(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
With the development of archival light level geolocators weighing only 1 g, their deployment on m... more With the development of archival light level geolocators weighing only 1 g, their deployment on medium size waders is now possible. Trials showed that attachment via leg flag rather than backpack harness was preferable because of the large weight gains of Ruddy Turnstone during preparation for migration. Geolocators attached to leg flags were fitted to six Ruddy Turnstones at Flinders, Victoria, SE Australia, and four were retrieved the following season. All four birds had made an initial non-stop 7,600 km flight, in six days, to Taiwan, with three probably travelling in the same flock. Individuals then followed separate paths through E Asia before locations became indiscernible in early June in E Siberia as birds encountered continuous daylight. Brief data were recorded for two birds at the beginning of southward migration through E Siberia in early August before the damaged light sensor stalk on the geolocator failed, as another had also done on the breeding grounds. The fourth bird, without a stalked light sensor in its geolocator, was in the Aleutian Islands, SW Alaska, when locations again became discernible on 26 July. It remained there until 15 October and then made a 6,200 km non-stop flight to the Gilbert Islands, western central Pacific in four days. After another prolonged stopover it departed on 29 November reaching E Australia in four days (5,000 km) and arrived back at Flinders on 8 December. This bird had made a round trip migration of around 27,000 km. Between 26 June and 14 July, when it was in the Arctic, the light data record of this bird suggested that it had been incubating. A further 60 geolocators will be deployed on Ruddy Turnstones in SE Australia in March/April 2010.
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
Supplementary methods, Tables and Figures provides further details on field methods, data, and re... more Supplementary methods, Tables and Figures provides further details on field methods, data, and results that support the main text. (PDF 637 kb)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------... more ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>Description of the dataset "Supplementary Data 3 - Study sites.csv"<br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br> The dataset <br> - is used in the paper "Unexpected diversity in socially synchronized rhythms of shorebirds" Nature 2016 by M. Bulla et al<br> - contains estimates of mean female and male wing length for each population of biparental shorebirds from a specific study site, plus the locations of the study site, whether the locations had tide, and whether the tide was used by the population for foraging, and how the incubation was monitored.<br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br> Questions can be directed to: Martin Bulla (bulla.mar@gmail.com)<br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br> Values are separated by comma. <br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br> 1. scinam : scientific name of the species<br> 2. sp : four letter abbreviation of the species's English name<br> 3. study_site : name of the study site<br> 4. site_abbreviation : four letter abbreviation of the study site<br> 5. type : was the study site at the breeding ground (breeding) or not (wintering)<br> 6. lat : latitude of the study site (decimal)<br> 7. lon : longitude of the study site (decimal)<br> 8. tidal_habitat : is the study site at primarily tidal habitat (y=yes, n=no)<br> 9. tidal_used : if the study site is at primarily tidal habitat, do the birds use it for foraging (y=yes, n=no)<br>10. incubation_monitoring : method used to monitor incubation (for details see the paper's Extended Data Table 4)<br>11. sexing_method : i [...]
The history, objectives and methodology of the Australian Population Monitoring Program (PMP) whi... more The history, objectives and methodology of the Australian Population Monitoring Program (PMP) which commenced in 1981 will be outlined. The program, co-ordinated by the Australasian Wader Studies Group (AWSG), counts both migratory and resident shorebirds in the Australian summer and winter each year utilising a large team of volunteers. Some of the key issues such as site selection, count methods and some actions to minimise variability will be discussed. The need to include supplementary sites not included in the original PMP, including regional surveys, is highlighted.. Several results of the monitoring program will be discussed including the trends observed in Victoria and Tasmania of the key species of Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis and Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea. These will be compared with counts of other important sites such as the Coorong in South Australia and Eighty Mile Beach in the Northwest of Western Australia. In the case of migratory shorebirds there...
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
With the development of archival light level geolocators weighing only 1 g, their deployment on m... more With the development of archival light level geolocators weighing only 1 g, their deployment on medium size waders is now possible. Trials showed that attachment via leg flag rather than backpack harness was preferable because of the large weight gains of Ruddy Turnstone during preparation for migration. Geolocators attached to leg flags were fitted to six Ruddy Turnstones at Flinders, Victoria, SE Australia, and four were retrieved the following season. All four birds had made an initial non-stop 7,600 km flight, in six days, to Taiwan, with three probably travelling in the same flock. Individuals then followed separate paths through E Asia before locations became indiscernible in early June in E Siberia as birds encountered continuous daylight. Brief data were recorded for two birds at the beginning of southward migration through E Siberia in early August before the damaged light sensor stalk on the geolocator failed, as another had also done on the breeding grounds. The fourth bird, without a stalked light sensor in its geolocator, was in the Aleutian Islands, SW Alaska, when locations again became discernible on 26 July. It remained there until 15 October and then made a 6,200 km non-stop flight to the Gilbert Islands, western central Pacific in four days. After another prolonged stopover it departed on 29 November reaching E Australia in four days (5,000 km) and arrived back at Flinders on 8 December. This bird had made a round trip migration of around 27,000 km. Between 26 June and 14 July, when it was in the Arctic, the light data record of this bird suggested that it had been incubating. A further 60 geolocators will be deployed on Ruddy Turnstones in SE Australia in March/April 2010.
