6

never been censused before (Croxall and Kirkwood, 1979). Our extensive but
rough survey indicates that the South Shetland Chinstrap population is, at
minimum, two to three times larger than previously thought (Croxall.et al.,
1984). Because our work was conducted within a short time period, during one
year, by one team of observers, which has rarely been the case in other
regional assessments, we also have a basis on which to appreciate the relative
sizes of the various penguin colonies.

Regional survey coverage of seabirds nesting in crevices and cliffs, and
seabirds breeding in more dispersed aggregations (gulls, terns, skuas) has
been considered inadequate and patchy, respectively (Croxall et al., 1984).
It is, therefore, not surprising that we encountered higher numbers of
suspected or confirmed breeding sites for Cape Peterels, American Sheathbills,
and skuas than were previously reported. This further suggests that prior
regional population estimates for most species of seabirds besides penguins
(Croxall et al., 1984) have been rough at best or that populations have been
on the increase in recent years. As a result of the survey reported here, we
now have a good indication of the number of breeding sites currently existing
for most species. .

Much attention has been focused on. the apparent increase in numbers of
Antarctic and-sub-Antarctic. penguins and other species during this century.
This change is thought to be due to increased availability of krill resulting
from-intense harvesting of baleen whales (Sladen, 1964; Emison, 1968; Conroy
and White, +1973; Conroy, 1975; Croxall and Kirkwood, 1979; Smith and Tallowin;
1979; Croxall et al., 1981; Croxall et al., 1984). For the South- Shetlands,
it has-also been suggested that Chinstraps have. increased in the last 20 years
due to the exposure of suitable nest sites by the retreat of glacial ice
cliffs (Jablofski, 1984). However, population changes have been well-
documented with census data at only one penguin colony (Croxall et al., 1981),
and no adequate data exist for a broad region. Recently, penguin population
monitoring programs have gained more attention in the scientific community in
response to increased: commerical harvest of krill for human use (BIOMASS,
1983, 1984). Much of this work is focused on reproductive success and diet
studies. If changes in the size of penguin populations are to be documented,
there is still a need for accurate census work in coordination with ecological
studies. While it is beyond the scope of this report to suggest methods for
future penguin censuses, it is clear that much more detailed work than that
reported here wil] be. needed if penguin data are to provide a sensitive tool
for monitoring the health of the Antarctic ecosystem.


27

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This TM series is used for documentation and timely communication of preliminary results,
interim reports, or special purpose information, and has not received complete formal review,
editorial control, or detailed editing.

0 NAONAL Oe,

omen,
Qf NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/NEC-59
ig
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“ermenror

Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program

Surveys of Breeding Penguins
and Other Seabirds in the
South Shetland Islands, Antarctica,

January-February 1987

W. David Shuford and Larry B. Spear
Point Reyes Bird Observatory, 4990 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970

“U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
C. William Verity, Secretary

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
William E. Evans, Administrator

National Marine Fisheries Service
James W. Brennan, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

Northeast Fisheries Center
Woods Hole, Massachusetts

September 1988


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LITERATURE CITED

BIOMASS. 1983. Meeting of the Biomass Working Party on Bird Ecology,
Cambridge 1982. BIOMASS Rep. Ser. 27.

BIOMASS. 1984. Meeting of the Biomass Working Party on Bird Ecology,
Wilderness, South Africa 1983. BIOMASS Rep. Ser. 34.

Conroy, J. W. H. 1975. Recent increases in penguin populations in Antarctica
and the sub-antarctic. Pp. 331-336 in B. Stonehouse (Ed.) The Biology of
Penquins. MacMillan, London. 7

Conroy, J. W. H., and M. G. White. 1973. The breeding status of the King
Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonia). Brit. Antarc. Surv. Bull. 32:31-40.

Croxall, J. P., and E. 0. Kirkwood. 1979. “The breeding distribution of the
penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula and islands of the Scotia Sea. Brit.
Antarc. Surv., Cambridge.

Croxall, J. P., P. A. Prince, I. Hunter, S. J. McInnes, and P. G. Copestake.
1984. The seabirds of the Antarctic Peninsula, islands of the Scotia
Sea, and Antarctic continent between 80° W and 20° W: Their status and
conservation. Pp. 637-666 in J. P. Croxall, P. G. H. Evans, and R. W.
-Schreiber (Eds.) Status and Conservation of the World's Seabirds. Int.
Counc. Bird Preserv., Tech. Publ. No. 2.

Croxall, J. P., D. M. Rootes, and R. A. Prince. 1981. Increases in penguin
populations at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Brit. Antarc. Surv.
Bull. 54:47-56.

