Wilson Bull., 1 14(4), 2002, pp. 491-509 THE BIRDS OF ST MATTHEW ISLAND, BERING SEA KEVIN WINKER,'^ DANIEL D. GIBSON,' ARTHUR L. SOWLS,^ BRIAN E. LAWHEAD,^ PHILIP D. MARTIN,^ ERIC P HOBERG,*^ AND DOUGLAS CAUSEY^’ — ABSTRACT. St. Matthew Island (60°24' N, 172°42' W) and its small nearby satellites. Hall Island and Pinnacle Rock, are isolated in the northcentral Bering Sea. This infrequently visited location occupies a geo- graphic position with a deep Bering Land Bridge history and is in an area of interdigitation of the Old World, New World, and Beringian avifaunas. It is known for its three Beringian endemics, a bird (McKay’s Bunting, Plectrophenaxhyperboreus), a small mammal, and a plant. This level ofendemism is striking forahigh-latitude island. The only previous summary of the avifauna of St. Matthew island (Hanna 1917) included 37 species. Our report considers more than 125 species and synthesizes data on presence and absence, abundance, and phenology. Because visits havebeen infrequent andconcentrated during summer, ourunderstandingofmigration in this region remains poor, but the area is clearly affected by both the Old and New world migration systems. There is sufficientevidenceto showthatsomeprofoundchangesamongthe island’sbreedingbirdshaveoccurred during the past century. In particular, the breeding range of Glaucous-winged Gulls {Lams glaucescens) has been extended north to include St. Matthew, a change that is correlated with a northward shift in the extent of sea ice (Maslanik et al. 1996). King and Common eiders {Somateria spectahilis and S. mollissima) also have shown substantialchanges in summerabundance. Otherchanges in the summeravifauna(e.g.,amongshorebirds) may reflect the dynamics of edge-of-range phenomena. Because of its central position in a region undergoing profound climate change and its demonstrated track record in showing avifaunal shifts, St. Matthew Island may represent an important bellwether for monitoring the biological effects offurtherclimate change in the northern Bering Sea. Received31 July 2001, accepted 15April 2002. Isolated in the northcentral Bering Sea at of both of these with the endemic Beringian 60° 24' N, 172°42' W, St. Matthew Island and avifauna. The phenologies of events such as its small nearby satellites. Hall Island and Pin- reproduction, migration, and overwintering nacle Rock, occupy a central geographic po- status in this region are poorly known. Fur- sition relative to the breeding ranges and sea- ther, this region is likely to undergo greater sonal movements of the different bird faunas than average responses to global warming to the north (St. Lawrence Island and Bering (Myneni et al. 1997), suggesting that the tim- Strait), south (Pribilof and Aleutian islands), ing of these events may change in the future. east (the Alaska mainland), and west (Kam- St. Matthew Island (including Hall Island chatka, the Koryak Highlands, Gulf of Ana- and Pinnacle Rock) is perhaps most notewor- dyr, and Chukotsk Peninsula). This position thy biologically for constituting the home of (Fig. 1) provides a unique perspective on the an endemic mammal (St. Matthew Island dynamic and complex interdigitation of the vole, Microtus ahhreviatus), an endemic plant northern Palearctic and Nearctic avifaunas and {Artemisia globularia var. lutea), and the en- tire breeding range of a species of bird (Mc- ' Univ. of Alaska Museum, 907 Yukon Dr., Fair- Kay’s Bunting, Plectrophenax hyperboreus). banks, AK 99775-6960, USA. In addition, the nominate subspecies of the 2Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, 2355 Rock Sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis ptiloc- Kachemak Bay Dr., Suite 101, Homer, AK 99603- nemis) breeds only here and on the Pribilof 8021, USA. 3ABR, Inc., P.O. Box 80410, Fairbanks, AK99708- Islands, as does a subspecies of the Gray- 0410, USA. crowned Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 101 12th Ave., umbrina). This level of endemism is surpris- Box 19, Room 110, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA. ing for a small land area at such a high lati- ^USDA Agricultural Research Service, BARCEast, tude, but no doubt reflects the deep temporal No. 1180, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD history of a once larger Beringia. 20705, USA. ^Museum ofComparative Zoology, Harvard Univ., These islands were an unglaciated refugium 26 Oxford St., N Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. during past ice ages (Hamilton et al. 1986). ^Corresponding author; E-mail: ffksw@uafedu Pollen sequences from St. Lawrence Island 491 492 THE WILSON BULLETIN • Vol. 114, No. 4, December2002 FIG. 1. St Matthew Island (center) and the greater Beringian region, including most locations mentioned in the text. Numerical locations are (1) Karaginskiy Bay, (2) Koryak Highlands, (3) Gulf of Anadyr, (4) Cape Lisburne, (5) Kotzebue Sound, (6) Bering Strait, (7) Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, (8) Cape Romanzof, (9) Cape Newenham, (10) Bristol Bay, and (11) Shumagin Islands. and the Pribilof Islands, to the north and published. During 8-13 July 1916, G. Dallas south, respectively, reveal a very long ungla- Hanna visited under the aegis of the U.S. Bi- ciated history for the region (3(),0()0-70,000 ological Survey; his published report (Hanna years), with full-glacial records suggestive of 1917), which included A. K. Fisher’s notes xeric