[obol] More about White Fulmars--High % Also in 2000

[Range Bayer]

Hi,

   In reviewing my incomplete compilation about the Oct.-Dec. 2003 fulmar
die-off, I discovered more data on the proportion of light-phase
fulmars, in addition to Bob Loeffel's data that he tabulated and that I
posted on Dec. 1.  These data indicate that the proportion of
light-phase varies and has also been high in the past.  So this year's
high percentage of light fulmars may not be as unprecedented as we may
think.

    In late 2000, Phil Pickering estimated that 20-60% of fulmars were
light-phase during seven Boiler Bay seawatches, so a high percentage
of live, light fulmars have been seen before.

    Bob Loeffel's beached bird results show that the percentage of
white-phase (light and double-light) fulmars is often less than 10%,
but in 1995, 2000, and 2006-2007 was 20-35% (Table 1).

-------------------------------------------
TABLE 1.  Percentage of white-phase (light and double-light) fulmars found
by Bob Loeffel's team along 4.6 miles of beach north of Ona Beach. 
Results are summed for a year (Total) or for a sample during
October-December (Sample).  With additional analyses, results may be
available for other years.
-------------------------------------------
        Beached
        Fulmars______   %
Year    Total  Sample  White
-------------------------------------------
1990      -      52      4

1992      -      59      3

1995      -      93     23

2000      -      54     35

2003    275       -      5
2004     61       -      7
2005    206       -     11
2006     37       -     20
2007*   202*      -     35* (Of 146 fulmars in Nov. 2007, 44% were white.)

*  2007 is incomplete and is for January-November 2007.
-------------------------------------------

    Cheers,

Range Bayer, Newport