Chapter 12: Daily Patterns of Marbled Murrelet Activity at Inland Sites

Abstract

Patterns in the daily activity of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) at inland sites has been studied throughout their range from California to Alaska. Murrelets are most active at inland sites around dawn, and to a lesser degree, at dusk. Throughout their range, peak levels of activity (detections) occur in the hour around dawn, but detections begin progressively earlier as one moves from south to north, corresponding to changing daylight regimes (e.g., California: 45 minutes before to 75 minutes after sunrise; Alaska: 90 minutes before to 40 minutes after sunrise). Timing of dawn detections also varies seasonally in relation to changing sunrise times. The duration of morning activity periods varies seasonally, being longest (2 hours) during summer and shortest (

Parent Publication

• Ecology and conservation of the Marbled Murrelet

Citation

Naslund, Nancy L.; O’Donnell, Brian P. 1995. Chapter 12: Daily Patterns of Marbled Murrelet Activity at Inland Sites. In: Ralph, C. John; Hunt, George L., Jr.; Raphael, Martin G.; Piatt, John F., Technical Editors. 1995. Ecology and conservation of the Marbled Murrelet. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-152. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 129-134