tundra with some indication (from an from 1899, summarized the 37 species then unknown source) of spruce, birch, and alder known from the islands. Ira N. Gabrielson was (Barnosky et al. 1987). The islands have been the next ornithologist to visit, briefly, on 8-9 protected since the Bering Sea Bird Reserva- July 1940 (Gabrielson 1944), and he visited tion was established in 1909, and they are briefly again on 7 August 1946 (Gabrielson presently contained within the Alaska Mari- and Lincoln 1959). The unpublished notes of time National Wildlife Refuge. Frank L. Beals (copy at Univ. of Alaska Mu- Avian study has been conducted only spo- seum) were an invaluable source ofadditional radically, and usually briefly, at this remote information. Beals was at St. Matthew with locality. No summary of the avifauna of this the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 24 island group has appeared in the ornithologi- June to 16 August 1944. His notes include a cal literature since Hanna (1917). The first or- wealth of useful information, including the nithological venture on these islands may notes of Russell V. Anderson, who was on the have been that of von Kittlitz, who took a few island with the U.S. Coast Guard from July specimens there in the mid-1800s (Rausch and 1943 to June 1944 and was able to provide Rausch 1968). The islands first came to prom- glimpses of phenology that could be gathered inent ornithological attention when Hall Island only by someone on the island throughout the was discovered to be the breeding ground of year. Detlef Eisfeld visited the island from 30 McKay’s Bunting (Ridgway 1886, Townsend June to 20 July 1966 and also made important 1887). Albert K. Fisher and others visited on avian observations. For Klein (1959) in 1957 14-15 July 1899 as part of the Harriman Ex- and Rausch and Rausch (1968) in 1954, a look pedition (Goetzmann and Sloan 1982), but at St. Matthew’s birds was peripheral to their their ornithological observations were never work on mammals. More recently, in response Winker et al. • BIRDS OF ST. MATTHEW ISLAND 493 to projected development of the island as a therefore, we have been conservative about attributing logistical base for offshore oil exploration in breeding status to various species on these islands. the Navarin Basin oil and gas lease area, field- ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST work conducted in the 1980s produced much useful information on five species of cliff- Gavia stellata (Red-throated Loon). Fairly nesting seabirds (Murphy et al. 1987), but common breeder. Numerous and nesting in only sketchy information on most other avian 1916 (Hanna 1917). High counts have includ- species. ed four pairs with six young (July 1944, E L. Hanna’s (1917) report considered 37 spe- Beals). Several nests and adults with young in cies; we include 125 and also discuss the sta- summer 1982, maximum day count of six (7 tus of four others. Our purpose in this study June). The only common nesting loon in the has been to survey and update baseline infor- Aleutians (Murie 1959), at Nunivak Island mation on the St. Matthew Island avifaunabe- (Swarth 1934), and at St. Lawrence Island cause of its importance to our understanding (Fay and Cade 1959). of broader regional topics such as Beringia, Gavia arctica (viridigularis) (Arctic Loon) the crossover ofcontinental avifaunas, and the or G. pacifica (Pacific Loon). Rare in spring biological effects of climate change. and summer. “Arctic” loons occurred from 28 May (1982) to 5 July (1977), usually singly, METHODS maximum three (DeGange and Sowls 1978). — In Asia, arctica and pacifica breed in sym- Study area. St. Matthew Island comprises some patry from Chukotsk Peninsula to the Koryak 470 km^ (52 X 9 km) of rolling subarctic tundra (el- evations to 430 m) with freshwater lakes and streams, Highlands (Kishchinskii 1980), but arctica gently sloping beaches, and precipitous seacliffs. With alone breeds in Kamchatka and the Sea of its two satellites. Hall Island (9X3 km) and Pinnacle Okhotsk (Vaurie 1965). The latter nests at St. Rock, St. Matthew is “barren, treeless, uninhabited Lawrence Island (Fay and Cade 1959) and on and surrounded by dangerous and poorly charted wa- the entire Bering coast ofthe Alaska mainland ters” (Hann—a 1917:403). (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959), while the for- Methods. In the species accounts below, phyloge- mer breeds in Alaska only on the Seward Pen- netic sequence and scientificandEnglishnamesfollow AOU checklist (American Ornithologists’ Union insula and in Kotzebue Sound (Douglas and 1998), subspecies nomenclature follows Gibson and Sowl 1993). Both have been recorded on mi- Kessel (1997), and status and abundance terminology gration in the Pribilofs (Preble and McAtee follow Kessel and Gibson (1978). We summarize ex- 1923, Sladen 1966), and both occur in winter isting phenological information while recognizing that in the Aleutians (UAM unpubl. data). itthoirss.inc“oUmpAleMte.unUpnuabtlt.r”ibruetfeedrsdattoauanrpeutbhloisseheodftAhleasakua- Gavia immer (Common Loon). Casual in spring and summer. Single adults on ocean 27 bPiarrdenrtehcetoircdaslarsucbhsipveecdifaitcthneamUenisv.inodficAalteasakasuMbusspeecuime.s to 29 May and 1 June 1982; two on fresh wa- that is inferred by range; parenthetical “ssp.” indicate ter on 19 June 1982. This primarily New thatitisunreasonabletoinfersubspecieswithoutspec- World