LE3 .A278 1992

1992

Boates, Sherman

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Biology

Biology

The abundance of prey and the distribution, body condition and behaviour of Semipalmated Sandpipers foraging at three different mudflats were investigated in the Bay of Fundy Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve in the Minas Basin, Nova Scotia. The foraging density of Semipalmated Sandpipers was related both spatially and temporally to their main prey source, Corophium volutator. The highest densities of foraging Semipalmated Sandpipers occurred where prey densities were highest and occurred in the lowest densities occurred where prey densities were lowest. As the population size of sandpipers increased in the area, Semipalmated Sandpipers increased the area used on medium and low prey density mudflats. Despite large and rapid changes in the number of sandpipers in the Minas Basin, the foraging densities of Semipalmated Sandpipers on mudflats with different Corophium densities did not change over the migratory period. Body condition of Semipalmated Sandpipers collected from all mudflats increased during their stay in the Minas Basin. Body condition of sandpipers collected from high prey density mudflats increased at a fastest rate. Semlpalmated Sandpipers collected from mudflats with medium and high prey densities were in better condition than those collected from mudflats with low prey densities. High densities of birds and high levels of social interaction on medium prey density mudflats suggest that there was competition for food on this mudflat. Birds foraging on medium prey density mudflats were also structurally larger than at the other areas. Presumably the larger birds exploited the most preferred mudflats, while smaller individuals exploited less preferred mudflats. While body size did not vary with social status, dominant individuals collected from medium prey density mudflats were in better condition and accumulated more total body lipid by the end of the stopover period than did neutral and subordinate individuals.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3852