Abstract
This citizen-science project is the first systematic study of patterns of spring migration of Maine migratory birds. A comparison of arrival data from the Maine Ornithological Society from 1899–1911 with the modern data (1994–2017) collected for this study indicated that most species are now not arriving earlier, contrary to the predictions of earlier arrivals in the face of global warming. Arrival was synchronous across the lower two-thirds of the state for most species, although some species showed delayed arrivals along the northeastern coast compared to southern coastal areas. Only thirteen of 81 species are now arriving earlier and seven arriving later. Using quantile regression analysis with three levels of tau, the effect of year, temperature-departure from mean monthly temperature and the North Atlantic Oscillation Index were weak. Most species did not respond to any of these explanatory variables using the modern data. Leaf-gleaners showed the strongest responses. Only four species showed increasing abundance in recent years, an effect that influences detectability and hence could confound interpretation of changes in arrival date.
Highlights
The roots of the science of phenology can be traced back to the early 18th century in Britain and Sweden, with the first documentation of the arrivals and departures of British migratory birds [1,2].These early phenological studies had practical applications, as farmers delayed the start of planting and other agricultural activities until particular birds arrived
This project is the first comprehensive effort to understand the patterns of spring bird migration in Maine
The impacts of global warming on Maine spring bird migration are modest to date
Summary
The roots of the science of phenology can be traced back to the early 18th century in Britain and Sweden, with the first documentation of the arrivals and departures of British migratory birds [1,2]. These early phenological studies had practical applications, as farmers delayed the start of planting and other agricultural activities until particular birds arrived. Birds are powerful sentinels of environmental change [11] In this contribution, I examine 24 years of data on spring arrival dates of migratory birds
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
