Do abiotic factors influence snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) tendency to do stopovers during spring migration? : Examining if wind, temperature and precipitation affect stopover decisions at a site in north of Sweden.

For migratory birds the highly dynamic atmosphere plays a significant role during every part of their migratory flight. It is essential for the success of their reproduction that they arrive at the breeding areas in the right time span and in good condition. It follows then a successful and timely migration to their breeding areas is of critical importance to these bird populations. Seemingly, different weather conditions can either be beneficial or detrimental and specifically wind is thought to be the greatest factor for a successful migration. Migratory birds have to, due to various cues, decide when to stop for stopovers as well as decide for next take off from that stopover site. In this study I’ve examined if four different abiotic factors, (wind direction, wind speed, temperature and precipitation) affect snow bunting’s propensity to do stopovers at a coastal site in north of Sweden during spring migration. I’ve also examined if there is a variation in arrival at said site between the years during spring migration. To make this study possible I’ve captured snow buntings at Umedeltat field station during spring 2018 and combined my data with data from 2017 as well as data from 2012. I found no significant correlation with either wind speed, temperature nor precipitation and captured birds. I suggest that a longer study that takes into account more abiotic factors and examines the roles of spatial and temporal patterns during migration of snow buntings needs to be conducted. As the climatic conditions are changing in western Europe it is of importance to monitor how birds are influenced by weather, especially an Arctic-breeding bird, as the climate change is presumed to be greater in those regions