species nests locally in the Aleutians imens. Taxa in square brackets we consider to be un- (Murie 1959), but not in the Commander Is- substantiated records. The complex zoogeography of lands nor on islands in the Bering Sea. There the avifauna in this region often requires reference to are a few records at St. Lawrence Island (Fay bterxota.dWerherreegionneaclessstaartyu,swteo pilnaccleudeexibsrtiienfgsudamtmaariinesc.on- and Cade 1959; UAM unpubl. data), but it is Inthepast, midsummeroccurrencesofmanyspecies apparently unknown on Chukotsk Peninsula at northerly latitudes were inferred to representbreed- (Portenko 1973). ing simply because ofpresence atthatseason. We now Gavia adamsii (Yellow-billed Loon). Rare know that midsummer occurrences in this region reg- in spring. One on 2 June 1982. Breeds as far ularly include late-migrant stragglers, nonbreeding south in Alaska as the Seward Peninsula (Kes- birds summeringJustbeyondthe limitsofthebreeding sel 1989) and St. Lawrence Island (Fay and craanngec,omapnldiceaatrelyarnetausrsneisnsgmfeanitleodfbraeveidaenrss.taStuuschdubriirndgs Cade 1959), and it is a widespread breeder on the Chukotsk Peninsula (Portenko 1973). the breeding season, and presence alone cannot be in- ferred to be evidence of breeding (e.g., see Johansen Podiceps grisegena (holboellii) (Red- 1961, versus American Ornithologists’ Union 1957). necked Grebe). Rare in spring and casual in Where we have no more than circumstantial evidence. summer. Singles seen 27 May through 14June 494 THE WILSON BULLETIN • Vol 114, No. 4, December2002 1982 and on 26 June 1982; maximum seen birds first at nests on 8 June (1982); first eggs was two (28 May 1982 and 5-6 July 1985). on 13 June, first chicks 3 July, and downy Has nested at St. Lawrence Island (Sealy et chicks and young two-thirds adult size seen al. 1971). by 29 July 1982. Also recorded in midwinter: [Phoebastha nigripes (Black-footed Alba- on 6-7 February 1970, McRoy et al. (1971: tross)]. Two reported offshore on 15 July 1957 64) noted “one small flock flying offshore.” (Klein 1959). Anser fabalis (serrirostris) (Bean Goose). Fulmarus glacialis rodgersii (Northern Ful- Casual in summer. One present 17-23 June mar). Abundant breeder. Made up mostly of 1982. Rare in spring in the Aleutians and ca- light morph birds, the breeding population sual in spring on Bering Sea islands (Kessel was estimated at 450,000 birds in 1977 and Gibson 1978). Breeds east to GulfofAna- (DeGange and Sowls 1978, Sowls et al. dyr and Chukotsk Peninsula (Vaurie 1965). 1978). Recorded as early as about 1 May Anser albifrons (frontalis) (Greater White- (1944, R. V. Andersonfide F. L. Beals). Many fronted Goose). Casual in spring. Two seen pairs by 22 May 1982, first egg laid 1 June, with a Canada Goose 24-26 May 1982, and and first chick seen 21 July. In 1985 earliest one with six Brant 7-11 June 1982. Casual chick (<1 one week old) seen 27 July; earliest migrant at St. Lawrence Island (Johnson 1976; unattended chicks 2 August (1986). UAM unpubl. data). Puffinus tenuirostris (Short-tailed Shear- Chen canagica (Emperor Goose). Casual in water). Common in summer. Noted by 31 summer. Small numbers 4-20 June 1982, and May (1982); maximum count was 6,000+ (18 at least two on 8 July 1985 (G. V. Byrd pers. June 1982). comm.). It is possible that annual movements Oceanodromafurcata (furcata) (Fork-tailed largely bypass St. Matthew Island. Species is Storm-Petrel). Casual in summer. One on 4 (or was, see Kessel and Gibson 1994 and ci- June 1982, two on 24 July 1983, four on 8 August 1983, and one 18 km east of St. Mat- tLaatwironesncteheIrseliann)da(FwaiydaensdprCeaaddeb1r9e5e9d)eranadt tShte. thew on 21 August 1985. Species does not Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (King and Dau anensdtCnoormtmhaonfdtehre A(lKeountdiraanty(eSvoweltsale.t 2al0.001)97i8s)- m1o9l8t1),miagnrdatitiopnrobfarbolmy ptehrefoYr-mKs aDmelitdasutmomeStr. lands. Lawrence Island (Jones 1972). Winters Phalacrocorax auritus (cincinatus) (Dou- throughout the Aleutians (Murie 1959). ble-crested Cormorant). Casual or accidental Chen caendescens (caerulescens) (Snow in summer. One seen 21 June 1982. Not known to nest closer than Cape Newenham Goose). Casual in spring. Up to 57 seen 22 May through 7 June 1982. Main migration in southeastern Bering Sea (Petersen et al. 1991) and the eastern Aleutians (Sowls et al. 1978). western Alaska probably bypasses St. Mat- [Phalacrocorax iirile (Red-faced Cormo- thew Island; nearest breeding is at Wrangel Island, Chukchi Sea (King and Dau 1981). rant)]. Attributed, apparently erroneously, to St. Matthew by Nelson (1887). Kessel and Branta canadensis (ssp.) (Canada Goose). Gibson (1994) discussed confusion in pub- Casual in spring. Flock of 20-30 with Snow lished historical accounts of cormorant distri- Geese 22-24 May 1982; four birds on 15 July butions in Alaska. There have been only scat- 1982. Numerous on Bering coast of mainland tered records north of the Pribilofs (UAM un- Alaska (King and Dau 1981), where B. c. min- ima breeds and parvipes (including taverneri) publ. data). Phalacrocoraxpelagicuspelagicus (Pelagic is a migrant, but only of casual occurrence at Cormorant). Common breeder, uncommon at St. Lawrence Island (see Sealy et al. 1971). A other seasons. Arrived as early as about 15 1903 specimen ofB. c. occidentalis from Gulf May (1944) and departed before September of Anadyr seems to be the