood of rescue.

Quantitative Analysis:

Change in estimated probability of extirpation:
unk

Explanation:

Not done.

Summary and Additional Considerations: 

Identifying trends in the Canadian population of Ancient Murrelets is extremely difficult. Colonies are visited relatively rarely and accurate surveys are practically impossible. Colony population estimates are generally based on establishing a burrow density and an occupancy rate in a sample of regularly distributed plots, then extrapolating up to the colony scale. Determining occupancy is very difficult and variation in occupancy rate, particularly, due to differences in estimation methods or poor reproductive years, can therefore influence colony estimates greatly.

Since the previous COSEWIC assessment and update status report, there have been some gains and some losses in colony population estimates, although many of the colonies have not been surveyed since that time (Fig. 1, Table 1).

Introduced mammalian predators continue to take a heavy toll on this species at some colonies, especially on those islands that are readily accessible to highly mobile predators, such as Raccoons, simply because they are located close to the coast (Table 1). Some sites where predators have been removed, even well over a decade ago, have seen a very slow recovery, while others have shown little or no indications of recovery.

At some colonies, the causes of recent and sudden declines in burrow occupancy appear to be unrelated to the existence or former presence of introduced predators. These declines in burrow occupancy may be the direct or indirect result of some other existing threat, or an emerging threat not previously considered that could influence the survival and/or breeding probability of Ancient Murrelets.

Acknowledgements and authorities contacted:

The report writer is indebted to the knowledgeable individuals who provided critical information to this effort, especially Tony Gaston, Moira Lemon, Laurie Wilson, Mark Hipfner, and Anne Harfenist. Thanks are also due to all of the reviewers for their advice and comments on earlier drafts, all of which contributed to the improvement of this species appraisal enormously. Thanks also to Jeff Tash for his assistance in creating the distribution map in Figure 1.

Information Sources:

Anderson, P.J. & Piatt, J.F. 1999. Community reorganization in the Gulf of Alaska following ocean climate regime shift. Marine Ecology Progress Series 189: 117-123.

Bertram, D.F., pers. comm. 2014. Draft SAS review. Jun-July 2014. Biologist, Science & Technology Branch, Environment Canada, Sidney, BC.

Bertram, D.F. 1995. The roles of introduced rats and commercial fishing in the decline of Ancient Murrelets on Langara Island, BC. Conservation Biology 9: 865-872.

Bertram, D.F., Mackas, D.L. & McKinnell, S.M. 2001. The seasonal cycle revisited: interannual variation and ecosystem consequences. Progress in Oceanography 49: 283-307.

Campbell, R.W. & Garrioch, H.M. 1979. Seabird colonies of the Queen Charlotte Islands. British Columbia Provincial Museum, Victoria, B.C. [Map]

Croxall, J.P., Butchart, S.H.M., Lascelles, B., Statterfield, A.J., Sullivan, B. Symes, A. & Taylor, P. 2012. Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment. Bird Conservation International 22: 1-34.

Dale, V.H., Joyce, L.A., McNulty, S., Neilson, R.P., Ayres, M.P., Flannigan, M.D., Hanson, P.J., Irland, L.C., Lugo, A.E., Peterson, C.J., Simberloff, D., Swanson, F.J., Stocks, B.J. & Wotton, B.M. 2001. Climate change and forest disturbances. BioScience 51: 723-734.

DeGange, A.R. & Day, R. H. 1991. Mortality of seabirds in the Japanese land-based gillnet fishery for salmon. Condor 93: 251-258.

Drever, M.C. 2002. Status of Ancient Murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus) and upland birds following eradication of Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Langara Island, Haida Gwaii. Technical Report Series No. 385. Canadian Wildlife Service, Delta, BC. 35 pp.

Drever, M. 2012. Surveys of permanent seabird monitoring plots on Ramsay Island, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, June 2012. Unpublished report to Parks Canada. Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region, BC.

Gaston, A.J., pers. comm. 2013. E-mail correspondence. May-Oct 2013. Research Scientist, Science & Technology Branch, Environment Canada, Ottawa, ON.

Gaston, A.J. & Masselink, M. 1997. The impact of Raccoons (Procyon lotor) on breeding seabirds at Englefield Bay, Haida Gwaii, Canada. Bird Conservation International 7: 35-51.

Gaston, A.J. & Smith, J.L. 2001. Changes in oceanographic conditions off northern British Columbia (1983-1999) and the reproduction of a marine bird, the Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus). Canadian Journal of Zoology 79: 1735-1742.

