HomeMy WebLinkAboutABR Naknek Windfarm Study, March 2009 Printed on recycled paper.
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON WILDLIFE SPECIES
FROM A PROPOSED WINDFARM AT NAKNEK, ALASKA
FINAL REPORT
Prepared for
Naknek Electric Association
P.O. Box 118
Naknek, AK 99633
By
Jennifer H. Boisvert
Melanie M. Wahl
Ann M. Wildman
ABR, Inc.—Environmental Research & Services
P.O. Box 240268
Anchorage, AK 99524
March 2009
iii Naknek Windfarm Study
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................................................................iii
LIST OF APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................iii
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................1
POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF WINDFARM DEVELOPMENT ON WILDLIFE......................................1
HABITAT LOSS......................................................................................................................................1
BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCE AND DISPLACEMENT..................................................................1
INCREASED ACTIVITY BY PREDATOR/SCAVENGERS................................................................1
COLLISION MORTALITY ....................................................................................................................2
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AFFECTING WINDFARMS.....................................................2
WILDLIFE HABITATS IN THE NAKNEK AREA....................................................................................2
WILDLIFE POPULATIONS IN THE NAKNEK AREA ............................................................................2
WILDLIFE SPECIES OF CONSERVATION OR MANAGEMENT CONCERN ..................................2
BIRDS......................................................................................................................................................4
MAMMALS...........................................................................................................................................11
SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................................12
LITERATURE CITED................................................................................................................................13
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Avian species of high conservation concern occurring in the Naknek area, Alaska................3
Table 2. Wildlife species occurring in the Naknek area.........................................................................5
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A. Literature sources for information on wildlife species in the Naknek region, Alaska ...19
Introduction
1 Naknek Windfarm Study
INTRODUCTION
The Naknek Electric Association is interested
in building a windfarm on Cape Suwarof in
Kvichak Bay, Naknek, Alaska. Prior to
construction and operation of the windfarm and its
associated powerlines, information on
environmental resources and potential impacts to
these resources is necessary for permitting by state
and federal agencies. To assess costs and benefits
of a windfarm project on Cape Suwarof, V3
Energy contracted ABR Inc. to evaluate potential
wildlife-related issues with windfarm development
at the site. This report comprises a review of
available data and literature on wildlife species in
the Naknek region and an assessment of the
potential impacts to these species or
species-groups, particularly those of significant
conservation concern (i.e., species protected by the
Endangered Species Act, species listed on agency
or organization conservation lists, game animals of
importance).
POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF WINDFARM
DEVELOPMENT ON WILDLIFE
HABITAT LOSS
Habitat loss is a direct impact of windfarm
construction on wildlife. Habitats within the
footprint of a windfarm are manipulated and
altered to a condition that often are unsuitable for
use by animals that originally were present.
Habitats in powerline corridors also may be
altered, resulting in habitat loss (or gains) for some
species.
Additional functional loss of habitat may
occur for some wildlife in the vicinity of a
windfarm. Animals may avoid using surrounding
habitats because of disturbance from noise,
movement of the turbine blades, or human
activities during construction and operation.
Functional habitat loss is usually more common
during the construction phase because of the
greater disturbance to wildlife caused by human
activities associated with the construction.
Following construction, human activities decrease
both in the windfarm and in the powerline
corridors, and functional habitat loss may also
decrease.
BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCE AND
DISPLACEMENT
Noise and visual stimuli from construction
and operation of wind turbines also can cause
changes in the behaviors of wildlife using areas in
the vicinity of a windfarm. Behavioral disturbance
is regarded as a change in normal activities of
wildlife caused by a response to stimuli such as
noise or movement associated with a windfarm,
and the energetic costs to the animal or population
caused by disruption of their normal biological
activities (i.e., like breeding displays or movement
patterns). Intolerance of the disturbance also can
result in displacement of the animal. Mammals
often are disturbed and displaced most by
construction of the windfarm, while birds are likely
to be disturbed both in the short-term by the
construction, and then perpetually by operation of
the wind turbines. Although this effect is more
perpetual in migratory birds, returning migrants
(i.e., those individuals that migrate through the
area year after year) and resident birds (i.e., those
individuals that remain in the area seasonally or
year-round) can become habituated to the visual
and auditory disturbance from the windfarm over
time; so that it no longer physically disturbs them,
and only displaces them from the immediate
vicinity of the turbines.
INCREASED ACTIVITY BY
PREDATOR/SCAVENGERS
Man-made towers and other structures often
provide elevated nesting platforms and perches for
ravens, jaegers, gulls, and raptors that would
otherwise be unavailable for these predatory birds
in tundra environments. The use of man-made
structures by nesting birds in Alaska is of particular
concern because they can allow some populations
of avian predators to increase or expand their
ranges. By nesting on towers and man-made
structures, Common Ravens, in particular, as well
as other raptors in Alaska, have exhibited altered
nesting behaviors and increases in abundance and
ranges, even nesting in locations with significant
noise and other human disturbance (Ritchie 1991,
AKCFWRU 2002, Shook et al. 2008). Open lattice
towers are of the greatest concern because they
provide easy perches and support for stick nests
that are built by ravens and some gull and raptor
species.
Wildlife Habitats in the Naknek Area
Naknek Windfarm Study 2
In areas where bird movements are
concentrated seasonally, elevated structures (i.e.,
windturbines and powerline poles) and their
associated wires (electrical and guy-wires), may
present substantial hazard to birds, resulting in
avian collision injuries or mortalities and an
increase in scavenger activity because of the
availability of carcasses/carrion in the area.
Indirect impacts on locally breeding birds or small
mammals may result from the increased predator
activity, since many raptors and gulls are both
predators and scavengers. In coastal Alaska,
elevated structures frequently present unexpected
hazards to low-flying birds in tundra environments,
particularly during fog or darkness (Johnson and
Richardson 1982, Day et al. 2001, Boisvert and
Day 2005; see Collision Mortality, below).
COLLISION MORTALITY
Considerable avian and bat mortality has been
documented in association with windfarms in both
the U.S. and Canada (Orloff and Flannery 1996,
Anderson et al. 1996, Johnson et al. 2000, Erickson
et al. 2003, Johnson 2005, Arnett et al. 2008).
Currently, the overall average avian collision rate is
low, averaging 2.19 birds/turbine/year (Erickson et
al. 2001), partially because concerns about notable
avian mortality events has improved the evaluation
of siting of windfarms. Thus, the collision fatality
of birds is substantially lower at newer windfarms
(Erickson et al. 2001, 2002). Conditions that are
known to result in problematic rates of avian
collisions include site locations in high-use
breeding or migratory routes and operation of
turbines during high winds and low visibility—
conditions which are common in some areas of
coastal Alaska. Additionally, windfarms are still a
major concern where bats occur.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
AFFECTING WINDFARMS
Several federal environmental laws and
regulations may be pertinent to the development
and operation of the proposed windfarm. These
include:
• Endangered Species Act
• Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
• Migratory Bird Treaty Act
• National Environmental Policy Act
• Clean Water Act
WILDLIFE HABITATS IN THE NAKNEK
AREA
The area of consideration for wildlife impacts
from the Naknek windfarm project is a region of
~60 mi surrounding Naknek that includes the
Nushagak Peninsula, Nushagak Bay and River,
Kvichak Bay and River, the Naknek River, and the
coastal lowlands south to Egegik Bay and east to
Katmai National Park. Naknek is located in the
Bristol Bay coastal lowland region, at the
geographic transition between southwestern
coastal Alaska and the northwestern end of the
Alaska Peninsula. This region includes parts of the
Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, the Egegik State
Critical Habitat Area, the Becharof National
Wildlife Refuge, the Alaska Maritime National
Wildlife Refuge, and Katmai National Park and
Preserve. This area of Alaska is highly productive
for wildlife and fish, and provides habitats for
many breeding and migrating bird species,
particularly waterbirds and shorebirds, and large
mammals. Major habitats in the area include
nearshore marine waters, mudflats, low coastal
shorelines, lowland wetlands, small ponds and
lakes, small creeks, large river drainages, and wet
and moist tundra habitats. This area is beyond the
range of coastal boreal forests, but low and tall
shrub habitats and discontinuous spruce woodlands
occur in areas with well-drained uplands, and
along creek and river drainages throughout the
region.
WILDLIFE POPULATIONS IN THE
NAKNEK AREA
WILDLIFE SPECIES OF CONSERVATION
OR MANAGEMENT CONCERN
Seventeen species of birds (Table 1) occurring
in the Naknek area are considered species of
conservation or management concern. The Steller’s
Eider is listed as a threatened species under the
federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (as
amended) and has been observed in small numbers
in the Naknek area during the spring migration
season (Larned 2007). This species migrates along
the western coast of Alaska and winters on the
Wildlife Populations in the Naknek Area
3 Naknek Windfarm Study
northern end of the Alaska Peninsula and in Cook
Inlet (Fredrikson 2001), passing the southern ends
of Nushagak and Kvichak Bays during spring and
fall migration (Fredrickson 2001, Larned 2007).
Another seaduck species, the King Eider, is known
to winter and congregate during migration in the
nearshore waters of Nushagak, Kvichak, and
Egegik bays (Larned 2007). Studies indicate that
Kvichak Bay, in particular, is a highly important
spring staging and fall molting area for the Pacific
population of King Eiders, a large proportion of
which may be concentrated there seasonally. Black
Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks also breed in ponds
in the Naknek area during summer, but primarily
these species congregate in nearshore waters of
Kvichak Bay and on the Kvichak and Naknek
rivers during migration in spring and fall. The
Red-throated Loon breeds in ponds and lakes
around Naknek and uses nearshore waters of
Nushagak and Kvichak bays in small numbers in
spring and fall (King and Dau 1992).
