Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group Meeting 2015 Book of abstracts

Transcripción

Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group
Meeting 2015
Saturday 12 September 2015 - Wednesday 16 September 2015
Book of abstracts
Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group Meeting 2015 / Book of abstracts
Wednesday 07 December 2016
Table of contents
SAVE BRASIL: A NEW ALLY FOR SHOREBIRD CONSERVATION IN BRAZIL.
Flint Hills Spring Shorebird Surveys, 2011-2014
.....................................
1
.................................................................................
1
Shorebird Hunting in the Caribbean and Northern South America
........................................................ 2
ECOLOGY OF RED KNOTS (Calidris canutus roselaari) IN GUERRERO NEGRO, BCS, MEXICO, TO 10
YEARS AFTER STARTING STUDIES .............................................................................................. 3
MONITOREO BIOLÓGICO DE SITIOS CLAVE PARA LA CONSERVACIÓN DE AVES PLAYERAS
MIGRATORIAS: CAULÍN Y CURACO DE VÉLEZ (ISLA GRANDE DE CHILOÉ, CHILE) .......................... 3
STOPOVER ECOLOGY AND WINTER DESTINATIONS OF FALL MIGRANT LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS
RADIO-TAGGED IN THE KLAMATH BASIN. .................................................................................
4
THE ROLE OF THE PIPING PLOVER TOWARDS SHOREBIRD CONSERVATION IN THE SOUTHEAST
UNITED STATES ........................................................................................................................ 4
STOPOVER AREAS USED BY RED KNOTS DURING SPRING MIGRATION ON ALASKA’S COPPER
RIVER/BERING RIVER DELTAS AND THE YUKON-KUSKOKWIM RIVER DELTA ................................. 5
ARE WINTER CONDITIONS DRIVING POPULATION TRENDS IN SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS?
EVIDENCE FROM A FEATHER CORTICOSTERONE BIOMARKER. ..................................................... 6
Determining migratory connectivity for Semipalmated Sandpipers
........................................................ 7
TRENDS IN SHOREBIRD ABUNDANCE, DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION ON CHINCOTEAGUE
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (NWR) OVER FOUR DECADES. ........................................................ 8
RED KNOT (CALIDRIS CANUTUS) ABUNDANCE IN THE BANCO DOS CAJUAIS, A NEW WHSRN SITE
IN NE BRAZIL. ..........................................................................................................................
9
LONG-BILLED CURLEW MIGRATORY CONNECTIVITY AND NON-BREEDING SEASON HABITAT USE
PATTERNS ................................................................................................................................ 9
AN AVIAN NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK: ESTIMATING LANDSCAPE SUITABILITY FOR THE CRITICALLY
ENDANGERED GREAT LAKES PIPING PLOVER. ............................................................................
10
UTILIZING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR MEASUREABLE CONSERVATION ACTION ON THE
DELAWARE BAY, NEW JERSEY, USA ...........................................................................................
11
DIET OF LEAST SANDPIPERS IN ORGANIC RICEFIELDS
................................................................. 11
DECISION MODEL TO MAXIMIZE QUALITY OF MANAGED, COASTAL WETLANDS FOR MIGRATORY
SHOREBIRDS IN THE TROPICS. ...................................................................................................
12
VALORES HEMATOLÓGICOS DE DOS ESPECIES DE AVES PLAYERAS CON MIGRACIONES DE CORTA
Y LARGA DISTANCIA EN PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA .................................................................... 12
DECISION SUPPORT POPULATION MODELING FOR ATLANTIC COAST PIPING PLOVER RECOVERY.
.. 13
PIPING PLOVER POPULATION RESPONSE TO STORM-AND HUMAN-CREATED HABITAT CHANGES
ON NEW YORK BARRIER ISLANDS .............................................................................................. 13
i
CONSERVACIÓN DE HUMEDALES Y AVES PLAYERAS EN LA PENÍNSULA VALDÉS, ARGENTINA. EL
BENEFICIO DE LA MULTIPLICIDAD DE DISTINCIONES DE PROTECCION ........................................ 14
TIME-WINDOWS OF SHRIMP-PONDS AS FORAGING GROUNDS FOR SHOREBIRDS DURING THE
HARVESTING SEASON ............................................................................................................... 14
SITUACIÓN DEL ZARAPITO DE PICO RECTO (Limosa haemastica) Y EL ZARAPITO DE PICO CURVO,
(Numenius phaeopus) EN CURACO DE VELEZ, ISLA DE CHILOÉ, REGIÓN DE LOS LAGOS CHILE EN EL
PERÍODO 2012-2015. ...................................................................................................................
15
CENTRO BAHÍA LOMAS Y LOS AVANCES EN LA EJECUCIÓN DEL PLAN DE MANEJO DEL SITIO
RAMSAR DE BAHIA LOMAS (TIERRA DEL FUEGO, CHILE) ............................................................. 15
POPULATION STRUCTURE OF WINTERING WESTERN SANDPIPERS AT BAHIA SANTA MARIA,
SINALOA, MEXICO, 1999-2001 – 2010-2011. ....................................................................................
16
SHRIMP FARMS AS FORAGING HABITATS FOR WINTERING SHOREBIRDS IN BAHIA SANTA MARIA,
SINALOA, MEXICO .................................................................................................................... 16
EVALUATING THE LARGE-SCALE EFFECTS OF GEESE ON OTHER TUNDRA-NESTING BIRDS.
...........
17
EVALUACIÓN PRELIMINAR DE LA OFERTA DE PRESAS PARA LAS AVES PLAYERAS MIGRATORIAS
EN UNA GRANJA DE CULTIVO DE CAMARÓN EN EL NOROESTE DE MÉXICO ................................. 18
LINKING STABLE ISOTOPE AND GEOLOCATOR DATA TO INFER MIGRATORY CONNECTIVITY
The Importance of Site to Mate Choice: Mate and Site Fidelity in Piping Plovers
FORTY YEARS OF MIGRANT SHOREBIRD MONITORING IN ONTARIO.
........ 18
...................................... 19
............................................
20
JAMES BAY SHOREBIRD PROJECT: NEW INSIGHTS INTO A GLOBALLY IMPORTANT SHOREBIRD
STAGING AREA. ........................................................................................................................ 20
IMPORTANCE OF AN AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE TO MIGRANT SHOREBIRDS IN SPRING.
............. 21
BIOGEOGRAPHY OF TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS FOR A VECTOR-BORNE PATHOGEN RECENTLY
FOUND IN ARCTIC-BREEDING SHOREBIRDS ................................................................................ 21
Las poblaciones de Calidris pusilla en Venezuela: una revisión de la morfometría de ejemplares de colección
. 22
DRAMATIC DECLINE OF THE TIERRA DEL FUEGO POPULATION OF RED KNOTS (CALIDRIS CANUTUS
RUFA) IS DRIVEN BY FLYWAY-WIDE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATIC VARIATION ON
ADULT SURVIVAL AND RECRUITMENT ....................................................................................... 23
CONNECTIVITY OF EASTERN CANADA PIPING PLOVERS
.............................................................. 24
GUT MICROBIOTA OF ARCTIC SHOREBIRD CHICKS: MICROBIAL COLONIZATION AND SUCCESSION
OF SHOREBIRD GUTS FROM EMBRYO TO FLEDGLING. .................................................................. 25
PHENOLOGY OF BREEDING IN ARCTIC SHOREBIRDS – CAN THEY KEEP UP WITH CLIMATE
CHANGE? ................................................................................................................................. 26
Snowy Plover abundance and distribution on salt flats of Salt Plains NWR.
............................................. 26
SPRING MIGRATION ECOLOGY (2010 TO 2015) OF RED KNOTS (Calidris canutus roselaari) IN GOLFO DE
SANTA CLARA, SONORA, MEXICO. ............................................................................................. 27
NEST SITE SELECTION OF DUNLIN NEAR CHURCHILL, MANITOBA IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
27
BIOMETRIA DEL PLAYERO BLANCO CALIDRIS ALBA (Pallas, 1764) EN LA RESERVA NACIONAL DE
PARACAS, PERÚ ........................................................................................................................ 28
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL: PIPING PLOVER DEMOGRAPHIC RESPONSE TO HISTORIC FLOODING
ON THE MISSOURI RIVER ........................................................................................................... 28
ii
HABITATS FOR SHOREBIRDS- STEWARDSHIP THROUGH SITE-BASED WORKSHOPS
........................ 29
Biofilm Consumption and Variable Diet Composition of Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) during
Migratory Stopover .....................................................................................................................
The Importance of The Bahamas to North American Shorebirds
29
........................................................... 30
PATIA RIVER DIVERSION AND ABUNDANCE OF SHOREBIRDS IN SANQUIANGA NATIONAL PARK,
COLOMBIA / DESVIACION DEL RIO PATIA Y ABUNDANCIA DE AVES PLAYERAS EN EL PARQUE
NACIONAL NATURAL SANQUIANGA, COLOMBIA .......................................................................
PIPING PLOVER MANAGEMENT AND RECOVERY AS A HUMAN DIMENSIONS CHALLENGE
30
............. 31
ARE SNOW GEESE AFFECTING OTHER BIRDS? COMPARISONS OF NEST SUCCESS AND NEST
CONCEALMENT OF ARCTIC-BREEDING SHOREBIRDS ON TWO ARCTIC ISLANDS WITH AND
WITHOUT SNOW GEESE ............................................................................................................
32
TEMPORALLY MEDIATED GEOGRAPHIC EFFECTS ON THE INTENSITY OF PHENOLOGICAL
MISMATCH ..............................................................................................................................
33
ARCTIC SHOREBIRD DEMOGRAPHICS NETWORK.
33
.......................................................................
INCUBATION PATTERNS OF BIPARENTAL SHOREBIRDS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
.......................... 34
Continent-wide change in wing length of Semipalmated Sandpipers: a response to predation danger?
.......... 35
Implications of Beach Restoration on Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) on the Caminada Headland Beach
and Dune Restoration Project ........................................................................................................
36
HARMONIZING RICE CULTIVATION WITH MIGRATORY SHOREBIRD CONSERVATION IN PARAGUAY
37
IMPACT OF HABITAT LOSS ON ABUNDANCE OF MIGRATING BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS IN
ASUNCION BAY, PARAGUAY .....................................................................................................
37
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING STOPOVER POPULATION SIZE OF RED KNOTS AT
DELAWARE BAY, USA USING MARK-RESIGHT METHODS ............................................................. 38
MONITOREO DE AVES PLAYERAS EN LOS LLANOS CENTRO-OCCIDENTALES DE VENEZUELA.
Margarita Martínez. Fundación William H. Phelps. [email protected] ................. 39
PATRONES DE ABUNDANCIA ESTACIONAL Y DISTRIBUCIÓN ESPACIAL DE AVES PLAYERAS EN
BAHÍA SAMBOROMBÓN, ARGENTINA ........................................................................................
40
RELACIONES EN LA DIETA DE AVES PLAYERAS MIGRATORIAS NEÁRTICAS Y NEOTROPICALES EN
UN HUMEDAL COSTERO CLAVE DE SUDAMÉRICA ......................................................................
41
What is structured decision making?
............................................................................................... 41
Establishing recovery criteria for Northern Great Plains Piping Plover using predictive simulation modeling
. 42
SHOREBIRD USE OF WESTERN HUDSON BAY NEAR THE NELSON RIVER DURING MIGRATION, WITH
A FOCUS ON THE RED KNOT ...................................................................................................... 43
Effects of food availability and diet on weight gain in Semipalmated Sandpipers in Delaware Bay during
spring migration staging periods ....................................................................................................
44
WHSRN’S SITE ASSESSMENT TOOL RESULTS: A NETWORK-LEVEL ANALYSIS OF MANAGEMENT,
THREATS, AND FUTURE ACTIONS. .............................................................................................
44
CITIZEN SCIENTIST CONTRIBUTION TO OVER 40 YEARS OF SHOREBIRD MONITORING AT
CHINCOTEAGUE NWR, VIRGINIA, USA: WHAT WORKS BEST FOR USE OF VOLUNTEERS. Clyde Morris,
[email protected], retired United States Fish and Wildlife Refuge Manager; Certified Master Naturalist.
45
iii
MEASURING THE EFFECTS OF TRADITIONAL HARVESTING PRACTICES ON HUDSONIAN GODWIT
FORAGING BEHAVIOR DURING THE NONBREEDING SEASON: A CONSISTENT LOSS OF FORAGING
TIME ........................................................................................................................................ 45
MOVEMENTS, DURATION OF STAY AND DIET OF SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS (CALIDRIS PUSILLA)
MIGRATING THROUGH THE UPPER BAY OF FUNDY, CANADA ...................................................... 46
ASSESSMENT OF BIOAVAILABLE HYDROCARBONS IN PRIBILOF ROCK SANDPIPER OVERWINTERING
HABITAT IN COOK INLET, ALASKA. ...........................................................................................
47
RED KNOTS AT THE CROSSROADS: CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN PACIFIC, CENTRAL AND ATLANTIC
FLYWAYS IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO .......................................................................... 47
WINTERING RANGE, POPULATION AND TRENDS OF PURPLE SANDPIPERS (Calidris maritima) IN THE
NORTHWEST ATLANTIC ............................................................................................................ 48
IDENTIFYING IMPORTANT BIRD AND BIODIVERSITY AREAS IN THE CARIBBEAN FOR CANADIAN
SHOREBIRDS. ............................................................................................................................ 48
ABUNDANCIA Y DISTRIBUCION ESPACIAL DE LOS RECURSOS ALIMENTICIOS DISPONIBLES PARA
AVES MIGRATORIAS DURANTE LA TEMPORADA NO REPRODUCTIVA EN LA RESERVA NACIONAL
DE PARACAS, PERÚ. .................................................................................................................. 49
QUANTIFYING MERCURY EXPOSURE FOR MULTIPLE SHOREBIRD SPECIES ACROSS THE NORTH
AMERICAN ARCTIC USING BLOOD AND FEATHER SAMPLES ........................................................ 50
Satellite tracking of Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola cynosurae)
...............................................
51
CONSERVATION PRIORITIZATION FOR NON-BREEDING SHOREBIRDS ON THE PACIFIC COAST OF
THE UNITED STATES: INCORPORATING POPULATION SIZES AND TRENDS .................................... 51
ARE PREY REMAINS ACCURATE INDICATORS OF CHICK DIET? IMPLICATIONS FOR LONG-TERM
MONITORING OF BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS ............................................................................... 52
ARE MITOCHONDRIAL DUPLICATIONS AND GENE REARRANGEMENTS A COMMON PATTERN
AMONG SCOLOPACIDAE? .........................................................................................................
52
BODY COMPOSITION IN Arenaria interpres DURING THE WINTERING IN NORTH/NORTHEAST
BRAZILIAN COAST .................................................................................................................... 53
Coping with the cold: factors promoting the high-latitude nonbreeding distribution of Rock Sandpipers
Calidris p. ptilocnemis .................................................................................................................. 54
VARIATION IN SHOREBIRD NEST DENSITIES THROUGH SPACE AND TIME: ARE SPECIES CUING INTO
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS? ..................................................................................................... 55
Animal tracking update: How can GPS-GSM tracking can help shorebird ecologists?
................................ 55
DISTRIBUCIÓN, ABUNDANCIA Y REGISTROS DE REPRODUCCIÓN DE CHARADRIUS WILSONIA
CINNAMONIUS EN LA ISLA DE MARGARITA (VENEZUELA) .......................................................... 56
IMPORTANCIA DE LA ISLA DE MARGARITA (VENEZUELA) COMO SITIO DE PARADA PARA
PLAYEROS EN EL CARIBE ........................................................................................................... 56
BAHIA PARACAS, AREA DE CONSERVACION PRIORITARIA PARA LA CONSERVACION DE AVES
PLAYERAS - RESERVA NACIONAL DE PARACAS - PERÚ ................................................................ 57
TO EACH THEIR OWN: INTRA-SPECIFIC PATTERNS OF VOCAL VARIATION IN THE WESTERN
SANDPIPER (CALIDRIS MAURI) ................................................................................................... 57
SURVEYS AND HABITAT USE OF WHIMBRELS ON THE ACADIAN PENINSULA, NEW BRUNSWICK,
CANADA .................................................................................................................................. 58
iv
Phenological matching with breeding habitat drives the timing of the annual cycle in a long distance
migratory shorebird , the eastern willet ...........................................................................................
58
DENSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS AT THE SALT PRODUCTION FACILITY IN
SOUTHERN BONAIRE, DUTCH CARIBBEAN .................................................................................
59
AUTOMATED TELEMETRY FOR MONITORING NOCTURNAL BEHAVIOR OF BREEDING PIPING
PLOVERS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST .......................................................................................... 60
USING HABITAT FEATURES TO PREDICT AND MANAGE NEST SUCCESS OF AMERICAN
OYSTERCATCHERS (HAEMATOPUS PALLIATUS) AND WILSON’S PLOVERS (CHARADRIUS WILSONIA)
ALONG THE GEORGIA COAST. ................................................................................................... 60
SETTLEMENT CUES FOR NEST PLACEMENT IN HUDSONIAN GODWITS
.......................................... 61
Latitude-dependent life history strategies of shorebirds: migratory preparation and primary molt of Western
and Semipalmated sandpipers in southern Peru ................................................................................. 61
UNRAVELING THE ANNUAL CYCLE OF THE BLACK TURNSTONE – A ROCKY COAST SHOREBIRD
.... 62
COMPARING BLACK TURNSTONE DENSITIES AND RESULTING ABUNDANCE ESTIMATES ACROSS 30
YEARS OF HABITAT CHANGE ON THE YUKON-KUSKOKWIM DELTA, ALASKA ............................... 63
Distribución de cuatro especies de aves playeras con relación al ciclo de las mareas en la bahía La Aguada en
la Reserva Nacional de Paracas-Perú ............................................................................................... 63
POPULATON DEMOGRAPHY AND MOVEMENTS OF BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEWS ON THE JAMES
CAMPBELL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, OAHU, HAWAII .......................................................... 64
INFORMATION GAINED AND LESSONS LEARNED WHILE STUDYING MIGRATION OF PACIFIC
GOLDEN-PLOVERS VIA SATELLITE TELEMETRY ........................................................................... 65
ESTIMATING SUSTAINABLE MORTALITY LIMITS FOR SHOREBIRDS USING THE WESTERN ATLANTIC
FLYWAY ................................................................................................................................... 66
DRIVERS OF ADULT SURVIVAL IN ARCTIC-BREEDING SHOREBIRDS: INSIGHTS FROM COORDINATED
RESEARCH ...............................................................................................................................
67
EFFECTS OF GEOLOCATORS ON RETURN RATES IN ARCTIC-BREEDING SHOREBIRDS
68
.....................
LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF THE SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: SURVIVAL DURING BREEDING,
NON-BREEDING AND MIGRATION SEASONS ............................................................................... 69
CHARADRIUS MELODUS NEST SITE SELECTION PREDICTED USING A BAYESIAN NETWORK BASED
ON A NOVEL FIELD DATA COLLECTION SCHEME ........................................................................ 70
v
Conservation / 75
SAVE BRASIL: A NEW ALLY FOR SHOREBIRD CONSERVATION IN
BRAZIL.
Dr. ALMEIDA, JULIANA 1; Dr. DEVELEY, Pedro 1
1
SAVE Brasil
Corresponding Author: [email protected]
SAVE Brasil, Sociedade para a Conservação de Aves do Brasil, is BirdLife International’s Partner in Brazil.
Since February 2015, SAVE Brasil has been developing a Shorebird Conservation Strategy to build
partnerships and procure funding to conduct activities directed towards shorebird conservation. Shorebirds
were a focus of attention to conservation officials in Brazil in the 1980-90’s when two WHSRN sites and one
National Park (Lagoa do Peixe) were designated due to their large shorebird numbers. Since then, few people
have been actively engaged in working on shorebirds (note the low representation from Brazil at past WHSG
meetings compared to other South American countries). This is surprising, given Brazil’s size and extensive
coastline that host hundreds of thousands of resident and Neotropical shorebirds. In December 2012,
Brazilians renewed their interest in shorebirds with the completion of the Brazilian National Action Plan for
Migratory Shorebirds (BNAP-MS). However, the implementation of this plan has been hindered by the lack of
funding, and the necessary networking and/or partnerships to implement action items. In this presentation, I
will describe a strategy that SAVE Brasil plans to implement that includes 1) building a vibrant and active
network of partners, and 2) leading selective studies by forming collaborations and coordinating the
implementation of priority conservation actions. Our actions will be linked to the BNAP-MS, the Atlantic
Flyway Shorebird Conservation Business Strategy, and BirdLife International’s Flyways Program.
Abundance and Distribution / 87
Flint Hills Spring Shorebird Surveys, 2011-2014
Dr. ANDRES, Brad 1; Dr. LYONS, James 2; Mr. PENNER, Robert 3
1
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2
U,S, Fish and Wildlife Service
3
The Nature Conservancy
The Flint Hills ecoregion is an extensive, relatively intact grassland landscape in eastern Kansas and
northeastern Oklahoma. Besides providing grassland nesting habitat for birds, the corridor of tallgrass prairie
offers stopover habitat for migrant, upland shorebirds, such as the American-Golden Plover (Pluvialis
dominica), Killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), and Buff-breasted
Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis). From 2011 to 2014, we conducted roadside surveys to determine migrant
shorebird use throughout the Flint Hills and to document the importance of the region as a shorebird
migration stopover site. Surveys revealed consistently that during spring migration American Golden-Plovers
and Buff-breasted Sandpipers were more abundant in the southern one-half of the Flint Hills, occurred in
areas with a high proportion of native grassland, and primarily used grasslands that were burned recently.
Additional surveys and further analyses to estimate migrant population size are planned to assess the
importance of the Flint Hills to migrant upland shorebirds.
1
Conservation / 88
Shorebird Hunting in the Caribbean and Northern South America
Dr. ANDRES, Brad 1; Dr. MIZRAHI, David 2; Dr. WATTS, Bryan 3; Dr. WEGE, David 4; Mr. LEVESQUE, Anthony 5; Dr. REED, Eric 6; Mr.
BURKE, Wayne 7; Mr. DE PRACONTAL, Nyls 8; Dr. TAYLOR, Audrey 9; Dr. CLAY, Rob 10
1
2
NJ Audubon Society
3
College of William and Mary
4
Birdlife International
5
AMAZONA
6
Canadian Wildlife Service
7
Shorebird Conservation Trust
8
GEPOG
9
University of Alaska Anchorage
10
Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network
In September of 2011, two satellite-tagged Whimbrels (Machi and Goshen) were shot in Guadeloupe, and their
story of navigating a hurricane only to meet their demise after making landfall catalyzed action in the
Caribbean. The shooting deaths of Machi and Goshen sensitized the hunting public to the international
attention now focused on their hunting practice. As part of the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative, we have
been developing a set of strategies to address the shorebird hunting issue, which includes: 1) understanding
the diversity of shorebird hunting policies among the numerous jurisdictions within the Caribbean Sea and
along the northern coast of South America, 2) quantifying legal and illegal harvest pressure on shorebirds, 3)
making hunters and other publics more aware of migrations of shorebirds and the effects indiscriminate
hunting can have on shorebird populations, and 4) managing shooting-free shorebird refuges, and increase
enforcement of regulations in areas where shorebird hunting is illegal. We believe these strategies will lead to
policy changes that lead to a sustainable harvest of shorebirds in Caribbean and South American countries.
We will report on the development of a conceptual model of hunting pressures and contributing factors, the
strategies to ameliorate the hunting threat, and progress we have made on implementing the strategies.
2
Red Knot / 107
ECOLOGY OF RED KNOTS (Calidris canutus roselaari) IN GUERRERO
NEGRO, BCS, MEXICO, TO 10 YEARS AFTER STARTING STUDIES
Dr. CARMONA, Roberto 1; Ms. ARCE, Nallely 1; Mr. AYALA-PEREZ, Victor 1
1
Laboratorio de Aves, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur
Calidris canutus roselaari migra por las costas del Pacífico, es la subespecie con la población más pequeña
(17,000 aves) y de la cual se tienen menos estudios. En octubre de 2005 encontramos un grupo de 3 mil aves en
Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, México (GN). GN se ubica en la porción centro-occidental de la
península de Baja California. Desde 2005 hemos estudiado ininterrumpidamente diferentes aspectos de su
ecología invernal y migratoria. Así, determinamos mensualmente la abundancia de los Playeros rojizos (julio
2006 a febrero 2015); el máximo registrado fue de 11,800 aves en noviembre de 2012. En promedio se presentan
números altos en invierno (4,200), abundancias medias en otoño y primavera (2,700 y 1,800, respectivamente) y
la menor utilización en verano (300). Capturamos 1,012 individuos y anillamos 872 (octubre 2006 a octubre
2014), de éstos hemos reobservado 343 individuos en la zona (39%). Del total capturado 85% fueron adultos.