Emison, W. B. 1968. Feeding preferences of the Adelie Penguin at Cape
Crozier, Ross Island. Pp. 191-212 in 0. L. Austin, dr. (Ed.) Antarctic
Bird Studies. Ant. Res. Ser. Vol. TZ. Am. Geophys. Union, Washington,
Do. Cc.

Hemmings, A. D. 1984. Aspects of the breeding biology of McCormick's Skua
Catharacta maccormicki at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands... Brit.

Antarc. Surv. Bull. 65:65-79.

Jablonski, B. 1980. Distribution and numbers of birds and pinnipeds on
Penguin Island (South Shetland Islands) in January 1979. Polish Polar
Res. 1:109-116.

Jablonski, B. 1984. Distribution and numbers of penguins in the region of
King George Island, South Shetland Islands in the breeding season
1980/81. Polish Polar Res. 5:17-30.

Jehl, J. R., and F. S. Todd. 1985. A census of the Adelie Penguin colony on
Paulet Island, Weddell Sea. Antarc. J. U.S. 19:171-172.

Sladen, W. J. L. 1964. The distribution of the Adelie and Chinstrap
Penguins. Pp. 359-365 in R. Carrick, M. W. Holdgate, and J. Prevost
(Eds.) Biologie AntarctTque. Hermann, Paris.


Smith

Island

120,

12k.

Cape Smith

Cape Janes

Low Island

122,

123,

124,

125,

126,

127,

128,

129,

130,

13h,

132,

133,

134,

Lorge is. off Northeast
pt. of Cape Wellace

Other offshore rocks/
islande Cape Wallace

Cape Wallace
First bluff South of
Cape Wallace

Vicinity Jameson Pt.

Pt. South of
Jameson Pt.

Islands, Jameson Pt.
to Cape Gary

Cepe Gary

Pt, 2-3 km East of
Cape Gary

Rock 1 km South of
Cape Hooker

Cape Hooker

Two pts. North of
Cape Hooker

Promontories on North~
central coast

2/4

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Table 1. Censuses of breeding penguins and shags and assessment of the breeding status of other seabirds on
the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica (Figs. 1-5). Penguin colony size expressed as total adulte” Moce.
censuses were of breeding adults, but a few of gentoo penguins were based on chick counts {c), Accuracy of
penguin colony estimates: 1 = detailed counts; 2 = rough estimate; 3 = gross estimate; 4 = casual
observations (see Methods). = sites where chinstrap data is Compared in the text with that reported by
Croxal] and Kirkwood (1979). FUSG = Southern giant fulmar (Macronectes gi janteus), PETC = Cape petrel
(Daption capense), STHI = Wilson's stormpetrel (Oceanites oceanicus), SHBE = Antarctic blue-eyed shag
(FhaTacrocorax atriceps), SHAM = American sheathbITT (chtonts alba), SKUA = Brown and South Polar skuss
(Catharacts Tesnbergt and £- maccormicki), GUKE = kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), and TEAN = Antarctic Tern
(Sterna Wietatal-—freeding <tatis-codee,’ pe possible breeder, Te. occurring in “appropriate” breeding
habTtat; PR = probable breeder, fe. exhibiting territorial behavior; @ = confirmed breeder, ie. nest(s) with
eggs or pre-fledged young.

Penguins Other Seabirds

# Location Date Chinstrap Gentoo FUSG PETC STWI SHBE SHAN -SKUA GUKE TEAN
Elephant I ind
2
1, Seal Islands 1/30 20,000 § - @ @ Pp 6 @ PF PRR
125 Mecaront!
2
2. Cape Lindsey 1/30 120 - en
King George Island
3. 4-5 km West Cape wa = - ee es
Melville near Melville
Peak
2
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5. Spit opposite ya = - - '- = = Pp PP @ Pp
Trowbridge Is,
2
6. Trowbridge Is. 1/31 2000 - - ee
7, Taylor Point & one yar - - @ - - 10 P oP Pp eP
offstore rock
2
8. Carolyn Bluff & 3 5000-6000 7 - 7 - - - - 7 -
hillside to North
2
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Foreland 3
*10, North Foreland proper 13h 50,000 t t zt z 7 z Re ek v
11. Hole Rock W310 - 2 - - - - 30 - - - -
12, Emerald Cove © 1/31 200 - PRO - 1 Pp - @ -
4
13, Brimstone Peak 1/31 10,000 - P - 7 - P P P P
2
14, Brimstone Peak to 1/31 5000-7000 - - - - - - - - -
mext point to West
15. Gam Point wo - - - - 7 > - - P
3
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2
17. Small point just East 1/31 500-600 - - - 7 - Pe Pe Pe 7
of Pottinger Point
3
18, Pottinger Point 1/31 150,000-200,000 = - 5 = = @ @ Pe
3 .
19. Kellick Island 1/31 30, 000-50,000 - - 7 - - Pe P P -
2
20. Owen Toland 1/29 25,000+ - ee ee a ee?
2 .
‘*21, Tartar Island/Round Pt. 1/29 30,000-40,000 - - - Pe > P Pe e P
2
22. Vicinity of Davey Pt. 1/29 25,000 - - - - 15@ = Pe @ PR
(10,000 & 15,000)
L
23. Stagant Point 1/29 13,550 - eS
. 2
24, Offstore rocks, al 3000-5000 - - - P 206 «PB P PR -

