DISTRIBUTION OF SEABIRDS IN THE NORTHERN GULF-OF-MEXICO IN RELATION TO MESOSCALE FEATURES - INITIAL OBSERVATIONS

The presence of seabirds was related to offshore surface eddies and th e freshwater plume of the Mississippi River in the northern Gulf of Me xico during autumn, winter, spring, and summer 1992-1993. Skuas (Sterc orarius spp.) were the most common bird seen in autumn, whereas skuas and gulls (Larus spp.) were the most common in winter. Few birds were seen in the spring, and terns (Sterna spp.) were the most common birds seen in late summer. During summer, terns were associated with the fr eshwater plume of the Mississippi River. In the winter, herring (Larus argentatus) and laughing gulls (L. artricilla) were associated with a reas with steep thermoclines, while pomarine skuas (Srercorarius pomar inus) were found in areas of low productivity. Herring and laughing gu lls in the winter, all birds in the spring, and terns in the summer we re more common outside eddies. Only pomarine skuas in the winter were seen more commonly inside warm-core eddies. (C) 1997 US Government.