Despite listing as a sensitive Species of Concern, the breeding status and biology of Flammulated Owls (Otus flammeolus  =  Psiloscops flammeolus) has been little studied in Montana. Compared to occurrence, breeding evidence is minimal. As of 2012, 664 records of Flammulated Owls existed in the Montana Natural Heritage Program database: 23 breeding and 641 occurrence records. From 2008 through 2012, we monitored 57 trees containing 131 cavities in 13 Flammulated Owl territories and documented 7 nests. We also documented the first tangible evidence of site fidelity by both sexes in Montana. Long-term, rigorous study of breeding biology and habitat is urgently needed to develop complete, accurate, and robust models for habitat management, and ultimately conservation of this migratory, forest-dwelling owl in Montana.

The Long-toed Salamander, Western Toad, Boreal Chorus Frog, Columbia Spotted Frog, and Wood Frog are known to occur in British Columbia north of 57°N, a remote region that has received only sparse attention with regard to amphibian surveys. It is unclear whether range limits and gaps in the ranges of species reflect the actual absence of a particular species, or are due to an absence of data. To assess this state of affairs, published and unpublished data from several sources, including my own surveys and incidental observations submitted to me by others, were compiled to more fully understand the ranges of amphibians in northern British Columbia.

Standardized sight-resight data of Humpback Whales () in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, Alaska, have been collected since 1985. We applied closed robust design capture-recapture models to these data to provide inferences about: (1) population size; (2) population growth rate; (3) apparent survival rate; and (4) temporary emigration rate in the region during 1985–2009, while accounting for imperfect detection probability. Population size estimates ranged from a low of 49.8 (95% CI: 44.3–64.4) in 1986 to a high of 181.1 (95% CI: 173.5–196.2) in 2009, and the geometric mean of year-to-year changes in abundance suggested a rate of population growth over the 25-y period of about 4.4%/y. We estimated the annual survival rate to be 0.948 (95% CI: 0.936–0.957). We estimated the probability of temporarily emigrating from the study area to be 0.106 (95% CI: 0.086–0.128), and the probability of a temporary emigrant remaining outside the study area as 0.777 (95% CI: 0.712–0.830). Our results provide new insights into the status and dynamics of this endangered species in and around a large marine protected area and highlight the value of intensive long-term population monitoring efforts.

Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) are the most common and widely distributed pinniped in Washington State coastal waters. Serving as sentinels of marine ecosystem health, stranded animals are useful in detecting environmental disease and contaminant levels. From 2004 to 2010, we examined mortality rates and causes of death of Harbor Seal pups at Smith Island, a principal haulout site in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, Washington, conducting 21 site surveys during the pupping season (June through August). We documented and externally examined 245 dead pups and of these, 72 were deemed suitable for more detailed internal examination and were collected for necropsy to determine cause of death. Minimum estimated neonatal mortality varied widely by year and ranged from 3 to 25%. The highest number of dead pups, nearly half of the total for the study, were found in 2005; this was also the year with the highest estimate of pups born and highest proportion of pups born that were documented dying. Infection was the leading primary cause of death in most years including 2005, when 40% of the pups died from an infectious process. The 2nd leading cause of death was malnutrition; other causes included prematurity and dystocia. This study documents some of the major annual differences that can occur in both mortality rates and causes of death in Harbor Seals.

We collated between 22 and 26 observations of family groups of Ancient Murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus) between 11 June and 31 July 1949–2009, off northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, 110–350 km south of the nearest colony and up to 115 km offshore. These occurrences are consistent with a relatively short, southern, nearshore extension of normal clockwise movements of groups in regular at-sea rearing areas in southern Hecate Strait and northern Queen Charlotte Sound. Movements may be facilitated in some years by intensification of the relatively weak, residual currents (approximately 0.10 m/s) or by intensification of the moderately strong northwesterly winds in early summer. Two nests reported at Triangle Island off northern Vancouver Island in 1949 may have involved isolated pairs or a small remnant population, as breeding has not been reported since, or on surveys of colonies in June–July elsewhere on the northern coasts of Vancouver Island, from 1954 to 1988. These surveys, however, were too late for optimal detection of active nests of Ancient Murrelets, but no other signs of breeding were found. Surveys of potential habitat are required to confirm the lack of current breeding.

We collated 25–30 observations of family groups of Ancient Murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus) between 23 May and 25 July 1988–2011 from southwest Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to central Oregon, 450–970 km south of the nearest breeding colony on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. We proposed 2 hypotheses in explanation of the presence of these groups this far south: (1) rapid long-distance movements by swimming, assisted by strong currents, from colonies on Haida Gwaii (“rapid transport” hypothesis); or (2) undetected local breeding by small numbers of pairs at nearby southern locations (“southern nesting” hypothesis). Far-south groups were generally consistent with relatively long, southern, offshore movements from rearing areas in northern Queen Charlotte Sound, initially with more rapid southward transport by relatively strong (approximately 0.25 m/s) shelf-break currents and strong westerly winds off Vancouver Island in early summer, followed by movement inshore, supporting the rapid transport hypothesis. Nesting was reported at Carroll Island, Washington, in 1924, but apparently by an isolated pair. No evidence of breeding was recorded during seabird colony surveys on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island in 1967–1998 or on the northwest coast of Washington in 1959–1986, although most surveys were conducted June-July, too late for optimal detection of Ancient Murrelets, and some islands on the Washington coast were incompletely examined. Support for the southern nesting hypothesis is lacking but appropriately timed surveys of islands off the northwest Olympic Peninsula are needed to document any limited nesting in this area.