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13 chicks were found on the east and north sides of the island,
respectively. As noted above, we could have missed small numbers of birds
nesting within Chinstrap colonies, especially since we could not thoroughly
investigate the few sites where the species has been reported co-occurring
wasp )chinstraps south of the Elephant Island group (Croxall and Kirkwood,

Southern Giant Fulmar (Macronectes giganteus)

We recorded Southern Giant Fulmars at 37 sites scattered throughout the
study area (Table 1, Fig. 8). Croxall et al. (1984) estimated that about 630
birds bred at 43 sites. Because these fulmars breed in loose colonies on flat
or gently sloping terrain atop coastal bluffs and offshore islands or rocks,
our observations made primarily from boats are inadequate for making
population. estimates due to the limited visibility available to us from
boats. For example, at Penguin Island (off King George), we counted about 65
fulmars from a boat while Jablonski (1980) reported 1,012 birds, based on nest
counts on land. Croxall et al. (1984) report an association of this species
with penguin colonies but the fulmar's apparent absence as a breeder’ in some
areas where very large numbers of penguins nest (e.g., north-central King
George Island) suggests that other factors may be important for nest site
selection. Perhaps the availability of bluffs or cliffs from which birds can
launch themselves into the wind is also a factor.

Cape Petrel (Daption capense)

We recorded Cape Petrels at 18 apparent nesting sites (Table 1, Fig.
9). Since this species nests in crevices primarily on steep cliffs and
bluffs, boat surveys are adequate for detecting only the presence or absence
of breeding birds. Croxall et.al. (1984) estimated 2,000 to 20,000 birds at
more than 10 sites in these islands. Although time limitations prevented us
from conducting a more thorough census, we suspect that the present. breeding
pon size is on the low end of the range reported by Croxall et al.
1984).

Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus)

We recorded Wilson's Storm-Petrels flying around suitable breeding
habitat of cliffs and scree slopes at only seven sites in the study area
(Table 1), and so were unable to estimate population size reliably. Since
storm-petrels are primarily nocturnal at colonies, surveys. from boats are
inadequate for censusing this species. .Croxall et al. (1984) estimated that
two million birds bred at more than 57 sites. More land-based work. is needed
to clarify population status in the region, particularly because no
satisfactory estimates of storm-petrel populations in the Antarctic have been
made to date.

Antarctic Blue-eyed Shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps)
We recorded 1,221 Blue-eyed Shags at 34 potential or confirmed breeding

sites, primarily on the northern sides of the islands (Table 1, Fig. 10).
Croxall et al. (1984) estimated that 1,400 birds bred at 21 sites. .


iv
4h

. ABSTRACT .~ “
Me f
—~- Surveys conducted as part of the Antarctic Marine Living Resources '~
Program in 1987 provided data-on the number, size, and location of penguin and
Antarctic Blue-eyed Shag colonies and the bre ding status of other seabirds in
the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica.-“We encountered- several species at
many more sites than previously reported, thus increasing the known breeding
localities of American Sheathbills and skuas by threefold, Chinstrap Penguins
by twofold, and Cape Petrels and Antarctic Blue-eyed Shags by 50%.
Th
Our- minimum estimate of 1,620,000 breeding Chinstrap Penguins, the most
abundant penguin in the study area, is about 2.5 times greater than previous
estimates. ;Although there appears to have been about a 40% overall increase
in the Chinstrap Penguin population in the last 20-30 years, about. three-
fourths of the, difference between our counts and previous ones is due to more
complete coverage of available nesting habitat in 1987. For the same reason,
at least in part, other species of breeding seabirds were also found to be
more abundant than | Previously reported.

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BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
PB89-141311
Report Nos: NOAA~TM-NMFS~F/NEC-59

Title: Surveys of Breeding Penguins and Other Seabirds in the South Shetland
Islands, Antarctica, January-February 1987.

Date: Sep 88
Authors: W. D. Shuford, and L. B. Spear.

Performing Organization: National Marine Fisheries Service, Woods Hole, MA.
Northeast Fisheries Center.**Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Stinson Beach, CA.

Type of Report and Period Covered: Technical memo.,

Supplementary Notes: Prepared in cooperation with Point Reyes Bird Observatory,
Stinson Beach, CA.

