Response of Pacific Loons (<i>Gavia Pacifica</i>) to Impoundments at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska

Abstract

Reproductive success and foraging effort of Pacific loons (Gavia pacifica) were compared between impoundments and natural ponds in the Prudhoe Bay oil field, Alaska, in 1992 and 1993. Pacific loons successfully reproduced on both impoundments and ponds. Though success tended to be lower on impoundments, no significant differences were detected between the two water body types. The principal cause of reproductive failure on both impoundments and ponds in 1993 appears to have been predation by arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) during incubation. Predation losses on impoundments often were associated with large water-level drawdowns, which apparently increased opportunities for predation of stranded clutches. I found no differences in chick mortality or adult foraging effort between impoundments and ponds. Over 99% of the prey items delivered to chicks were invertebrates captured in freshwater wetlands. Reproductive output of Pacific loons may be improved by increasing the stability of water levels at impoundments used for nesting. I found no evidence that draining impoundments would improve habitat for loons (or invertebrate-eating waterfowl species) at Prudhoe Bay.