Proceedings of a symposium that reviewed what is currently known about the west coast of Vancouver Island, with particular emphasis on birds. Papers cover the physical and biological environment, including the physical oceanography of the west coast of Vancouver Island; the population and breeding ecology of marine and shoreline birds; the distribution of marine and shoreline birds at sea, including bird populations and their habitats offshore, in fjords, in estuaries and over eelgrass bed; and oil pollution and conservation of marine and shoreline birds, including the effects of oil from the NESTUCCA oil spill on marine birds, the effects of environmental disturbances, and conservation measures necessary to protect marine birds.

This is the first volume in a 4-volume set, which is the culmination of two decades of research and writing. For the first time, the natural history, migration patterns, habitat requirements, reproductive biology, and distribution of the province's birdlife are combined in one publication. This is a reprint of the original volume published in 1990 by the Royal British Columbia Museum and the Canadian Wildlife Service. No changes or updates in content have been made from the original edition.

This first volume of a remarkable four-volume set on the birds of British Columbia covers eight-six species of nonpasserines, from loons through to waterfowl. Detailed species accounts provide unprecedented coverage of these birds, presenting a wealth of information on the ornithological history, habitat, breeding habits, migratory movements, seasonality, and distribution patterns. Introductory chapters look at the province’s ornithological history, its environment and the methodology used in the volumes.

This report was compiled & edited by the interagency Marbled Murrelet Conservation Assessment Core Team. The 37 chapters cover both original studies & literature reviews of many aspects of the species' biology, ecology, & conservation needs. It includes new information on the forest habitat used for nesting, marine distribution, & demographic analyses; & describes past & potential effects of humans on the species habitats. Future research needs & possible management strategies for both marine & forest habitats are suggested. Charts & tables.