Oregon Coast Seabird Colony Counts from Aerial Surveys, 1988-2014

Aerial photographic surveys of surface-nesting seabirds along the Oregon coast, conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The data includes census counts for years 1988, 1994, 2006, and 2014, plus a subsample of 45 colonies counted across nine survey years. Raw counts from non-georeferenced images are archived, with processed data available in a separate authoritative catalog.

Use Cases

• Analyze long-term population trends for common murres based on census and subsample years mentioned in the description
• Monitor nesting colony distribution and size along the Oregon coast using aerial imagery data
• Validate statistical sampling designs for wildlife surveys based on the described subsampling approach of 45 colonies
• Compare raw, non-georeferenced point counts with processed, authoritative catalog data for methodological research

Strengths

• Includes census data for four specific years: 1988, 1994, 2006, and 2014
• Subsample counts cover nine survey years across 45 colonies, providing a longitudinal series
• Data is part of a formal monitoring program managed by the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Limitations

• Raw point counts are not registered to geospatial coordinates, limiting direct spatial analysis
• The subsample was selected based on common murre populations, so inferences about Brandt's cormorants require additional sampling
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download

Provenance

Source

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Collection Method

Aerial photographic surveys, with counts done manually from projected slides or digitally in GIS

Time Range

1988 to 2014

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-04 08:05:39.328405; freshness should be verified

Geography

Oregon coast offshore islands