Dickson & Gaston (2024)

Author Information

Rian Dickson and Anthony Gaston: Laskeek Bay Conservation Society

The Laskeek Bay Conservation Society (LBCS), based in Skidegate, BC, completed their 34th field season (May 5–July 21) of monitoring marine and terrestrial ecology in Laskeek Bay, Haida Gwaii. Rian Dickson and Matthew Peck, assisted by Max Nishima, coordinated the various research and monitoring projects at the field station on East Limestone Island, including Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) nestbox monitoring, Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) colony censuses, Black Oystercatcher surveys, and automated recording unit (ARU) detection of Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus), Fork-tailed Storm-petrel (Hydrobates furcatus), and Cassin’s Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus). Five boat surveys for seabirds were conducted throughout the season, monitoring trends of at-sea Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) and other seabirds. 

In recent years, monitoring of Ancient Murrelet chick departures from the East Limestone Island colony has occurred on a biennial schedule. Chick numbers will be monitored again in 2024, using thermal motion cameras, as has been done since 2019. LBCS continues to do Ancient Murrelet gathering ground counts during May and June every year. Black Oystercatcher surveys were completed in Laskeek Bay and Gwaii Haanas in early June and early July. In Laskeek Bay, 47 occupied territories were found, with 44 active (evidence of eggs and/or chicks) and in Gwaii Haanas there were 114 active territories of the 116 that were occupied.  

Many volunteer and student assistants joined the field staff this season, and there were visits from local school and tour groups, who learned about seabird biology, local ecology, and conservation issues. The Laskeek Bay Conservation Society is a non-profit organization, with a volunteer board of directors. Dr. Anthony Gaston serves as the society’s Science Director.