LATE-SUMMER ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MARINE BIRDS IN KASEGALUK-LAGOON, CHUKCHI SEA, ALASKA

Oil and gas drilling programs in the Alaska Chukchi Sea were carried o ut on leases offshore from Kasegaluk Lagoon in 1989-91, and further ex ploration and development activities in this area are likely in future years. We conducted aerial surveys between late July and early Septem ber 1989-91 to determine the distribution and abundance of marine bird s in the Kasegaluk Lagoon area. We hypothesized that Kasegaluk Lagoon supported an avifauna similar to that found in other lagoon systems in arctic Alaska. In fact, the richness and diversity of bird species us ing Kasegaluk Lagoon were greater than in lagoon systems in the Beaufo rt Sea. Brant (Branta bernicla) was the most abundant species in Kaseg aluk Lagoon compared to lagoons in the Beaufort Sea, where the Oldsqua w (Clangula hyemalis) is the dominant species. Several other species o r species groups, such as Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus), Arctic Te m (Sterna paradisaea), small shorebirds (mainly Calidris and Phalaropu s), and Lesser Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) were also relatively abu ndant in Kasegaluk Lagoon.