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######## 

######## U.S. Shorebird 

######## Conservation Plan

**National Shorebird Conservation Assessment:**

Shorebird Conservation Status, Conservation Units, Population Estimates,
Population Targets, and Species Prioritization

May 2000

This report should be cited as follows:

Brown, S., C. Hickey, B. Gill, L. Gorman, C. Gratto-Trevor, S. Haig, B.
Harrington, C. Hunter, G. Morrison, G. Page, P. Sanzenbacher, S. Skagen,
N. Warnock. 2000. National Shorebird Conservation Assessment: Shorebird
Conservation Status, Conservation Units, Population Estimates,
Population Targets, and Species Prioritization. Manomet Center for
Conservation Sciences. http://www.Manomet.org/USSCP/files.htm

# Contributing Authors:

Stephen Brown, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

Catherine Hickey, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

Bob Gill, USGS Alaska Biological Science Center

Leah Gorman, Oregon State University, USGS-Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center

Cheri Gratto-Trevor, Canadian Wildlife Service

Susan Haig, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Brian Harrington, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

Chuck Hunter, USFWS

Guy Morrison, Canadian Wildlife Service

Gary Page, Point Reyes Bird Observatory

Peter Sanzenbacher, Oregon State University, USGS-Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center

Susan Skagen, USGS Midcontinent Ecological Science Center

Nils Warnock, Point Reyes Bird Observatory

**Contributors to Species Assessments:**

Brad Andres, USFWS

Keith Arnold, Texas A&M University

Peter Bergstrom, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Mark Colwell, Humboldt State University

Peter Connors, Univ. of California, Bodega Marine Lab

John Cooper, Manning, Cooper & Assoc.

Carol Corbat, Louisiana State Univ.-Alexandria

Hector Douglas, North Carolina State University

Chris Elphick, University of Connecticut

Robert Gill, USGS-Alaska Biological Science Center

Leah Gorman, Oregon State Univ., USGS-Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem
Science Center

Cheri Gratto-Trevor, Canadian Wildlife Service

Susan Haig, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Oregon
State Univ

Brian Harrington, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

Richard Holmes, Dartmouth College

Joseph R. Jehl Jr., Hubbs Sea World Research Inst., San Diego

Oscar Johnson, University of Montana, Bozeman

Fritz Knopf, USGS-Mid-Continent Science Center

David Krementz, USGS Arkansas Coop. Unit

David Lank, Simon Fraser University

Rick Lanctot, USGS Alaska Biological Science Center

Betsy Mallory, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

Brian McCaffery, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Guy. Morrison, Canadian Wildlife Service

William Moskoff, Lake Forest College

Erica Nol, Trent University

Lewis Oring, University of Nevada-Reno

Gary Page, Point Reyes Bird Observatory

Dennis Paulson, University of Puget Sound

Abby Powell, USGS Arkansas Coop. Unit

Margaret Rubega, University of Connecticut

Peter Sanzenbacher, Oregon St. Univ., USGS-FRESC

Doug Schamel, Simon Fraser University

Susan Skagen, USGS-Mid-Continent Science Center

Lee Tibbitts, USGS-Alaska Biological Science Center

Nils Warnock, Point Reyes Bird Observatory

# Preface

This document presents the information collected by the U.S. Shorebird
Conservation Plan technical working groups that addressed the current
status of shorebirds in North America, established preliminary
population estimates, and set preliminary population targets that should
be achieved to meet the overall plan goal of ensuring stable,
self-sustaining populations of all shorebirds that occur in the U.S.

The first section provides the results of the shorebird conservation
status assessment, which brings together existing information about the
conservation status and threats facing each shorebird species.
Conservation activities to address these issues often requires
consideration of distinct populations of birds. The second section of
the report describes the subspecies of shorebirds that occur in the
U.S., and discusses which subspecies or distinct populations must be
considered separately to adequately protect shorebirds. One major effort
conducted as part of the planning process for the United States and
Canada was to develop estimates of the current size of shorebird
populations, and to assess the information available for making such
estimates. The methodology for making estimates of current population
sizes for each species is described in section three. Planning for
self-sustaining populations requires the setting of population goals
that can help guide conservation actions on the ground. The methodology
for setting tentative population targets for shorebirds, and the first
approximation of targets for each species, is presented in section four.
Carrying out conservation strategies often requires the prioritization
of activities, and a system was developed to set national and regional
shorebird species priorities. This system and the resulting priorities
are presented in section five, including the species priorities, and the
assessment of the importance of each area of the country to each species
that was used in the prioritization process.

Each of these efforts is a significant part of the work done as part of
the Shorebird Conservation Plan. In many cases, specific individuals
took responsibility for sections of this report, and they are listed at
the beginning of each section. In addition, the entire Research and
Monitoring Working group, and the Regional Working Group leaders,
reviewed and commented on the various parts of the document, and their
assistance was critical to completion of the many tasks involved in
completing this overall assessment. Taken together, these reports
provide much of the technical information on which the U.S. Shorebird
Conservation Plan was based, and support the rationale behind the major
aspects of the plan.

**Table of Contents**

[Contributing Authors: ii](#contributing-authors)

[Preface iii](#preface)

[1) Shorebird Conservation Status Assessment
1](#shorebird-conservation-status-assessment)

[Assumptions 1](#assumptions)

[Background Information 2](#background-information)

[Conclusions 4](#conclusions)

[2) Shorebird Conservation Units: Subspecies and Distinct Populations
5](#shorebird-conservation-units-subspecies-and-distinct-populations)

[3) Population Estimates 6](#population-estimates)

[Introduction 6](#introduction)

[Methods 8](#methods)

[Data compilation 10](#data-compilation)

[Use of maximum counts 10](#use-of-maximum-counts)

[Seasonal considerations 11](#seasonal-considerations)

[Assessing the accuracy of population estimates
11](#assessing-the-accuracy-of-population-estimates)

[Data presentation 12](#data-presentation)

[4) Population Targets 12](#population-targets)

[Rationale for setting shorebird population targets
12](#rationale-for-setting-shorebird-population-targets)

[Protocols for setting population targets
13](#protocols-for-setting-population-targets)

[5) Shorebird Species Conservation Priorities
14](#shorebird-species-conservation-priorities)

[National Shorebird Conservation Priorities
14](#national-shorebird-conservation-priorities)

[Variables for National Priorities
15](#variables-for-national-priorities)

[Criteria for National Priorities 17](#criteria-for-national-priorities)

[Regional Shorebird Conservation Priorities
17](#regional-shorebird-conservation-priorities)

[Variables for Regional Priorities
17](#variables-for-regional-priorities)

[Criteria for Regional Priorities 18](#criteria-for-regional-priorities)

[APPENDICES 19](#appendices)

