Trends in volume migration chronology in spring staging Pacific black brant |
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Authors: | Barry D Smith Katherine R Hagmeier W Sean Boyd Neil K Dawe Terri D Martin Guy L Monty |
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Institution: | 1. Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC, Canada V4K 3N2;2. EBB Environmental Consulting, P.O. Box 18180, 1215c 56th Street, Delta, BC, Canada V4L 2M4;3. Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC, Canada V4K 3N2;4. Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, 3567 Island Highway West, Qualicum Beach, BC, Canada V9K 2B7;5. Martin Environmental Services, Box 311, Heriot Bay, BC, Canada V0P 1H0;6. Guy L. Monty Consulting, 305 – 155 Cheney Street, Parksville, BC, Canada V9P 1P2 |
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Abstract: | We used a robust dataset of count and mark-resighting data for Pacific black brant from 1989–2004, and a novel mark-recapture model capable of analyzing such data, to calculate the annual variability and timing of brant as they migrated through the Parksville–Qualicum Beach area, a traditional spring staging site in coastal British Columbia, Canada. Our analysis indicated that the date of departure from this site to northern breeding sites advanced between 10 and 20 days over this period because of a combination of earlier arrival and shorter residence times. Given this change in migration behavior, and the potential implications for population dynamics, we recommend that targeted research on brant wintering, migration, and reproductive strategies should be examined within a greater Pacific-wide context. In this way, the consequences of proximate factors (e.g., disturbance, food, and climate) can be understood in terms of individual fitness and population dynamics. Finally, at the local level, conservation actions are needed to ensure the long term sustainability of Parksville–Qualicum Beach as an important spring staging site for Pacific black brant. © 2011 The Wildlife Society. |
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Keywords: | brant Branta bernicla nigricans British Columbia capture-mark-recapture length of stay migration spring staging volume estimates |
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