Gaston, A.J., Shervill, D., Harrison, M. & Wallace, S. 2011. Seabird Surveys in Englefield Bay, 13-18 May 2011. Unpublished Report. Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, ON. 9 pp.

Gaston, A.J., Bertram, D.F., Boyne, A.W., Chardine, J.W., Davoren, G.K., Diamond, A.W., Hedd, A., Montevecchi, W.A., Hipfner, J.M., Lemon, M.J.F., Mallory, M.L., Rail, J.-F. & Robertson, G.J. 2009. Changes in Canadian seabird populations and ecology since 1970 in relation to changes in oceanography and food webs. Environmental Reviews 17: 267-286.

Gullo, B.S., 2011. The illegal discharge of oil on the high seas: The U.S. Coast Guard’s ongoing battle against vessel polluters and a new approach toward establishing environmental compliance. Military Law Review Vol. 209. Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C. Pamphlet No. 27-100-209, 122-185.

Harfenist, A., pers. comm. 2013 E-mail correspondence. Sept. 2013. Independent Research Scientist, Harfenist Environmental Consulting, Smithers, BC.

Harfenist, A. 1994. Effects of introduced rats on nesting seabirds of Haida Gwaii. Technical Report Series No. 218. Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region, Delta, B.C.

Harfenist, A., Sloan, N.A. & Bartier. 2002. Living Marine Legacy of Gwaii Haanas. III: Marine Bird Baseline to 2000 and Marine Bird-Related Management Issues throughout the Haida Gwaii Region. Technical Reports in Ecosystem Science, No. 36. Parks Canada. 164 pp.

Hipfner, J.M., pers. comm. 2013. E-mail correspondence. May 2013. Research Scientist, Science & Technology Branch, Environment Canada, Delta, BC.

Lemon, M.J.F., pers. comm. 2013. E-mail correspondence. May-Oct 2013. Wildlife Technician, Science & Technology Branch, Environment Canada, Delta, BC.Lemon, M.J.F. 1993. Survey of Ancient Murrelet colony at Dodge Point on Lyell Island in 1992. Pp. 38-51 in A.J. Gaston & A. Lawrence (Eds.). Laskeek Bay Conservation Society Report on Scientific Activities # 3. Queen Charlotte City, BC.

Lemon, M.J.F. 1993. Survey of Ancient Murrelet colony at Dodge Point on Lyell Island in 1992. Pp. 38 - 51 in A.J. Gaston and A. Lawrence (eds.). Laskeek Bay Conservation Society Report on Scientific Activities # 3, 1992.

Lemon, M.J.F. 1997. Seabird colony monitoring on George Island, 1996. Laskeek Bay Research  7: 27-48.

Lemon, M.J.F. 2003. Surveys of permanent seabird monitoring plots on George Island and East Copper Island Gwaii Haanas National Park, June 2003. Unpublished report to Parks Canada. Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region, BC.

Lemon, M.J.F. & Gaston A.J. 1999. Trends in Ancient Murrelet populations since 1980. Bird Trends 7: 22-25

Major, H., Lemon, M.J.F. & Hipfner, J.M. 2012. Habitat as a potential factor limiting the recovery of a population of nocturnal seabirds. Journal of Wildlife Management 76: 793-799.

National Energy Board and Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. 2013. Enbridge Northern Gateway Project Joint Review Panel. Web site: http://gatewaypanel.review-examen.gc.ca/clf-nsi/bts/prjct-eng.html [accessed November 2014].

O’Hara, P.D. & Morgan, K.H. 2006. Do low rates of oiled carcass recovery in beached bird surveys indicate low rates of ship-source oil spills? Marine Ornithology 34: 133-140.

O’Hara, P.D. & Morgandin, L.A. 2010. Effects of sheens associated with offshore oil and gas development on the feather microstructure of pelagic seabirds. Marine Pollution Bulletin 60: 672–678

O’Hara, P.D., N. Serra-Sogas, R. Canessa, P. Keller, & Pelot, R. 2013. Estimating discharge rates of oily wastes and deterrence based on aerial surveillance data collected in western Canadian marine waters. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 69:157-164.

Regehr, H.M., Rodway, M.S., Lemon, M.J.F. & Hipfner, J.M. 2006. Status of the Ancient Murrelet colony on Langara Island in 2004, nine years after eradication of introduced rats. Technical Report Series No. 445. Canadian Wildlife Service, Delta, BC. 48 pp.