Two raptor species of conservation concern,
the Osprey and Peale’s Peregrine Falcon,
potentially occur in the Naknek area in low
numbers during breeding and migration.
Ten shorebird species of conservation concern
(Table 1) are presumed to occur in the Naknek area
at some time during the year. Few studies have
been conducted on shorebirds in the Naknek area
during breeding, and only a few have targeted
shorebirds during migration. Of these 10 shorebird
species, only the Pacific Golden-Plover and
Short-billed Dowitcher have been documented
breeding in the area (observed south of Naknek and
King Salmon; Savage 2007). Black Turnstones,
Rock Sandpipers, and Dunlin also likely breed in
suitable habitats on the Nushagak Peninsula and
areas around Naknek south to Egegik Bay, as these
species have been observed using coastal and
upland tundra habitats in these areas during late
summer, spring, and fall (Gill and Sarvis 1999,
MacDonald 2000). The 5 remaining shorebird
species of conservation concern (Wandering
Tattler, Whimbrel, Bristle-thighed Curlew,
Bar-tailed Godwit, and Surfbird) are thought to
migrate through the Naknek area during spring and
fall, but only the Pacific Golden-Plover, Dunlin,
and Bar-tailed Godwit occur in large numbers
seasonally in the Naknek area.
Table 1. Avian species of high conservation concern occurring in the Naknek area, Alaska.¹
Common Name Scientific Name Conservation Status Seasonal Use
Steller's Eider Polysticta stelleri Threatened Migration
King Eider Somateria spectabilis Of concern Migration, winter
Black Scoter Melanitta nigra Of concern Breeding
Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis Of concern Breeding
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata Of concern Breeding
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Of concern Breeding
Peregrine Falcon (Peale's) Falco peregrinus Of concern Breeding, migration
Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva Of concern Breeding
Wandering Tattler Tringa incanus Of concern Migration
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Of concern Migration
Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis Of concern Migration
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Of concern Migration
Black Turnstone Arenaria melanocephala Of concern Breeding
Surfbird Aphriza virgata Of concern Migration
Rock Sandpiper Calidris ptilocnemis Of concern Breeding
Dunlin Calidris alpina Of concern Breeding
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus Of concern Breeding
1 Listed on 2 or more state or federal agency or avian conservation organization species conservation lists.
Wildlife Populations in the Naknek Area
Naknek Windfarm Study 4
Mammal species of management concern
include caribou, moose, and bears. These species
are of high subsistence and game value to village
residents and hunters in the Naknek area. Caribou
are a species of elevated management concern in
the Naknek area because both the Mulchatna
Caribou Herd (MCH) and Northern Alaska
Peninsula Caribou Herd (NAPCH) are in decline
(Valkenburg and Keech 2002, Butler 2007a,
Woolington 2007). Both herds are an important
subsistence and resident hunter resource, and
current population numbers and accessibility of
caribou are only marginally able to meet harvest
demands (Sellers and Squib 1998).
Moose are not abundant directly around
Naknek and populations have remained stable for
the past 25 years (Butler 2006a). Hunter interest
has been fairly consistent for the past 20 years, but
has declined slightly with the reduction in
combined opportunities for caribou hunting (Butler
2006a).
The Alaska Peninsula is a premier area for
large brown bears, and the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game has placed a high priority on
maintaining a quality bear hunting experience for
sport hunters. Brown bears also are of high
aesthetic value on the Alaska Peninsula and nearby
Katmai National Park and Preserve, and of
management concern with regards to human-bear
interactions (Butler 2007b). Currently there is a
reasonably stable population of brown bears on the
Alaska Peninsula (Butler 2007b), and there is little
concern about their populations in the Naknek
area.
BIRDS
Bird populations in the Naknek area are
representative of southwestern Alaska and its
associated habitats. This area supports a large
number of breeding and migrating waterbirds, and
migrating shorebirds (Table 2). Raptor and
passerine species also occur in the area but are less
abundant and less diverse.
Breeding Birds
Studies on breeding birds in the Naknek area
have focused primarily on specific species such as
Sandhill Cranes and Greater White-fronted Geese
on the Nushagak Peninsula (Pogson and Cooper
1983, Ely and Takekawa 1996), and on Tundra
Swans on the northern Alaska Peninsula (Doster
2002). Other available literature includes avian
species-group surveys at a regional- or
statewide-scale (Platte and Butler 1995, Conant
and Groves 2004, 2005; Conant and Mallek 2006,
Mallek and Groves 2007, 2008), and generalized
bird surveys across the northern Alaska Peninsula
(Savage 2007). Very limited information is
available on wildlife specifically in the Naknek
area, although the available literature suggests that
coastal tundra habitats, small ponds, and lakes near
Naknek provide breeding habitat for many ducks,
geese, swans, loons, gulls, jaegers, terns, cranes,
shorebirds, and passerines (Table 2). Most of these
species are not particularly abundant in the Naknek
area during breeding, with the exception of Tundra
Swans and Black Scoters (Wilk 1987, Conant and
Mallek 2006). The breeding population of swans in
the Bristol Bay lowlands comprises ~18% of the
Pacific Flyway population (Doster 2002), and
some of the highest density of breeding swans in
the Bristol Bay region occur between the Naknek
River and Egegik Bay (Wilk 1988, Platte and
Butler 1995). Breeding surveys also indicate that
the Bristol Bay coastal lowlands are one of the
highest densities of Black Scoters in Alaska
(Conant and Mallek 2006). Surveys of pelagic
waterbirds in Kvichak Bay in summer (Barontek
and Gibson 1972) suggest that seabirds, ducks,
geese, and gulls are not abundant breeders in the
Naknek area during summer.
Five species of raptors potentially breed near
Naknek (Table 2), though few surveys specific to
raptor species have been conducted. Bald and
Golden eagles are protected by the federal Bald
and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 (and
amended in 1978). Golden Eagles have not been
documented in the Naknek area and are generally
restricted to mountainous habitat, even during
migration, and are not likely to be affected by
developments in Naknek. Bald Eagles presumably
occur in the Naknek area year-round, although no
winter reports are available and few studies have
focused on Bald Eagles in the Naknek area during
the breeding or migration seasons. Previous studies
have recorded Bald Eagles nesting on Naknek
Lake (Dewhurst 1991), and occurring in inland
habitats south of Naknek (Savage 2007). They also
have been observed using rivers and intertidal and
5Naknek Windfarm StudyTable 2. Wildlife species occurring in the Naknek area (includes the Nushagak Peninsula, Nushagak Bay and River, Kvichak Bay and River, Naknek River, and the coastal lowlands south to Egegik Bay and east to Katmai National Park and Preserve), Naknek, Alaska. Common Name Scientific Name Seasonal Occurrence1 Reference Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons B,M King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Ely and Takekawa 1996, Savage et al. 2006, Savage 2007 Emperor Goose Chen canagica M Gill and King 1980, Peterson and Gill 1982, King and Dau 1992, Schmutz 1992, Anderson et al. 2005, Savage et al. 2006, Larned 2007, Mallek and Dau 2007, Hupp et al. 2008 Snow Goose Chen caerulescens M Gill and King 1980, Scharf 1993 BrantBranta bernicla M Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006, Mallek and Dau 2007 Canada Goose Branta canadensis B King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006, Mallek and Dau 2007 Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator M King and Dau 1992, Savage et al. 2006 Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus B,M Wilk 1987, Wilk 1988, King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006, Mallek and Dau 2007, Savage 2007, Savage and Sowl 2007 Gadwall Anas strepera B,M Gill and King 1980, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006 Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope M Savage et al. 2006 American Wigeon Anas americana B,M Trapp 1981, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006, Savage 2007 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos B,W Gill and King 1980, Trapp 1981, King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006, Mallek and Dau 2007, Savage 2007 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata B,W King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006, Savage 2007 Northern Pintail Anas acuta B,M Gill and King 1980, Trapp 1981, King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006, Mallek and Dau 2007, Savage 2007 Green-winged Teal Anas crecca B,M Gill and King 1980, Trapp 1981, King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006, Mallek and Dau 2007, Savage 2007 Canvasback Aythya valisineria M King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006 Redhead Aythya americana M Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006 Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris M Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006 Greater Scaup Aythya marila B,M Trapp 1981, King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006, Mallek and Dau 2007, Savage 2007 Steller's Eider Polysticta stelleri M Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006, Mallek and Dau 2007, Larned 2007 King Eider Somateria spectabilis M,W Bartonek and Gibson 1972, Scharf 1993, Suydam 2000, Savage et al. 2006, Larned 2007 Common Eider Somateria mollissima B,W Gill and King 1980, King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Larned 2007 Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus B Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006 Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata B,M Trapp 1981, Scharf 1993 White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca M Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006, Larned 2007 Black Scoter Melanitta nigra B,M Gill and King 1980, Trapp 1981, King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Bordage and Savard 1995, Savage et al. 2006, Larned 2007, Mallek and Dau 2007, Savage 2007 Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis B,M Trapp 1981, Scharf 1993, Robertson and Savard 2002, Savage et al. 2006, Larned 2007 BuffleheadBucephala albeola M Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006 Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula M King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006 Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica M King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006 Common Merganser Mergus merganser B,W Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006 Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator B,W Trapp 1981, King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Savage et al. 2006, Savage 2007 Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus Y Savage 2007 Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata B,M Trapp 1981, Barr et al. 2000, Mallek and Dau 2007 Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica B,M Russell 2002, Bartonek and Gibson 1972, Trapp 1981 Common Loon Gavia immer B,M Trapp 1981, Mallek and Dau 2007, Savage 2007 Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena B,M Trapp 1981, Savage 2007 Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus W Trapp 1981 Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus Y Bartonek and Gibson 1972 Osprey Pandion haliaetus B,M Poole et al. 2002 Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus B,M Gill and King 1980, Trapp 1981, Dewhurst 1991, King and Dau 1992, Savage et al. 2006, Savage 2007 Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus B,M Trapp 1981, Savage 2007