[Appendix 1: Conservation Assessment Matrix
19](#appendix-1-conservation-assessment-matrix)

[Appendix 2. Shorebird Conservation Units
23](#appendix-2.-shorebird-conservation-units)

[Appendix 3: Population Size Estimates
29](#appendix-3-population-size-estimates)

[Appendix 4: Population Targets 31](#appendix-4-population-targets)

[Appendix 5: National Shorebird Species Priority Scores
39](#appendix-5-national-shorebird-species-priority-scores)

[Appendix 6: Area Importance of Shorebird Planning Regions
43](#appendix-6-area-importance-of-shorebird-planning-regions)

[Appendix 7: Area Importance of Bird Conservation Regions
45](#appendix-7-area-importance-of-bird-conservation-regions)

[Literature Cited 46](#literature-cited)

# 1) Shorebird Conservation Status Assessment

Susan Haig, Leah Gorman, and Peter Sanzenbacher

As part of the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan and as a contribution to
development of the Canadian Shorebird Plan, we collected information to
assess the conservation status of the 50 shorebird species that breed in
northern North America (U.S. and Canada). The overall goal of both the
U.S. and Canadian Shorebird Plans is to ensure that stable and
self-sustaining shorebird populations are distributed across their
ranges in northern North America. In addition, the plans strive to
ensure demographic and genetic stability for each species so that
populations will persist far beyond the next century. Achieving this
goal will result from mitigating the anthropogenic factors that
currently threaten most shorebird species.

The baseline information from which these goals were determined was
obtained through coordination and collection of species-specific
information from 36 shorebird biologists from the U.S. and Canada. The
results of this information were summarized in a matrix presenting many
different variables describing the status of knowledge about each
shorebird species (Appendix 1). Based on this matrix, the report below
includes the following: 1) the assumptions all assessments were based
on; 2) some background information derived from data provided by the
species experts as well as our review of the shorebird literature; 3)
conclusions and recommendations. The species experts reviewed the first
draft of population estimates and provided tentative population targets.
Both have been revised by the working group and are now presented
separately in Sections 3 and 4.

## Assumptions

1\. We considered shorebirds that breed in the U.S. and Canada. Some of
these species also breed in Mexico and the Caribbean. However, we did
not consider shorebird species that breed in Mexico and the Caribbean
but not in the U.S. or Canada.

2\. Species conservation assessments were based on consideration of
threats to the species while they are in the United States and Canada,
as well as threats encountered in other regions throughout various
stages of the annual cycle. The other regions in the New World primarily
included Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; in
the Old World they include Europe and the Australasian region.

3\. Population estimates were based on the North American breeding
population estimates for each species, not global population estimates.

4\. This conservation assessment was conducted on a continental scale.
Certain species may face significant threats to persistence at a local
or regional level. Thus, priorities and objectives stated here should
complement regional and local priorities, not supercede them.

5\. All of these assessments are considered to be first approximations,
and will be revised in future updates of the Shorebird Plan to reflect
additional information as available.

6\. Use of the term significant does not necessarily imply a statistical
assessment.

## Background Information

A. Northern North American Shorebird Diversity: There are 50 shorebird
species breeding in the U.S. and Canada; 27 of these species also breed
outside of North America to varying degrees.

B. Northern North American Shorebird Population Estimate: The current
northern North American breeding population estimate for all 50 breeding
species is approximately 27,800,000 individuals (see section 3).

C. Relative Abundance: the 50 shorebird species have the following
distribution of northern North American population estimates:

Species with [\<]{.underline} 10,000 individuals: 8

Species with [\<]{.underline} 100,000 individuals: 8 + 12 = 20

Species with [\<]{.underline} 1,000,000 individuals: 8 + 12 + 24 = 44

Species with \> 1,000,000 individuals: 6

Species under 10,000 individuals include:

Piping Plover

Wandering Tattler

Wilson's Plover

Bristle-thighed Curlew

Mountain Plover

Eskimo Curlew (possibly extinct)

American Oystercatcher

Black Oystercatcher

Species between 10,000 and 25,000 individuals include:

Snowy Plover

Solitary Sandpiper

Long-billed Curlew

Pacific Golden-Plover

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper

D. Species-Specific Censuses: Only 10/50 (20%) species have had a
significant census undertaken\--most were censused during winter or
migration and counts were not repeated regularly. Piping Plovers are the
only species where annual, species-wide censusing takes place (with an
in-depth winter and breeding census every five years). Thus, overall, we
have very limited information on which to base population estimates.

E. Population Declines: In addition to market hunting which caused large
declines in many shorebird populations at the turn of the century,
reviews of current information by species experts suggested that there
had been a significant population decline since the 1950\'s in many
shorebird species and subspecies. Appendix 4 includes detailed
information about the status of the 73 shorebird taxa (species and
subspecies) addressed by the plan. Of these, 28 show evidence of
significant decline, and there is insufficient information to estimate
the status of 12. Thus, almost half of all North American shorebirds are
thought to have suffered a significant post-market hunting decline.

F. Breeding Range Decline:

24% (12/50) of species have undergone a significant decline in breeding
range.

46% (23/50) have not undergone a significant breeding range decline.

There was not sufficient information to evaluate 15 species.

Species undergoing a breeding range decline include the following:

Snowy Plover

American Oystercatcher

Eskimo Curlew

Piping Plover

Black Oystercatcher

Long-billed Curlew

Mountain Plover

Lesser Yellowlegs

Marbled Godwit

Wilson's Plover

Upland Sandpiper

Red Phalarope

\*\* All but Red Phalaropes, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Eskimo Curlews breed
in the lower 48 states.

G. Threats: In 62% (31/50) of cases, experts indicated threats to the
species persistence were *global*, rather than just *local* phenomena.
34% (17/50) of species had local threats to their continued persistence.
Experts felt there was not enough information to evaluate the 2
remaining species (Red-necked Phalarope, Bar-tailed Godwit).

Significant threats during breeding were reported in 54% (27/50) of
species.

Significant threats during migration were reported in 72% (36/50) of
species.

Significant threats during winter were reported in 80% (40/50) species.

H. Need for Population Increases: The short-term goal of the shorebird
plan for species that have declined is to halt declines and at least
maintain current population sizes. In addition, species experts called
for a significant population increase in many species (see Appendix 4).

I. Specific Challenges for Species that Aggregate: Species that
aggregate face different threats than species that are widely dispersed.
Many kinds of shorebirds have a tendency to aggregate during various
phases of the annual cycle, leaving large proportions or all of a
species vulnerable to local environmental risks or catastrophic
disturbance. Therefore, identifying these species is an important aspect
of setting conservation priorities. There were 8 species in which the
majority or all of the species occurred at one site during the annual
cycle.

