Migration timing and its determinants for nocturnal migratory birds during autumn migration

Sorte, Frank A. La; Hochachka, Wesley M.; Farnsworth, Andrew; Sheldon, Daniel; Fink, Daniel; Geevarghese, Jeffrey; Winner, Kevin; Doren, Benjamin M. Van; Kelling, Steve

doi:10.1111/1365-2656.12376

Cited by 63 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…While citizen science networks can help determine species composition of migratory fluxes observed by radar. Interdisciplinary research networks such as ENRAM (the European Network for the Radar Surveillance of Animal Movement) and BirdCast are working on moving these developments forward (Shamoun-Baranes et al 2014; La Sorte et al 2015a; Farnsworth et al 2016). Combining knowledge about individual based behaviour with the quantification of spatial and temporal flows of migration will help answer macro-ecological questions regarding species distribution patterns (Kelly and Horton 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric conditions create freeways, detours and tailbacks for migrating birds

2017

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The extraordinary adaptations of birds to contend with atmospheric conditions during their migratory flights have captivated ecologists for decades. During the 21st century technological advances have sparked a revival of research into the influence of weather on migrating birds. Using biologging technology, flight behaviour is measured across entire flyways, weather radar networks quantify large-scale migratory fluxes, citizen scientists gather observations of migrant birds and mechanistic models are used to simulate migration in dynamic aerial environments. In this review, we first introduce the most relevant microscale, mesoscale and synoptic scale atmospheric phenomena from the point of view of a migrating bird. We then provide an overview of the individual responses of migrant birds (when, where and how to fly) in relation to these phenomena. We explore the cumulative impact of individual responses to weather during migration, and the consequences thereof for populations and migratory systems. In general, individual birds seem to have a much more flexible response to weather than previously thought, but we also note similarities in migratory behaviour across taxa. We propose various avenues for future research through which we expect to derive more fundamental insights into the influence of weather on the evolution of migratory behaviour and the life-history, population dynamics and species distributions of migrant birds.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric conditions create freeways, detours and tailbacks for migrating birds

2017

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“…Further work is needed to determine the factors that have promoted the use of these contrasting strategies by long-distance transoceanic migrants. There is broad evidence that migratory birds time transoceanic departures to coincide with specific meteorological events that provide favourable atmospheric conditions when crossing the Atlantic Ocean [26][27][28][29][30]48] or Gulf of Mexico [49,50]. Therefore, to minimize the energetic costs and risks associated with transoceanic crossings, migrants must identify and respond to the occurrence of specific meteorological events.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Convergence of broad-scale migration strategies in terrestrial birds

Sorte¹,

Fink²,

Hochachka³

et al. 2016

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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107

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Migration is a common strategy used by birds that breed in seasonal environments. Selection for greater migration efficiency is likely to be stronger for terrestrial species whose migration strategies require non-stop transoceanic crossings. If multiple species use the same transoceanic flyway, then we expect the migration strategies of these species to converge geographically towards the most optimal solution. We test this by examining population-level migration trajectories within the Western Hemisphere for 118 migratory species using occurrence information from eBird. Geographical convergence of migration strategies was evident within specific terrestrial regions where geomorphological features such as mountains or isthmuses constrained overland migration. Convergence was also evident for transoceanic migrants that crossed the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean. Here, annual population-level movements were characterized by clockwise looped trajectories, which resulted in faster but more circuitous journeys in the spring and more direct journeys in the autumn. These findings suggest that the unique constraints and requirements associated with transoceanic migration have promoted the spatial convergence of migration strategies. The combination of seasonal atmospheric and environmental conditions that has facilitated the use of similar broad-scale migration strategies may be especially prone to disruption under climate and land-use change.

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“…Many migratory bird species migrate at night, especially species that rely on powered flight (Alerstam, ). The timing of migration for these species tends to coincide with the presence of mild winds or winds that provide tailwind support (Åkesson & Hedenström, ; Liechti, ; Richardson, ; La Sorte, Hochachka, Farnsworth, Sheldon, Fink, et al, ). The broad‐scale migration strategies displayed by these species are often dictated by seasonal variation in wind speed and direction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Projected changes in wind assistance under climate change for nocturnally migrating bird populations

Sorte

Horton

Nilsson

et al. 2018

Global Change Biology

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Current climate models and observations indicate that atmospheric circulation is being affected by global climate change. To assess how these changes may affect nocturnally migrating bird populations, we need to determine how current patterns of wind assistance at migration altitudes will be enhanced or reduced under future atmospheric conditions. Here, we use information compiled from 143 weather surveillance radars stations within the contiguous United States to estimate the daily altitude, density, and direction of nocturnal migration during the spring and autumn. We intersected this information with wind projections to estimate how wind assistance is expected to change during this century at current migration altitudes. The prevailing westerlies at midlatitudes are projected to increase in strength during spring migration and decrease in strength to a lesser degree during autumn migration. Southerly winds will increase in strength across the continent during both spring and autumn migration, with the strongest gains occurring in the center of the continent. Wind assistance is projected to increase across the central (0.44 m/s; 10.1%) and eastern portions of the continent (0.32 m/s; 9.6%) during spring migration, and wind assistance is projected to decrease within the central (0.32 m/s; 19.3%) and eastern portions of the continent (0.17 m/s; 6.6%) during autumn migration. Thus, across a broad portion of the continent where migration intensity is greatest, the efficiency of nocturnal migration is projected to increase in the spring and decrease in the autumn, potentially affecting time and energy expenditures for many migratory bird species. These findings highlight the importance of placing climate change projections within a relevant ecological context informed through empirical observations, and the need to consider the possibility that climate change may generate both positive and negative implications for natural systems.

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Migration timing and its determinants for nocturnal migratory birds during autumn migration

Cited by 63 publications

References 72 publications

Atmospheric conditions create freeways, detours and tailbacks for migrating birds

Atmospheric conditions create freeways, detours and tailbacks for migrating birds

Convergence of broad-scale migration strategies in terrestrial birds

Projected changes in wind assistance under climate change for nocturnally migrating bird populations

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