Spatiotemporal patterns of dunlin (Calidris alpina) in continental lakes of the Iberian Peninsula

Spatiotemporal dynamics may present different levels of regional or local stability, generally attributed to local habitat and landscape factors, reflecting the tolerances and ecological requirements of the populations. In this study, we examined the variations of dunlin abundance and occurrence in twenty-three wetlands of the La Mancha Humeda Biosphere Reserve, central Spain, between October 2010 and July 2017. In addition, we observed the variations of local abundance in the lakes of the Manjavacas lagoon complex, seeking to understand the factors that determine the local movements of the wintering individuals. Eleven lakes had records of dunlin, but most of individuals (ca. 90%) were observed in the Manjavacas Lagoon Complex (Alcahozo and Manjavacas lakes). The preference for this complex associated with temporal variations of abundance between the Alcahozo and Manjavacas lagoons possibly reflects the specific characteristics of the invertebrate community available as prey, especially for the presence of anostracans and copepods. The results of this study are a first step in understanding the factors that lead this species to select continental wetlands as wintering sites.