NTIS Field/Group Codes: 47D, 572

Price: PC AQ3/MF AOl

Availability: Available from the National Technical Information Service,
Springfield, VA. 22161

Number of Pages: 38p

Keywords: *Birds, “Aquatic animals, “Penguins, Graphs(Charts), Tables (Data),
Antarctica, South Shetland Islands, Marine biology, Population growth, Surveys,
Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program, Adelie penguin, Chinstrap penguin,
Gentoo penguin, Macaroni penguin, Southern giant fulmar, Cape petrel, Wilson's
storm petrel, Antarctic tern, Kelp gull, Brown skua, South polar skua, American
sheathbill, Antarctic blue-eyed shag, Pygoscelis adelie, Pygoscelis antarctica,
Pygoscelis papua, Eudyptes chrysolophus, Macronectes giganteus, Daption capense,
Oceanites oceanicus, Phalacrocorax atriceps, Chionis alba, Catharacta lonnbergi,
Catharacta maccormicki, Larus dominicanus, Sterna vittata.

Abstract: Surveys conducted as part of the Antarctic Marine Living Resources
Program in 1987 provided data on the number, size, and location of penguin and
Antarctic Blue-eyed Shag colonies and the breeding status of other seabirds in the
South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Several species were encountered at many more
sites than previously reported, thus increasing the known breeding localities of
American Sheathbills and skuas by threefold, Chinstrap Penguins by twofold, and
Cape Petrels and Antarctic Blue-eyed Shags by 50%. The minimum estimate of 1,620,
000 breeding Chinstrap Penguins, the most abundant penguin in the study area, is
about 2.5 times greater than previous estimates. Although there appears to have
been about a 40% overall increase in the Chinstrap Penguin population in the last
20-30 years, about three-fourths of the difference between these counts and
previous ones is due to more complete coverage of available nesting habitat in
1987. For the same reason, at least in part, other species of breeding seabirds

i Continued on next page




American Sheathbill (Chionis alba)

We recorded sheathbills at 64 sites scattered throughout the study area
(Table 1, Fig. 11), primarily at penguin colonies. Although our counts were
not accurate for estimating total population size, the bulk of the population
apparently occurs on the northern sides of the islands in association with
Chinstrap penguins. Croxall et al. (1984) estimated that 1,300 birds nested
at 26 sites in the South Shetlands.

Skua spp. (Brown Skua Catharacta lonnbergi and South Polar Skua C.
maccormicki)

We recorded skuas at 76 sites (Table 1, Fig. 12). Most birds appeared to
be C. lonnbergi, but many were not identified to species. Identification to
species, made difficult by our often distant views, was amplified by
hybridization of the two species in the South Shetlands. Because Brown Skuas
have feeding territories in penguin rookeries, whereas South Polar Skuas do
not (Trivelpiece and Volkman, 1982), we were more likely to overlook the
latter species. Croxall et al. (1984) estimated that 840 C. lonnbergi bred at
more than 20 sites and 20 C. maccormicki bred at six sites in the Sout
Shetlands. Although our counts were not adequate for estimating population
size, occurrence of skua at 76 sites suggests a much larger breeding
population in this region than has been reported. Indeed, at Point Thomas,
King George Island, where ooth species breed, the 44 C. maccormicki nesting
there in 1987 (W. &S. Trivelpiece, pers. commun.) is twice the Croxall et al.
(1984) estimate for the whole region. South Polar Skua numbers have increased
in recent decades at King George Island (W. & S. Trivelpiece, pers. commun.),
as well as in the South Orkneys (Hemmings, 1984).

Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)

We recorded Kelp Gulls at 80 sites scattered throughout the study area
(Table 1, Fig. 13), but our counts were inadequate for determining population
size. Croxall et al. (1984) estimated that 4,200 birds bred at more than 80
sites.

Antarctic Tern (Sterna vittata)

We recorded Antarctic Terns at 45 sites (Table 1), primarily on the
northern shores of the islands (Fig. 14). Our counts were inadequate for
determining population size. Croxall et al. (1984) estimated that 70,000
birds bred at 44 sites.

. OVERVIEW

The adequacy of regional coverage and accuracy of population estimates
for breeding penguins of the South Shetland Islands was previously considered
"good" relative to other areas in the Antarctic (Croxall et al., 1984).
However, it is clear from the number of "new" colonies we encountered and
other recent surveys (i.e., Jablofski, 1984) that regional population
estimates are inadequate even for species heretofore considered well-censused
(e.g., Chinstrap Penguin). For example, Low Island, which supports roughly
one-third of the South Shetland Chinstrap population (Table 1), has had
minimal prior coverage and Smith and Snow islands, to our knowledge, have


PROGRAM STATEMENT

The U.S. Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) Program supports ‘U.S.
policy regarding the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine
Living Resources (CCAMLR). The CCAMLR is an international agreement that
supports an ecosystem approach to the conservation and management of living
resources found in ocean areas surrounding the continent of Antarctica. The
Convention mandates a management regime committed to applying measures to .
ensure that harvesting of Antarctic marine living resources, such as finfish
and krill, is conducted in a manner that considers ecological relationships
among dependent and related species. Member countries of CCAMLR are:
Argentina; Australia; Belgium; Brazil; Chile; European Economic Community;
France; German Democratic Republic; Germany, Federal Republic of; India;
Japan; Korea; New-Zealand; Norway; Poland; South Africa; Spain; Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics; United Kingdom; and United States.

