Alaska Shorebird Group Annual Summary Compilation

Alaska Shorebird Groupthe second year) and developed new field components (e.g. chick banding). A major portion ofour field work involves locating nests and banding of our target species, including SemipalmatedSandpiper and Dunlin at most sites, and Western Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Red-neckedPhalarope at several sites. Other species are banded as well, depending on the particular focus ofa site. In 2012, personnel from the Network located > 1,500 nests belonging to 18 species, andbanded > 1400 individuals belonging to 17 species. In addition, as part of an effort to understandhow local conditions influence nest success and adult survival, we collected data on weather,invertebrate abundance, predators, and lemmings.Network Side ProjectsNetwork side projects are investigations that are conducted at the Network study sites that areoutside the framework of the core demographic study objectives. The following side projectshave been implemented by Network Collaborators: Dunlin migratory connectivity,Semipalmated Sandpiper migratory connectivity, pond hydrology, spring phenology, and avianhealth studies (#31 [avian malaria], #12 [gut microbiota] and #10 [methyl mercury]).Lead Organizational RolesStephen Brown at Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences is the overall coordinator for theproject, and supports group planning, communication, and group funding. Rick Lanctot ofUSFWS is the Science Coordinator, and leads the design and development of field protocols,side-project coordination, and group funding. Brett Sandercock of Kansas State University leadsthe group on study design issues and will lead the demographic analyses. River Gates works forboth Manomet and USFWS and focuses her efforts on protocol development, databasesmanagement, data compilation and summaries, in addition to general Network coordination andlogistical support. Joe Liebezeit of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Paul Smith ofEnvironment Canada and Brooke Hill of USFWS serve on the protocol development committee.Contact: Stephen Brown, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, P.O. Box 565, Manomet,MA 0234. Phone: 508-224-6521; Email: sbrown@manomet.org11