New species records and changes in abundance of waterfowl in northwest Greenland

Abstract

Breeding populations of Nearctic and Palearctic waterfowl have undergone significant changes in abundance and distribution over the past 50 years. The Avanersuaq District in northwest Greenland is home to an assemblage of waterfowl from both geographic areas; however, minimal historic or current information is available on species abundance. In 2008 and 2009, we conducted field surveys in Greenland from 76.00°to 77.35°N for breeding and non-breeding waterfowl and have collected anecdotal field notes of avian observations over a 20-year period (1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012). During these periods, we documented the first observation of a Ross's goose (Chen rossii) and the first confirmed breeding by lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) in Greenland. Northern pintails (Anas acuta) were observed for the first time in northwest Greenland, and a previously unknown breeding location for brent geese (Branta bernicla hrota) was also identified. Local populations of greater snow (C. c.) and Canada geese (B. canadensis) have increased in size. The Booth Sound and Drown Bay wetland areas and many islands throughout the Avanersuaq District were identified as critical habitat for both breeding and non-breeding waterfowl. Further increases in waterfowl abundance, including more frequent rare and new visitors, are likely in the study area as breeding populations further south continue to increase and an ameliorating climate allows for a longer breeding season. These results will prove useful as a baseline for comparisons with future surveys.

First record of horned puffin in the North Atlantic and tufted puffin in High Arctic Greenland

“…Recent changes in weather and climate have resulted in a northern range expansion for many avian species breeding in temperate zones in the Palearctic and Nearctic (Thomas & Lennon 1999;Hitch & Leberg 2007;Virkkala & Lehikoinen 2017;Dunn & Møller 2019). In the Arctic, a similar pattern has been observed, with birds extending their northern range limit and species that were once considered rare or vagrant now observed on an annual basis (Gaston & Woo 2008;Divoky 2011;Brommer et al 2012;Burnham et al 2012;Burnham et al 2014 ;Robinson et al 2019). More recently, focus has also included the transarctic movement of species, with some hypothesizing that decreasing Arctic sea ice will lead to increased movement among species, including seabirds, between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans (Vermeij & Roopnarine 2008;Post et al 2013;McKeon et al 2016;Clairbaux et al 2019).…”

“…The Avanersuaq District in the High Arctic of north-west Greenland is home to the largest populations of breeding seabirds in Greenland (Boertmann et al 1996;see Burnham et al 2012 andBurnham et al 2014 for additional information about the area). For many avian species, this area represents the most northern extent of their breeding ranges (Boertmann et al 1996).…”

“…For many avian species, this area represents the most northern extent of their breeding ranges (Boertmann et al 1996). Breeding season surveys have been conducted throughout the Avanersuaq District (75.9°N to 77.4°N) each year starting in 1995 (e.g., Burnham et al 2014). Surveys were predominately…”

Significant decline observed in Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea population in northwest Greenland

“…The study area has many small coastal islands and islets that are used by nesting waterfowl; Common Eider Somateria mollissima and Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis frequently nest on the same islands as Arctic Terns. For additional descriptions of the study area, see Burnham et al ( , 2014.…”

Seismic surveys and the Greenland regulation

“…Brommer et al (2012) documented a northern range shift of 0.81 km year -1 for northern boreal and Arctic nesting species in Finland from 1989 to 2006. In the High Arctic of northwest Greenland, Burnham et al (2014) suggested that a lengthened breeding window has led to an increase in the number of both new and rare waterfowl species. As a result, species which occupy overlapping niches are now competing for both nesting sites and prey.…”