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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #125886
Title: "POPULATION TRENDS OF DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS WITHIN THE CATFISH PRODUCTION AREAS OF ARKANSAS: 1999-2001."

Author
item Radomski, Andrew
item Wooten, David
item Collins, Charles
item Freeman, Donald

Submitted to: Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/12/2001
Publication Date: 10/13/2001
Citation: RADOMSKI, A.A., WOOTEN, D.E., COLLINS, C.M., FREEMAN, D.W. "POPULATION TRENDS OF DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS WITHIN THE CATFISH PRODUCTION AREAS OF ARKANSAS: 1999-2001.". SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES CONFERENCE. 2001. p.23.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) wintering in the southeast delta of Arkansas were monitored via aerial surveys to determine numbers and distribution for the past 2 winters. Surveys were conducted along a fixed flight route during the last 3 hours of sunlight and encompassed catfish production areas. Survey flights were conducted on consecutive days to reduce possible movement of cormorants between the two flight routes. Only one observer was use during the first winter (1999-2000), whereas a double-observer count followed by a next morning ground-truth count was established during the second winter (2000-2001). For both winters, December through February surveys exceeded 15,000 individuals. The only exception was during early January, when an appreciable drop in numbers occurred during both years. The fidelity to night roosts and seasonal fluctuations in cormorant numbers between and within the 2 wintering seasons are of interest because of the extrinsic variables, such as water and forage availability, may differ across spatial and temporal scales. Also, baseline population trend data are important in conducting field research to compare between years, to measure density-dependent variables, and to provide a valuable tool in assessing cormorant population changes that may occur with future management strategies adopted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.