Shorebirds, Stakeholders, and Competing Claims to the Beach and Intertidal Habitat in Delaware Bay, New Jersey, USA

Birds have specific habitat needs as a function of their life cycle and reproductive stage. Migrant shorebirds that may fly from the Arctic to the southern tip of South America have foraging and habitat requirements at sites where they stop to refuel before continuing their migration north or south. Throughout the world, shorebirds mainly forage on mudflats at low tide. Red knots (Calidris canutus rufa) are threatened in the United States and elsewhere, and it is critical to determine factors that might contribute to their decline. This paper uses Delaware Bay as a case study to examine shorebird (and red knot) use of the intertidal habitat, and competing claims to habitats they require during their northward migration, as well as some of the key stakeholders that play a role in protecting red knots. Shorebirds are drawn to Delaware Bay to feed on the eggs of Horseshoe Crabs (Limulus polyphemus) that are concentrated at the high tide. But they also feed on the intertidal mudflat. We examined intertidal habitat use on 17 beaches in an extensive study in 2015, and 5 key beaches in 2016. Most of the beaches were longitudinal, but four were more complex, and were used extensively for resting as well as foraging;numbers there were higher than on the longitudinal beaches. On foraging beaches, some shorebirds were present on over 85% of the intertidal censuses, and red knots were present on over 48% of the intertidal censuses. Average numbers of red knots on the longitudinal beaches varied from 0 to 354 ± 116 when any shorebirds were present, but averaged up to 1184 ± 634 when knots were present in 2015. Some beaches in 2015 had no knots (a beach with long-term aquaculture). Tide, intertidal location, and beach (name) determined the number of knots (and all shorebirds). Numbers decreased with distance from the mean high tide line. The average number of knots present in the intertidal mudflats two hours before or after low tide when knots were present (e.g. no censuses with zeros) was 2040 (=maximum flock size, in 2015). Major threats to red knots are from recreationists, overfishing of horseshoe crabs (reduction in egg prey base), and use of the intertidal by aquaculture. We discuss the role of stakeholders in conservation and protection of red knots.

Migration departure strategies of shorebirds at a final pre-breeding stopover site

Background: Departure decisions and behaviors of migratory birds at stopover sites are expected to maximize fit?ness by trade?offs among avoiding predators, optimizing refueling(energy) capacity, and matching other life?history events. We predict that species with different body sizes and migratory destinations will exhibit different behaviors when departing from the same stopover site. We also predict that with strong time constraint at the final pre?breed?ing stopover site, departure decisions may be less sensitive to exogenous factors, such as wind condition, compared to other stopover or nonbreeding sites.Methods: We recorded migratory departures of four shorebird species, i.e. Eurasian Curlew(Numenius arquata), Bar?tailed Godwit(Limosa lapponica), Great Knot(Calidris tenuirostris), and Grey Plover(Pluvialis squatarola), at Yaluji?ang Estuary Wetlands in China, a final pre?breeding stopover site in the northern Yellow Sea, from 2011 to 2014. We compared flock sizes, departure time and departure directions between species, and investigated the effects of tide and weather conditions(rain and ground wind speed and direction) on the departure decision of shorebirds.Results: We found that larger species departed in smaller flocks and were more variable in daily departure time. Departure trajectory of all four species appeared to be influenced by coastal topography. With the east–west coast?line and intertidal mudflat on the south, birds exhibited westward or eastward deflection from the shortest migra?tory routes. Bar?tailed Godwit was the only species that deviated to the southeast and did not climb over the land. Birds avoided departure during precipitation, while their departure was not related to ground wind benefit or tidal condition.Conclusions: Body size among species, which influences their vulnerability to predators, might be important in shaping shorebird departure strategies. Diverse departure directions could be the result of different wind use tac?tics in climbing stage. Narrow optimal time window of breeding might lead to reduced flexibility in departure date at a final pre?breeding site. Both endogenous and exogenous are important in shaping departure behaviors and decisions.

