Since the marbled murrelet has been found to nest in coniferous forests (Binford et al. 1975), traditional census techniques are unsuitable. This species is common in southeastern Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959), in British Columbia (Drent and Guiguet 1961), and in Washington (Jewett et al. 1953).
Kittlitz's Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris)
The difficulties in assessing breeding populations of Kittlitz's murrelet are the same as those for the marbled murrelet. This species nests on the ground at high elevation near the coast (Bailey 1973). The largest concentrations are in the vicinity of Glacier Bay National Monument (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). They are not found breeding in Washington or British Columbia.
Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus)
Ancient murrelets appear to be locally common throughout southeastern Alaska. Their presence is probably strongly dependent upon a suitable soil in which to excavate burrows. The only available population estimates are those by Willett (1915) for Forrester Island (Table 1). Censusing this species is especially difficult because its burrows are easily confused with those of Cassin's auklet. There are no studies of this species in southeastern Alaska; however, it has been well studied in the Queen Charlotte Islands to the south by Sealy (1975).
Cassin's Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus)
A synthesis of literature and unpublished observations led Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) to conclude that Cassin's auklet has greatly decreased in numbers and is not abundant anywhere in Alaska. They also concluded that the colony on Forrester Island (Table 1) was the only well-documented colony in southeastern Alaska. Fishermen in the southeastern Alaska area occasionally see this species (M. E. Isleib, personal communication), but it is apparently still uncommon though more widespread than just Forrester Island. The nocturnal habits and burrowing in dense vegetation makes censusing this species very difficult. Nothing is known about the ecology of this species in Alaska.
Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata)
Rhinoceros auklets seem to be found breeding only on islands where there is a well-developed soil in which to excavate their extensive burrows. From the limited evidence available, it appears that the largest rhinoceros auklet populations probably are to be found in southeastern Alaska. Willett (1912) found a very large population on Forrester Island (Table 2), and the species has been found in the summer in the Barren Islands east of Kodiak Island (E. P. Bailey, personal communication). More intensive surveys of the Alexander Archipelago will probably reveal other populations of this species.