Flexibility and constraints in the molt schedule of long‐distance migratory shorebirds: causes and consequences

Barshep, Yahkat; Minton, Clive; Underhill, Les G.; Erni, Birgit; Tomkovich, Pavel S.

doi:10.1002/ece3.612

Cited by 20 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Individuals may initiate their annual primary moult only after arriving to the non-breeding grounds like other Calidrids (Thorup et al 2009, Barshep et al 2013, separating the timing of these energy-demanding activities. Individuals do not have time to complete moult during the one-month period at Wadden Sea.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migration strategies of the Baltic dunlin: rapid jump migration in the autumn but slower skipping type spring migration

Pakanen

Jaakkonen

Saarinen

et al. 2018

Journal of Avian Biology

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Migration during spring is usually faster than during autumn because of competition for breeding territories. In some cases, however, the costs and benefits associated with the environment can lead to slower spring migration, but examples are quite rare. We compared seasonal migration strategies of the endangered Baltic population of the dunlin Calidris alpina schinzii using light‐level geolocator data from 26 individuals breeding in Finland. Autumn migration was faster, with individuals showing a ‘jump’ and ‘skipping’ migration strategy characterised by fewer stationary periods, shorter total stopping time and faster flight. Spring migration was slower, with individuals using a ‘skipping’ strategy. The duration of migration was longer for early departing birds during spring but not during autumn suggesting that early spring migrants are prevented from arriving to the breeding areas or that fueling conditions are worse on the stopover sites for early arriving individuals. Dunlins showed high migratory connectivity. All individuals had one long staging at the Wadden Sea in the autumn after which half of the individuals flew 4500 km non‐stop to Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania. The other half stopped briefly on the Atlantic coast on their way to Mauritania. One bird wintered on the coast of Portugal. Nine individuals that carried geolocators for two years were site faithful to their final non‐breeding sites. Based on the strategies during the non‐breeding period we identified, Baltic dunlin may be especially vulnerable to rapid environmental changes at the staging and non‐breeding areas. Consequently, the preservation of the identified non‐breeding areas is important for their conservation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migration strategies of the Baltic dunlin: rapid jump migration in the autumn but slower skipping type spring migration

Pakanen

Jaakkonen

Saarinen

et al. 2018

Journal of Avian Biology

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“…This can lead to a shift in home range and displace wildlife into suboptimal habitats, either permanently or temporarily, with all the possible consequences for animal body condition and fitness (Olsson et al , ; Paquet & Darimont, ; Kerley, Kowalczyk & Cromsigt, ). Finally, waste of energy, as a consequence of recurrent disturbance can lower body condition of animals and, in turn, compromise survival and reproduction, especially if it occurs during periods of high energetic needs, such as migration, harsh winter conditions, breeding or moult (Madsen, ; Buckley, 2004 b ; Barshep et al , ).…”

Section: Level 3: Impacts Of Recreational Activities On Fitness and Smentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As mentioned above, human disturbance causing increases in energy expenditure or decreases in food intake may lead to decreases in animal survival and reproduction, especially in periods of harsh weather conditions or during periods crucial for reserve accumulation (e.g. during premigratory staging) (Madsen, ; Buckley, 2004 b ; Barshep et al , ). This will predominantly affect individuals and species that are energetically constrained, reducing their limited capacity to compensate for additional expenditures.…”

Section: Level 3: Impacts Of Recreational Activities On Fitness and Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants of uncertainty in wildlife responses to human disturbance

2015

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Outdoor recreation is increasing in intensity and space. Areas previously inaccessible are now being visited by ever-growing numbers of people, which increases human-wildlife encounters across habitats. This has raised concern among researchers and conservationists as, even in non-aggressive encounters, animals often perceive humans as predators and mount physiological and behavioural responses that can have negative consequences. However, despite all the research in recent decades, not many general patterns have emerged, especially at the level of populations, and many studies have yielded seemingly contradictory or inconclusive results. We argue that this is partly due to incomplete knowledge of the number and complexity of factors that may modulate the responses of animals. Thus, we aim to provide a conceptual approach intended to highlight the reasons that make it difficult to detect general patterns. We present a comprehensive compilation of factors modulating animal responses to humans at increasing levels (from sensory detection and immediate behavioural and physiological reactions, to changes in fitness and population trends), which may help understanding the uncertainty in the patterns. We observed that there are many modulating factors, which can be categorized as reflecting characteristics of the recreational activity itself (e.g. intensity of human presence), of the animals concerned (e.g. age or antipredatory strategy), and of the spatio-temporal context (e.g. habitat or timing of the encounter). Some factors appear to have non-linear and complex effects, which, if not considered, may lead to erroneous conclusions. Finally, we conclude that the difficulty in finding general patterns will be amplified at higher levels (i.e. at the level of populations), since as we proceed from one level to the next, the number of potential modulating factors accumulates, adding noise and obscuring direct associations between recreation and wildlife. More comprehensive knowledge about which (and how) factors affect animal responses across levels will certainly improve future research design and interpretation, and thus, our understanding of human recreational impacts on wildlife.

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“…Barshep et al . ). The broad temporal and spatial scale of our analysis may therefore limit our power to pick up small‐scale, intraspecific differences.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Flexibility in the timing of post‐breeding moult in passerines in the UK

Morrison

Baillie

Clark

et al. 2015

Ibis

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Higher temperatures resulting from climate change have led to predictions that the duration of the breeding season of many temperate bird species may be changing. However, the extent to which breeding seasons can be altered will also depend on the degree of flexibility in processes occurring at other points in the annual cycle. In particular, plasticity in the timing of post‐breeding moult (PBM) could facilitate changes in the timing of key events throughout the annual cycle, but little is known about the level of within‐ and between‐species plasticity in PBM. As part of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Ringing Scheme, many ringers routinely record moult scores of flight feathers, and these can be used to provide information on the annual progression of PBM for a range of species. Here we use ringing data to investigate patterns of PBM in 15 passerines, as well as data from the BTO Nest Record Scheme to relate these differences to the timing of breeding of these species across the UK. We find considerable variation in both the mean start (19 May–29 July) and duration (66–111 days) of PBM between species, but find no evidence that species starting PBM later in the season complete it any faster. However, there is considerable within‐species variation in PBM, particularly for multi‐brooded species; PBM starts later and is completed in less time when the duration of the breeding season (difference between first and last nests) is longer. This implies that a later end to breeding can be compensated for by faster PBM, and that advances in breeding could lead to earlier and slower PBM. Our findings suggest that adaptation of PBM in response to climate‐mediated changes in the timing and duration of the breeding season is possible. However, the requirement to complete PBM prior to migration or the onset of winter might constrain the extent to which breeding seasons can lengthen, especially for later nesting species.

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Flexibility and constraints in the molt schedule of long‐distance migratory shorebirds: causes and consequences

Cited by 20 publications

References 35 publications

Migration strategies of the Baltic dunlin: rapid jump migration in the autumn but slower skipping type spring migration

Migration strategies of the Baltic dunlin: rapid jump migration in the autumn but slower skipping type spring migration

Determinants of uncertainty in wildlife responses to human disturbance

Flexibility in the timing of post‐breeding moult in passerines in the UK

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