Kentish Plover(Charadrius alexandrinus) and Little Tern(Sternula albifrons) prefer shells for nesting:A field experiment

Shorebird populations are declining worldwide,mainly due to human disturbances and loss of coastal wetlands.However,supratidal habitats as saltpans could play a role in buffering human impact.Saltpans have shown to be important as feeding or breeding sites of some shorebird species.A potential conservation strategy to increase shorebird populations in saltpans is to manipulate the cues that birds use to select optimal breeding habitat.Here it is hypothesized that shorebirds are attracted to bivalve shells due to the advantages they offer.Following this hypothesis,we supplemented a restored saltpan in 2019 and 2021 with bivalve shells,expecting an increase in the number of breeding birds’ nests.More than 75% of Kentish Plover(Charadrius alexandrinus) and Little Tern(Sternula albifrons) nests were found in patches with shells in both years.The best model for both species indicates that the presence of shells is the factor that most correlates with the location of nests.The probability of choosing one place over another to settle their nest increases in areas with an abundance of shells,double in the case of the Kentish Plover and triple in the case of the Little Tern.The result of this study may constitute a valuable tool for attracting birds to restored saltpans and could contribute to the success of expensive restoration projects where time is usually a constraint.

Individual consistency in spatiotemporal characteristics of migratory Whimbrels in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway

Many migratory birds exhibit interannual consistency in migration schedules,routes and stopover sites.Detecting the interannual consistency in spatiotemporal characteristics helps understand the maintenance of migration and enables the implementation of targeted conservation measures.We tracked the migration of Whimbrel(Numenius phaeopus)in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and collected spatiotemporal data from individuals that were tracked for at least two years.Wilcoxon non-parametric tests were used to compare the interannual variations in the dates of departure from and arrival at breeding/nonbreeding sites,and the inter-annual variation in the longitudes when the same individual across the same latitudes.Whimbrels exhibited a high degree of consistency in the use of breeding,nonbreeding,and stopover sites between years.The variation of arrival dates at nonbreeding sites was significantly larger than that of the departure dates from nonbreeding and breeding sites.Repeatedly used stopover sites by the same individuals in multiple years were concentrated in the Yellow Sea coast during northward migration,but were more widespread during southward migration.The stopover duration at repeatedly used sites was significantly longer than that at sites used only once.When flying across the Yellow Sea,Whimbrels breeding in Sakha(Yakutia)exhibited the highest consistency in migration routes in both autumn and spring.Moreover,the consistency in migration routes of Yakutia breeding birds was generally higher than that of birds breeding in Chukotka.Our results suggest that the northward migration schedule of the Whimbrels is mainly controlled by endogenous factors,while the southward migration schedule is less affected by endogenous factors.The repeated use of stopover sites in the Yellow Sea coast suggests this region is important for the migration of Whimbrel,and thus has high conservation value.

Carrying capacity for shorebirds during migratory seasons at the Jiuduansha Wetland, Yangtze River Estuary, China

The carrying capacity of food resources for migrating shorebirds was estimated at a stopover site in the Yangtze River Estuary during the two migratory seasons(spring and autumn).From March to May and September to November 2005,the macrobenthos resources of the Jiuduansha Wetland were investigated,and most of the macrobenthos species in the newlyformed shoal were found to be appropriate food for shorebirds.Biomass measurements showed that the total food resource was about 4541.20 kg AFDW(Ash-Free Dry Weight)in spring and about 2279.64 kg AFDW in autumn.Calculations were also done in the available habitats(intertidal bare mudflat and Scirpus×mariqueter/Scirpus triqueter zones)for the shorebirds.The food resources in the available areas were about 3429.03 kg AFDWin spring and about 1700.92 kgAFDWin autumn.Based on the classification(by lean weight,basic metabolic rate and body length)of the shorebird community,and using the energy depletion model,it was theorized that all of the food resources in the Jiuduansha Wetland could support about 3.5 million shorebirds during spring season and 1.75 million shorebirds during autumn season.The shorebird carrying capacities in terms of the available food were about 2.6 million and 1.3 million birds during the two respective migration seasons.Considering the effect of intake rate,the potential carrying capacity was about 0.13–0.26 million shorebirds in the study area.The main factor restricting use of the area by shorebirds was the scarcity of available habitats for roosting at high tide rather than availability of food supply.We recommend restoring some wading pools in the dense Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora zones for shorebirds to roost in,to improve shorebirds’utilization efficiency of the resources in the Jiuduansha Wetland.

Achievements,challenges,and recommendations for waterbird conservation in China's coastal wetlands

China’s coastal wetlands provide breeding,migration stopover,and wintering habitats for about 230 waterbird species,which is more than a quarter of all waterbirds in the world.Large-scale and high intensity human activities have resulted in serious loss and degradation of coastal wetlands over the past half century,causing population declines in many waterbirds.Through a literature review and expert surveys,this article reviews conservation measures taken in recent decades to protect waterbirds in China’s coastal wetlands and provides recommendations for future conservation action from three aspects:policy and administration,habitat conservation and management,and multiparty participation.Over the past decades,many conservation legislation,regulations and action plans at the national level and more site-specific measures and interventions have been implemented,with notable improvement in the effectiveness in policy making and multi-stakeholder participation.Accordingly,some threats to waterbirds have been mitigated and many key sites for waterbirds have been designated as strictly protected nature reserves.However,some critical issues still remain,mostly related to habitat conservation and management,such as coastal wetland restoration,control of invasive Spartina alterniflora,control of environmental pollution,and improvement of artificial habitat quality.We highlight that protecting natural tidal wetlands and improving habitat quality are critical for the conservation of coastal waterbirds,especially those highly dependent on the intertidal wetlands.China has demonstrated strong commitment to ecological conservation and restoration for the future,in terms of both funding and policies for biodiversity and wetland ecosystems.It is important that this commitment to conserve coastal waterbirds is supported continuously by science-and evidence-based decisions and actions.

Comparisons of microstructure and elemental composition of eggshells among wild plover populations

Reproduction investment is a prominent trade-off in life-history theory and is subject to strong selection pressure.The avian eggshell,as a crucial barrier between the bird embryo and the surrounding environment,undergoes optimization under different environmental selection regimes to ensure the successful development of embryos,which can be linked to local adaptation.Therefore,understanding the variation in eggshell microstructure and composition in wild bird populations living in contrasting ambient environments is of great significance.In this study,we utilized electron microscope ultrastructure measurement and elemental analyses to measure and compare the microstructure and element composition of eggshells from three wild plover populations(Charadrius alexandrinus and C.dealbatus)residing in heterogeneous habitats across varied climatic zones.These populations include the high-altitude Qinghai Lake population,the temperate coastal Tangshan population,and the tropical coastal Zhanjiang population.Our findings revealed that the palisade layer was thinner in the Qinghai Lake population compared to its lowland populations.This difference might be attributed to hypoxia which facilitates the hatching process by allowing chicks to easily break through their shells.Additionally,the variations in the elemental composition of the eggshells among populations well reflected the distribution of element content in different geographical regions.The Qinghai Lake population displayed low zinc and low manganese levels but high calcium levels,while the Zhanjiang population exhibited high zinc,high iron,high manganese,and high phosphorus levels.Furthermore,these variations in elemental composition could also account for the observed microstructural differences among populations.Collectively,we propose that the dissimilarities in eggshell microstructure and elemental composition among populations could be attributed to adaptations to different environmental conditions.Our findings lay the groundwork for future research to explore the mechanisms behind the variations in eggshell characteristics among wild bird populations,and contribute to a broader understanding of biodiversity mechanisms.

Ecological impact of land reclamation on Jiangsu coast(China):A novel ecotope assessment for Tongzhou Bay

China’s continuous and rapid economic growth has led to the reclamation of large sections of the intertidal mud coast in combination with port construction,such as that of the proposed Tongzhou Bay port on the Jiangsu coast.These reclamations threaten the local ecosystem services.An ecotope distribution map was created and a hydrodynamic numerical model of Tongzhou Bay was set up to quantify the impacts of reclamation on the ecosystem.Based on the field data and model results,several abiotic features were classified into 11 ecotopes and visualized in an ecotope map of the Tongzhou Bay ecosystem.Validation with spatial distributions of two threatened shorebird species(bar-tailed godwit and great knot) showed confirmation with the mid-range and low-range littoral zones(inundated from 40% to 100% of a tidal cycle),indicating the importance of the areas with these conditions to these populations.Overlaying the ecotope map with recent and proposed land reclamation schemes revealed a loss of ecotopes,composed of the high-range(42%),mid-range(48%),and low-range(38%) littoral habitats,corresponding to a 44%-45% loss of the most important ecotopes for bar-tailed godwit and great knot(mid-range and low-range littoral zones).These results confirm the applicability of the novel ecotope assessment approach in practice.

Colour-ring wear and loss effects in citizen science mark-resighting studies

Background: Ring wear and loss may have important consequences for mark-recapture studies that aim to estimate survival trends. Our study quantifies the rates of wear and loss from a long-running colour-ringing project of the Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) in the Netherlands. Methods: Our analysis included 8909 colour-ringed oystercatchers with 118,071 resightings, predominantly ringed and observed by citizen scientists. We quantified how ring wear and loss may vary with ring colour and age, and how this may impact resighting probabilities. We then determined how ring loss may impact survival estimates and resighting probabilities of mark-recapture models by simulating four scenarios of how citizen scientists may resight and report birds with lost colour rings. Results: Annual rates of colour ring loss averaged 2.5% compared with 1% for ring wear, but lost rings also had a higher reporting probability (31.2%) than worn rings (10.3%). Lost rings may not directly impact survival estimates since 50% of oystercatchers with lost rings could still be uniquely identified. Ring wear and loss rapidly increased between 10 and 15 years after ringing. Rates of ring loss were comparable amongst ring colours, but the wear rate appeared higher for red and white rings compared to other colours. Rates of ring wear and loss varied significantly amongst different regions in our study, which were characterised as having different habitat features. Differential rates of ring wear may have important implications for studies conducted over large geographical scales or of multiple species. Conclusions: Based on simulations of ring loss in our population, estimates of apparent survival may be 0.3–1.2% lower whilst the impact of ring wear was deemed even lower. We developed a table of recommendations containing advice for ring fitting, data collection, study design, and mark-recapture analyses, so that future colour-ringing studies can benefit from our experiences in collecting and analysing data of ring wear and loss through citizen science.

Springtime migratory restlessness and departure orientation of Great Knots(Calidris tenuirostris)in the south compared to the north Yellow Sea

Background: The motivation of birds to proceed with migration is associated with both endogenous and exogenous factors. According to their migratory situation and to the characteristics of stopover sites, birds might exhibit migratory motivation differently among sites. Although migratory motivation of migrating birds has been well studied in many species, the investigation of the same species in different migratory situations and at different stopover sites is still limited. We predicted that birds at different stopover sites could differ in migratory disposition, including expression of migratory restlessness and responses to environmental cues.Methods: Here we compared migration motivation and orientation of Great Knots(Calidris tenuirostris) at two stopo ver sites, Chongming Dongtan in the south Yellow Sea, which is a temporary rest site, and Yalujiang Estuary Wetland in the north Yellow Sea, which is a critical refuelling site, during northward migration. Modified Emlen funnels, with thermal paper inside to record scratches of the birds, were used to detect activity(intensity and direction) of birds. Environmental conditions, including wind direction and speed, cloud cover, tide condition, times of the day(before and after sunset) were recorded during experiments. Generalized linear models were used to detect the effects of endogenous and exogenous factors on the migratory motivation of the birds.Results: In the south Yellow Sea, the migratory activity intensity of Great Knots was positively related to wind assistance. In the north Yellow Sea, where birds exhibited higher intensity of migratory activity than in the south, the intensity increased and the motivation to initiate migration grew stronger as the season advanced. The Great Knots exhibited wind-related orientation behaviour in the funnels at both sites.Conclusions: The results suggest that the intensity of migratory motivation differed between the two sites. Departure decisions of Great Knots appear to be affected mainly by external factors at the temporary rest site in the south Yellow Sea but possibly by endogenous factors at the final pre-breeding refuelling site in the north Yellow Sea.

