Molting adult Steller's Elders (Polysticta stelleri) were banded at Izembek
Lagoon (1961-1998) and Nelson Lagoon (1995-1997) along the lower Alaska Pe
ninsula to determine breeding distribution and movements. Of 52,985 Steller
's Elders banded, 347 were recovered. The overall low recovery rate may not
be indicative of harvest levels but may be due to low reporting rates of b
ands. Almost all recoveries during summer were from Russia and recovery rat
es did not differ between sexes. We found no evidence that Steller's Elders
molting in specific locations were more likely to be recovered in specific
geographic locations in Russia. Our recoveries suggest that Steller's Elde
rs molting along the Alaska Peninsula were from Russian breeding sites and
from remnant breeding populations in Alaska.