Extension of the northward migratory route of the Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) to the western slope of the Andes

Abstract

The Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) is a migratory shorebird with main wintering areas in Argentina and Uruguay. The migration route from the wintering to the breeding areas has been described as passing through the Amazon basin, but some records suggested that the western slope of the Andes is part of the regular route. To assess if this area is regularly used by the species, we encouraged volunteers to be part of a Citizen Science project in Chile to conduct listening points at night, allowing us to gather records from extensive areas. In 2 years, we collected 80 records of Upland Sandpiper from Arica to La Serena, confirming that northern Chile is part of the regular route. This migration strategy might be a result of the current winds, which blow from east to west in March and April on the South American continent and from south to north following the Pacific coast. These results change our understanding of the Upland Sandpiper migration through South America, adding a new, important area where the species must be considered for energetic project assessments.