U.S. objectives for CCAMLR were established with the signing into law of
the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act of 1984 (P.L. 98-623).
The legislation charges the Secretary of Commerce with the design, conduct and
implementation of directed scientific resedrch in support of U.S. objectives
in the CCAMLR. Responsibility for these activities has been delegated to the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of NOAA.

The U.S. AMLR Program supports the CCAMLR need for information through
analysis of commercial fisheries data and directed research on key species
groups in the Antarctic marine ecosystem. This information, along with
research done by other member countries, is used by the CCAMLR to detect and
record significant changes in critical components of the Antarctic
ecosystem. The Scientific Committee of the CCAMLR then makes conservation
recommendations to the Commission, which establishes required conservation
measures.

The U.S. AMLR Program focuses its field research activities in the
southwest Atlantic Ocean, Scotia Arc, and Antarctic Peninsula. Special
attention is directed to the vicinity of Bransfield Strait, South Shetland
Islands, and the Palmer Archipelago. In addition, the AMLR Program conducts
field work in other areas, as needed, to provide comparative data.


56.
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Robbery Beach, 23
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Kermone Is. 2/3
Start Pt. to 2/4
Devils Pt.
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Pt. just East of 29
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Vietor Rock : 219
Pt Northwest of 2/9
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NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/NEC-59

<
States of
Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program

Surveys of Breeding Penguins
and Other Seabirds in the
South Shetland Islands, Antarctica,

January-February 1987

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service
Northeast Fisheries Center
Woods Hole, Massachusetts

September 1988



Table

Figure

Figure
Figure
Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure. -

Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure

Figure

1.

1.
2.

9,

10.

ll.

12.

13.

14.

vi

‘LIST OF TABLES

Breeding distribution of skuas (primarily Brown Skuas)

in the South Shetland Islands during Jan-Feb 1987.......+.+.

Breeding distribution of Kelp Gulls in the South
Shetland Islands during Jan-Feb 1987......cecssecccscoeees

Breeding distribution of Antarctic Terns in the

South Shetland Islands during Jan-Feb 1987.......ess00+

Page :

Censuses of breeding penguins and shags. and assessment
of the breeding status of other seabirds on the South
Shetland Islands, Antarctica (Figs. 1-5)....... sencceeceeecee 9

LIST OF FIGURES

, Page
South Shetland Islands, Antarctic study area ........... sees 14
King George and Nelson Islands, South Shetland Islands;
survey Site@S...s.sseeee Pr eeeere ee eeeeee ere eee eee rere eoceces «15
Robert, Greenwich, Livingston, Deception, and Snow Loe
Islands, South Shetland Islands; survey Sites........seeeees +. 16
Elephant Island group of the South Shetland Islands;
SULVEY SILES. cre recsecccenecesvecscencereceresecncnerseeseare 17
Smith and Low Islands, South Shetland Islands;
survey sites. se eeeees eect cet e eee eee e reece neeeeeesenee 18
Breeding distribution of’ Chinstrap Penguins in the
South Shetland Islands during Jan-Feb 1987.......+sseeee aeeee 19
Breeding distribution of Gentoo Penguins in. the South
Shetland Islands during Jan-Feb 1987. eee ccereereeeenceeees seve 20
Breeding distribution of Southern Giant palmar in the
South Shetland Islands during-Jan-Feb 1987.......c..eeeee - 2i
Breeding distribution of Cape Pétrels in the South
Shetland Islands during Jan-Feb 1987.......ssseeceseveerencees 22
Breeding distribution of Antarctic Blue-eyed Shags ;
in the South Shetland Islands during Jan-Feb 1987..........0% 23
Breeding distribution of American Sheathbills in the -
-South Shetland Islands during Jan-Feb 1987.......-.+0e : « 24

