Accelerating declines of North America’s shorebirds signal the need for urgent conservation action

Ornithological Applications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 125(2)

Published: Feb. 8, 2023

Abstract Shorebirds are declining to a greater extent than many other avian taxa around the world. In North America, shorebirds, along with aerial insectivores and grassland birds, have some of highest proportions species any group. Here, we apply new hierarchical Bayesian model analyze shorebird migration monitoring data from across 1980 2019, present most recent available estimates trends for 28 species. Point survey-wide in abundance were negative 26 (93%). Despite challenges low precision associated count data, 19 had 95% credible intervals that entirely negative. More half estimated lost >50% their abundance. Furthermore, rates decline accelerated during last three generations trend more 18 (64%) three-generation period comparison previous period. Many now exceed international criteria threatened listing. The analytic approach used here allows us regional variation trends, although survey coverage strength inference greatest eastern portions America (east 100°W). We found declines at staging sites Atlantic Coast Carolina Nova Scotia, lesser Gulf midcontinental United States. populations reported worrisome signal urgent need conservation action. addition, it would be beneficial validate these results through collection analysis complementary initiate demographic studies throughout annual cycle determine where when likely originate. This improved information will allow development targeted efforts reverse

Language: Английский

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Migration strategy and constraint in migration behavior vary among shorebird species with different life histories

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Migration strategy is a key behavioral characteristic guiding how migratory species time their annual cycles and use habitat. Understanding variation in migration within among individuals can be useful for understanding birds navigate energetic trade‐offs designing or modifying conservation plans meant to benefit multiple life histories. We compared strategies three shorebird with variable history traits short, medium, long distances, respectively: American avocets ( Recurvirostra americana ), black‐bellied plovers Pluvialis squatarola Hudsonian godwits Limosa haemastica ). Avocets (short distance) exhibited the most within‐species duration, proportion of spent at stopovers, stopover duration. Plovers (medium (long showed less these metrics, but number stopovers used. There were significant differences distance, used, stopped over, departure arrival dates, not mean also found that more over relative distance than godwits, indicating energy‐minimizing species. Our findings set stage future work assessing effects climate change land on characteristics associated different additional

Language: Английский

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Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Perak, Malaysia: Status, challenges and future for migratory shorebirds population in the East-Asian Australian Flyway

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 213, P. 117690 - 117690

Published: Feb. 17, 2025

Language: Английский

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Climate‐related range shifts in Arctic‐breeding shorebirds

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2023

Abstract Aim To test whether the occupancy of shorebirds has changed in eastern Canadian Arctic, and these changes could indicate that shorebird distributions are shifting response to long‐term climate change. Location Foxe Basin Rasmussen Lowlands, Nunavut, Canada. Methods We used a unique set observations, made 25 years apart, using general linear models if there was relationship between species' their species temperature Index, simple version envelope. Results Changes density varied widely across species, with some increasing decreasing. This is despite overall population trends known be negative for all based on surveys during migration. The we observed were positively related index, such warmer‐breeding appear moving into regions, while colder‐breeding out likely northward. Main Conclusions Our results suggest should concerned about declining breeding habitat availability bird whose current ranges centered higher colder latitudes.

Language: Английский

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Lengths of Stay and Stopover Strategies of Western Sandpipers During Migration at Two Sites in British Columbia, Canada

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT An accurate estimate of length stay is necessary to derive passage population size for birds using a migration stopover site. In this study, we used VHF tags and Motus automated telemetry array the 385 Western Sandpipers ( Calidris mauri ) migrating through two sites in British Columbia, Canada (Tofino Fraser River Estuary) over course seven periods (three northward four southward) from 2018 2021. The average at Tofino site on west coast Vancouver Island varied 2 6 days was shorter than Estuary, where 4 8 days. At both sites, adult had stopovers during southward migration, juvenile longer compared adults, with lower mass capture stopovers. Morphology adults juveniles between sites. Birds captured tarsi, as well higher Estuary. We also assessed prey availability found that invertebrate density greater Estuary migration. Variation minimum morphology suggests individuals different overwintering populations may use routes along North America. stopping have arrive heavier characteristics typical “hop” migrants who travel distances Different offer unique set by exhibiting varying strategies, highlighting importance conserving diversity locations.

