[obol] Zostera japonica & Shorebirds: Was: May Lincoln Co. Bird Notes....

[Cindy Ashy]

Regarding:

"Questions have been raised if shorebirds feed in patches of the
introduced eelgrass, Zostera japonica.  At Sally's Bed on 5/3 or 5/10, JL
saw SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, WHIMBRELS, MARBLED GODWITS,
WESTERN SANDPIPERS, DUNLIN, and LONG-BILLED and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS
doing so."

I will be interested to hear more details from Janet on this. Being someone who
has spent many hours watching shorebirds feed in this area, I can offer the
following observations:

1. Smaller shorebirds avoid the introduced japonica patches more than larger
shorebirds. I've watched peeps take short little flights from non-grassy island
to non-grassy island while foraging.

2. Larger shorebirds will feed in the stuff but if you watch them for a long
while, it becomes obvious they prefer areas without it. It would be interesting
if the EPA has transect data they'd be willing to release showing the
invertebrate composition in plots with and without japonica.

3. Many times I've seen shorebirds (all sizes) change directions when they
encounter a patch of japonica while foraging.

4. Roosting flocks seem to avoid it too, especially areas that are completely
over-run by it.

Cindy Ashy


 
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