The Marbled Murrelet is a small seabird, which flies inland to nest. Commonly sea birds nest in colonies making it easy to locate their nesting areas. Murrelets however, are rather elusive and have proven to be difficult to find and count. They are solitary nesters laying one egg each season. Finding nests is hampered by the fact that they don't actually construct a nest but rather settle in moss in the limbs of trees.
The Marbled Murrelet was listed as threatened by the Committee on Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada in 1993 and this status remains. They have also been designated within the forest practices code as requiring special consideration and protection. The high rate of loss of nesting habitat in coastal old growth forests is sited as one of the main causes of the birds decline.
"I have seen no bird as closely tied to a forest type. They are entirely dependent on old-growth." (Biologist C.J. Ralph)
Murraletes can be distinguished from other birds by their fast flight speed. Thus to count them scientists locate near nesting areas during breeding season and track the birds with radar as they feed.
The premise of this study is to determine the areas of Vancouver Island in which scientists might look for this Marbled Murrelets to do a detailed count. These birds have a very specific habitat. They nest in the moss on the limbs of old growth trees typically Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock. They feed on and provide for their young with small fish (sand lance, smelt, herring and crustaceans) and therefore nest near the ocean. Estimates of inland travel vary but range up to 70 km.