6Naknek Windfarm StudyTable 2. Continued.Common Name Scientific Name Seasonal Occurrence1 Reference Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus B,W Savage 2007 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus B,M White et al. 2002 Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis B,M Trapp 1981, Pogson and Cooper 1983, King and Dau 1992, Savage 2007 Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola M Gill and Sarvis 1999, MacDonald 2000, Gill et al. 2004, Savage 2007 American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica M MacDonald 2000 Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva B,M Johnson and Connors 1996, Gill and Sarvis 1999, MacDonald 2000, Gill et al. 2004, Schuster and Savage 2005, Savage 2007 Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus B MacDonald 2000 Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius B MacDonald 2000 Wandering Tattler Tringa incanus M MacDonald 2000, Gill et al. 2002 Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca B,M Savage 2007, MacDonald 2000, Gill and Sarvis 1999, Trapp 1981 Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes M Gill and Sarvis 1999, MacDonald 2000 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus M Gill and Sarvis 1999, MacDonald 2000 Bristel-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis M MacDonald 2000 Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica M MacDonald 2000 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica M Gill and King 1980, Gill and Sarvis 1999, MacDonald 2000 Marbeld Godwit Limosa fedoa M MacDonald 2000, Gill et al. 2004 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres M MacDonald 2000 Black Turnstone Arenaria melanocephala B,M MacDonald 2000, Handel and Gill 2001 Surfbird Aphriza virgata M MacDonald 2000 Red Knot Calidris cauntus M Gill and Sarvis 1999, MacDonald 2000 Sanderling Calidris alba M MacDonald 2000 Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla M Gill and King 1980, MacDonald 2000 Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri M MacDonald 2000, Schuster and Savage 2005 Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla B,M MacDonald 2000, Savage 2007 Sharptailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata M MacDonald 2000 Rock Sandpiper Calidris ptilocnemis B,M Gill and Sarvis 1999, MacDonald 2000, Gill et al. 2002 Dunlin Calidris alpina B,M Warnock and Gill 1996, Gill and Sarvis 1999, MacDonald 2000 Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus B,M MacDonald 2000, Savage 2007 Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodrom scolopaceus M MacDonald 2000 Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata B Savage 2007 Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus B,M MacDonald 2000, Savage 2007 Black-legged Kittewake Rissa tridactyla B,M Bartonek and Gibson 1972 Bonaparte's Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia B,M Trapp 1981 Mew Gull Larus canus B,M Bartonek and Gibson 1972, Gill and King 1980, Trapp 1981, King and Dau 1992, Mallek and Dau 2007, Savage 2007 Herring Gull Larus argentatus Y Bartonek and Gibson 1972, Trapp 1981 Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens B,M Bartonek and Gibson 1972, Trapp 1981, Savage 2007 Aleutian Tern Sterna aleutica M Bartonek and Gibson 1972 Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea B,M Savage 2007 Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus B,M Savage 2007 Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus M Savage 2007 Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon B Trapp 1981 Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor M Savage 2007 Gray Jay Perisoreus canadensis M Trapp 1981 Common Raven Corvus corax Y Trapp 1981, King and Dau 1992, Savage et al. 2006, Mallek and Dau 2007, Savage 2007 Bank Swallow Riparia riparia B Savage 2007 American Robin Turdus migratorius B Savage 2007
7Naknek Windfarm StudyTable 2. Continued.Common Name Scientific Name Seasonal Occurrence1 Reference American Pipit Anthus rubescens B Savage 2007 Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata B Savage 2007 Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia B Savage 2007 Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla B Savage 2007 American Tree Sparrow Spizella arborea B Savage 2007 Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis B Savage 2007 Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca B Savage 2007 White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys B Savage 2007 Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla B Savage 2007 Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus B Savage 2007 Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis Y Gill and King 1980 Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea Y Savage 2007 Hoary Redpoll Carduelis hornemanni W Knox and Lowther 2000 Little Brown Bat Myotis lucifugus S Parker et al. 1997 Coyote Canis latrans Y Butler 2007c Wolf Canis lupus Y Butler 2006b, Woolington 2006 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Y Butler 2007c Lynx Lynx canadensis Y Butler 2007c River Otter Lontra canadensis Y Butler 2007c Wolverine Gulo gulo Y Butler 2007c Short-tailed Weasel Mustela erminea Y Butler 2007c Brown Bear Ursus arctos S Butler 2007b Moose Alces alces Y Butler 2006a Caribou Rangifer tarandus W Sellers and Squibb 1998, Sellers et al. 1998, Butler 2007a, Woolington 2007 1 B = breeding, M = migration, W = winter, Y = year-round resident, S = summer (hibernates in winter).
Wildlife Populations in the Naknek Area
9 Naknek Windfarm Study
coastal habitats between the Nushagak Peninsula
and Egegik Bay during spring (King and Dau
1992) and fall (Gill and King 1980, Trapp 1981,
Savage et al. 2006). Bald Eagles breed in low
numbers in suitable habitats but are not abundant in
the Naknek area, occurring mostly along river
drainages and at large lakes where nest sites (i.e.,
large spruce or poplar trees) are available.
However, they may be more abundant in the area,
congregating on rivers and along the coasts during
salmon runs in late summer and fall. Northern
Harriers and Gyrfalcons have been observed
southwest of Naknek during summer (Savage
2007), and Northern Harriers were observed on the
Kvichak River during fall (Trapp 1981). These
species, along with Osprey and Peregrine Falcons,
all potentially breed and migrate through the area.
It is unlikely that any raptor species is abundant in
the Naknek area during either breeding or
migration.
Little information is available on passerine
species in the Naknek area. Breeding surveys on
the northern Alaska Peninsula, south of Naknek,
indicate a low diversity of passerine species in the
area (Savage 2007). Only 18 species of passerines
(including Common Ravens) are thought to occur
in the Naknek area and only 15 are thought to
breed in the area (Trapp 1981, Savage 2007; Table
2). Passerine species diversity and abundance in
the area probably is limited by low habitat diversity
and lack of highly productive breeding habitats for
this species-group in the area.
Staging and Wintering Birds
The Naknek and Kvichak rivers, and
Nushagak, Kvichak, and Egegik bays are important
staging and wintering areas for seaducks,
waterfowl, and shorebirds in southwestern Alaska
and the Bristol Bay area. The Naknek River
represents one of the more important spring
waterfowl staging areas on the Alaska Peninsula
(Meixell and Savage 2004, Schuster 2004, Savage
et al. 2006) because it provides ice-free habitat
earlier than other waterbodies on the northern
Alaska Peninsula, attracting thousands of migrant
ducks, geese, and swans during April and May
(Wilk 1987, Wilk 1988, Savage et al. 2006).
Although not as abundant as in spring, many
waterfowl and gulls also use the Naknek River
during fall staging and wintering (Trapp 1981,
King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993, Savage et al.
2006). In fall, Mallards, American Wigeon,
Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater
Scaup, Buffleheads, Red-breasted Mergansers and
gulls are the most abundant species (Trapp 1981,
King and Dau 1992, Scharf 1993), whereas
mergansers, Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Ducks,
Black Scoters, geese, and swans are the most
abundant species in spring (Oligschlaeger and
Schuster 2004, Schuster 2004, Savage et al. 2006).
Mergansers and goldeneyes are the most abundant
species in winter (King and Dau 1992,
Oligschlaeger and Schuster 2004, Schuster 2004,
Savage et al. 2006).
The Kvichak River also is an important area
for fall-staging waterfowl and gulls. In 1981, Trapp
(1981) observed 5.5 birds/km on the Kvichak
River during staging in September. This is higher
than that observed for the Naknek River and
Iliamna Lake during that same time period (Trapp
1981). Greater Scaup, American Wigeon, Northern
Pintails, Red-breasted Mergansers, and gulls were
the most abundant species observed during fall
(Trapp 1981). Although a great deal of survey
work has been conducted on waterbirds and
shorebirds in the Bristol Bay region during spring,
none have focused specifically on the Kvichak
River. Studies from adjacent areas such as the
Naknek River and Kvichak Bay suggest that the
Kvichak River also may be an important
spring-staging area for waterfowl.
An abundance of literature has documented
the use of Kvichak Bay by seaducks and other
waterfowl during spring and fall migration and in
winter. Kvichak Bay is often the northernmost
ice-free estuary on the Alaska Peninsula during
spring staging and it often stays ice-free in winter.
Studies indicate that Kvichak Bay is a highly
important spring staging, fall molting, and
wintering area for the Pacific population of King
Eiders. During April 2007, ~525,000 eiders were
estimated to be staging in Kvichak Bay (Larned
2007), and large groups of King Eiders also have
been observed molting there in the fall (Larned
and Tiplady 1998). Less is known about use of the
Naknek area by King Eiders in winter, but studies
indicate that moderate numbers likely winter in
Nushagak and Kvichak bays (Scharf 1993,
Suydam 2000, Savage 2007). Steller’s Eiders and
Common Eiders also use Kvichak Bay during
Wildlife Populations in the Naknek Area
Naknek Windfarm Study 10
migration, but in substantially smaller numbers
than King Eiders (Gill and King 1980, Larned
2007). Spring surveys suggest that Steller’s Eiders
are most abundant farther south along the Alaska
Peninsula and do not venture much into Kvichak
Bay during winter or migration. For example,
Steller’s Eiders were not observed north of Egegik
Bay by King and Dau (1992), and Larned (2007)
recorded only 44 Steller’s Eiders in Kvichak Bay
versus ~800 in Egegik Bay during the same survey.
