Dead Sooty Shearwaters (Ardenna grisea)

Observation by James Williams:

There are about 50-60 sooty shearwaters in about 2 miles of beach by Quinhagak. Shared with Erica Lujan via the LEO Facebook page.

Comments from LEO Editors:

This is the 6th observation received in LEO Network from Southwest Alaska since July 22nd. This observation has been shared with US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST), and the Natural Resources Department at the Association of Village Council Presidents.

The USFWS is collaborating with state, federal, and tribal partners, as well as local community observers to document observations of dead seabirds along the coast. Seabird deaths have become more common in Alaska since 2015. Beginning in May and continuing in to June of this year, murres, puffins, short-tailed shearwaters, black-legged kittiwakes, and other unknown alcids were found along the coast of the Bering and Chukchi seas. In July, a significantly larger number of short-tailed shearwaters were found along the coast of Bristol Bay. Short-tailed shearwaters have continued to be observed aloing the Bristol Bay and Bering Sea coasts, as well as in areas of the Chukchi Sea coast. A figure produced by COASST can be found below, showing the number and geography of seabird mortalities up until now. 

The LEO Network shares all observations of dead seabirds to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and COASST. Observers can also report observations of sick or dead birds to regional partners:

• North Slope: Taqulik Hepa (907) 852-0350 
• Northwest Arctic: Cyrus Harris (907) 442-7914 
• Bering Strait Region: Brandon Ahmasuk (907) 443-4265 or Gay Sheffield (907) 434-1149 
• Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta: Jennifer Hooper (907) 543-7470 
• Bristol Bay: Gayla Hoseth (907) 842-6252 
• Pribilof Islands: Lauren Divine (907) 257-891-3031 
• Unalaska: Melissa Good (907) 581-1876 
• Aleutians: Karen Pletnikoff (907) 222-4286

Or report by phone or email to the USFWS: 1-866-527-3358 or AK_MBM@FWS.GOV