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
Supplementary methods, Tables and Figures provides further details on field methods, data, and re... more Supplementary methods, Tables and Figures provides further details on field methods, data, and results that support the main text. (PDF 637 kb)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------... more ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>Description of the dataset "Supplementary Data 3 - Study sites.csv"<br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br> The dataset <br> - is used in the paper "Unexpected diversity in socially synchronized rhythms of shorebirds" Nature 2016 by M. Bulla et al<br> - contains estimates of mean female and male wing length for each population of biparental shorebirds from a specific study site, plus the locations of the study site, whether the locations had tide, and whether the tide was used by the population for foraging, and how the incubation was monitored.<br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br> Questions can be directed to: Martin Bulla (bulla.mar@gmail.com)<br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br> Values are separated by comma. <br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br> 1. scinam : scientific name of the species<br> 2. sp : four letter abbreviation of the species's English name<br> 3. study_site : name of the study site<br> 4. site_abbreviation : four letter abbreviation of the study site<br> 5. type : was the study site at the breeding ground (breeding) or not (wintering)<br> 6. lat : latitude of the study site (decimal)<br> 7. lon : longitude of the study site (decimal)<br> 8. tidal_habitat : is the study site at primarily tidal habitat (y=yes, n=no)<br> 9. tidal_used : if the study site is at primarily tidal habitat, do the birds use it for foraging (y=yes, n=no)<br>10. incubation_monitoring : method used to monitor incubation (for details see the paper's Extended Data Table 4)<br>11. sexing_method : i [...]
The history, objectives and methodology of the Australian Population Monitoring Program (PMP) whi... more The history, objectives and methodology of the Australian Population Monitoring Program (PMP) which commenced in 1981 will be outlined. The program, co-ordinated by the Australasian Wader Studies Group (AWSG), counts both migratory and resident shorebirds in the Australian summer and winter each year utilising a large team of volunteers. Some of the key issues such as site selection, count methods and some actions to minimise variability will be discussed. The need to include supplementary sites not included in the original PMP, including regional surveys, is highlighted.. Several results of the monitoring program will be discussed including the trends observed in Victoria and Tasmania of the key species of Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis and Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea. These will be compared with counts of other important sites such as the Coorong in South Australia and Eighty Mile Beach in the Northwest of Western Australia. In the case of migratory shorebirds there...
(1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global ... more (1) Many migratory birds are declining worldwide. In line with the general causes for the global biodiversity crisis, habitat loss, pollution, hunting, over-exploitation and climate change are thought to be at the basis of these population declines. Long-distant migrants seem especially vulnerable to rapid anthropogenic change, yet, the rate of decline across populations and species varies greatly within flyways. We hypothesize that differences in migration strategy and notably stopover-site use, may be at the basis of these variations in resilience to global change. (2) By identifying and comparing migration strategies of two very closely related shorebird species, the Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and the Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), migrating from the same non-breeding site in Australia to similar breeding sites in the high Russian Arctic, we aimed to explain why these two species express differential resilience to rapid changes within their flyway resulting in different population trajectories in recent times. (3) Based on 13 Curlew sandpiper and 16 Red-necked stint tracks from light-level geolocator tags, we found that individual Curlew sandpipers make use of fewer stopover areas along the flyway compared to Red-necked stints. Furthermore, and notably during northward migration, Curlew sandpipers have a higher dependency on fewer sites, both in terms of the percentage of individuals visiting key stopover sites and the relative time spent at those sites. While Curlew sandpipers rely mainly on the Yellow Sea region, that has recently experienced a sharp decline in suitable habitat, Red-necked stints make us of additional sites and spread their relative time en-route across sites more evenly. (4) Our results indicate that differential migration strategies may explain why Curlew sandpipers within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly (9.5-5.5 % per year) while Red-necked stints remain relatively stable (-3.1 to 0 %). We consider that more generally, the number of sites per [...]
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