Fast fuelling but light flight in Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus : stopover ecology at a final take-off site in spring (Sivash, Ukraine)

• Main Authors: Verkuil, Yvonne, Have, Tom M. van der, Winden, Jan van der, Keijl, Guido O, Ruiters, Paul S, Koolhaas, Anita, Dekinga, Anne, Chernichko, Iosif I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2006

We studied phenology, staging time and refuelling in Broad-billed SandpipersLimicolafalcinellusstopping over during spring migration in the Sivash (Black Sea, Ukraine) in May1991–94. In the study area, peak staging numbers of 2000–2500 individuals occurred inthe third week of May. In May 1993, 460 birds were marked with a yellow dye and 126 ofthese were colour-ringed. Before 28 May no departure of birds dyed yellow could be detected;by 3 June all birds had departed. Colour-ringed adults in mid May 1993 staged for a minimumof 8.2 days. After the observed departure of large flocks (24 May and later) the staging timeof colour-ringed birds decreased significantly with body mass at the time of capture. Of birdsmist-netted in 1991–94, 99.3% were in full summer plumage and 89% were adults. Insecond-year birds, fuel deposition rate (measured between individuals) was 0.44 g/day. Inadults caught from early May to 24 May, overall fuel deposition rate was 1.04 g/day (3.4%of lean body mass). Mean adult body mass in early May was 34.8 g, increasing to 45.5 g after24 May. Estimated body mass at departure was 51 g. Departure body mass and flight rangeestimates suggest that although birds refuelled quickly, fuel loads are only just sufficient foran unbroken flight to Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula. We suggest that Broad-billedSandpipers use the Sivash as a crucial final take-off stopover site, and that they follow a‘jumping’ migration strategy, performed under narrow time constraints.