only record of this (1943; both dates R. V. Anderson fide F L. species in northeasternmost Asia (Dementiev Beals). In 1977 estimated nesting population and Gladkov 1952, Vaurie 1965). was 3,000 (DeGange and Sowls 1978). Breed- Branta bernicla (nigricans) (Brant). Rare in ing phenology included birds carrying nesting summer. Up to six seen 6—23 June 1982; two materials on 1 June (1983) and 6 June (1982); on 1 1 June 1986 (K. D. Schafer pers. comm.). Winker et cil. • BIRDS OF ST. MATTHEW ISLAND 495 Occurs regularly in spring and summer at St. (Green-winged Teal). Rare migrant (both sub- Lawrence Island (Sealy et al. 1971). species) and in summer. Hanna (1917) iden- Cygnus columbianus {columbianus) (Tun- tified wings nailed to the wall of a derelict dra Swan). Uncommon in summer; possible cabin. Species seen 23 May (1982) to 8 June breeder. Hanna (1917:408) saw 2-4 swans on (1982), sometimes paired, always few. Ago- lakes “at every landing place” in July 1916. nistic behavior between these forms seen 2 Klein (1959) reported two seen in July and June 1982, when a male carolinensis chased August 1957. One on 9 July 1966 was nesting an apparently paired male crecca, and the car- (D. Eisfeld pers. comm.). Thirteen swans in olinensis flew off with the female. Summer summer 1977 (DeGange and Sowls 1978) records included a pair on 13 July 1985, three were likely this species. During 1980s swans on 22 July 1986, four on 22 July 1997, and seen only erratically and in small numbers, one 9 August 1985. Both subspecies are rare maximum five on 3 August 1982. One seen in spring and summer at St. Lawrence Island 11 June 1986 was identified (K. D. Schafer (UAM unpubl. data), where Sealy et al. (1971) pers. comm.) as C. c. bewickii, the Old World suspected breeding. subspecies, known in Alaska from only one Aythya ferina (Common Pochard). Casual record (Evans and Sladen 1980). in summer. Male seen 6-12 June 1982. Spe- Anas penelope (Eurasian Wigeon). Rare in cies is rare in spring in western Aleutians and spring. Hanna (1917) identified wings nailed casual in spring in the Pribilofs (Kessel and to the wall of a derelict cabin. Seen 26 May Gibson 1978); there is one record from St. to 13 June 1982, maximum seven on 31 May. Lawrence Island (UAM unpubl. data). Rare in spring on Bering Sea islands (Kessel Aythya fuligula (Tufted Duck). Casual in and Gibson 1978). summer. Male seen 3 July 1977 (DeGange and Anas americana (American Wigeon). Ca- Sowls 1978). Species is very rare or casual sual in spring. Up to four with Eurasian Wi- north of the Aleutians, where it occurs in geon 26 May through 4 June 1982; another small numbers at any season (Kessel and Gib- pair on 1 June 1982. Casual in spring on Be- son 1978). ring Sea islands (UAM unpubl. data). Aythya marila (ssp.) (Greater Scaup). Un- Anas platyrhynchos (platyrhynchos) (Mal- common in spring and rare in summer. Re- lard). Rare in spring and summer. Pair seen 8 ported 1 June 1944 (R. V. Andersonfide E L. July 1916 (Hanna 1917). One male seen 28- Beals); three noted in summer 1977 (DeGange 29 May 1982, one bird on 10-12 July 1982, and Sowls 1978). In subsequent years from 27 and another male seen 6 July 1985. Also rare May (1982) to 6 July (1985), maximum 10 on at St. Lawrence Island (Sealy et al. 1971). 9 June 1983. Anas clypeata (Northern Shoveler). Casual Polysticta stelleri (Steller’s Eider). Uncom- in spring. A pair was seen 1-3 June 1982. mon in summer; nonbreeder. In 1977 five in Casual in spring at St. Lawrence Island (Fay basic plumage were seen on 30 June, 152 UAM and Cade 1959; unpubl. data). birds accompanied by two King and several Anas acuta (Northern Pintail). Uncommon Common eiders on 13 July, and five on 14 or fairly common migrant; rare in summer, July (DeGange and Sowls 1978). A male on when possibly rare breeder. Klein (1959) re- fresh water on 3 June was the only sighting ported 15 birds, which he said bred. Frequent- in 1982. On 8 June 1983 a flock of 80+ ly observed in summer 1977 (DeGange and (mostly females, a few immature males) was Sowls 1978). Present by 22 May 1982, up to first sighting of that summer, after which 70 per day until 30 May, after which singles groups of 25 and 10 on 23 June and 25 June, or groups ofup to seven periodically mid-June respectively; species also noted on 3 and 5 to early 6 August. Lone male seen twice in July. July 1966 (D. Eisfeld pers. comm.); up to 10 Somateria spectabilis (King Eider). Rare in on 5-6 July 1985; 10 flightless adults on 22 summer; uncommon in winter. If Hanna’s July 1997. During 9-12 August 1985 scat- (1917) report accurate (abundant; evidently tered birds seen, maximum a flock of40+. No nesting), there has been a substantial change suggestion of nesting during our fieldwork. in status since 1916. Not seen by Gabrielson Anas crecca (crecca and carolinensis) (1944) in July 1940 visit. DeGange and Sowls 496 THE WILSON BULLETIN • Vol. 114, No. 4, December2002 (1978) saw two in summer 1977. In 1982 two Common throughout the year. A very few on 4 June on fresh water. Not recorded sum- nested in 1916 (Hanna 1917). Fledged young mers 1983, 1985, or 1997. Identified in mid- seen at end of July 1944 (F. L. Beals pers. winter by McRoy et al. (1971:63), who on 6- comm.), in 1957 (Klein 1959), and in 1966 7 February 1970 noted it and Common Eiders (D. Eisfeld pers. comm.). In 1982 copulation “in fair numbers, feeding in the open leads noted 28 May, courtship and