ANIMALS - INDIVIDUAL - COUNTS, SPECIES IDENTIFICATION and ANIMALS - GROUP - BEHAVIOR visual observation data collected in the South Pacific Ocean on the NATHANIEL B. PALMER cruises NBP0103, NBP0104 and others as part of the Southern Ocean GLOBEC p...

The instruments used to collect these data include not applicable. These data were collected by Erik Chapman of Old Dominion University as part of Southern Ocean GLOBEC. The Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO) submitted these data to NODC on 2013-07-23.

The following is the text of the abstract provided by BCO-DMO:

Seabird Survey Observations
PI Notes:
Time and Yearday can be used in conjunction with alongtrack (http:/jg/serv/globec/soglobec/alongtrack.html0) data to find latitude, longitude and ship's heading information.
PI Contact:
Erik Chapman
Old Dominion University
Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography
Norfolk, Virginia 23529
phone 757 377 0482
e-mail chapman@ccpo.odu.edu (mailto:chapman@ccpo.odu.edu)

SO GLOBEC, BG243 Predator Survey Methods
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.
Daytime Surveys
Methods
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
Methods
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.
Literature Cited
Heinemann, D. 1981. A rangefinder for pelagic bird censusing. J. Wildl. Manage. 45:489-493.

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