Close up of Common Murre sitting on egg at breeding colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. There are two other murres in the back ground.
Sarah K Schoen
Population and community ecology, foraging biology, conservation, biogeography, animal behavior, food webs, and experiential education.
Professional Experience
2022 – Present Biologist - U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2012 – 2022 Wildlife Biologist - U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2009 – 2012 Wildlife Biologist - Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Juneau, AK
2005 – 2006 Research Technician - Zoology - Alaska Natural Heritage Program, Anchorage, AK
2004 – 2005 Environmental Scientist - HDR Alaska, Inc., Anchorage, AK
Education and Certifications
M.S. 2008 Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID Biology
B.A. 2004 Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA Biology/Environmental Studies
Affiliations and Memberships*
Member, Pacific Seabird Group
Member, Kittlitz's Murrelet Technical Committee
Member, The Wildlife Society
Science and Products
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are the media items associated with this project.
![Close up of Common Murre sitting on egg at breeding colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/DSC_0859ed.jpg?itok=BdN9SC0G)
Close up of Common Murre sitting on egg at breeding colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. There are two other murres in the back ground.
Close up of Common Murre sitting on egg at breeding colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska.
Close up of Common Murre sitting on egg at breeding colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska.
Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska
Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska
Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska
Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska
![A Peregrine Falcon flies off with a Black-legged Kittiwake from its colony at Gull Island, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_8045edited.jpg?itok=amvj8cHy)
A Peregrine Falcon flies off with a Black-legged Kittiwake from its colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
A Peregrine Falcon flies off with a Black-legged Kittiwake from its colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
![Skinny Common Murre (in foreground) with keel protruding. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/RCNX5816ed_D.jpg?itok=BOSUQtu-)
Skinny Common Murre (in foreground) with keel protruding in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska.
Skinny Common Murre (in foreground) with keel protruding in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska.
![Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding (second from the left) contrasted by normal murres. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_7435ed_C.jpg?itok=lbWLZ5wS)
Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding (second from the left) contrasted by normal murres. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska.
Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding (second from the left) contrasted by normal murres. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska.
![A Black-legged Kittiwake harasses a melanistic (all black) Common Murre forcing it off its rocky ledge breeding site.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/DSC_5679edited_2018.jpg?itok=GQUM1nUK)
A Black-legged Kittiwake harasses a melanistic (all black) Common Murre, forcing it off its breeding site in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, 2018. See related paper published in the Marine Ornithology: Journal of Seabird Research and Conservation at: http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/50_2/50_2_225-22
A Black-legged Kittiwake harasses a melanistic (all black) Common Murre, forcing it off its breeding site in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, 2018. See related paper published in the Marine Ornithology: Journal of Seabird Research and Conservation at: http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/50_2/50_2_225-22
Glaucous-winged Gulls capitalize upon a disturbance at the Gull Island colony in 2018 to grab eggs abandoned by breeding Common Murres. One lone Common Murre continues incubation despite the rest of the colony flushing.
Glaucous-winged Gulls capitalize upon a disturbance at the Gull Island colony in 2018 to grab eggs abandoned by breeding Common Murres. One lone Common Murre continues incubation despite the rest of the colony flushing.
A melanistic (all dark) Common Murre flies above its colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, 2018. See related paper published in the Marine Ornithology: Journal of Seabird Research and Conservation at: http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/50_2/50_2_225-227.pdf.
A melanistic (all dark) Common Murre flies above its colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, 2018. See related paper published in the Marine Ornithology: Journal of Seabird Research and Conservation at: http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/50_2/50_2_225-227.pdf.
Common Murre flying in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska.
Common Murre flying in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska.
![A juvenile Bald Eagle flies away with a young Black-legged Kittiwake chick taken from its nest at Gull Island, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_3679ed.jpg?itok=If7wXxFb)
A juvenile Bald Eagle flies away with a young Black-legged Kittiwake chick taken from its nest at Gull Island, Alaska.
A juvenile Bald Eagle flies away with a young Black-legged Kittiwake chick taken from its nest at Gull Island, Alaska.
![A Northern Fulmar flying in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_5215ed.jpg?itok=82iVtx4H)
Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Common Murres have all been tested for and contained harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems.
Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Common Murres have all been tested for and contained harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems.
