Sea duck migratory connectivity

Background

Sea ducks have fascinating migration patterns. Between winter, which they spend in large flocks on the coastal ocean, and summer, when they nest far inland at remote Arctic breeding sites, they travel to sheltered waters to molt their wing feathers in a process that renders them flightless for weeks or months at a time. Since sea ducks are hunted in many areas, understanding their migrations is crucial to managing harvest levels aacross their range.

For over a decade, partners with the Atlantic and Great Lakes Sea Duck Migration Study have been collecting telemetry data from four species of sea ducks - black scoters, surf scoters, white-winged scoters, and long-tailed ducks - to better understand their migratory patterns and habitat use.

Using these data, along with additional tracking data from the four target species and common eiders, I am developing models of multi-species habitat use and movement patterns. My work aims to identify key sites and flyways, understand population structure to inform harvest management, and identify habitat needs throughout the annual cycle.