Determinamos el sexo (técnicas moleculares) de 185 individuos capturados entre septiembre 2007 y febrero
2010, observamos un predominio de machos (61%). Las abundancias indican que GN es el sitio de mayor
importancia para la invernación de roselaari, con al menos el 40% de la población total. GN fue más
importante para la invernación de los machos, lo que indica una posible segregación latitudinal por sexo. Por
grupo de edad aparentemente la proporción de juveniles es baja en la población. De esta forma GN debe ser
considerado un punto obligado en cualquier plan de acción relacionado con roselaari.
Conservation / 108
MONITOREO BIOLÓGICO DE SITIOS CLAVE PARA LA
CONSERVACIÓN DE AVES PLAYERAS MIGRATORIAS: CAULÍN Y
CURACO DE VÉLEZ (ISLA GRANDE DE CHILOÉ, CHILE)
Mrs. PONCE, Alejandra 1; Mr. PRADO, Luis 1; Dr. BALBOA, Luis 2; Dr. ESPOZ, Carmen 3
1
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomas
2
Departamento de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad Santo Tomas, Puerto Montt
3
Centro Bahia Lomas Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomas
En 2011, los humedales orientales de Chiloé fueron nominados como “sitio de importancia hemisférica” de la
Red Hemisférica de Reservas para Aves Playeras ya que el área alberga el 27% de la población global de
Limosa haemastica y en el caso de Numenius phaeopus, la isla recibe el 61% de la población de la costa
Pacífico. Ambas especies se reproducen en América del Norte y se consideran de alta preocupación para la
conservación. Actualmente, gracias al apoyo de Packard Foundation, se está ejecutando la tercera fase del Plan
de Conservación de Aves Playeras Migratorias de Chiloé. En este marco se realizó un monitoreo biológico de
comunidades de macroinvertebrados intermareales presentes en dos sitios prioritarios de Chiloé: Caulín
(41°62’S; 73°63’W) y Curaco de Vélez (42°43’S; 73°58’W), encargado por Manomet Center for Conservation
Sciences. Además de caracterizar preliminarmente las áreas de alimentación de las aves playeras migratorias
en primavera-verano de 2012 y otoño-invierno de 2013, este estudio propone una hoja de ruta para un
programa de monitoreo ecológico que considere el seguimiento de la abundancia y biomasa de los poliquetos
Perinereis gualpensis, P. vallata y Boccardia wellingtonensis, y los anfípodos Corophium bonelli y Hyale
grandicornis. Adicionalmente, se plantea la necesidad de establecer las relaciones tróficas entre los
macroinvertebrados presentes en las áreas de alimentación y las aves migratorias que anualmente llegan a
Chiloé, monitorear sistemáticamente ciertas variables físico-químicas, y fortalecer el programa de conteo de
aves playeras que se lleva a cabo en el sistema de humedales desde 2011.
3
Migration / 62
STOPOVER ECOLOGY AND WINTER DESTINATIONS OF FALL
MIGRANT LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS RADIO-TAGGED IN THE
KLAMATH BASIN.
BARBAREE, Blake 1; Dr. REITER, Matthew 1; HICKEY, Catherine 1; PAGE, Gary 1
1
Point Blue Conservation Science
Information on stopover ecology and migratory connectivity is required for effective management and
conservation of interior migrant shorebirds, particularly in the Great Basin and California because water is
highly-managed and most shallow-water habitat must be intentionally created. During 2012 and 2013, we
captured and radio-tagged fall-migrant Long-billed Dowitchers to determine their molt status and length of
stay after capture in the Klamath Basin, an important stopover site for interior migrant waterbirds, and to
examine migratory connectivity between the Klamath Basin and the Central Valley of California. Most
dowitchers were in active primary molt when captured (83%, n = 116) and molt stage increased during August
and September. Radio-tagged dowitchers had an estimated average length of stay after capture in the Klamath
Basin of 31.9 d (95% CI: 24.3 – 41.9 d; n = 54). Winter surveys detected 57% of 81 radio-tagged dowitchers in
the Central Valley after 1 December; 86% of 228 detections occurred in the Sacramento Valley or the
Grasslands Ecological Area in the San Joaquin Valley. Wetland managers in the Klamath Basin and other
identified staging areas should consider that dowitchers have long stopover times and require resources for
molt and migration during August and September, a strategy similar to staging waterfowl. We recommend
coordinated management of shallow-water wetlands within and between the Klamath Basin and Central
Valley to optimize habitat availability using a limited and unreliable resource in the Great Basin and
California – water.
Piping Plover / 91
THE ROLE OF THE PIPING PLOVER TOWARDS SHOREBIRD
CONSERVATION IN THE SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES
BIMBI, Melissa 1; SANGER, Denise 2; CROWE, Stacie 2; LEVISEN, Marty 2; THIBAULT, Janet 2
1
2
SCDNR
Many species of shorebirds require healthy beach habitats to support all or part of their life cycle. Most of
these species are in decline and some, such as the nonbreeding piping plover (Charadrius melodus) and red
knot (Calidris canutus rufa) are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. These species require
certain physical and biological features associated with beach habitats that need to be taken into consideration
in planning shoreline stabilization and restoration projects as well as day to day beach management. In South
Carolina, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s South Carolina Field Office and the South Carolina Department
of Natural Resources coordinate with federal, state, county, and local governments, as well as private
communities to minimize impacts to listed species and monitor species’ responses to shoreline stabilization
and restoration projects. We continue to learn how to best minimize impacts and manage for these species,
which is then applied to project planning and design by adjusting construction windows and project footprints
when necessary. Monitoring the physical and biological features of habitats that support these species before
and after project construction is an integral part of considering the biological function of a beach when
planning and designing shoreline stabilization and restoration projects, which are typically constructed to
protect developed shorelines. We will highlight lessons learned and the evolution of beach management plans
in South Carolina from ongoing projects and partnerships to continue to manage for migrating and wintering
piping plovers and red knots, which also benefits other shorebird species.
4
Red Knot / 86
STOPOVER AREAS USED BY RED KNOTS DURING SPRING MIGRATION
ON ALASKA’S COPPER RIVER/BERING RIVER DELTAS AND THE
YUKON-KUSKOKWIM RIVER DELTA
Dr. BISHOP, Mary Anne 1; Mr. BUCHANAN, Joseph 2; Mr. JOHNSON, Jim 3; Mr. MCCAFFERY, Brian 4
1
Prince William Sound Science Center
2
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
3
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Management
4
Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge
With an estimated population of 22,000 individuals, the Red Knot (Calidris canutus roselaari) is one of the
smallest and least studied shorebird populations in North America. Migratory connectivity - the relationship
between a bird population and its geographic locations during the annual cycle - has been identified as a
crucial management information need for the Red Knot. Historically, limited ground-based counts at the
Copper River (CRD) and Yukon-Kuskokwim River deltas (YKD) suggested these areas are major stopovers in
spring. We used radio telemetry during spring 2014 at CRD/Bering River Delta (BRD) and spring 2015 at
CRD/BRD and YKD to document Red Knot occurrence and space use. In 2014, 12 of 20 knots radiotagged in
Grays Harbor, Washington on 13 May were detected during CRD/BRD aerial surveys (n = 7). First detections
(n = 3 knots) occurred 17 May and peak detections (n = 11) occurred 19-20 May. While previous ground
surveys, which were restricted to the western CRD, identified Little Egg Island as an important stopover area,
BRD to the east – a location previously unrecognized as important for knots – was used by 10 of 12 knots
detected in 2014. These results suggest use of multiple areas by some knots or “subpopulation” use of distinct
areas within the CRD/BRD. We will provide preliminary results involving 50 knots radiotagged in
Washington in 2015, including stopover use, phenology, length of stay and migratory connectivity between
CRD/BRD, YKD and Grays Harbor stopover sites.
5
Arctic Shorebirds Demographic Network / 98
ARE WINTER CONDITIONS DRIVING POPULATION TRENDS IN
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS? EVIDENCE FROM A FEATHER
CORTICOSTERONE BIOMARKER.
Ms. BOLDENOW*, Megan 1; Dr. KITAYSKY, Alexander 2; Dr. LANCTOT, Richard 3; Dr. POWELL, Abby 4
1
Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks
2
Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks
3
4
U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Semipalmated Sandpipers (SESAs) have traditionally been divided into three breeding populations across the
North American Arctic. The eastern population shows pronounced declines, while the central and western
populations show stable or increasing trends. Factors on the wintering grounds are suspected as primary
drivers of declining trends. Corticosterone (CORT, the primary avian stress hormone) deposited in
winter-grown feathers provides an opportunity to examine how wintering conditions impact individual
SESAs on their breeding grounds CORT has been shown to relate to environmental stressors, and chronically
high levels affect fitness. We assayed CORT in winter-grown feathers of 110 SESAs, collected during
2012-2014 at sites across their breeding range. We considered individual variation in feather CORT (fCORT)
by breeding area, age, and sex. Preliminary results indicated fCORT varied significantly by breeding area,
with higher stress recorded during winter molt in birds from the declining eastern population than in birds
from the western population. We tested whether nest initiation date and total egg volume vary with fCORT as
a predictor variable. No relationship with fCORT was found for egg volume, but preliminary results indicated
potential carry-over effects of winter conditions on nest initiation date. Specifically, the set of top models
(within 2 AIC units) included fCORT, suggesting that SESAs with higher fCORT levels may initiate nests
later. Because nest initiation date may impact reproductive success in the short arctic breeding season, our
results demonstrate a potential seasonal interaction that may help explain differences in population trends.
6
Determining migratory connectivity for Semipalmated Sandpipers
Dr. BROWN, Stephen 1; Dr. MIZRAHI, David 2; Dr. YEZERINAC, Stephen 3; Dr. LANCTOT, Richard 4; Dr. GRATTO-TREVOR, Cheri 5;
Ms. BOLDENOW, Megan 6; Ms. BENTZEN, Rebecca 7; Dr. GIROUX, Marie-Andrée 8; Ms. KWON, Eunbi 9; Dr. LANK, David 10; Dr.
LECOMTE, Nicolas 8; Dr. LIEBEZEIT, Joe 11; Ms. LOVERTI, Vanessa 4; Mr. PORTER, Ron 12; Ms. RAUSCH, Jennie 5; Dr. SANDERCOCK,
Brett 9; Dr. SCHULTE, Shiloh 1; Dr. SMITH, Paul 5; Dr. WEISER, Emily 9; Mr. WINN, Brad 1
1
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
2
New Jersey Audubon Society
3
Surrey BC
4
US Fish and Wildlife Service
5
Environment Canada
6
University of Alaska Fairbanks
7
Wildlife Conservation Society
8
Université de Moncton
9
Kansas State University
10
Simon Fraser University
11
Audubon Society of Portland
12
Delaware Bay Shorebird Project
Semipalmated Sandpipers (SESA) were historically one of the most widespread and numerous shorebird
species in the Western Hemisphere. However, the species appears to have experienced significant declines on
core wintering areas, including Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil, which supported 90% of all SESA known
to occur in South America in the 1980s. Breeding ground counts have differed, with declines at some sites in
the eastern arctic, and stable or increasing trends in the central and western arctic. In 2013, we deployed 194
light level geolocators to track migration routes of SESA from six sites in the Arctic Shorebird Demographics
Network spread across the species’ breeding range, and 30 at one wintering site in Brazil. In 2014, we
recovered 41 units at breeding sites, with an average return rate of 22% across all sites, and no recoveries at
the wintering site. Return rates were much lower in the Eastern Arctic breeding sites suggesting that
overwinter mortality might be higher and/or site fidelity lower. Results confirmed an eastern arctic
connection with northeastern South America. Two birds tagged on Coats Island bypassed the traditional Bay
of Fundy stopover site, but wintered in the core wintering area in Brazil. Birds from central Alaska and
western Canada used the entire wintering range. Birds breeding west of Barrow wintered in northwestern
South America, outside the area where the dramatic decline was observed. Understanding the migratory
connectivity of these populations will help both identify the origins of declines and ensure the effectiveness of
future targeted conservation efforts.
7
TRENDS IN SHOREBIRD ABUNDANCE, DIVERSITY AND
DISTRIBUTION ON CHINCOTEAGUE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
(NWR) OVER FOUR DECADES.
Ms. BUFFA, Joelle 1; Mr. LASKOWSKI, Harold 2; Mr. MORRIS, Clyde 3; Mr. HOLCOMB, Kevin 4
1
US Fish and Wildlife Service, retired biologist
2
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Retired
3
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, retired
4
Shorebird numbers on the Refuge's three major habitat types - managed impoundments, tidal areas, and
ocean-front beaches - have been monitored weekly (during spring and fall migration) or bi-weekly (June and
winter months) since 1976. In 2010 Chincoteague NWR joined the Integrated Waterbird Monitoring and
Management Initiative, a consortium of wetland mangers in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways to
standardize monitoring, better coordinate conservation efforts at a landscape level, and inform local wetland
management decisions. This collaboration enhances our ability to view shorebird trends on the Refuge in a
larger context. Our presentation examines trends in abundance, migration timing, habitat use, and species
diversity of shorebirds at Chincoteague NWR. Wilds' (2007) surveys between 1976 and 1987 found 45-50
percent of spring and fall migrants in impoundments. Since then, the Refuge has placed more emphasis on
water level management for shorebirds. We will present results of how shorebirds have responded to
management actions, and which Refuge habitats are most important. Between 1976 and 1987 weekly totals in
late spring (May 7 - June 6) averaged 12,549 individuals, dominated by Semi-palmated Sandpipers (Wilds
2007). Fall migration begins in July, and lasts longer than spring migration, with greater species diversity.
Between 1976 and 1987 weekly totals averaged 3,967 individuals for the July 13-August 31 period, and 2,675
for September. We will present data showing how seasonal shorebird numbers on the Refuge have changed
over the 40-year period, and whether this change in mirrored on a larger scale. This will support shorebird
management on the Refuge in the future.
8
Red Knot / 111
RED KNOT (CALIDRIS CANUTUS) ABUNDANCE IN THE BANCO DOS
CAJUAIS, A NEW WHSRN SITE IN NE BRAZIL.
CAMPOS, Alberto 1; Dr. MOBLEY, Jason 1
1
AQUASIS
The Banco dos Cajuais, located near the eastern border of the state of Ceará (41°16’W, 2°55’S), is recognized as
one of the most important shorebird areas in the Northeast region of South America. This vast foraging area,
extending more than 3km offshore at low tide, is unique along the entire semi-arid coastline of Brazil, from
Piauí to Rio Grande do Norte. The Banco dos Cajuais is an important stopover and wintering area along the
Atlantic Flyway for various Nearctic Charadriiformes, but particularly Red Knots (Calidris canutus rufa).
Aquasis monitored the abundance and local movements of Red Knots in the Banco dos Cajuais area at
approximately 15-day intervals from October 2013 to April 2014, and then since October 2014. Flocks as large
as 2,000 Red Knots have now been observed on several occasions during the spring migration period.
Abundance estimates indicate that an average of 1,100 Red Knots overwinter in the Banco dos Cajuais, with
peak numbers of birds (1,700-1,800) recorded during the months of December 2014 and January 2015.
Monitoring data and re-sightings of individually marked Red Knots also suggests the possibility that some
birds may remain in the area of the Banco dos Cajuais year-round. Because of its obvious importance to
shorebird conservation, the Banco dos Cajuais was formally assessed during a participatory Western
Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network workshop in March, 2015 and subsequently recognized as the third
such site in Brazil. Aquasis continues to address the ongoing threats associated with coastal development,
particularly shrimp farming.
Migration / 125
LONG-BILLED CURLEW MIGRATORY CONNECTIVITY AND
NON-BREEDING SEASON HABITAT USE PATTERNS
Dr. CARLISLE, Jay 1; Ms. COATES, Stephanie 1; Mrs. POLLOCK, Jessica 1; Ms. WARE, Heidi 1; Mr. SMITH, Fletcher 2
1
Intermountain Bird Observatory, Boise State University
2
Center for Conservation Biology, College of William Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University
Long-billed Curlew populations have declined in portions of their breeding range and it’s critical to identify
key wintering areas as well as habitats and potential threats during the non-breeding season. For three years
we have used satellite transmitters to track curlews that breed in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Results so
far show birds wintering in several key areas of northwestern Mexico and California. This presentation will
compare movement details with historical results. We will also discuss habitat use patterns of non-breeding
curlews, including their apparent reliance on intertidal zones and irrigated agriculture, and consider threats to
curlew populations.
9
Piping Plover / 102
AN AVIAN NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK: ESTIMATING LANDSCAPE
SUITABILITY FOR THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED GREAT LAKES
PIPING PLOVER.
Mr. KAHLER, Benjamin 1; Mr. CAVALIERI, Vincent 1
1
Estimating landscape suitability for wide-ranging, rare species can be challenging logistically, financially, and
statistically. Recent advances in statistical approaches and geospatial technologies can inform the targeting of
population monitoring resources and habitat restoration efforts. The Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius
melodus) is a rare, federally endangered bird that occupies wide beaches of the Great Lakes. Historically these
birds occurred across all five Great Lakes with breeding sites scattered throughout this very large area.
Monitoring efforts to date for this species have lacked systematic, unbiased collection of data out of logistical
and financial necessity. We modeled the probability of Piping Plover nest occurrence across its geographic
breeding extent in Michigan, USA, using a suite of local and landscape variables in a maximum entropy
algorithm, a presence-only analytical approach. We modeled nest occurrence independently for years 2001
(n=34), 2006 (n=53), and 2011 (n=64) to evaluate change in habitat associations over time. Non-anthropogenic
(e.g., % barren cover within 1 km), anthropogenic (e.g., distance to developed cover), and topographic variables
(e.g., distance to coast) influenced habitat selection by Piping Plover in all years. Model discriminatory ability
was moderate to excellent on training and test data. We created predictions of landscape suitability for Piping
Plover in a geographic information system which can be used to enhance population monitoring efforts and
target marginally suitable habitat for restoration activities. For rare species, presence-only statistical models
can help to estimate landscape suitability, identify factors that may limit habitat suitability at a given location,
and inform population monitoring efforts.
10
Conservation / 63
UTILIZING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR MEASUREABLE
CONSERVATION ACTION ON THE DELAWARE BAY, NEW JERSEY,
USA
CHAMBERLIN, Laura 1
1
Delaware Bay Program Coordinator, Manomet, Inc
Every year during May and June, the Delaware Bay has the largest population of spawning horseshoe crabs
on the Atlantic Coast, providing critical food for hundreds of thousands of shorebirds flying north to the
Arctic to breed. The importance of the Delaware Bay led to it being designated as a Western Hemisphere
Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site in 1986 – WHSRN’s first.
Using WHSRN’s Site Assessment Tool, lack of awareness was identified as a notable threat on the Delaware
Bay. To explore this further, extensive social research, including opinion polls, focus groups, stakeholder
interviews, and asset mapping were conducted to better understand community members’ opinions and
perceptions of shorebirds and horseshoe crabs. Results from this research showed that awareness and
appreciation was higher than anticipated, but there was confusion in how to ‘take action’. Working with
partners on the Delaware Bay, WHSRN began expanding community engagement opportunities in 2014
through the Celebrate Delaware Bay campaign, focusing on clear and direct strategies for people to take
action. Actions focused on solving other threats identified - disturbance to shorebirds feeding and horseshoe
crab mortality. Current strategies are stewardship and citizen science projects which build a base of supporters
through hands-on engagement and personal interaction. Garnering supporters has secondary impacts on other
key threats - horseshoe crab harvesting and loss of habitat. Lessons learned on the Delaware Bay can be
utilized by other sites to assess communities and the role that community engagement can have in reducing
threats with measurable change.
Trophic/Diet Studies / 16
DIET OF LEAST SANDPIPERS IN ORGANIC RICEFIELDS
Ms. CIFUENTES-SARMIENTO, Yanira 1; Dr. RENJIFO, Luis Miguel 2
1
Asociación Calidris
2
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Rice is one of the most important foods for human being, its acreage reaches ten millions of hectares in the
world. A lot of natural ecosystems have been modified because of this cultivation; however the cultivation of
this grain requires flooding stages providing food resource to several organisms including shorebirds. In the
organic ricefields of Valle del Cauca-Colombia, twelve Neotropical migrant species of shorebirds have been
recorded and the largest concentration of Least Sandpipers individuals in Colombia has been found. In its
breeding grounds Least Sandpipers feed on benthic and terrestrial invertebrates however a bigger range of
preys has been found in wintering grounds. To determine diet of Least Sandpipers in organic ricefields, from
October 2012 to December 2012, individuals of this shorebird were caught using mist netting and obtaining
regurgitates with saline solution. The identification of preys found in regurgitates allow to suggest that Least
Sandpipers feed on insects, spiders and vegetable material in organic ricefields of Valle del Cauca, as well as
this shorebird uses stones to crush preys like Coleoptera and Hemiptera with hard exoskeleton. Given the
Coleoptera larvae and adults consumption percentage, Least Sandpipers could be considered one of the main
control species of these insects recognized as pests of the rice field. This information contributes to understand
why Least Sandpipers use organic ricefields and highlights the importance of this agroecosystem for the
migration of this shorebird.
11
Decision Analysis Symposium / 31
DECISION MODEL TO MAXIMIZE QUALITY OF MANAGED, COASTAL
WETLANDS FOR MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS IN THE TROPICS.
Dr. COLLAZO, Jaime 1; Dr. FACKLER, Paul 1; Ms. PARKS, Morgan 1
1
North Carolina State University
Salt flats dominate the coastal zone of southwestern Puerto Rico, many under federal and state jurisdiction.
We developed a decision model to help guide managers in the region to maximize habitat quality for
migratory shorebirds, dominated by small calidrids. The model seeks to maximize accessible habitat (≤4 cm
depth) at salinity levels at ~45 ppt to foster prey density, given constraints of time available to managers to
implement management actions. The model incorporates information on the bathymetry of managed
wetlands, and input and outputs (e.g., rainfall, evaporation). Empirical data on the foundational data used to
construct the model were collected in 2013-2014. These data supported the underlying relationships that
govern model predictions and actions for management. First, prey base (e.g., corixids) respond positively to
salinity levels of 40-60 ppt. Second, shorebirds respond to the amount of accessible habitat such that
movements out of the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge were low (~10%) except during episodic events of
high rainfall (> 5 cm/day), when movements reached 30% and up to nearly 100% with changes in accessible
habitat. Our decision model guides managers in the use of pumps that allow pond water to be pumped out and
ocean water to be pumped in. It attempts to maintain optimal water depth and salinity level based on both
current water depth and salinity level as well as projected rainfall and evaporation rates and subject to
constraints on refuge workers time.
Migration / 14
VALORES HEMATOLÓGICOS DE DOS ESPECIES DE AVES PLAYERAS
CON MIGRACIONES DE CORTA Y LARGA DISTANCIA EN
PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA
Dr. D'AMICO, Verónica 1; Dr. BERTELLOTTI, Marcelo 1; Dr. PALACIOS, María Gabriela 1; Dr. BAKER, Allan 2; Dr. GONZÁLEZ, Patricia
3
1
CONICET
2
ROM
3
Fundación Inalafquen
En este trabajo comparamos la condición física de dos especies de aves migratorias, el chorlo doble collar (DC)
(Charadrius falklandicus), migrador de corta distancia y el playero rojizo (PR) (Calidris canutus rufa),
migrador de larga distancia. Para ello, analizamos parámetros hematológicos de individuos capturados en
Bahía San Antonio (BSA), Patagonia, Argentina durante la migración hacia el norte. Los diferentes
componentes de la inmunidad innata celular y humoral como los recuentos de los tipos de leucocitos y los
valores de aglutinación bacteriana mostraron diferencias entre ambas especies. Las proteínas totales y la
glucosa, parámetros asociados con la reserva de energía, fueron mayores en DC mientras que, el hematocrito
fue mayor en PR. En BSA ambas especies mudan sus plumas, una actividad energéticamente costosa y los PR
además, se están preparando para la migración de larga distancia. Las diferencias encontradas podrían
relacionarse, entre otras cosas, con las necesidades energéticas asociadas a la muda y a las migraciones. Los
DC generalmente no realizan vuelos importantes incluso muchos permanecen en la zona donde van a
reproducirse. Mientras que, los requerimientos energéticos y aeróbicos de PR son mayores debido al largo
vuelo que deben afrontar. Los parámetros fisiológicos en especies de aves migratorias en Suramérica aún son
escasos en la literatura, siendo éste el primer reporte en DC.