territory defense and flying restlessly back and forth, some- 2 June, but no nests or young seen. In 1983 times resting on the edge of the ice.” pairs in courtship and copulation on 5 June. Somateria mollissima v-nigrum (Common Species present all winter 1943-1944 (R. V. Eider). Common breeder; uncommon in win- Anderson fide F. L. Beals). With murres and ter. Not recorded by Gabrielson (1944) on 8- Harlequin Ducks, Long-tailed Ducks were the 9 July 1940. Nesting reported by Beals in most common birds seen 6-7 February 1970 1944 and by Klein (1959), and an incubating (McRoy et al. 1971). female found 2 July 1966 (D. Eisfeld pers. Bucephala albeola (Bufflehead). Casual in comm.). In June and July 1977, when nested, spring and summer. Up to three pairs seen 28 paired on lakes and beach strands, also in rafts May to 4 June 1982. Two present 4-9 June of 50-100+ offshore (DeGange and Sowls 1983. Casual spring migrant at St. Lawrence 1978). No evidence of breeding in 1982 or Island (UAM unpubl. data). 1983, but paired birds seen, sometimes in Bucephala clangula (ssp.) (Common Gold- lakeshore vegetation, and copulation on the eneye). Casual in spring and summer. Five to ocean seen 15 June. Frequent in May andJune eight were present during July 1966 (D. Eis- 1983. Flocks of 22 on ocean 3 July 1985, of feld pers. comm.), up to four 28 May to 16 16 on fresh water next day. Common breeder June 1982, a pair on 9 June 1983, and two on in July 1997, when young were seen. Report- 1 1 June 1986 (K. D. Schafer pers. comm.). ed in midwinter by McRoy et al. (1971), on Casual in spring at St. Lawrence Island (UAM 6-7 February 1970 (see King Eider). unpubl. data). Histrionicus histrioniciis (Harlequin Duck). Bucephala islcmdica (Barrow’s Goldeneye). Fairly common throughout year; nonbreeder. Casual or accidental in spring. Pair seen 2 Hanna (1917) saw a small flock 13 July 1916. June 1982. Casual in spring on coast ofmain- Only on salt water, maxima 350-400 on 2 Au- land western Alaska; unknown at St. Law- gust 1944 (F. L. Beals) and 200 in June to July rence Island (UAM unpubl. data). 1977 (DeGange and Sowls 1978). With Mergus serrator (Red-breasted Merganser). murres and Long-tailed Ducks, Harlequins Uncommon migrant and in summer. Reported were the most numerous birds observed 6-7 as early as about 20 May (1944, R. V. An- February 1970 (McRoy et al. 1971). dersonfide F. L. Beals). DeGange and Sowls Melcmittci perspicillatci (Surf Scoter). Ca- (1978) observed three in 1977. Up to three sual in spring and summer. Four on 31 May present 2 June to 12 July 1982, a pair on 15 1982 and flock of25 on 22 July 1997. Species June 1983, six on 11 July 1986. Possible is casual in spring at St. Lawrence Island breeder at St. Lawrence Island (Sealy et al. (UAM unpubl. data), accidental on Chukotsk 1971). Peninsula (Portenko 1973). Circus cyaneus (ssp.) (Northern Harrier). Melcmitta fusca (ssp.) (White-winged Sco- Casual or accidental in spring. Female seen ter). Casual in spring and summer. In 1982 23-25 May 1982. Species is apparently un- two were seen 27 May, four on 31 May, seven known at St. Lawrence Island. on 1 1 June, and up to nine 8-15 June. A ca- Grus canadensis {canadensis) (Sandhill sual migrant at St. Lawrence Island (Sealy et Crane). Rare or uncommon migrant and in al. 1971). summer; possible breeder. One seen 8-12 July Melcmittci nigra (americana) (Black Sco- 1916 by Hanna (1917, who did not report the ter). Casual in spring and summer. A male was species to be nesting cf. Gabrielson and Lin- seen 28 May 1982, and one bird on 9 June coln 1959:315); pair on 9 July 1940 inferred 1983. A casual migrant at St. Lawrence Island to be “evidently nesting” (Gabrielson 1944: (Sealy et al. 1971). 122) from midsummer presence. Recorded in Clangula hyemalis (Long-tailed Duck). small numbers in summer 1977 (DeGange and Winkeret til. • BIRDS OF ST. MATTHEW ISI.AND 497 Sowls 1978). Present by 22 May (1982) and et al. 1971), so their distributions in the Be- through at least 12 June (1983). Not clear if ring Sea warrant close scrutiny. In the absence birds present continuously from mid-June to of substantiation, therefore, this species must mid-July, but many sightings from 6 July be regarded as unconfirmed at St. Matthew. In (1985) to 20 July (1997), maximum a flock of Alaska south of St. Lawrence Island, C. hia- 50 on 18 July 1997. Seven on 3 August 1982 ticula is known with certainty only as a casual and at least 10 present 14-19 August 1985 migrant in the western Aleutians (see Byrd et were the only late-summerrecords. Maximum al. 1978). Charadrius semipalmatus breeds as count in spring was flock of 70+ (22 May far west as the eastern Aleutians and the Pri- 1982). bilofs (UAM unpubl. data) and at St. Matthew Regular occurrence at St. Matthew proba- (this paper). bly represents the southern edge of annual Charadrius semipalmatus (Semipalmated movement between Alaska mainland and Plover). Rare breeder. First recorded 1977, Chukotsk Peninsula; the bulk of this passage when species nested in small numbers (downy crosses the Bering Strait and northern Bering chick seen 14 July, DeGange and Sowls Sea from the Seward Peninsula and St. Lawr- 1978). No arrival or departure information. ence Island to the Chukotsk Peninsula (Kessel Recorded 19 June 1982, and two adults seen 1984). Breeds on Alaska mainland coast with chick on 2 July 1982. First sighting in (Brandt 1943, Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959, 