Field Projects: Shorebirds

Arctic Shorebird Monitoring Program for North America (map)

Results from shorebird surveys conducted on migration routes show that nearly 80% of Canadian shorebird species are in decline. A breakdown of those data shows that populations of most Arctic breeders are in decline. We are hindered in our ability to address and reverse population declines by our lack of knowledge about the birds and their habitats. Additionally, for arctic breeding species, information about breeding distribution and breeding density is minimal or lacking completely. This program will estimate the population of most breeding shorebird species across the arctic, produce maps of distribution and abundance of shorebirds and identify high-quality habitats for each shorebird species. These initiatives will help implement the Northern Shorebird Conservation Strategy, and coordinate and implement the arctic shorebird monitoring segment of PRISM (Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring). (Northern Shorebird Conservation Strategy Home Page)

Duration: 2001 to 2006

Partners: HCAD,US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Contact: Victoria Johnston

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Taiga and Boreal Shorebird Monitoring Program (map)

The taiga and boreal shorebird monitoring program in the NWT will attempt to identify long term trends in relative abundance of Lesser Yellowlegs and other shorebirds, and determine which species merit further study and/or conservation. These actions will help to implement the Northern Shorebird Conservation Strategy and Action Plan.

Duration: 1999 to 2006

Partners:

Contact: Victoria Johnston

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Energetic condition and breeding in the Ruddy Turnstone (map)

Duration: 2002 to 2004

Partners:

Contact: Victoria Johnston

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Ecology and Eco-energetics of High-arctic Shorebirds (map)

Shorebirds undertake lengthy migrations every year from their breeding grounds in high-arctic Canada to wintering grounds in Europe and the Americas. This study investigates the energy budgets of shorebirds during their annual cycle, how and where shorebirds accumulate the energy reserves necessary for their demanding life cycle, the role of body reserves in breeding, and shorebird populations in relation to predator cycles. It will also help to predict how climate change may affect arctic shorebirds' distributions and their ability to complete their migrations.

Duration: Ongoing

Partners: University of Groningen (The Netherlands), Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Joint Nature Conservation Committee (U.K.), Department of National Defense (DND), Polar Continental Shelf Project (PCSP)

Contact: Guy Morrison

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Population Studies of Shorebirds Breeding at East Bay, Southampton Island (map)

The Canadian Arctic supports a large proportion of Canada's breeding shorebirds but their population trends and reproductive success are poorly known. On Southampton Island, local Inuit have reported recent population declines. This study will monitor long-term population densities at East Bay and identify factors influencing annual population variation and reproductive success.

Duration: ongoing

Partners: Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP), PCSP, Trent University, Coral Harbour HTO, NRI.

Contacts: Vicky Johnston, Grant Gilchrist, Erica Nol (Trent University)

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