Regehr, H.M., Rodway, M.S., Lemon, M.J.F. & Hipfner, J.M. 2007. Recovery of the Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) colony on Langara Island, British Columbia, following eradication of invasive rats. Marine Ornithology 35: 137-144.

Renner, H., pers. comm. 2013. E-mail correspondence. May 2013. Supervisory Wildlife Biologist, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Homer, AK.

Rodway, M.C. & Lemon, M.J.F. 2011. Use of permanent plots to monitor trends in burrow-nesting seabird populations in British Columbia. Marine Ornithology 39: 243-253.

Rodway, M.S., Lemon, M.J.F. & Kaiser, G.W. 1988. Canadian Wildlife Service Seabird Inventory Report, Part 1: East Coast of Moresby Island. Technical Report Series No. 50. Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region. Delta, BC. 276 pp.

Rodway, M.S., Lemon, M.J.F. & Kaiser, G.W. 1990. Canadian Wildlife Service Seabird Inventory Report, Part 2: West Coast of Moresby Island. Technical Report Series

Rodway, M.S., Lemon, M.J.F. &  Kaiser, G.W. 1994. British Columbia Seabird Colony Inventory: Report #6 - Major colonies on the west coast of Graham Island. Technical Report Series No. 95. Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region, BC.No. 65. Canadian Wildlife

Service, Pacific and Yukon Region. Delta, BC. 163 pp.

Schofield, J., Locke, W., Sandhu, G.S. & Shrimpton, M. 2008. Potential Benefits of Offshore Oil and Gas Development in Queen Charlotte Basin, British Columbia. Report prepared for BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Victoria, BC. 303pp.

Serra-Sogas, N., P.D. O’Hara, and R. Canessa. 2014. Modeling the distribution of illicit oily discharges detected by aerial surveillance in western Canadian marine waters. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 87: 76-87

Shoji, A. Yoneda, M. & Gaston, A.J. 2012. Ocean climate variability links incubation behavior and fitness in Ancient Murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus). Canadian Journal of Zoology 90: 361-367.

Sydeman, W.J., Hester, M.H., Thayer, J.A., Gress, F., Martin, P. & Buffa, J. 2001. Climate change, reproductive performance and diet composition of marine birds in the southern California Current system, 1969-1997. Progress in Oceanography 49: 309-329.

Sydeman, W.J., Bradley, R.W., Warzybok, P., Abraham, C.L., Jahncke, J., Hyrenbach, K.D., Kousky, V., Hipfner, J.M. & Ohman, M.D. 2006. Planktivorous auklet Ptychorampus aleuticus responses to ocean climate, 2005: Unusual atmospheric blocking? Geophysical Research Letters 33, L22S09.

Taylor, R.H., Kaiser, G.W. & Drever, M.C. 2000. Eradication of Norway rats for recovery of seabird habitat on Langara Island, British Columbia. Restoration Ecology 8: 151-347.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 2006. Alaska Seabird Information Series. Migratory Bird Management, Anchorage, AK. (available at: http://www.fws.gov/alaska/mbsp/mbm/seabirds/species.htm)

Veit, R.R., Pyle, P. & McGowan, J.A. 1996. Ocean warming and long-term change in pelagic bird abundance within the California current system. Marine Ecology Progress Series 139: 11-18.

Wilson, L., pers. comm. 2013. E-mail correspondence. June-Oct 2013. Wildlife Biologist, Science & Technology Branch, Environment Canada, Delta, B.C.

Technical Summary

Scientific Name:
Synthliboramphus antiquus
English Name:
Ancient Murrelet
French Name:
Guillemot à cou blanc
 
Range of occurrence:
British Columbia, Pacific Ocean

Demographic Information

  • Generation time (usually average age of parents in the population; indicate if another method of estimating generation time indicated in the IUCN guidelines (2008) is being used).

    Birds begin breeding at 3-4 years and breed for an average of 4.5 years.

    • 7-8 yrs
  • Is there an [observed, inferred, or projected] continuing decline in number of mature individuals?

    Declines apparently occurring for some portion of the breeding population, but an overall trend is not available

    • Unknown.
  • Estimated percent of continuing decline in total number of mature individuals within [5 years or 2 generations]

    • Unknown.
  • [Observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected] percent [reduction or increase] in total number of mature individuals over the last [10 years, or 3 generations]

    • Unknown.
  • [Projected or suspected] percent [reduction or increase] in total number of mature individuals over the next [10 years, or 3 generations]

    • Unknown.
  • [Observed, estimated, inferred or suspected] percent [reduction or increase] in total number of mature individuals over any [10 years, or 3 generations] period, over a time period including both the past and the future.

