Contrasting Trans-Atlantic Migratory Routes of Nearctic Purple SandpipersCalidris maritimaAssociated with Low Pressure Systems in Spring and Winter

Abstract

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Seasonal variation in migration strategies used to cross ecological barriers in a nearctic migrant wintering in Africa

“…Incubating birds were captured on their nest using bownet traps and were marked using unique colour‐band combinations. From to , 72 adult ringed plovers were fitted with geolocators (38 males and 34 females). We used Intigeo‐W65A9 geolocators (MigrateTechnology, Ltd.) attached on a leg flag to track individuals.…”

“…Although the ability to cross or circumvent barriers requires complex adaptations (Henningsson and Alerstam , Corman et al ), some migration routes evolved despite the presence of major barriers along the way (Gill et al , Johnson et al , Klaassen et al , DeLuca et al ). The migration flyway between breeding grounds in the North American Arctic and wintering quarters in Europe and Africa is indicative of the capacity of some species to cross extensive barriers during migration.…”

“…Although it has been assumed that nearctic migrants can also stop in Iceland during the autumn migration (Wilson , Dietz et al ), )a non‐stop transatlantic flight could have evolved as an adaptation to prevailing winds over the North Atlantic Ocean (Salomonsen 1967, Alerstam 1996). South of Iceland, a low‐pressure system is regularly moving eastwards, forming anticlockwise prevailing winds (Serreze et al 1997, Summers et al ). In autumn, migrants could thus be able to use favourable winds along the south flank of the depression to cross the ocean in one non‐stop flight.…”

“…In autumn, migrants could thus be able to use favourable winds along the south flank of the depression to cross the ocean in one non‐stop flight. For instance, all nearctic purple sandpipers, followed during one year, skipped Iceland during their autumn migration and flew directly from eastern Canada or southern Greenland to their wintering grounds in Ireland or Scotland (Summers et al ), )a distance of over 2500 km. For nearctic species wintering further south (e.g.…”

“…We expected plovers to take a northerly route in spring and use Iceland as a stepping‐stone, therefore reducing continuous long‐distance flights over the ocean before reaching their breeding grounds in the Canadian High‐Arctic. However, because of prevailing anticlockwise winds associated with the Icelandic low‐pressure system (Alerstam 1996, Summers et al ), we expected that birds would take a more southerly route in autumn and perform direct transatlantic flights.…”