Buff-breasted
Sandpiper (and other shorebirds) Research
I am currently continuing research
with John P. McCarty and L. LaReesa Wolfenbarger that is focused on the
Buff-breasted Sandpiper and this species’ stopover relationship with the Rainwater Basin
in south-central Nebraska. I have been interested in shorebird migration
in the Rainwater Basin for over a decade. My and our earlier focus was surveying and
inventorying shorebird numbers and documenting migration chronology. The result of that work suggested that the
Eastern portion of the Rainwater
Basin is a major spring
stopover site for the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and our more recent work (and my
thesis project) confirmed this point.
The Buff-breasted Sandpiper is a shorebird of high conservation
concern. Our current work is attempting
to determine stopover length, habitat use, physical condition, and
intra-regional movements of birds during their short time in the region. Our current work also has some limited focus
on other migrant shorebird species. For more information on Buffies in the Rainwater Basin, check out some of the
publications at my HOME. Otherwise,
check out some photos below.
Color
Banded Baird’s Sandpiper
Buffy with a radio-transmitter (photo by Sarah Rehme)
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Rainwater
Basin habitat (agricultural fields)
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