    • Unknown.
  • Are the causes of the decline clearly reversible and understood and ceased?

    • No
  • Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals?

    • No

Extent and Occupancy Information

  • Estimated extent of occurrence

    Based on minimum convex polygon and excluding colonies that are assumed to be extirpated

    • 8,957 km²
  • Index of area of occupancy (IAO, 2 x 2 km2grid values)

    IAO based on 2 X 2 grid over each breeding colony

    • 96 km²
  • Is the population severely fragmented?

    • No
  • Number of locations*

    • > 10 locations
  • Is there an observed continuing decline in extent of occurrence?

    • No.
  • Is there an observed continuing decline in index of area of occupancy? (Current Area of Occupancy is 65% of historical; see Figure 4)

    • Unknown.
  • Is there an [observed, inferred, or projected] continuing decline in number of populations?

    • N/A
  • Is there an [observed, inferred, or projected] continuing decline in number of locations?

    • Possible.
  • Is there an [observed, inferred, or projected] continuing decline in quality of habitat?

    • Yes.
  • Are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations?

    • No.
  • Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locations?

    • No.
  • Are there extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence?

    • No.
  • Are there extreme fluctuations in index of area of occupancy?

    • No.

Number of Mature Individuals

  • Total SLE Population:

    Total based on crude and, for many colonies, outdated estimates of burrow occupancy (Table 1).

    • 540000

Quantitative Analysis

  • Probability of extinction in the wild is at least [20% within 20 years or 5 generations, or 10% within 100 years].

    • Not done.

Threats (actual or imminent, to populations or habitats)

  • Introduced mammalian predators
  • Habitat destruction/loss
  • Disturbance
  • Oil exploration
  • Oceanographic changes
  • Commercial fisheries – competition

Rescue Effect (immigration from outside Canada)

  • Status of outside population(s)?

    • The species is considered Highly Imperilled in Alaska and Asian populations are known to be subject to mortality from gill-net fisheries. There are recent indications, however, of increases in some parts of Alaska due to predator eradication.
  • Is immigration known or possible?

    • Possible.
  • Would immigrants be adapted to survive in the SLE?

    • Yes.
  • Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in the SLE?

    • Likely, although introduced predators could reduce the number of suitable sites.
  • Is rescue from outside populations likely?

    • Unknown.

Data-Sensitive Species

  • Is this a data-sensitive species?
    • No.

Status History

  • COSEWIC: Designated Special Concern in April 1993. Status re-examined and confirmed in November 2004 and November 2014.

Status and Reasons for Designation:

Status:
Special Concern
Alpha-numeric code:
None
Reasons for designation:
Approximately half of the global breeding population of this burrow-nesting seabird occurs on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Recent survey information for the species is limited and the overall population trend is unknown. There is, however, evidence of declines at some breeding colonies on the west coast of Haida Gwaii, although populations may be increasing at some colonies on the east coast. The species is exposed to a number of threats including predation from introduced predators, habitat degradation, exposure to oil and oceanographic changes. The species may become Threatened if these threats are not appropriately managed.

Applicability of Criteria

Criterion A (Decline in Total Number of Mature Individuals):
Does not meet criterion. Population trends are unknown.
Criterion B (Small Distribution Range and Decline or Fluctuation):
Does not meet criterion. EO is below 20,000 km² and IAO is below 5,000 km², but is not severely fragmented and exists in more than 10 locations. Although there may be a continuing decline in area, extent and quality of habitat, there are no extreme fluctuations in EO, IAO, number of locations, or number of mature individuals.
Criterion C (Small and Declining Number of Mature Individuals):
Does not meet criterion. Population size is above the thresholds.
Criterion D (Very Small or Restricted Population):
Does not meet criterion. Population size, IAO and the number of locations are above the thresholds.
Criterion E(Quantitative Analysis):
There are no quantitative analyses available.
Figure 1. Map of Ancient Murrelet breeding colonies in Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. Circle size indicates estimated population, and colour represents population trend, where known.
Map indicating locations of Ancient Murrelet
Long description for Figure 1

Map indicating locations of Ancient Murrelet breeding colonies in Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. Symbol size represent colony size range (four ranges are given) and symbol colour indicates colony population trend.

