Abstracts

Presented by Desmond Mackell - Email: dmackell@usgs.gov

Identifying the migration routes and stopover sites of migrating Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera septentrionalium) can provide a spatial guide to conservation efforts of this understudied species. Most information known about the distribution of Cinnamon Teal in North America has been derived from band returns and visual surveys. With recent advancements in GPS tracking technology, we now have the capability to study the movements and habitat use of this species in a new light. The focus of this project is to investigate the movements and habitat use of Cinnamon Teal by marking up to 70 individuals each year with GSM satellite transmitters across the western states (California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and Nevada). Cinnamon Teal were marked primarily during the spring and summer of 2017-2019, with the goal of capturing the movements of Cinnamon Teal across much of their known distribution in North America. Each bird was marked with either a 15g (Ecotone Telemetry) or a 10g (Ornitela) GPS/GSM transmitter via a backpack harness. We have marked 157 individuals and have recorded over 164,000 individual locations. Preliminary data is already highlighting interesting movement trends. Of the 59 individuals marked in California, only 4 traveled outside of the state, with almost all activity consolidated in the Central Valley and Suisun Marsh. Of the 20 individuals marked in southern Oregon, only 2 individuals traveled to the Central Valley of California, though almost all birds left the state on their southern migration. The data from this study draws attention to the variation in movements between birds marked in different regions and builds upon traditional flyway maps. The study also highlights the international scope of Cinnamon Teal migration, with 11 marked individuals traveling to Mexico. The connectivity exhibited across state and national boundaries can help coordinate collaborative management efforts between agencies.