MARBLED MURRELETS
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One of the key issues for the conservation of the Marbled Murrelet is identification of its nesting habitat. The murrelet appears to prefer old-growth forest but not all patches may be suitable and we need to know that investments in conservation are effective. We have a good idea of some of the characteristics of nest trees preferred by the Marbled Murrelet from about 60 nests that were studied in the Bunster Hills, near Powell River. Those characteristics may not be applicable to other parts of the coast and tree-by-tree searches in Clayoquot Sound have only turned up small numbers of nests. In 1998, 24 nests were found around Desolation Sound by tracking birds with radio tags. In that study the murrelets were caught at random and could provide a more general idea of habitat preferences. Unfortunately the study area is highly modified by a long history of forestry, mining, and recreation and may not be representative of less disturbed areas. In 1999, we selected a study area between Mathieson and Finlayson Channels, north of Bella Bella as an undisturbed area suitable for study. We knew this area well from other studies of Marbled Murrelets and had caught 120 there in 1997. For project details go to Marbled Murrelets on the Central Coast of British Columbia