Laughing gulls no match for rising seas
By Bryan Watts
click here for full story:
http://www.ccbbirds.org/2013/11/18/laughing-gulls-match-rising-seas/
In one of the most dramatic responses to sea-level rise to date, laughing gulls
within a historic stronghold along the Lower Delmarva Peninsula have collapsed
in less than a decade. A recent survey conducted by the Center for
Conservation Biology has revealed that the population declined from more than
25,000 to less than 4,400 breeding pairs between 2003 and 2013.
Stable for decades, the breeding population began to experience notable
problems in the early 2000s when significant tidal events repeatedly washed out
eggs and nests. Since that time, tidal disturbance appears to have pushed the
population beyond a tipping point. Because the marsh islands used for nesting
have little topographic relief, nearly the entire system was impacted
simultaneously and the space used for nesting declined by more than 85%. Now,
historic landmarks such as Gull Marsh and Egg Island named for the breeding
birds no longer support them.
Unlike herring and great black-backed gulls that have expanded their breeding
range into the mid-Atlantic region over the past half century, laughing gulls
have bred along the coast throughout recorded history. Breeding birds feed on
a wide variety of prey but consume a large number of insects, many of which are
agricultural pests. The species migrates to winter grounds in Central America,
returning in April and May to historic breeding areas. For millions of
Americans living along the outer coast, the raucous call of the laughing gull
is one of the most familiar sounds of spring.
Historically, laughing gulls have been the most numerous seabird nesting within
the mid-Atlantic region. The Center for Conservation Biology along with agency
and nonprofit partners has surveyed the population periodically since the early
1980s.
Michael Wilson
Center for Conservation Biology
College of William and Mary & Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
phone: 757-221-1649
fax: 757-221-1650
email: mdwils@xxxxxx
web: www.ccbbirds.org