These sites and species need particular attention:

American Avocet

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Bristle-thighed Curle

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Surfbird

Wilson's Phalarope

Red Knot

Red-necked Phalarope

During various phases of the annual cycle,

30% (15/50) of species were highly aggregated during breeding.

72% (36/50) of species were highly aggregated during migration.

82% (41/50) of species were highly aggregated during winter.

Likewise, the degree of patchiness in a species distribution can play a
role in assessing their vulnerability to local or global threats.

62% (31/50) of species were widely distributed throughout their range.

32% (16/50) of species were patchily distributed throughout their range.

6% (3/50) of species had isolated breeding populations: Whimbrel,
Hudsonian Godwit, and Marbled Godwit.

J. Conservation Status Listings: The following species are listed under
the Endangered Species Act (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) or by the
Committee on the Status of Endangered Species in Canada (Canadian
Wildlife Service).

Piping Plovers are listed as endangered in the U.S. Great Lakes,
threatened elsewhere in the U.S. COSEWIC lists them as endangered
throughout Canada.

Snowy Plovers are listed as threatened on the U.S. Pacific Coast and are
under consideration for listing in the Southeast U.S.

Mountain Plovers are endangered in Canada, and under review as
Threatened in the U.S.

Eskimo Curlews are listed as endangered/extinct by the IUCN, endangered
in Canada and in the U.S. They are further protected under CITES.

Long-billed Curlews are listed as vulnerable in Canada.

The Conservation Assessment Matrix presented in Appendix 1 also lists
important conservation factors for each species. These include: whether
the population estimate is less than 10,000, or less than 25,000
individuals; whether there has been a decline in the breeding range of
the species; whether there has been a significant recent population
decline; whether the species is highly aggregated at some point in the
annual cycle; whether the species is highly isolated; and whether the
species is listed as threatened or endangered. This information is
intended to assist in the development of specific conservation
strategies for species and groups of species within regional shorebird
groups and by other organizations.

## Conclusions

1\. The information available is not adequate to assess with confidence
the status of most, if not all, northern North American shorebirds.

2\. The limited information that is available suggests that overall,
northern North American breeding shorebird numbers need to increase
substantially.

3\. Development of adequate monitoring and research programs should be a
high priority of both the U.S. and Canadian shorebird plans so that
shorebird status issues can be properly addressed.

**CONTRIBUTORS TO SPECIES ASSESSMENTS**

Brad Andres, USFWS

Keith Arnold, Texas A&M University

Peter Bergstrom, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Mark Colwell, Humboldt State University

Peter Connors, Univ. of California, Bodega Marine Lab

John Cooper, Manning, Cooper & Assoc.

Carol Corbat, Louisiana State Univ.-Alexandria

Hector Douglas, North Carolina State University

Chris Elphick, University of Connecticut

Robert Gill, USGS-Alaska Biological Science Center

Leah Gorman, Oregon State Univ., USGS-Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem
Science Center (FRESC)

Cheri Gratto-Trevor, Canadian Wildlife Service

Susan Haig, USGS-FRESC, Oregon State Univ

Brian Harrington, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

Richard Holmes, Dartmouth College

Joseph Jehl, Hubbs Sea World Research Inst., San Diego

Oscar Johnson, University of Montana, Bozeman

Fritz Knopf, USGS-Mid-continent Science Center

David Krementz, USGS Arkansas Coop. Unit

David Lank, Simon Fraser University

Rick Lanctot, USGS Alaska Biological Science Center

Betsy Mallory, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

Brian McCaffery, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

R.I.G. Morrison, Canadian Wildlife Service

William Moskoff, Lake Forest College

Erica Nol, Trent University

Lewis Oring, University of Nevada-Reno

Gary Page, Point Reyes Bird Observatory

Dennis Paulson, University of Puget Sound

Abby Powell, USGS Arkansas Coop. Unit

Margaret Rubega, University of Connecticut

Peter Sanzenbacher, Oregon St. Univ., USGS-FRESC

Doug Schamel, Simon Fraser University

Susan Skagen, USGS-Mid-Continent Science Center

Lee Tibbitts, USGS-Alaska Biological Science Center

Nils Warnock, Point Reyes Bird Observatory

# 2) Shorebird Conservation Units: Subspecies and Distinct Populations 

Nils Warnock and Chuck Hunter

Conservationists have grappled with the question of what is the minimum
group of animals within a species that is worth identifying, dedicating
resources towards, and conserving (referred to here as the conservation
unit). For many species, conservation efforts at the species level
overlook fundamental attributes of groups of organisms nested within
species, and this potentially may lead to a loss of genetic diversity
and local ecological functions (Meffe and Carroll 1994). The Endangered
Species Act of 1973 and its amendments recognize and protect three
biological taxa (species, subspecies, and distinct population segments),
with distinct population segments as the \"lowest\" functional group.
This recognition of the population as the minimum unit of conservation
along with the ambiguous nature of the word "distinct" has generated
tremendous exchange within the scientific community as to what
constitutes a distinct population segment (Ryder 1986, Waples 1991,
Gerber and DeMaster 1999). As an attempt to define what a distinct
populations segment is, Ryder (1986) coined the term Evolutionarily
Significant Units in recognition of the need to combine natural history
and phenotypic information with genotypic information. However, exactly
how to identify Evolutionarily Significant Units also remains ambiguous
(Moritz 1994, Waples 1995, Pennock and Dimmick 1997).

The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan addresses the 50 species of
shorebirds recognized as breeding regularly in North America. The United
States was split into 12 shorebird planning regions in recognition of
the unique roles different regions play for different species of
shorebirds. In a similar fashion, the minimum conservation unit for
shorebirds in North America must acknowledge the ecological and
evolutionary distinctions of this group of birds below the species
level. With this in mind, shorebirds with distinct breeding populations
in North America were identified, mainly from peer-reviewed, published
sources (Appendix 2). For the purpose of the US Shorebird Conservation
Plan, species were broken down into populations that largely fit the
definition of a subspecies under the modified Biological Species Concept
(O\'Brien and Mayr 1991):

\"Members of a subspecies share a unique geographic range or habitat, a
group of phylogenetically concordant phenotypic characters, and a unique
natural history relative to other subdivisions of the species.\"

Subspecies were identified using one or all of the following three
criteria:

1\. Phenotypic/Biogeographic Criteria

a\) Recognized by AOU (1957) as subspecies

b\) Not recognized by AOU (1957), but breeding populations shown to be
geographically isolated/disjunct and/or phenotypically distinct within
North America.

2\. Genetic Differentiation Criteria - populations within North America
shown to have distinct genetic differentiation within species.

3\. Conservation/Political Criteria - federally listed population and
subspecies.

