Egegik Bay

Egegik Bay is the most easterly of the seven prominent estuaries that occur along the north side of the Alaska Peninsula. It is fed by the Egegik and King Salmon rivers and is partially enclosed from Bristol Bay by a 7 km-long sand spit (South Spit) that extends from the south across the mouth of the bay. About 54 km of intertidal flats occur within the bay, mostly along the south side.

The village of Egegik is located on the south shore of the bay, although there are seasonal fish processing facilities located on the opposite shore.

Ornithological Summary

Egegik Bay is an important spring/autumn staging area for waterfowl particularly Steller's eiders and Emperor Geese (more than 1% of total population). Offshore area about 5 km wide at the mouth of the bay opening into Bristol Bay is also very important for the waterfowl (C.Dau, pers. com.).
Information on shorebird use of Egegik Bay is limited; no on-ground assessments have been conducted an aerial surveys have occurred only during late autumn when up to 51,000 Dunlins were recorded on a single survey (Gill & Conant 1979; Gill & King 1980). In September 1997 the area was surveyed specifically for shorebirds during which 32, 188 Bar-tailed Godwits were recorded (Gill & McCaffery, in press). Based on available autumn records and expected use during other portions of the annual cycle, total numbers of shorebirds using this embayment should regularly exceed 100,000 individuals each year. An assessment of spring and summer shorebird use would undoubtedly reveal considerable use by other species, particularly Western Sandpipers.
The area meets criteria of the IBA of global importance.

Total shorebird: year round; >100,000; A4iii

Seasons:
Steller's Eider-Spr/sut staging
Emperor Goose-spr/aut staging
Black Scoter-spr/aut staging
Wht-wgd Scoter-spr/aut staging
Lng-tld Duck-Spr staging
N. Pintail-Spr/aut staging
Bar-tld Godwit-Sum/aut
W. Sndpip-sum/aut
Rk Sndpip-sum/win
Dunlin-aum/aut
Grtr Ylwlegs-aut
LB Dowitcher-aut

Surveys for seaducks conducted 1980-2001

Conservation Issues

Risk of contamination due to petroleum transportation in the area. Increased disturbance due to the construction of cabins in the area. Potential for bycatch of birds as a result of gill net fishery in near shore areas.

Ownership

State of Alaska (Alaska Department of Fish and Game) and Native. Proposed WHSRN Regional Reserve.

Habitat

Intertidal mud/sandflats, Sand spits, Graminoid/sedge meadows, and Sand beach

Shoreline 99 km
Barrier beach/spit 0.5 km
Veget. intertidal 56 km
Unveg. intert. - 54 km