The Dynamics of Arrivals of Maine Migratory Breeding Birds: Results from a 24-Year Study

This citizen-science project is the first systematic study of patterns of spring migration of Maine migratory birds. A comparison of arrival data from the Maine Ornithological Society from 1899–1911 with the modern data (1994–2017) collected for this study indicated that most species are now not arr...

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Main Author: W. Herbert Wilson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2017-11-01
Series:Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/6/4/38
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author W. Herbert Wilson
author_facet W. Herbert Wilson
author_sort W. Herbert Wilson
collection DOAJ
description This citizen-science project is the first systematic study of patterns of spring migration of Maine migratory birds. A comparison of arrival data from the Maine Ornithological Society from 1899–1911 with the modern data (1994–2017) collected for this study indicated that most species are now not arriving earlier, contrary to the predictions of earlier arrivals in the face of global warming. Arrival was synchronous across the lower two-thirds of the state for most species, although some species showed delayed arrivals along the northeastern coast compared to southern coastal areas. Only thirteen of 81 species are now arriving earlier and seven arriving later. Using quantile regression analysis with three levels of tau, the effect of year, temperature-departure from mean monthly temperature and the North Atlantic Oscillation Index were weak. Most species did not respond to any of these explanatory variables using the modern data. Leaf-gleaners showed the strongest responses. Only four species showed increasing abundance in recent years, an effect that influences detectability and hence could confound interpretation of changes in arrival date.
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spelling doaj.art-4617638a31fc4f8981cc2e9d5e4018412023-09-03T10:45:44ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372017-11-01643810.3390/biology6040038biology6040038The Dynamics of Arrivals of Maine Migratory Breeding Birds: Results from a 24-Year StudyW. Herbert Wilson0Department of Biology, 5739 Mayflower Hill Drive, Colby College, Waterville, ME 04901, USAThis citizen-science project is the first systematic study of patterns of spring migration of Maine migratory birds. A comparison of arrival data from the Maine Ornithological Society from 1899–1911 with the modern data (1994–2017) collected for this study indicated that most species are now not arriving earlier, contrary to the predictions of earlier arrivals in the face of global warming. Arrival was synchronous across the lower two-thirds of the state for most species, although some species showed delayed arrivals along the northeastern coast compared to southern coastal areas. Only thirteen of 81 species are now arriving earlier and seven arriving later. Using quantile regression analysis with three levels of tau, the effect of year, temperature-departure from mean monthly temperature and the North Atlantic Oscillation Index were weak. Most species did not respond to any of these explanatory variables using the modern data. Leaf-gleaners showed the strongest responses. Only four species showed increasing abundance in recent years, an effect that influences detectability and hence could confound interpretation of changes in arrival date.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/6/4/38bird migrationphenologyclimate change
spellingShingle W. Herbert Wilson
The Dynamics of Arrivals of Maine Migratory Breeding Birds: Results from a 24-Year Study
Biology
bird migration
phenology
climate change
title The Dynamics of Arrivals of Maine Migratory Breeding Birds: Results from a 24-Year Study
title_full The Dynamics of Arrivals of Maine Migratory Breeding Birds: Results from a 24-Year Study
title_fullStr The Dynamics of Arrivals of Maine Migratory Breeding Birds: Results from a 24-Year Study
title_full_unstemmed The Dynamics of Arrivals of Maine Migratory Breeding Birds: Results from a 24-Year Study
title_short The Dynamics of Arrivals of Maine Migratory Breeding Birds: Results from a 24-Year Study
title_sort dynamics of arrivals of maine migratory breeding birds results from a 24 year study
topic bird migration
phenology
climate change
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/6/4/38
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