+ 25

sone 26

- 27



TABLE OF CONTENTS

7 Page

PROGRAM STATEMENT.....-0+. eee ESET ESSE ESE SE eee eee eee eee eee ee eee eee eee ees iii
ABSTRACT. cece secccccccceterccnteete sete setae eeetenteneeetneereeteseeees iv
LIST OF TABLES. ese eeseseseseseeesessseseseseeseeesesessseseuenensestees vi
LIST OF FIGURES. ....seeeeeeeeereene se eeenerene tm ee merece cree ccreecccseeee vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ..eeeeeececcccccccsseeeececececcceecececacececeeeecceeseVil
INTRODUCTION. . cece cece eee ccce cece cece teeeeeeeeee teen eeereseeeneeereeeees 1
STUDY AREA AND METHODS........... bees weeeeee Peer rere rere eee eee eee eee 1
CENSUSES. cee eececececctceeecerecere ener nen recccceneencresceseessceres 1
Accuracy Of C@NSUSES....seeeeeeeeeere teeeees teeeee sence ccensecscscsees 2
RESULTS AND. DISCUSSION... ccc cece eces eect ec eecceeeteeevesseeneeseeessesese 2
Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)....s.sseeesene se eeeeeee deeeeeeeeee 2

_ Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica)...ssecessceseeeeveeecsseseee 3
Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua)..........- dee e eee eeeeeeeeeeene seeeee 3
Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus)... eeeeee ence cece eee eeereenee 3
Southern Giant Fulmar (Macronectes giganteus)...+ssseseesseeereveeeree 4
Cape Petrel (Daption capense)........ tase eeeeencnene eeeceteeee . seeeees 4
Wilson's Storm-Petrel (Oceanites OCeaNiCUS)...scceceecrececeecerereeee 4
Antarctic Blue-eyed Shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps).....-...+s.- seeeeeee 4
American Sheathbil] (Chionis alba)......seeesereeeeeeeeceseerecece ee)
Polar Ska C, maceormiee hee eee cccetteesssssssesseesees 5
Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)....ssseesseeeeeeeeseseeeteseeeeeneeeeees 5
Antarctic Tern (Sterna vittata).....ssccseeseceeesseeeeeneceeeensceres 5
OVERVIEW. ccc cee ence ence cc ereececeerseeeceres ee ecccceeee erry bevaes 5
LITERATURE CITED... ..ccccce cece ences seeeeceretveeececnsesesesececvetecssen 7


PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
OF THE
NORTHEAST FISHERIES CENTER

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) seeks to "achieve a continued optimum utilization of living
resources for the benefit of the Nation." As the research arm of the NMFS's Northeast Region, the Northeast Fisheries
Center (NEFC) supports the NMFS mission by "planning, developing, and managing multidisciplinary programs of
basic and applied research to: (1) better understand the living marine resources (including marine mammals) of the
Northwest Atlantic, and the environmental quality essential for their existence and continued productivity; and (2)
describe and provide to management, industry, and the public, options for the utilization and conservation of living
marine resources.and maintenance of environmental quality which are consistent with national and regional goals and
needs, and with international commitments." To provide its data, information, and advice to constituents, the NEFC
issues publications and reports in three categories:
‘Technical Memorandum s~Issued irregularly as NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/NEC series. Series includes data reports of
long-term or large area studies; synthesis reports for major resources or habitats; annual reports of assessment or monitoring programs;
documentary reports of oceanographic conditions or phenomena; manuals describing field and lab techniques; literature surveys of major
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‘not undergo exhaustive technical review and editing, but are reliable sources of information. Limited free copies are available from authors
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To obtain a copy of a Technical Memorandum or a Research Document, or to subscribe to an Information
Report, write: Information Services Section, Northeast Fisheries Center, Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543.
An annual list of NEFC publications and reports is available upon request at the above address.



18

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BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Continued... PB89-141311

were also found to be more abundant than previously reported.

ii


8

Smith, R. I. L., and J. R. B. Tallowin. 1979. The distribution and size of
King Penguin rookeries on South Georgia. Brit. Antarc. Surv. Bull.
49:259-276. :

Trivelpiece, W., and N. J. Volkman. 1982. Feeding strategies of sympatric

South Polar Catharacta maccormicki and Brown skuas C. lonnbergi, Ibis
124;50-54. ~

Watson, G. E., J. P. Angle, P. C. Harper, M. A. Bridge, R. P. Schlatter, W. L.
N. Tickell, J. C. Boyd, and M. M. Boyd. 1971. Birds of the Antarctic
and sub-Antarctic. Antarctic Map Folio Series 14. Am. Geogr. Soc., New
York.

Wilson, G. J. (Ed.). 1983. Distribution and abundance of Antarctic and sub-
Antarctic penguins: a synthesis of current knowledge. BIOMASS Sci. Ser.
4. «


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INTRODUCTION

Data on the distribution and abundance of breeding penguins and other
seabirds of the Antarctic Peninsula and the islands of tne Scotia Sea have
been summarized recently but information is incomplete (Watson et al., 1971;
Croxall and Kirkwood, 1979; Wilson, 1983; Croxall et al., 1984). To fill-data
gaps, we censused breeding birds along most of the ice-free shoreline of the
South Shetland Islands from 29 January to 12 February 1987. This work
highlighted tne need for careful regional census work to assess population
trends accurately (see Jenl and Todd, 1985).

