Counts and captures of Hudsonian Godwits and Whimbrels on Chiloé Island, Chile, January–February 2007

Chiloé Island in southern Chile is known to support some of the largest non-breeding populations of Hudsonian Godwits Limosa haemastica and Whimbrels Numenius phaeopus along the Pacific Coast of South America. Although breeding populations from western and eastern North America are suspected of segregating in the non-breeding season, we lack the information necessary to confirm differential use of South American coastlines. Therefore, biologists from Chile, England, Canada, and the U.S.A. undertook a study in Feb 2007 to address some of the many gaps in our understanding of the non-breeding biology of these species. We captured, measured, collected blood and feathers from, and flagged 106 Hudsonian Godwits and 93 Whimbrels. We also conducted counts of these species at 46 known aggregation sites and 50 randomly selected shoreline segments to generate a more complete estimate of the populations using Chiloé Island. From captured birds, we provide preliminary biometric information. Numerous projects are planned or are being undertaken to further our knowledge of Hudsonian Godwit and Whimbrel populations during the non-breeding season.