How we found Haida Gwaii's first marbled murrelet nest in more than 30 years
Scrambling through dense salal in the dark, weaving between the majestic western red cedars of northern Haida Gwaii, I could barely imagine where we were just days before—crossing Dixon Entrance off the coast in an open skiff, pushing head-on through ocean swells and salt spray.
Researchers uncovered Haida Gwaii's initial marbled murrelet nest in over three decades, marking the second confirmed nest on the island. These small, ocean-dependent birds, resembling robins, nest in ancient forests inland, far from their coastal habitats. The marbled murrelet's feathers transform seasonally, blending into the forest during breeding and turning black-and-white for oceanic life.
Over the past century, old-growth forests have dwindled, reducing nesting sites, while changing ocean conditions have affected their marine food supply. This discovery, made in northern Haida Gwaii, sheds light on the delicate balance between marbled murrelets' marine and terrestrial environments, highlighting the urgency of conservation efforts for this threatened species.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