While the terms phenotypically and genotypically distinct are reserved
for populations where either phenotypic or genotypic variables were
statistically tested and found to be significantly different,
determining whether breeding populations are geographically isolated or
disjunct has been more ambiguous. This criteria was used only when
populations were known to have significant breeding populations (over a
few hundred breeding individuals) that are hundreds to thousands of
kilometers apart. For this reason, smaller populations of shorebirds of
species are not listed under the subspecies/population table, such as
Upland Sandpipers or Greater Yellowlegs breeding in Oregon and
Washington, even though these small populations are of ecological value
to different regions.

# 3) Population Estimates

R.I.G. Morrison, R.E Gill, B.A. Harrington, S. Skagen, G.W. Page, C.L.
Gratto-Trevor and S.M. Haig

## Introduction

Knowledge of the number of animals in a population is not only of
intrinsic biological interest, but for shorebirds and other waterbirds
has also assumed considerable practical application in conservation
planning and action. Population estimates have been used, for instance,
in assessing the importance of sites and habitats for protection, and
for setting targets for recovery of endangered species or for
maintenance of populations at desired levels. Two major tools used for
conservation of wetlands and waterbird populations in the Western
Hemisphere use criteria involving percentages of flyway populations of
waterbirds using the site to determine its potential importance; these
are the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention), and the Western
Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) (Morrison et al. 1995,
Frazier 1996, Rose and Scott 1997, MCCS 1999). For "Ramsar sites", an
area can be identified as a wetland of international importance if it
regularly supports 1% of a species or subspecies of waterfowl, and this
criterion has been widely used in identifying wetlands for conservation
and protection (Frazier 1996, Rose and Scott 1997). For WHSRN, three
levels of importance have been recognized for site designation,
depending on whether is supports more than 5% (Regional), 15%
(International) or 30% (Hemispheric) of a flyway population of
shorebirds (Morrison et al. 1995, MCCS 1999). In addition, similar
criteria have been adopted by the Important Bird Areas (IBAs) program
(IBA 1998). Application of these criteria clearly requires a knowledge
of the population sizes of the species being considered.

For endangered species, knowledge of the population size is necessary to
assess the status of the species as well as to provide a criterion or
target against which the success of management efforts may be measured
(e.g., for Piping Plover, Goosen et al. 1997). Target population levels
were adopted for waterfowl to measure the success of conservation
initiatives undertaken through the North American Waterfowl Management
Plan. The Shorebird Conservation Plans for both Canada and the United
States also require knowledge of shorebird population levels, and
trends, to assess their success. Knowledge of population size and status
is also needed to support a variety of other conservation efforts,
including maintaining global diversity under the Convention on
Biological Diversity signed by many nations in Rio de Janeiro in 1992,
protocols such as the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian
Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) under the Bonn Convention, and the East
Asian Australasian Shorebird Reserve Network (EASRN).

On a practical level, the estimation of population sizes of shorebirds
is fraught with many difficulties. Many Nearctic species migrate from
breeding grounds in the North American Arctic and sub-Arctic, where they
are found dispersed at low densities over vast areas, through migration
areas, where they may occur in large but highly variable numbers, to
wintering areas, some of which occur in remote areas as far south as
Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America (Morrison 1984,
Morrison and Ross 1989). Attempting to count or otherwise determine the
numbers of birds occurring at any one of these stages brings with it a
different set of problems relating to logistics, methodology, adequacy
of geographic coverage, accuracy and biases of estimates obtained, and
the life history characteristics of the species being studied.

These difficulties apply to assessing shorebird numbers for flyways in
most parts of the world, and it is only within the past 20 years that
enough information has been obtained to address the question of
population sizes in shorebirds. In Europe, many shorebirds using the
East Atlantic Flyway winter in or pass through areas near human
populations, and a combination of internationally coordinated ground
counts by networks of observers in Europe and by expeditions to more
remote areas in west Africa enabled estimates of numbers occurring on
this flyway to be assembled by Smit and Piersma (1989).

It is only recently that enough information on shorebird numbers has
been obtained to attempt to estimate likely population sizes of
different species in the Western Hemisphere. While anecdotal accounts of
large numbers of shorebirds at various places in their migration ranges
have been known for many years (see accounts in Bent 1929), coordinated
information over wide geographical areas only started to become
available after the mid 1970s, when observer networks were set up in
Canada and the United States to count shorebirds during migration
periods (Morrison 1984). Initial efforts were mainly in eastern Canada
and the USA, and data from these programs (the Maritimes Shorebird
Survey and International Shorebird Survey, respectively) have been used
to identify potential Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network sites
in Canada (Morrison et al. 1995) and the United States (Harrington and
Perry 1995), as well as to assess shorebird population trends (Howe et
al. 1989, Morrison et al. 1994). Extensive compilations of data are now
also available from the interior of the United States and Canada (the
Central Flyway, Skagen et al. 1998) as well as for western and Pacific
areas of the United States and Canada (the Pacific Flyway, Page et al.
1992, Page and Gill 1994), including Alaska (Gill et al. 1999, R.E.
Gill, unpubl.). Aerial surveys have been used to cover large and/or
remote areas, for instance James Bay and Hudson Bay (Morrison and
Harrington 1979) and Delaware Bay (Clark et al. 1993); they have been
especially useful on the wintering grounds, where "Atlas" projects have
covered large geographical areas, including South America (Morrison and
Ross 1989), Panama (Morrison et al. 1998) and Mexico (Morrison et al.
1992, 1993, 1994).

Page and Gill (1994) reviewed information on shorebird populations in
western North America, and some preliminary estimates for numbers
occurring in Canada were presented by Morrison et al. (1994), though
these in many cases represented a best "guesstimate" or an assignment to
the most likely order of magnitude. This report attempts to bring
together as much information as possible from breeding, migration and
wintering areas to provide an update on our current knowledge of the
size of Western Hemisphere shorebird populations; this has led to
considerable modification of the estimates for many species. This report
covers the species of shorebirds occurring in North America, including
Hawaii, and includes excerpts from the full report prepared by Morrison
et al. (ms.), which should be consulted for details regarding the
population estimates for each species.

## Methods

The data used in assembling population estimates have been taken mostly
from major regional compilations, with some additions from other
published and unpublished material, as described below and in the
species accounts. Material from publications on individual sites within
the major regions has also been examined, and used to adjust totals from
regional compilations where appropriate, though this literature review
has not been exhaustive. Principal data sources are as follows.

1\. Canada.

