Differing migration patterns and year-round habitat-use of allopatric nesting Eastern Tundra Bean Geese(Anser fabalis serrirostris)in East Asia

Sympatric Chinese-wintering Eastern Tundra Bean Geese(Anser fabalis serrirostris,ETBG)breed in two widely separated Arctic areas(Central Russian Arctic and Anadyr region);South Korean-wintering birds(Chaun-South Korea)breed in a third discrete area between these two.Such winter/summer segregation likely structures the population,potentially resulting in distinct migration patterns and habitat-use throughout the annual cycle.We tracked individuals using GPS-GSM transmitters from all three of these geographically discrete ETBG subpopulations to see whether this was the case,testing for differences in migration patterns,seasonal and diurnal habitat-use using remotely sensed land-cover mapping.Mean migration distance of Central Arctic-China and Chaun-South Korea individuals did not differ significantly,but Anadyr-China birds travelled 15–24%further(mean:1140 km,P<0.001).Despite this,mean spring migration durations were longest among Central ArcticChina ETBG,significantly longer than Anadyr-China geese,due to significantly longer stopovers,which were significantly longer than Chaun-South Korea birds.Autumn migration duration of Central Arctic-China and Chaun-South Korea individuals was significantly shorter than in spring,with fewer,shorter stopovers.Lack of significant differences in migration and stopover duration or numbers of stopovers between spring and autumn among Anadyr-China ETBG confirms this is a plastic trait,differing between subpopulations responding to prevailing conditions.Migration patterns and habitat-use differed significantly between all three ETBG subpopulations,although all tended to use wetlands more at night and croplands more in daytime in winter,suggesting specific adaptations and responses to differing conditions encountered along their different migration routes.Although untestable,we speculate that differences in habitat-use may affect fitness levels and genetic exchange between subpopulations,but based on our observations,conclude clear differences in migration and foraging ecology between these elements of the same subspecies,even in winter sympatry.

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.

Improving the quantification of waterfowl migration with remote sensing and bird tracking

Accurately quantifying waterfowl migration patterns is pertinent to monitor ecosystem health and control bird-borne infectious diseases. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the environmental mechanisms that drive waterfowl migration and then investigate the effect of intra- and inter-annual change in food supply and temperature(e.g., climate change) on their migration patterns. Recent advances in remote sensing and animal tracking techniques make it possible to monitor these environmental factors over a wide range of scales and record bird movements in detail. The synergy of these techniques will facilitate substantial progress in our understanding of the environmental drivers of bird migration. We identify prospects for future studies to test existing hypotheses and develop models integrating up-todate knowledge, high-resolution remote sensing data and high-accuracy bird tracking data. This will allow us to predict when waterfowl will be where, in response to shortand long-term global environmental change.