12
DECISION SUPPORT POPULATION MODELING FOR ATLANTIC COAST
PIPING PLOVER RECOVERY.
Dr. DARRAH, Abigail 1; Dr. COHEN, Jonathan 1
1
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Nest exclosures are a common management tool used to increase nest success of the threatened U.S. Atlantic
Coast Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) population. However, evidence suggests that exclosures can
increase nest abandonment rates, and at least some of this abandonment may be caused by adult mortality
associated with exclosure use. The objective of the current project is to evaluate the effects of management
actions and ecological and demographic characteristics on Piping Plover nest survival and abandonment
associated with exclosure use, along with corresponding effects on population growth rate. We are using
multinomial logistic exposure analysis in a Bayesian framework to assess the effects of covariates and
exclosure use on nest survival and abandonment rates, which will be incorporated into a stochastic population
projection model. The prototype population model, developed in 2014 with data from 23 sites, did not include
site characteristics but the results indicate that effects of nest exclosures on population growth rate are yearand site-dependent. We will be collecting new data from 15-30 sites along the U.S. Atlantic Coast during the
2015 and 2016 breeding seasons using a standardized protocol, which will be incorporated into the refined nest
survival and population projection models. We will use the final model to develop a decision support tool for
wildlife managers to predict site-specific effects of exclosure use on Piping Plover population growth rate.
Piping Plover / 15
PIPING PLOVER POPULATION RESPONSE TO STORM-AND
HUMAN-CREATED HABITAT CHANGES ON NEW YORK BARRIER
ISLANDS
DEROSE-WILSON, Audrey 1; Dr. FRASER, Jim 1; Dr. KARPANTY, Sarah 1; Dr. CATLIN, Daniel 1
1
Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Recent storm-created habitat and subsequent beach renourishment and dune engineering efforts on Fire Island
and Westhampton Island, New York provided an opportunity to refine our understanding of the time frame
and the manner in which piping plover habitat develops and degrades. We monitored about 15 individually
marked piping plover pairs and their chicks on a 17.5 km stretch of Fire Island and Westhampton Island, New
York, beginning in 2013 and continuing through the 2015 plover breeding season. Potentially suitable nesting
habitat included natural overwashes, overwashes with engineered dunes, and beaches. Hatch success in 2013
was 58%, but chick survival was only 14%. Inadequate protection of foraging habitat from recreational
activities likely contributed to chick mortality. In 2014, hatch success was 53% and 63% of chicks survived to
fledging. Unlike previous studies of piping plovers following habitat creation events, our population did not
increase in the second year post-habitat creation. Local and regional low productivity in 2013 and lower than
expected site fidelity for adults banded in 2013 may explain the lack of increase in piping plover pairs in 2014.
13
Posters / 121
CONSERVACIÓN DE HUMEDALES Y AVES PLAYERAS EN LA
PENÍNSULA VALDÉS, ARGENTINA. EL BENEFICIO DE LA
MULTIPLICIDAD DE DISTINCIONES DE PROTECCION
Ms. DIAZ OVEJERO, Soledad 1; Dr. BALA, Luís Oscar 2
1
Secretaría de Turismo y Áreas Protegidas de la Provincia del Chubut
2
Centro Nacional Patagónico, CONICET
Península Valdés, situada en la costa norte de la Patagonia es un santuario que alberga valores históricos,
culturales, paleontológicos, arqueológicos, paisajísticos y biológicos. Entre éstos últimos, se incluyen
ambientes costeros con colonias reproductivas de mamíferos y aves marinos; sitios de reproducción y parada
de aves playeras migratorias. En virtud de esto último, dos áreas de la península fueron nominadas en 2012
como Sitios de Importancia Regional y de Importancia Internacional por la Red Hemisférica de Reservas de
Aves Playeras y por la Convención de Ramsar respectivamente. Estos sitios quedaron incluidos en la
previamente creada Área Natural Protegida Península Valdés, con estatus de Patrimonio Natural de la
Humanidad (UNESCO, 1999) y posteriormente, en la recientemente nominada Reserva de la Biósfera
(UNESCO, 2014). Así, los sitios RHRAP y Ramsar, cuentan con una protección legal superior del espacio
geográfico y zonificación del área. Dado que los mismos no se crearon para subsanar o remediar un problema
y cuentan con las protecciones adicionales, nos permiten considerarlos como aquellos ambientes mejor
conservados de la costa Patagónica.
Role of Shrimp Farms Symposium / 46
TIME-WINDOWS OF SHRIMP-PONDS AS FORAGING GROUNDS FOR
SHOREBIRDS DURING THE HARVESTING SEASON
Dr. DREVER, Mark 1; FERNANDEZ, Guillermo 2; Dr. VALDIVIA, Nelson 3; Dr. MASERO, José A. 4; Dr. NAVEDO, Juan 5
1
Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Delta, British Columbia, Canada.
2
Unidad Academica Mazatlan, ICML - UNAM
3
Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Región de Los Ríos, Chile
4
Conservation Biology Research Group, Universidad de Extremadura, Spain.
5
Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile
Shrimp aquaculture is widespread in tropical areas, and, under appropriate management, may provide
valuable foraging grounds for shorebirds. How long shorebirds continue to use shrimp ponds following
harvest remains a crucial question. With 1 to 3 ponds sequentially harvested each day, a shrimp-farm provides
a mosaic of areas with different profitability for each shorebird species throughout the five to six weeks of the
shrimp harvesting season. Here we used generalized additive models (GAMs) to analyze daily variation in
density of six shorebird species during two consecutive harvesting cycles at a shrimp-farm in NW Mexico.
Shorebird density varied significantly among ponds, and decreased strongly with each day after harvest.
Godwits and dowitchers were virtually absent by day 2, and stilts by day 3, whereas ponds were still used by
willets and avocets until five days. By contrast, density of whimbrels was low but constant for up two weeks
following harvest. This pattern suggested use of shrimp ponds following harvest will depend on foraging
requirements of each species. Once harvested, ponds became first unavailable for shorebirds that forage by
probing the substrate, and later for other species with high foraging plasticity. Ponds remained in use by
shorebirds specialized in crabs for two weeks following harvest. Therefore, in addition to food supply, an
essential driver in pond use by shorebirds will be the high evaporation rate at tropical latitudes. Maintaining
moisture of the substrate within harvested ponds will be an important management technique that could
increase carrying capacity of shrimp-farms for shorebirds.
14
SITUACIÓN DEL ZARAPITO DE PICO RECTO (Limosa haemastica) Y EL
ZARAPITO DE PICO CURVO, (Numenius phaeopus) EN CURACO DE
VELEZ, ISLA DE CHILOÉ, REGIÓN DE LOS LAGOS CHILE EN EL
PERÍODO 2012-2015.
Mr. ESPINOSA, Luis 1; Mr. DELGADO, Claudio 1
1
Conservación Marina ONG
Se hace un análisis la situación del Zarapito de pico recto (Limosa haemastica) y el Zarapito de pico curvo
(Numenius phaeopus) basado en censos estacionales en la localidad de Curaco de Velez, Isla de Chiloé, Región
de Los Lagos, Chile en los últimos 3 años. La isla de Chiloé resulta ser la localidad con mayores datos
registrados para estas especies en el período de invierno y verano austral, siendo tal vez una de las localidades
con altos números para ambas poblaciones migratorias desde el Hemisferio Norte donde nidifica. Sus números
muestran una tendencia irregular a través del tiempo. Los sitios que utiliza para alimentación y descanso
durante la migración en Chiloé son zonas intermareales con presencia de Polichaeta, Amphipoda e Isopoda, al
parecer, como principal parte de su fuente alimentaria. Descansa preferentemente en playas altas arenosas o
con piedras y algunas veces en praderas. Muchos de estos sitios en la región el hombre los utiliza en
actividades a nivel artesanal o con industria, agricultura y actualmente con turismo, lo que está influyendo
directamente en esta irregularidad numérica de la población de ambas especies. Se proyecta un programa de
seguimiento satelital con el fin de describir a estas poblaciones y sus movimientos en Chiloé and Chile.
Conservation / 110
CENTRO BAHÍA LOMAS Y LOS AVANCES EN LA EJECUCIÓN DEL
PLAN DE MANEJO DEL SITIO RAMSAR DE BAHIA LOMAS (TIERRA
DEL FUEGO, CHILE)
1
2
Dr. ESPOZ, Carmen ; Mr. LUNA QUEVEDO, Diego ; Mrs. GARRIDO, Gabriela
1
Universidad Santo Tomas
2
Shorebird Recovery Project, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
3
Centro Bahia Lomas
3
Bahía Lomas, situado en la boca oriental del Estrecho de Magallanes, en la isla de Tierra del Fuego, Chile
(52º30'S, 69º00'W), es uno de los humedales más importantes para las aves playeras en el Hemisferio Sur. Se
reconoce mundialmente como sitio Ramsar y “sitio de importancia hemisférica” de la Red Hemisférica de
Reservas para Aves Playeras (RHRAP) principalmente porque cada verano recibe un gran número de aves
playeras migratorias que utilizan esta bahía como área de alimentación, muchas de las cuales están en serios
problemas de conservación. La bahía concentra poblaciones clave de Calidris canutus rufa, Limosa
haemastica, y Haematopus leucopodus, así como también números significativos de C. fuscicollis, Charadrius
falklandicus, Ch. modestus, Oreopholus ruficollis, Thinocorus rumicivorus, y Pluvianellus socialis. En este
contexto nace el Centro Bahía Lomas cuyo objetivo es servir como plataforma para la investigación, la
educación y el desarrollo social asociado a la conservación efectiva del sitio, en concordancia con el Plan de
Manejo del humedal que fue elaborado en julio de 2011. En esta presentación se muestran los principales
logros alcanzados por el Centro Bahía Lomas entre diciembre de 2012 y abril de 2015 en cuanto a: (1) dar
soporte a los programas de investigación que se llevan a cabo (censos aéreos y monitoreo ecológico), (2)
conformación de la Corporación Centro Bahía Lomas, (3) ejecución de un programa de educación, y (4)
acciones orientadas al desarrollo de un turismo sustentable.
15
Western Sandpiper/ Semipalmated Sandpiper / 59
POPULATION STRUCTURE OF WINTERING WESTERN SANDPIPERS AT
BAHIA SANTA MARIA, SINALOA, MEXICO, 1999-2001 – 2010-2011.
VEGA-RUIZ, Ivonne I. 1; FERNÁNDEZ, Guillermo 2
1
Programa de Biología Marina, Universidad del Mar
2
Unidad Académcia Mazatlán, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional
Autónoma de México
Bahía Santa Maria is one of the most important wintering areas for Western Sandpipers. Here we compared
the population structure of Western Sandpipers during the wintering period (Nov – Jan) of five nonbreeding
seasons between 1999 and 2011 (1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2008-2009, and 2010-2011). Throughout this
period there have been landscape changes in the coastal wetland that may influence the quantity and quality
of foraging habitat for shorebirds. Males and adults, within sexes, tended to be overrepresented in the
wintering population. Within each sex, the exposed culmen did not differ among seasons but wing chord was
significantly longer in 2008-2009 and 2010-2011, and both sexes were the heaviest during the 2001-2002 season.
For the premigratory periods (Mar – Apr, 1999-2000 and 2010-2011), the body mass gain was significantly
different by sex and day, with females gaining weight faster than males. Age-class or premigratory period did
not affect the body mass gain, suggesting that Western Sandpipers gained weight similarly. Despite the
landscape changes in Bahía Santa María, the population structure of Western Sandpipers during the wintering
and premigratory periods throughout the study period have been similar, especially the ability to gain weight
prior the northward migration.
SHRIMP FARMS AS FORAGING HABITATS FOR WINTERING
SHOREBIRDS IN BAHIA SANTA MARIA, SINALOA, MEXICO
1
FERNÁNDEZ, Guillermo ; Dr. NAVEDO, Juan
1
2
Unidad Académcia Mazatlán, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional
Autónoma de México
2
The use of shrimp aquaculture ponds by migratory shorebirds has been little documented in the Neotropics.
The coast of Sinaloa offers a unique opportunity to examine the importance of shrimp farms as alternative
foraging habitats for migratory shorebirds because is one of the major winter grounds for Nearctic shorebirds
and is one of the most important areas for shrimp farming in Mexico. We conducted a series of counts during
the harvesting cycle (Oct-Dec 2014) at 8 shrimp farms (984 ha) in Bahia Santa Maria. Sampling was designed
to assess the use of shrimp farm ponds with regard to availability of intertidal foraging habitats (neap vs.
spring tides and high vs. low tide) for wintering shorebirds. We recorded 22 species and the total maximum
number using the shrimp farms was 9,160 birds. Six species regularly use the shrimp farms (Western
Sandpiper, Willet, Dowitchers, Marbled Godwit, Black-necked Stilt, and American Avocet). The overall
density of shorebirds was different among shrimp farms and decreased as the harvest cycle progressed. Most
birds (>60%) were foraging regardless of tide height or type. Density of shorebirds tended to be higher at
high-tide, and during periods of neap-tides. These preliminary results suggest that shrimp farms offer
important foraging habitats for shorebirds, even higher when natural intertidal mudflats are reduced due to
neap tides. During the harvesting cycle shrimp farm ponds might be used by a significant proportion of
wintering shorebirds at Bahia Santa Maria, especially for Marbled Godwit and Willet.
16
Red Knot / 97
EVALUATING THE LARGE-SCALE EFFECTS OF GEESE ON OTHER
TUNDRA-NESTING BIRDS.
Mr. FLEMMING*, Scott 1; Dr. SMITH, Paul 2; Prof. NOL, Erica 1
1
Trent University
2
Environment Canada
In some areas, populations of arctic geese are causing significant change to their breeding and staging
habitats. These habitat changes could impact other tundra-nesting birds. Overgrazing by geese weakens
vegetation and grubbing of roots impedes regrowth. These pressures can result in a habitat with shorter
grass/sedge or exposed sediment, providing less cover for birds that require vegetation to conceal nests from
predators. Shorebirds are a diverse taxon in Arctic habitats and many species use well-vegetated coastal
habitats and concealed nest sites. Many populations of arctic-breeding shorebirds are declining, possibly in
part due to goose-induced habitat alteration. My research seeks to evaluate the effects of Midcontinent Lesser
Snow (Chen caerulescens caerulescens), Tallgrass Prairie Cackling (Branta hutchinsii), and Ross’ (Chen rossii)
Geese on other tundra-nesting birds. Using shorebird surveys carried out across the Canadian Arctic as part of
the Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring (PRISM), we relate abundance and
community composition of shorebirds to the distribution of breeding and staging geese. We show evidence
that goose colonies may be impacting the abundance of cover-nesting shorebirds within goose colonies. The
dramatic increases in the abundance of geese in the Eastern Arctic and concurrent declines of shorebirds in
this region suggest at least the potential for an issue of conservation concern. My research should provide
information on whether and how geese might affect other tundra-nesting birds, so that goose management
can acknowledge the needs of these other bird populations.
17
EVALUACIÓN PRELIMINAR DE LA OFERTA DE PRESAS PARA LAS
AVES PLAYERAS MIGRATORIAS EN UNA GRANJA DE CULTIVO DE
CAMARÓN EN EL NOROESTE DE MÉXICO
Ms. FONSECA, Juanita 1; Dr. FERNÁNDEZ, Guillermo 2; Dr. SERRANO, David 1; Dr. NAVEDO, Juan G. 3
1
Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa
2
Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
3
Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral, Chile
Algunos hábitats antrópicos pueden proporcionar un subsidio trófico importante para las poblaciones de aves
playeras. En este sentido, el papel potencial de las granjas de cultivo de camarón no ha sido aún evaluado. En
este trabajo, se estudió la composición, densidad, distribución de tamaños y biomasa bentónica para las aves
playeras presentes en una granja de camarón asociada al Estero de Urías, Mazatlán, México. Durante el ciclo
de cosecha de noviembre del 2013 se seleccionaron seis estanques de camarón. En cada estaque recién
cosechado se tomaron muestras de sedimento en seis puntos (con tres réplicas). Las presas colectadas fueron
contadas, medidas y pesadas hasta obtener el peso seco libre de ceniza. La principal fuente de alimento en los
estanques de camarón fueron los poliquetos de la familia Nereidae, y otras presas como mejillones y cangrejos
se registraron en menor proporción. La densidad de poliquetos en los estanques fue de 596 ind. m-2, oscilando
los tamaños de presa entre 5 y 60 mm. Por otro lado, la biomasa entre estanques varió entre 0.2 y 1.6 g peso
seco libre de ceniza m-2, considerando únicamente los poliquetos. Aunque esta biomasa es aparentemente
menor que la potencialmente presente en hábitats intermareales, los estanques de camarón no presenta
restricciones de disponibilidad temporal relacionadas con los ciclos de mareas. Estos resultados preliminares
indican que el suministro de alimento disponible en los estanques de camarón una vez cosechados, podrían
proporcionar un subsidio trófico importante para algunas especies de aves playeras.
Migration / 81
LINKING STABLE ISOTOPE AND GEOLOCATOR DATA TO INFER
MIGRATORY CONNECTIVITY
FORSTNER*, Tesia 1; Dr. TAYLOR, Audrey 1; Dr. WELKER, Jeffrey 1; Dr. CAUSEY, Douglas 1; Dr. BISHOP, Mary Anne 2; SCHAEFER,
Anne 3; PORTER, Ron 3
1
2
Prince William Sound Science Center, Cordova, AK
3
Prince William Sound Science Center, Cordova AK
Particularly for migratory birds, events happening in non-breeding habitats may impact survival and
reproduction of the species; thus understanding the connectivity between specific breeding and non-breeding
areas is critical for conservation planning. A recent decrease in the number of Black Turnstones (Arenaria
melanocephala; BLTU) stopping in Prince William Sound, Alaska during spring migration could be related to
an overall population decline or to a long-term shift in migration patterns as a result of herring decline
following the Exxon Valdez oil spill. However, patterns of migratory connectivity for BLTU are currently
unknown, and only one major study has investigated their population size or breeding ecology in Alaska. This
project characterized the migratory routes and wintering locations of BLTU using a combination of stable
isotopes found in body and flight feathers and location information derived from light-level geolocators.
Stable isotope data were matched with geolocator data to refine both sources of data, and to calculate a
transfer function relating isotope ratios in feathers to isotope ratios found in precipitation samples. Deuterium
and oxygen isotope ratios were then mapped to corresponding continental-scale precipitation isoscapes to
determine approximate non-breeding areas and migratory routes for untagged individuals. We discuss the
feasibility of linking geolocator and stable isotope migration maps for a wide-ranging shorebird, and of using
existing freshwater isoscapes for a bird species that feeds in a marine environment.
18
Piping Plover / 24
The Importance of Site to Mate Choice: Mate and Site Fidelity in Piping
Plovers
FRIEDRICH, Meryl 1; HUNT, Kelsi 1; CATLIN, Daniel 1; FRASER, James 1
1
Virginia Tech
Each breeding season, seasonally monogamous birds can divorce or reunite with their previous year’s mate,
assuming both partners survive and return. We tested a suite of variables related to mate choice and site
choice to
determine which of 4 prominent mate fidelity hypotheses (better [mate] option, habitat mediated, musical
chairs,
and bet-hedging) best explained the interyear reunion rate and breeding dispersal of a seasonally
monogamous
shorebird, Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), nesting on dynamic sandbars on the Missouri River, USA,
2005–2012.
Of 252 pairs in which both members returned to the breeding grounds the following year, only 20% reunited.
Pairs
with an early-arriving male had the highest mate fidelity. Reunited pairs returned to previous nest sites
(median
breeding dispersal ¼ 39 m), and divorced and widowed birds tended to move farther (median ¼ 229 m and 193
m,
respectively). Overall, site fidelity was higher in males than females. Previous reproductive success of a pair
did not
predict reunion, but all successful birds, with the exception of divorced females, exhibited high site fidelity,
suggesting selection for site based on prior breeding success. Among divorced birds, females had
higher-quality
mates and higher nest success compared to their former partners, and they nested in areas of similar quality
between years, whereas males settled in lower-quality areas following divorce. The benefits that females
gained
from divorce suggested that females initiated divorce to improve reproductive success, which supports the
better
option hypothesis. Although females seemed to initiate most divorces, males may have divorced as a
safeguard
against remaining unmated when there was uncertainty about the survival and return of a former mate, as
proposed
by the bet-hedging hypothesis.
19
Posters / 54
FORTY YEARS OF MIGRANT SHOREBIRD MONITORING IN ONTARIO.
Mr. FRIIS, Christian 1; Dr. SMITH, Paul 2; Dr. SMITH, Adam 1
1
Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service
2
Environment Canada’s Wildlife and Landscape Science
Monitoring of migrant shorebird populations began in 1974 in Canada by Environment Canada’s Canadian
Wildlife Service, (CWS) in Ontario and the Maritimes. Surveys are carried out by volunteers who visit sites
every two weeks between late April and early June in spring, and between late July and late October in
autumn. The Ontario Shorebird Survey (OSS) is part of a large network of sites of similar programs including
the Atlantic Canada Shorebird Survey (formerly known as the Maritimes Shorebird Survey) and the U.S.
coordinated International Shorebird Survey. These surveys began with the intention of identifying areas
important to shorebirds during their spring and autumn migrations over a broad geographic area. Since then,
monitoring shorebird populations has become an increasingly important objective. Analysis of OSS data up to
2009 showed declines for nearly 90% of those species for which trends were estimated. Refinements to both the
survey and the analytic techniques have been implemented in recent years, and we explore the results of the
most recent Bayesian analyses of trends here. These results show widespread declines, consistent with other
trend information for shorebirds. However, the OSS provides unique insights into trends of inland migrants as
it is Canada’s only survey capturing shorebirds at small, inland stopovers. Shorebird migration monitoring
programs across the western hemisphere continue to provide important, annual information on the population
status of shorebirds and remain among the best methods for determining trends for shorebird populations in
North America.
Migration / 51
JAMES BAY SHOREBIRD PROJECT: NEW INSIGHTS INTO A GLOBALLY
IMPORTANT SHOREBIRD STAGING AREA.
Mr. FRIIS, Christian 1; Dr. ABRAHAM, Ken 2; Mr. BROOK, Rod 2; Mr. PECK, Mark 3; Mr. MACKENZIE, Stuart 4; Dr. SMITH, Paul 5; Mr.
SUTHERLAND, Don 2
1
Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service
2
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
3
Royal Ontario Museum
4
Bird Studies Canada's Long Point Bird Observatory
5
Environment Canada’s Wildlife and Landscape Science
The Hudson Bay Lowlands are the third largest wetland complex on earth and the coastal ecosystems of
south-western Hudson Bay and James Bay are a global hotspot for breeding and staging migratory birds.
Several Arctic and sub-Arctic breeding shorebird species stage along the coast to add fat reserves and
undertake partial or complete moults in preparation for their migrations. The tidal mudflats provide a bounty
of food resources to shorebirds, en route from their arctic and sub-arctic breeding grounds to their
non-breeding grounds further south. Since 2009, the multi-agency James Bay shorebird project has surveyed
shorebirds and other migrant birds on the Ontario coast of James Bay. The objectives of this study are to
increase our ability to estimate indices of abundance and trends of shorebird species staging along the western
James Bay coast, understand movement patterns and their causes, and identify the relative importance of
shorebird staging sites and their habitats. In 2014 we affixed 150 VHF radio tags to five target species of
shorebirds at two of our study sites. Using the Motus Wildlife Tracking System network of telemetry towers
that covers eastern North America, results from 120 tags detected show a median length of stay at James Bay
for Semipalmated (14d) and White-rumped (16d) sandpipers and Red Knot (16d). Work is now underway to
determine movement patterns and the habitat features that determine shorebirds’ use of particular sites, as a
first step towards conserving the most important areas in the future.
20
Posters / 53
IMPORTANCE OF AN AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE TO MIGRANT
SHOREBIRDS IN SPRING.
