Juvenile red knot (note the greenish-yellow legs) getting a band. USFWS
Biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech, Audubon, and Clemson University worked to trap and band red knots moving through South Carolina during the Spring 2015 migration season. The crews were able to band 86 birds (outfitting 20 with geolocators to record movements) and record weights, bill & head length, and leg length on each. An additional 21 birds were recaptures, 2 of which had existing geolocators that were removed. Important global research is being conducted on the red knot which was added to the Endangered Species List back in January 2015. Now listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, critical work must be done not only to protect breeding and wintering grounds for this long-distant migrant but also to protect our ever important shores in South Carolina. South Carolina’s shores harbor invaluable food resources and resting areas for these and many other species of shorebirds. Red knots can travel several thousand miles during their migration and need undisturbed areas with adequate forage in order to have the ability to recuperate from their long migratory flights and to maintain adequate weights/fat reserves.
To see all the images from the trip check out the South Carolina Field Office Facebook page!
To learn more about the red knot, visit: