Suspected long-term population increases in Common Eiders, Somateria mollissima, on the mid-Labrador coast, 1980, 1994, and 2006

Abstract

Aerial surveys for adult male Common Eiders, Somateria mollissima, were flown on the Labrador coast during June 2006. This information was then compared with aerial counts of adult male Common Eiders collected in 1980 and 1994. For each survey year, data were grouped and paired by coastal block and were analyzed for population trends. Overall, the observed counts of adult male Common Eiders increased by 244% between 1980 and 2006. Much of this increase seemed to occur in the southern region of the study area.