Mr. FRIIS, Christian 1; Mr. WOOD, Ross 2
1
Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service
2
Ross Wood Services
Enumerating shorebirds as they migrate through inland areas is challenging and little is known about the
significance of inland habitats to shorebirds in eastern North America. Southwestern Ontario’s agricultural
fields play host to numerous spring migrant shorebirds and may support significant proportions of the total
population for some species. For example, historic one-day spring counts of up to 16,000 Black-bellied Plovers
using an area between Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie would account for 16% of the estimated Canadian
population. This exceeds criteria used to determine a WHSRN Site of International Importance and Important
Bird Area A4 criteria. The objective of this study was to confirm historic reports and document concentration
areas. We separated the study area ( ~1,200 km²) into three areas and surveyed each area every 10 days from
20 April – 9 June to estimate the number of Black-bellied Plovers using the area in the 2014 spring season. We
also carried out two one-day counts that covered the entire study area to determine the one-day high count. A
one-day high count of over 11,000 individuals indicates that this area is significant for Black-bellied Plover. In
addition, one-day high counts of other shorebirds species. Further study is needed to determine the habitat
features that are important to migrant shorebirds and to understand interannual variation in areas of
concentration, to aid conservation of these species in this heavily human-influenced landscape.
BIOGEOGRAPHY OF TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS FOR A
VECTOR-BORNE PATHOGEN RECENTLY FOUND IN
ARCTIC-BREEDING SHOREBIRDS
1
Ms. GANSER, Claudia ; Mrs. WISELY, Samantha
1
1
University of Florida
Globally, shorebirds are declining at a precipitous rate. Although the exact causes are unclear and likely
complex, habitat loss and degradation in addition to climate change are likely at the root of their decline.
Indirect effects of these changes, such as increased infectious disease transmission, have largely been ignored
in the literature. Our study addresses the role of avian malaria – a vector-borne infectious disease caused by
haemosporidia in three families (Plasmodidae, Haemoproteidae, Leucocytozoidae) – in the conservation of
Neotropical migrants and establishes the global context of their transmission dynamics. From 2011–2014 we
collected over 3100 blood samples from 14 shorebird species. These samples were collected from 14 Arctic
breeding sites across the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic. Utilizing molecular techniques, we screened shorebird
samples for malarial parasites. The overall prevalence of avian malaria at Arctic breeding grounds was below
5%, with slight annual variation. These estimates are consistent with previous studies that found low parasite
prevalence at Nearctic breeding sites, which may be indicative of an infectious disease agents with a high
pathogenic potentially. The biogeographic analysis indicated that the recovered haemosporidia had broad
global distributions of up to 31 countries within five geographic regions. Host ranges were equally broad with
up to 106 host species that belonged to 9 orders.
21
Las poblaciones de Calidris pusilla en Venezuela: una revisión de la
morfometría de ejemplares de colección
Dr. GINER FERRARA, Sandra 1
1
Instituto de Zoología y Ecología Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela
La poblaciones reproductoras de Calidris pusilla en el ártico y subártico presentan una clina geográfica de la
longitud promedio del pico desde la costa oeste en Alaska hasta la costa este de Canadá. Presentan picos más
cortos (17,8mm-18,0 mm) en el oeste y picos más largos (20,1mm-20,6mm) en el este. Estas diferencias en las
medidas de culmen de C. pusilla en los sitios de parada e invernada han sido utilizados para identificar las
rutas migratorias utilizadas por las diferentes poblaciones reproductoras. El objetivo de este estudio fue
evaluar las variaciones en la longitud de pico de los individuos de C. pusilla depositados en las colecciones de
museo en Venezuela y determinar si provienen de diferentes poblaciones reproductoras. Se midió la longitud
del culmen de los ejemplares Calidris pusilla depositados en la Colección Ornitológica Phelps (COP), Estación
Biológica de Rancho Grande (EBRG) y Museo de Historia Natural La Salle (MHNLS). Se agruparon por
período de migración, región y sexo. Se revisaron 123 individuos, 46 machos, 33 hembras y 33 sexo
indeterminado. La longitud de culmen promedio (LCP) fue 17,94mm±0,95 en machos (16,47mm-20,83mm) y
19,80mm±1,23 en hembras (16,8mm-21,83 mm). En la migración de primavera LCP fue 18,76±0,22
(16,87mm-21,83mm), en la migración de otoño fue 18,92mm±0,19 (16,47mm-22,97mm). En las regiones el LCP
fue 18,68mm±1,58 (16,87mm-21,83mm) en occidente, 19,21mm±1,50 (16,8mm-21,83mm) en el centro y
18,43mm±1,16 (16,47mm-20,67mm) en oriente. Estos resultados indican la utilización de las costas de
Venezuela como sitio de parada por individuos de C. pusilla provenientes de poblaciones reproductoras
distintas.
22
Red Knot / 95
DRAMATIC DECLINE OF THE TIERRA DEL FUEGO POPULATION OF
RED KNOTS (CALIDRIS CANUTUS RUFA) IS DRIVEN BY
FLYWAY-WIDE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATIC
VARIATION ON ADULT SURVIVAL AND RECRUITMENT
Mrs. GONZALEZ, Patricia M. 1; Dr. BAKER, Allan J. 2; Dr. MORRISON, R.I.Guy 3; Mr. BENEGAS, Luis G. 4
1
Fundación Inalafquen y Global Flyway Network
2
Royal Ontario Museum
3
Environment Canada
4
Museo de la Ciudad Virginia Choquintel
In shorebirds climate change and environmental degradation are predicted to increase the risks of
long-distance migration, and could have negative effects on adult survival and reproductive output. The Tierra
del Fuego (TDF) population of red knots that migrates 15,000 km annually to Canadian Arctic breeding sites
has declined 80% since 2000 and shows no signs of recovery, contrary to shorter-distance migrant populations
in NE Brazil and SE USA. To test these predictions we estimated annual survival using a
capture-recapture-resight data set with encounter histories of 462 males and 510 females collected from
1998-2011 at the first major staging site on the northward migration at San Antonio Oeste (SAO). We show
that apparent survival of adults is sex-specific (females S=0.83±0.008, males S=0.80±0.003) and markedly lower
than in flocks of the three non-breeding populations (S=0.92) refueling at Delaware Bay (DB). The top four
models accounted for 69.1% of the Akaike weight and included climatic covariates (Arctic Oscillation)
affecting conditions in the Arctic breeding grounds during nesting or at nonbreeding sites in TDF (ENSO), and
a smaller carry-over effect in the previous year from the proportion of birds ≥180 g before departure from DB.
The low levels of recruitment of second-year birds recorded in catches in RG in most years, and the low
proportion of juveniles counted in flocks at the SAO, indicate the decline of the TDF population has been
caused by low recruitment and adult survival.
23
Piping Plover / 42
CONNECTIVITY OF EASTERN CANADA PIPING PLOVERS
Dr. GRATTO-TREVOR, Cheri 1; Ms. ROCK, Jen 2; Ms. MCKNIGHT, Julie 2; Ms. POTTER, Karen 2; Mr. SHAFFER, Francois 2; Ms. BAKER,
Krista 2; Mr. RICHARD, Alain 3
1
Environment Canada
2
3
Attention Fragile
CONNECTIVITY
OF
EASTERN
CANADA
PIPING
PLOVERS.
Cheri
Gratto-Trevor
([email protected]), Science & Technology Branch, Environment Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Jen Rock
([email protected]), Canadian Wildlife Service, Sackville, NB, Julie McKnight ([email protected]),
Canadian Wildlife Service, Dartmouth, NS, Karen Potter ([email protected]), Canadian Wildlife Service,
Dartmouth, NS, François Shaffer ([email protected]), Canadian Wildlife Service, Quebec, QC, and
Krista Baker ([email protected]), Canadian Wildlife Service, St. John’s, NL, and Alain Richard,
([email protected]), Attention Fragîle, Magdalen Islands, QC.
Although productivity has been relatively high, populations of Piping Plovers have recently declined in
Eastern Canada. A previous study suggested that survival in the nonbeeding season might be lower for birds
from Eastern Canada, so we initiated a study to examine survival and nonbreeding distribution of these birds.
In 2014, we marked 89 adults and 111 chicks in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and
Quebec with coded grey or black flags. We solicited resightings from migration and wintering sites in the U.S.
and the Bahamas, from contractors, NGOs, government agencies, and the public. We attempted to have 80% of
plovers wintering in the U.S. Atlantic from North Carolina to Florida, the gulf coast of Florida, and the
Bahamas examined for our coded flags. We obtained 190 reports of 65 individual plovers from fall migration
(July through October) and winter (November through February). This represented 39% (17/44) of males, 22%
(10/45) of females, and 14% (15/111) of chicks in fall, and 27% (12/44) of males, 22% (10/45) of females, and 18%
(20/111) of chicks in winter. Birds staged from Maine to Florida and in the Bahamas in fall. Eastern Canada
Piping Plovers wintered from North Carolina to the Florida gulf coast, and in the Bahamas and Cuba: 47%
(22/47) in the Caribbean, 28% (13/47) on the Florida gulf coast, and 25% (12/47) on the Atlantic coast.
24
GUT MICROBIOTA OF ARCTIC SHOREBIRD CHICKS: MICROBIAL
COLONIZATION AND SUCCESSION OF SHOREBIRD GUTS FROM
EMBRYO TO FLEDGLING.
Ms. GROND, Kirsten 1; Dr. LANCTOT, Richard 2; Dr. JUMPPONEN, Ari M. 1; Dr. SANDERCOCK, Brett K. 1
1
2
GUT MICROBIOTA OF ARCTIC SHOREBIRD CHICKS: MICROBIAL COLONIZATION AND SUCCESSION
OF SHOREBIRD GUTS FROM EMBRYO TO FLEDGLING.
Kirsten Grond ([email protected]), Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Richard B. Lanctot
([email protected]), Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ari M. Jumpponen
([email protected]), Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Brett K. Sandercock ([email protected]),
Division of Biology, Kansas State University.
Gut microbiota play an important role in maintaining organismal health and growth. Unlike organisms that
establish their gut microbial through the process of birth, avian embryos have been hypothesized to be sterile
prior to hatch and gain their microbiota solely from environment. In the high arctic environment where the
growing season is short, self-feeding precocial chicks of shorebirds may benefit from hatching with basic
microbial communities in their gut. We aim to: 1) determine the presence and composition of embryonic gut
microbiota of Arctic breeding shorebird chicks, 2) address the possibility of bacterial transmission from
mother to chick prior to hatch, and 3) document the succession of gut microbiota in the post-hatching period.
In 2013, we collected embryos of 30 Dunlin and 21 Semipalmated Sandpipers 1-3 days prior to hatch in
Barrow, AK, as well as fecal samples from the maternal parent. In addition, we collected fecal samples from
the same Dunlin and Red Phalarope chicks every 5 days from hatch to fledge. We extracted DNA from
embryo guts and chick fecal samples, and are in the process of sequencing the 16S rRNA region of the
bacterial genome with use of the Illumina sequencing platform. We will discuss patterns and shifts in gut
bacterial communities throughout the developmental period of different shorebird species using advanced
computation techniques, and relate microbial succession to growth rate of the chicks.
25
PHENOLOGY OF BREEDING IN ARCTIC SHOREBIRDS – CAN THEY
KEEP UP WITH CLIMATE CHANGE?
Dr. GURNEY, Kirsty 1; Mr. WARD, David 2; Mr. DOUGLAS, David 2; Mr. BUDDE, Michael 3
1
Environment Canada
2
Alaska Science Center, USGS
3
Earth Resources Observation and Science Center, USGS
Current models predict early and disproportionately large changes in climate at high northern latitudes, and
data are consistent with this idea. In addition, observed increases in the onset and duration of the growing
season, as determined by thawing and freezing of soils, are enhanced in arctic regions. Concurrent with these
climatic changes, plant phenology appears to be advancing. Although the extent to which such large-scale
environmental change will affect arctic-breeding birds is unknown, impacts will likely vary among species
and populations. For example, reduced reproductive success and population declines have been observed in
long-distance migrants and in those whose breeding phenology is dependent on non-climatic cues.
Conversely, species that migrate over shorter distances and those that advance the onset of breeding to keep
pace with advancing spring phenology may benefit from predicted changes in climate. The proximate cues
that arctic-nesting shorebirds use to determine timing of breeding, however, have not been studied across a
broad taxonomic scale and remain poorly quantified for many species. The objectives of our study, therefore,
are (i) to evaluate hypotheses about processes that influence timing of breeding across a range of shorebird
taxa and (ii) to identify potential vulnerabilities of arctic-nesting shorebirds in the face of global climate
change. Specifically, we will present results of a pan-Arctic meta-analysis that combines remotely-sensed
indices of spring phenology (date of spring thaw and spring green-up) with nesting data collected across
multiple sites and years.
Posters / 120
Snowy Plover abundance and distribution on salt flats of Salt Plains
NWR.
Mr. HENSLEY, Glen 1
1
In 2012 Thomas et al. published a range wide population estimate for snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus).
They found that approximately 42% of the breeding population resided at Great Salt Lake, Utah and Salt Plains
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Oklahoma. Population estimate for Salt Plains NWR was slightly below
Great Salt Lake. Salt Plains NWR contains only 2% available suitable habitat compared to Great Salt Lake,
possibly making it one of the most densely populated areas for snowy plovers. Since this study was published,
Salt Plains NWR has conducted an annual survey of the salt flats following spatial survey techniques used by
Thomas et al. Objectives of annual surveys are a.) compare annual population estimates to Thomas et al. and
b.) describe spatial use of salt flats within a dense population. Population estimates have been 5078.16 (3830.07,
6326.26) in 2013 and 3086.16 (2365.15, 3807.17) in 2014.
26
Red Knot / 114
SPRING MIGRATION ECOLOGY (2010 TO 2015) OF RED KNOTS (Calidris
canutus roselaari) IN GOLFO DE SANTA CLARA, SONORA, MEXICO.
Dr. CARMONA, Roberto 1; Ms. HERNÁNDEZ, Adriana 1; Ms. ARCE, Nallely 2; Mr. AYALA, Victor 1
1
Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur
2
Laboratorio de Aves, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur
En junio 2009 observamos 600 Playeros rojizos en las adyacencias del Golfo de Santa Clara, Sonora, México
(GSC), lo que dio lugar a la investigación en curso. La playa arenosa del GSC se ubica en el extremo noreste
del Golfo de California. En 2010 iniciamos estudios sobre ecología alimenticia, muda, comportamiento
agonístico, tasas de retorno y captura y marcaje. Durante marzo y abril (2010-2015) determinamos: (1) la
abundancia semanal de los Playeros rojizos (máximo de 6,060 aves en marzo 2014); (2) sabemos que el uso de
la playa se relaciona con la disponibilidad de los huevos de Pejerrey (Leuresthes sardina), de los que se
alimentan los playeros; (3) la ganancia de masa corporal, evaluada con el perfil abdominal (AP) aumentó a lo
largo de cada temporada; con base en el AP de individuos capturados (y pesados), estimamos un aumento ~40
g, en 18 días (promedio; marzo 2015); (4) la muda del plumaje básico al alterno en 18 días (promedio;
2011-2015), (5) la frecuencia de agresiones intraespecíficas, máximo de 0.3 agresiones/min (marzo 2015); (6) la
tasa de retorno respecto al año anterior, máxima de 58% (2012). Capturamos y anillamos 92 individuos (2010 a
2014), de éstos hemos reobservado 65 en la zona (71%). Del total capturado 88% fueron adultos. GSC es el sitio
de paso migratorio primaveral más importante en México para roselaari con al menos el 36% de la población
total estimada. De tal manera el GSC debe ser considerado en cualquier plan de conservación y manejo
relacionado con roselaari.
Posters / 126
NEST SITE SELECTION OF DUNLIN NEAR CHURCHILL, MANITOBA IN
A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
HOLMES, Gillian* 1; KOLOSKI, Laura 2; NOL, Erica 2
1
Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B8, CANADA
2
Trent University
The eastern North American subspecies of Dunlin (Calidris alpina hudsonia) is a common shorebird that nests
in peatland habitats from Nunavut to the Hudson Bay lowlands in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, Canada.
Climate warming will likely decrease the amount of suitable nesting habitat for Dunlin due to shrub
encroachment. We studied nest-site selection of breeding Dunlin in the Churchill, Manitoba region to test
whether predation or favourable microclimates best explains current patterns of nest success. Dunlin chose
sites with thicker and taller vegetation cover than what occurred at random locations. At nest cups vegetation
was also taller in the predominant NW windward direction than in all others probably to avoid the impacts of
evaporative cooling from coastal winds of the Hudson Bay. Nest success was positively related to nest
concealment but not to shrub or tree density. The amount of shrubs in territories of Dunlin has increased over
the three years of study. Both favourable microclimate and avoidance of predation appear to drive nest-site
selection in this sub-arctic nesting species.
27
Breeding/Demography / 116
BIOMETRIA DEL PLAYERO BLANCO CALIDRIS ALBA (Pallas, 1764) EN
LA RESERVA NACIONAL DE PARACAS, PERÚ
Mr. HUAYANCA MUNARRIZ, Cesar Renato Alonso 1
1
Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga de Ica
Los trabajos relacionados sobre la biometría de aves migratorias han sido mayormente realizados en países del
hemisferio norte, mientras que en lugares ubicados más al sur, es poco lo que se conoce (Saint Clair, 2011). En
la actualidad se tiene muy poca información sobre la biometría del playero blanco Calidris alba, en sus áreas
no reproductivas en las Américas. Para aportar a este vacío de información este trabajo fue realizado durante
los meses de la temporada no reproductiva de la especie, desde octubre hasta abril desde el 2011 hasta el 2014
en la bahía La Aguada en la Reserva Nacional de Paracas,. Se realizaron capturas mediante redes de neblina y
se tomaron datos biométricos (Culmen, cabeza total, Ala plana y peso) de individuos juveniles (n=77) y
adultos (n=27). Como resultados principales encontramos que no se hay diferencias significativas en las
medidas de culmen y cabeza total entre juveniles y adultos, sin embargo la medida del ala plana de los adultos
fue significativamente más pequeña que la de los juveniles durante la etapa pre-migratoria. Con respecto al
peso, no hubieron variaciones significativas entre individuos adultos y juveniles durante la etapa de
residencia, sin embargo en la etapa pre-migratoria los juveniles tuvieron mayor peso (61 g.) que los individuos
adultos (53.7 g.). Evidenciando así que los individuos juveniles debieron prepararse junto y tanto como los
adultos para su primera migración de primavera al hemisferio norte.
Piping Plover / 60
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL: PIPING PLOVER DEMOGRAPHIC
RESPONSE TO HISTORIC FLOODING ON THE MISSOURI RIVER
HUNT, Kelsi 1; Dr. CATLIN, Daniel 1; Dr. FRASER, James 1; FRIEDRICH, Meryl 1; Dr. KARPANTY, Sarah 1
1
Virginia Tech Shorebird Program
For many shorebird species, quality and quantity of nesting and foraging habitat may affect population levels.
On the Missouri River, piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are limited by the amount of sandbar habitat
available, which they use to nest and rear chicks. In 2004, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began
constructing sandbars on the Missouri River, and from 2005-2010, we compared the effectiveness of these
‘engineered’ sandbars with that of ‘natural’ sandbars that occurred in the river by examining piping plover
nest success, pre-fledge chick survival and adult survival. Engineered sandbars initially had relatively high
nest success and chick survival; however, both decreased substantially over time. During the 2011 breeding
season, a record-breaking flood covered virtually all sandbar habitat and resulted in increased adult mortality
and complete reproductive failure. The flood also created an abundance of new sandbar habitat, and from
2012-2014 we compared the effectiveness of these ‘post-flood’ sandbars with the pre-flood engineered
sandbars of the same age. We found that the post-flood sandbars performed better than pre-flood engineered
sandbars. Both nest success and pre-fledge chick survival were higher on post-flood sandbars and, unlike
engineered sandbars, did not decrease in the first three years. Adult survival was also initially higher
post-flood, but returned to pre-flood levels after the first year. On the Missouri River, it is likely that habitat
quantity, rather than quality, is driving piping plover population numbers. The abundance of flood-created
habitat resulted in lower nesting densities, and piping plovers on post-flood sandbars experienced relatively
low levels of density-dependent predation and an abundance of foraging habitat.
28
Conservation / 82
HABITATS FOR SHOREBIRDS- STEWARDSHIP THROUGH SITE-BASED
WORKSHOPS
IGLECIA, Monica 1; WINN, Brad 1
1
Today, an estimated 30% of North American shorebird populations are in decline. Migrant shorebirds rely on a
diversity of shallow water habitat such as those found in natural freshwater wetlands, intertidal coastal
systems, managed wetlands, and flooded pasture and farmland to meet their migratory and reproductive
needs. To identify locations for habitat enhancement, we evaluated priority shorebird areas as defined by the
Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Partnership, BirdLife
International, and the National Audubon Society. To mitigate some of the extensive wetland losses in the USA
over the last century, we are building partnerships to deliver the best-available knowledge of land
management recommendations to individual sites and collaborating with organizations and individuals to
facilitate management activity to benefit shorebirds. As a first step, we host workshops in focal geographies of
high importance for shorebirds where both interest in shorebird management and opportunities to engage in
on the ground enhancement projects are present. By linking existing knowledge and targeted research to help
inform decisions and management actions, we can inform managers on public and private lands, enabling
them to provide quality habitat for shorebird populations seasonally at key areas in the Western Hemisphere.
Posters / 122
Biofilm Consumption and Variable Diet Composition of Western
Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) during Migratory Stopover
Ms. JARDINE, Catherine 1; Dr. BOND, Alexander 2; Mr. DAVIDSON, Peter 1; Dr. BUTLER, Rob 3; Dr. KUWAE, Tomohiro 4
1
Bird Studies Canada
2
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
3
Pacific Wildlife Foundation
4
Coastal and Estuarine Environment Research Group
Many shorebird species undertake long-distance migrations punctuated by brief stays at food-rich, estuarine
stopover locations. Understanding use of these food resources helps guide conservation and responsible
development decisions. We determined the extent and degree to which Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)
utilized biofilm as a food resource across a large and variable stopover location during northward (spring)
migration. We investigated the spatial heterogeneity in diet composition, to determine whether shorebirds
were consistently feeding on biofilm or whether diet varied between naturally and anthropogenically
delineated sites. We used stable isotope analysis to estimate that biofilm conservatively comprised 22% to 53%
of Western Sandpiper droppings across all sampling sites and that prey composition differed significantly
between areas within the stopover location. Widespread biofilm consumption demonstrates the importance of
biofilm as a dietary component. Variable diet composition suggests that habitat heterogeneity may be an
important component of high quality stopover locations in the context of “state-dependant trade-offs” of
Western Sandpiper population sub-groups. Future management decisions must consider and address potential
impacts on the biofilm community throughout a stopover location, as single site studies of diet composition
may not be adequate to develop effective management strategies for entire stopover sites.
29
Conservation / 90
The Importance of The Bahamas to North American Shorebirds
Mr. JEFFERY, Matthew 1; Mr. GOLDER, Walker 1
1
Audubon
Many North American shorebirds make extraordinary migrations from breeding areas in the middle and
northern latitudes to southern wintering areas. These long distance migrations are energetically expensive and
shorebirds often arrive at stopover or wintering sites with depleted fat reserves and in need of high quality
food and foraging habitat. During the past 4 years, the National Audubon Society, Bahamas National Trust,
and other partner organizations have identified sites across The Bahamas that support significant
concentrations of shorebirds during migration and winter including large concentrations of the endangered
piping plover. This work has added important new information to our understanding of the importance of The
Bahamas to non-breeding shorebirds. This information is very important to developing and implementing
successful conservation strategies.
PATIA RIVER DIVERSION AND ABUNDANCE OF SHOREBIRDS IN
SANQUIANGA NATIONAL PARK, COLOMBIA / DESVIACION DEL RIO
PATIA Y ABUNDANCIA DE AVES PLAYERAS EN EL PARQUE
NACIONAL NATURAL SANQUIANGA, COLOMBIA
Mr. JOHNSTON GONZALEZ, Richard 1; EUSSE-GONZALEZ, Diana 2
1
Center for Wildlife Ecology / Asociacion Calidris
2
Asociación para el estudio y conservación de Aves Acuáticas en Colombia
La construcción de un canal de transporte de madera en el sur de la cCosta Pacifica colombiana en 1972,
accidentalmente dió inicio al trasvase del río Patía en el estuario del Rio Sanquianga. Las consecuencias de
este “desastre ecológico” son diversas y muchas negativas, pero el incremento en la sedimentación también
podría proveer nuevo hábitat para aves playeras. Aunque no tenemos datos históricos de la abundancia de
aves playeras como sustituto para evaluar los efectos del canal, podemos usar la comparación de bocanas del
río con diferente influencia del mismo. Usando datos tomados entre 2012 y 2015 en el marco del Proyecto de
Aves Playeras Migratorias estimamos la abundancia de aves playeras en 101 planos lodosos distribuidos en
seis bocanas. También estimamos el aumento en el area de planos lodoso en cada bocana durante los últimos
40 años. Como esperábamos, la abundancia de aves playeras fue mayor en bocanas cercanas al canal, pero la
densidad promedio no difirió entre bocanas. El trasvase del rio Patia a creado hasta 250% mas planos lodos en
algunas bocanas de Sanquianga y potencialmente ha favorecido el establecimiento de más aves playeras, pero
no necesariamente soportando mayores mayores densidades. Esta evaluación documenta un caso singular de
un sitio importante para aves playeras creado o mejorado por accidente e informa a los manejadores del
Parque Nacional Natural Sanquianga de algunos posibles ganadores del trasvase del Patia. El monitoreo
debería mantenerse y expandirse para entender los efectos de la entrada persistente de sedimentos y agua
dulce en este sitio critico para aves playeras.
30
Piping Plover / 85
PIPING PLOVER MANAGEMENT AND RECOVERY AS A HUMAN
DIMENSIONS CHALLENGE
Mr. JORGENSEN, Joel 1; Dr. BOMBERGER BROWN, Mary 2
1
Nongame Bird Program at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
2
Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
Traditionally, Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) recovery has been bird-focused, addressing issues related to
species’ biology (e.g., physically protecting and increasing nesting and wintering areas) first and treating
human dimensions challenges with less importance. We suggest that human dimensions issues receive greater
importance in plover recovery. As an illustration of this need, we evaluated whether awareness of piping
plovers and their legally protected status and attitudes toward species management varied between groups of
recreationists at Lake McConaughy, Keith County, Nebraska, USA. Awareness of piping plovers varied
primarily upon the respondents’ number of annual visits to Lake McConaughy with less effect of respondents’
age, sex, or location of primary residence. Recreationists with increased awareness of piping plovers and their
protected status did not have more favorable attitudes towards plovers and recreation restrictions. The more
frequently recreationists visited Lake McConaughy, the less receptive they were to alternative management
strategies. We also evaluated dog leash law compliance rates, recreationists’ awareness of the site’s leash-law
and attitude towards dog access to beaches and increased leash-law enforcement. Leash law compliance rates
at Lake McConaughy were chronically low but recreationists’ awareness of the leash law was high.
Traditional approaches towards the human dimensions-social challenges associated with Piping Plovers
recovery should be reconsidered, not only locally at Lake McConaughy but rangewide. Piping plover recovery
plans should incorporate general and site-specific human dimensions guidance for conservation practitioners.
31
Red Knot / 118
ARE SNOW GEESE AFFECTING OTHER BIRDS? COMPARISONS OF
NEST SUCCESS AND NEST CONCEALMENT OF ARCTIC-BREEDING
SHOREBIRDS ON TWO ARCTIC ISLANDS WITH AND WITHOUT
SNOW GEESE
Ms. KENNEDY, Lisa V * 1; Dr. NOL, Erica 2; Dr. SMITH, Paul A 3
1
Trent University / Environment Canada
2
Trent University
3
Environment Canada
Shorebird populations in arctic North America have declined significantly over the last 40 years. The high
densities of snow geese at a number of locations in the Arctic are hypothesized to negatively impact
shorebirds’ breeding success through either direct physical goose presence and/or indirect-related effects from
habitat degradation from over-grazing and attracting predators. Two islands north of Hudson Bay,
Southampton and Coats Island, Nunavut, provide a perfect opportunity to study these effects because one site
is heavily used by breeding snow geese while impacts of geese are minimal at the other. To determine how
individual shorebirds are responding to habitat degradation and physical disturbances from snow geese, we
asked how shorebird nest success may be influenced by the direct presence of snow geese as a result of
disturbance. We evaluated differences in nest success in relation to nest site characteristics such as nest
concealment and goose activity. We predicted that breeding shorebirds nesting on Southampton Island would
demonstrate decreased nest success via decreased nest concealment and increased predator activity by fox
following geese compared to Coats Island where snow geese are virtually absent. Across species within
Charadriidae and Scolopacidae, between 2000-2014 Coats has 43% (192/446) nest success on our site without
geese compared to 27% nest success (475/1727) on Southampton sites where geese brood their young.
Assessing the direct and/or indirect significance of goose-related impacts on shorebirds will be essential in
understanding some of the long term consequences of impaired body condition, reproductive success and
survivorship of declining shorebirds.
32
TEMPORALLY MEDIATED GEOGRAPHIC EFFECTS ON THE INTENSITY
OF PHENOLOGICAL MISMATCH
Ms. KWON, Eunbi 1; Dr. DAVID, David Lank 2; Dr. LANCTOT, Richard 3; Dr. BROWN, Stephen 4; Dr. SANDERCOCK, Brett 5
1
Division of Biology, Kansas State University
2
3
4
5
Species’ responses to climate change vary across functional groups and trophic levels, which can cause
decoupling of biological interactions or a ‘phenological mismatch’. Despite quickly accumulating examples of
phenological mismatch, recent studies are limited to single species studies at relatively small spatial scales. We
tested the phenological mismatch hypothesis using bi-trophic interactions between six shorebird species and
their invertebrate prey at ten breeding sites which span from western Alaska to eastern Canada. We estimated
the degree of phenological match between shorebirds and invertebrates as the overlapped area under two
fitted curves for estimated hatching dates and daily invertebrate biomass. Using Structural Equation
Modeling, we tested causal relationships among exogenous factors (geographic location, current temperature,
and change in temperature over 25 years), phenology of shorebirds and invertebrates, and the degree of
phenological match between shorebirds and their prey. Geographic location was the most important
exogenous factor, with both direct and indirect effects on the degree of phenological match. The timing of
peak invertebrate abundance and hatching of shorebirds were both delayed at northerly latitude and easterly
longitude, which improved the degree of phenological match. Apart from the temporally mediated effects, we
also detected negative direct effects of latitude and longitude on the degree of phenological match. Thus the
shorebirds breeding at northerly latitude and easterly longitude experienced greater phenological mismatch
with their prey. Our results indicate broad geographical pattern with the phenological mismatch between
shorebirds and invertebrate prey.
ARCTIC SHOREBIRD DEMOGRAPHICS NETWORK.
Dr. LANCTOT, Richard 1; Dr. BROWN, Stephen 2; Dr. SANDERCOCK, Brett 3
1
2
3
To obtain a better understanding of how shorebirds respond to climate-mediated changes in the Arctic’s
morphology and ecology, we established a network of sites known as the Arctic Shorebird Demographics
Network (ASDN) to collect information on a suite of predictor variables thought to be responsive to climate
change. Our goal was to correlate these variables with measures of shorebird distribution, ecology, and
demography. Starting in 2010, we established nine field sites across the Arctic, from Nome, Alaska to Hudson
Bay, Nunavut. The number of sites expanded from 9 to 11 sites in 2011, 11 to 14 in 2012, and 14 to 16 in 2013.
Protocols were adopted/modified from prior studies in the Arctic to create a standardized protocol that has
been updated prior to each field season. Results from the 2010 to 2014 field seasons will be given in
presentations that follow. Here we will provide a general overview of network organization, where work was
conducted, and the general protocols used to set the stage for the upcoming talks.
33
INCUBATION PATTERNS OF BIPARENTAL SHOREBIRDS: A
COMPARATIVE STUDY
Mr. BULLA, Martin 1; Dr. LANCTOT, Richard B. 2; Dr. BROWN, Stephen 3; LAMARRE, JF 4; Prof. KEMPENAERS, Bart 1
1
Max Planck Institute for Ornithology
2
3
4
University of Quebec at Rimouski
INCUBATION PATTERNS OF BIPARENTAL SHOREBIRDS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY. Martin Bulla*
[email protected] (Department of Behavioural Ecology & Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for
Ornithology), Richard B. Lanctot [email protected] (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Stephen Brown
[email protected] ( Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences) and JF Lamarre [email protected]
(University of Quebec at Rimouski), Bart Kempenaers [email protected] (Department of Behavioural
Ecology & Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology) & 50+ others
Incubation is a major part of avian parental care. However, investigations of how biparentally incubating
species share their duties within a 24h period and over the incubation period are scarce. Our aim is to compare
biparental incubation patterns across shorebirds breeding in different environments and ultimately test
whether between-species diversity and within-species variation in biparental incubation patterns is
constrained by phylogeny, or is related to latitude, body size or a species’ anti-predatory strategy. To further
this aim, we have collected primary data on 30,336 incubation bouts from 631 nests from ~87 populations from
31 species from 10 genera. We will describe the approach we took for summarizing incubation patterns and
present variation in, and potential causes, for any variation found.
Richard Lanctot, PhD
Region 7 Shorebird Coordinator
1011 East Tudor Road, MS 201
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Ph: 907-786-3609
Fax: 907-786-3641
E-mail: [email protected]
34
Continent-wide change in wing length of Semipalmated Sandpipers: a
response to predation danger?
Dr. LANK, David 1; Dr. XU, Cailin 2; Dr. DUNN, Peter 3; Dr. SMITH, Paul A 4; Dr. BROWN, Stephen 5; Dr. YDENBERG, Ronald 6; Dr.
MORRISON, R. I. Guy 7; Dr. GRATTO-TREVOR, Cheri 8; Dr. HICKLIN, Peter 9; HARRINGTON, Brian 5; Dr. SANDERCOCK, Brett 10;
KWON, Eunib 10
1
Center for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University
2
Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University
3
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
4
Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre
5
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences,
6
Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University,
7
National Wildlife Research Centre, S, Environment Canada,
8
Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada
9
Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada,
10
Division of Biology, Kansas State University,
Long-term changes in the size distribution of migrants at stopover sites may represent true phenotypic change
resulting from natural selection, or be apparent, resulting from changes in the number, routing or scheduling
of differently-sized constituent groups. The semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) shows a cross-Arctic
morphological cline (culmen and wings shorter in western populations); intermediate trait values at stopover
sites indicate population mixing. Culmen and wing length distributions measured on stopover in the Bay of
Fundy show an ongoing, multi-decade reduction. A previous analysis (Hicklin et al. 2012: Waterbirds 35:74-82)
attributed this to shrinking eastern breeding populations (i.e. westward shift in populations of origin).
We compiled morphometric data from >57,000 individuals measured since 1975 across the arctic breeding
range, and at southward migratory stopover sites, as well as from pre-1975 museum specimens. The data show
a clear 1980 peak in wing length. Pre-1975 museum specimens have wing lengths ca. 3% shorter, while an
ongoing post-1980 decline totalling 2-3% is evident on both breeding and stopover sites. Culmen length varies
little.
We hypothesize that longer wings (higher flight efficiency) were favoured by lowered predation danger
during DDT-induced raptor population declines ca. 1950–1970s. Shorter wings (better predator escape) were
selected for as raptor populations began to recover in the late 1970s. This hypothesis appears able to account
for all features of the historical pattern. However, it remains possible that some form of change in populations
of origin may be necessary to account fully for the ongoing decline.
35
Posters / 123
Implications of Beach Restoration on Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
on the Caminada Headland Beach and Dune Restoration Project
LEBLANC, Delaina 1; LEE, Darin 2; DEMAY, Richard 1
1
Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program
2
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
Little is known about impacts associated with construction during and after beach and barrier island
restoration projects on avian populations. This project provides a unique opportunity to determine impacts
associated with the Caminada Headland Beach and Dune Restoration Project in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
on Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) distribution and the benthic communities they utilize. The project
seeks to document how operations of an active coastal restoration project influence the distribution of these
birds along the beach. Numerous surveys continue to be conducted for Piping Plover and other shorebird
species before, during, and after construction. These surveys continue biweekly through the migratory and
wintering seasons when most of the North American population of Piping Plover is overwintering along the
north gulf. Surveyors cover all available habitat from the gulf beachfront to the back bay shoreline, including
mud flats. Coordinates, number of individuals, and color band combination data are collected to help assess
the influence of short-term habitat changes on Piping Plover habitat utilization.
Implications
Determining short-term impacts of active barrier island restoration projects on the “threatened” Piping Plover
could have consequences for future barrier island restoration as most beaches along the state are considered
critical habitat for this particular species and are included in Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a
Sustainable Coast. Shoreline restoration projects have become larger, leading to increased construction
duration. These increased durations mean longer possible disturbances throughout multiple nesting and
wintering seasons. Results of this project will help in development of best management practices (BMP’s)
available to the State for construction activities. This research will help regulators better assess actual
shorebird use and possible impacts of construction activities.
36
Migration / 41
HARMONIZING RICE CULTIVATION WITH MIGRATORY SHOREBIRD
CONSERVATION IN PARAGUAY
Mr. LESTERHUIS, Arne 1; Ms. VELILLA, Marinanela 1; Mrs. SFORZA, Lorena 1; Dr. YANOSKY, Alberto 2
1
Guyra Paraguay
2
Asociación Guyra Paraguay
At the global level, rice is one of the most important crops, covering a significant area of arable land. Artificial
wetlands created for rice production have been documented as an important ecosystem-based adaptation
measure. Rice fields act as temporary wetlands and provide important habitat, especially for feeding, for
numerous waterbird species including species of conservation concern such as Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Lesser
Yellowlegs, and American Golden Plover. In Paraguay, rice cultivation is undergoing an important expansion,
fortunately accompanied by a growing awareness among rice producers of the potential environmental
impacts of their activities. Through NMBCA-funded projects, Guyra Paraguay, the leading biodiversity
conservation organization in Paraguay, started documenting the importance of rice fields in the south of the
country for the conservation of Neotropical migrants and other biodiversity. At least 14 species of Nearctic
shorebird have been observed using the rice fields as feeding grounds, the highest diversity and abundance of
species being found on recently flooded rice fields. To harmonize rice cultivation with migratory bird
conservation, Guyra Paraguay has been working together with the Association of Rice Producers to adopt best
management practices that benefit waterbirds and other biodiversity, and to raise awareness among producers
about the importance of rice fields for waterbird conservation. Here we present a summary of knowledge
gathered over the past years regarding the importance of rice fields in southern Paraguay for the conservation
of Nearctic shorebirds and will share developed best management practices adopted by rice producers that
benefit both migratory birds and rice production.
Migration / 40
IMPACT OF HABITAT LOSS ON ABUNDANCE OF MIGRATING
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS IN ASUNCION BAY, PARAGUAY
Dr. YANOSKY, Alberto 1; Mr. LESTERHUIS, Arne Jent 2; Ms. VELILLA, Marianela 2; Dr. CLAY, Rob 3
1
Asociación Guyra Paraguay
2
Guyra Paraguay
3
WHSRN
The Buff-breasted Sandpiper Calidris subruficollis is a fairly common migrant through Paraguay with
numbers highest during the southbound migration between September and November. Fieldwork has shown
that most use the Paraguay River as primary migration route, stopping over at Asunción Bay for 5-7 days to
feed and rest. Asunción Bay is a relatively small bay along the northern outskirts of Asunción, where Guyra
Paraguay has been monitoring shorebirds since 2000. Census data from the early 2000s revealed that more
than 3% of the species- global population used the site, which triggered it as a global IBA and WHSRN site and
the passing of a National Law in 2005 to protect the site and bring it to international recognition as a Ramsar
Site. In 2010 the Government of Paraguay (the Ministry of Publics works in cooperation with the Municipality
of Asuncion) initiated the building of a bayside road. Unfortunately, dredging to create the embankment for
this road resulted in a loss of 70% of shorebird habitat, including grassland areas used by the Buff-breasted
Sandpiper. Data gathered after the construction show a marked decrease in numbers of Buff-breasted
Sandpipers and other shorebird species at the site. In fact, analysis of available data show an over 50%
reduction of Buff-breasted Sandpiper numbers. To address this apparent decrease, Guyra Paraguay worked
together with the Ministry of Public Works on implementing habitat recuperation and management measures
to improve remnant habitats for shorebirds. The coming field season will be a first opportunity to measure
potential success.
37
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING STOPOVER
POPULATION SIZE OF RED KNOTS AT DELAWARE BAY, USA USING
MARK-RESIGHT METHODS
Dr. LYONS, James 1; Dr. NICHOLS, James 2; Dr. MCGOWAN, Conor 2; Dr. SMITH, David 2; Dr. SWEKA, John 1; Dr. KALASZ, Kevin 3;
Dr. CLARK, Nigel 4; Dr. DEY, Amanda 5; Dr. NILES, Larry 6
1
2
U.S. Geological Survey
3
Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife
4
British Trust for Ornithology
5
NJ Div of Fish and Wildlife
6
Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ
Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) of horseshoe crabs and Red Knots in Delaware Bay, USA requires
annual population estimates for both crabs and knots. Each year, regulators determine how many crabs to
harvest, which depends in part on the number of knots stopping in Delaware Bay and a stopover population
threshold. The threshold was determined by a diverse group of stakeholders and was influenced by historic
count data from aerial surveys. To improve the population data used for decision-making, we developed a
novel mark-recapture-resight approach to estimate the number of passage knots. We estimated stopover
population size in three different years (2011-2013) and compared these mark-resight estimates to estimates
from aerial and ground surveys in the same years. For 2011-2013, maximum counts from aerial or ground
surveys were 29-58% of passage population estimates using mark-resight methods. Maximum counts from
aerial or ground surveys were 12,804; 25,458; and 25,596 knots for 2011–2013, respectively. Accounting for
turnover in the population, mark-resight estimates of stopover population size were 43,570 knots (95% CI
40,880–46,570); 44,100 knots (41,860–46,790); and 48,955 knots (39,119–63,130) from 2011–2013, respectively.
From this analysis it became apparent that the stopover population threshold must be adjusted to be
commensurate with the mark-resight estimates of the population that account for population turnover. We
describe the set-up phase of the ARM framework, including setting population objectives and thresholds, our
process for adjusting the thresholds to accommodate the best available science, and modeling and estimation
for stopover populations using mark-resight methods.
38
Posters / 101
MONITOREO DE AVES PLAYERAS EN LOS LLANOS
CENTRO-OCCIDENTALES DE VENEZUELA. Margarita Martínez.
Fundación William H. Phelps.
[email protected]
MARTINEZ, Margarita 1
1
Fundacion William H. Phelps
Los Llanos centro-occidentales de Venezuela representan la región agrícola y ganadera más desarrollada,
extensa e importante del país, caracterizado por un complejo de humedales continentales y artificiales, los
cuales son ocupados por una gran diversidad de aves acuáticas. El estudio del grupo de aves playeras es escaso
entre las aves acuáticas que se distribuyen en los llanos venezolanos, especialmente cuando el área de estudio
se restringe a los sectores agropecuarios del país. Entre los años 2006 y 2014 se recopiló información de 11
censos en siete sitios ubicados en los estados Guárico y Portuguesa, los cuales reúnen reservas privadas
(VE051), parcelamientos agrícolas, lagunas y embalses que están incluidos en el censo Neotropical de Aves
Acuáticas y ajustados al protocolo propuesto por Wetlands Latinoamérica. En total se registraron 15036
individuos con un promedio de 653,73 individuos/año. Estos registros incluyen a 14 especies de cinco familias
de las cuales ocho son migratorios boreales, cinco residentes y una residente con poblaciones migratorias. La
abundancia promedio fue 1281,53 individuos/censo, con máximos en julio. La familia más abundante y de
mayor riqueza fue Scolopacidae representada sólo por especies migratorias, principalmente del género
Calidris. Turén resalta entre los sitios censados por su alta riqueza (12 especies) y abundancia (11049
individuos) en aves playeras. Se recomienda orientar los conteos a los periodos de preparación de suelos y
analizar la estructura y dinámica de las aves durante el desarrollo de los cultivos para fundamentar futuros
planes de conservación que incluyan aves asociadas a humedales artificiales.
39
PATRONES DE ABUNDANCIA ESTACIONAL Y DISTRIBUCIÓN
ESPACIAL DE AVES PLAYERAS EN BAHÍA SAMBOROMBÓN,
ARGENTINA
Ms. MARTÍNEZ-CURCI, Natalia S. 1; Dr. ISACCH, Juan Pablo 1; Dr. BLOCK, Carolina 1; Dr. PEDRANA, Julieta 2; Dr. AZPIROZ, Adrián
B. 3
1
Laboratorio de Vertebrados, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata-Consejo
Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)
2
CONICET, Recursos Naturales y Gestión Ambiental, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)
3
Departamento de Biodiversidad y Genética, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE)
Bahía Samborombón es uno de uno de los sitios de mayor importancia identificados para aves playeras en el
continente Americano. Sin embargo, la información sobre abundancia y distribución de aves que lo utilizan
anualmente es escasa y está desactualizada. Los últimos censos exhaustivos fueron realizados hace más de 20
años durante el verano, otoño y primavera austral, estaciones en las que el ensamble de aves playeras está
dominado por especies Neárticas. No se cuenta con información previa del invierno, cuando predominan las
especies Neotropicales y residentes. En consecuencia, nuestro objetivo fue determinar los números de playeras
totales que utilizan la Bahía Samborombón, así como la variación estacional en los patrones de abundancia y
distribución espacial. Para ello realizamos cuatro censos aéreos, uno en cada estación del año 2014, cubriendo
los 150 km de extensión de la Bahía Samborombón. Observamos un total de 9710 aves playeras durante el
verano austral, 12475 durante el otoño, 4300 durante el invierno y 31700 durante la primavera. Estos resultados
fueron del mismo orden de magnitud que los observados en décadas pasadas. Los datos de abundancia fueron
georreferenciados y volcados a un sistema de información geográfica junto con información biológica, física y
del paisaje del área de estudio. Con base a esta información se generaron mapas de distribución, identificando
los principales factores que determinan los patrones de distribución y abundancia de aves playeras en Bahía
Samborombón.
40
Posters / 37
RELACIONES EN LA DIETA DE AVES PLAYERAS MIGRATORIAS
NEÁRTICAS Y NEOTROPICALES EN UN HUMEDAL COSTERO CLAVE
DE SUDAMÉRICA
Ms. MARTÍNEZ-CURCI, Natalia Soledad 1; Dr. AZPIROZ, Adrián B. 2; Dr. ISACCH, Juan Pablo 3; Dr. ELÍAS, Rodolfo 4
1
Laboratorio de Vertebrados, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata - Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC) -
CONICET
2
Departamento de Biodiversidad y Genética, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE)
3
Laboratorio de Vertebrados, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata-Consejo
Nacional deInvestigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)
4
Laboratorio de Bioindicadores Bentónicos, , Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Consejo Nacional de
Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata
Los requerimientos dietarios influencian la estructura de los ensambles de aves playeras, esta información es a
su vez clave para lograr un manejo efectivo de las áreas que revisten una mayor importancia para este grupo
de aves. En este trabajo describimos la dieta y los patrones de co-uso de recursos tróficos por cuatro especies
migratorias en Bahía Samborombón, Argentina, uno de los sitios más importantes identificados para aves
playeras en el hemisferio occidental. Dichas aves consumieron al menos 15 taxones y exhibieron flexibilidad
dietaria en respuesta a la estación del año y el estado de marea. Las especies que co-existieron mostraron
diferenciación complementaria a lo largo de dos dimensiones (composición de especies y tamaño) de su nicho
trófico. Las mayores diferencias en la composición de la dieta se observaron entre los Playeros Rojizos, que se
alimentaron principalmente de moluscos, y las otras tres especies que se alimentaron principalmente de
poliquetos. Entre los consumidores de poliquetos, las especies que coexistieron durante el otoño (Becasa de
Mar y Playerito Rabadilla Blanca) superpusieron su nicho trófico en términos de los taxones consumidos, pero
difirieron en el tamaño de poliquetos consumidos. Por el contrario, las especies que coexistieron durante el
invierno (Becasa de Mar y Chorlito Doble Collar) se alimentaron de poliquetos de tamaños similares pero
mostraron diferencias en la composición taxonómica de su dieta. Nuestros datos resaltan la importancia de
pocos ítem presa como los principales recursos tróficos en el área. Asimismo, sugieren que el co-uso de
recursos podría modelar la estructura del ensamble de aves playeras migratorias.
What is structured decision making?
Dr. MCGOWAN, Conor 1; Dr. LYONS, James 2
1
2
Structured decision making (SDM) is an increasingly popular approach for making complex natural resource
management decisions. SDM is a values focused decision process, that guides the decision maker to first
consider the specific decision and the management objectives before listing and evaluating possible solutions.
In SDM predictive modeling plays a key role in linking management actions to management objective by
predicting the consequences of actions with repsect to objectives. We present the basic concepts and
philosophies of SDM and some of the useful tools for an SDM process. We describe the role of objective
setting and objectives hierarchies and explore the role of explicit system modeling in an SDM context. Lastly
we present some example applications of SDM. Example of successful implementation of a SDM based
management decision are limited, especially in shorebird conservation and management, but given the
complex annual cycles and varied stakeholders that are affected my shorebird management decisions, SDM
presents an extremely useful set of tools to shorebird conservation and management problems.
41
Establishing recovery criteria for Northern Great Plains Piping Plover
using predictive simulation modeling
Dr. MCGOWAN, Conor 1; Dr. CATLIN, Daniel 2; Mr. SHAFFER, Terry 3; Dr. GRATTO-TREVOR, Cheri 4; Ms. ARON, Carol 5
1
2
Virginia Tech
3
USGS
4
Environment Canada
5
USFWS
Listing a species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and developing a recovery plan requires U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service to establish specific and measureable criteria for delisting. Generally, species are listed
because they face (or are perceived to face) elevated risk of extinction due to habitat loss, invasive species, or
other factors. It logically follows that the recovery criteria, the defined conditions for removing a species from
ESA protections, need to be closely related to extinction risk. Extinction probability is a population parameter
estimated with a model that predicts population trajectories over a number of replicates, calculating the
proportion of replicated populations that go extinct. We simulated extinction probabilities of Piping Plovers in
the Great Plains and estimated the relationship between extinction probability and various demographic
parameters. We fit of regression models linking initial abundance, productivity, or population growth rate to
extinction risk, and then, using the regression parameter estimates, determined the conditions required to
reduce extinction probability to some pre-defined acceptable threshold. Regression models with mean
population growth rate and initial abundance were the best predictors of extinction probability 50 years into
the future. For example, based on our regression models, an initial abundance of approximately 6,515 females
with an expected mean population growth rate of 1.0 will limit extinction risk for Piping Plovers in the Great
Plains to less than 0.01. Our method provides a straightforward way of developing specific and measurable
recovery criteria linked directly to the core issue of extinction risk.
42
Posters / 83
SHOREBIRD USE OF WESTERN HUDSON BAY NEAR THE NELSON
RIVER DURING MIGRATION, WITH A FOCUS ON THE RED KNOT
Dr. MCKELLAR, Ann 1; ROSS, Ken 2; Dr. MORRISON, Guy 3; Dr. NILES, Larry 4; PORTER, Ron 5; Dr. BURGER, Joanna 6; Dr.
NEWSTEAD, David 7; Dr. DEY, Amanda 8; Dr. SMITH, Paul 3
1
Environment Canada
2
Ottawa, Ontario
3
Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
4
Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, Greenwich, New Jersey
5
Ambler, Pennsylvania
6
Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
7
Coastal Bend Bays Estuaries Program, Corpus Christi, Texas
8
Endangered and Nongame Program, Fish and Wildlife, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton, New Jersey
Shorebirds are vulnerable to stressors throughout their annual cycle, including during migration when they
must rely on a limited set of stopover sites to refuel. The rufa subspecies of Red Knot Calidris canutus rufa has
shown drastic population declines in recent decades and is listed as endangered in Canada and threatened in
the United States. Recent evidence from light-level geolocators deployed on rufa Red Knots suggested that the
subspecies might use a previously unknown stopover site on the west coast of Hudson Bay in northern
Manitoba, Canada, near the Nelson River. In spring 2014, we performed ground and aerial surveys of coastal
areas surrounding the Nelson River to assess shorebird use and abundance. In addition, we used radio
telemetry to investigate migratory connectivity between the Nelson River and Delaware Bay, New Jersey. We
counted a total of 4,259 knots during a 2-day aerial survey, representing ~10% of the estimated population. At
least 16 knots with radiotags out of 87 banded at Delaware Bay were detected near the Nelson River,
suggesting strong migratory connectivity between the sites. Based on our observations of knots and other
shorebirds, the site qualifies as an Important Bird Area (IBA) and Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve
Network (WHSRN) site under several criteria. Understanding the potential impacts of threats in the area,
including hydroelectric development and overabundant Snow Geese Chen caerulescens caerulescens, is a
critical next step to protecting the subspecies from further declines.
43
Effects of food availability and diet on weight gain in Semipalmated
Sandpipers in Delaware Bay during spring migration staging periods
Dr. MIZRAHI, David 1
1
New Jersey Audubon
Much attention has focused on the importance of horseshoe crab eggs for shorebirds staging in DE Bay.
However, understanding the relative importance of this and other food resources is needed. We investigated
the density and diversity of prey items available to Semipalmated Sandpiper (SESA) in three soft-sediment
sites in DE Bay, determined diets of SESA using plasma metabolites and assessed the relative contribution of
horseshoe crab eggs and soft-sediment prey to the accumulation of energy reserves using stable isotopes.
Polychaetes and oligochaetes (high protein:lipid composition), made up 99% of all soft-sediment invertebrates
we collected and ~92% of the biomass in 2011 and 2012, with biomass being significantly greater in 2011. The
opposite was true of horseshoe crab eggs (high lipid:protein composition), whose densities were significantly
greater along beaches and at the mouths of tidal creeks in 2012 compared to 2011. Inter-annual differences in
relative food abundance appeared to result in plasma metabolite differences that suggest differential food
consumption by SESA. Circulating uric acid, a by-product of protein catabolism, was 28% higher in 2011 than
in 2012. Conversely, triglyceride levels, an indicator of lipid-rich food consumption, were 26% greater in 2012
than 2011. Importantly, rate of mass gain and mean fat mass across all captured individuals was significantly
greater in 2012 compared to 2011. Together, these results suggest that SESA feeding on soft-sediment
invertebrates gained less mass and at a slower rate than when feeding on horseshoe crab eggs. Conservation
implications of these findings will be discussed.
Conservation / 78
WHSRN’S SITE ASSESSMENT TOOL RESULTS: A NETWORK-LEVEL
ANALYSIS OF MANAGEMENT, THREATS, AND FUTURE ACTIONS.
MOREHOUSE, Meredith 1
1
For the last 10 years, Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site partners have used the
Site Assessment Tool (SAT) to systematically assess the current well-being of their site for shorebirds, from its
ecological health to socio-economic conditions and public support. The SAT, developed by the WHSRN
Executive Office, also enables site managers and other stakeholders to specify the key resources or features
their site offers for shorebirds; identify and prioritize threats; and assess effectiveness of previous conservation
actions and prioritize future ones (short-term). Such insight at the site level is additionally informative when
“rolled-up” and analyzed at the Network level. Each year, our analysis is enriched with data from more sites
completing their SAT. This presentation will share recent results and our greater understanding of the
management issues, threats, and needs in common across the Network, as well as relatively unique situations.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of WHSRN being formalized, in 1985, as an international strategy
for conserving migratory shorebirds through formal recognition of key breeding, stopover, and wintering sites
throughout the Americas. An integral part of the strategy was connecting the people involved across these
sites, to help foster coordinated conservation and research for shorebirds at an unprecedented scale. This
presentation will also include a brief overview of WHSRN’s visionary beginnings, and examples of WHSRN
partners using SAT results to inform more coordinated conservation efforts for shared species.
44
Posters / 105
CITIZEN SCIENTIST CONTRIBUTION TO OVER 40 YEARS OF
SHOREBIRD MONITORING AT CHINCOTEAGUE NWR, VIRGINIA, USA:
WHAT WORKS BEST FOR USE OF VOLUNTEERS. Clyde Morris,
[email protected], retired United States Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Manager; Certified Master Naturalist.
MORRIS, clyde 1
1
Chincoteague NWR, retired USFWS employee now Refuge volunteer
Citizen Scientists have been conducting Shorebird Surveys at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge,
Virginia, USA since 1974. Consistent, almost weekly surveys of all shorebirds and more specific studies of
target species such as Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers, have all been done by volunteer interns
and other Refuge volunteers, many of who are members of the thriving Master Naturalist Program. Refuge
Mangers have used this data set to improve management of shorebirds on the Refuge. Shorebird Scientists use
it for approaching "big picture" questions such as:
- Have shorebird numbers changed in the last 30-40 years?
- Do the changing numbers of shorebirds recorded at Chincoteague mirror the Western Hemisphere changes,
or are they unique to the Refuge?
- Are there management actions that the Refuge should consider implementing to assist in the recovery of
shorebirds?
Based on these decades using volunteers for shorebird monitoring, lessons learned are presented for
developing a successful Citizen Scientist program for work with shorebirds. An analyses of the data set
collected by these volunteers will be presented at this workshop by Joelle Buffa.
MEASURING THE EFFECTS OF TRADITIONAL HARVESTING
PRACTICES ON HUDSONIAN GODWIT FORAGING BEHAVIOR
DURING THE NONBREEDING SEASON: A CONSISTENT LOSS OF
FORAGING TIME
Dr. NAVEDO, Juan 1; Mr. VALENZUELA, Jorge 2
1
2
Centro de Estudio y Conservación del Patrimonio Natural
Understanding the effects of disturbance on wildlife is a key issue for the conservation of many species. Here
we examine the abundance and foraging activity of the Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica) wintering in
Chiloé Island (southern Chile) in two bays of similar size but differing levels of human disturbance. One
supports extensive algae harvesting (Gracilaria chilensis) along the intertidal area, while the other experiences
little to no human disturbance. Overall, the area without disturbances supported higher numbers (1,784 ± 104)
than the area frequently disturbed (1,423 ± 65) throughout the whole low-tide period (a total of 330 minutes).
Foraging activity was also significantly higher (0.83 vs. 0.77) in the area without human disturbances, varying
throughout the low-tide period. Noticeably, these differences in foraging activity between areas are consistent
throughout the whole low-tide period.
Godwits consistently lost an average of 33 minutes of active foraging time throughout each diurnal low-tide
period in the site with extensive algae harvesting. Furthermore, people, often accompanied by dogs and
working about three to four hours before leaving intertidal grounds, increased foraging time loss and energy
expenditures by prompting short flights within the bay. Whether or not birds can compensate for this loss of
foraging time must be assessed in the near future. In the meantime, management recommendations for an
important traditional activity in an area of hemispheric importance must be proposed, implemented, and
monitored to minimize the activity’s potential impact on migratory shorebird populations.
45
MOVEMENTS, DURATION OF STAY AND DIET OF SEMIPALMATED
SANDPIPERS (CALIDRIS PUSILLA) MIGRATING THROUGH THE UPPER
BAY OF FUNDY, CANADA
NEIMA, Sarah* 1; Dr. HAMILTON, Diana 1; PAQUET, Julie 2; Dr. GRATTO-TREVOR, Cheri 3
1
Mount Allison University
2
3
Environment Canada
MOVEMENTS, DURATION OF STAY AND DIET OF SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS (CALIDRIS PUSILLA)
MIGRATING THROUGH THE UPPER BAY OF FUNDY, CANADA. Sarah Neima*, ([email protected]), Mount
Allison University, Diana Hamilton, ([email protected]), Mount Allison University, Julie Paquet,
([email protected]),
Canadian
Wildlife
Service,
Cheri
Gratto-Trevor,
([email protected]), Environment Canada.
Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) breed in the Arctic and overwinter in South America. On their fall
migration route, the majority of the population stops in the upper Bay of Fundy, Canada, exploiting prey
found in mudflats and building up fat reserves for their continuing migration. Population declines have been
observed in this species across its range, and understanding movements and habitat use is critical for effective
conservation. Using radio-telemetry and stable isotope analysis, we studied movement patterns, duration of
stay and diet of Semipalmated Sandpipers within the Bay of Fundy. Using the Motus Wildlife Tracking
system, a widely-distributed network of automated radio-telemetry towers, we also tracked sandpipers from
their breeding grounds to their departure for South America, with some passing through the Bay of Fundy.
Within the Bay of Fundy, we found three apparently distinct stopover populations, with limited mixing of
individuals. We also saw differences in diet composition between the arms of the Bay, with an overall shift
from a diet previously dominated by Corophium volutator to a more varied diet including large quantities of
polychaete worms and biofilm. Duration of stay varied widely between individuals; average duration of stay
has increased by approximately one week from the historical estimate. This has serious implications for
population estimates of sandpipers in this region. Finally, detections of sandpipers by other towers outside the
Bay of Fundy indicate that sandpipers depart the Bay of Fundy via the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, and
departure timing is related to specific atmospheric conditions.
46
Posters / 17
ASSESSMENT OF BIOAVAILABLE HYDROCARBONS IN PRIBILOF
ROCK SANDPIPER OVERWINTERING HABITAT IN COOK INLET,
ALASKA.
NESVACIL, Kelly 1; CARLS, Mark 2; HOLLAND, Larry 2; WRIGHT, Sadie 3
1
Wildlife Diversity Program, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
2
Auke Bay Laboratories, NOAA Fisheries
3
Protected Resources Division, NOAA Fisheries
We assessed seasonal background levels of hydrocarbon contamination in Cook Inlet, Alaska to determine
possible impacts of additional oil development in this region to Pribilof rock sandpipers (Calidris ptilocnemis
ptilocnemis). Almost the entire world population of Pribilof rock sandpipers overwinters along Cook Inlet’s
mud and sand flats, feeding on invertebrates exposed by shifting ice floes. Cook Inlet is an area with existing
oil and gas development and high marine vessel activity which may result in inadvertent spills or discharge.
Low-density polyethylene membrane sampling devices (PEMDs) were deployed in winter 2011 and
spring/summer 2014 at three locations on the west side of Cook Inlet to assess the bioavailability of
hydrocarbons. Corresponding sediment samples were collected as well. These same samples were also
collected at pre-migratory staging areas on St. Paul Island (2011 and 2013) to determine if birds may be
exposed to hydrocarbons prior to their migration to Cook Inlet. There was limited evidence of rock sandpiper
habitat contamination by hydrocarbons on St. Paul Island and Cook Inlet. PEMDs generally accumulated
small quantities of hydrocarbons. However, total PAH concentrations were substantial (> 500 ng/g device) in a
few samples on St. Paul Island in 2011. Oiled sediment was observed in both areas. Total PAH concentrations
in sediment were consistently low (<42 ng/g dry weight), yet composition was frequently consistent with oil
(39%). Biomarkers in sediment provided additional evidence of low-level petrogenic contamination on St. Paul
Island only, by elevated concentration and composition.
Red Knot / 124
RED KNOTS AT THE CROSSROADS: CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN
PACIFIC, CENTRAL AND ATLANTIC FLYWAYS IN THE NORTHERN
GULF OF MEXICO
NEWSTEAD, David 1; NILES, Lawrence J 2
1
Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program
2
Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey
Red Knots (Calidris canutus) are known to occur along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico throughout
the year, including oversummering juveniles. While most knots occurring there are thought to migrate
through the Central Flyway and breed in the same range as the rufa subspecies, deviations from this
migratory strategy are more common than previously thought. We present data from banding and resighting
efforts, as well as geolocators, that illustrate the connectivity of birds occurring in the northern Gulf of Mexico
with the western Atlantic as well as the eastern Pacific flyways involving both spatial and temporal
coincidence of both rufa and roselaari. This study has resulted in identification of several new areas of
potential importance for long-distance migrant C. c. roselaari.
47
Rocky Coast Studies/Genetics / 28
WINTERING RANGE, POPULATION AND TRENDS OF PURPLE
SANDPIPERS (Calidris maritima) IN THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC
Mrs. PAQUET, Julie 1; Mrs. TUDOR, Lindsay 2; Mr. MITTLEHAUSER, Glen 3; Mr. AUBRY, Yves 1; Mr. FRIIS, Christian 1; Dr. BART, John 4
1
Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service
2
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
3
Maine Natural History Observatory
4
USGS
The population of Purple Sandpipers (Calidris maritima) wintering in eastern Canada and the northeastern
United States is not well understood. The northern extent of the species’ wintering range is for the most part
undocumented, total population is underestimated and trends are not adequately monitored by traditional
surveys like the Christmas Bird Count and volunteer shorebird migration monitoring programs. Since 2012,
Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service has been conducting aerial surveys to document the
wintering distribution and numbers of Purple Sandpipers in Atlantic Canada. To date, over 3000 km of
suitable coastline habitat have been surveyed with over half of this distance on the island of Newfoundland.
Results and incidental sightings suggest that Purple Sandpipers in the northwest Atlantic winter significantly
further north than currently indicated on range maps and that this population may be larger than published
estimates suggest. Furthermore, observations in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario suggest that the Saint
Lawrence River Valley may host a significant number of wintering Purple Sandpipers and that the Lake
Ontario shoreline is used for staging in the fall. In 2013, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and
Wildlife developed a survey that is cost effective and will result in a statistically rigorous assessment of Purple
Sandpipers wintering in Maine. In 2014, MDIFW conducted year 1 of the monitoring plan, using a 4 day boat
survey scenario covering 160 sites within the mid-coast region. Biologists recorded only 2,771 Purples
Sandpipers, down 49% from surveys of the same sites conducted in 2004.
Posters / 23
IDENTIFYING IMPORTANT BIRD AND BIODIVERSITY AREAS IN THE
CARIBBEAN FOR CANADIAN SHOREBIRDS.
1
2
Ms. ANADÓN IRIZARRY, Verónica ; Ms. PEKARIK, Cynthia ; Mr. WEGE, David
1
BirdLife International
2
1
We used recent population estimates to re-define the 1% population thresholds and eBird data to identify
important areas in the Caribbean for shorebird species that occur regularly in Canada. Important sites were
identified for nine species: Pluvialis dominica, Tringa melanoleuca, Tringa flavipes, Charadrius melodus,
Charadrius vociferous, Limnodromus griseus, Calidris minutilla, Calidris himantopus and Calidris pusilla.
There were 26 sites containing over 1% of the biogeographical populations of these species. The countries, and
the numbers of sites in each country are: Bahamas (12 sites), Barbados (2 sites), Cuba (5 sites), Dominican
Republic (2 sites), Puerto Rico (2 sites), Trinidad and Tobago (1 site) and Turks and Caicos (2 sites). Eighteen of
the sites have already been designated as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA); however there are
eight sites that have not been designated. The eight sites had data for two species (Charadrius melodus and
Charadrius vociferous) which were higher than their 1% biogeographic population thresholds. For the
Bahamas, the information was used to identify two new areas proposed as IBAs and the need to expand an
existing IBA. For the Dominican Republic, the information provided a significant update for one IBA, for three
areas in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas, additional information on bird use is required, but these sites
could represent new proposed IBAs. Results show that analysis of eBird data on an annual basis can facilitate
regular updates of the existing IBA network, and rapidly identify new proposed sites of international
importance.
48
Posters / 71
ABUNDANCIA Y DISTRIBUCION ESPACIAL DE LOS RECURSOS
ALIMENTICIOS DISPONIBLES PARA AVES MIGRATORIAS DURANTE
LA TEMPORADA NO REPRODUCTIVA EN LA RESERVA NACIONAL DE
PARACAS, PERÚ.
Ms. PELLISSIER, Priscila 1
1
Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad
La playa La Aguada ubicada dentro de la Reserva Nacional de Paracas alberga diversas especies de aves
playeras a lo largo de todo el año. El objetivo del presente estudio fue describir la abundancia y distribución
espacial de los recursos alimenticios disponibles en la playa La Aguada para las aves migratorias durante su
temporada no reproductiva. Las muestras bentónicas tomadas mensualmente desde octubre del 2013 hasta
febrero del 2014 determinaron que hay 28 especies de invertebrados. El taxón más diverso fue los poliquetos
(29% de los grupos del macrobentos), seguidos por los moluscos (21%), los insectos (18%) y los crustáceos (14%).
Otros grupos representados por una sola especie sumaron 18%. Los resultados indican que la comunidad
bentónica presenta poblaciones numéricamente importantes pero con una dominancia específica baja. Se
observó un alto reemplazo de especies entre las muestras de cada sector evaluado en relación a la distancia
con la línea de bajamar y pleamar. Finalmente en la variación temporal de los principales grupos de bentos, se
observó que los poliquetos presentan un pico de abundancia significativa, a diferencia del resto de grupos en
los que no se aprecia ninguna variación.
49
QUANTIFYING MERCURY EXPOSURE FOR MULTIPLE SHOREBIRD
SPECIES ACROSS THE NORTH AMERICAN ARCTIC USING BLOOD
AND FEATHER SAMPLES
Ms. PERKINS, Marie 1; Dr. STENHOUSE, Iain J. 2; Dr. BASU, Niladri 1; Dr. BETY, Joel 3; Ms. GATES, H. River 4; Dr. GIROUX,
Marie-Andree 5; Mr. LAMARRE, J.-F. 3; Dr. LANCTOT, Richard B. 6; Dr. LECOMTE, Nicolas 5
1
McGill University
2
Biodiversity Research Institute
3
Département de biologie et Centre d’études nordiques, Université du Québec à Rimouski
4
ABR, Inc. Environmental Research and Services
5
Département de biologie, Université de Moncton
6
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Many shorebird species are declining and the causes for these declines are unknown, exposure to
contaminants such as mercury may be a factor. Mercury exposure can cause sub-lethal effects in birds,
including impaired reproductive success, which may result in population declines. Arctic-breeding shorebirds
may be at particular risk of mercury contamination due to increased mercury deposition in the Arctic. The
objective of this study was to determine whether Arctic-breeding shorebirds are exposed to mercury at
concentrations that may cause adverse effects. We analyzed 2,477 blood and feather samples collected from 11
breeding shorebird species during 2012 and 2013. Sampling locations included five sites in Alaska and four
sites in Canada. Blood mercury concentrations in individual shorebirds ranged from 0.014 – 3.53 μg/g (mean =
0.30 μg/g). Mean blood mercury concentrations differed among species sampled at the same site, differed
among species sampled across sites, and were greater in 2013 for most shorebirds species. Feather mercury
concentrations were generally higher than blood mercury concentrations, ranging from 0.067 – 12.14 μg/g in
individuals (mean = 1.14 μg/g). In general, mean blood mercury concentrations in Arctic-breeding shorebirds
were below the concentration associated with a 10% reduction in nest success found for another invertivore
species (Carolina Wren, 0.7 μg/g). However, blood mercury concentrations varied among individuals, with
7.6% of shorebirds sampled having concentrations greater than 0.7 μg/g. Overall, this study indicates that
mercury exposure in Arctic-breeding shorebirds varies by species, breeding location, and year, and for some
individuals may exceed concentrations that could reduce reproductive success.
50
Posters / 119
Satellite tracking of Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola cynosurae)
Ms. RAUSCH, Jennie 1; SMITH, Fletcher 2; Dr. SMITH, Paul 3
1
2
The Center for Conservation Biology at The College of William & Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University
3
Environment Canada
Substantial declines in Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) populations have been recorded on wintering
grounds (1980s-2010s; R.I.G. Morrison et al., unpubl. data) and migration stopover locations (mid-1970s-1990s;
P.A. Smith et al., unpubl. data). However, in recent years, migration counts of Canadian Arctic-breeding
Black-bellied Plover (P. s. subspecies cynosurae) have shown stable or increasing counts (P.A. Smith et al.,
unpubl. data). To assist with answering questions such as use of migration stop-over sites along the Atlantic
coast, length of stay at stop-over locations, use of protected areas in Canada, and use of wintering locations,
five solar PTT (5g) transmitters have been deployed on in the Canadian high arctic since 2013. Another 10
transmitters are scheduled for deployment on breeding P.s. cynosurae in summer 2015, some at the same high
arctic location (Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area, Bathurst Island, Nunavut) as the previously deployed
transmitters, and some at a one of Canada’s long-term shorebird research sites in the mid-arctic (East Bay
Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Southampton Island, Nunavut). Challenges associated with the leg-loop harness
being used for the transmitter attachment has resulted in lost transmitters, but no loss of bird life. Tracking
data for the successful attachments show near-direct southern migration flights from the nesting location
through James Bay (Canada), across the north-eastern United States to Central America (Cuba, Bahamas,
Honduras). This work complements similar tracking studies underway on Canadian Arctic-breeding
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) and Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica; F.M. Smith et al., unpubl. data).
Conservation / 58
CONSERVATION PRIORITIZATION FOR NON-BREEDING SHOREBIRDS
ON THE PACIFIC COAST OF THE UNITED STATES: INCORPORATING
POPULATION SIZES AND TRENDS
Dr. REITER, Matthew 1; HICKEY, Catherine 1; STRUM, Khara 2; PAGE, Gary 1
1
Point Blue Conservation Science
2
Audubon California
We used shorebird survey data collected during early winter (mid-November – December) 2011 – 2013 at 18
coastal estuary sites from northern Washington to southern California to develop species distribution models
and identify priority geographies for conservation. We evaluated data for nine species of wetland dependent
shorebirds. Furthermore at a subset of estuary sites where our current survey methods were consistent with
surveys conducted 1990-1995, we estimated population trends for each species. When developing weighting
strategies for conservation prioritization we considered various combinations that took into account species
abundance and trends as well as overall shorebird population trends at sites. We found factors related to both
habitat and bioclimatic variables important to predicting the distribution of the shorebirds along the Pacific
Coast. Our analyses suggested that species and overall shorebird trends did differ across estuary sites and thus
our prioritization solutions varied depending on which factors were included in our weighting strategy.