Surveys of northern Alaska Peninsula
estuaries in spring have recorded large numbers of
waterfowl and gulls, and of all the bays along the
western coast of the Alaska Peninsula, Kvichak
Bay has the highest density of diving and dabbling
ducks during spring (Arneson 1980). Geese,
Northern Pintails, Greater Scaup, Long-tailed
Ducks, and Black Scoters are abundant in Kvichak
Bay during spring, often numbering in the
thousands (Arenson 1980, King and Dau 1992,
Larned 2007). The largest concentrations of Black
Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks along the entire
western Alaska Peninsula in spring, occurs in
Kvichak Bay, where ~5,000 Long-tailed Ducks and
~28,000 Black Scoters were recorded in April 2007
(Larned 2007). During fall, species such as
Mallards, Northern Pintails, Black Scoters, Tundra
Swans, and gulls are the most common species,
and often number in the hundreds to thousands
(Gill and King 1980, Mallek and Dau 2000, Mallek
and Dau 2007). Although there are no studies on
use of Nushagak and Kvichak bays by waterfowl
during winter, it is presumed that some species
such as Black Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks also
may occur there during winter.
Several studies have reported that Emperor
Geese are abundant and concentrated along the
western Alaska Peninsula during migration. But
Emperor Geese have not been observed farther
north than Egegik Bay (Gill and King 1980,
Petersen and Gill 1982, King and Dau 1992, Hupp
et al. 2008), and likely bypass the Naknek area
altogether.
In spring, fall, and winter, Bald Eagles have
been observed using rivers and intertidal and
coastal habitats between the Nushagak Peninsula
and Egegik Bay (King and Dau 1992, Gill and
King 1980, Trapp 1981, Savage et al. 2006). Bald
Eagles may be seasonally abundant at specific sites
during late summer and fall, congregating on rivers
and along the coasts during salmon runs.
Bristol Bay is a major migration corridor for
many shorebirds that breed in western and northern
Alaska (Arneson 1980). Coastal surveys of Bristol
Bay and the northern Alaska Peninsula in spring
and fall indicate that Nushagak, Kvichak, and
Egegik bays all are important stopovers and
migratory routes for many of these birds.
Additionally, Nushagak and Kvichak bays are
designated as Regional Shorebird Reserves in the
Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network;
these bays are 2 of only 5 sites designated in
Alaska (WHSRN 2006). Surveys conducted for
shorebirds from August to mid-September in
estuaries on the Nushagak Peninsula observed a
total of ~35,000 and ~31,000 shorebirds in 1999
and 2000, respectively (MacDonald 2000).
Surveys in early September recorded >22,000
shorebirds in Nushagak Bay, ~45,000 shorebirds
(consisting primarily of small shorebirds) in
Kvichak Bay, and >66,000 shorebirds (primarily
small shorebirds and Bar-tailed Godwits) in Egegik
Bay (Gill and Sarvis 1999). Numbers of shorebirds
present in the Naknek area drops dramatically by
late September and October, where ~5,500–7,500
shorebirds were observed in Nushagak Bay (Gill
and King 1980, Mallek and Dau 2000), 10,500
shorebirds were seen in Kvichak Bay, and 14,000
shorebirds were recorded in Egegik Bay (Gill and
King 1980). Shorebirds typically use stopovers for
shorter periods and with less intensity in spring, as
King and Dau (1992) only observed ~3,000
shorebirds in Nushagak Bay, ~6,100 shorebirds in
Kvichak Bay, and ~1,700 shorebirds in Egegik Bay
during April.
Dunlin were the predominant shorebird
species observed in bays on the Nushagak
Peninsula in late summer, where 20,000 and
14,000 were recorded by MacDonald (2000) in
1999 and 2000, respectively. It is thought that the
Nushagak Peninsula may be the autumn terminus
for Dunlin before they begin their trans-oceanic
migration to wintering grounds (Gill and Sarvis
1999). Small sandpipers and dowitchers also were
abundant on the Nushagak Peninsula during late
summer (MacDonald 2000). Greater Yellowlegs
are a common shorebird species observed in both
Nushagak and Kvichak Bays during spring and fall
Wildlife Populations in the Naknek Area
11 Naknek Windfarm Study
staging (Gill and Sarvis 1999, MacDonald 2000).
In surveys along the southwestern Alaska shoreline
from Togiak Bay to Nelson Lagoon, during fall
1997, ~86% of the Black-bellied and Pacific
Golden-Plovers recorded were located in Kvichak
Bay (Gill and Sarvis 1999). During the same
survey, >32,000 Bar-tailed Godwits, ~33% of the
world population, were located in Egegik Bay (Gill
and Sarvis 1999).
No information is available about passerine
migration numbers in the Naknek area in spring
and fall, though it is likely that a diversity of
passerines regularly migrate through the area, but
not in high numbers.
MAMMALS
Terrestrial mammal populations in the Naknek
area are representative of the southwestern coastal
Alaska ecosystem. The major large mammal
species in the region include caribou, moose,
brown bear, and wolf. Ten species of game and
furbearing mammals occur in area (Table 2).
Several additional species of small mammals,
including voles, lemmings, and shrews, also are
likely to occur in the area.
The Naknek area occurs at the northern
periphery of the NAPCH range, and the southern
end of the MCH range. A small population of
caribou also occurs on the Nushagak Peninsula, but
does not traverse into the area around Naknek.
Both the NAPCH and MCH have been suffering
from major population declines since the early
1990s. The MCH was estimated at 45,000 animals
in 2006, down from 200,000 in 1996 (Woolington
2007); and the NAPCH was estimated at 2,500
animals in 2005, down from 20,000 in 1984 (Butler
2007a). During past population highs of the
NAPCH and MCH, both herds intermingled along
the Kvichak River near Naknek in winter (Butler
2007a). In more recent years, however, the MCH
has been wintering farther to the southwest near
Togiak and the Kuskokwim Mountains
(Woolington 2007), and currently calves near the
Nushagak River northward to the Stoney and
Hoholitna rivers (Woolington 2007). The NAPCH
historically calved to the south of Naknek between
the Cinder and Bear rivers and wintered near
Naknek and King Salmon. They still occur in the
Naknek area during winter but currently are rarely
observed wintering north of the Naknek River
(Butler 2007a).
Moose are not abundant on the Alaska
Peninsula or in the Naknek area. Census surveys in
1983, estimated 500–600 moose in GMU 9C (the
area encompassing Naknek and King Salmon), and
their populations are thought to have remained
relatively stable in the past 25 years (Butler
2006a). Moose are an important subsistence
resource and harvest species for Naknek and other
regional village residents, but reduced harvests
have occurred in the area since 2000 because of
reduced hunter effort in coincidence with reduced
opportunity for caribou hunting (Butler 2006a).
The northern Alaska Peninsula is a premier
area of interest for brown bears. Although census
of bears is difficult, population numbers of brown
bears on the Alaska Peninsula and around the
Naknek area currently are presumed to be stable
(Butler 2007b). Brown bear densities vary along
the Alaska Peninsula, but are lowest in areas
around Naknek and the Kvichak River. Surveys in
1991 estimated 879 brown bears in GMU 9B (an
area encompassing Iliamna lake to the Kvichak
River) and 429 bears in GMU 9C (the area around
Naknek and King Salmon; Sellers and Miller
1991). Surveys conducted again in 1999–2000,
estimated 272 bears in the northern portion of
GMU 9B (Butler 2007b).
Wolves are found throughout southwestern
Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula in
low-to-moderate numbers (Butler 2006b,
Woolington 2006). Accurate population
estimations of wolves are difficult and costly, and
no estimates are available for the Naknek area.
Information suggests that ~350 wolves occupy the
entire Alaska Peninsula and Unimak Island (Butler
2006b), and 150–200 wolves occur in GMU 17C
(encompassing Nushagak River and Dillingham
area; Woolington 2006). This information suggests
that numbers of wolves in the Naknek area is very
low.
Little information is available on the relative
abundance or distribution of the 7 other game and
furbearer species likely to occur in the Naknek area
(Table 2), although none are thought to be
abundant in the area (Butler 2007c).
Although several species of small mammals
(shrews, voles, etc.) occur in the area, none are
Summary
Naknek Windfarm Study 12
likely to be considered at risk from proposed
development in the Naknek area. Of small
mammals, only the potential impacts on bats are
likely to be a consideration for windfarm
developments. The little brown bat (Myotis
lucifugus) is the only bat species that occurs north
of southeast Alaska and the 59° latitude (Parker et
al. 1997). This species is the most common and
widely-distributed bat in Alaska, and outside of
southeast Alaska, occurs primarily in the warmer
portions of the interior. The range of the little
brown bat is not well known, but it has been
recorded as far west as Sleetmute and King Salmon
(Parker et al. 1997); and specimens have been
collected from Pedro Bay, Iliamna Lake, and King
Salmon (Parker et al. 1997). It is suspected that
bats are not common in southwestern Alaska, but it
is likely that they do occur in the Naknek area in
small numbers. The little brown bat would be
present in the Naknek area only in summer, and
would migrate to warmer climates (or possibly
hibernate in the area in very small numbers) during
winter.
SUMMARY
The impacts of habitat loss and disturbance on
wildlife are unlikely to be of concern for the
proposed windfarm development at Naknek. The
proposed windfarm footprint is small and habitats
are unlikely to be limiting to any wildlife in the
region. Any additional displacement of wildlife
attributable to the windfarm is likely to be minor
given the location of the windfarm in proximity to
an already existing road and town, the likely
habituation of some resident wildlife to existing
structures and activity, and the likely ongoing
avoidance of the village area by non-resident
wildlife.
