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Patterns of intertidal habitat use by birds in an Oregon Coastal Estuary
Citation:
LAMBERSON, J. O., M. R. FRAZIER, H. LEE, II, AND W. G. NELSON. Patterns of intertidal habitat use by birds in an Oregon Coastal Estuary. Presented at 32nd Annual Waterbird Society Meeting, South Padre Uskabd, TX, November 05 - 08, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
To explore approaches for habitat based ecosystem services, birds in Yaquina Estuary, Oregon were censused in five intertidal habitats at five tide levels.
Description:
To explore approaches for habitat based ecosystem services, birds in Yaquina Estuary, Oregon were censused in five intertidal habitats at five tide levels. The overall most important habitats (MIHs) in terms of total number of birds were mudflat (colonized by mudshrimp Upogebia pugettensis), and Zostera marina eelgrass beds. Upogebia/mudflat supported large numbers of foraging gulls, crows and shorebirds when exposed, and diving ducks when flooded. Zostera marina beds were important for foraging gulls, crows, dabbling ducks and coot when exposed, and for diving ducks, herons and egrets when flooded. Eelgrass was consumed by ducks, coot and geese. The third ranked MIH, sandflat (colonized by ghost shrimp Neotrypaea californiensis), was utilized by ducks and gulls for resting and by shorebirds for foraging. Emergent low marsh was used for shelter and foraging by ducks and coots in winter, as a rest area for herons and shorebirds, by swallows and sparrows for foraging, and by Canada geese for nesting, while marsh tidal channels were used by shorebirds, herons and egrets for foraging. The nonindigenous dwarf eelgrass, Zostera japonica was consumed by ducks, coot and geese, while gulls, crows and shorebirds crossed Z. japonica habitat as they foraged for invertebrates. In terms of number of birds per hectare, the MIH was Zostera marina, primarily due to usage by large flocks of ducks, coot and brant grazing on the eelgrass in winter. The second ranked MIH was Upogebia/mudflat, due to the presence of diving ducks when the habitat was flooded in winter, as well as use by shorebirds during migration and the large numbers of foraging gulls and crows.