The allocation between egg size and clutch size depends on local nest survival rate in a mean of bet-hedging in a shorebird

Background:The allocation of resources between offspring size and number is a central question of life-history theory.Although several studies have tested the existence of this trade-off,few studies have investigated how environmental variation influences the allocation of resources to offspring size and offspring number.Additionally,the relationship between population dynamics and the offspring size and number allocation is far less understood.Methods:We investigate whether resource allocation between egg size and clutch size is influenced by the ambient temperature and whether it may be related to apparent nest survival rate.We measured 1548 eggs from 541 nests of two closely related shorebird species,the Kentish Plover(Charadrius alexandrinus)and the White-faced Plover(C.dealbatus)in China,in four populations that exhibit contrasting ambient environments.We weighed females,monitored nest survival,and calculated the variance of ambient temperature.Results:Although we found that egg size and clutch size were all different between the four breeding populations,the reproductive investment(i.e.total clutch volume)was similar between populations.We also found that populations with a high survival rate had relatively larger eggs and a smaller clutch than populations with a low nest survival rate.The latter result is in line with a conservative/diversified bet-hedging strategy.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that plovers may increasing fitness by investing fewer,larger or many,small according local nest survival rate to make a similar investment in reproduction,and thereby may have an impact on population demography.

Migration routes and strategies of Grey Plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) on the East Atlantic Flyway as revealed by satellite tracking

Background:While the general migration routes of most waders are known,details concerning connectivity between breeding grounds, stopover sites and wintering grounds are often lacking.Such information is critical from the conservation perspective and necessary for understanding the annual cycle.Studies are especially needed to identify key stopover sites in remote regions. Using satellite transmitters, we traced spring and autumn migration routes and connectivity of Grey Plovers on the East Atlantic Flyway.Our findings also revealed the timing,flight speed, and duration of migrations. Methods:We used ARGOS satellite transmitters to track migration routes of 11 Grey Plovers that were captured at the German Wadden Sea where they had stopped during migration.Birds were monitored for up to 3 years,2011-2014.Results:Monitoring signals indicated breeding grounds in the Taimyr and Yamal regions;important staging sites on the coasts of the southern Pechora Sea and the Kara Sea;and wintering areas that ranged from NW-Ireland to Guinea Bissau.The average distance traveled from wintering grounds to breeding grounds was 5534 km. Migration duration varied between 42 and 152 days;during this period birds spent about 95% of the time at staging sites.In spring most plovers crossed inland Eastern Europe, whereas in autumn most followed the coastline.Almost all of the birds departed during favorable wind conditions within just 4 days (27-30 May) on northward migration from the Wadden Sea.In spring birds migrated significantly faster between the Wadden Sea and the Arctic than on return migration in autumn (12 vs.37 days),with shorter stopovers during the northward passage.Conclusions:Our study shows that satellite tags can shed considerable light on migration strategies by revealing the use of different regions during the annual cycle and by providing detailed quantitative data on population connectivity and migration timing.

Roost selection of the endangered Spotted Greenshank(Tringa guttifer) in critical habitat in the Inner Gulf of Thailand

