Subject: seabirds and tides
Date: Nov 29 17:32:03 2002
From: Michael Donahue - mgd at u.washington.edu


I have pondered this question many times. I've been to Westpoint in Discovery Park and Point No Point when they were swarming with birds, and other days when bird numbers were dismal. I've often wondered what role the tides, in particular an incoming or outgoing tide, played into seabird distribution and activity. As Brian Bell pointed out, it is probably related to food availability. Tides move a great deal of nutrients and organisms around, as well as modifying the microhabitat (such as creating/obliterating hiding places; water clarity and depth) which would effect the distribution of food for seabirds.

Mike Donahue
Seattle
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