Site Name: Teshekpuk Lake-E. Dease Inlet
Status: Identified		State: Alaska
Priority: Global		Country: US
Criteria Proposed: A4iv Criteria Confirmed: A4i, B1, B4i, D4i		County: North Slope
Latitude: 70.59361 Longitude: -153.70861	Area (ha): 802807.0	Elevation (m): Min 8.0  Max 37.0  Avg 15.0
Bird Conservation Region: Arctic Plains and Mountains		Endemic Bird Area:
Site Description: This site is located within the Arctic Coastal Plain of the North Slope of Alaska and encompassing much of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area. The coastal region is characterized by many small bays, inlets, lagoons, and one major river delta - the Ikpikpuk River. The topography is generally flat with some rolling hills and cliffs that are usually associated with drainages. A high density of thaw lakes and ponds are also present in this region with the dominant fresh water body being Teshekpuk Lake – the largest lake on the Arctic Coastal Plain. Much of this region is known to support high densities of nesting waterfowl and shorebirds. The large thaw lakes just to the northeast of Teshekpuk Lake support the largest goose molting concentration in the Arctic.
Ornithological Significance: The regions surrounding Teshekpuk Lake and the east side of Dease Inlet are of known international significance for many breeding and migrating birds. Previous research indicates that this region contains high densities of breeding shorebirds and waterfowl. In some years the northeast portion of the Teshekpuk Lake region supports large numbers (>50,000) of molting geese including Snow, Cackling, and Greater White-fronted Geese, and up to 30% of the Pacific Flyway Brant population. The Brant are believed to migrate from at least 10 different nesting colonies in Alaska and Canada and a molting area in Russia. This region also supports breeding populations of waterfowl that are federally listed as Threatened or as species of concern, including the Spectacled Eider and Steller’s Eider. In addition, the region contains some of the highest breeding densities of the vulnerable Yellow-billed Loon in the western hemisphere.
Criteria:
Species Data and Criteria :
Common Name Date Seasonal/ Daily Season # Observed Density (#/km2) Units Proposed Criteria Confirmed Criteria Willow Ptarmigan 7-2005 S breeding  5026    Adults only      Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.  Greater White-fronted Goose 7-2005 S breeding  9452    Adults only      Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   7-2004 S non-breeding  27651    Individuals      Source Text: Mallek, E.J. 2004. Teshekpuk Lake area molting goose survey – 2004. Unpublished Report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks, AK.  Snow Goose 7-2004 S non-breeding  2321    Individuals      Source Text: Mallek, E.J. 2004. Teshekpuk Lake area molting goose survey – 2004. Unpublished Report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks, AK.  Cackling Goose 7-2004 S non-breeding  13277    Individuals    B4i - >1% flyway/subsp. waterbird pop. simultaneously; 5% over season Source Text: Mallek, E.J. 2004. Teshekpuk Lake area molting goose survey – 2004. Unpublished Report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks, AK.  Canada Goose 1900 S             Source Text: NOTE: this entry was originally a placeholder for Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii taverneri), now entered separately. This entry should be deleted.  Brant 7-2004 S non-breeding  20267    Individuals    A4i - >1% N.A waterbird pop. simultaneously; 5% over season B1 - Continental Species of Conservation Concern Source Text: Mallek, E.J. 2004. Teshekpuk Lake area molting goose survey – 2004. Unpublished Report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks, AK.  Northern Pintail 7-2005 S breeding  9550    Adults only      Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Greater Scaup 7-2005 S breeding  3016    Adults only      Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   King Eider 7-2005 S breeding  3836    Adults only      Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Long-tailed Duck 7-2005 S breeding  525    Adults only      Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Short-eared Owl 7-2005 S breeding  3016    Adults only    B1 - Continental Species of Conservation Concern Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Bar-tailed Godwit 2001 S breeding    0.1  Adults only      Source Text: Andres, B.A. 2004. Density of shorebirds breeding in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska. Unpublished Report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, CO.  Long-billed Dowitcher 7-2005 S breeding  12901    Adults only    A4i - >1% N.A waterbird pop. simultaneously; 5% over season Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Semipalmated Sandpiper 7-2005 S breeding  35327    Adults only    A4i - >1% N.A waterbird pop. simultaneously; 5% over season Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Baird's Sandpiper 2001 S breeding    0.03  Adults only      Source Text: Andres, B.A. 2004. Density of shorebirds breeding in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska. Unpublished Report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, CO.  Pectoral Sandpiper 7-2005 S breeding  66772    Adults only    A4i - >1% N.A waterbird pop. simultaneously; 5% over season Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Dunlin 7-2005 S breeding  22116    Adults only    A4i - >1% N.A waterbird pop. simultaneously; 5% over season B4i - >1% flyway/subsp. waterbird pop. simultaneously; 5% over season Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Stilt Sandpiper 7-2005 S breeding  5481    Adults only    A4i - >1% N.A waterbird pop. simultaneously; 5% over season B1 - Continental Species of Conservation Concern Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Buff-breasted Sandpiper 7-2005 S breeding  10    Adults only      Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Red-necked Phalarope 7-2005 S breeding  4916    Adults only      Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Red Phalarope 7-2005 S breeding  10674    Adults only    A4i - >1% N.A waterbird pop. simultaneously; 5% over season Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   American Golden-Plover 6-2005 S breeding  6534    Adults only    A4i - >1% N.A waterbird pop. simultaneously; 5% over season B1 - Continental Species of Conservation Concern Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Black-bellied Plover 7-2005 S breeding  4862    Adults only    A4i - >1% N.A waterbird pop. simultaneously; 5% over season Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Arctic Tern 7-7-2005 D breeding  150    Adults only      Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.   Yellow-billed Loon 7-2004 S breeding  400    Individuals    A4i - >1% N.A waterbird pop. simultaneously; 5% over season B1 - Continental Species of Conservation Concern Source Text: Stehn, R.A., R.M. Platte, W.W. Larned, E.J. Mallek, T.K. Mills, and D.K. Marks. 2005. Habitat associations of Yellow-billed Loons on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. Unpublished Report, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK.  Lapland Longspur 7-2005 S breeding  163659    Adults only      Source Text: Liebezeit, J.R. 2005. Breeding bird diversity, density, nesting success and nest predators in the Olak region of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area – 2005. A report prepared by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the North Slope Borough and the Tundra-bird Productivity Studies collaborative group. Unpublished report, 32pp.