Data from the Maritimes Shorebird Surveys (MSS), which cover the
Atlantic Provinces of Canada (NS, NB, PE, NF), were analyzed to extract
the maximum count of each species at each site covered during fall and
spring surveys for the years 1974-1991. Maximum counts were summed to
produce a regional total for each species. Data compiled in Morrison et
al. (1995) to document potential Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve
Network (WHSRN) sites in Canada, were used for other parts of Canada.
Additional information came from aerial and ground surveys carried out
by the Canadian Wildlife Service in James Bay and Hudson Bay and along
the St. Lawrence River estuary (Morrison and Harrington 1979, Brousseau
1981, Maisonneuve 1982, Maisonneuve et al. 1990).

2\. United States.

Data from the International Shorebird Survey (ISS) for the years
1971-1998 were analyzed in a manner similar to the MSS data to produce
totals for Pacific (UT, NV, AZ, CA, ID, WA, OR), central (MN, IA, MO,
ND, SD, NB, KS, MT, WY, CO, OK, AR, TX, LA, NM ) and eastern (ME, NH,
VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, PA, NJ, MD, DE, MI, OH, WV, VA, NC, SC, WI, IL, IN,
KY, TN, MS, AL, GA, FL) regions of the USA for both spring and fall
migration periods. In addition, maximum count totals were extracted for
the same regions from data compiled by Harrington and Perry (1985) to
document potential Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN)
sites in the USA. Regional compilations of data produced by Harrington
and Page (1992), covering areas in the three above regions, including
sites in Canada, were also consulted. Clark et al. (1993) provide
multi-year aerial survey data from Delaware Bay.

For the central flyway, the major compilation of data by Skagen et al.
(1998), covering sites in the central USA and Canada, provided the most
extensive summary of counts from this region currently available.

For the Pacific Flyway, Page et al. (1992) provided a summary of counts
from the west coast and western interior wetlands, including the USA,
Baja California and parts of Canada. Page and Gill (1994) reviewed
population estimates for some species occurring in western North
America. For the present analysis, updated population estimates have
been compiled (Page, unpubl. data) for "western North America" (and see
Page et al. 1999), comprising the ISS "Pacific" states plus NM and
including Baja California: in some cases, counts by Skagen et al. (1998)
included counts from these states - these counts were subtracted from
"central flyway" totals where overlap occurred to eliminate duplication.
Where totals for wintering populations in "western North America" were
used, counts in Mexico (see below) were adjusted so there would not be
duplication of Baja California counts.

3\. Canadian Arctic.

Although estimates of breeding shorebird densities have been made for a
fairly large number of sites in the Arctic, estimates of populations
occurring over wider geographical regions are less common. The current
arctic estimates have been derived from early exploratory avifaunal
surveys, environmental impact assessment surveys, or, more recently,
extrapolations based on remote sensing studies: this material has been
reviewed in Morrison (1997).

4\. Alaska.

Data were compiled from information on potential WHSRN sites in Alaska
(Gill et al. 1999), as well as other literature sources (e.g., Islieb
1979, Gill and Handel 1990) mentioned in the species accounts.

5\. Mexico.

Data from the Canadian Wildlife Service "Atlas" project provided
information on wintering numbers of shorebirds on both coasts of Mexico
(Morrison et al. 1992, 1993, 1994). Several other studies have provided
comparative data, especially from the Pacific northwest and Baja
California regions of Mexico (Harrington 1993a, b, 1994, Page and
Palacios 1993, Page et al. 1997, Engilis et al. 1998).

6\. Central America and the Caribbean.

Apart from Panama, where CWS "Atlas" and other aerial surveys (Morrison
et al. 1998, Watts et al. 1998) have provided information on key
migration and wintering areas, few quantitative data are available,
though wetland inventories of the area have been carried out (Scott and
Carbonell 1986).

7\. South America.

CWS "Atlas" surveys of wintering populations provide extensive coverage
of key coastal sites in South America (Morrison and Ross 1989), while
additional material is provided for interior and coastal areas in the
extensive wetland inventory conducted by Scott and Carbonell (1986) and
in a summary updating distributional information by Blanco and Canevari
(1998).

8\. Population estimates using Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data.

Although the most common use of BBS data is in assessing population
trends, it is theoretically possible to make an estimate of breeding
population numbers from BBS data for those shorebird species whose
ranges occur in areas covered by the BBS. BBS routes involve coverage of
a known area (each route consists of 50 stops, each stop covering a
non-overlapping area of radius 0.25 miles) in a known landscape type, or
physiographic stratum. The mean density of the species in each
physiographic stratum may be derived from the routes occurring in that
stratum, and a population estimate for the stratum obtained based on the
total area of the stratum. Summing the numbers occurring in all the
strata produces an overall population estimate. There are many potential
sources of bias and error using this approach, however, and it is
probably useful for only a few, if any, shorebird species. Population
estimates for shorebird species covered by the BBS have been included in
the text for comparative purposes, but are not generally used where they
are clearly divergent from estimates obtained by other methods.

### Data compilation

The procedure used in assembling the numbers presented in the species
accounts below is as follows. First, data were tabulated separately for
each species and for each of the following "seasons": breeding,
northward migration, southward migration, and wintering. Data were then
compiled for major regions (e.g., Mexico, Pacific flyway, central
flyway, eastern flyway (USA and Canada), Alaska, etc.) and maximum count
totals extracted for each species for that region. Data from
publications on specific sites within a region were in some cases
compared with the totals for that site in regional summary publications,
and substituted for that site if larger, though this type of comparison
has not been exhaustive. Counts for Alaska were in some cases considered
separately, where it was judged that birds counted at migration sites in
Alaska would also have been counted in another geographical region
within the same season - in such cases the larger regional total was
used in assessing overall population size. Overall totals were then
produced for all regions for a given season, and the largest seasonal
total was taken to indicate at least a minimum likely population for
that species. How these seasonal totals are used to assess an estimated
overall population size is discussed in each species account.

In general, we have attempted to be conservative in our assessment of
population sizes. Where counts derived from observable numbers of birds
differ considerably from those obtained using extrapolations, we have
usually adopted the smaller estimate, particularly in cases where the
species may be considered "at risk" and where the extrapolation was
obtained from Breeding Bird Survey data. More quantitative approaches
from arctic breeding areas, where extrapolations have been based on
surveys and associated remote sensing data that provide an estimate of
areas of suitable habitat, may provide useful perspectives on population
numbers, and are discussed in the species accounts as appropriate.

### Use of maximum counts

Maximum counts were chosen as the most practicable number for use in
estimating overall populations. The maximum count does provide at least
a minimum estimate of the number of birds occurring in an area: total
numbers will clearly be larger, since there is considerable turnover
(which varies in different geographical regions) as birds move through a
site, and often adults and juveniles move through a site at different
times during southward migration. On the other hand, maximum counts may
be unrepresentative, for instance in cases where an exceptionally large
number of birds may be found in a site for a brief period following
unusual weather events (Morrison et al. 1994). Movement of birds between
sites gives rise to the possibility that they may be counted multiple
times. This source of error is most likely to arise during migration
periods, since most populations are thought to be relatively stable or
sedentary during breeding and wintering seasons. It is also difficult to
assess, since it is likely to vary with the species being counted and
the region being considered. For instance, Western Sandpipers are liable
to use a number of Pacific coast stopover areas during northward
migration in a manner dependent on weather conditions (Iverson et al.
1995, Warnock and Bishop 1998), whereas in other areas studies have
shown that some species are highly site-faithful from year to year and
probably do not move a great deal on a regional scale within a single
season.

