Estimating shorebird populations during spring stopover in rice fields of the Louisiana and Texas Gulf Coastal Plain

Waterbirds
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Abstract

Migrating shorebird populations using approximately 2% of Louisiana and Texas Gulf Coastal rice fields were surveyed during spring migration (March–May of 1997 and 1998) using biweekly stratified random surveys conducted at 50 roadside survey points and approximately 30,000 shorebirds were observed. Shorebird counts were extrapolated and almost 1.4 million birds in 1997 and over 1.6 million birds of 31 species in 1998 were estimated to use rice field habitat for stopover sites in Louisiana and Texas. Greater than 50% of the estimated North American populations were estimated to use rice field habitats for five species, including a species of concern, Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis) at 187%. Because of predictability of suitable rice field habitat acreage, timing of field preparation and water availability, coastal rice prairies are identified as critical spring migration stopover sites.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Estimating shorebird populations during spring stopover in rice fields of the Louisiana and Texas Gulf Coastal Plain
Series title Waterbirds
DOI 10.1675/063.035.0301
Volume 35
Issue 3
Year Published 2012
Language English
Publisher The Waterbird Society
Contributing office(s) National Wetlands Research Center
Description 10 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Waterbirds
First page 361
Last page 370
Country United States
State Louisiana;Texas
Other Geospatial Gulf Coastal Plain
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