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Año Nuevo Island Seabird Population Biology and Feeding Ecology
Visit our Año Nuevo Research Photo Gallery
| Project Start Date: 1992 |
Background:
The Rhinoceros Auklet, a cavity nesting seabird (nests in burrows underground) was once plentiful in California, but most of the breeding population disappeared by the late 1800s. As a result of an auklet re-colonization event begun in the 1970s, approximately 95% of California's breeding population (totaling less then 2000 birds), is now found on three offshore islands; Castle Rock, the Farallon Islands, and Año Nuevo Island. |
Aerial view of Año Nuevo Island. |
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Objectives:
To promote growth of the Año Nuevo Rhinoceros Auklet population through (i) construction of boardwalks to reduce trampling of burrows, (ii) installation of nest boxes to supplement breeding habitat, provide protected nest sites, and aid in research and management efforts, and (iii) study the breeding biology, feeding ecology, and population trends to understand factors affecting auklet population dynamics.
The study now also focuses on understanding long-term population trends and reproductive success of the 6 other seabird species breeding on Año Nuevo Island in relation to climate change.
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Rhinoceros Auklet |
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Focal Species:
Rhinoceros Auklet, Cassin's Auklet, Brandt's Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Pigeon Guillemot, Black Oystercatcher, Western Gull
Habitat Type:
Marine - small nearshore island
Partners:
Año Nuevo State Reserve (California Department of Parks and Recreation)
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
University of California Santa Cruz
Farallon Islands Foundation
Contact:
Jaime Jahncke (email: jjahncke at prbo dot org)
Related Links:
Año Nuevo Habitat Restoration Project with Oikonos
The Status of Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) in California
Long-term Año Nuevo Island Seabird Studies Report
Articles/Publications:
Conservation Biology of Rhinoceros Auklets, Cerorhinca monocerata, on Año Nuevo Island, California, 1993-1999
Spatio-temporal variablity in prey harvest and reproductive ecology of a piscivorous seabird, Cerorhinca monocerata, in an upwelling system, 2007.
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Rhinoceros Auklet
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Abandoned house on Año Nuevo Island, now used as nesting habitat by Brandt's and Pelagic Cormorants.
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