Nonetheless, noise and visual stimuli from
construction and operation of the wind turbines is
likely to disturb small numbers of birds and
mammals in the immediate vicinity of the
windfarm. It is likely that the disturbance zone
would extend at most several hundred meters from
the footprint of the development and the turbines.
Over time, resident breeding birds such as
passerines and waterfowl, and local mammals may
habituate to the noise and visual disturbance.
The primary impact of concern for wildlife
populations in the vicinity of the proposed Naknek
windfarm is avian collisions. Bats also will be
susceptible to collisions, but bat numbers are likely
to be extremely low in the area. Elevated structures
in coastal Alaska create unexpected hazards to
birds flying in tundra environments, particularly in
reduced visibility conditions such as fog or
darkness. Although collisions also would affect
breeding birds, the periods of highest concern are
spring and fall migration (May–early June and
August–September, respectively) and winter, when
there is a high potential for very large numbers of
birds to be moving through the area, and frequently
during periods of reduced visibility (i.e., fog or
darkness).
The construction of towers and powerlines in
the coastal environment of Naknek also may result
in increased use of the area by avian
predator/scavengers, both for the artificial nest
sites that are provided (i.e., for Common Ravens,
gulls, and raptors) and because of the potential
increased availability of carcasses/carrion resulting
from collision mortality. Appropriate tower and
powerline designs (that increase visibility
[reducing collisions] and minimize the availability
perches and nest sites for predators) will help to
alleviate this impact.
The windfarm development at Naknek will
need to adhere to the Endangered Species Act
(ESA), the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
(BGEPA), and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
(MBTA). Although interactions of Steller’s Eiders
with the proposed windfarm are suspected to be
low (most Steller’s Eiders remain well south of
Naknek during fall, winter, and spring
movements), consultation with the USFWS will be
required to further assess the potential for take of
Steller’s Eiders.
The BGEPA protects eagles and their nests
and young. Consultation with the USFWS will be
needed to determine the potential for take of Bald
Eagles, and the windfarm should be engineered to
use towers and structures that prevent the building
of stick nests and thereby minimize the attraction
of eagles, and reducing the potential for collisions
with turbines and powerlines. This effort also will
prevent other raptors and ravens from nesting
within the project area, further reducing impacts on
these species and their prey.
Literature Cited
13 Naknek Windfarm Study
The MBTA prohibits the destruction of all
breeding birds, their eggs, nests, and young during
the breeding season. In general, the MBTA protects
birds during the summer breeding season by
prohibiting ground activities, such as clearing
during or prior to project construction, during the
nesting season. Construction of the proposed
windfarm should avoid breeding periods of birds in
the Naknek area (~May 1–July 15), as
recommended by the USFWS (2006) to protect
nesting birds in southwestern Alaska.
Injury, mortality, or egg or nest loss will be of
particular concern for those species considered to
be of conservation concern because of the
additional potential impact of windfarm
development on already diminished populations of
these species. Species of particular interest in the
Naknek area would include King Eiders,
Long-tailed Ducks, Black Scoters, Pacific
golden-Plover, Dunlin, and Bar-tailed Godwits, all
of which are known to, or potentially, move
through the Naknek area in large numbers. Other
shorebirds and large birds such as Tundra Swans,
Sandhill Cranes, and geese also may be of concern
because their flock sizes, migratory paths, flight
movements, and (in large birds) inability to
maneuver quickly also may make them highly
susceptible to collision mortalities.
Because of its location in coastal tundra
habitat near several areas known to provide
important avian habitats in the region, the Naknek
windfarm may have potential for relatively high
collision rates of birds moving between marine and
terrestrial habitats or moving along the coast. Its
placement in Kvichak Bay creates a high potential
for avian collisions, as this area is a significant
migration corridor and staging area for many
seaducks, waterfowl, and shorebirds. It is
unknown, however, how many of the birds using
Kvichak Bay, the Kvichak and Naknek rivers, and
other areas surrounding Naknek typically move
through the proposed Naknek windfarm site or
within range of the proposed wind turbines.
Site-specific observations are likely to be required
to provide adequate data for an accurate
assessment of the potential impacts of the
windfarm on birds in the Naknek area.
LITERATURE CITED
AKCFWRU (Alaska Cooperative Fish and
Wildlife Research Unit). 2002. Alaska
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit,
Annual Report, 2002: Foraging ecology of
ravens on Alaska’s Coastal Plain and its
relationship to oil and gas development.
Unpublished annual report, University of
Alaska, Fairbanks, AK.
Anderson, P.D., W.W. Larned, E.J. Mallek, C.P.
Dau, and R.A. Stehn. 2005. Monitoring the
Emperor Goose population by aerial counts
and fall age ratio, fall 2004. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird
Management, Anchorage, AK. 5 pp.
Anderson, R.L., J. Tom, N. Neumann, and J.A.
Cleckler. 1996. Avian monitoring and risk
assessment at Tehachapi Pass Wind Resource
Area, California. Staff report to California
Energy Commission, Sacramento, CA. 40 pp.
Arnett, E.B., K. Brown, W.P. Erickson, J. Fielder,
T.H. Henry, G.D. Johnson, J. Kerns, R.R.
Kolford, T. Nicholson, T. O'Connell, M.
Piorkowski, and R. Tankersly. 2008. Patterns
of fatality of bats at wind energy facilities in
North America. Journal of Wildlife
Management 72: 61–78.
Arneson, P.D. 1980. Identification, documentation
and delineation of coastal migratory bird
habitat in Alaska. Final Report. Unpublished
report by the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game, Juneau, AK. 363 pp.
Barr, J.F., C. Eberl, and J.W. Mcintyre. 2000.
Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata). The birds
of North America Online (A. Poole, ed.).
Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved
from the Birds of North America Online:
http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/513.
Bartonek, J.C., and D.D. Gibson. 1972. Summer
distribution of pelagic birds in Bristol Bay,
Alaska. Condor 74: 416–422.
Literature Cited
Naknek Windfarm Study 14
Bordage, D., and J.L. Savard. 1995. Black Scoter
(Melanitta nigra). The birds of North America
Online (A. Poole, ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of
Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of
North America Online: http://bna.birds.
cornell.edu/bna/species/177.
Boisvert, J.H., and R.H. Day. 2005. Collision
potential of spring migrant Sandhill Cranes
and other birds, USAF Tin City Long Range
Radar Site, May 2005. Report for United
States Air Force 611th CES/CVP, Elmendorf
AFB, AK, by ABR, Inc.— Environmental
Research and Services, Anchorage, AK. 42pp.
Butler, L. 2006a. Unit 9 moose management report.
Pages 107–115 in P. Harper, ed. Moose
management report of survey and inventory
activities 1 July 2003–30 June 2005. Alaska
Department of Fish and Game. Project 1.0.
Juneau, AK.
Butler, L. 2006b. Unit 9 and 10 wolf management
report. Pages 65–68 in P. Harper, ed. Wolf
management report of survey and inventory
activities 1 July 2002–30 June 2005. Alaska
Department of Fish and Game. Project 14.0.
Juneau, AK.
Butler, L. 2007a. Unit 9C & 9E caribou
management report. Pages 33–43 in P. Harper,
ed. Caribou management report of survey and
inventory activities 1 July 2004–30 June
2006. Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Juneau, AK.
Butler, L. 2007b. Unit 9 brown bear. Pages
109–120 in P. Harper, ed. Brown bear
management report of survey and inventory
activities 1 July 2004–30 June 2006. Alaska
Department of Fish and Game. Juneau, AK.
Butler, L. 2007c. Unit 9 & 10 furbearer. Pages
107–115 in P. Harper, ed. Furbearer
management report of survey and inventory
activities 1 July 2003–30 June 2006. Alaska
Department of Fish and Game. Project 7.0.
Juneau, AK.
Conant, B., and E.J. Mallek. 2006. Alaska-Yukon
waterfowl breeding population survey, May
16 to June 6, 2006. Unpublished report by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Juneau, AK.
35 pp.
Conant, B., and D.J. Groves. 2005. Alaska-Yukon
waterfowl breeding population survey, May
15 to June 7, 2005. Unpublished report by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Juneau, AK.
35 pp.
Conant, B., and D.J. Groves. 2004. Alaska-Yukon
waterfowl breeding population survey, May
14 to June 5, 2004. Unpublished report by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Juneau, AK.
35 pp.
Day, R.H., J.R. Rose, B.A. Cooper, and R.J. Blaha.
2001. Migration rates and flight behavior of
migrating eiders near towers at Barrow,
Alaska. Report for U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Fairbanks, AK, and North Slope
Borough, Barrow, AK, by ABR, Inc.—
Environmental Research and Services,
Fairbanks, AK. 40pp.
Dewhurst, D.A. 1991. History and status of Bald
Eagle population and productivity on the
Alaska Peninsula, Alaska. Unpublished report
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska
Peninsula/Becharof National Wildlife Refuge,
King Salmon, AK. 30 pp.
Doster, J. 2002. Tundra Swan population survey in
Bristol Bay, Northern Alaska Peninsula, June
2002. Unpublished report by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, King Salmon, AK. 12 pp.
Ely, C.R., and J.Y. Takekawa. 1996. Geographic
variation in migratory behavior of Greater
White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons). Auk
113: 889–901.
Erickson,W.P., G.D. Johnson, M.D. Strickland, D.P.
Young, Jr., K.J. Sernka, and R.E. Good. 2001.
Avian collisions with wind turbines: A
summary of existing studies and comparisons
to other sources of avian collision mortality
in the United States. National Wind
Coordinating Committee Resource
Document, Washington, D.C., USA.
Erickson, W.P., G.D. Johnson, D. Young, M.D.
Strickland, R.E. Good, M. Bourassa, and K.
