PRBO Conservation Science
PRBO Conservation Science    
  
PRBO Home::Science::Marine Ecology ::Seabirds on Alcatraz Island

Seabirds on Alcatraz Island
 
Science Surprises >>
Donate Now >>


Home
About
New at PRBO
Science
Conservation Planning
Conservation Education
Events and Membership
Support PRBO
Observer Online
Contact / Visit Us
Charity Navigator
4-Star Highest Rating

Since 1996, PRBO Conservation Science has been studying seabirds on Alcatraz Island in order to assist managment in developing appropriate and effective policies to protect waterbird populations on the island.

Alcatraz is a 22-acre island in the center of the San Francisco Bay.  It was originally inhabited by seabirds, but human settlement deterred nesting for over a century.  It is now protected as a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service.  Birds have since reclaimed the island and it is now home to several waterbird species. 

Seabirds are excellent indicators of marine ecosystem status and change.  By monitoring these populations, we obtain greater understanding of the birds and their responses to future climate, sea-level, and oceanographic changes.

Contact: Sara Acosta


Project Goals

Products 

Outreach  More Science (coming soon)
Focal Species In the News Partners  Photo Gallery (coming soon)

PROJECT GOALS 

PRBO in conjunction with GGNRA has conducted wildlife studies with the following major goals:

  1. To assess the distribution, abundance, and breeding success of seabirds.
  2. To examine the extent and effects of human disturbance on nesting seabirds. 
  3. To assist in developing effective management policies to protect seabirds.

FOCAL SPECIES

 

 Brandt's Cormorant

Western Gull

Pelagic Cormorant

 

 California Gull

 Pigeon Guillemot

 Black Oystercatcher

[back to top]

 PRODUCTS

Recent Findings:

Using seabird long-term data for monitoring the state of the San Francisco Bay Estuary

Marine bird breeding population trends in California: Ups and downs over four decades

Latest Report:

Ecological Studies and Interpretation of Seabirds on Alcatraz Island, 2009: Executive Summary

Publications:

Evidence of double-clutching by Brandt's Cormorants on Alcatraz Island, California

An urban success story: breeding seabirds on Alcatraz Island, 1990-2002

 

IN THE NEWS

"A Turbulent Year for California's Cormorants" 
The WIP Internet News article
(12/21/09)

"No Normal for Coastal Waters"
Bay Nature magazine article featuring PRBO marine ecologists Sara Acosta and Russ Bradley.  (Oct-Dec 2009)

oil spill video ABC News Feature: Alcatraz Wildlife Affected by Oil Spill (6/30/08)

"Unexpected Wildlife"

National Wildlife Federation magazine article (6/1/08)

 

 

[back to top]

 

 

OUTREACH

 

Alcatraz Seabird ID card


Alcatraz Wildlife Protection Flyer

(please feel free to post in local marinas, shops, or marine user group clubs)

Alcatraz Seabird Colony Handout

Species Profiles:
      Brandt's Cormorant
      Pelagic Cormornat
      Western Gull
      California Gull
      Pigeon Guillemot
      Black Oystercatcher

SEA Alcatraz School Program:
Seabird Education Awareness for 4th and 5th graders in San Francisco


PARTNERS

Golden Gate National Recreation Area (National Park Service)

Alcatraz Island National Park Service Page

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

 



[back to top] [Print Page]