Dunlin
NDGF
L 8.5”, WS 17”, 2.1 oz. Breeding/spring plumage: stocky body, black belly, slightly drooping bill. Fall/nonbreeding plumage: drab gray and brownish.
Status in North Dakota
Migrates through North Dakota primarily in the spring, mid-April to early June. Limited occurrence in the fall.
Range Map
Dunlin primary (dark gray/hatch) and possible/uncommon (light gray/hatch) migration range.
Reason for SWAP Designation
Regionally or globally imperiled, at-risk based on expert review (SGCN a., c.).
The peak week for Dunlin migration in ND (~24-May) hosts >3% (3.15) of the global population.
Common bird in steep decline.
Holarctic, large population and distribution but experts suspect the population of all North American subspecies are declining.
Threats
Loss and degradation of wetlands, drainage and wetland consolidation.
Loss of habitat on the breeding and wintering grounds and amplified effects of climate change in arctic and coastal habitats.
Classified as climate-endangered, Dunlin is projected to lose more than half of its current distribution by 2050, with no net gains of new areas (Audubon).
Hyperabundant geese populations alter tundra habitat and may limit the availability of nesting habitat for artic-breeding shorebirds.
Loss and degradation of migratory stopover habitat and impacts of human activity at important stopover areas such as the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley and Texas Gulf Coast.
Coastal development (urban and industry sprawl), coastal erosion, storm surges, oil or industrial effluent spills, impaired water quality and microplastics are threats to wintering habitat.
Increasing applications of agrochemicals and adverse impacts to water quality, the wetland vegetative community, and the aquatic invertebrate community.
More frequent or intense harmful algal blooms.
Aquatic nuisance species spreading and damaging wetland ecosystems.
Research and Monitoring
Habitat requirements and demographic studies have been broadly researched on the breeding grounds.
Information lacking on migration strategies, stopover sites, and wintering behaviors.
Multiple large-scale shorebird monitoring programs are key sources of information on distribution and population trends.
However, minimal focus has been directed at research or monitoring migrant shorebirds in ND.
Management Recommendations
- Maintain wetland complexes.
- Conserve shallow, working wetlands in cropland.
- Plant vegetative buffer strips around wetlands in cropland.
- Identify and target high priority landscapes, habitats, and stopover sites for protection.
- Conscientious and appropriate application of agrochemicals.
Primary Geological Regions
Habitat Associations
Habitat Use
In the Western Hemisphere, Dunlins breed in the far northern coastal tundra of North America and winter along the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S. and northern Mexico.
This shorebird is an intermediate to short-distance migrant.
The interior population, C. a. hudsonia, may migrate directly from the Gulf Coast of Texas to North Dakota, before their final flight to breeding grounds along the Hudson Bay.
The eastern Prairie Pothole region of the Dakotas, Minnesota and Manitoba is important spring stopover habitat, peaking in late May (~May 24-25).
Dunlins primarily use a variety of shallow water wetlands and lakes, mudflats, and sandy, rocky or exposed shorelines.
Forage in shallow water for a variety of invertebrates, earthworms, amphipods, or seeds.