Journal of Animal Ecology
Volume 75, Issue 5, 2006, Pages 1119-1127

Population-scale drivers of individual arrival times in migratory birds (Article)

Gunnarsson T.G.* , Gill J.A. , Atkinson P.W. , Gélinaud G. , Potts P.M. , Croger R.E. , Gudmundsson G.A. , Appleton G.F. , Sutherland W.J.
  • a Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom, University of Iceland at Stykkishólmur, IS-340 Stykkishólmur, Iceland
  • b Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
  • c British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU, United Kingdom
  • d Bretagne Vivante - SEPNB, Réserve Naturelle des Marais de Séné, 56860 Séné, France
  • e Farlington Ringing Group, Solent Court Cottage, Chilling Lane, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 9HF, United Kingdom
  • f Farlington Ringing Group, 23 Ashton Close, Hampshire, S032 1FP, United Kingdom
  • g Icelandic Institute of Natural History, PO Box 5320, IS-125 Reykjavík, Iceland
  • h British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU, United Kingdom
  • i Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom

Abstract

1. In migratory species, early arrival on the breeding grounds can often enhance breeding success. Timing of spring migration is therefore a key process that is likely to be influenced both by factors specific to individuals, such as the quality of winter and breeding locations and the distance between them, and by annual variation in weather conditions before and during migration. 2. The Icelandic black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa islandica population is currently increasing and, throughout Iceland, is expanding into poorer quality breeding areas. Using a unique data set of arrival times in Iceland in different years for individuals of known breeding and wintering locations, we show that individuals breeding in lower quality, recently occupied and colder areas arrive later than those from traditionally occupied areas. The population is also expanding into new wintering areas, and males from traditionally occupied winter sites also arrive earlier than those occupying novel sites. 3. Annual variation in timing of migration of individuals is influenced by large-scale weather systems (the North Atlantic Oscillation), but between-individual variation is a stronger predictor of arrival time than the NAO. Distance between winter and breeding sites does not influence arrival times. 4. Annual variation in timing of migration is therefore influenced by climatic factors, but the pattern of individual arrival is primarily related to breeding and winter habitat quality. These habitat effects on arrival patterns are likely to operate through variation in individual condition and local-scale density-dependent processes. Timing of migration thus appears to be a key component of the intricate relationship between wintering and breeding grounds in this migratory system. © 2006 The Authors.

Author Keywords

Migration Shorebirds Waders Habitat quality Seasonal matching

Index Keywords

Models, Biological biological model reproductive success physiology Aves population density Population Dynamics breeding site habitat quality Limosa limosa breeding Arctic spring (season) Limosa limosa islandica wader Charadriiformes comparative study Time Factors ecosystem Animals Seasons Animal Migration Iceland animal season geography male female migratory species Article annual variation temperature population migration time
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33746834976&doi=10.1111%2fj.1365-2656.2006.01131.x&partnerID=40&md5=a39e1cfa61821f459d4052eb3c2212cd
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2006.01131.x
ISSN: 00218790
Cited by: 92
Original Language: English