Pacific Shorebird Migration Program

The Alaska Science Center, PRBO Conservation Science (PRBO), and collaborators in various countries received funding from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation for an international, collaborative study using the latest remote sensing technology to fill key information gaps on how the tribe Numeniini, to which godwits and curlews belong, migrate within and across continents. During 2007-2009, five species (Bar-tailed Godwit, Hudsonian Godwit, Bristle-thighed Curlew, Whimbrel and Long-billed Curlew) - representative of the various migration strategies exhibited by the Numeniini - are being fitted with satellite telemetry tags and followed during their annual migration throughout the Pacific Basin.

For each species, we expect to learn the timing and routes of migration, temporal and spatial use of stopover and staging sites, and habitat needs. This information will guide effective conservation efforts for each species and also help scientists and conservation groups better understand the effects of global-scale threats to shorebirds, including habitat destruction, climate change, and the spread of infectious diseases.