1983 on 23 June; on 3 July pair observed in Shields and Peyton 1979, Woodby and Divo- distraction display, but no young found; one ky 1983, Kessel 1989, Petersen et al. 1991), adult seen 21 July. Pair at nest with two eggs at St. Lawrence Island (Fay and Cade 1959, 3 July 1985. One adult on 23 July 1985, an Sauer and Urban 1964), and at Nunivak Island adult and two juveniles on 7 August, and an (Swarth 1934) and breeds in northeastern Si- adult on 10 and 13 August. Two observed 9 beria in the Gulf of Anadyr (Vaurie 1965). In July 1986. Adult female and downy chick the Bering Sea south of St. Matthew only ca- (UAM 7743 and 7744) documented breeding sual in the Pribilofs (Preble and McAtee 1923) 22 July 1997, when four adults seen. and Aleutians (Byrd et al. 1974). Charadrius morinellus (Eurasian Dotterel). Pluvialis fulva (Pacific Golden-Plover). Csioblmemroanrembirgereadnetr;.cCasounaslpiicnumoiudssubmyme2r2,Mpoasy- CMaasyual19o8r2.acAcidternatnasl-BienrisnpgrinSgtr.aiOtnmeigsreaennt 2t8o 1982 and present through 6 June. Pair seen 30 the Seward Peninsula and St. Lawrence Island (Kessel and Gibson 1978), but south of there June to 20 July 1966 “behaved as if breed- ing” (D. Eisfeld pers. comm.), and a pair on known in Alaska only in fall in the western 4 July 1985 acted territorial. Earliest post- Aleutians (Gibson 1981). breeding migrants seen 18 July 1982, 19 and Heteroscelus incanus (Wandering Tattler). 24 July 1997, and 27 July 1944 (F. L. Beals Uncommon migrant. Reported by Beals (in pers. comm.), after which dates southbound 1944), Klein (1959), and DeGange and Sowls individuals plentiful through observers’ mid- (1978). Present by 29 May (1982), spring and late-August departures. Species breeds at maximum three on 2 June 1982. Earliest post- St. Lawrence Island (Fay and Cade 1959) and breeding migrants seen 22 July (1986), 25 at Nunivak Island (Swarth 1934). July (1985), 29 July (1957, Klein 1959), and Charadrius mongolus (stegmanni) (Mon- 2 August (1944, F. L. Beals), maximum four golian Plover). Casual in spring. Three or four on 10 August 1986. Many tattlers were iden- seen 23 May to 3 June 1982. Rare migrant in tified only to genus. the Aleutians and at St. Lawrence Island; spe- Heteroscelus brevipes (Gray-tailed Tattler). cies has nested on the Alaska mainland (Kes- Rare migrant. Lone birds seen at intervals 29 sel and Gibson 1978). May to 16 June 1982. Two seen 2-4 June [Charadrius hiaticula (Common Ringed 1983. Earliest postbreeding arrivals seen 25 Plover)]. Identified on 8 and 12 June 1982, July and 8-9 August 1983. Rare migrant on including a bird at nest with two eggs. Both Bering Sea islands (Kessel and Gibson 1978). Palearctic hiaticula and Nearctic semipalma- Actitis hypoleucos (Common Sandpiper). tus have nested at St. Lawrence Island (Sealy Casual in spring. Two birds seen 7-9 June 498 THE WILSON BULLETIN • Vol. 114, No. 4, December2002 1982. Very rare spring migrant on Bering Sea sonal maxima 16 (27 May 1982) and 15 (11 islands (Kessel and Gibson 1978). August 1985). Common breeder at St. Lawr- Nmnenius phaeopus (variegatus) (Whim- ence Island (Sauer and Urban 1964, Thomp- brel). Rare migrant. Reports without details in son 1967). St. Matthew Island, NunivakIsland August 1954 (Rausch and Rausch 1968), of (Swarth 1934), and the Bering coast from the an unidentified curlew on 1 June 1982, and of Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Gabrielson and a Whimbrel 18 August 1985 are recorded ten- Lincoln 1959) to the Alaska Peninsula (Gill et tatively as this taxon, a rare or uncommon mi- al. 1981) form southern limit of breeding grant in the western Aleutians (Gibson 1981) range. UAM and at St. Lawrence Island (ibid.; un- Calidris ruficollis (Red-necked Stint). Un- publ. data). Both Asiatic variegatus and North common in fall. A few from 3 August (1986) American N. p. hudsonicus have been record- to 17 August (1985), maximum 11 on 17 Au- UAM UAM ed in the Pribilofs (Sladen 1966; un- gust 1985. Specimens: 5253, immature UAM publ. data). female, and 5258, immature male, both Limosa lapponica (baueri) (Bar-tailed God- 14 August 1985 (PDM and R. Rohleder). Rare wit). Uncommon migrant. Flock of 45 on 26 migrant on Bering Sea islands (Kessel and May 1982, flock of 21 on 3 August 1986, and Gibson 1978). about 15 in two flocks on 4 August 1986. Calidris minuta (Little Stint). Casual in fall. Arenaria interpres (interpres) (Ruddy Two immatures identified in direct compari- Turnstone). Uncommon or fairly common in son with immature Red-necked Stint 16-18 spring and common in fall; possibly has nest- August 1985; one remained through 21 Au- ed; an adult male on 13 July 1916 (Hanna gust (not 1986, cf. Gibson and Kessel 1992). 1917) was thought to be breeding. Numerous Casual migrant in coastal Alaska from the by 22 May 1982; most had moved on by 4 Aleutians north (ibid.). June. Earliest postbreeding, southbound birds Calidris minutilla (Least Sandpiper). Rare on 3 July 1985, 8 July 1966 (D. Eisfeld pers. breeder. Beals tentatively identified several in comm.), 9 July 1983, 11 July 1944 (Beals), 1944, and Klein (1959) reported five during 11 July 1982, and 12 July 1986, after which 29 July to 9 August 1957. In 1982 single birds dates species present in flocks of up to 100. on 27 May and 22 July. A worn adult on 21 Arenaria melanocephala (Black Turn- July 1986, and an adult with a downy chick stone). Casual in spring. Up to five seen 23- the same day. Breeds as far west as the eastern 29 May 1982. A report without details in Au- Aleutians (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959, Mu- gust 1954 (Rausch and Rausch 1968) is too rie 1959) and at least occasionally on the Pri- vague for evaluation. Known from very few bilofs (UAM unpubl. data). records west of its mainland Alaska breeding Calidris bairdii (Baird’s Sandpiper). Rare range (UAM unpubl. data). migrant. Up to six birds 26 May to 7 June Calidris piisilla (Semipalmated Sandpiper). 