Overall we provide guidance at multiple-spatial scales on how to prioritize conservation actions to support
shorebirds in coastal wetland habitats. Further analyses are needed to determine whether conservation
priority areas identified given the current distribution of wetland habitats and subsequently shorebirds will be
resilient to the effects of sea-level rise and other environmental changes.
51
ARE PREY REMAINS ACCURATE INDICATORS OF CHICK DIET?
IMPLICATIONS FOR LONG-TERM MONITORING OF BLACK
OYSTERCATCHERS
Mr. ROBINSON, Brian 1; Dr. POWELL, Abby 2; PHILLIPS, Laura 3; COLETTI, Heather 4
1
University of Alaska Fairbanks
2
US Geological Survey, Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks
3
Kenai Fjords National Park
4
National Park Service
The collection of prey remains at nest sites is a widely-used method for estimating diet of Black Oystercatcher
chicks. However, these estimates may be subject to biases based on prey body type, nesting habitat, and
collection date. To determine the accuracy of this method, we compared it with two methods commonly used
to characterize diet: direct observation of parents feeding young, and dietary reconstruction by stable isotope
analysis. In 2013-14, we monitored 40 nests in Kenai Fjords National Park and adjacent islands. Prey
composition of broods differed based on methodology. Collections of prey remains over-represented the
proportion of limpets in diet (63% for prey collections vs. 37%, 17% for observations and stable isotopes
respectively), under-represented the proportion of barnacles (1% vs. 6%, 16%), and failed to detect soft-bodied
prey such as worms. On rocky islands, where chicks are confined to a small area around the nest, there were
significantly greater numbers of prey remains than on gravel beaches, where chicks leave the nest site within
days of hatching. We recommend that future monitoring programs take these factors into account when
characterizing diet based on the collection of prey remains.
ARE MITOCHONDRIAL DUPLICATIONS AND GENE
REARRANGEMENTS A COMMON PATTERN AMONG SCOLOPACIDAE?
Dr. ENRIQUEZ-PAREDES, Luis M. 1; Dr. FERNÁNDEZ, Guillermo 2; Mr. ROBLES, Javier 1
1
Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular. Facultad de Ciencias Marinas. Universidad Autónoma de Baja California
2
Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
La región control (RC) del ADN mitocondrial es importante en el proceso de replicación y transcripción, pero
además es un marcador genético muy usado en estudios poblacionales y filogenéticos. La duplicación de genes
es frecuente en el genoma mitocondrial de aves y se han descrito varios arreglos de genes que involucran la
duplicación de la RC o remanentes de ésta. En la Familia Scolopacidae, Arenaria interpes presenta una RC,
mientras que en Philomachus pugnax se encuentra duplicada. Dado que existe evidencia de rearreglos
similares que han aparecido independientemente en diferentes momentos e incluso en un mismo Orden, se
evaluaron estas regiones en especies cercanas. Calidris mauri presentó dos copias de la sección Thr-RC (Cytb
/Thr/Pro/ND6/Glu/CR), separadas por una copia degenerada Cytb que difieren en el extremo 3' de RC2 por
varias repeticiones CAAA. Como se espera de la evolución concertada, las copias de RCs son casi idénticas en
cada individuo, mientras que existen variaciones entre individuos concentradas en el extremo de los dominios
I y III de RC. El tamaño de los amplicones y sus secuencias parciales indican el mismo arreglo en C. minutilla,
C. alpina, C. canutus, C. himantopus, Tringa semipalmata y Tringa flavipes. La baja calidad de las secuencias
en Limnodromus spp. y Limosa spp., nos impiden confirmar si este arreglo de genes es común en
Scolopacidae. Ya que la tasa de sustitución de la RC duplicada será más lenta que la deducida en una RC no
duplicada, es importante evaluar si existe esta duplicación para estudios filogenéticos.
52
Posters / 45
BODY COMPOSITION IN Arenaria interpres DURING THE WINTERING
IN NORTH/NORTHEAST BRAZILIAN COAST
Dr. RODRIGUES, Roberta 1; Dr. ARAUJO, Helder 2; Dr. GUERRA, Ricardo 3; Dr. AZEVEDO JÚNIOR, Severino 4
1
Universidade Federal da Paraíba
2
Depto. de Ciências Biológicas, CCA/Universidade Federal da Paraíba
3
Depto. de Ciências Veterinárias, CCA/Universidade Federal da Paraíba
4
Depto. de Biologia/Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco
Arenaria interpres is one among 40 species of long distance migratory shorebirds that wintering in Brazil. We
describe the body composition of individuals of A. interpres at their arrival and wintering in some of the
major sites on the north/northeast Brazilian coast. The average of total mass of the individuals captured in
October, time of arrival, was 85.05 g. In January wintering period, the same parameter was 88.43 g. Thus there
are no significant differences between them. Although there was no difference in total mass between the two
periods, the dry mass, fat and fat free dry mass (FFDM) were significantly higher during the arrival of birds on
the Brazilian coast. The values of accumulated fat in the pectoral muscle, supracoracoideus, leg muscles, heart,
gizzard, intestine, skin and carcass were significantly higher at arrival than the wintering period. Among these
parameters FFDM values of carcasses and skin were also higher on arrival, while FFDM of other organs did
not show significant variation. Although the fat accumulated in the lung did not show significant variation,
this organ was the only that FFDM was higher during wintering compared to arrival. The liver had larger
FFDM during wintering compared to arrival. The value of no fat body was higher during the wintering.
Although the mean body weights ere similar in both periods, the dry mass (fat + FFDM) was significantly
higher at arrival, compared to the wintering period.
53
Coping with the cold: factors promoting the high-latitude nonbreeding
distribution of Rock Sandpipers Calidris p. ptilocnemis
RUTHRAUFF, Daniel 1; DEKINGA, Anne 2; GILL, Robert 3; PIERSMA, Theunis 4
1
US Geological Survey, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, University of Groningen
2
NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
3
US Geological Survey
4
NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, University of Groningen
Rock Sandpipers (Calidris p. ptilocnemis) have the most northerly nonbreeding distribution of any shorebird
in the Pacific Basin, a distribution that also subjects this subspecies to the coldest nonbreeding conditions
regularly experienced by shorebirds during winter. We integrated behavioral, environmental, and
physiological aspects of the nonbreeding ecology of ptilocnemis to determine the relative importance of these
factors in facilitating their unique nonbreeding ecology. We conducted experimental trials to compare the
metabolic output and foraging ecology of ptilocnemis to individuals of another subspecies (C. p.
tschuktschorum) that winters at more benign, southerly locations. Basal metabolic rates and metabolic
responses to cold did not differ between the two subspecies, suggesting the important role of phenotypically
flexible metabolic adjustments under natural environmental settings. Foraging trials, however, revealed
apparently intrinsic differences in foraging abilities that yielded higher rates of energy intake in ptilocnemis
compared to tschuktschorum. Ptilocnemis increases the size of its gizzard and liver to increase digestive
capacity during winter, and also accumulates high fat stores to help endure periods of low food availability. In
addition to these physiological adjustments, the winter occupancy of upper Cook Inlet by ptilocnemis is
further facilitated by high-quality prey resources. The bivalve Macoma balthica is ptilocnemis’ primary prey,
and Macoma from upper Cook Inlet contain relatively more flesh and less shell per unit length compared to
Macoma from northern Europe. Taken together, unique behavioral, physiological, and environmental factors
permit ptilocnemis to successfully exploit seemingly inhospitable conditions along Alaska’s frozen edge.
54
VARIATION IN SHOREBIRD NEST DENSITIES THROUGH SPACE AND
TIME: ARE SPECIES CUING INTO ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS?
SAALFELD, Sarah 1; Dr. LANCTOT, Richard 1
1
Shorebirds seem to have evolved a number of strategies for adapting to and exploiting the unpredictable and
inhospitable Arctic environment. Two such strategies put forth by Holmes and Pitelka in the 1960s suggest
that species either conservatively or opportunistically select breeding locations based on local environmental
conditions. “Conservative” species were characterized by strong site fidelity and territoriality, consistent
population densities, relatively even spacing of individuals, and monogamous mating systems, while
“opportunistic” species exhibited opposite traits and were polygamous. However, based on initial attempts to
investigate the existence of these proposed strategies at Barrow, Alaska, we found that few species fit into one
settlement strategy and determining cues used to settle was not straightforward and may vary geographically.
To better understand settlement patterns in species that outwardly might appear to be conservative or
opportunistic, we investigated geographic patterns in shorebird nest density at sites within the Arctic
Shorebird Demographics Network between 2010 and 2014. We then tested different hypotheses related to food
availability, predator densities, abundance of alternative prey, timing of snow melt, and prior reproductive
success that might influence settlement patterns. All of these factors can directly and indirectly influence the
survival and productivity of an individual, and thus from an evolutionary standpoint likely affect settlement.
Results from this study may have important consequences for designing monitoring programs in the Arctic, as
well as affect the implementation of conservation actions and aid in understanding the potential effects of
climate change.
Migration / 20
Animal tracking update: How can GPS-GSM tracking can help shorebird
ecologists?
Dr. SANTOS, Carlos David 1; Dr. SILVA, João Paulo 2
1
Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Campus do Bacanga,
65080-040, São Luís, MA, Brazil; Department of Migration and Immuno-ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Am Obstberg 1,
78315 Radolfzell, Germany
2
Centre for Applied Ecology “Prof. Baeta Neves”, Institute of Agronomy, Technical University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017,
Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Animal Biology, Centre for Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Lisbon, 1749-016,
Lisbon, Portugal
Over the last decade animal tracking has helped ecologists to better understand animal movement,
particularly animal migration. Among the most promising innovations of tracking technology is the use of
GSM to remotely retrieve data from GPS data loggers. GPS-GSM tracking has brought several important
advantages to conventional satellite tracking: (1) It costs ca. 20 times less than satellite tracking; (2) tags are
remotely controlled, allowing for changes in the data collection mode; (3) information can be delivered in
real-time; and (4) tags are offered with axial accelerometers onboard, allowing for the study of animal
behaviour. In this presentation we will illustrate how these features may be used in shorebird research with
the results of four case studies on birds. We will show how long distance migration can be monitored with
GPS-GSM tags; how the remote controlling of GSM-GPS tags may allow the increase of data collection in
critical migration passages; how real-time tracking can allow the documentation of predatory events on
tagged animals; and how acceleration data may complement GPS data for behavioural studies. We will also
discuss the possible limitations of the use of GPS-GSM tags for shorebirds, in particular with regards to tag
size, battery power use and performance, and attachment methods.
55
Posters / 106
DISTRIBUCIÓN, ABUNDANCIA Y REGISTROS DE REPRODUCCIÓN DE
CHARADRIUS WILSONIA CINNAMONIUS EN LA ISLA DE MARGARITA
(VENEZUELA)
Dr. SANZ, Virginia 1
1
IVIC
Se reconocen tres subespecies de Charadrius wilsonia. En las costas del Caribe y del Atlántico de Suramérica
se distribuye la subespecie C. w. cinnamonius, para la cual información publicada actualizada es
prácticamente inexistente. Para la sub-especie de Norteamérica C. w. wilsonia hay estimados que indican
disminución de sus poblaciones. Desde el 2006 se están realizando monitoreos de aves acuáticas en varias
lagunas costeras de la isla de Margarita, en el Caribe venezolano. Los censos se realizan anualmente en
febrero, julio y octubre. Se presentan los datos de distribución y abundancia disponibles para esta especie. La
especie está presente todo el año en la isla y tiene amplia distribución, se encontró en 10 localidades de 21
evaluadas, tanto en playas, como en lagunas costeras, donde son mucho más abundantes. Los estimados
poblacionales máximos fluctúan entre 100 a 250 individuos en toda la isla, en el mes de julio, con tendencia a
disminuir en los últimos cuatro años. El resto del año la población es de menos de 50 aves. Julio es el mes de
reproducción; se tienen registros de nidos y pichones recién nacidos para los años 2004, 2010 y 2014 en dos
lagunas costeras en esta época. La especie también está presente en bajos números poblacionales en las islas
Coche y Cubagua, muy cercanas a Margarita, y hay registros de reproducción en Coche. Las principales
amenazas a la especie podrían ser la depredación de nidos y pichones por perros cimarrones y perturbación
humana por actividades recreativas o pesca.
IMPORTANCIA DE LA ISLA DE MARGARITA (VENEZUELA) COMO
SITIO DE PARADA PARA PLAYEROS EN EL CARIBE
Dr. SANZ, Virginia
1
1
IVIC
En sus desplazamientos migratorios entre las áreas de invernada y de reproducción los playeros deben hacer
paradas temporales en zonas neotropicales para alimentarse y reponer energía. Estos sitios son poco conocidos
a pesar de su importancia para asegurar la viabilidad de la migración. En el año 2006 se evaluaron 21
localidades en la isla de Margarita, en el Mar Caribe venezolano, pertenecientes a los ambientes de playa,
manglar y albuferas con el fin de identificar los sitios más importantes para estas especies migratorias de
Norteamérica. Desde esa fecha se realizan anualmente censos en febrero, julio y octubre en las tres localidades
con mayor riqueza y abundancia de especies con el fin de detectar tendencias poblacionales. Se han registrado
29 especies de las familias Charadriidae y Scolopacidae. Las especies más comunes son Calidris sp (mauri,
pusilla, minutilla), con valores que pueden alcanzar los 6000 individuos, y Tringa sp (flavipes, melanoleuca),
que eventualmente pueden superar las 300 aves. Las variaciones en las abundancias son muy marcadas
estacionalmente, los máximos se registran principalmente en febrero. Sin embargo, existen grandes
fluctuaciones interanuales en el número de aves que llegan a la isla, incluso en distintos meses, por lo que es
difícil obtener tendencias poblacionales claras. Dos de las localidades usadas por las aves están dentro de un
parque nacional, pero la más importante se encuentra amenazada. Comparado con estimados poblacionales de
otras islas del Caribe, Margarita representa un sitio relevante de parada para al menos cinco especies de
playeros durante la migración de primavera.
56
BAHIA PARACAS, AREA DE CONSERVACION PRIORITARIA PARA LA
CONSERVACION DE AVES PLAYERAS - RESERVA NACIONAL DE
PARACAS - PERÚ
Mrs. SARAVIA, Patricia 1; Mr. HOSTIA, Percy 1
1
Reserva Nacional de Paracas-SERNANP
Resumen
Analizamos los resultados de los monitoreos mensuales del conteo poblacional de aves marino costeras,
realizados en cinco zonas de bahía Paracas, establecidas al interior de la Reserva Nacional de Paracas, entre
enero del 2010 y enero del 2015, se realizó un análisis espacio temporal de la distribución y abundancia de las
aves playeras migratorias empleando el Sistema de Información Geográfica – SIG, identificando los sitios más
importantes en cuanto a cantidad de aves playeras, de las cuáles La Aguada y Santo Domingo se constituyen
como las de mayor importancia. Se debe tener en cuenta que los sitios de importancia identificados están muy
cercanos a la población local, por esto es prioritario que las acciones de conservación estén basadas en la
participación de la comunidad local, la sociedad civil y los gobiernos locales y regionales.
TO EACH THEIR OWN: INTRA-SPECIFIC PATTERNS OF VOCAL
VARIATION IN THE WESTERN SANDPIPER (CALIDRIS MAURI)
Ms. SCHWARZ*, Birgit 1; Mr. JONG, Ian K. C. 1; Dr. LANK, David B. 1
1
Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University
Birgit Schwarz* ([email protected]), Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University, Ian K. C. Jong,
([email protected]), Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University, David B. Lank,
([email protected]), Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University
Acoustic communication in shorebirds appears almost neglected compared to the wealth of research on
songbird vocalizations. Yet, most shorebirds are highly vocal and repertoires typically encompass numerous
types of calls and often even song, highlighting the communicative importance of acoustic signals. Shorebird
vocalizations appear to be innate, yet may show within-species variation. Such variation may in itself be of
interest to signal receivers, potentially containing information on the signaller’s identity, body size, suitability
as a mate or reproductive state. We investigated possible sources of variation in two types of Western
Sandpiper vocalizations, alarm calls and songs, and, in a playback experiment, tested responses to one form of
variation (geographical differences in song). Multivariate analyses of alarm call and song characteristics
revealed evidence for individuality: discriminant function analysis correctly assigned &gt;90% of either
vocalization type to the respective individual. Furthermore, song and alarm call frequencies were correlated
across individuals (r=0.587, P=0.003) and inversely related to body size (r=-0.372, P=0.044; r=-0.32; P=0.059
respectively). Song characteristics differed between the sexes with the larger-bodied females singing at lower
frequencies. Male reproductive status, on the other hand, appeared to affect the number and duration of
introductory notes and trill bandwidth traits, but not song frequency characteristics. At the population level,
songs varied among breeding sites in frequency characteristics and duration, while alarm calls did not. Local
song playbacks elicited a stronger or more immediate song response than non-local playbacks, but the
intensity of male agonistic behaviour did not appear to differ among playback types.
57
Habitat Selection / 61
SURVEYS AND HABITAT USE OF WHIMBRELS ON THE ACADIAN
PENINSULA, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA
SMITH, Fletcher 1; Dr. WATTS, Bryan 2; PAQUET, Julie 3
1
The Center for Conservation Biology at The College of William & Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University
2
The Center for Conservation Biology at The College of William Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University
3
We surveyed the Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick, Canada using three methods: aerial surveys, ground
surveys, and roost surveys. Aerial surveys were designed to incorporate all possible whimbrel habitat (active
blueberry fields, natural heathlands/bogs, peat extraction sites, and coastal beaches and barrier islands), and
ground survey and roost surveys were used to refine our understanding of habitat use and distribution. We
detected 339 whimbrels during a 3 August 2014 aerial survey and 615 whimbrels during an 11 August aerial
survey. Whimbrels were distributed along the peninsula, with concentrations of whimbrels higher with
proximity to Miscou Island. Of the 954 whimbrels detected on aerial surveys, 908 (95%) were observed in
harvest stage fields, 5 (<1%) in development stage fields, 7 (<1%) flushed from unknown stage fields, and 34
(3.5%) from coastal beaches or barrier islands. We surveyed 58.5km of ground based blueberry field transects.
A total of 690 whimbrels were detected, with the majority of detections in harvest stage fields (N=637, 92%),
and 53 detections (8%) in either growth or development stage. Over 93% of all whimbrels detected during the
aerial, ground, and evening roost surveys originated from blueberry fields, suggesting that tidal influences on
behavior are negligible. Warden pressure on whimbrels in the region is high and many fields have a full-time
presence to deter whimbrels from landing in harvest fields. The Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick,
Canada appears to support a significant portion of the Mackenzie Delta population that uses Atlantic Canada
in fall migration.
Phenological matching with breeding habitat drives the timing of the
annual cycle in a long distance migratory shorebird , the eastern willet
SMITH, Joseph 1; REGAN, Kevin 2; GREENE, Ashley 3; MARRA, Peter 4
1
...
2
Biodiversity Research Institute
3
Mass DCR
4
Smithsonian
We examined the influence of breeding habitat phenology on life history timing the eastern willet across a
latitudinal gradient on the east coast of North America. To determine wintering locations and the timing of
life history events we deployed geolocators on willets at study sites in NJ, MA, and ME. We incorporated
additional data on life history timing and migratory connectivity from published studies and band recoveries.
We hypothesized that breeding habitat phenology is the primary driver of progressively later timing at higher
latitudes and that all sites would be at the same phenological stage when nesting began. To test this, we
derived indices of salt marsh phenology from (1) published biomass measurements and (2) temperature data.
We found that there was no significant difference in phenological stage at the onset of nesting between the NJ
and MA/ME. This stage corresponded with the peak of spring temperature acceleration (GDD jerk) at all sites.
The stage of peak acceleration and salt marsh biomass were closely correlated with each other and with
nesting dates across the latitudinal range of the study. These results suggest that eastern Willets time their
departure from wintering sites in northern South America to correspond with a phenological wave of spring
salt marsh green-up. The timing of all lifecycle phases was earlier for more southern-breeding willets but the
duration of stages was consistent, indicating that breeding habitat phenology is the primary driver of the
timing all events in the annual cycle.
58
DENSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS AT THE
SALT PRODUCTION FACILITY IN SOUTHERN BONAIRE, DUTCH
CARIBBEAN
Mr. SIMAL, Fernando 1; Dr. RIVERA, Frank 2; Dr. SORENSON, Lisa 3; Mr. GERBRACHT, Jeff 4
1
WildConscience
2
3
BirdsCaribbean
4
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Bonaire has many wetlands and salinas which are known to be important for migratory waterbirds and
shorebirds, but for which good data are lacking. In January and February 2015, we carried out Caribbean
Waterbird Census (CWC) surveys (Level 3) at a network of salt ponds managed by Cargill N.V. in southern
Bonaire. Eighty-one points were established in a random systematic manner along the dike roads with a
minimum distance of 400-500 m between points. In mid-January, two teams of two observers completed
6-minute point counts using distance sampling methodology at all 81 points and a random sub-sample of
points were visited a second time. The entire survey was completed again in February. We also measured
habitat covariates such as water color (indicative of salinity), vegetation cover and food abundance. Our
analysis of shorebird abundance focused on 9 species of conservation concern, including Semipalmated
Sandpiper, Red Knot, Ruddy Turnstone, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper, Sanderling,
Black-bellied Plover, and Least Sandpiper. SESA and LESA were detected in many points and had the highest
counts. REKN, GRYE and BBPL were least abundant. Our surveys showed that the Salinas at Cargill are very
important as habitat for migratory shorebirds. Our work also involved training of local monitors to participate
in the CWC—27 wildlife professionals and volunteers from 6 Dutch Caribbean islands were trained in bird
identification and CWC count protocols in a 4-day workshop held in Curacao. Participants received
binoculars, field guides and other resources to help them start their monitoring program.
59
Posters / 21
AUTOMATED TELEMETRY FOR MONITORING NOCTURNAL
BEHAVIOR OF BREEDING PIPING PLOVERS ON THE ATLANTIC
COAST
STANTIAL, Michelle 1; COHEN, Jonathan 1
1
SUNY-ESF
As the focus on clean energy continues, collisions of birds with wind turbines in coastal areas poses a
potential threat that could affect populations of imperiled species. Assessing flight behaviors of beach-nesting
birds during times of poor visibility can help to evaluate the potential threat of turbine construction at or near
breeding areas because birds may be most susceptible to collision with turbines during daily commutes to
foraging areas. We placed automated telemetry receivers near the nests of radio-tagged female piping plovers,
a federally-threatened species, at six study sites in Massachusetts and New Jersey and determined the number
of detections of each individual and the time spent out of range. Female piping plovers transitioned out of
range an average of 35.91 ± 15.61 (SE) times during the day and 18.28 ± 2.59 times at night. Female piping
plovers with a nest spent 63.7% ± 4.5% of the time out of detection range at night (20:00 – 06:00) and 31.5% ±
6.2% of the time out of range during the day (06:00 – 20:00) (MRBP, Test statistic = -3.261, P = 0.011).
Transitions to locations out of detection range would likely have been made by flying. Our results suggest
that, as has been found in other breeding populations, Atlantic Coast piping plovers make frequent nocturnal
movements out of their known diurnal territories. These movements may place them at risk of encounter with
anthropogenic structures such as wind turbines at a time when visibility, and thus the ability to avoid
collision, is low.
USING HABITAT FEATURES TO PREDICT AND MANAGE NEST
SUCCESS OF AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS (HAEMATOPUS
PALLIATUS) AND WILSON’S PLOVERS (CHARADRIUS WILSONIA)
ALONG THE GEORGIA COAST.