Background: Roost-site quality can significantly affect the individual fitness of shorebirds, but roost sites remain poorly described for many threatened species on the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. We studied roost-site selection of the globally endangered Spotted Greenshank (Tringa guttifer) in the Inner Gulf of Thailand, an area which supports approximately 24% of their global wintering population, during two non-breeding seasons (October 2014–May 2015 and December 2015–February 2016). Methods: We measured nine variables associated with roost site characteristics including water depth, indicators of disturbance/predation risk, and associations with other shorebird species. We predicted that roost ponds with shallow water in proximity to foraging sites would receive higher usage than those further away. Results: A total of 94 sites were measured of which 46 were used for roosts with 23 used repeatedly. All used sites were human-modified ponds, of which 44 were used for salt farming and two used for aquaculture. Roosts were on average 1.10 ± 0.78 (SE) km from foraging sites and 5.8 ± 2.4 cm deep. The most supported model indicated that roost sites were negatively associated with distance to foraging sites and positively associated with the presence of Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) and water depth. Conclusions: Traditional saltpans and other artificial wetlands near (< 1 km) mudflats serve as the primary high-tide roost habitat in the Inner Gulf of Thailand for this Spotted Greenshank population and perhaps seven other globally threatened or near-threatened species. Critically, all observed roost sites are on private land with no formal protection and thus will require creative public–private partnerships to manage sustainably.

Perceptions of Beach Stewards and Information Needs for Shorebird Stopover Sites Vary as a Function of Visitor Interests: Improving Stewardship Programs in Coastal Landscapes

Many studies have demonstrated that some of the activities of people can disturb nesting and foraging birds, particularly along coasts and estuaries. Some managers respond to human disturbance of sensitive species by closing beaches, but most have stewards monitor and restrict access to beaches or portions of beaches. Yet little is known about the type of visitor or their perceptions of beach stewards. This paper explores the general acceptance of beach stewards and their role in conservation of red knots (Calidris canutus rufa), other shorebirds, and horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) along the Delaware Bay (New Jersey) beaches by interviewing 279 visitors during the stopover period. While most people came to see the shorebird and horseshoe crab spectacle (60%), many came for the scenery, tranquility, and recreation. Just over half of the people interviewed said that the stewards were helpful (58%), although most of those that answered this question later said that they provided conservation value (86%), but only 40% said they relied on the stewards for information. On a Likert rating scale of 1 to 5 (the highest value), the mean rating for whether it was important for stewards to be present was 3.87 ± 0.09, and the rating for the presence of stewards who can provide information was 3.71 ± 0.11. In contrast, protection of shorebirds was rated a mean of 4.79 ± 0.04. There were significant visitor type differences in how important stewards were, but not in the importance of stewards who can provide information. Fishermen, recreationists, and people coming for scenery and tranquility rated the presence of stewards higher than those visitors who were interested in either shorebirds or crabs (or both). Ratings also differed significantly as a function of age and gender;older adults and females rated characteristics higher than did people under 30 years and males. Information needs identified by stewards are also discussed. These data can be used by the managers developing a strategy for conservation of shorebirds and other species sensitive to disturbance, and for the implementation of an effective stewardship program.

Bird diversity and waterbird habitat preferences in relation to wetland restoration at Dianchi Lake, south-west China

Background:Restoration projects have been implemented worldwide to mitigate the adverse effects of the loss and degradation of wetland habitats.Much research has been carried out on the impacts on birds of wetland restoration and management projects in China. Studies have mainly investigated central or coastal wetlands,while inland wetlands in remote areas have been much less studied. We focused on examining the response of wild birds to wetland restoration in Dianchi Lake,south-west China. Methods: The line transect method was performed at 26 sampling plots.Three of these were in the city,and to acquire all wild bird data 23 plots were located every 2-8 km along the shore of Dianchi Lake, between December 2011 and November 2013.We collected all related bird records by searching the available literature, articles, newspapers and records of birdwatchers to compare species variation before and after implementation of wetland restoration.To measure the relationships between waterbird assemblages and habitat structures, we used canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to pair the main matrix of bird assemblages with a second matrix of habitat variables. Results: We recorded 182 bird species belonging to 51 families and 17 orders. Of the species, 42 were new records for Kunming City and 20 were new records for Yunnan Province. Ten waterbird species were found to have disappeared from the shore of Dianchi Lake.CCA results indicated that waterbirds could be divided into four categories based on their habitat preference:synanthropic (wintering gulls), special habitat (shorebirds),semi-natural (wintering coots and ducks) and disturbance-tolerant (resident) species.Conclusions:Our study is the first to consider the entire wild bird community throughout the year and discuss the species variation before and after wetland restoration projects launched for Dianchi Lake.Distinct habitat requirements of different waterbird groups were detected in our study,suggesting different types of restoration and management should be implemented.