1982. Earliest in fall on 6 August (1986); two Casual migrant. Five seen 26 May 1982, one on 9 August 1985 and one each on 13 and 15 on 3 August 1986, and one (UAM 5259) on August 1985. Reported during 2 August to 6 17 August 1985. Casual migrant west and September 1954 (Rausch and Rausch 1968). south of its mainland-Alaska breeding range, Nests at St. Lawrence Island (Fay and Cade in Pribilofs (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959) 1959, Sealy et al. 1971). and Aleutians (Gibson 1981). Calidris melanotos (Pectoral Sandpiper). Calidris maiiri (Western Sandpiper). Un- Uncommon or fairly common migrant. Re- common migrant and breeder. One or two corded 22 May to 2 June 1982, maximum 31 seen 30 June to 20 July 1966, behavior indi- on 24 May. Earliest postbreeding migrants cated nesting (D. Eisfeld pers. comm.). Dis- were three on 15 July (1986) and one on 16 traction displays and other behavior pointed July (1985); thereafter in small numbers to nesting in 1977 (DeGange and Sowls through observers’ late-August departures, 1978). Present by 22 May (1982) and latest maximum 12 on 15 August 1985. Reported 15 August (1985); small numbers (<5) seen during August 1954 (Rausch and Rausch during most summers, whence one specimen 1968). (UAM 7340, adult female, 19 July 1997). Sea- Calidris ptilocnemis ptilocnemis (Rock Winker et at. • BIRDS OF ST. MATTHEW ISLAND 499 Sandpiper). Common breeder. “The most postbreeding migrants. Species has nested at abundant bird of the level lands of the is- St. Lawrence Island (Sealy et al. 1971). lands” in July 1916 (Hanna 1917:409), and Gallinago gallinago (Common Snipe) or G. still the most numerous breeding shorebird delicata (Wilson’s Snipe). Single snipe seen (DeGange and Sowls 1978; KW 1997 pers. 22 and 24 May and 7 June 1982 were likely obs.). Courtship, territorial defense, and much either Palearctic G. gallinago or Nearctic G. vocalization by 22 May 1982. Copulation and delicata. The former is a regular migrant in distraction displays first noted 31 May (1982). the western Aleutians (Byrd et al. 1978, Gib- Two nests without eggs on 7 June 1982; a nest son 1981); the latter nests throughout main- with full clutch of four on 8 June was sub- land western Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln sequently preyed upon by foxes; many nests 1959). were later discovered to have been preyed Phalaropus lobatus (Red-necked Phala- upon. High incidence of nest predation in rope). Uncommon breeder. Abundant breeder 1982 might have been influenced by low num- in July 1916 (Hanna 1917), and Beals report- bers of voles (Microtus). First chicks seen 12 ed it so on 10 July 1944 and numerous im- July (1982), one a hatchling, another half- matures on ponds on 2 August. Gabrielson adult-sized. Late nest with two eggs on 21 (1944) recorded at least 30 on 8 July 1940 and July (1982), another of four eggs on 15 July found a nest with four eggs. Klein (1959) re- (1986), and one nearly fledged downy chick corded it in 1957, and it was probably breed- on 24 July (1985). First fledgling seen 17 July ing in summer 1966 (D. Eisfeld pers. comm.). 1986. Latest nest date was a hatching on 24 Nested in small numbers in 1977 (DeGange and Sowls 1978). Earliest seen 28 May 1982, July 1997. These simultaneous, differing stag- and present through July; pairs noted 6 June, es of the nesting cycle noted as long ago as 1944, when on 21 July Beals noted Rock copulation 7 June, and a nest with one egg 19 June. Sandpipers “gathering in flocks; saw 24 near Phalaropus fulicaria (Red Phalarope). tsomaflllyilnagkseeeinn odaniely.grSouopm.eYnoeustnsgwfitrhomegdgoswbney- Common migrant and in summer; rare breed- ing hatched also observed today.” One seen er. Thousands flew past the ship, heading north, during 8—14 July 1916, “while we were in 1982 had been color banded as an adult on in the ice in the vicinity of St. Matthew”; two the Yukon Delta in 1979. orCfaaliirdlryiscoalmpmionan(smsipg.r)a(nDtu;nlpions)s.ibUlnecborememdeorn. C(flDooecmGkmsaonignnesauatrnfdsoenaSo1wa1lnsdJul1ny9e7a(8r)H.asnhnFoiarrset19i1sn7e:e4n109927)57. Four on 8 July 1940 “acted as if they had May (1982), by 31 May in flocks ofhundreds, nests” (Gabrielson 1944:125). Klein (1959) flying about and feeding just offshore. Some reported nesting in 1957; no Dunlins seen in still on passage 13 June 1982 (group of 16). summers 1966 (D. Eisfeld pers. comm.) or Numbers dwindled by end ofJune; a nest with 21497M7a(yDe1G9a8n2geandansdcaStotwerlesd 1o9b7s8e)r.vaTtwieonnstyduorn- fiongureevgigdsencoen.2S5eeJunnedai1l9y82iniseatrhleyoJnullyybr1e9e85d,- ing that summer; none in 1983. One adult 21- on ocean and along beach, maximum flock of 25 July 1985, 8-10 on 4 August, one on 15 20+ on 6 July. Postbreeding birds as early as August. None in 1997. Common breeder at St. 8 July (1966; D. Eisfeld pers. comm.), after Lawrence Island (Fay and Cade 1959). which date numerous. Calidris ferruginea (Curlew Sandpiper). Stercorarius pomarinus (Pomarine Jaeger). Casual in fall. One juvenile on 14 August Uncommon migrant and in summer. Eight 1985. Casual migrant anywhere in the Bering sightings in July 1977 (DeGange and Sowls Sea (Kessel and Gibson 1978). 