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Abstract BackgroundEcological barriers can shape the movement strategies of migratory animals that navigate around or across them, creating migratory divides. Wind plays a large role in facilitating aerial migrations and can temporally or spatially change the challenge posed by an ecological barrier, with beneficial winds potentially converting a barrier into a corridor. Here, we explore the role wind plays in shaping initial southbound migration strategy among individuals breeding at two sites along an ecological barrier. MethodsUsing GPS satellite transmitters, we tracked the southbound migrations of Short-billed Dowitchers(Limnodromus griseus caurinus)from two breeding sites in Alaska to nonbreeding sites in coastal Mexico. The breeding sites were positioned in distinct regions along an ecological barrier – the Gulf of Alaska. We investigated potential differences in migratory timing, wind availability, and tailwind supportenroute across the Gulf of Alaska between individuals breeding at the two sites. ResultsRoute choice and arrival timing to wintering sites differed markedly between the two breeding sites: individuals departing from the more westerly site left at the same time as those from further east but crossed the Gulf of Alaska farther west and arrived along the Pacific coast of Mexico an average of 19 days earlier than their counterparts. Dowitchers from both sites departed with slight tailwinds, but once aloft over the Gulf of Alaska, birds from the more westerly site had up to twelve times more tailwind assistance than birds from the more easterly one. ConclusionsThe distinct migration strategies and degree of wind assistance experienced by birds at these two breeding sites demonstrates how differences in wind availability along migratory routes can form the basis for intraspecific variation in migration strategies with potential carryover effects. Future changes in wind regimes may therefore interact with changes in habitat availability to influence migration patterns and migratory bird conservation.
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This content will become publicly available on December 1, 2026
Shortening migration by 4500 km does not affect nesting phenology or increase nest success for black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) breeding in Arctic and subarctic Alaska
Abstract BackgroundSince the 1980s, Pacific Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans, hereafter brant) have shifted their winter distribution northward from Mexico to Alaska (approximately 4500 km) with changes in climate. Alongside this shift, the primary breeding population of brant has declined. To understand the population-level implications of the changing migration strategy of brant, it is important to connect movement and demographic data. Our objectives were to calculate migratory connectivity, a measure of spatial and temporal overlap during the non-breeding period, for Arctic and subarctic breeding populations of brant, and to determine if variation in migration strategies affected nesting phenology and nest survival. MethodsWe derived a migratory network using light-level geolocator migration tracks from an Arctic site (Colville River Delta) and a subarctic site (Tutakoke River) in Alaska. Using this network, we quantified the migratory connectivity of the two populations during the winter. We also compared nest success rates among brant that used different combinations of winter sites and breeding sites. ResultsThe two breeding populations were well mixed during the winter, as indicated by a migratory connectivity score close to 0 (− 0.06) at the primary wintering sites of Izembek Lagoon, Alaska (n = 11 brant) and Baja California, Mexico (n = 48). However, Arctic birds were more likely to migrate the shorter distance to Izembek (transition probability = 0.24) compared to subarctic birds (transition probability = 0.09). Nest survival for both breeding populations was relatively high (0.88–0.92), and we did not detect an effect of wintering site on nest success the following year. ConclusionsNest survival of brant did not differ among brant that used wintering sites despite a 4500 km difference in migration distances. Our results also suggested that the growing Arctic breeding population is unlikely to compensate for declines in the larger breeding population of brant in the subarctic. However, this study took place in 2011–2014 and wintering at Izembek Lagoon may have greater implications for reproductive success under future climate conditions.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2209765
- PAR ID:
- 10609087
- Publisher / Repository:
- Springer
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Movement Ecology
- Volume:
- 13
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2051-3933
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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