WERC Wildlife Biologist Climbs Offshore Islet

USGS wildlife biologist Emma Kelsey searches for potential Ashy storm-petrel nesting habitat on Piedras Blancas rock, off the California coast. Ashy storm-petrels make their home in burrows and crevices on offshore rocks and islands, and only enter and leave nests under the cover of darkness. USGS scientists are using passive acoustic monitors to record Storm-petrel calls as they return to their burrows at night, to estimate their relative abundance and habitat use. The results of this study will provide land and wildlife managers with an effective, affordable, and repeatable method for monitoring elusive species.