It is also unlikely that all sites used by shorebirds will be covered
during survey operations. Where aerial surveys have been used to
determine shorebird numbers over large areas, as in the CWS "Atlas"
projects (see above), flights will provide only a single "snapshot" of
the birds present, and numbers are usually underestimated for a variety
of reasons including counting errors, weather and tidal conditions (in
coastal areas), and areas not covered during the flights. Overall, these
considerations indicate that nearly all estimates of numbers derived
from either ground or aerial counts are likely to be underestimates.

### Seasonal considerations

In addition to the phenological considerations mentioned above, there
are a number of other factors relating to shorebird biology that are
liable to influence counts obtained during different periods of the
year. Estimates based on numbers of nesting pairs on the breeding
grounds clearly do not include non-breeding segments of the population,
including sub-adult and other birds that may spend the summer south of
the breeding grounds, and birds that have reached the breeding areas but
do not nest. During the southward migration, numbers are likely to be at
their highest, since both adults and juveniles hatched that summer will
be present, resulting in a population that could be perhaps double that
at the beginning of the nesting season. Mortality during the fall
migration and subsequent winter will lead to lower numbers during the
following northward migration. These considerations may not necessarily
be reflected in counts obtained in the field, for instance in cases
where a species may be highly concentrated during spring migration and
relatively easily counted compared to being more highly dispersed in
space and time during the fall migration so that counts are lower. These
points serve to emphasize the difficulties faced in assessing population
numbers at different times of the year.

### Assessing the accuracy of population estimates

The accuracies of estimates obtained for different species are likely to
vary considerably, since the methods used range from dedicated counts
directed at a particular species (e.g., Piping Plover), to cases where
almost no information is available and the estimate is essentially an
educated guess. We have attempted to rate the accuracy of the estimate
for each species to give some indication of the reliability of the
number presented. In almost no cases were data available to present a
statistically based estimate of the standard deviation or error of the
estimate, and the ranges shown are intended to illustrate the likely
range of uncertainty. Accuracy scores were assigned as follows.

1 (Poor): A population estimate based on an educated guess. Score 1 also
given to ESCU (for species codes see Table 1) which has not been
reliably seen in recent years. 2 (Low): A population estimate based on
broad-scale surveys where estimated population size is likely to be in
right order of magnitude. 3 (Moderate): A population estimate based on a
special survey or on broad-scale surveys of a narrowly distributed
species whose populations tend to concentrate to a high degree either a)
in a restricted habitat, or b) at a small number of favored sites.
Estimate thought to be within 50% of the true number. 4 (Good): A
calculated estimate based on broad-scale mark:recapture ratios or other
systematic estimating effort resulting in estimates on which confidence
limits can be placed. 5 (High): Number obtained from a dedicated census
effort and thought to be accurate and precise. Sometimes an indication
of the probable percentage accuracy is given, or at least a minimum
population figure derived from the data.

### Data presentation

Data for all species are summarized in Appendix 3. Estimates are given
for the Global population, if available, taken mainly from Rose and
Scott (1997) and adjusted if necessary because of revisions made to
Western Hemisphere population estimates. Estimates cover North American
populations, including Canada, the United States (including Alaska and
Hawaii) and Mexico. The numbers represent individuals (all ages).
Numbers for a given region include birds if they are likely to occur in
the region at any stage of their life cycle. These numbers are all the
most likely population estimate based on combinations of the data
currently available, and should be considered tentative estimates that
will be revised as better information becomes available.

# 4) Population Targets

## Rationale for setting shorebird population targets

The vision of the U. S. Shorebird Conservation Plan is to ensure that
stable and self-sustaining populations of all shorebirds are distributed
throughout their range and habitats in the U.S. and across the Western
Hemisphere, and that species which have declined in distribution or
abundance be restored to their former status to the extent possible at
costs acceptable to society. Making this vision a reality will require
halting the declines of many shorebird species, and increasing the
populations of many species to the point where they are stable and
self-sustaining.

The rationale for setting specific population targets is to provide an
objective measure of when the overall vision of the plan has been
achieved. Achieving the vision will require an understanding of how
populations have changed in the past as well as estimates of approximate
population levels today. However, this information is known with
certainty for only a few of the shorebirds that occur in the United
States. Other parts of the shorebird plan lay out procedures for
monitoring shorebirds sufficiently to provide information on their
population trend, and research priorities necessary to determine the
factors limiting populations of shorebirds. This information will make
the process of setting population targets much more precise and
scientifically sound. Nevertheless, there is a current need to set
approximate population goals for shorebirds to guide the early stages of
implementation of the plan. The population targets provided here are
only a first approximation attempt to provide these goals. Establishing
verified population targets sufficient to achieve the vision of
protecting shorebirds in the United States will require sufficient
funding for the monitoring and research needs outlined here, and will
result in modified targets that will be revised as more detailed
information becomes available.

Many of the shorebird species that occur in the United States have
defined subspecies, i.e. groups which have been geographically isolated
so long that they are distinct. Other geographically isolated groups
exist that have not been recognized as subspecies, yet are in all
likelihood genetically distinct, and possess unique characteristics that
should be preserved. In some cases one subspecies within a species may
be declining or facing specific threats where another is not. Because of
these and other complexities, the process of setting population targets
was applied to all groups of shorebirds recognized as being
geographically distinct.

Much of the information on which the population targets were based was
collected during the development of the conservation assessment
presented in Section 1, with additional work by the participants on the
Research and Monitoring working group.

## Protocols for setting population targets

For most shorebird species, it is impossible to establish scientifically
supported population targets that are known to meet the goal of
achieving stable and self-sustaining populations. This is because
current and past population sizes are unknown, and because insufficient
information about conservation risks and factors limiting populations
exists. Because information is lacking but the need for conservation
action is clear, the working group established a simple approach to
setting population targets based on the limited information available.
This is not a scientific process, but a series of policy recommendations
based on the simple set of assumptions and rationale outlined below.

Population targets are established based on the estimated population
size, and the current estimate of the status of the species as having
experienced recent population declines or not. In each case, both short
term and long term goals are established.