Language: Английский

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Sex-specific variation in breeding-ground departure decisions and detection rates during southbound migration in West Atlantic Flyway Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus)

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Feb. 25, 2025

Understanding movement ecology of long-distance migrants is essential for effective conservation. We showed that West Atlantic Flyway Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) depart their breeding grounds at different times based on latitude, sex, and nest fate. Whimbrel may exhibit sex-specific preferences in migration, with males favoring oceanic routes, or molt strategies, losing glued-on tags earlier than females. radio-tracked 45 birds from two study sites 710 km apart, 30 detected after departure. The northern population departed significantly later the southern population. Successful north tended to other groups. Detection probability declined time departure, were less likely be Seven females, but no males, one location more 1 day. Birds Maritime Provinces not farther south, while all south along Western coast. This suggests Maritimes continue overwater flights wintering areas. Our results are first suggest there migration strategies Whimbrel, implying need complex conservation actions.

Language: Английский

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A Decadal Change in Shorebird Populations in Response to Temperature, Wind, and Precipitation at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA

Birds, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 14 - 14

Published: March 3, 2025

Despite increasing conservation efforts for shorebirds, there are widespread declines in many shorebird species North America. Climate change is causing significant range shifts and population declines. This study investigates the relationship between meteorological variability dynamics over ten years (2014–2023) at Fish Haul Beach, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. Shorebirds, reliant on specific habitats breeding foraging, increasingly vulnerable to climate-driven changes, including temperature, precipitation, wind speed. Using Generalized Additive Models with Poisson distribution, we analyzed species-specific count data 12 relation annual variables. Additionally, Mann–Kendall test Sen’s slope were employed assess decadal trends counts. The results reveal Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa), Willet (Tringa semipalmata). In contrast, Semipalmated (Charadrius semipalmatus) Piping melodus) showed trends, indicating potential habitat benefits or success. Temperature emerged as a key driver affecting abundance of several species, while precipitation speed also played crucial roles shaping dynamics. Our findings underscore sensitivity populations weather fluctuations, emphasizing need integrating into management strategies ensure conservation. provides critical insights impacts variables migratory along Atlantic Flyway. It highlights importance maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems Carolina.

Language: Английский

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Delineating ecologically distinct groups for annual cycle management of a declining shorebird

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 12, 2025

Abstract Patterns of migratory connectivity are increasingly used to understand and manage threats throughout the annual cycle species. Strong refers when individuals from different populations remain spatially separated across cycle, which may expose unique sets conditions that cause differential population trends. However, or groups for species' management often defined a priori based on expert knowledge and/or units, mask important segregation obscure trends their drivers. We compared three approaches defining declining shorebird, long‐billed curlew ( Numenius americanus ), management: by expert‐opinion, according flyways, with unsupervised clustering satellite tracking data maximizes strength connectivity. Despite curlews having continuous breeding range pattern parallel migration, all identified trends, movement behaviours habitat selection suggesting these meaningful ecological groups. The resulted in similar group structure, strong estimates (measured as MC = 0.64 seasons), behaviour selection; however, approach an additional divide between easternmost grouping, revealed strongly negative occupying Chihuahuan desert during stationary nonbreeding season. In contrast, flyway delineation weaker connectivity, marginal differences less between‐group selection. Synthesis applications . Using measurements concert opinion can define ecologically distinct wildlife differ environmental they experience seasons is key component understanding reversing declines

Language: Английский

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Nine years of tracking data reveal high post‐breeding survival of radiomarked male woodcock in Rhode Island

Wildlife Society Bulletin, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 1, 2025

Abstract To stabilize or increase populations of declining wildlife, it is essential to identify drivers variation in survival. We evaluated male American woodcock ( Scolopax minor ) post‐breeding survival and assessed the extent which age, ordinal date, precipitation, landscape habitat quality (indexed by relative probability use scores) influenced Overall estimates for 196 radiomarked from May September were high (i.e., 0.894, 95% credible intervals = 0.760–0.982), 4 covariates we did not influence daily rate. The during our study was consistent with other period similar adult throughout much annual cycle.

Language: Английский

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Individual foraging site fidelity persists within and across stopover seasons in a migratory shorebird, Numenius phaeopus (Whimbrel)

Ornithology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 141(4)

Published: May 18, 2024

Abstract Site fidelity—returning repeatedly to the same site—can help many migratory species reduce uncertainty in their environment, especially when stopover periods leave little time explore and evaluate new habitat. Avian taxa, though, have shown wide variation levels of site fidelity during migration, few studies been able examine individual-level at fine spatiotemporal scales. We used a high-resolution GPS tracking dataset Numenius phaeopus (Whimbrel), long-distance shorebird, assess specific foraging roosting sites both within between seasons. found that individuals are almost exclusively faithful one shared roost night, but disperse individual territories day overlap with each other by <20%. Individuals remain these distinct over time, on average shifting center daily home ranges <1.5 km single season, overlapping previous season’s range 70% they return subsequent stopovers. Our findings reveal for first shorebird exhibits fine-scale, stopovers—an important insight inform effective conservation management action.

Language: Английский

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