TERRA NEWS
Conservation of the LongBilled Curlew in the Mexicali Valley By Erica Gaeta Ilustrations by Diana L. Sánchez and photos by Erica Gaeta
T
he long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus) is a migratory shorebird that depends on various habitats such as grasslands, agricultural and coastal areas. It is a species of importance for conservation due to the decrease in population in areas of its distribution. In the non-reproductive season, which is 75% of its annual cycle, it can be found in the southern United States and Mexico. In December 2009, Eduardo Soto of Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas) recorded a sighting in the Mexicali valley of approximately 1,500 long-billed curlews feeding in and asparagus field.
cies, began using satellite transmitters to learn more about the population that nests in the intermountain west of the United States. The satellite transmitters weigh 9.5 grams and are attached like a backpack on the backs of long-billed curlews. This technology can be used to obtain information on migratory routes, identify important sites, and visualize the connectivity of nesting, stopping, and winter habitats. Using this technology, Dr. Carlisle observed several tagged individuals migrating and wintering in Mexico, with a small concentration in the arid border region of the Mexicali valley. During 2018 and 2019, Terra Peninsular, along with Dr. Eduardo Palacios (CICESE), Dr. Jay Carlisle (IBO), and Pronatura Noroeste created a binational collaboration with the support of Sonoran Joint Venture. As a biologist, my responsibility was to implement an investigation to learn more about the long-billed curlew that winters in the Mexicali valley.
Project objectives 1. Obtain information on the long-billed curlew population from the Mexicali valley. 2. Investigate what types of field crops are used and the conditions that favor them. 3. Learn more about the long-billed curlew’s threats. 4. Learn about farmers’ perception of birds in field crops. Curlews feeding in an alfalfa field. By Erica Gaeta
Additionally, in 2013 the Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO) led by Dr. Jay Carlisle, with the support of various organizations and agen-
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MEDITERRANEWS VOL. 5 / NO. 19
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