1978). Earliest on 26 May (1982) and 28 May Limnodromus scolopaceus (Long-billed (1983). Except for flock of21, all sightings of Dowitcher). Uncommon migrant and in sum- singles or twos. At intervals in summer (one mer. Small groups of 4-6 during 22-31 May on 27 June 1982, two on 6 July 1985, two or 1982, maximum 16 on 24 May. Two on 1 July three on 26 July 1986, one on 25 July 1997). 1982 were only midsummer record. Three Breeding range primarily north of Bering adults on 1-2 August (1985) were earliest Strait (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). 500 THE WILSON BULLETIN • Vol. 114, No. 4, December2002 Stercorahus parasiticus (Parasitic Jaeger). (DeGange and Sowls 1978). An adult and a Uncommon migrant and in summer. Most fre- less-than-adult seen 24 May 1982, and one quently observed jaeger in July 1977 (De- seen 25 May. One present 26-27 May 1982, Gange and Sowls 1978). Earliest on 28 May and three 2 July. Two noted 29 May 1983. (1982), maximum four on 10 June 1982; ex- Pair possibly nesting in summer 1982. One cept for two on 26 July 1982 none seen after seen twice in July 1997. Breeds on Bering 1 July (1982). One on 28 June was only report coast of Russia as far north as Koryak High- in 1983. In 1985 two on 5 July and singles on lands (Vaurie 1965); nesting recently recorded 17-19 July and 13 August. Two in August near Cape Romanzof, Alaska (McCaffery et 1957 (Klein 1959). Breeds on Bering coast of al. 1997). Occurs in Bering Sea, Alaska, Alaska mainland and throughout the Aleutians throughout the year (Kessel and Gibson (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959), but not on Be- 1978). ring Sea islands. Lams glaucescens (Glaucous-winged Gull). Stercorariiis longicaiidiispallescens (Long- Fairly common throughout year; breeds. Ex- tailed Jaeger). Uncommon breeder. On 9 July plicitly noted as absent by Hanna (1917). First 1940 a pair seen with two young not able to recorded at St. Matthew during July 1966 by fly well (Gabrielson 1944). Two nests of two D. Eisfeld (pers. comm.), who noted “several eggs found 8 July 1977 (DeGange and Sowls nests in a Glaucous Gull colony on an islet at 1978). Species had arrived by 23 May 1982 the northeastern shore.” Four adults seen 26 and 29 May 1983; maxima in 1982 were five June 1977, and an “immature” seen 13 July on 2 July and seven on 1 and 7 August. (DeGange and Sowls 1978). Almost daily in Breeds on Bering coast of Alaska mainland 1982, usually in flocks with Glaucous Gulls. from Seward Peninsula to head ofBristol Bay, On 7 July 1982 about 20 of58 gulls seen were and on St. Lawrence and St. Matthew islands glaucescens', fledgling seen with two Glau- (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959), but not on cous Gull fledglings on 4 August. Breeding of Alaska Peninsula or Aleutian Islands. this species among Glaucous Gulls seen in Lams riclihimdiis (Black-headed Gull). Ca- 1982, but not described. Three nests with sual in spring and summer. Recorded 3-8 June young found among Glaucous Gulls on 24 1982, maximum three on 7 June. Adult ob- June 1983. Breeding observed in 1997 (num- served 5 August 1985. Second-year bird on bers not recorded) and approximately 50% of 12 and 18-21 July 1986. Rare in spring and all hyperhoreus and glaucescens observations very rare in summer in the Aleutians and Pri- (75-250 daily) identified to species wereglau- bilofs (Kessel and Gibson 1978). Breeds as far cescens. Observed west of St. Matthew Island north and east as the Bering coast of Kam- in February 1970 (McRoy et al. 1971). Nest- chatka (Lobkov 1986). ing reported at St. Lawrence Island in 1913 Lams caniis (ssp.) (Mew Gull). Casual in (Brooks 1915), but Fay and Cade (1959) and summer. One identified 7 August 1946 by Ga- Sealy et al. (1971) regarded breeding status brielson (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959); five there as uncertain. Breeding colonies nearest seen 3 June 1982. St. Matthew are at Nunivak Island (Sowls et Lams argeutatiis {vegae) (Herring Gull). al. 1978). Northernmost breeding record in Rare in summer. Carcass of one molting into Russia is a pair comprising a glaucescens and third-winter plumage found 4 August 1982. a schistisagiis that fledged young in 1977 at Second-year bird observed 23 July 1985 and Geka Bay, at 60° N (near northern Karagin- a subadult on 4 August. One adult on July skiy Bay, on the Bering coast of Kamchatka; 1 1 1986. This form breeds in small numbers at Kishchinskii 1980). St. Lawrence Island (Fay and Cade 1959) and Lams hyperhoreus pallidissimus (Glaucous occurs there as a fairly common spring mi- Gull). Fairly common throughout year; grant (Thompson 1967). breeds. Recorded nesting in 1916 (Hanna Lams schistisagiis (Slaty-backed Gull). Un- 1917), and a few nesting pairs seen 8 July common throughout year; possible breeder. 1940 (Gabrielson 1944). Population estimated Adult in colony of Glaucous and Glaucous- at 2,000 and species regarded as a common winged gulls on 9 July 1966 (D. Eisfeld pers. breeder along entire coastline in 1977 (De- comm.), and third-year bird seen 26 June 1977 Gange and Sowls 1978). Common breeding