Monitering af lomviekolonierne Kippaku og Apparsuit i det nordlige Upernavik 2002. Technical Report No. 65

As part of the long-term monitoring of Brünnich’s Guillemot colonies undertaken by the 
Greenland Institute of Natural Resource’s the two colonies Kippaku and Apparsuit 
located in the northern part of Upernavik district were counted in 2002. Counting was 
based on photos taken 25 July and 1 August (Kippaku) and 31 July 2002 (Apparsuit). 
16.890 birds were counted in the Kippaku colony 1 August. Results of study plot counts 
suggested that the total count took place at a time of the day when most birds were 
expected to be present in the colony. By correcting the total count with a +5% count error, 
the total population was estimated at 16,000-18.000 birds. Compared to the 1983 photo 
count the results indicate a 13% increase between 1983-2002. 
In the Apparsuit colony a total of 113,171 birds were counted 31 July. Count photos were 
taken between 12:00 and 15:00 during which the number of birds present varied 
considerably according to the study plots on Kippaku. Hence, with some causion the total 
count on Apparsuit can be considered as an average number of birds present in the 
colony. By correcting the total count with +5% count error, the population was estimated at 107,500-119,000 birds. Compared to the 1983 photo count the results indicate no change 
in this colony.
The reason for the apparent increase in the Kippaku colony remains unknown. However, 
the ban of egg collecting, ban of purchase, reduced hunting season during the breeding 
season and a marked reduced hunting pressure in the wintering areas off New Foundland 
may all have contributed to this positive population change. Further research should try 
to evaluate such potential causalities.