![A Northern Fulmar on the water in Lower Cook Inlet](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_5153edit.jpg?itok=0eRMm4Ht)
Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Common Murres have all been tested for and contained harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems.
Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Common Murres have all been tested for and contained harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems.
![A bird swimming on top of the ocean](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/NOFU_offshore_Anchor_Point_7-18-2018_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=g5bep6h3)
A Northern Fulmar on the water offshore of Anchor Point, Cook Inlet on July 18, 2018.
A Northern Fulmar on the water offshore of Anchor Point, Cook Inlet on July 18, 2018.
USGS scientists John Piatt and Mayumi Arimitsu process the catch from a mid-water trawl to collect forage fish and zooplankton in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
USGS scientists John Piatt and Mayumi Arimitsu process the catch from a mid-water trawl to collect forage fish and zooplankton in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
USGS scientists Mayumi Arimitsu and John Piatt deploy a mid-water trawl to collect forage fish and zooplankton in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
USGS scientists Mayumi Arimitsu and John Piatt deploy a mid-water trawl to collect forage fish and zooplankton in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
![Two birds grabbing fish out of the ocean](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/BLKI_forage_Pac_sand_lance_colony_Cook_Inlet_6-28-2018_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=fTrUvoeP)
Black-legged Kittiwakes forage on Pacific sand lance and capelin near their colony on Gull Island, Cook Inlet on June 28, 2018.
Black-legged Kittiwakes forage on Pacific sand lance and capelin near their colony on Gull Island, Cook Inlet on June 28, 2018.
![Black-legged Kittiwakes and Common Murres flush from a Bald Eagle at their breeding colony at Gull Island, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_2818ed.jpg?itok=g8uP7ppy)
Black-legged Kittiwakes and Common Murres flush from a Bald Eagle at their breeding colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
Black-legged Kittiwakes and Common Murres flush from a Bald Eagle at their breeding colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
Brielle Heflin noosing Common Murres off their colony at Gull Island, Alaksa.
Brielle Heflin noosing Common Murres off their colony at Gull Island, Alaksa.
![Common Murres at their breeding colony on Gull Island, Alaska. Four murres have bills open. One sitting on egg.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/DSC_0649ed.jpg?itok=RCPrMZdH)
Common Murres at their breeding colony on Gull Island, Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Four murres have bills open. One sitting on egg.
Common Murres at their breeding colony on Gull Island, Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Four murres have bills open. One sitting on egg.
Below are the publications associated with this project.
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Below are news items associated with this project.
Science and Products
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are the media items associated with this project.
![Close up of Common Murre sitting on egg at breeding colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/DSC_0859ed.jpg?itok=BdN9SC0G)
Close up of Common Murre sitting on egg at breeding colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. There are two other murres in the back ground.
Close up of Common Murre sitting on egg at breeding colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. There are two other murres in the back ground.
Close up of Common Murre sitting on egg at breeding colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska.
Close up of Common Murre sitting on egg at breeding colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska.
Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska
Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska
Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska
Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska
![A Peregrine Falcon flies off with a Black-legged Kittiwake from its colony at Gull Island, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_8045edited.jpg?itok=amvj8cHy)
A Peregrine Falcon flies off with a Black-legged Kittiwake from its colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
A Peregrine Falcon flies off with a Black-legged Kittiwake from its colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
![Skinny Common Murre (in foreground) with keel protruding. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/RCNX5816ed_D.jpg?itok=BOSUQtu-)
Skinny Common Murre (in foreground) with keel protruding in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska.
Skinny Common Murre (in foreground) with keel protruding in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska.
![Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding (second from the left) contrasted by normal murres. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_7435ed_C.jpg?itok=lbWLZ5wS)
Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding (second from the left) contrasted by normal murres. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska.
Skinny Common Murre with keel protruding (second from the left) contrasted by normal murres. Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska.