Disturbance increases high tide travel distance of a roosting shorebird but only marginally affects daily energy expenditure

Background:Anthropogenic disturbance can negatively affect an animal's energy budget by evoking movement responses.Existing research focuses mainly on immediate displacement as a disturbance effect,since this can be easily observed in the field. However, effects on movement over longer timescales are poorly examined and it is largely unknown if and to what extent they reflect immediate responses.Longer-term responses could for example be larger than immediate responses if birds, after disturbance, return to the original location and thereby travel twice the immediate disturbed distance. Methods:We combined GPS tracking data with observational data to quantify the effects of anthropogenic (air force and walkers) and non-anthropogenic disturbances on distances travelled by roosting Eurasian Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) during the non-breeding season. We compared immediate displacement after a disturbance with distance travelled during the entire high tide period (longer-term response), while accounting for environmental factors.Additionally,we calculated energy expenditure due to disturbance based on observed disturbance frequencies.Results:Disturbance resulted in an immediate displacement response of ~200 m (median).Air force disturbances tended to yield larger immediate responses than walker and,especially,than non-anthropogenic disturbances.Longer-term responses and immediate responses were approximately similar,suggesting that,over longer timescales,spatial disturbance effects in the study area remain confined to immediate effects.However,disturbances were infrequent (0.17 disturbances per bird per hour) and most disturbances were of natural origin (62%).Consequently, anthropogenic disturbance of roosting oystercatchers in the study area on average costs 0.08% of the daily energy expenditure. Conclusions:Our results suggest that immediate spatial responses to disturbance can be a useful proxy for spatial responses over longer timescales.Over the non-exhaustive range of conditions investigated,energetic consequences of spatial disturbance responses for an oystercatcher in the study area are marginal due to low disturbance levels.

Coastal wetlands in Lianyungang,Jiangsu Province,China:probably the most important site globally for the Asian Dowitcher(Limnodromus semipalmatus)

Background:Despite an increasing number of surveys and a growing interest in birdwatching,the population and distribution of Asian Dowitcher(Limnodromus semipalmatus),a species endemic to the East Asian-Australasian and Central Asian Flyways,remains poorly understood,and published information about the species is largely outdated.In boreal spring 2019,over 22,432 Asian Dowitchers were recorded in a coastal wetland at Lianyungang,Jiangsu Prov-ince,China,constituting 97.5%of its estimated global population.Methods:In 2019 and 2020,we conducted field surveys at Lianyungang to determine the numbers of Asian Dow-itchers using the area during both southward and northward migrations.We also assessed the distribution and abun-dance of Asian Dowitchers elsewhere along the China coast by searching literature and consulting expert opinion.Results:The coastal wetlands of Lianyungang are the most important stopover site for Asian Dowitchers during both northward and southward migrations;they supported over 90%of the estimated global population during north-ward migration in two consecutive years(May 2019 and 2020).This area also supported at least 15.83%and 28.42%(or 30.74%and 53.51%using modelled estimates)of the global population during southward migration in 2019 and 2020 respectively.Coastal wetlands in the west and north of Bohai Bay also have been important stopover sites for the species since the 1990s.Although comprehensive,long-term monitoring data are lacking,available evidence sug-gests that the population of the species may have declined.Conclusions:The high concentration of Asian Dowitchers at Lianyungang during migration means the species is highly susceptible to human disturbances and natural stochastic events.The coastal wetlands of Lianyungang should be protected and potentially qualify for inclusion in China’s forthcoming nomination for World Heritage listing of Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China(Phase II)in 2023.Additional research is needed to understand Asian Dowitchers’distribution and ecology,as well as why such a high proportion of their population rely on the Lianyungang coast.