Breeding Distribution and Numbers of Black Guillemots in Jones Sound, N.W.T.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14430/arctic1380Keywords:
Aerial surveys, Animal distribution, Animal reproduction, Bird nesting, Black Guillemots, Polynyas, Devon Island, Nunavut, Ellesmere Island, Jones SoundAbstract
Aerial surveys of Jones Sound, N.W.T., reveal a highly clumped distribution of black guillemots in the early spring and throughout the breeding season. Black guillemots are uncommon throughout much of Jones Sound except at its mouth and in the western portion. By September most guillemots have left the area. Both early spring and breeding distributions appear to be influenced by the Hell Gate and Cardigan Strait polynya located in western Jones Sound between Ellesmere and Devon islands. Evidence presented suggests that annual variation in the distribution of ice edges in Jones Sound may influence distribution of breeding birds among suitable breeding sites.
Key words: black guillemot, Cepphus grylle, breeding distribution, Jones Sound, aerial surveys
