Movement ecology of songbirds during fall migration in southwestern Nova Scotia
LE3 .A278 2013
2013
Taylor, Phil
Acadia University
Master of Science
Masters
Biology
How migratory songbirds negotiate barriers they encounter en route can have important implications for a successful migration. I monitored departure decisions and movement behaviours of three songbird species during fall migration at the northeastern edge of the Gulf of Maine using an automated telemetry array stretching 350 km from southwest Nova Scotia to southern Maine. Nearly half of birds radio-tagged in southwest Nova Scotia temporarily relocated within the landscape before continuing migration on a later night. Of 47 migratory flights recorded, 57% were oriented across the Gulf of Maine, whereas the other 43% were oriented northwest, away from the barrier. Fifteen individuals were later detected flying over the Bay of Fundy and/or coast of Maine, 145-340 km west-northwest of southwest Nova Scotia. Local weather conditions explained some variation in the timing and direction of migratory flights, whereas temporary relocations were more likely a response to poor coastal stopover conditions.
The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.
https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:296