Table 1: Population estimates and trends for Ancient Murrelet colonies in Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia.
Area Site No. of pairs Years TrendNoteaof Table 1 Source Notes (from comments by Moira Lemon and Tony Gaston) Predators / Issues DocumentedNotebof Table 1
West coast of Graham Island Langara Island 24000 2004 Regher et al. 2007 Increasing trend 1993 – 2004 determined from population transect surveys; but major decline from historical estimates Rat*
West coast of Graham Island Frederick island 70000 1998 Lemon & Gaston 1999; Rodway et al. 1994 1980 pop estimate was 68,000. Population estimates stable to 1998; but survey results in 2005 were quite a bit lower. There is an estimate worked out for 2005, but it contains errors, so must be revised. Burrow density was highest in the 1980 survey, and is lower (likely statistically significant) in both subsequent surveys, with the lowest in the most recent survey in 2005 (burrow density about half of 1980 density). Of the 5 surveys, occupancy rates were highest in 1998. Recent surveys in 2013 and 2014 show occupancy rates of 47% and 58.1%, respectively. These rates have increased since 2005 (41%), but remain below the 1998 occupancy rates of 73%. -
West coast of Graham Island Hippa Island 40000 1983 ? Rodway et al. 1994 - -
West coast of Graham Island Marble Island 1000 1977 ? Rodway et al. 1994; Campbell & Garrioch 1979 Estimate is from BC Provincial Museum surveys. Not surveyed by CWS in 1980s sweep. -
West coast of Moresby Island Saunders Island 0 1986 Rodway et al.1990 Downward trend since 1970s
Museum surveys, and likely extirpated now – no sign of breeding was found in 2004 and 2011.
Raccoon
West coast of Moresby Island Little Helgesen Island 0 2011 Gaston & Masselink 1997; Gaston et al. 2011 Supported almost 900 pairs in 1986, but appears to have been extirpated sometime between 1993 and 2004. Raccoon*
West coast of Moresby Island Helgesen Island 600 1986 Gaston & Masselink 1997; Gaston et al. 2011 Low occupancy rate in 2011 suggests an island-wide decline of 80-90% since 1986. Raccoon*
West coast of Moresby Island Willie Island 10s 1986 ? Rodway et al. 1990 - -
West coast of Moresby Island Carswell Island 1700 1993 ? Rodway et al. 1990 - -
West coast of Moresby Island Lihou Island 12140 1986 Rodway et al. 1990; Gaston & Masselink 1997; Gaston et al. 2011 Burrow density increased between 1986 and 1993 in the densest region of the colony, but recently a large decline in occupancy rate suggests an island population decline of 50% since 1993. -
West coast of Moresby Island Luxmoore Island 1000 1986 ? Rodway et al. 1990 - -
West coast of Moresby Island Rogers Island 1700 1986 ? Rodway et al. 1990 - -
West coast of Moresby Island Cape Kuper 10 1986 ? Rodway et al. 1990 - -
West coast of Moresby Island SGaang Gwaii 200 1985 ? Rodway et al. 1990 - -
East coast of Moresby Island Kunghit Island 0(?) 2004 Harfenist 1994; J.M. Hipfner, unpubl data Supported 3,600 pairs in 1993. The two colony areas (Annis Pt and Jenkins Pt) on Kunghit were visited in 2004 and no nesting colony was evident. Raccoon, Rat
East coast of Moresby Island Rankine Island 26000 1984 Rodway et al. 1988; Rodway & Lemon 2011 A population transect survey was also done in 2000, which gave same estimate, suggesting stable trend. Monitoring plots surveyed at 5 year intervals from 1984 - 2010 also show stable trend. -
East coast of Moresby Island Bolkus Island 9900 1985 ? Rodway et al. 1988 - -
East coast of Moresby Island Skincuttle Island 2200 1985 ? Rodway et al. 1988 Harfenist et al. (2002) list this site as having Raccoons, but a survey soon after the original sighting (1992) found no signs here or, and no sign of their presence has been observed since. Raccoon?
East coast of Moresby Island George Island 17000 1996 Lemon 1997; Lemon & Gaston 1999; Rodway & Lemon 2011 Overall, an increasing trend documented from both the population transect surveys (1985 & 1996) and the monitoring plot scheme where plots have been surveyed approximately every 5 years or more, from 1985 to 2014. Occupancy rates increased from a low of 71% in 1991 to a high of 84% in 2013. Monitoriing in 2014 indicated an occupancy rate of 65%, but the trend has generally been increasing since monitoring began. Harfenist et al. (2002) list this site as having Raccoons, but a survey soon after the original sighting (1992) found no signs here, and no sign of their presence has been observed in recent years, 2008 or 2013. Raccoon?
East coast of Moresby Island Jeffrey Island 1000 1985 ? Rodway et al. 1988 - -
East coast of Moresby Island East Copper Island 6000 2003 Lemon 2003 The increase in population estimate since 1985 survey is not statistically significant. -
East coast of Moresby Island Howay Island 300 1985 ? Rodway et al. 1988 - -
East coast of Moresby Island Alder Island 14000 1985 ? Rodway et al. 1988 Harfenist et al. (2002) list this site as having Raccoons, but it is not clear what the original source for that record is. Raccoon?
East coast of Moresby Island Ramsay Island 18000 1984 Rodway et al. 1988; Rodway & Lemon 2011; Drever 2012 Increasing trend documented from the monitoring plot scheme where plots have been surveyed every 5 years, from 1984 to 2012. -
East coast of Moresby Island Hotspring Island <10 1984 ? Rodway et al. 1988 - -
East coast of Moresby Island House Island 2600 1984 ? Rodway et al. 1988 - -
East coast of Moresby Island Murchison Island 20 1984 ? Rodway et al. 1988 Rats eradicated 2013 Rat
East coast of Moresby Island Agglomerate Island 2200 1985 ? Rodway et al. 1988 - -
East coast of Moresby Island Dodge Point (Lyell Isl.) 8300 1992 Lemon & Gaston 1999; Lemon 1993 - Rat
East coast of Moresby Island Reef Island 10000 2006 Gaston, pers. comm. - Major blow-down
East coast of Moresby Island Limestone Island - East 500 2006 Gaston, pers. comm. - Major blow-down,
Raccoon
East coast of Moresby Island Limestone Island - West <50 2006 Gaston, pers. comm. - Raccoon
Total - ≈ 270,000 pairs or 540,000 mature individuals - - - - -

