The Motus Wildlife Tracking System: a collaborative research network to enhance the understanding of wildlife movement

Taylor, Philip D.; Crewe, Tara L.; Mackenzie, Stuart A.; Lepage, Denis; Aubry, Yves; Crysler, Zoe J.; Finney, George; Francis, Charles M.; Guglielmo, Christopher G.; Hamilton, Diana J.; Holberton, Rebecca L.; Loring, Pamela H.; Mitchell, Greg W.; Norris, D. Ryan; Paquet, Julie; Ronconi, Robert A.; Smetzer, Jennifer; Smith, Paul A.; Welch, Linda J.; Woodworth, Bradley K.

doi:10.5751/ace-00953-120108

Cited by 262 publications

(304 citation statements)

References 31 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

303

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Research on migratory connectivity has commonly focused on avian species (Bridge et al 2011, Hobson et al 2014, Ruegg et al 2014, Rushing et al 2014, Thorup et al 2014, Taylor et al 2017) but is equally relevant for migratory species of any taxonomic group (Sullivan et al 2012, Morrison and Bolger 2014, Quillfeldt et al 2015, Vander Zanden et al 2015, Acevedo et al 2017, Nishizawa et al 2018). Research on migratory connectivity has commonly focused on avian species (Bridge et al 2011, Hobson et al 2014, Ruegg et al 2014, Rushing et al 2014, Thorup et al 2014, Taylor et al 2017) but is equally relevant for migratory species of any taxonomic group (Sullivan et al 2012, Morrison and Bolger 2014, Quillfeldt et al 2015, Vander Zanden et al 2015, Acevedo et al 2017, Nishizawa et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The strength of migratory connectivity for birds en route to breeding through the Gulf of Mexico

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The strength of migratory connectivity is a measure of the cohesion of populations among phases of the annual cycle, including breeding, migration, and wintering. Many Nearctic-Neotropical species have strong migratory connectivity between breeding and wintering phases of the annual cycle. It is less clear if this strength persists during migration when multiple endogenous and exogenous factors may decrease the cohesion of populations among routes or through time along the same routes. We sampled three bird species, American redstart Setophaga ruticilla, ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla, and wood thrush Hylocichla mustelina, during spring migration through the Gulf of Mexico region to test if breeding populations differentiate spatially among migration routes or temporally along the same migration routes and the extent to which withinpopulation timing is a function of sex, age, and carry-over from winter habitat, as measured by stable carbon isotope values in claws (δ 13 C). To make quantitative comparisons of migratory connectivity possible, we developed and used new methodology to estimate the strength of migratory connectivity (MC) from probabilistic origin assignments identified using stable hydrogen isotopes in feathers (δ 2 H). We found support for spatial differentiation among routes by American redstarts and ovenbirds and temporal differentiation along routes by American redstarts. After controlling for breeding origin, the timing of American redstart migration differed among ages and sexes and ovenbird migration timing was influenced by carry-over from winter habitat. The strength of migratory connectivity did not differ among the three species, with each showing weak breeding-to-spring migration MC relative to prior assessments of breeding-wintering connectivity. Our work begins to fill an essential gap in methodology and understanding of the extent to which populations remain together during migration, information critical for a full annual cycle perspective on the population dynamics and conservation of migratory animals.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The strength of migratory connectivity for birds en route to breeding through the Gulf of Mexico

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In 2013, the Motus telemetry array (Taylor et al 2017; http://www. motus-wts.org) was established at the four colony study sites and an additional 62 coastal and island sites, spanning nearly 1000 km of coastline from northeastern Nova Scotia to Cape Cod (Fig.…”

Section: Automated Radio Telemetrymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To accomplish these objectives, we employed digital Very High Frequency (VHF) radio transmitters and an array of coordinated automated radio telemetry stations (Motus telemetry array; Taylor et al 2017) to track the postbreeding dispersal of these small-bodied seabirds at a regional scale.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Postbreeding dispersal and staging of Common and Arctic Terns throughout the western North Atlantic