Bay. 2002. Synthesis and comparison of
baseline avian and bat use, raptor nesting and
Literature Cited
15 Naknek Windfarm Study
mortality information from proposed and
existing wind developments. Report for
Bonneville Power Administration, Portland,
OR.
Erickson, W.P., B. Gritski, and K. Kronner. 2003.
Nine Canyon Wind Power Project avian and
bat monitoring report, September 2002–
August 2003. Report for Energy Northwest,
Richland, WA, and the Nine Canyon
Technical Advisory Committee, WA, by
Western Ecosystems Technology, Inc.,
Cheyenne, WY, and Northwest Wildlife
Consultants, Inc., Pendleton, OR. 32 pp.
Fredrickson, L.H. 2001. Steller's Eider (Polysticta
stelleri). The birds of North America Online
(A. Poole, ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of
Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of
North America Online: http://bna.birds.
cornell.edu/bna/species/571.
Gill, R.E., and R.J. King. 1980. Trip report, aerial
water bird survey, Bethel to Bechevin Bay,
Alaska (October 4–8, 1980). Unpublished
report by the Marine Bird Section, National
Fisheries Research Center, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Anchorage. AK. 11 pp.
Gill, R.E., and J. Sarvis. 1999. Distribution and
numbers of shorebirds using Bristol Bay
estuaries: results of an aerial survey conducted
between 2 and 5 September, 1997.
Unpublished report by Alaska Biological
Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey,
Anchorage, AK. 6 pp.
Gill, R.E., B.J. Mccaffery, and P.S. Tomkovich.
2002. Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana). The
birds of North America Online (A. Poole,
ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology;
Retrieved from the Birds of North America
Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/
species/642.
Gill, R.E., P.S. Tomkovich, and B.J. Mccaffery.
2002. Rock Sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis).
The birds of North America Online (A. Poole,
ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology;
Retrieved from the Birds of North America
Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/
species/686.
Gill, R.E., L. Tibbits, and R. Kaler. 2004. Status of
the Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) on BLM
lands on the Alaska Peninsula, May 2004 with
observations of large plovers and other
avifauna. Geological Survey (U.S.), Alaska
Science Center, Alaska Peninsula/Becharof
National Wildlife Refuge Complex, United
States, and Bureau of Land Management,
Anchorage, AK. 20 pp.
Handel, C.M., and R.E. Gill. 2001. Black
Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala). The
birds of North America Online (A. Poole,
ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology;
Retrieved from the Birds of North America
Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/
species/585.
Hupp, J.W., J.A. Schmutz, and C.R. Ely. 2008. The
annual migration cycle of Emperor Geese in
western Alaska. Arctic 61: 23–34.
Johnson, G.D. 2005. A review of bat mortality at
wind-energy developments in the United
States. Bat Research News 46: 45–49.
Johnson, O.W., and P.G. Connors. 1996. Pacific
Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva). The birds of
North America Online (A. Poole, ed.). Ithaca:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from
the Birds of North America Online:
http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/202.
Johnson, G.D., W.P. Erickson, M.D. Strickland,
M.F. Shepherd, and D.A. Shepherd. 2000.
Avian monitoring studies at the Buffalo
Ridge, Minnesota Wind Resource Area:
Results of a 4-year study. Report for Northern
States Power Co., Minneapolis, MN, by
Western Ecosystems Technology, Inc.,
Cheyenne, WY. 262 pp.
Johnson, S.R., and W.J. Richardson. 1982.
Waterbird migration near the Yukon and
Alaskan coast of the Beaufort Sea: II. Moult
migration of seaducks in summer. Arctic 35:
291–301.
Johnson, O.W., and P.G. Connors. 1996. Pacific
Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva), The Birds of
North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from
the Birds of North America Online:
http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/202.
Literature Cited
Naknek Windfarm Study 16
King, R.J., and C.P. Dau. 1992. Spring population
survey of Emperor Geese (Chen canagica) in
southwestern Alaska, 30 April–7 May, 1992.
Unpublished report by U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service, Migratory Bird Management,
Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Cold Bay,
AK. 27 pp.
Knox, A.G., and P.E. Lowther. 2000. Hoary
Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni). The birds of
North America Online (A. Poole, ed.). Ithaca:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from
the Birds of North America Online:
http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/544.
Larned, W.W. 2007. Steller’s Eider spring
migration surveys, southwest Alaska, 2007.
Unpublished report by U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Anchorage, AK. 23 pp.
Larned, W.W., and T. Tiplady. 1998. Aerial surveys
to evaluate King Eider molting area detected
by satellite telemetry in western Alaska 1997.
Unpublished report by the U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK. 10 pp.
MacDonald, R. 2000. Late summer occurrence of
shorebirds on the southern Nushagak
Peninsula, Alaska, 2000. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Togiak National Wildlife
Refuge, Dillingham, AK. 22 pp.
Mallek, E.J., and C.P. Dau. 2000. Aerial survey of
Emperor Geese and other waterbirds in
southwestern Alaska, Fall 2007. Unpublished
report prepared by U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Migratory Bird Management,
Anchorage, AK. 14 pp.
Mallek, E.J., and C.P. Dau. 2007. Aerial survey of
Emperor Geese and other waterbirds in
southwestern Alaska, fall 2007. Unpublished
report by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Migratory Bird Management, Anchorage,
AK. 14 pp.
Mallek, E.J., and D.J. Groves. 2007. Alaska-Yukon
waterfowl breeding population survey, May
14 to June 5, 2007. Unpublished report by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Juneau, AK.
30 pp.
Mallek, E.J., and D.J. Groves. 2008. Alaska-Yukon
waterfowl breeding population survey, May
15 to June 6, 2008. Unpublished report by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Juneau, AK.
30 pp.
Meixell, B.W., and S.E. Savage. 2004. A survey of
spring staging waterfowl along the Naknek
River, Alaska Peninsula, Alaska, March–May
2002 and 2003. Unpublished report by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska
Peninsula/Becharof National Wildlife Refuge
Complex, King Salmon, AK. 41 pp.
Oligschlaeger, L.M., and S.M. Schuster. 2004.
Spring staging of waterfowl along the Naknek
River, Alaska, March-May, 2000–2001. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska
Peninsula/Becharof National Wildlife Refuge
Complex, King Salmon, AK. 19 pp.
Orloff, S., and A. Flannery. 1996. A continued
examination of avian mortality in the
Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area. Report
for the California Energy Commission,
Sacramento, CA, by BioSystems Analysis,
Inc., Tiburon, CA. 48 pp.
Parker, D.I., B.E. Lawhead, and J.A. Cook. 1997.
Distributional limits of bats in Alaska. Arctic
50: 256–265.
Petersen, M.R., and R.E. Gill, Jr. 1982. Population
and status of Emperor Geese along the north
side of the Alaska peninsula. Wildfowl 33:
31–38.
Platte, R.M., and W.I. Butler, Jr. 1995. Water bird
abundance and distribution in the Bristol Bay
region, Alaska. Unpublished report by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage,
AK. 27 pp.
Poole, A.F., R.O. Bierregaard, and M.S. Martell.
2002. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). The birds
of North America Online (A. Poole, ed.).
Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved
from the Birds of North America Online:
http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/683.
Literature Cited
17 Naknek Windfarm Study
Pogson, T.H., and D. Cooper. 1983. Lesser
Sandhill Crane survey on the Nushagak
Peninsula, Togiak N.W.R., Alaska, 1983.
Unpublished report by University of Alaska,
Wildlife and Fisheries Department, Fairbanks,
AK. 12 pp.
Ritchie, R.J. 1991. Effects of oil development on
providing nesting opportunities for
Gyrfalcons and Rough-legged Hawks in
northern Alaska. Condor 93: 180–184.
Robertson, G.J., and J.L. Savard. 2002. Long-tailed
Duck (Clangula hyemalis). The birds of North
America Online (A. Poole, ed.). Ithaca:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from
the Birds of North America Online:
http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/651.
Rowland, K. 2006. Alberta bat fatalities studied.
North American Windpower, February 2006:
1(1).
Russell, R.W. 2002. Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica).
The birds of North America Online (A. Poole,
ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology;
Retrieved from the Birds of North America
Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/
species/657a.
Savage, S. 2007. Incidental avian observations
(1986–2005), Northern Alaska Peninsula,
with an emphasis on field season 2004–2005.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska
Peninsula/ Becharof National Wildlife Refuge
Complex, King Salmon, AK. 64 pp.
Savage, S., and K. Sowl. 2007. Tundra swan avian
influenza surveillance and banding effort,
Alaska Peninsula, 15–25 July 2006.
Unpublished report by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Alaska Peninsula/Becharof
National Wildlife Refuge, King Salmon, AK.
22 pp.
Savage, S., B. Williamson, and W. Murray. 2006.
Spring staging waterfowl on the Naknek
River, Alaska Peninsula, Alaska, March–May
2006. Unpublished report by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Alaska Peninsula/Becharof
National Wildlife Refuge, King Salmon, AK.
46 pp.
Scharf, L., and Alaska Peninsula/Becharof
National Wildlife Refuge Complex. 1993. Fall
staging of waterfowl along the Naknek River,
Alaska Peninsula, Alaska, August–November
1993. Unpublished report by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Alaska Peninsula/Becharof
Complex, King Salmon, AK. 44 pp.
Schmutz, J.A. 1992. Survival and migration
ecology of Emperor Geese along the Alaska
Peninsula: progress report. Unpublished
report by the Alaska Fish and Wildlife
Research Center, Anchorage, AK. 17 pp.
Schuster, S.M. 2004. Spring staging waterfowl on
the Naknek River, Alaska Peninsula, Alaska,
March-May 2004. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Alaska Peninsula/Becharof National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, King Salmon, AK.
36 pp.
