Spatial Ecology of White-Winged Scoters (Melanitta deglandi) in Eastern North America: A Multi-Year Perspective

Abstract

Satellite transmitters were used to describe migration patterns and establish connectivity among breeding and wintering areas for 30 White-winged Scoters (Melanitta deglandi) tagged in August 2010 or August 2012 during remigial molt in the St. Lawrence Estuary, Quebec, Canada. Fourteen potential breeding sites were identified in the boreal forest from Quebec to the Northwest Territories, Canada. Most birds molted at marine sites, except for two females that molted close to their breeding areas and a male that molted in interior Manitoba. Most birds remained near their molting location during fall prior to migrating to their wintering area. Individuals tended to use similar fall migration routes from year to year. Most birds (81%) wintered in the Long Island-Nantucket-Cape Cod region along the eastern seaboard of the USA, while only three birds wintered in Canada. Scoters spent almost half the year on wintering areas, and 83% returned within 150 km of the previous year's site. Spring migration patterns depended on breeding status. Breeding birds covered an average of 6,880 km compared to 2,550 km by non-breeding birds during their annual cycle. The St. Lawrence Estuary in Quebec and the Long Island-Nantucket-Cape Cod region (New York state and Massachusetts) were areas particularly important for tagged birds.