**1) Species known to be declining**

Population Trend = 5. The species or population has been documented to
be in decline, or is listed as threatened or endangered under the United
States Endangered Species Act. Conservation actions aimed at increasing
the populations of species should be prioritized according to the
species priority, with restoration of the highest priority species
addressed first.

Population goals.

**Listed Species:** In the case of endangered or threatened species, the
short term goal is to achieve the level of recovery recommended in the
species recovery plan prepared under the Act. Long term goals are not
provided for these species because planning and management under the Act
should be sufficient to support their long-term persistence as viable
populations.

**Short Term Goal:** For remaining category 5 species the recommended
short term goal is to halt the population decline.

**Long Term Goal:** The long term goal is to restore the population to
the level that probably existed in the year when population trend
analysis began (for most species in the early 1970's). This level was
calculated by using the known rate of decline, and back calculating the
population size to the year when data were first collected, using the
current population estimate as the starting point. For example,
Black-bellied Plovers have a current population estimate of 150,000,
with a 45% decline. The long term target is to restore the population to
272,000, the level that would have existed before the decline took place
(272,000 -- 45% = 150,000). For many species, these restoration targets
are extremely conservative because historical declines are thought to
have been large, but monitoring data are available only recently.

**2) Species thought to be declining**

Population Trend = 4. The species is thought by experts to have
substantially declined, but lack of useful data has prevented
statistical verification.

Population goals.

**Short-term goal:** The short-term goal for these species is to
determine with certainty if declines are actually occurring, and to halt
any declines that are occurring.

**Long-term goal:** The long-term target recommended for these species
is restoration of the populations to the level likely held in the early
1970's, established by estimating the percentage of habitat loss the
species has endured, and to increase from the currently estimated
population size by a commensurate amount.

**3) Species with no decline suspected, or known to be stable**

These species have population trend scores of 3, 2, or 1.

Population Trend = 3. There is no information on population change, or
insufficient information to assess past declines, but the species is
thought to face future risks such as habitat loss.

Population goals. Maintain population at current levels, with special
attention to any declines that result from risks, or future information
which indicates that the population status was actually declining when
thought to be stable.

Population Trend = 2. The species population is not declining, and is
thought to be at historic levels. No population decline is expected, and
the population is thought to be stable and self sustaining.

Population goals. Maintain population at current levels.

Population Trend = 1. The species' population size may be increasing
above historic (i.e. pre-1800) levels .

The conservation assessment indicated that no shorebird species are in
this category.

The specific population targets established for each species and
population of shorebirds are shown in Appendix 4.

# 5) Shorebird Species Conservation Priorities

## National Shorebird Conservation Priorities

This system for prioritizing shorebird species of concern was developed
as part of the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan with input from many
individuals participating in the Research and Monitoring working group,
including representatives from across the country and from Canada. The
goal of the system is to provide a clearly organized method for
categorizing the various risk factors that affect the conservation
status of each species in a format that can be easily updated as
additional information becomes available. The system was designed in
collaboration with Partners In Flight to ensure that it was as
compatible as possible with existing approaches to bird species
prioritization (Carter et al. 2000), while reflecting the unique
conservation risks for shorebirds. Modifications suggested by Beissinger
et al. (2000), including the use of categories for species priorities,
were incorporated.

Even though there is widespread agreement that the variables used in
this system affect the conservation status of bird species, they are
difficult to estimate. Nevertheless, prioritization is important to
ensure that species more at risk are given the attention needed to avoid
significant declines. Because appropriate data is often lacking, the
classifications produced by this system are considered estimates of the
actual conservation status of each species. Further study is needed for
most species with respect to most of these variables. The
classifications presented here will be revised at regular intervals as
appropriate, and should not be considered final. Current national
priority scores for each species and subspecies are presented in
Appendix 5.

### Variables for National Priorities

*1) Population Trend, PT, and Population Trend Uncertainty PTU*

The population trend variable uses existing information on shorebird
trends to estimate broad categories of population decline. Species with
known declines in populations are likely to be at higher risk than
species where ongoing study has detected no risk. However, many species
may be declining even though trends have not been detected using current
monitoring techniques. This is particularly true for species
under-represented in ongoing monitoring programs. Only species with
documented significant population declines (p\<0.10) are included in
category 5.

PT

5 Significant population decline (p\<0.10)

4 Apparent population decline

3 Apparently stable population or status unknown\*

2 Apparent population increase

1 Significant population increase

\*Note: If the population trend cannot be classified at all due to the
lack of appropriate data, the PT score is represented as \"U\" for
Unknown.

Population Trend Uncertainty rates the relative level of uncertainty
associated with the estimate of population. We rate uncertainty scores
on a scale of 1-5. These scores emphasize the need for additional
monitoring, and uncertainties associated with decisions based on
reported trends, but do not enter into the categorization process for
determining conservation priorities. High uncertainty about the trend
estimate results in a high score. For the purposes of determining how
representative available data are for the entire species, the data are
classified into one of two categories: 1) comprehensiveness high = data
estimated to represent more than half of the species range and/or half
of the estimated population; or 2) comprehensiveness low = data
represent less than half of both. Scores for these uncertainty estimates
are being developed.

PTU

5 No information about population trend

4 Significance test has medium or low power (\<0.8) and
comprehensiveness is low; or, no data but informed estimates about
population trend possible

3 Significance test has medium or low power (\<0.8), and
comprehensiveness is high

2 Significance test has high power (\>0.8), but comprehensiveness is low

1 Significance test has high power (\>0.8), and comprehensiveness is
high

*2) Relative Abundance*

This variable uses population size estimates to classify each species
into 5 categories based on breaks in the distribution of population
sizes among shorebirds. Species with smaller absolute population sizes
are likely to be more at risk, either as a result of historic declines
or from catastrophic disturbances. Population estimates were developed
by Morrison et al. (ms.). For some species the population estimates may
be low due to lower counts resulting from higher dispersion. For these
species, the estimates may be inaccurate. However, most of these species
are near the midpoints of their categories, so this factor may not
result in misclassification. With increasing data about current
population sizes, these estimates will be revised.

RA

5 \<25,000

4 25,000 - \<150,000

3 150,000 - \<300,000

2 300,000 - \<1,000,000

1 ≥1,000,000

*3) Threats During Breeding Season, TB*

This variable ranks the threats known to exist for each species, and the
categories reflect the limited knowledge available for determining
threats to most shorebirds. Species are scored as follows:

5 Known threats are actually occurring (i.e. significant loss of
critical habitat), and can be documented.

4 Significant potential threats exist (i.e. oil spills) but have not
actually occurred

3 No known threats, or information not available

2 Threats assumed to be low

1 Demonstrably secure

*4) Threats During Non-breeding Season, TN*

This score uses the same criteria listed above for TB scores, with the
additional factor of concentration risk explicitly considered as
follows:

5 Known threats are actually occurring (i.e. significant loss of
critical habitat), and can be documented. Concentration results in
actual risk.

