
Fig. 4. Aerial view of the north side of Buldir Island. (Photo by D. H. S. Wehle, 1975) 
Fauna 
Terrestrial mammals were absent from Buldir, but sum- 
mer marine mammal populations averaged 5,000 Steller’s 
sea lions (Eumatopias jubata), 100 sea otters (Enhydra 
lutra), and 50 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Buldir sup- 
ported one of the most diverse seabird nesting colonies in 
the Northern Hemisphere, with at least 20 breeding species 
and nearly 2 million birds (Sowls et al. 1978). Aside from 
Aleutian Canada geese, few breeding waterfowl were found 
at Buldir, presumably due to absence of suitable nesting 
habitat. Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), peregrine 
falcons (Falco peregrinus), and snowy owls (Nyctea 
scandiaca) bred on the island as did five species of pas- 
serines. During spring and fall migration, over 60 species 
of birds, many of Asiatic origin, were recorded at Buldir 
(Byrd et al. 1978). 
Human Activity 
Buldir was once occupied by Aleuts, as indicated by the 
remains of an Aleut seasonal hunting camp near North 
Bight (A. P. McCartney, personal communication). 
During World War II a small military weather station 
was constructed on Buldir and up to 12 men were stationed 
there. Remnants of the camp and related equipment re- 
main, Since World War II, few humans have visited the 
island. 
Methods 
Breeding Biology 
We were on Buldir from 9 May to 6 September 1974, 
17 May to 5 September 1975, 19 May to 28 September 1976, 
