Inferring Movements and Staging Locations for Canvasbacks Using Light-Level Geolocators

Abstract

Understanding the geographic extent and timing of wildlife movements enables resource managers to inform habitat needs of target species efficiently and effectively. We use light-level geolocators—which enable researchers to estimate individual locations from light-level data—to build a more complete understanding of the geography and timing of migratory movements for canvasback Aythya valisineria in the Pacific Flyway. During the springs of 2015–2017, we placed 151 geolocators on canvasbacks using two alternative attachment methods (leg-band vs. nasal-saddle mounts) during spring migration (February–March) near Reno, Nevada. Eight of these geolocators (five males and three females) were successfully retrieved, representing 10 near-complete annual migration cycles (two geolocators contained data for two migration years). Eight of the 10 estimated spring canvasback migrations (five male and three female) ended at breeding sites in the Prairie Pothole Region of southern Canada and northern United States (often via stopover sites in Utah and Montana), whereas one male and one female migrated to breeding sites in Alaska. Notably, one female settled on nesting grounds in southern Saskatchewan and then in central Alaska in successive years. During spring migration, canvasbacks made an average of 3.3 ± 0.5 stopovers, with an average duration of 14.8 ± 2.2 d. Three canvasbacks made a distinct molt migration after breeding. For fall migration, canvasback made an average of 2.7 ± 0.3 stopovers, lasting an average of 12.3 ± 2.5 d, on their way to wintering sites in California's Central Valley and coastal regions near San Francisco Bay. Retrieval rate for nasal-saddle-mounted geolocators was significantly lower than leg band-mounted devices because of failure of nasal-saddle attachment. This study demonstrates the value of geolocators for assessing year-round habitat use for waterfowl species that have negative behavioral reactions to traditional backpack devices. This information complements standard band-recovery approaches and enables waterfowl managers to ensure that the spatial and temporal distributions of individuals are identified so that habitat conservation efforts can reflect the full annual habitat use cycle.

Waterfowl recently infected with low pathogenic avian influenza exhibit reduced local movement and delayed migration

“…Study system and field data collection (Cook et al, 2021;Ely & Takekawa, 1996;Miller et al, 2005). The Central Valley supports ~6-7 million wintering waterfowl, which inhabit protected wetlands as well as the surrounding agricultural lands (Ackerman et al, 2014;Gilmer et al, 1982).…”

“…In the region, wintering mallards can be either migratory or breed locally, with approximately 60% breeding within California (De Sobrino et al, 2017) and many migrants making relatively short‐distance migrations (300–600 km; De Sobrino et al, 2017; Kohl et al, 2022). Northern pintails, canvasbacks, and greater white‐fronted geese that winter in the Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Estuary are primarily long‐distance migrants, many of which breed in Alaska and the mid‐continent Prairie Pothole Region of southern Canada and northern United States (Cook et al, 2021; Ely & Takekawa, 1996; Miller et al, 2005). The Central Valley supports ~6–7 million wintering waterfowl, which inhabit protected wetlands as well as the surrounding agricultural lands (Ackerman et al, 2014; Gilmer et al, 1982).…”