Implementation of Arctic Prism Surveys in Western Alaska: What we learned about shorebird distributions on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta

Kristine M. Sowl, Stephen C. Brown, James E. Lyons, Richard B. Lanctot, Brad Winn, Sarah T.Saalfeld, James A. Johnson, Brian J. McCaffery, and Brad A. Andres U. S. SHOREBIRD CONSERVATION PLAN ARCTIC PRISM STUDY AREA

From Bart and Johnston 2012 YUKON DELTA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

• 2012 – Talks start

• One of largest river deltas in the world

• 75% of Alaska’s coastal wetlands

• Breeding habitat for 60% of Alaska’s shorebirds STATE OF OUR KNOWLEDGE

• Distribution and breeding density of species was poorly known

• Shorebird studies have been restricted in geographic scope

• Due to importance of area to shorebirds, it was identified as the top priority for PRISM shorebird surveys in Alaska SURVEY OBJECTIVES

1. Estimate shorebird population sizes for Yukon Delta NWR 2. Quantify importance of Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta for breeding shorebirds 3. Inform continental population estimates METHODS

• Surveyed Refuge lands only

• Stratified random sampling design

• Double sampling approach

• Focused on species that breed on tundra and in wetlands 2015 : 300 plots 2016 : 321 plots RESULTS

1. Population sizes estimates

2. Breeding density estimates

3. Distribution data for many species

4. Habitat relationships for many species OUTER COAST

• Black • Semipalmated Plover • Dunlin • Red • Rock BLACK TURNSTONE SALT MARSH DISTRIBUTION SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER ROCK SANDPIPER YUKON RIVER MOUTH

Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon - NASA Earth Observatory RED PHALAROPE DUNLIN COASTAL PLAIN

• Black-bellied Plover • Bar-tailed • Long-billed • Ruddy Turnstone BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER BAR-TAILED GODWIT LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER RUDDY TURNSTONE UPLAND TUNDRA

• Pacific Golden-Plover • Whimbrel PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER

J. Jung WHIMBREL

J. Jung INLAND

• Least Sandpiper • Hudsonian Godwit • Lesser Yellowlegs LEAST SANDPIPER HUDSONIAN GODWIT JOHNSON RIVER WETLANDS WIDESPREAD SPECIES RED-NECKED PHALAROPE WILSON’S SNIPE WESTERN CONCLUSIONS

• The Yukon Delta NWR remains one of the most important shorebird areas on the continent.

• We have a much clearer picture of how shorebirds are distributed across the refuge

• We have data that we can use to build habitat models for the shorebird species IT TAKES A VILLAGE!

• 20 field observers • 3 helicopter pilots • > 8 support crew (logistics, geospatial tasks, research design, scientific advice)

The Central and Southern Teams PHOTO CREDITS

• Photos were taken by Kristine Sowl unless labeled otherwise.