Effects of human disturbance on a burrow nesting seabird

Resumen

During 2004, we followed 72 natural burrows to determine the effects of disturbance on breeding success
of Cassin’s auklets (Ptychoramphus aleuticus). We used distance from a human settlement or path in the analysis of
disturbance. Birds whose burrows were closer to the path or the village had a higher rate of nest abandonment and lower
breeding success compared to birds nesting further away from the path or the village. Also, older and more experienced
individuals represented a larger proportion of the breeding population on less disturbed areas than on highly disturbed
ones, probably as older individuals tend to arrive earlier at the breeding grounds, and failed breeders may change burrow
sites to move away from disturbance. P. aleuticus are adversely affected by human activity at colonies even if birds are
not handled and burrows are not opened, and this has implications for conservation, and planning of ecotourism. On the
long term, this can have negative consequences for this species and others with similar characteristics.