The importance of Fracasso Beach (Península Valdés, Argentina) as a Stop-site Used by Migrating Shorebirds.

L. O. BALA; M. A. HERNÁNDEZ; V. L. D'AMICO

Virginia, USA

Congreso; Wader Study Group. Special Spring 2001 Meeting, Wallops Marine Consortium; 2001

Every year, from february to April, Fracasso beach is used as stop site by different species of migrating shorebirds such as Calidris canutus rufa, Calidris fuscicollis,  Calidris alba and Limosa haemastica (Scolopacidae); Charadrius falkalndicus (Charadriidae) and Pluvianellus sociales (Pluvianellidae). During 1994 to 2000 migrating seasons, we carried out systematic censuses and ringed bird scans. The most abundant species was C.C rufa, while C. fuscicollis and C. falklandicus were the second nad third order of importante. All ringed birds observed were red knots. The number of ringed birds annually increased: 7birds in 1994, 8 in 1995, 29 in 1996, 62 in 1999 and 115 in 2000.