The tschuktschorum subspecies of the Rock Sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis) breeds in coastal mountains and uplands in eastern Russian (Chukotka Peninsula) and western Alaska (from n. Seward Peninsula south throughout Alaska Peninsula) (Gill et al. 2002). The current population is estimated at 50,000 birds with about 10,000 of them nesting in Russia. During post-breeding (Jul-Oct), the entire population migrates to coastal staging areas in western Alaska (Yukon Delta and Bristol Bay) where they molt associate closely with a variety of other shorebirds, including two other subspecies of Rock Sandpiper. The population then spends the remainder of the annual cycle (November-April) at coastal sites in the Pacific Northwest from southeast Alaska to northern California.

No. of samples: Total of 400 cloacal swabs; 300 from adults and 100 from juveniles.
Sampling locations: Primary locations will be coastal lagoons, bays, and exposed shorelines on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (e.g., Angyoyaravak Bay, Hazen Bay, Kuskokwim Shoals). Secondary locations will be northern Bristol Bay (e.g., Chagvan and Egegik bays), Safety Sound on the Seward Peninsula, and more southerly lagoons and bays on the Alaska Peninsula (e.g., Izembek Lagoon, Cold Bay).
Sampling timeframe: Sampling will occur throughout the post-breeding season (late Jul-early Oct).
Sampling demographics: Adults and juveniles of both sexes.
Methods of capture: Birds will be live captured, swabbed, and released. Capture methods that have proven effective for this species include: 1) rocket nets, mist nets, and noose mats set near roost sites and 2) walk-in and bow traps set near feeding and roosting sites. In excess of 2,000 Rock Sandpipers have been trapped and marked by USGS-ASC Shorebird Project personnel since 1978, including hundreds annually during targeted efforts and lesser numbers when capturing other species (i.e., Dunlin C. alpina and Western Sandpipers C. mauri). For example, 170 Rock Sandpipers were captured on the YKD in autumn 2004 and 2005 during efforts to trap Dunlin and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (C. acuminata). Because Rock Sandpipers form large communal roosts during high tide it is relatively easy also to collect fecal samples from individuals.
Other targeted species: Other priority species available for capture during fall at Rock Sandpiper sampling locations on the central YKD and northern Bristol Bay include: juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, adult and juvenile Dunlin (C. alpina articola), juvenile Long-billed Dowitchers, and adult and juvenile Bar-tailed Godwits. In addition, several populations of shorebirds that are not currently ranked as high priority for virus sampling are known to associate closely with tschuktschorum in fall and are often captured incidentally during Rock Sandpiper captures [e.g., Black Turnstone, Dunlin (C. a. pacifica)]. It would be possible to collect and archive samples from these populations in the event that further investigation into Asian H5N1 distribution in wild bird populations becomes warranted.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Yukon Delta NWR

Alaska Peninsula-Becharof NWR

Togiak NWR

Alaska Maritime NWR

Izembek NWR

U.S. Gelogical Survey

Gill, R. E., P. S. Tomkovich, and B. J. McCaffery. 2002. Rock Sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis). In The Birds of North America, No. 686 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.