Kiawah and Seabrook islands are a critical site for therufaRed Knot (Calidris canutus rufa)

Abstract

The rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) is a migratory shorebird that performs one of the longest known trans-hemispheric migrations of any bird species - from their breeding grounds in the Canadian Arctic to their nonbreeding grounds as far south as Tierra del Fuego - and they have experienced a population decline of over 85% in recent decades. During migration, they rest and refuel at stopover sites along the Atlantic Coast, including Kiawah and Seabrook islands in South Carolina. Here, we document the importance of Kiawah and Seabrook islands for knots by providing population and stopover estimates during their spring migration. We conducted on-the-ground surveys between 19 February - 20 May 2021 to record the occurrence of individually marked knots. In addition, we quantified the ratio of marked to unmarked knots and deployed geolocators on knots captured in the area. Using a superpopulation model, we estimated a passage population of 17,247 knots (~41% of the total rufa knot population) and an average stopover duration of 47 days. Our geolocator results also showed that knots using Kiawah and Seabrook islands can bypass Delaware Bay and fly directly to the Canadian Arctic. Finally, our geolocators, combined with resighting data from across the Atlantic Flyway, indicate that a large network of more than 70 coastal sites mostly concentrated along the coasts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina provide stopover and overwintering habitat for the knots we observed on Kiawah and Seabrook islands. These findings corroborate that Kiawah and Seabrook islands should be recognized as critical sites in the knot network and, therefore, a conservation priority. As a result, the threats facing the sites - such as prey management issues, anthropogenic disturbance, and sea level rise - require immediate attention.

Estimating recruitment rate and population dynamics at a migratory stopover site using an integrated population model

“…An integrated analysis of monitoring data collected at sites throughout the flyway is needed to fully understand these dynamics. Other sites in eastern North America have been identified as important spring stopover sites for rufa red knot, including locations in Virginia (Heller et al, 2022), Georgia (Smith et al, 2019), and South Carolina (Pelton et al, 2022). A joint analysis of data from more sites in the flyway would provide a better understanding of the ecology of red knot as well as further direct conservation and recovery planning efforts for this threatened species.…”