STUDY AREA AND METHODS

Censuses. Our work in the South Shetland Islands (Fig. 1) was conducted
in conjunction with the AMLR Program surveys of seals, primarily Antarctic fur
seals (Arctocephalus gazella) and southern elephant seals (Mirounga
leonina). We surveye jie ice-free shorelines of King George, Nelson, Robert,
Greenwich, Livingston, Deception, Snow, Smith and Low Islands, and other small
offshore islands in their vicinity (Figs. 2-5). Locations not censused
include offshore islands on the north coast of King George Island from Cape
Melville to False Round Point and from Stigant Point to Fildes Strait (Fig.
2), the inside of Admiralty Bay, King George Island from Sphinx Hill on the
west to Chabrier Rock on the east (Fig. 2), and offshore islands on the north
coast of Nelson and Robert Islands as far west as Dee Island off the northeast
corner of Greenwich Island (Fig. 3). _

Information for some of these areas was obtained from observers who were
principally engaged in the censusing of seals. In the Elephant Island group
the only sites we surveyed for breeding seabirds were the Seal Islands and
Cape Lindsey, Elephant Island (Fig. 4). So as not to bias our censuses, we
refrained from consulting previous penguin colony-size estimates for this
region (Croxall and Kirkwood, 1979; Jablonski, 1984) until after the
completion of our work.

Surveys were conducted primarily from two inflatable boats deployed from
the Polish research ship, Professor Siedlecki. Seabirds were viewed through
8-10X binoculars from the stationary boats or while we cruised at approxi-
mately 1-3 knots, usually 50-300 m from shore. We occasionally went ashore to
census seals and to obtain overviews of very large penguin colonies which were
not completely visible from the water.

At all Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colonies, and the one
Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chr: to hus) coTony, we counted adults associated
directly with nests or young only, excluding peripheral birds such as those
roosting nearby, loafing on beaches, or walking to and from the colonies. At
the time of our censuses, Chinstrap and Macaroni adults and chicks were still
closely associated with their nest sites. At most Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis
apua) colonies, we censused adults by the above method, but, because Gentoos
breed earlier than Chinstraps, we sometimes estimated adult numbers by
counting chicks, a method recommended by Croxall and Kirkwood (1979) when many
adults are absent from the colony. Our censuses of penguins were dependent on


3

Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica)

We recorded 91 chinstrap colonies (Table 1, Fig. 6). Although this
species occurred throughout the study area, most of the breeding sites and
population were located on the northern or western sides of the islands (Table
1). Taking into account the margin of error in our estimates, breeding
failure before our arrival, and the lack of quantitative population estimates
for several large colonies, a conservative estimate of the minimum population
of chinstraps breeding in the study area is 1,620,000. This is about 2.5
times Croxall et al.'s (1984) estimate of about 660,000 birds nesting at 45
sites in the South Shetlands.

Although conditions for conducting the census were not optimal, our
estimate of 480,250-641,300 Chinstraps on King George Island compares well
with a more detailed 1980/81 estimate of 604,874 (Jablonski, 1984). A
comparison of estimates at 23 sites in the South Shetlands with reliable data
for both 1987 (Table 1, sites with *) and for prior counts at these sites
reported by Croxall and Kirkwood (1979) gives totals of~376,740 and 270,900
Chinstraps, respectively. . This suggests that Chinstrap populations in the
South Shetlands have increased roughly 40% in about the last 20-30 years.
However, since the total estimate of breeding Chinstraps on these islands. in
1987 is about 2.5 times the previous estimate, it appears that about 110%. of
this recent 250% increase in the population estimate is due to our more
complete coverage of available nesting habitat in 1987 compared with prior
surveys. On the other hand, it is likely that the size of many of the
previously uncensused colonies has also increased: over time.

Areas where we encountered large populations unreported by Croxall and
Kirkwood (1979) were on the north shore of King George Island. (also reported
- by Jabl6nski 1984), on Low Island, and to a lesser extent, on Livingston,
Snow, and Smith Islands (Table 1). In particular, the populations on Low
Island added most: substantially to the increase. We estimated 760,000
chinstraps there compared to about 40,000 estimated from cursory surveys as
reported by Croxall. and Kirkwood (1979).

Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua)

We encountered 21 Gentoo colonies, primarily on the southern sides of the
islands (Table 1, Fig. 7). Our data indicate a minimum nesting population. of
18,000 Gentoos-in the study area. This figure is probably low because: no
correction was possible to take breeding failure, which occurred before our -
arrival, into account; we probably missed some Gentoo colonies in areas we
could not survey, and in areas where they were not visible due to their
location within large Chinstrap colonies censused from a distance (e.g.,
Harmony Point, Nelson Island). Croxall et al. (1984) estimated that about
40,000 Gentoo's nested at 24 sites in the South Shetlands. We found Gentoo
Penguins at 10 sites not reported by Croxall and Kirkwood (1979). However,
the significance of this is unclear because Gentoo colony locations frequently
change from year to year (W. Trivelpiece, pers. commun.).

Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus)

Seal Island was the only site where breeding Macaroni Penguins were
observed. One colony of 40 adults and 12 chicks and a second of 85 adults and


GENERAL DISCLAIMER

This document may be affected by one or more of the following statements

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the sponsoring agency. It is being released in the interest of making
available as much information as possible.

This document may contain data which exceeds the sheet
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This document is paginated as submitted by the original source.
Portions of this document are not fully legible due to the historical

nature of some of the material. However, it is the best reproduction
available from the original submission.


24

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Recent issues in this series

whee

31. Evidence of Nearshore Summer Upwelling Off Atlantic City, New Jersey. By Merton C. Ingham and James
Eberwine. November 1984. iii + 10 p., 5 figs. NTIS Access. No. PB85-150290.

32. Secondary Production of Benthic Macrofauna at Three Stations of Delaware Bay and Coastal Delaware. By
Stavros Howe and Wayne Leathem. November 1984. ix + 62 p., 6 figs., 19 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB85-145753/
AS.

33. MARMAP Surveys of the Continental Shelf from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to Cape Sable, Nova Scotia
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(continued on inside back cover)


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(continued from inside front cover)

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August 1988. iii + 20 p.


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vii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Our warmest thanks to the captain, crew, and scientists of the Polish
research ship, Professor Siedlecki, who made our survey work not only
possible, but most enjoyable. John Bengtson organized the boat logistics and
the nearly complete census coverage of the South Shetlands would not have been
possible without his foresight and drive. Lisa Ferm, Mike Goebel, Dick
Merrick, Everett Schaner, and, especially, Tero Harkonen provided help with
censusing and boat operations. Dick Merrick provided penguin counts from Seal
Island during his 30 January to 13 February 1987 stay there. David Ainley
organized our participation, provided much advice and oversight and, along
with John P. Croxall and Wayne Trivelpiece, made helpful suggestions to drafts
of this report. Susan Goldhaber and Liz Tuomi helped in preparation of the
manuscript, and Ian Gaffney drafted the figures. This is contribution No. 366
of Point Reyes Bird Observatory. This work was supported by the Antarctic
Marine Living Resources Program (AMLR), NMFS/NOAA.


2

the schedule and priorities of the seal investigators, and thus we were able
to obtain careful counts at_only a few sites. Because of the short time
available for most censuses, the distant looks at some colonies, and sub-
optimal viewing conditions when looking up to cliffs from a moving boat, we
probably missed some small colonies of Gentoo or Macaroni Penguins amidst
large Chinstrap colonies.

Accuracy of censuses. We report estimates of breeding penguins and Antarctic
- Blue-eyed Shags as the total number of adults. Because we could not estimate
other breeding species adequately, we report their suspected or confirmed
breeding status only. Among-site differences existed in censusing conditions
(e.g., diverse topography, boat versus land vantage points, and time available
for censusing) and, thus, the accuracy of our censuses varied considerably.
Accordingly, we assigned each penguin estimate to one of four categories of
accuracy:

1) Detailed counts of individuals in small colonies (<500 birds) or
estimates of Individuals by blocks of 10, 50, or 100 in larger colonies --
these were made from the land by walking along colony boundaries; .we guess
accuracy to be £5-10% (see Jehl and Todd, 1985).

2) Rough estimates by blocks of 100's or 1,000's, from a moving boat, or
by walking around major portions of extensive colonies to make partial counts
and mental extrapolations from these -- the accuracy of estimates under 5,000
is probably +10-20%, between 5,000 and 25,000 +20-30% and over 25,000 +30-50%.

3) Gross estimates were guesses based on mental comparison with detailed
counts of other penguin colonies or prior experience with known-sized colonies
of other seabirds. These were made for very large and expansive colonies when
time or vantage points were limited, and were the least reliable of all;
accuracy likely +50-100%.

4) Casual observations were verbal descriptions from observers concerned
with other work, or our own for localities where it was not possible to see a
substantial proportion of the colony due to time and vantage point
limitations.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The following species accounts summarize the results of our surveys on
the distribution. and abundance of all breeding species encountered. To
facilitate direct comparisons with the numbers of breeding. sites and
individuals in the South Shetlands reported by Croxall et al. (1984), the
number of sites from our surveys reported below does not include those in the
Elephant Island area. _ .

Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) ,

Because this species had finished ‘breeding before our effort began, we
gathered no information on breeding distribution.