Birds recorded at Langara Island, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, 1970 and 1971, augmented by records of early naturalists

Spencer G. Sealy

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2; email: Spencer.Sealy@umanitoba.ca

Abstract: Located at the northwest corner of Haida Gwaii (formerly Queen Charlotte Islands), Langara Island, and nearby Cox Island and Lucy Island, have been visited by naturalists since the early 1900s, primarily to collect eggs of Peale’s Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus pealei) and of Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) and other seabirds. Most workers also left permanent records of observations, many backed by specimens. Visits of a few days or weeks eventually gave rise to studies of mammalian evolution, falcons and seabirds. In 1970 and 1971, incidental to studies of seabird ecology, and augmented by the work of early naturalists, I documented 128 species of birds, including 2 hypothetical species. Breeding was confirmed for 29 species, and probable or possible breeding for 15 species. Observations spanned early spring through late summer, and spring migration was documented for several species. Notes on habitat, behaviour and foraging of several species rounded out many species accounts. Status of several historic seabird colonies was updated.

Key Words: avifauna, breeding, colony status, egg dates, spring migration, specimens, straggler.

PDFiconSealy, S. G. 2021. Birds recorded at Langara Island, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, 1970 and 1971, augmented by records of early naturalists. British Columbia Birds 31:2–25. First published on-line May 2020.

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