The International Phalaropes Working Group (IPWG) Meeting took place in Miramar de Ansenuza, Córdoba, Argentina, from February 26 to 29, 2024. Around 40 professionals from the Americas, including Canada, the United States, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, participated in the event to share research results and experiences related to the conservation of phalaropes, particularly for the Wilson´s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor).
The group’s leaders, Ryan Carle and Marcela Castellino, emphasized the significance of international connections in phalarope conservation. Carle stated, “The goal is to get to know each other, share our knowledge, and enrich the networks working with the species.”
The first two days of the meeting involved presentations of recent studies on monitoring, habitat use, physiology, and ecology of phalaropes. Discussions also covered research projects, site management, conservation plans, and education, with the involvement of representatives from the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) and local authorities.
Left: Participants of the 2024 International Phalarope Working Group Meeting. Right: Working session during the event that took place in Mar Chiquita, Cordoba (Argentina). Photos: Damian Maestri.
A workshop was held to identify needs and opportunities, create action plans, and agree on the next steps within four priority action lines: research, monitoring, site management, and education. This facilitated a better understanding of the challenges at different WHSRN sites.
The meeting concluded with guided tours of the southern shore of Laguna Mar Chiquita, where participants observed several species of birds, including small flocks of Wilson’s Phalarope.
The monitoring and study of phalaropes has challenges, including understanding the movements of these birds. Some working group members have begun working on this issue since 2023. In collaboration with the University of Connecticut, Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge, and WHSRN-Manomet, the group took advantage of the presence of specialists for a field campaign to capture individuals of Wilson’s Phalarope and place radio transmitters on them.
Left: Marcela Castellino and Pablo Michelutti of the local aerial surveys team in Mar Chiquita. Photo: Mike Fernandez/Audubon. Right: Participants of IPWG meeting at Mar Chiquita. Photo: Damian Maestri.
An innovative tracking proposal for these birds involves installing antennas on light aircraft, which are used to carry out the monthly surveys in Mar Chiquita. Short flights were made to calibrate the antennas, test the reception system, and locate flocks of Phalaropes along the southern coast to better target capture efforts.
Although no phalaropes were captured due to the difficulty of accessing the sites where the last large flocks were located and adverse weather, valuable lessons were learned. Training was provided on Motus tracking technology, harnesses to fix radio transmitters, mist nets, methodological recommendations, and capture seasons.
The week concluded with a team prepared to continue collaborating to understand the migratory ecology of phalaropes and generate valuable information for the conservation of the species.
Representatives of Ansenuza National Park, the Ministry of Environment of the province of Córdoba, Aves Argentinas, and the IPWG after a press conference. Photo: Damian Maestri.
Cover Photo: Flock of Wilson Phalaropes by Mike Fernandez/Audubon.