Loring¹,

Ronconi²,

Welch³

et al. 2017

ACE

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT. In the western North Atlantic, Common (Sterna hirundo) and Arctic (S. paradisaea) Terns are sympatric at breeding colonies but show divergent migration strategies to coastal areas of South America and pelagic regions of the Antarctic, respectively. During 2013, we studied postbreeding movements of adult Common (n = 130) and Arctic (n = 52) Terns from four breeding colonies in the eastern USA and Canada using digital very high frequency (VHF) transmitters and an array of 62 automated radio telemetry towers. Relative to hatch dates at respective colonies, Arctic Terns departed breeding sites an average of eight days later than Common Terns. Common Terns were detected during the postbreeding period by coastal towers upward of 850 km south of their original nesting sites. The telemetry array detected postbreeding movements of Arctic Terns from the Petit Manan Island colony in the Gulf of Maine as they traveled eastward past Nova Scotia, Canada, mostly during the night. Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts, USA was identified as an important staging area for Common Terns from all colonies, whereby 26% of 53 tagged Common Terns from colonies in the Gulf of Maine and Canada were detected for up to three weeks. Common Terns typically arrived at Nantucket Sound within 2 h of sunset, 2 to 10 days after their last detection at Gulf of Maine and Canadian colonies, suggesting rapid postbreeding dispersal. Postbreeding dispersal of Arctic Terns was poorly documented with the telemetry array, suggesting that this species is not using coastal sites for staging, and is instead departing directly from colonies to offshore staging areas prior to long-distance migrations. We conclude that digital VHF telemetry is a useful method for monitoring regional movements of Common Terns, but additional offshore receiving stations are needed to effectively monitor movements of Arctic Terns away from their nesting colonies. Le réseau de télémétrie a détecté les déplacements postnuptiaux de Sternes arctiques de leur colonie de l'île Petit Manan, dans le golfe du Maine, au moment où elles se déplaçaient vers l'est au large de la Nouvelle-Écosse, Canada, le plus souvent durant la nuit. Le détroit de Nantucket, Massachusetts, É.-U., a été identifié comme halte migratoire importante pour les Sternes pierregarins en provenance de chaque colonie : 26 % des 53 Sternes pierregarins suivies dans les colonies du golfe du Maine et du Canada y ont été détectées pour une période allant jusqu'à 3 semaines. Les Sternes pierregarins arrivaient généralement dans le détroit de Nantucket dans les deux heures précédant le coucher du soleil, de 2 à 10 jours après leur dernière détection aux colonies du golfe du Maine et du Canada, indiquant une dispersion postnuptiale rapide. La dispersion postnuptiale des Sternes arctiques n'a été que très peu captée par le réseau de télémétrie, ce qui laisse croire que cette espèce n'utilise pas de sites côtiers comme haltes migratoires, mais quitte plutôt les colonies pour se rendre directement à des haltes au large, avant ...

show abstract

“…Additionally, 44 adults were tagged with the NTQB‐3‐2 transmitters over the 2‐year study (32 in 2016, 12 in 2017) to be tracked with the Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Taylor et al . ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Radiotagged fledgling Savannah Sparrows Passerculus sandwichensis at risk of entanglement in vegetation

Vliet

Stutchbury

2018

Ibis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Radiotelemetry is an essential method for studying the movements and survival of cryptic grassland bird fledglings. There is mixed evidence on the effects of wearing radio‐transmitters for passerines, with negative consequences probably under‐reported. In one season of a 2‐year study, we found 23% of radio‐transmitters and/or antennas deployed on fledgling Savannah Sparrows Passerculus sandwichensis had become entangled in vegetation, consequently harming the fledglings in two of seven cases. It is important for researchers to share their information on any negative consequences of attaching radio‐transmitters to songbirds in order to improve methods and to harm fewer individuals in future studies.

show abstract

The Motus Wildlife Tracking System: a collaborative research network to enhance the understanding of wildlife movement

Cited by 262 publications

References 31 publications

The strength of migratory connectivity for birds en route to breeding through the Gulf of Mexico

The strength of migratory connectivity for birds en route to breeding through the Gulf of Mexico

Postbreeding dispersal and staging of Common and Arctic Terns throughout the western North Atlantic

Radiotagged fledgling Savannah Sparrows Passerculus sandwichensis at risk of entanglement in vegetation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About