K 1999 Summary Age: 4 years Puffin K is one of 15 chicks produced by transplanted puffins EN94 (1979) and Y54 (1977), two of Eastern Egg Rock’s pioneer puffins. K was first seen on June 6th, just two days after researchers arrived
to open the 1999 season at Eastern Egg Rock. This bird was loafing
(a typical behavior of sitting or standing on boulders) on the boulders
near burrow number 3, where it hatched in 1995. Burrow 3 is
directly in front of ‘Prudential Tower’, the tall blind at the southern-most
end of the island.
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K was observed on several occasions in the vicinity of its
natal burrow and was once observed being driven off by its father, Y54,
when K came to close to MR314, with whom Y54 seemed intent on establishing
a relationship.
On July 16th K was seen arriving at burrow #44 with “many fish” in its beak, according to the Egg Rock research journal. This was an auspicious occasion on the island and for Project Puffin, marking the first confirmed evidence of second generation puffins breeding on Eastern Egg Rock. K had been observed at Egg Rock during 1997 and 1998 and while it is likely that offspring of other puffins transplanted to the island have returned and nested here, this is the first indisputable proof. K’s mate was observed arriving with a beak full of fish three days later, allowing us to establish the mate’s identity as U47. The pair continued providing feedings throughout the remainder of the research season. The last observed feeding was recorded on August 6, which also marked the 21st day of feedings, a bench mark date used by the project for considering a nesting pair successful. K was last seen at Eastern Egg Rock on July 30th while arriving with a feeding. We are looking forward to K’s return next season and the continuation of this important lineage on Eastern Egg Rock. |
Bicolor 76 (BI76) Summary 1999 Age: 21 years BI76 was identified for the first time this season on Thursday June
10th, just four days after the research staff arrived on Eastern Egg Rock.
This is almost four weeks earlier than BI76 was first seen last season,
when his previous mate, U11, failed to return. Not mating last season
might explain BI76’s early arrival this year, attempting to find a new
mate. Although that did not happen, he was very active prospecting
at his former burrow, #23.
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Although an unknown puffin (banded, but unconfirmed number,
in this case probably MR314) and an unbanded puffin nested in #23 this
season, BI76 was still observed entering and exiting the burrow several
times, even after feedings had begun on June 21st. His presence was
accepted amiably enough though, as researchers never witnessed a confrontation
of any sort on the occasion of BI76’s visits. July eighth was the
last time BI76 was seen emerging from burrow #23 but he remained in the
vicinity during the remainder of the summer, often loafing on the boulders
nearby.
BI76 has been an active member of the Egg Rock colony for two decades and he seems intent on maintaining his reproductive success as exhibited by his active interest in burrow #23. Now at the end of two seasons without a mate or offspring, it will be interesting to monitor BI76 next season. BI76 has had a tumultuous mating history recently, producing chicks only twice in the past six years. This is in contrast to a steady string of success parenting from 1986 through 1992. Although not short for mates, having paired with five different individuals over his adult life, BI76 seems to be engaging in short term pairings rather than one long term pairing which is more common for Atlantic Puffins. |
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