Seabird Survey Observations from RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer during cruises NBP0103, NBP0104, NBP0202, and NBP0204 in the Southern Ocean from 2001-2002 (SOGLOBEC project) (NCEI Accession 0112819)

PI Notes:
Time and Yearday can be used in conjunction with alongtrack data [https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/2345] to find latitude, longitude and ship's heading information.

Species Codes
Common Name Code Scientific Name
Adelie Penguin adpe Pygoscelis adeliae
Antarctic Petrel anpe Thalassoica antarctica
Broadbilled (Antarctic) Prion anpe Pachyptila vittata (des.)
Antarctic Tern ante Sterna vittata
Black-browed Albatross bbal Diomedea melanophris
Black-bellied Storm-petrel bbsp Fregetta tropica
Imperial Shag (Blue-eyed Shag) besh Phalacrocorax atriceps
Blue Petrel blpe Halobaena caerulea
Antarctic (Brown) Skua brsk Catharacta (skua) lonnbergi
Cape Petrel ('Pintado Petrel') cape Daption capense
Chinstrap Penguin chpe Pygoscelis antarctica
Crabeater Seal crse Lobodon carcinophagus
Elephant Seal else Mirounga leonina
Emperor Penguin empe Aptenodytes forsteri
Antarctic Fur Seal fuse Arctocephalus gazella
Grey-headed Albatross ghal Diomedea chrysostoma
Humpback Whale huwh Megaptera novaeangliae
Dominican Gull (Kelp Gull) kegu Larus dominicanus
Leopard Seal lese Hydrurga leptonyx
Minke Whale miwh Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Ross Seal rose Ommatophoca rossi
Southern Giant Petrel sgpe Macronectes giganteus
Snow Petrel snpe Pagodroma nivea
Southern Fulmar sofu Fulmarus glacialoides
Sooty Shearwater sosh Puffinus griseus
South Polar Skua spsk Catharacta maccormicki
Unknown Albatross unal nd
Unidentified Petrel unpe nd
Unidentified Prion unpr nd
Unidentified Seal unse nd
unidentified large Skua unsk nd
Unidentified storm-petrel unsp nd
Unidentified Whale unwh nd
Weddell Seal wese Leptonychotes weddellii
Wilsons Storm-petrel wisp Oceanites oceanicus

Behavior Codes
Code Description Explanation
1 Feeding Birds or seals observed handling foods or birds attempting to catch food
2 Milling Birds observed foraging or circling
3 In transit Birds or seals moving in a direct line in a definite direction
4 Resting on Ice Applies to both birds and seals
5 Resting on Water Applies to both birds and seals
6 Following Ship Birds only
7 dipping, possible feeding
8 Attracted to ship

Transect Codes
Code Description
3 300 m transect on the port side
6 600 m transect on the port side
0 >600 m on port side
1 Starboard side (No distance limit)

Last updated November 23, 2005; gfh

Acquisition Description:
Seabird abundance and distribution within the SO GLOBEC study area was investigated using daytime and nighttime (using night vision viewers) survey work. We also recorded seal observations made within the transect area. Nighttime surveys were designed to complement daytime surveys.

Seabird Daytime Surveys
Strip transects were conducted simultaneously at 300 m and 600 m widths for birds. Surveys were conducted continuously while the ship was underway within the study area and when visibility was >300 m. For strip transects, two observers continuously scanned a 90� area extending the transect distance (300 m and 600 m) to the side and forward along the transect line. Binoculars of 10X and 7X magnification were used to confirm species identifications. The 7X pair of binoculars also included a laser range finder. Ship followers and bird observed to be attracted to the ship were noted at first occurrence. These observations will be down-weighted in the analyses because these individuals may have been attracted to the ship from habitats at a distance from the ship. For each sighting, transect (300 m or 600 m), species, number of birds, behavior, flight direction, and any association with visible physical features, such as ice, were recorded. Distances were measured either by a range finder device as suggested by Heinemann (1981) or by the laser distance finder (when in the ice). Marine mammal sightings within the transect were also recorded.

Surveys were conducted from an outside observation post located on the port bridge wing of the RVIB N.B. Palmer. When it was not feasible to conduct surveys from this observation post, we surveyed from the inside port bridge wing.

Seabird Nighttime Surveys
ITT 200/210 Binocular Night Vision Viewers were used during one half-hour survey periods while on the survey grid. Surveys were a minimum of an hour apart. Observations were made from the bridge wing during NBP0104 and outside, from a dark area on the 01 deck, during NBP0103. Observers scanned back and forth looking for birds. Species and behavior of the bird was recorded for each observation. Observations were not conducted when visibility with the night vision viewer was less than 100 m from the ship.

In this accession, NCEI has archived multiple versions of these data. The latest (and best) version of these data has the largest version number.