Harlequin Ducks
Prince William Sound

This study was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game with contributions from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustees Council, North American Sea Duck Joint Venture, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U. S. Geological Survey-Biological Resources Division.

Introduction
In 1989, large numbers of harlequin ducks died in western Prince William Sound, Alaska as a direct result of oil exposure following the Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS). Post-spill studies report a decline in the number and productivity of harlequin ducks inhabiting oiled areas. The high incidence of adult mortality directly following the oil spill coupled with successive years of poor production predisposed harlequin ducks in western Prince William Sound to either a prolonged period of recovery, or a continued decline in numbers.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game Waterfowl Program has monitored the harlequin duck population in Prince William Sound since the spill. Results from our boat surveys of near shore habitats during the spring, summer, fall and winter indicate that harlequin ducks may have not yet recovered from the effects of oil (see Harlequin Recovery). To understand more completely the geographic range of harlequin ducks during the nesting, molting and winter periods we deployed satellite transmitters on adult males captured during March in 2001 and 2002.

Click on the bird identification numbers below for a detailed history of each duck's movements.