Migration patterns and morphometrics of Common Sandpipers Actitis hypoleucos at Ottenby, southeastern Sweden
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Date
2011
Authors
Iwajomo, Soladoye B.
Hedenström, Anders
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ringing & Migration
Abstract
Current knowledge of the migration of the Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos is still limited. The species
has been ringed at Ottenby Bird Observatory, southeast Sweden, since 1947, allowing for analyses of
long-term and seasonal trends. We analysed trapping data for 1,942 adults and 3,290 juveniles with
respect to patterns in phenology, morphometrics, and fuel load. We used fuel loads to estimate potential
flight ranges. The number of adult birds trapped increased significantly over the years, whereas juveniles
declined. Median passage date was 27 July and 7 August for adult and juvenile birds respectively, and
juveniles showed a significant advancement in median passage date. Mean fuel loads were 28.8% and
27.8% of lean body mass (LBM) for adult and juvenile birds respectively, while maximum fuel load was
as high as 98.7% in juveniles and 105.4% in adults. Fuel load increased significantly with date in juveniles
but declined in adults. Advancement in passage of juvenile birds over the year is possibly due to climate
change. Also, the average adult and juvenile are theoretically capable of a direct flight to central France;
a major recovery area. Fuel load patterns suggest that in autumn, the two age classes use different migration
strategies.
Description
Keywords
Common Sandpiper, bird migration, Actitis hypoleucos, Morphometrics, fuel load, migration strategy
Citation
Soladoye B. Iwajomo & Anders Hedenström (2011): Migration patterns and morphometrics of Common Sandpipers Actitis hypoleucos at Ottenby, southeastern Sweden, Ringing & Migration, 26:1, 38-47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03078698.2011.586509