PPT Slide
Red Knot ability to gain has declined
Notes:
We also found that the ability of birds to gain weight had declined. IN 1997 they were gaining over 8 grams/day. By 2000 they were gaining less than 4 grams/day.
These effects are subtle and not likely to be observed by casual investigations. But we would expect the results to be felt in other areas of the migration. Specifically, we would expect declines in the number of nests in the Arctic and finally declines in the number of birds in the South American wintering areas.
Consequently, our work turns to the Arctic.