Monitoring Overwintering Shorebird Use of Agricultural and Intertidal Habitats in the Fraser River Delta Key Biodiversity Area

Due in part to the abundance and diversity of migratory birds it supports the Fraser River Delta is a globally and regionally significant estuary. Globally the number of birds in the delta triggers Key Biodiversity Area criteria D1 associated with Species Aggregations. Three species of shorebirds, Dunlin, Western Sandpiper and Black-bellied Plover meet this criteria in the delta. Because of the abundance of Western Sandpiper and Dunlin the delta is also a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Site of Hemispheric Importance. In combination, these designations ensure the conservation of the Fraser River Delta is a priority within Pacific Flyway scale conservation planning documents such as the Pacific America's Shorebird Conservation Strategy. However, there is currently no conservation planning that occurs at the scale of the delta and as such no planning documents exist to inform decision makers on the delta which habitats and associated attributes are important to shorebirds. Over the last 2 years Birds Canada has been undertaking fieldwork to develop an enhanced understanding of where and when overwintering Dunlin are use and move between different parts of the delta. By combining data obtained through the Motus Wildlife Tracking System with point counts conducted within 2 km of the coastline we are beginning to understand how Dunlin are using the Fraser River delta as an integrated coastal wetland consisting of wetlands, agricultural lands and intertidal mudflats. This emerging understanding has the potential to inform conservation planning at either delta wide or at more sector specific scales. Key stressors impacting shorebird habitats in the delta and throughout the Salish Sea include; shipping infrastructure, agriculture and water management infrastructure. With shorebirds being subject to coastal squeeze throughout much of the Salish Sea information learned from this research will be of value to conference participants seeking to implement climate adaptation strategies.