Background: In collaboration with The Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO), The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and others, we are continuing to study Long-billed Curlew migration patterns. In 2006 we put satellite tranmitters on four curlews in Ruby Valley, Nevada. Results from our 2006 study can be found here. In May of 2007, seven solar-powered satellite transmitters were attached to breeding curlews at two sites: Boardman, Oregon and Ruby Valley, Nevada. This project is part of a larger effort to study the global migration patterns of four shorebird species in the Pacific Basin.

For more information on Shorebird Migration, including movement data for Bar-tailed Godwits and Bristle-thighed Curlews, visit the USGS Alaska Science Center Website and PRBO

       

Solar-powered satellite transmitter and harness, attaching the transmitter, releasing a female curlew, and a tagged female wearing the backpack harness and transmitter.

Locations and Movements (Maps courtesy of Google Maps and Google Earth)

Live Map of Long-billed Curlew Locations! Updated Often

***Update 27-March-2008***
Both Oregon Curlews have now returned to their breeding area in Boardman, Oregon (Click on Current Locations for these birds). We anticipate the Nevada Curlews will also head north in the next few days.

***Update 14-Apr-2008***
Three of the Ruby Valley Curlews have now returned to Ruby Valley (Y2, Z8, Z9) and a fourth (Z6) is on his way and currently in southern NV (Click on Current Locations for these birds). Y4's transmitter is no longer working. His last location is below

Oregon Birds
Male #1: Z0		Current Location	Movement Map
Male #2: Z3		Current Location	Movement Map
Nevada Birds
Male #3: Z6		Current Location	Movement Map
Male #4: Y4		Last Location	Movement Map
Female #1: Z8		Current Location	Movement Map
Female #2: Z9		Current Location	Movement Map
Female #3: Y2		Current Location	Movement Map

Last Update: 14-Apr-2008

Results of our 2006 curlew migration study

REPORT A COLOR-BANDED CURLEW!!!

Since 2002, we have color-banded 102 adult and 266 juvenile Long-billed Curlews in Ruby Valley, Nevada. If you see a color-banded curlew please let us know! Curlews banded in Ruby Valley have been seen in San Francisco Bay, Morro Bay and San Diego. Banded curlews will have two to three color bands and one metal band. All bands are on the tibia (upper leg). Color bands will be red, yellow, green, blue, orange, black or white. In addition, some curlews banded as chicks may have one of four colors (red, yellow, green, blue) of electrical tape partially covering their metal band and some birds will have a radio transmitter attached to the metal band. Color-band combinations are read left leg (top-to-bottom) then right leg (top-to-bottom).

Please report any color-banded Long-billed Curlew sightings to:

Alex Hartman
University of Nevada-Reno
1000 Valley Road
Reno, NV 89512
775-784-1467
chartman@unr.nevada.edu

Examples of color-banded Long-billed Curlews

	Adult male with color-band combination Left tibia: Blue over White, Right tibia: White over Metal.
	Adult female with color-band combination Left tibia: Black over Blue, Right tibia: Orange over Metal.
	Adult female seen in Oakland, CA in the Fall of 2005, 2006 and 2007. Left tibia: Black over Orange, Right tibia: White over Metal.
	Adult male banded as a juvenile with color-band combination Left tibia: Metal, Right tibia: Black over Orange.
	Adult male with radio transmitter seen near San Diego, CA in the Fall of 2005, 2006 and 2007. Left tibia: White over Green, Right tibia: Orange over Metal. Photo by Matt Sadowski.

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