Sea Gull Numbers are Extremely Low

Marine Mammals

Land Mammals

Birds

Death / Die-off / Decline

Port Heiden, Alaska, United States

Nearby

Observers in Port Heiden, Alaska report significantly reduced sea gull populations and fewer gull eggs for subsistence, coinciding with decreased seal numbers and increased fox populations.

Observation by John Holm, with help from Jaime Welfelt:

I just got a a call from John Holm in Port Heiden. He has lived between Naknek and Port Heiden his entire life. He called very concerned that gull numbers were extremely low this spring. In addition, they collect gull eggs for subsistence are only finding a few eggs. Also noted that seal numbers are down. The fox numbers are up and they are very hungry without the gull colonies.

Comment by Robert Kaler:

I received similar reports last year regarding a lack of gulls from the Nome/Norton Sound area; specifically, Safety Sound usually has a good number of glaucous gulls but locals reported how few they saw nesting last year.

Comment from LEO Network Editors:

A search for gull population trend information revealed a 2006 USFWS paper, in the Alaska Seabird Information series about glaucous-winged gulls. The population trends section states, "The largest colony in Alaska is on Middleton Island, in the Gulf of Alaska with about 12,500 birds. Glaucous-winged Gulls on Middleton Island increased (+13.6% per annum) from the mid-1980s to the mid1990s, but currently they are declining there. This species has decreased on Buldir Island in the Aleutian Island chain (a significant negative trend of -21.3% per annum) since1992. No trends are evident at other monitored colonies in Alaska." The link to this report is attached. LEO Network is interested in current trend information on sea gulls. Members with insights on gull population health and trends, are invited to provide reference links or a comment to this post.

Comment by Robert Kaler:

Seems like the decline in glaucous gulls in Middleton and Buldir Islands mentioned in the attached report might be related to the decreasing gull numbers observed in Port Heiden, Alaska. Additionally, the increased fox population noted in this observation could be linked to the decrease in the gull colonies, as the hungry foxes may be preying on the birds. The rise in red fox populations in other Alaskan communities, like King Cove and Nelson Lagoon, has also raised concerns, particularly regarding rabies. It's important to monitor these interconnected changes in the local wildlife populations to understand their implications for the ecosystem as a whole.