![A Black-legged Kittiwake harasses a melanistic (all black) Common Murre forcing it off its rocky ledge breeding site.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/DSC_5679edited_2018.jpg?itok=GQUM1nUK)
A Black-legged Kittiwake harasses a melanistic (all black) Common Murre, forcing it off its breeding site in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, 2018. See related paper published in the Marine Ornithology: Journal of Seabird Research and Conservation at: http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/50_2/50_2_225-22
A Black-legged Kittiwake harasses a melanistic (all black) Common Murre, forcing it off its breeding site in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, 2018. See related paper published in the Marine Ornithology: Journal of Seabird Research and Conservation at: http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/50_2/50_2_225-22
Glaucous-winged Gulls capitalize upon a disturbance at the Gull Island colony in 2018 to grab eggs abandoned by breeding Common Murres. One lone Common Murre continues incubation despite the rest of the colony flushing.
Glaucous-winged Gulls capitalize upon a disturbance at the Gull Island colony in 2018 to grab eggs abandoned by breeding Common Murres. One lone Common Murre continues incubation despite the rest of the colony flushing.
A melanistic (all dark) Common Murre flies above its colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, 2018. See related paper published in the Marine Ornithology: Journal of Seabird Research and Conservation at: http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/50_2/50_2_225-227.pdf.
A melanistic (all dark) Common Murre flies above its colony on Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, 2018. See related paper published in the Marine Ornithology: Journal of Seabird Research and Conservation at: http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/50_2/50_2_225-227.pdf.
Common Murre flying in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska.
Common Murre flying in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska.
![A juvenile Bald Eagle flies away with a young Black-legged Kittiwake chick taken from its nest at Gull Island, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_3679ed.jpg?itok=If7wXxFb)
A juvenile Bald Eagle flies away with a young Black-legged Kittiwake chick taken from its nest at Gull Island, Alaska.
A juvenile Bald Eagle flies away with a young Black-legged Kittiwake chick taken from its nest at Gull Island, Alaska.
![A Northern Fulmar flying in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_5215ed.jpg?itok=82iVtx4H)
Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Common Murres have all been tested for and contained harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems.
Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Common Murres have all been tested for and contained harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems.
![A Northern Fulmar on the water in Lower Cook Inlet](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_5153edit.jpg?itok=0eRMm4Ht)
Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Common Murres have all been tested for and contained harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems.
Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Common Murres have all been tested for and contained harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems.
![A bird swimming on top of the ocean](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/NOFU_offshore_Anchor_Point_7-18-2018_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=g5bep6h3)
A Northern Fulmar on the water offshore of Anchor Point, Cook Inlet on July 18, 2018.
A Northern Fulmar on the water offshore of Anchor Point, Cook Inlet on July 18, 2018.
USGS scientists John Piatt and Mayumi Arimitsu process the catch from a mid-water trawl to collect forage fish and zooplankton in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
USGS scientists John Piatt and Mayumi Arimitsu process the catch from a mid-water trawl to collect forage fish and zooplankton in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
USGS scientists Mayumi Arimitsu and John Piatt deploy a mid-water trawl to collect forage fish and zooplankton in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
USGS scientists Mayumi Arimitsu and John Piatt deploy a mid-water trawl to collect forage fish and zooplankton in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
![Two birds grabbing fish out of the ocean](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/BLKI_forage_Pac_sand_lance_colony_Cook_Inlet_6-28-2018_Sarah_Schoen.jpg?itok=fTrUvoeP)
Black-legged Kittiwakes forage on Pacific sand lance and capelin near their colony on Gull Island, Cook Inlet on June 28, 2018.
Black-legged Kittiwakes forage on Pacific sand lance and capelin near their colony on Gull Island, Cook Inlet on June 28, 2018.
![Black-legged Kittiwakes and Common Murres flush from a Bald Eagle at their breeding colony at Gull Island, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_2818ed.jpg?itok=g8uP7ppy)
Black-legged Kittiwakes and Common Murres flush from a Bald Eagle at their breeding colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
Black-legged Kittiwakes and Common Murres flush from a Bald Eagle at their breeding colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
Brielle Heflin noosing Common Murres off their colony at Gull Island, Alaksa.
Brielle Heflin noosing Common Murres off their colony at Gull Island, Alaksa.
![Common Murres at their breeding colony on Gull Island, Alaska. Four murres have bills open. One sitting on egg.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/DSC_0649ed.jpg?itok=RCPrMZdH)
Common Murres at their breeding colony on Gull Island, Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Four murres have bills open. One sitting on egg.
Common Murres at their breeding colony on Gull Island, Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Four murres have bills open. One sitting on egg.
Below are the publications associated with this project.
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Below are news items associated with this project.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government