Mark S Lindberg

Black-legged Kittiwakes in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: a Review of Existing Data and Recommendations for Long-term Population Monitoring Mark S Lindberg

This project initiated the process of updating an existing long-term monitoring protocol for black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla, henceforth kittiwakes) as part of a larger monitoring effort, the marine predators vital sign program, in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (GLBA). Production of the original monitoring protocol for kittiwakes was spearheaded by Hooge et al. (1998) during the 1990s. The purpose of this earlier work was to develop an efficient survey methodology to annually census/monitor kittiwake populations in GLBA at their breeding colonies. Hooge et al. (1998) compared the accuracy of direct visual counts versus counts from photographs. The authors used a repeat survey design and examined the minimum number of replicate surveys necessary for various levels of precision. Additionally, they presented process-based information on the equipment, frames, slide counting, and data management components of the monitoring.