Fall Migration of Sandhill Cranes in West Central North Dakota

Carlisle, Martha J.; Tacha, Thomas C.

doi:10.2307/3808617

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The higher variation in autumn compared to spring is likely due to several individualspecific intrinsic factors that we could not measure, such as experience and reproductive status. For example, during southbound autumn migration, adult RMP sandhill cranes that have successfully bred may be accompanied by 1-2 young, and these family units may depart breeding or stopover areas later than nonbreeding adults (Carlisle and Tacha, 1983;Tacha et al, 1985;Pearse et al, 2020). The timing of migration in spring is likely more related to the benefits of optimal arrival to the breeding grounds.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time of year and weather influence departure decisions of sandhill cranes at a primary stopover

Vanausdall,

Kendall,

Collins

et al. 2024

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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The Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of greater sandhill cranes uses a key stopover area, the San Luis Valley (SLV) in Colorado. Parameters of migration phenology can differ between autumn and spring and are affected by weather and environmental factors. We hypothesized that sandhill cranes in the SLV would have a longer stopover duration in autumn than in spring, and that wind assistance, crosswinds, temperature change, barometric air pressure, and surface water area would influence persistence probability. We used data from sandhill cranes fitted with transmitters that spanned autumn and spring, 2015-2022. We used an open robust design mark-recapture model to estimate stopover duration, arrival probability, and persistence probability. We examined the effects of weather and surface water on the persistence probability for 106 sandhill cranes in the SLV. Stopover duration was longer in autumn than in spring and had higher variability across years. Arrival probability to the SLV peaked on 13 October in autumn and 21 February in spring. Persistence probability declined around mid-December in autumn and mid-March in spring. We found that several weather covariates influenced persistence in both seasons. In autumn, sandhill cranes departed the SLV with higher tailwinds, lower crosswinds, and higher surface water availability. In spring, sandhill cranes departed the SLV with lower crosswinds and higher barometric air pressure at the surface and higher wind speeds at altitudes of about 3,000 m. The effect of wind speed was stronger later in the spring. Given the lower variability of arrival and persistence probability and shorter stopover duration in spring compared to autumn, we suspect that RMP sandhill cranes are using a time-minimization strategy during spring. However, given the use of supportive winds and weather conditions ideal for soaring, RMP sandhill cranes appear to be using strategies that save energy in both seasons. Our study identifies the optimal timing of water management and surveys for RMP sandhill cranes and confirms that weather influences their persistence. Understanding differences in migration patterns between seasons and the factors that influence persistence at stopover sites will also be important for anticipating phenological impacts from climate change and land use alterations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time of year and weather influence departure decisions of sandhill cranes at a primary stopover

Vanausdall,

Kendall,

Collins

et al. 2024

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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show abstract

“…Tacha (1981) showed that the three subspecies (G. c. canadensis, G. c. rowani, and G. c. tabida) of mid-continent sandhill cranes were present at major staging and wintering areas. Carlisle and Tacha (1983) reported both the overall and age-related chronology of fall migration of sandhill cranes in west-central North Dakota, and Melvin and Temple (1983) reported overall fall migration in east-central North Dakota. Iverson et al (1985) discussed the migration chronology of sandhill cranes in western Texas.…”

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confidence: 99%