During 2009-2010, in order to measure nocturnal seabird vocal activity, we positioned Song Meter automated acoustic recording devices in representative locations at Kiska. This web page shows the location and habitat at each monitoring site. Kiska is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

Christine Cliff (30 June - 3 August 2010)

This is a west-facing very steep slope with dense vegetation, talus and scattered boulders present (suitable nesting habitat for storm-petrels, Ancient Murrelet, Cassin's Auklet, Parakeet Auklet, and Whiskered Auklet)

Witchcraft Point (26 June - 2 August 2010)

This is a west-facing headland with dense vegetation, directly across from the 'Witches' (suitable nesting habitat for storm-petrels, Ancient Murrelet, Cassin's Auklet, Parakeet Auklet, and Whiskered Auklet)

High Talus (2009 - apparently not used)

On a hill top with talus (suitable habitat for nesting storm-petrels, cf. relict Fork-tailed Storm-petrels persisted on high talus slopes on Amatignak with foxes present)

Raynard Cove (2 July - 1 August 2010)

This is a northeast-facing headland with low cliffs (suitable nesting habitat for Parakeet Auklet and Whiskered Auklet)

Pond Midden (1 July - 31 July 2010)

This is a coastal knoll with a midden site with house pits full of dense vegetation, with nearby cliffs (suitable nesting habitat for storm-petrels, Ancient Murrelet, Cassin's Auklet)

Songmeter West (2 July - 2 August 2009)

On a slope overlooking an alluvial valley with grassy hillsides and dense riparian vegetation, with nearby cliffs (suitable nesting habitat for storm-petrels, Ancient Murrelet, Cassin's Auklet)

Bukhti Point (22 June - 25 July 2009)

On a gentle slope by a stream and barachois pond with dense coastal vegetation and nearby low cliffs (suitable nesting habitat for storm-petrels, Ancient Murrelet, Cassin's Auklet)

Valley (2009 - this Song Meter failed)

Facing inland by a stream in a valley with grassy low mountain slopes (suitable nesting habitat for storm-petrels, Ancient Murrelet, Cassin's Auklet)

Sargeant Cove (2009 - this Song Meter failed)

By a stream with dense vegetation in a valley with grassy slopes, low coastal cliffs nearby (suitable nesting habitat for storm-petrels, Ancient Murrelet, Cassin's Aukle, Whiskered Auklet, Parakeet Auklet)

Buxton, R., Major, H.L. Jones I.L. and J.C. Williams. 2013. Examining patterns in nocturnal seabird activity and recovery across the western Aleutian Islands, Alaska, using automated acoustic recording. Auk 130(2): 331-341. (pdf here)

This page is maintained by Ian L. Jones (iljones 'at' mun.ca)