NODC Standard Format Marine Birds from Coastal Alaska and Puget Sound Data (1975-1980): Marine Bird Sighting, Land Census (F034) (NCEI Accession 0014156)

NODC Standard Marine Bird Sighting, Land Census (F034) is one of a group of seven datasets related to Marine Birds from Coastal Alaska and Puget Sound Data (1975 -1980). Each dataset uses the NODC Taxonomic Code to indicate species.

Marine Bird Sighting, Land Census (F034) contains data from field observations of marine birds made along land survey tracks. These data are collected to provide information on population density and distribution and breeding locales. The contents and structure of data type file are similar to Marine Bird Sighting, Aircraft Census (F033), although the transect distance of land surveys will normally be shorter than that of ship and aircraft surveys. In this data type the investigator defines the lateral dimension of survey distance unit (a specified number of whole meters). Start and end position, date and elapsed time, and number of distance units are reported for each survey. Environmental information may include meteorological and adjacent sea surface conditions, distance to nearest shoreline, ice characteristics, and debris, including oil slicks. Species data may include age, sex, color, plumage, number of individuals, flight direction, behavior, and foodsource association. Any number of species may be reported within one observation time span. These data were collected in 1975 - 1980 for coastal Alaska.