Avian Management
Birds / Marine Mammals / Plants / Other

By 1975 cats and rabbits were eliminated from the island. Although over 400 species of birds have been identified on the island; the island is truly a seabird colony. In fact the Farallons are the largest nesting colony south of Alaska with 250,000 birds of 13 species nesting on the refuge’s 211 acres. Cassin’s and Rhinoceros auklets, western gulls, pigeon guillemot, ashy and Leach’s storm-petrels, tufted puffins, common murres, and black oystercatchers all nest on the Farallons with Brandt’s, double-crested, and pelagic cormorants. Forked-tailed storm-petrels may also nest on the island.

Biologists on the refuge monitor population levels and breeding success of nesting seabirds each summer. They monitor diet by collecting samples and observing feeding from blinds. Western gulls are notorious for defending their territories, killing any bird that strays to close including chicks of neighbors. They also readily attack biologists who wear hard hats and rain gear in the summer for protection against gulls.

While the seabird season winds down in August, the land bird migration is gearing up. Over 400 birds have been identified on the island and many are the only California sightings. The fall biologists net and band birds before sending them on their way. The few trees located on the island act as bird magnets and help biologists sight and capture the birds. Most of these trees grow on the leeward of the two houses on the island, providing biologists with outstanding birding from the inside of the house.

Farallon National Wildlife Refuge Bird List in (PDF)
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