STERLING, Abby* 1; HATT, Joanna 2; KEYES, Tim 3; Dr. COOPER, Robert 2
1
University of Georgia, Little St Simons Island, GA
2
University of Georgia
3
GA Dept of Natural Resources
For many species of beach nesting shorebirds, population declines have been noted for some time, but
continue despite conservation efforts. Significant threats include loss of nesting habitat, increased predation
pressures, and human disturbance. In this study, our goal was to determine if breeding success of American
oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) and Wilson’s plovers (Charadrius wilsonia) is explained by habitat
characteristics of nest sites at three spatial scales. Scales were chosen to represent nest site selection, territory
selection and selection at a landscape scale. We focused our research on three Georgia barrier islands and
during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, we located and monitored 432 Wilson’s plover nests, and 50 American
oystercatcher nests and examined various habitat factors. We used logistic exposure models and model
selection to determine which variables at each scale were best at explaining nest success for each species. We
also examined how these variables influenced the probability of failure due to predation versus overwash, the
two most common causes of nest failure, using multinomial competing risks models. Finally, we used the
results of our nest survival modeling to identify common features of productive nesting habitat between the
two species, in order to assess our ability to use the American oystercatcher as an umbrella species for other
beach nesting birds, such as the Wilson’s plover. This research will ultimately, be used to prioritize and guide
management activities within a suitable breeding habitat in order to increase fecundity of these two
vulnerable species.
60
SETTLEMENT CUES FOR NEST PLACEMENT IN HUDSONIAN
GODWITS
SWIFT, Rose 1; Dr. SENNER, Nathan 2; Dr. RODEWALD, Amanda 1
1
Cornell University
2
University of Groningen
Conspecific or social cues, predation risk, and habitat preferences may all influence nest placement.
Quantifying the spatial patterns of nest placement can provide insights into demography and distribution.
Hudsonian Godwit nests show clustering across the landscape. Understanding how the relative roles of
habitat, conspecifics, and predation risk in settlement decisions has important conservation implications as
they influence nest survival through predation events. To distinguish between these mechanisms, I assessed
the point pattern of 117 Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) nests and the pattern of predation relative to
nearest neighbor distances and distance to human-modified landscapes of 84 nests with known nest fate.
Neither the distance to the nearest neighbor nor proximity to roads appeared to significantly predict nest fate.
Therefore, predators employing a systematic searching technique may not benefit from proximity to other
nests. Additionally, the landscape scale habitat analysis shows no spatial autocorrelation of vegetation to nest
locations. These results indicate that Hudsonian Godwits may utilize conspecific cues for nest placement.
Further work will identify whether individuals settle in locations based on public information cues or near
occupied territories. Additional work will identify the micro- and meso-habitat features that may be
important for nest site selection and settlement decisions.
Posters / 26
Latitude-dependent life history strategies of shorebirds: migratory
preparation and primary molt of Western and Semipalmated sandpipers
in southern Peru
1
2
Mrs. TAVERA FERNANDEZ, EVELING ; Prof. LANK, DAVID ; Mrs. GONZALEZ, Patricia M.
1
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY / CORBIDI
2
3
Fundación Inalafquen y Global Flyway Network
3
Shorebirds have wide variation in life history strategies. Among and within species, greater migration
distances relate to slow “oversummering” versus fast strategies, assessed by juveniles’ propensity to migrate
and breed during the first spring. As indices of age-specific migratory preparation from one of the most
austral non-breeding areas, we compared body mass, the extent of breeding plumage, and outer primary molt
in Western and Semipalmated sandpipers during non-breeding and pre-migratory periods of 2012-2015 at the
Paracas National Reserve in Peru. As expected from work elsewhere, adult Western and Semipalmated
sandpipers prepared for migration and breeding in February-March, but no juvenile Westerns did so,
indicating oversummering. In March, juvenile Semipalmateds showed bimodality, with ca. 31% preparing for
migration by fattening, molting and replacing outer primaries, while others did not do so. Local censuses
during June 2015 confirmed that oversummering birds were juveniles. Bimodality is consistent with previous
reports of oversummering in northern South America yet breeding by some first year birds in Canada. A
second life history trait, the location and timing of adult wing molt, is similar between species. Westerns in
Panama drop their primaries immediately upon arrival in late August, and Semipalmateds molt after arrival in
Suriname and Brazil in September. Adults arrive in Paracas in early October. In October, 84% of Western and
88% of Semipalmated sandpipers had already molted > half of their primaries, while remaining birds had
suspended molt. Primary molt for both species must start at stopover site(s) prior arrival at Paracas.
61
UNRAVELING THE ANNUAL CYCLE OF THE BLACK TURNSTONE – A
ROCKY COAST SHOREBIRD
Dr. BISHOP, Mary Anne 1; Prof. TAYLOR, Audrey 2; Ms. SOWL, Kristine 3; Ms. SCHAEFER, Anne 1; Mr. PORTER, Ron 4
1
2
3
Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge
4
Ron Porter
Rocky coast shorebirds are a historically understudied group because their populations tend to be distributed
sparsely and their preferred habitats are difficult to access. Consequently, information regarding their
migration and stopover sites remains limited. In 2013 we captured and fitted geolocators to 30 Black
Turnstones (Arenaria melanocephala) breeding at Alaska’s Yukon Delta (YD) and 5 turnstones breeding at
Cape Krusenstern (CK). In 2014 we recaptured and recovered 18 geolocators at YD and 2 geolocators at CK.
Preliminary results based on data from 8 YD geolocators show that southbound migration for YD birds began
in mid-July with birds arriving to their wintering areas by the end of July. Geolocator-tagged turnstones
wintered from the southern Oregon coast north to southeast Alaska’s Admiralty Island. Departures from the
wintering areas ranged from 21 Apr – 8 May with birds arriving on YD 4-23 d later. Light-levels on
geolocators suggested that most Black Turnstones hopped up the coast, typically remaining 1- 5 d per site.
Two turnstones showed evidence of staging with one stopping for 10 d at the islands of Haida Gwaii, British
Columbia and another for 15 d at Baranof Island in southeast Alaska. While analyses are still underway,
surprisingly no turnstones stopped at Prince William Sound, a historically important spring stopover.
Importantly, our permit required that geolocators be attached to turnstones using a backpack harness. This
attachment location subsequently proved problematic due to feather shading. Therefore, we recommend that
future studies use geolocators attached to leg bands.
62
Posters / 117
COMPARING BLACK TURNSTONE DENSITIES AND RESULTING
ABUNDANCE ESTIMATES ACROSS 30 YEARS OF HABITAT CHANGE
ON THE YUKON-KUSKOKWIM DELTA, ALASKA
TAYLOR, Audrey 1; HANDEL, Colleen 2; Dr. BISHOP, Mary Anne 3; SCHAEFER, Anne 3; VERISSIMO, Luis 4; SOWL, Kristine 5
1
2
USGS Alaska Science Center
3
4
Michigan Tech University
5
The Black Turnstone is an iconic shorebird that breeds exclusively in western Alaska, with the highest
densities found on the central Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (YKD). Breeding densities on the YKD were estimated
from transect surveys and used to calculate a population abundance estimate in the early 1980s, but this effort
had not been repeated since. A recent decline in the number of Black Turnstones stopping over at northern
Montague Island in Prince William Sound, Alaska, (an Important Bird Area established in part for this species)
may be due to individuals shifting their migration routes or may be evidence of an overall population decline.
To evaluate the possibility of a population decline, we repeated 15 of 25 YKD transects from 1981 during May
2014 using distance-sampling methodology and compared the resulting turnstone densities with the earlier
estimates. Preliminary analysis indicates that Black Turnstone breeding densities may be lower now than in
1981 in all 5 strata, which were defined by habitat and distance from the coast. Based on a spatial analysis at
multiple scales near our field site, we hypothesize possible habitat-related changes that may have influenced
breeding densities of Black Turnstones during the past 30 years. These changes include migration of the main
river channel into prime turnstone nesting habitat, possible increased saline intrusion inland as a result of
further penetration of tidal channels, changes in landscape “wetness,” and alterations in the extent of salt
marsh vegetation. Such environmental changes may result in shifting breeding distributions or densities of
Black Turnstones.
Posters / 76
Distribución de cuatro especies de aves playeras con relación al ciclo de
las mareas en la bahía La Aguada en la Reserva Nacional de Paracas-Perú
Mrs. TENORIO LEYVA, Yaquelin Milagros 1
1
Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad (CORBIDI)
La bahía La Aguada en la Reserva Nacional de Paracas se caracteriza por ser un ecosistema de tipo
areno-arcillo-fangoso con alta composición de macro y micro invertebrados bentónicos en su sustrato, la cual
alberga gran variedad de especies migratorias principalmente de la familia Scolopacidae. El objetivo del
estudio fue determinar la distribución de Calidris pusilla, Calidris mauri, Calidris alba y Charadrius
semipalmatus con relación al ciclo de las mareas desde Diciembre 2014 hasta Febrero 2015. La bahía fue
dividida en tres sectores “A”, “B” y “C” de acuerdo a las características del substrato en cada sector, los
avistamientos fueron hechos a individuos marcados desde las 5:30 am hasta las 8:30am. Estas distribuciones
fueron comparadas con el ciclo de mareas, y como resultado principal encontramos la actividad de las cuatro
especies. Todas las especies se distribuyeron mayormente en el sector A, mientras tres de las especies
utilizaban más de un solo sector, y solamente Calidris alba utilizó dos sectores regularmente. Como conclusión
principal las cuatro especies mostraron una preferencia por el tipo de sedimento asociado al ciclo de mareas en
el sector A (arenoso - fangoso). Esto puede deberse al grado de diferencia entre los sedimentos de los 3
sectores. i.e. en el sector B, las mareas cubren áreas más fangosas y esto podría imposibilitar la obtención de
una mayor cantidad de observaciones, mientras que en el sector A se logró registrar 214 observaciones en
total.
63
POPULATON DEMOGRAPHY AND MOVEMENTS OF
BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEWS ON THE JAMES CAMPBELL NATIONAL
WILDLIFE REFUGE, OAHU, HAWAII
TIBBITTS, Lee 1; UNDERWOOD, Jared 2; RUTHRAUFF, Dan 1
1
2
USFWS Hawaiian and Pacific Islands NWR Complex
In 2012-2014, we studied Bristle-thighed Curlews on James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, a small (4.5
km2) coastal refuge on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. We used 1) ground surveys to assess population size,
age structure, and habitat use, 2) satellite telemetry to measure local and migratory movements, and 3) genetic
analysis to determine breeding origin of the wintering birds. To date we have conducted 28 repeat refuge-wide
surveys, color-marked 46 individuals, and satellite-tagged 12 of them. Repeat surveys and mark-recapture
analyses indicate that there are over 100 birds using the refuge, a substantial increase from just 10 years ago.
Satellite-tagged birds spent most of their time on the refuge, but some regularly used private lands within ~5
km of the refuge for feeding during the day and some visited offshore rocks for roosting at night. Birds
occasionally made brief trips to the adjacent Hawaiian Islands of Kauai, Hawaii, and Molokai in 2013, but not
in 2014. Satellite-tagged birds departed Oahu on 5–10 May in 2014 (n = 10) and arrived 2.3–3.8 days later on
Alaskan breeding areas in the Andreafsky Wilderness (n = 8 birds) and the Seward Peninsula (n = 2). Fall
departure dates ranged from 31 July to 15 August, and southbound flights took slightly longer than
northbound at an estimated 3.7–4.8 days. Genetic analysis confirmed that the James Campbell population
consisted of birds from both of the Alaska breeding areas.
64
Posters / 92
INFORMATION GAINED AND LESSONS LEARNED WHILE STUDYING
MIGRATION OF PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVERS VIA SATELLITE
TELEMETRY
TIBBITTS, Lee 1; JOHNSON, Wally 2; GOODWILL, Roger 3
1
2
Department of Ecology, Montana State University
3
Department of Biology, Brigham Young University-Hawaii
We tracked Pacific Golden-Plovers with satellite telemetry during spring and fall migration in 2014. Of 5 birds
tagged on Oahu, Hawaii, in March, 4 departed 22-29 April and flew 3700-4,000 km over 3 days to breeding
sites in Alaska. Migration routes, timing, and location of breeding sites were consistent with previous data
from geolocator-tagged plovers. We tagged an additional 5 birds in June near Nome, Alaska. In early August,
these birds moved to previously unknown fall staging areas in western Alaska and spent 4-6 weeks there.
Unfortunately, few birds did well during southbound migration and only 3of 9 were tracked to wintering
areas. Of the southbound Oahu-tagged birds, 2 turned around after flying for 3 days; one of these diverted to
British Columbia where it spent 4 weeks before returning to Alaska in an apparent attempt to refuel. A single
Nome-tagged bird flew nonstop 11,100 km to Okinawa and continued on to Sulawesi where it wintered.
However the other 4 Nome birds likely died en route as radio signals disappeared overwater. It is unclear why
birds did worse going south, but may be related to depleted reserves after breeding coupled with high energy
costs associated with aerodynamic drag of the transmitter. We conclude that the attachment appeared
workable for some birds and some situations, as all Nome-tagged birds fledged young and two birds
recaptured on Oahu in February 2015 were healthy, but that further refinements are needed before it can be
used to track long distance migration in this species.
65
Conservation / 32
ESTIMATING SUSTAINABLE MORTALITY LIMITS FOR SHOREBIRDS
USING THE WESTERN ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Dr. WATTS, Bryan D. 1; Dr. REED, Eric T. 2; TURRIN, Courtney 1
1
Center for Conservation Biology, College of William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University
2
Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada
ESTIMATING SUSTAINABLE MORTALITY LIMITS FOR SHOREBIRDS USING THE WESTERN ATLANTIC
FLYWAY. Bryan D. Watts, [email protected], Center for Conservation Biology, College of William and Mary
and Virginia Commonwealth University, Eric T. Reed, [email protected], Canadian Wildlife Service,
Environment Canada, Courtney Turrin, [email protected], Center for Conservation Biology, College of
William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University.
Of the 35 shorebird populations using the Western Atlantic Flyway for which trend data are available, more
than 65% are experiencing declines. Due to their low reproductive potential, many shorebirds are vulnerable to
perturbations in adult survival rates, and contemporary hunting pressure is emerging as a potential
population-level constraint for some species. A central question is how much mortality these populations are
capable of sustaining while maintaining population sizes sufficient to meet biological and social needs. We
used estimates of population parameters within a harvest-theoretic framework to estimate sustainable
mortality limits for shorebird stocks using the flyway (N = 37). Mortality limits varied over five orders of
magnitude among populations, from less than 70 to more than 490,000 individuals and from 1 to 20% of the
population estimate. Mortality limits were sensitive to adult mortality and age to first reproduction. These
relationships reflect the underlying slow-fast continuum in life-history strategies and suggest that species with
long generation times and high adult survival are most vulnerable to elevated mortality rates. Shorebird
hunting continues to be legal within many jurisdictions throughout the flyway, but flyway-wide harvest is
virtually unknown. Fragmentary information suggests that current harvest levels could contribute to observed
declines for selected species. Assessment of potential harvest impacts would be greatly enhanced by further
isolating shorebird stocks that actually use the flyway, improving confidence in demographic parameter
estimates, and coordinating a flyway-wide estimate of harvest levels.
66
DRIVERS OF ADULT SURVIVAL IN ARCTIC-BREEDING SHOREBIRDS:
INSIGHTS FROM COORDINATED RESEARCH
WEISER, Emily 1
1
DRIVERS OF ADULT SURVIVAL IN ARCTIC-BREEDING SHOREBIRDS: INSIGHTS FROM COORDINATED
RESEARCH. Arctic-breeding shorebirds are one of the most rapidly declining groups of birds worldwide.
These long-distance migrants are vulnerable to a range of threats, including climate change, habitat loss,
contaminants, and increasing predator numbers, in breeding areas, migratory stopover sites, and wintering
areas. However, conservation planning is challenging because causes of decline are not well known for most
of these species. The Arctic Shorebird Demographics Network coordinated standardized data collection across
16 shorebird breeding sites in Alaska, Canada, and Russia over a five-year period (2010-2014). We used a new
spatially explicit Bayesian CJS model and data from individually marked birds to estimate adult annual
survival rates for 5 species of shorebirds, and developed non-spatially explicit estimates for 5 additional
species with smaller sample sizes. Annual rates of apparent survival ranged from ~0.30-0.80 across species, and
varied with breeding site, environmental covariates from both breeding and wintering areas, and individual
traits. Spatially explicit estimates corrected for local dispersal rates and thus were higher than traditional
estimates of apparent survival. This is the most comprehensive assessment of survival in these species to date,
and will inform future work to help focus research on the most sensitive stages of the annual cycle for each
species.Emily L. Weiser ([email protected]), Kansas State University; Brett K. Sandercock
([email protected]), Kansas State University; Rebecca Bentzen, Wildlife Conservation Society; Joël Bêty,
Université du Québec à Rimouski; Megan Boldenow, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Stephen C. Brown,
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences; Willow English, Simon Fraser University; Samantha Franks,
British Trust for Ornithology; River Gates, ABR, Inc.; Laura Koloski, Trent University; Eunbi Kwon, Kansas
State University; Jean-Francois Lamarre, Université du Québec à Rimouski; Richard B. Lanctot, US Fish and
Wildlife Service; David Lank, Simon Fraser University; Joe Liebezeit, Audubon Society; Laura McKinnon,
Trent University; Erica Nol, Trent University; Jennie Rausch, Environment Canada; Sarah Saalfeld, US Fish
and Wildlife Service; Nathan R. Senner ([email protected]), University of Groningen; David Ward, US
Geological Survey.
67
EFFECTS OF GEOLOCATORS ON RETURN RATES IN
ARCTIC-BREEDING SHOREBIRDS
WEISER, Emily 1
1
EFFECTS OF GEOLOCATORS ON RETURN RATES IN ARCTIC-BREEDING SHOREBIRDS. Managing
anthropogenic threats to long-distance migrants requires delineating the areas used for breeding, migration,
and overwintering. Geolocators are a useful tool for tracking movements, but potential effects on fitness are
not well studied. We conducted a meta-analysis across 11 projects that deployed light-level geolocators
(backpack-style or leg-mounted; 0.8-2 g) on 17 species of Arctic-breeding shorebirds (ranging in size from
Semipalmated Sandpipers [26 g] to Bar-tailed Godwits [366 g]) at 26 breeding and nonbreeding sites to assess
fitness consequences of geolocators for shorebirds. Relative to individuals with only leg flags and color bands,
we found that birds with geolocators showed significantly lower return rates in two species (Dunlin and
Semipalmated Sandpiper). Among-site variation was large for many species, suggesting geolocator effects may
not be fully measurable without multiple capture sites. Smaller-bodied species and those that migrated longer
distances were more likely to be negatively affected by geolocators than larger species or those that migrated
shorter distances. Males, individuals with proven site fidelity, and successful breeders were more likely to
return across several species, suggesting that future studies could target particular types of individuals to
maximize recovery of geolocator data. Emily L. Weiser ([email protected]), Kansas State University;
Brett K. Sandercock ([email protected]), Kansas State University; Phil F. Battley, Massey University; Rebecca
Bentzen, Wildlife Conservation Society; Joël Bêty, Université du Québec à Rimouski; Mary Anne Bishop,
Prince William Sound Science Center; Megan Boldenow, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Stephen C. Brown,
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences; Bruce Casler; Jonathan T. Coleman, Queensland Wader Study
Group; Jesse R. Conklin, University of Groningen; Willow English, Simon Fraser University; River Gates, ABR,
Inc.; Olivier Gilg, Université de Bourgogne and Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique; Marie-Andree
Giroux, Université du Québec à Rimouski and Université de Moncton; Ken Gosbell; Chris Hassell; Jim
Helmericks, Colville Village; Kari Koivula, University of Oulu; Eunbi Kwon, Kansas State University;
Jean-Francois Lamarre, Université du Québec à Rimouski; Richard B. Lanctot, US Fish and Wildlife Service;
Johannes Lang, Institut für Tierökologie und Naturbildung and Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique;
David Lank, Simon Fraser University; Nicolas Lecomte, Université de Moncton; Joe Liebezeit, Audubon
Society; Vanessa Loverti, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Laura McKinnon, Trent University; Clive Minton;
David Mizrahi, New Jersey Audubon Society; Erica Nol, Trent University; Veli-Matti Pakanen, University of
Oulu; Ron Porter, Delaware Bay Shorebird Project; Jennie Rausch, Environment Canada; Jeroen W. H.
Reneerkens, University of Groningen and Aarhus University; Nelli Rönkä, University of Oulu; Benoît Sittler,
Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique and Institut für Landespflege; Paul Smith, Environment Canada;
Kristine Sowl, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge; Audrey Taylor, University of Alaska Anchorage; David
Ward, US Geological Survey; Stephen Yezerinac.
68
Posters / 50
LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF THE SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: SURVIVAL
DURING BREEDING, NON-BREEDING AND MIGRATION SEASONS
WILLIAMS, Simone 1; Dr. NOL, Erica 1; Dr. BISHOP, MaryAnne 2
1
Trent University
2
Prince William Sound Science Center, Cordova, Alaska
LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF THE SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: SURVIVAL DURING BREEDING,
NON-BREEDING AND MIGRATION SEASONS
Simone Williams*, ([email protected]), Environmental & Life Sciences Graduate Program at Trent
University, Erica Nol, ([email protected]), Biology Department at Trent University and Mary Anne Bishop,
([email protected]) Prince William Sound Science Center, Cordova, Alaska
ABSTRACT
Understanding population dynamics is crucial in deciphering the factors that regulate populations, especially
because 42% of Western Hemisphere shorebirds are declining. Two previous studies, one on a passerine
(Setophaga caerulescens), Sillet and Holmes (2002) and another on a migratory shorebirds (Calidris canutus ),
Baker et al. (2004) have shown that migration mortality rates exceed those at wintering and breeding sites.
The present study proposes to determine whether this pattern of migration mortality exceeding that in other
stages also applies to the Semipalmated Plover(Charadrius semipalmatus), by determining the survivorship
rates for the stationary periods (on the breeding ФB and wintering grounds ФW) and during migration (ФM).
The Semipalmated Plover has been surveyed on their breeding grounds in Churchill, Manitoba from 1986-2012
(n=2285, resight/recaptures= 740) and the Copper River Delta, Alaska (2006-2008, 2011-2013, n=108,
resight/recapture=53) and on the non-breeding grounds in Cumberland Island, South Carolina (from
2003-2006, n=134, resight/recapture=48). Analysis of the mark-recapture data using Program MARK; will
provide estimates of annual (Фannual= ФB* ФW* ФM) and seasonal survival. Since migratory birds are part of
an open population, and are banded for only a few weeks in the year, the Cormack-Jolly-Seber model and the
Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) will be used to examine and compare the apparent survival probabilities.
We will discuss whether this form of analysis is practical for the relatively small sample of resights that we
have for the non-breeding season.
69
Piping Plover / 84
CHARADRIUS MELODUS NEST SITE SELECTION PREDICTED USING A
BAYESIAN NETWORK BASED ON A NOVEL FIELD DATA COLLECTION
SCHEME
Dr. ZEIGLER, Sara 1; Dr. KARPANTY, Sarah 2; Dr. THIELER, E. Robert 1; Dr. PLANT, Nathaniel 3; Dr. GUTIERREZ, Benjamin 1; HINES,
Megan 4; WINSLOW, Luke 4; STIPPA, Sawyer 1; Dr. FRASER, James 2; Dr. CATLIN, Daniel 2
1
US Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
2
Virginia Tech
3
US Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
4
US Geological Survey, Center for Integrated Data Analytics
Along the Atlantic Coast of the United States, piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) and many other shorebirds
require a complex balance of habitat characteristics that minimize threats from human disturbance, storms,
predation, and competition. Nesting typically occurs on flat, open, low-lying dry sand or pebble beaches with
sparse vegetation in areas that are beyond the high-tide line but near moist substrate foraging habitat. Such
habitats are particularly vulnerable to both natural and anthropogenic shoreline change and may become
increasingly threatened due to changes in coastal storm regimes and sea-level rise. In this paper, we describe a
method for identifying high-quality nesting habitat for piping plovers. This approach leverages existing
monitoring efforts by partners from federal and state agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and
land-owning trusts using a smartphone application. The smartphone application allows for standardized
collection and rapid transmittal of data collected by many individuals from geographically dispersed sites in
often difficult field conditions. These data are then used to train a Bayesian network, which predicts the
probability that a piping plover will nest at a given location given surrounding biogeomorphic habitat
conditions. We also discuss other important uses for this approach, including analyses of consistency in
subjective measurements, quality control, and uncertainty quantification. Finally, we describe an example
application, identifying areas with a high probability of nest site selection by piping plovers along portions of
Long Island, NY USA. Our results and the broader methodology have a variety of habitat management
applications for shorebirds and other sympatric faunal assemblages at annual to decadal scales.
70

Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group Meeting 2015 Book of abstracts

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