The goal of the proposed project is to document habitat use and migratory movements for neomigratory shorebirds that utilize the banco DOS cajuais, a regionally important non-breeding site in…

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $666,705 Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation (CFDA 15.635) project grant to Associacao De Pesquisa E Preservacao De Ecoss Aquatico (Aquasis) in Brazil. The goal is to document habitat use and migratory movements of key shorebird species, including Red Knot, Short-billed Dowitcher, and Ruddy Turnstone, that utilize the Banco dos Cajuais, a regionally important non-breeding site. The objectives are to assess local movements between key habitats at the site using the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, and track the northbound migration of these shorebird species using solar-powered satellite transmitters. This data will inform habitat management strategies, identify staging areas, and assess connectivity to help conserve these species at both regional and hemispheric levels. The results will also be integrated with Aquasis' existing community outreach efforts in the local municipality to engage stakeholders in shorebird conservation.

The goal of the proposed project is to document habitat use and migratory movements for neomigratory shorebirds that utilize the banco DOS cajuais, a regionally important non-breeding site in northeast brazil recognized by the western hemisphere shorebird reserve network (whsrn). This information will be used to develop and implement habitat management strategies that will maximize the quality and quantity of habitat available for shorebirds. Previous research at the site has provided baseline information about movement and habitat use for a generalist species, the semipalmated sandpiper (calidris pusilla), but less is known about how specialist species like red knot (calidris canutus rufa) and short-billed dowitcher (limnodromus griseus griseus) use the site. Previous surveys have documented sizable portions of the global population of red knot and short-billed dowitcher utilizing the banco DOS cajuais during the non-breeding period, thus this site provides critical habitat contributing to the long-term conservation efforts of these migratory species. Our objectives include (1) assessing local movements between key habitats used by red knot, short-billed dowitcher, ruddy turnstone (arenaria interpres), and semipalmated sandpiper at the banco DOS cajuais. These four shorebird species are of high conservation concern and are listed on the road to recovery (road to recovery 2022). Using the motus wildlife tracking system, we will be able to track the local movements of these shorebirds and quantify the amount of time spent in the available habitats at the site. We will also (2) track the northbound migration of shorebird species of high conservation concern at the banco DOS cajuais using solar-powered satellite transmitters, targeting red knot, short-billed dowitcher, and ruddy turnstone. This new technology will allow US to discern migratory pathways to inform offshore wind turbine placement to minimize risks to at risk shorebird species. We will also use these data to identify staging areas for northbound migration, and assess connectivity from the banco DOS cajuais, all of which is largely unknown and critical to conserving these species. We expect to produce multiple publications outlining the results of our research. We will also use the results of this work to inform conservation activities at this regionally important site. As such, we expect this project to positively impact shorebird conservation at both a regional and hemispheric level. Finally, our results will be integrated with the existing community outreach efforts of aquasis in icapu, the municipality where the banco DOS cajuais is located. Shorebirds have been recognized as part of the natural heritage of the municipality and have become an important part of the local culture and economy. Previous outreach efforts in the region have resulted in strong partnerships with the local government, businesses, and schools to ensure the community is directly involved with the conservation of these species. Thus, shorebird conservation activities are of broad interest to the local community. Through this project we will be able to provide informed management recommendations for critical coastal habitats at high risk for loss or change, while filling knowledge gaps surrounding shorebird species of high conservation concern.