- An Overview

	The study, the species and the locale Discovery of a colony and the beginning of a long-term study A seabird generalist at home in the arctic A nearshore environment dominated by ice and snow
	Important Findings from the Cooper Island colony A trend to earlier egg-laying as the short arctic summer becomes longer After rapid growth in the 1970s and 1980s colony size declines as warming accelerates in the western Arctic
	Report on 2005 field season An April visit to clean up after a polar bear and attend an Army Corps meeting in Barrow Arctic Ocean experiences a record ice retreat but local conditions good for guillemots and puffins The year marks the start of a collaboration with the University of Manitoba and also brings physical scientists to the island Political and media interest in northern Alaska, climate change and Cooper Island
	Report on 2004 field season An early spring visit to protect guillemot nest boxes A wet and warm early summer with increases in both Black Guillemots and Horned Puffin populations Nestlings die as pack ice retreats and Horned Puffins prospect nest sites Public Outreach
	Report on 2003 field season Pre-Field Season Brings a Cabin and an Interest in Island Sediments Early Summer Weather Includes Thunder, Hail and Record Rainfall Disappearing Pack Ice Results in Widespread Nestling Mortality
	Report on 2002 field season Exceptionally early melt of snow and breakup of sea ice Early egg laying and increase in number of breeding birds Mid-August storm pushes pack ice offshore and leaves Polar Bears on the beach.

Reasons why Black Guillemots are a sensitive monitor of the arctic environment

Scientific Presentations ­

Pacific Seabird Group Annual Meeting - January 2004
Enhancing Decision-Making through Integrated Climate Research: Alaska Region Meeting - February 2004
Alaska Bird Conference - March 2004

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