Note: Apparently extirpated from at least three former colonies in recent years (Little Helgesen, Kunghit and Saunders – included in Table 1), and extirpated from 10 former colonies before that (Lucy, Cox, Instructor, Boulder, Sea Pigeon, High, Arichika, Bischof, Tar, and Skedans islands – not included in Table 1).

Table 2. The number of pairs and proportion of the total population estimate in Ancient Murrelet colonies thought to be increasing, decreasing, stable, or unknown.
Colony Trend n No. of pairs estimated to be breeding at these colonies Proportion of estimated total breeding population at these colonies
↑ Increasing 4 69000 25%
↔ Stable 2 32000 12%
↓ Decreasing 9 91640 34%
? Unknown 18 77360 29%
Total 33 270000 -

COSEWIC logo

COSEWIC History

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) was created in 1977 as a result of a recommendation at the Federal-Provincial Wildlife Conference held in 1976. It arose from the need for a single, official, scientifically sound, national listing of wildlife species at risk. In 1978, COSEWIC designated its first species and produced its first list of Canadian species at risk. Species designated at meetings of the full committee are added to the list. On June 5, 2003, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed. SARA establishes COSEWIC as an advisory body ensuring that species will continue to be assessed under a rigorous and independent scientific process.

COSEWIC Mandate

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. Designations are made on native species for the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens.

COSEWIC Membership

COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal entities (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Federal Biodiversity Information Partnership, chaired by the Canadian Museum of Nature), three non-government science members and the co-chairs of the species specialist subcommittees and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittee. The Committee meets to consider status reports on candidate species.

Definitions (2014)

Wildlife Species
A species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and is either native to Canada or has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in Canada for at least 50 years.
Extinct (X)
A wildlife species that no longer exists.
Extirpated (XT)
A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.
Endangered (E)
A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
Threatened (T)
A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
Special Concern (SC)
(Note: Formerly described as “Vulnerable” from 1990 to 1999, or “Rare” prior to 1990.)
A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.
Not at Risk (NAR)
(Note: Formerly described as “Not In Any Category”, or “No Designation Required.”)
A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.
Data Deficient (DD)
(Note: Formerly described as “Indeterminate” from 1994 to 1999 or “ISIBD” [insufficient scientific information on which to base a designation] prior to 1994. Definition of the [DD] category revised in 2006.)
A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a species’ eligibility for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the species’ risk of extinction.

The Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, provides full administrative and financial support to the COSEWIC Secretariat.

Page details

Date modified: