Impact of cold spring on breeding and abundance of waders in the Arctic
V. V. Anufriev, Eu. A. Punantsev
N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research UB RAS, Arkhangelsk, Russia
Keywords: Bolshezemelskaya Tundra, weather conditions, waders, breeding and abundance
Abstract
Changes in breeding, distribution and abundance of waders in a key area of the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra in 2024, characterized by a cold and prolonged spring, were analyzed in comparison with 2 previous warmer years. In cold 2024, incubation in waders started 2 weeks later than in 2022 and 2023 and was observed only in species belonging to the Arctic fauna type. The total nesting density of all waders in 2024 was lower in different habitat types than in the 2 previous years. Birds used habitats that were freed from snow cover at the earliest time for nesting. In these habitat types, nest density in 2024 was higher than in the warmer years 2022 and 2023. An increase in nesting density of Little Stint Calidris minuta (Leisler, 1812) and Dunlin Calidris alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) was observed in 2024 compared to 2022 and 2024, for which the study area is the southern part of the breeding range. The total abundance of waders in 2024, compared to 2022 and 2023, decreased by more than 2 times.
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