STATUS OF HUDSONIAN GODWITS ON THE YUKON-KUSKOKWIM DELTA, ALASKA

Abstract

Over 100 observations of the Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska since 1983 show that the species is a fairly common migrant, uncommon summer visitant, and rare—perhaps locally uncommon—breeder there. Spring arrival and fall departure dates are among the earliest and latest, respectively, in Alaska. Observations of breeding behavior and/or recently fledged young provide compelling evidence for breeding at five sites. Although some probable breeders are found along the taiga-tundra ecotone—described as breeding habitat for the species elsewhere—others use dwarf-shrub meadows well beyond the treeline. Post-breeding birds are usually found in low numbers, but occasional aggregations of ~100 Hudsonian Godwits are among the largest concentrations of this species reported in Alaska. The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta may support a significant fraction of the Hudsonian Godwit population in Alaska.