Schuster, S.M., and S. Savage. 2005. Telemetry
flights for Emperor Geese, Pacific
Golden-Plovers, Steller's Eiders, and Western
Sandpipers. Unpublished report by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Peninsula/
Becharof National Wildlife Refuge Complex,
King Salmon, AK. 4pp
Sellers, R.A., and S.D. Miller. 1991. Dynamics of a
hunted brown bear population at Black Lake,
Alaska. Third annual progress report, 1990.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Juneau,
AK. 23 pp.
Sellers, R.A., and R.C. Squibb. 1998. Post-calving
counts of Northern Alaska Peninsula caribou,
June 1998, final report. Unpublished report
prepared by Alaska Department of Fish and
Game, King Salmon, AK. 4 pp.
Sellers, R.A., P. Valkenburg, R.L. Zarnke, and R.C.
Squibb. 1998. Natality and early calf
mortality of northern Alaska peninsula
caribou, 1998: final report. Unpublished
report prepared by Alaska Department of Fish
and Game, Fairbanks, AK. 11 pp.
Shook, J.E., J.P. Parrett, R.J. Ritchie, and R.H Day.
2008. Build it and they will come: Benefits
and costs of use of artificial structures by
nesting raptors in Alaska. Abstract , 13th
Annual Alaska Bird Conference, March 3–7,
2008, Fairbanks, AK.
Literature Cited
Naknek Windfarm Study 18
Suydam, R.S. 2000. King Eider (Somateria
spectabilis). The birds of North America
Online (A. Poole, ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of
Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of
North America Online. http://bna.birds.
cornell.edu/bna/species/491.
Trapp, J.L. 1981. Observations of birds on the
Naknek and Kvichak rivers, upper Kvichak
Bay, Iliamna Lake, and Cook Inlet, 30
August–4 September and 12–15 September
1981: trip report. Unpublished report by U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife
Operations, Anchorage, AK. 12 pp.
Warnock, N.D., and R.E. Gill. 1996. Dunlin
(Calidris alpina). The birds of North America
Online (A. Poole, ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of
Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of
North America Online: http://bna.birds.
cornell.edu/bna/species/203.
USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). 2006.
Advisory: Recommended time periods for
avoiding vegetation clearing in Alaska in
order to protect migratory birds. Unpublished
report by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Anchorage, AK. Available online at
http://fws.gov/fisheries/fieldoffice/anchorage/
pdf/vegetation_clearing.pdf
Valkenburg, P., and M.A. Keech. 2002. Population
dynamics of Interior and Southwest Alaska
caribou herds. Alaska Department of Fish and
Game. Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration
Research Performance Report. Grant W-27-5.
Project 3.45. Juneau, AK.
Warnock, N.D., and R.E. Gill. 1996. Dunlin
(Calidris alpina). The birds of North America
Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of
Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of
North America Online: http://bna.birds.
cornell.edu/bna/species/203.
White, C.M., N.J. Clum, T.J. Cade, and W.G. Hunt.
2002. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus).
The birds of North America Online (A. Poole,
ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology;
Retrieved from the Birds of North America
Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/
species/660.
Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network
(WHSRN) 2006. List of Shorebird Reserve
Network sites. Available online at:
http://www.whsrn.org/network/site-list.html.
Wilk, R.J. 1987. Tundra swans in the Bristol Bay
lowlands, northern Alaska Peninsula. M.S.
Thesis, University of Wisconsin, Stevens
Point, WI. 89 pp.
Wilk, R.J. 1988. Distribution, abundance,
population structure, and productivity of
Tundra Swans in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Arctic
41: 288–292.
Woolington, J.D. 2006. Unit 17 wolf management
report. Pages 118–125 in P. Harper, ed. Wolf
management report of survey and inventory
activities 1 July 2002–30 June 2005. Alaska
Department of Fish and Game. Project 14.0.
Juneau, AK.
Woolington, J.D. 2007. Mulchatna caribou
management report, Units 9B, 17, 18 south,
19A & 19B. Pages 14–32 in P. Harper, ed.
Caribou management report of survey and
inventory activities 1 July 2004–30 June
2006. Alaska Department of Fish and Game,
Juneau, AK.
19Naknek Windfarm StudyAppendix A. Literature sources for information on wildlife species in the Naknek region, Alaska. Species or Groups Source Study Type Survey Date Area Surveyed Content BIRDS All bird species Arneson, P.D. 1980 (Identification, Documentation and Delineation of Coastal Migratory Bird Habitat in Alaska) Aerial survey Oct 1975–Aug 1978 Southcentral AK coastline (includes Kvichak Bay)Seasonal density and distribution, critical habitats, migratory routes and breeding locals All bird species Savage, S. 2007 (Incidental Avian Observations (1986-2005), Northern Alaska Peninsula With an emphasis on field season 2004-2005) Field-ground survey 1986–2005 Northern AK Peninsula - Katmai border south and west to east side of Port Moller Bay (includes area around King Salmon and Naknek) Abundance and distribution of all bird species in study area, list of rare species, includes observations during Christmas Bird Counts, NA Migration Counts, Breeding Bird Surveys and spring arrival dates for Naknek/King Salmon area All bird species Trapp, J. L. 1981 (Observations of birds on the Naknek and Kvichak Rivers, Upper Kvichak Bay, Iliamna Lake, and Cook Inlet--30 August-4 September and 12-15 September 1981) Incidental boat observations 30 Aug–4 Sep and 12–15 Sep 1981 Naknek and Kvichak Rivers, upper Kvichak Bay, Iliamna Lake Abundance and distribution by area Waterbirds Gill, R.E. and R.J. King. 1980 (Aerial Water Bird Survey-Bethal to Bechevin Bay, AK October 4-8 1980) Field-aerial survey 4–8 Oct 1980 Coastline from YK Delta to Izembek Lagoon Concentrated efforts on Emperor Geese, Steller's Eiders, and shorebirds but recorded seaducks and waterfowl, species numbers per day per area Waterbirds Platte, R.M. and W.I. Butler, Jr. 1995 (Water Bird Abundance and Distribution in the Bristol Bay Region, Alaska) Field-aerial survey 28–31 May 1993, 25–28 May 1994 Bristol Bay (includes Kvichak Bay, Naknek Bay, Naknek River, King Salmon, Egegik Bay)Population indices and distribution Waterfowl Conant, B. and D.J. Groves. 2004 (Waterfowl Breeding Populations Survey May 14 to June 5, 2004) Aerial survey 14 May–5 Jun 2004 All of AK (including Naknek area) Breeding population estimates Waterfowl Conant, B. and D.J. Groves. 2005 (Waterfowl Breeding Populations Survey May 15 to June 7, 2005) Aerial survey 15 May–7 Jun 2005 All of AK (including Naknek area) Breeding population estimates Waterfowl Conant, B. and E.J. Mallek. 2006 (Waterfowl Breeding Populations Survey May 16 to June 6, 2006) Aerial survey 16 May–6 Jun 2006 All of AK (including Naknek area) Breeding population estimates Waterfowl Mallek, E.J. and D.J. Groves. 2007 (Waterfowl Breeding Populations Survey May 14 to June 5, 2007) Aerial survey 14 May–5 Jun 2007 All of AK (including Naknek area) Breeding population estimates Waterfowl Mallek, E.J. and D.J. Groves. 2008 (Waterfowl Breeding Populations Survey May 15 to June 6, 2008) Aerial survey 15 May–6 Jun 2008 All of AK (including Naknek area) Breeding population estimates Waterfowl Meixell, B.W. and S.E. Savage. 2004 (A Survey of Spring Staging Waterfowl along the Naknek River, Alaska Peninsula, Alaska, March-May 2002 and 2003) Ground survey 17 Mar–10 May 2002,14 Mar–22 May 2003 Naknek River Distribution, abundance, timing of staging and composition; and disturbance study Waterfowl Oligschlaeger, L.M. and S.M. Schuster. 2004 (Spring Staging of Waterfowl along the Naknek River, Alaska, March-May, 2000-2001) Ground survey and band recoveries6 Mar–12 May 2000, 1 Mar–17 May 2001 Naknek River Distribution, abundance, timing of staging and composition Waterfowl Savage,S. and W. Murray. 2007 (Spring Staging Waterfowl on the Naknek River, Alaska Peninsula, March-May 2006) Ground survey and historic analysis 14 Mar–16 May 2006 Naknek River Abundance, timing of staging and composition Waterfowl Scharf, L. 1993 (Fall Staging of Waterfowl Along the Naknek River, Alaska Peninsula, AK Auguest -November 1993) Ground survey 23 Aug–20 Nov 1993 Naknek River Abundance and timing of staging, species accounts, species compostion and abundance, trends and disturbances