Ownership
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers almost the entire region although a small allotment is deeded to the North Slope Borough located on the coast roughly half-way between Tangent Point and Cape Simpson. Also, there is a section of Native Corporation land on Cape Halkett.
% of IBA Ownership 99.0 Federal / Bureau of Land Management BLM   1.0 Individual  1.0 Township/Municipality
Habitat
The coastal region is characterized by many small bays, inlets, lagoons, and one major river delta (Ikpikpuk River). The inland region is characterized by the tundra wetland complex with a gradient of dry - moist, upland tundra, often with high densities of cotton-grass tussocks, to wet and emergent tundra in the lower areas. Microrelief is characterized by the presence of high and low polygons, hummocks, tussocks, frost boils, and strangmoor / disjunct polygon ridges. The topography is generally flat with some rolling hills and cliffs that are generally associated with the drainages. A high density of thaw lakes and ponds are also present in this region with the dominant fresh water body being Teshekpuk Lake – the largest lake on the Arctic Coastal Plain. A number of small to medium-sized creeks and rivers run though the region including portions of the Ikpikpuk River, Chipp River, Kealok Creek, and the Kogru River.
% of IBA Habitat 4.0 Barren / Bare Rock/Sand/Clay / Bare ground  1.0 Shrubland / Shrubland / Dwarf Shrub-steppe  31.0 Shrubland / Shrubland / Moist Tundra  1.0 Shrubland / Shrubland / Shrub  8.0 Shrubland / Shrubland / Wet Tundra  4.0 Water / Open Water / Bay  18.0 Water / Open Water / Lake  4.0 Water / Open Water / Pond  5.0 Water / Open Water / River  5.0 Wetlands / Emergent Herbaceous Wetlands / Bog  19.0 Wetlands / Emergent Herbaceous Wetlands / Open Bog/ Sedge Meadow/ Wetland
Land Use
Virtually all the land is public. No roads exist in the entire region and only two landing strips are present near the coast. In the summer the main way of getting to this remote area is by aircraft (float plane, helicopter) or by boat. In the winter snow-machine access is permitted for subsistence hunting. This region contains important, traditional subsistence hunting and fishing grounds for Inupiat hunters (based mainly out of Barrow). In recent years, many leases of land have been sold to oil companies in the eastern portion of the proposed IBA and active oil exploration (in the winter) is occurring in the region. Currently this site is too remote for regular ecotourist / bird watching recreational activities.
% of Total Use of IBA Land Use 10.0 fisheries/aquaculture / Non-recreational Fishing  35.0 hunting / Other  10.0 hunting / Waterfowl Hunting  2.0 nature conservation and research / Ornithological Research  3.0 nature conservation and research / Other Research  40.0 urban/industrial/transport / Oil Extraction
Conservation Issues
The biggest threat to bird populations in this region will be the likely expansion of oil development (with the associated infrastructure and disturbances) from the existing oilfields to the east (Prudhoe Bay / Kuparuk / Alpine). The oil development will result in a number of cumulative threats including: habitat destruction and/or fragmentation, roads, power lines, vehicle noise/disturbance, increased likelihood of oil spills, drainage of water from lakes, and increased garbage/cover for human commensal species including potential nest predators. Within the proposed IBA, leases have already been sold to oil companies and active exploration is currently taking place in some areas during the winter months. Oil development in this region is likely within the next 10 years. This region likely contains natural gas deposits that may also be exploited. In addition, climate change impacts, such as coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and habitat succession (i.e. encroachment of shrubs onto tundra) are also potential threats.
Level Threat 6 Disturbance to birds / Aircraft  6 Disturbance to birds / Land-based vehicles  2 Drainage / Lake  7 Extraction Industry / Gas extraction  10 Extraction Industry / Oil extraction  5 Industrialization/Urbanization / Habitat destruction  5 Industrialization/Urbanization / Habitat fragmentation  5 Industrialization/Urbanization / Transportation or utility corridor  3 Industrialization/Urbanization / Waste disposal  3 Natural events / Habitat succession  3 Natural events / Sea-level rise  4 Pollution / Air pollution  4 Pollution / Water pollution  1 Water Diversions (incl. impact dikes/dams) / Increased erosion
Citation: National Audubon Society 2010. Important Bird Areas in the U.S. Available at http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba 02/2010