112430

As part of the federal government’s Oceans Protection Plan, we are studying seabirds off Canada’s Pacific coast in order to address information gaps related to marine bird habitat use and distribution. One species of particular interest is the Short-billed gull, for which there is very little information on foraging ecology, migratory movements, or population trends. To address this knowledge gap, we plan to use a combination of GPS tracking and colour band resighting to obtain year-round tracking information and survival estimates. Short-billed gulls will be captured on beaches and foreshore areas at various locations in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island using mist nets, noose lines, box traps, whoosh nets, or pneumatic net gun. Birds will be banded, measured, and have blood and feather samples taken. A subset of birds will be fitted with GPS-GSM devices that will provide year-round movement data for an estimated 1-3 years. All birds will then be released at the capture site.