United States
£ GBP
Marine Birds of the Eastern United States and the Bay of Fundy reviews the distribution and numbers of 83 marine species (31 breeding species) that occur regularly along the east coast of the US, in the Bay of Fundy, or in waters of the continental shelf. It assesses trends in numbers since 1970, threats, and research and conservation needs. It compiles data from many published and unpublished sources and has a bibliography of more than 600 entries, which should make it an invaluable reference work.
The introduction discusses the definition of Marine Birds, physical setting and oceanography, general patterns of seabird distribution, historical perspective, sources of information, and time frame, which is followed by individual species accounts. Threats covers climate change, human development of coastline, threats on foreign breeding sites, interactions with fisheries, hunting, human disturbance, human-enhanced predation, large gulls, offshore wind turbines, oil spills, toxic chemicals, plastics and other artifacts, diseases and biological toxins. Recommendations for Research and Management closes the main text. Appendices include Scientific names, Gazetteer, and List of Vagrant Species Recorded, plus Literature Cited.
"[...] Overall, this valuable work provides an essential and longawaited assessment of long-term trends of marine birds in this region, as well as a careful consideration of the major threats to these species. [...] If you work on marine birds on the Atlantic coast, I wouldsuggest you get yourself a copy now. You will probably reach for it often."
– Iain Stenhouse, Marine Ornithology 44
"This compilation is essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in marine birds of eastern North America. [...] This book is a magnificent achievement that should interest ornithologists on both sides of the Atlantic, given the pan-Atlantic distribution of so many of the species covered."
– A.W. Diamond, Ibis (2014), 156, 478–489
