You can use it for research or reference. To access the current information, please visit NatureCounts - The State of Canada’s Birds (external link).
The most reliable source of data for Ancient Murrelet populations in Canada is from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Seabird Colony Monitoring Program. Population trends are monitored at several of the largest breeding colonies by conducting burrow counts at fixed plots and estimating occupancy rates. Recent management efforts have been successful and populations are now increasing in abundance at a number of colonies (Gaston and Shoji 2010). Overall, the population’s abundance appears, at least at the larger colonies, to have increased moderately relative to 1970 (see below), although abundance remains below historic levels in the region (Gaston et al. 2009), some colonies remain deserted, and others show recent declines (L. Wilson, pers. comm.). Because changes in abundance are rapid given eradication or reappearance of predators, and current data are lacking for several colonies, this assessment is considered only moderately reliable. The national population goal is based on the Management Plan, which specifies the maintenance or increase of the current breeding population (~512,000 individuals; ECCC 2018). The Ancient Murrelet population is considered to be below acceptable levels until it is de-listed under the Species at Risk Act.
Additional information on: Seabird Colony Monitoring Program
