| Summary: | Marine bird specimen, marine bird sighting, and other data were collected from the NOAA Ship SURVEYOR from 24 July 1979 to 19 November 1982. Data were collected by the University of California (UC) as part of the Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program (OCSEAP). Data were processed by NODC to the NODC standard F031 Marine Bird Specimen and Feeding Studies and the F033 Marine Bird Sighting, Ship/Aircraft Census formats. Full format descriptions are available from the NODC homepage at www.nodc.noaa.gov/. An analog file for this accession is available from NODC user services. The F031 format contains data from laboratory examination of marine bird specimens collected in the field and analysis of food sample contents to determine prey species and characteristics. These data provide information on population dynamics and trophic relationships. Position, date and time are reported for each sample station, along with environmental data at the sample site including ice conditions, if appropriate. Environmental data may include air temperature and pressure, wind direction and speed, sea surface temperature, tide conditions and habitat and microenvironment descriptors. Species identification, general biological condition (e.g., age, sex, color), weight, and body dimensions are reported for each specimen (multiple specimens may be collected at each sample site). If food samples are taken, food sample source and characteristics are reported. From food sample analysis, prey species are identified and for each such species further detailed data may be presented including frequency distribution of prey or prey part length and weight. The F033 format contains data from field observations of marine birds made along ship or aircraft survey tracks. These data are collected to provide information on population density and distribution. Start and end position, date and elapsed time, speed and course, platform type and observing techniques are reported for each survey. Environmental information may include meteorological and sea surface conditions, distances to the shoreline and shelf break, ice characteristics within and outside each transect and surface debris, including oil slicks. Species data may include age, sex, color, plumage, number of individuals, direction of flight, behavior and food source association. Any number of species may be reported within one observation time span.
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