20Naknek Windfarm StudyAppendix A. Continued.Species or Groups Source Study Type Survey Date Area Surveyed Content BIRDS Waterfowl Schuster, S.M. 2004 (Spring Staging Waterfowl on the Naknek River, Alaska Peninsula, Alaska, March-May 2004) Ground survey 11 Mar–20 May 2004 Naknek River Distribution, abundance, timing of staging and composition; and disturbance study Tundra Swans Doster, J. 2002 (Tundra Swan Population Survey in Bristol Bay, Northern Alaska Peninsula, June 2002) Aerial survey 4–7 Jun 2002 Northern portion of AK Peninsula (includes Kvichak R., Naknek R. and King Salmon and Egegik Bay) Population estimates, abundance in different habitat type, counts per area surveyed, historical data Tundra Swans Savage, S. and K. Sowl. 2007 (Tundra Swan Avian Influenza Surveillance and Banding Effort, Alaska Peninsula, 15-25 July 2006) Aerial and ground survey 15–25 Jul 2006 AK Peninsula (including King Salmon) Distribution and abundance, tagged swans and swabbed for flu, other observations of bird behavior Tundra Swans Wilk, R.J. 1987 (Tundra Swans in the Bristol Bay Lowlands, Northern Alaska Peninsula) Aerial and ground survey Spring-Summer 1969 and 1983–1987 Northern portion of AK Peninsula (includes Kvichak and Naknek Rivers, King Salmon, and Egegik Bay) Arrival, staging and dispersal, distribution and density, abundance relationships, distribution and size of flocks, number of productive swans, broods and population Tundra Swans Wilk, R.J. 1988 (Distribution, Abundance, Population Structure and Productivity of Tundra Swans in Bristol Bay, Alaska) Aerial and ground survey 1983–1987 AK Peninsula (including Egegik, Naknek, and Kvichak Rivers) Distribution and abundance, population structure and productivity Emperor Geese, Brant, Canada Geese, Steller's EiderMallek, E.J. and C.P. Dau. 1999 (Aerial Survey of Emperor Geese and Other Waterbirds in Southwestern Alaska, Fall 1999) Aerial survey 27 Sep–5 Oct 1999 Naknek River to Bechevin Bay along north side of AK Peninsula Fall distribution, abundance and population trends on waterbirds at migratory staging areas Emperor Geese, Brant, Canada Geese, Steller's EiderMallek, E.J. and C.P. Dau. 2000 (Aerial Survey of Emperor Geese and Other Waterbirds in Southwestern Alaska, Fall 2000) Aerial survey 26 Sep–2 Oct 2000 Naknek River to Bechevin Bay along north side of AK Peninsula Fall distribution, abundance and population trends on waterbirds at migratory staging areas Emperor Geese, Brant, Canada Geese, Steller's EiderMallek, E.J. and C.P. Dau. 2007 (Aerial Survey of Emperor Geese and Other Waterbirds in Southwestern Alaska, Fall 2007) Aerial survey 26 Sep–3 Oct 2007 Naknek River to Bechevin Bay along north side of AK Peninsula Fall distribution, abundance and population trends on waterbirds at migratory staging areas Emperor Geese, Pacific Golden-Plovers, Steller's Eiders, Western Sandpipers Schuster, S.M. and S. Savage. 2005 (Telemetry flights for Emperor Geese, Pacific Golden-Plovers, Steller's Eiders and Western Sandpipers) Aerial telemetry survey Apr–May 2004 King Salmon to Port Moller Very little data on all species but shows occurrence on flight pattern Emperor Geese Anderson et al. 2005 (Monitoring the emperor goose population by aerial counts and fall age ratio, fall 2004) Aerial photography 30 Sep–3 Oct 2004 North side of AK Peninsula (includes Egegik) One study site specific table which includes data from 1985-2004 (proportion of young observed in photograph samples during fall staging of EMGO) and abundance over entire Alaska Peninsula Emperor Geese Hupp et al. 2008 (The Annual Migration Cycle of Emperor Geese in Western Alaska) Aerial and ground banding 1999–2004 YK Delta and AK Peninsula (Egegik Bay) Very little information in study area, some distribution and fall/spring staging data and migration Emperor Geese King, R.J. and C.P. Dau 1992 (Spring Population Survey of Emperor Geese (Chen canagica) in Southwestern Alaska 30 April-7May, 1992) Aerial survey 30 Apr– 7 May 1992 All coastal habitats from Kokechik Bay on coast of Yukon Delta NWR to Puale Bay on south side of AK Peninsula Abundance and distribution of EMGO by survey segment, other bird species documented in 1999 and 1992
21Naknek Windfarm StudyAppendix A. Continued.Species or Groups Source Study Type Survey Date Area Surveyed Content BIRDS Emperor Geese Petersen, M.R. and R.E. Gill. 1982 (Population and status of Emperor Geese along the north side of the Alaska Peninsula) Literature summary Spring 1977 and 1981, Fall 1979 and 1980 AK Peninsula (including Egegik Bay) Population and age determiniation, migration, use of estuaries Emperor Geese Schmutz, J. 1992 (Survival and Migration Ecology of Emperor Geese Along the Alaska Peninsula) Banding and resight Jul–Aug, 1988–1990 Cinder Lagoon, Nelson Lagoon, Port Heiden and Seal Islands One map in report that shows Egegik Bay as area used by Emperor Goose Greater White-fronted Geese Ely, C.R. and J.Y. Takekawa. 1996 (Geographic Variation in Migratory Behavior of Greater White-Fronted Geese (Anser Albifrons)Aerial and ground survey 1987–1994 YK Delta and Bristol Bay Lowlands (includes Nushagak Peninsula) Capture, banding, telemetry on banded birds, distribution Steller’s Eiders Larned, W. 2007 (Steller’s Eider Spring Migration Surveys, Southwest Alaska, 2007) Aerial survey 1992–2007 YK Delta to western AK Peninsula (including Nushagak Peninsula and Kvichak Bay)Abundance and distribution by year from Steller’s Eiders, other waterfowl recordings and list of all bird species documented in surveyMarine Birds Bartonek, J.C. and D.D. Gibson. 1972 (Summer Distribution of Pelagic Birds in Bristol Bay, Alaska) Boat survey 13 Jul–20 Aug 1969 Bristol Bay (includes Kvichak Bay) Distribution and abundance in Bristol Bay Sandhill Cranes Pogson, T. and D. Cooper. 1983 (Lesser Sandhill Crane Survey on the Nushagak Peninsula, Togiak NWR, Alaska 1983) Banding and counts 20 Jul–6 Aug 1983 Nushagak Peninsula (Kikertalik Lake and SW tip of peninsula) Abundance, distribution, habitat use and phenology Shorebirds MacDonald, R. 2000 (Late Summer Occurrence of Shorebirds on the Southern Nushagak Peninsula, Alaska, 2000) Ground survey using 4-wheelers 3 Aug–11 Sept 2000 Four small estuaries in the Cape Constantine area on southern tip of Nushagak Peninsula Document numbers and species, document location, habitat and behavior and color-marked or banded shorebirds (31 species ID) Shorebirds (Bar-tailed Godwit) Gill, R.E., Jr. and J. Sarvis. 1999 (Distribution and numbers of shorebirds using Britol Bay estuaries: Results of an aerial survey conducted between 2 and 5 September 1997) Aerial survey 2–5 Sep 1997 Bristol Bay and AK Peninsula coastline from Togiak Bay to Nelson Lagoon Abundance and distribution along coastline Marbled Godwits Gill et al. 2004 (Status of the Marbled Godwit on BLM Lands on the Alaska Peninsula, May 2004) Aerial and ground survey 9–14 May 2004 North of Pilot Point to Becharof Lake Includes PAGP and BBPL specific data, habitat types, bird species list and abundance on BLM sites, mammal list on sites Pacific Golden-Plovers, Western Sandpipers Sesser, K.A. and S. Savage. 2005 (Telemetry flight for Pacific golden-plovers and western sandpipers) Aerial telemetry survey Apr–May 2005 King Salmon to Sandy River Very little data on both species but shows occurrence on flight pattern Bald Eagles Dewhurst, D.A. 1991 (History and Status of Bald Eagle Population and Productivity Studies on the Alaska Peninsula, Alaska) Aerial and boat survey 1911–1990 AK Peninsula (from north of Becharof Lake south to Cold Bay Comparisions of all studies done between 1911-1990, abundance and distribution, habitat preferences, nesting and population suyveys MAMMALS Bats Parker et al. 1997 (Distribution Limits of bats in Alaska) Literature review Historic records and field study 1990–1995 All of AK (includes sightings in King Salmon) Occurrence and distributional limits of bats in Alaska Brown bear Butler, L. 2007b Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Brown Bear Management Report) Aerial survey 1 Jul 2004–30 Jun 2006 Alaska, includes GMU 9 Population size and composition, harvest data Caribou Butler, L. 2007a Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Caribou Management Report) Aerial telemetry survey and photocensus 1 Jul 2004–30 Jun 2006 Alaska, includes GMU 9C and 9E Population size and composition, distribution and movements, harvest data, habitat and animal condition
22Naknek Windfarm StudyAppendix A. Continued.Species or Groups Source Study Type Survey Date Area Surveyed Content MAMMALS Caribou Woolington, J.D. 2007 Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Caribou Management Report) Aerial telemetry survey and photocensus 1 Jul 2004–30 Jun 2006 Alaska, includes GMU 9B Population size and composition, productivity surveys, distribution and movements, harvest data Caribou Sellers, R.A. and R.C. Squibb. 1998 (Post-calving Counts of Northern Alaska Peninsula Caribou, June 1998-Final Report) Aerial survey Jun–Jul 1998 Alaska, includes GMU 9C and 9E Abundance and distribtution of caribou Caribou Sellers et al. 1998 (Natality and Early Calf Mortality of Northen Alaska Peninsula Caribou, 1998-Final Report) Aerial survey and telemetry captures May–Oct 1998 Alaska, includes GMU 9C and 9E Abundance and distribtution of caribou Furbearers Butler, L. 2007c Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Furbearer Management Report) Harvest and questionnaire data 1 Jul 2003–30 Jun 2006 Alaska, includes GMU 9 and 10) Population size and harvest data Moose Butler, L. 2006a Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Moose Management Report) Aerial survey 1 Jul 2003–30 Jun 2005 Alaska, includes GMU 9 Population size and composition, harvest data Wolves Butler, L. 2006b Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Wolf Management Report) Incidental observations; harvest and questionnaire data 1 Jul 2002–30 Jun 2005 Alaska, includes GMU 9 and 10) Population size and harvest data Wolves Woolington, J.D. 2006 Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Wolf Management Report) Incidental observations; harvest and questionnaire data 1 Jul 2002–30 Jun 2005 Alaska, includes GMU 17 Population size, distribution and movements, harvest data