Fall pre-migratory staging areas of Roseate Terns no nordeste da America do Norte, 1971-2020

Efforts to protect the endangered northwest Atlantic population of Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) have typically focused on a small number of breeding colonies distributed from Nova Scotia to New York. Yet the species is also potentially vulnerable at staging sites used by adults and recently fledg...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Wilson journal of ornithology Vol. 134; no. 1; pp. 124 - 132
Main Author Atwood, Jonathan L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Wilson Ornithological Society 01.03.2022
Subjects
Animal migration
Bird breeding
Birds
Breeding
Company distribution practices
Distribution
Migratory animals
Terns
Zoological research
United States
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Summary:Efforts to protect the endangered northwest Atlantic population of Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) have typically focused on a small number of breeding colonies distributed from Nova Scotia to New York. Yet the species is also potentially vulnerable at staging sites used by adults and recently fledged juveniles preparing for their southward migration to South America. My study found no evidence of pronounced changes in the overall distribution of Roseate Tern fall staging flocks over 5 decades. Coastal Massachusetts, especially Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard, annually support large numbers, representing a significant portion of the North Atlantic breeding population, from mid-July through late August. This work provides a longterm review of Roseate Tern fall staging behavior in northeastern North America and a foundation for ongoing and future studies aimed at clarifying specific threats faced by this species at specific staging sites during the post-breeding period. Received 2 February 2021. Accepted 7 December 2021.
ISSN:1559-4491
1938-5447
DOI:10.1676/21-00014