title: Migration of Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus) Wintering in Japan Using Satellite Tracking: Identification of the Eastern Palearctic Flyway.
abstract: Migration through the Eastern Palearctic (EP) flyway by tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) has not been thoroughly documented. We satellite-tracked the migration of 16 tundra swans that winter in Japan. The objectives of this study were 1) to show the migration pattern of the EP flyway of tundra swans; 2) to compare this pattern with the migration pattern of whooper swans; and 3) to identify stopover sites that are important for these swans' conservation. Tundra swans were captured at Kutcharo Lake, Hokkaido, in 2009-2012 and satellite-tracked. A new method called the "MATCHED (Migratory Analytical Time Change Easy Detection) method" was developed. Based on median, the spring migration began on 18 April and ended on 27 May. Autumn migration began on 9 September and ended on 2 November. The median duration of the spring and autumn migrations were 48 and 50 days, respectively. The mean duration at one stopover site was 5.5 days and 6.8 days for the spring and autumn migrations, respectively. The number of stopover sites was 3.0 and 2.5 for the spring and autumn migrations, respectively. The mean travel distances for the spring and autumn migrations were 6471 and 6331 km, respectively. Seven migration routes passing Sakhalin, the Amur River, and/or Kamchatka were identified. There were 15, 32, and eight wintering, stopover, and breeding sites, respectively. The migration routes and staging areas of tundra swans partially overlap with those of whooper swans, whose migration patterns have been previously documented. The migration patterns of these two swan species that winter in Japan confirm the importance of the Amur River, Udyl' Lake, Shchastya Bay, Aniva Bay, zaliv Chayvo Lake, zal Piltun Lake, zaliv Baykal Lake, Kolyma River, Buyunda River, Sen-kyuyel' Lake, and northern coastal areas of the Sea of Okhotsk.
authors: 1 Keio Research Institute at SFC, Keio University, 5322 Endoh, Fujisawa 252-0082, Japan.|2 Nature & Science Consulting Co., Ltd., Room 302, 3F, Chuo-dairoku-kannai Bld., 1-2-1 Fu rocho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0032, Japan.
authors: Wenbo
authors: W
authors: Chen
authors: 1 Keio Research Institute at SFC, Keio University, 5322 Endoh, Fujisawa 252-0082, Japan.|2 Nature & Science Consulting Co., Ltd., Room 302, 3F, Chuo-dairoku-kannai Bld., 1-2-1 Fu rocho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0032, Japan.
authors: Tomoko
authors: T
authors: Doko
authors: 3 Laboratory of Biodiversity Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
authors: Go
authors: G
authors: Fujita
authors: 1 Keio Research Institute at SFC, Keio University, 5322 Endoh, Fujisawa 252-0082, Japan.
authors: Naoya
authors: N
authors: Hijikata
authors: 4 lwate University, 3-18-8 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate 020-8550, Japan.
authors: Ken-Ichi
authors: K
authors: Tokita
authors: 5 Satoyama Natural History Research Group, 1-11-11 Midori, Abiko, Chiba 270-1153, Japan.
authors: Kiyoshi
authors: K
authors: Uchida
authors: 6 Hamatombetsu Lake Kutcharo Waterfowl Observatory, Kuccharokohan, Esashi-gun, Hamatonbetsu, Hokkaido 098-5739, Japan.
authors: Kan
authors: K
authors: Konishi
authors: 5 Satoyama Natural History Research Group, 1-11-11 Midori, Abiko, Chiba 270-1153, Japan.
authors: Emiko
authors: E
authors: Hiraoka
authors: 1 Keio Research Institute at SFC, Keio University, 5322 Endoh, Fujisawa 252-0082, Japan.
authors: Hiroyoshi
authors: H
authors: Higuchi
mesh_terms: D000823:Animal Identification Systems / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D025041:Animal Migration / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D046090:Anseriformes / Q000502:physiology*; D007564:Japan; D012621:Seasons; D018531:Spacecraft; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Cygnus columbianus; migration pattern; stopover sites; the Eastern Palearctic flyway; tundra swans