Importance of Western Wetland Basins to Aquatic … of Western Wetland Basins to Aquatic Migratory...
Transcript of Importance of Western Wetland Basins to Aquatic … of Western Wetland Basins to Aquatic Migratory...
Importance of Western Wetland Basins to Aquatic Migratory Birds
Gary IveyWestern Crane Conservation Manager
International Crane Foundationwww.savingcranes.org
Species GSL Population and Status Values
Wilson’s Phalarope 500,000: largest staging concentration in the world
Red-necked Phalarope 240,000: single day estimate
American Avocet 250,000: many times higher than any other in the Pacific Flyway
Black-necked Stilt 65,000: many times higher than any other in the Pacific Flyway
Marbled Godwit 43,000: the only staging area in the interior United States
Snowy Plover 10,000: representing 55% of the entire western breeding population
Western Sandpiper 150,000: single day count
Long-billed Dowitcher 32,000: single day count
American White Pelican 20,000 breeding adults: one of the largest colonies in the western U.S.
White-faced Ibis 21,600 breeding adults
California Gull 160,000 breeding; world’s largest staging population in N. America
Eared Grebe 2,200,000: one of two of the largest staging populations in N. America
Water issues threaten these values
Some examples of Great Salt Lake bird use
GSL Winter duck study – Josh Vest
Utah State University and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Project
Goldeneye on the GSL
• GSL important wintering area
~ 4% of continental population
• Brine fly larvae appear to be an important food item
• Local and regional drought conditions likely influence body condition
>1.6 million Eared Grebes>125,000 phalaropes> 60,000 breeding California Gulls
Sean Boyd, Environment CanadaCalifornia Fish and GameMono Lake Committee
Western White-faced Ibis Colony Locations, 1985-99
1984: 19 colonies7,500 pairs
1999: 40 colonies33,000 pairs
American White Pelican Satellite Study
Mark Fuller, U.S. Geological Survey Mike Yates, Kirk Bates, and Linda Schueck, Raptor Research Center, Boise State University, Boise, ID. Bill Seegar, Department of the Army, Edgewood, MD Bill Henry, Stillwater NWR, Fallon, NVHarlan Shannon and George Young, Penn State University, University Park, PA.
In Summary
Western Wetlands are:• Diverse• Dynamic• Connected from a bird perspective• Important to aquatic birds and the society that values them