Seasonal Abundance of Shorebirds in the Jobos Bay Estuary in Southern Puerto-Rico

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[edit] Author(s)

  • Wunderle, J. M.
  • Waide, R. B.
  • Fernandez, J.

[edit] Journal

Journal of Field Ornithology 60.3 (1989): 329-39.

[edit] Abstract

From June 1985 to June 1986, 31 censuses were conducted in five estuarine habitats in the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary in Puerto Rico to examine the relative seasonal abundance of shorebirds. We observed a total of 22,574 shorebirds of 22 species. The fall migration period (15 Jul.-15 Nov.) had the highest number of shorebirds per census with an average of 1389 birds/census, followed by the winter period (16 Nov.- 15 Mar.) with 427 birds/census and spring/summer period (16 Mar.-14 Jul.) with 139 birds/census. Semipalmated and Western Sandpipers together (Calidris pusilla, C. mauri), Stilt Sandpipers (C. himantopus), and Least Sandpipers (C. minutilla) accounted for 84% of the shorebirds observed. A distinct fall migration was evident, with a peak on 7 Sep. of 2812 birds of which 65% were Semipalmated and Western Sandpipers, 19% Least Sandpipers, and the remaining percentage from a diversity of species. There was no evidence of a spring migration peak in contrast to shorebird migration in northern South America, suggesting that the Caribbean is bypassed by most north-bound shorebirds.

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