Jack Finley (MS)

SHOREBIRD USE OF SANDBARS, SIDE CHANNELS, AND SHALLOW FLOODWATERS ON BIG MUDDY NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE REFUGE (NFWR) AND SURROUNDING LANDS

Advisor: Dr. Leigh H. Fredrickson

Only five species of shorebirds nest in Missouri, but many more species stop in the state to replenish endogenous fat reserves that fuel their transcontinental migration. Research has documented the staging and feeding of shorebirds in coastal areas, but only in the last few decades has significant attention been given to inland habitats. Flooding of the Missouri River during the 1990’s accelerated research activities that investigated wetland use by waterbirds within the Missouri River floodplain. However, sandbar and side-channel use by these birds has not been extensively documented. This study examined waterbird use of these habitats during the 2002-03 spring and summer-fall migrations on a section of the Missouri River between river miles 166-280. Principal areas of study were Lisbon Bottoms, Overton Bottoms, and Cranberry Bend of the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Lands managed by the Missouri Dept. of Conservation and private ownership augmented the federal lands. In addition to species composition, abundance, behavior, and migration chronology of these birds; the microhabitats of each wetland were also recorded. Particular attention was given to hydrology, geomorphology, vegetation communities, and substrate type. Shorebird abundance was greatest on sandbar and side-channel habitat during the summer-fall migration than during the spring migration. Waterbird composition on the side-channels during the summer-fall of 2003 was as follows: shorebirds 82%, waterfowl 12%, and waders 6%. On side-channels during the same period, sandpipers were found on muddy substrates significantly more than sandy ones, but plovers (mostly killdeer) were found similarly on both. During the summer-fall migration of 2003, peeps (small shorebirds) were more numerous on sandbars than side-channels, but plover numbers were nearly equal on both. This project, when completed, will provide useful information to decision makers tasked with managing or restoring waterbird habitat on large rivers.