Autumn migration of the slaty-backed gull Larus schistisagus Stejneger, 1884 on the first GPS-GSM tracking study
L. A. ZELENSKAYA1, D. A. BARYKINA1, H. LEE2
1Institute of Biological Problems of the North, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Magadan, Russia
2Korea Institute of Environmental Ecology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
Keywords: Slaty-backed Gull, Larus schistisagus, autumn migration, fly-and-forage strategy, Sea of Okhotsk, East AsianAustralasian Flyway
Abstract
This paper presents the first results of tracking the autumn migration of adult Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) using GPS-GSM loggers from a breeding colony in the northern Sea of Okhotsk (Tauyskaya Bay) to the wintering region (Hokkaido Island). The migration distance (2.6-4.3 thousand km) classifies the Okhotsk Sea population as “long-distance migrants.” Like other large white-headed gulls, Pacific Gulls employed a “fly-and-forage” migration strategy during autumn, with significant variation in routes and individual travel tactics, utilizing individual experience in selecting stopover sites. The gulls preferred coastal migration routes and exhibited flexible travel behavior. Both birds used overland and open-sea crossings to shorten their path and were active during the day and at twilight. The autumn migration of Pacific Gulls was characterized by a low overall migration speed, a close trophic association with Far Eastern salmon, and the use of anthropogenic food sources - following fishing vessels and utilizing fish processing waste and food scraps in settlements.
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