4 Significant potential threats exist (i.e. oil spills) but have not
actually occurred. Concentration results in high potential risk.

3 No known threats, or concentration not a risk, or information not
available

2 Threats assumed to be low from all factors including concentration

1 Demonstrably secure

*5) Breeding Distribution, BD*

This variable ranks the size of the breeding range for species that
breed in North America, and only applies during the actual breeding
season. The assumption is that species with relatively more restricted
ranges are more susceptible to breeding failure from natural or
human-induced causes. Threats that occur during migration to or from the
breeding grounds are addressed in ND below.

BD

5 \<2.5% of North America (212,880 sq. mi., or 551,493 km^2^)

4 2.5-4.9% of North America

3 5-9.9% of North America

2 10-20% of North America

1 \>20% of North America (1,703,008 sq. mi., or 4,411,940 km^2^)

*6) Non-breeding Distribution, ND*

This variable refers to distribution during the non-breeding season,
which includes migration to and from the breeding grounds. Threats
resulting from concentration at some point during migration are
addressed in TN above. This variable rates the relative risks associated
with having a smaller absolute range size during the non-breeding
season. Because different risk factors occur during the non-breeding
season, the absolute sizes of these categories are different from those
for BD. In addition, the added variable of length of coastline is used
for coastal species where measuring area is not as representative of
distribution.

ND

5 Highly restricted ≤ 50,000 sq. mi., or very restricted coastal areas,
or interior uplands,

4 Local = 50,000 - 200,000 sq. mi., or ≤ 1,000 mi. of coast

3 Intermediate = 200,000 - 2,000,000 sq. mi., or along 1,000 - 3,000 mi.
of coast

2 Widespread = 2,000,000 - 4,000,000 sq. mi., or along 3,000 - 5,000 mi.
of coast

1 Very widespread = 4,000,000 - 7,000,000 sq. mi., or along 5,000 -
9,000 mi. of coast

### Criteria for National Priorities

The following categories are modified from those proposed in Beissinger
et al. (ms.), developed by the AOU committee established to review the
PIF prioritization system. The primary change is to move species with
high PT scores and some other high score into the highest category. In
addition,

Priority Categories:

5\) Highly Imperiled

All species listed as threatened or endangered nationally, plus all
species with significant population declines and either low populations
or some other high risk factor.

a\. PT=5 and RA, BD, TB, or TN=5

4\) Species of High concern

Populations of these species are known or thought to be declining, and
have some other known or potential threat as well:

a\. PT = 4 or 5 and either RA, BD, TB, or TN = 4 or 5

b\. RA = 4 or 5 and either TB or TN = 4 or 5

For regional lists only:

c\. AI = 5 and RA \>3

3\) Species of Moderate concern

Populations of these species are either a) declining with moderate
threats or distributions; b) stable with known or potential threats and
moderate to restricted distributions; c) and d) relatively small and
restricted; or e) declining but with no other known threats.

a\. PT = 4 or 5 and RA, BD, ND, TN, or TB = 3

b\. PT = 3 and RA, BD, ND, TN, or TB = 4 or 5

c\. RA = 3 and BD or ND = 4, or 5

d\. RA = 4 and BD and ND \<4

e\. PT=5 and RA, BD, ND, TN, or TB \> 1

For regional lists only

f\. AI=4 and RA\>3

2\) Species of Low Concern

Populations of these species are either a) stable with moderate threats
and distributions; b) increasing but with known or potential threats and
moderate to restricted distributions; or c) of moderate size.

a\. PT = 3 and RA, BD, ND, TN, or TB=3

b\. PT = 2 and RA, BD, ND, TN, or TB=4 or 5

c\. RA = 3

For regional lists only:

d\. AI = 3

1\) Species Not at Risk

All other species

## Regional Shorebird Conservation Priorities

### Variables for Regional Priorities

A matrix showing species life history stages, and the relative
importance of each Planning Region compared to other Regions, is
provided in Appendix 6. Considering area importance at the regional
scale ensures that conservation effort will not be misdirected toward
species that are rare in a particular region only because it is close to
the edge of their range. In addition to this matrix, the regional
shorebird groups have participated in the development of a finer scale
matrix showing the relative importance to each shorebird species of each
Bird Conservation Region (Appendix 7), which are the smaller areas
within Planning Regions (i.e. the Mississippi Alluvial Valley BCR and
the Gulf Coast BCR are both within the Lower Miss./Western Gulf Coast
Planning Region). Regional priorities have been calculated by the
regional groups, and are presented in their individual regional reports.
The matrix of area importance within each BCR can be used for finer
scale planning and prioritization needs within BCR's.

1\) Area Importance, AI

Area importance scores are based on knowledge of distributions, expert
opinion, and data on distributions for species where it is available.
Species are ranked on a relative scale within each BCR.

Because management decisions based on species priorities must often be
conducted at appropriate seasons, the scores for these variables are
reported using a system that reflects both the relative area importance
and the season or seasons during which the area is important, including
breeding, wintering, and migration (spring and fall). This system is
used at two scales, for describing the importance of both the Shorebird
Planning Regions and also the smaller Bird Conservation Regions included
in each Planning Region.

For each score, a description is provided of the frequency of occurrence
within BCR or Planning Region, including relative abundance, importance
relative to other regions, and importance of management and protection
activities.

Score Symbol

5 **B, W, M**

High concentrations known to occur. Area of high importance to the
species relative to the majority of other regions. The area is critical
for supporting hemispheric populations of the species.

4 B, W, M

Common or locally abundant, with large numbers occurring or suspected to
occur. Area of known or suspected importance relative to other regions,
especially within the same flyway. The area is important to supporting
hemispheric or regional populations.

3 b, w, m

Uncommon to fairly common. Area is within the primary range of the
species, and it occurs regularly, but the species is present in low
relative abundance.

2 \*

Rare occurrences. Area is within the expected range of the species, but
it occurs at a low frequency. (In general, management for these species
is not warranted within the region.)

1 Blank

Does not occur in the area, or only unpredictable, irregular occurrence
as a vagrant. Area is outside of expected range.

### Criteria for Regional Priorities

The regional prioritization system uses the same criteria as for
national priorities, with the additional rule that species can be
assigned to a different category based on their area importance within
the region. In addition, regions may remove species from their lists if
the regional area importance score is less than 3 to ensure that
conservation priority is given to species with significant populations
within the region. For simplicity, the criteria are listed above with
the national criteria lists, under the regional headings for categories
2, 3, and 4. Species in the highest conservation category are high
priority wherever they occur. Each region determined whether to leave
species with AI scores less than 3 off their regional priority lists to
concentrate conservation effort on the species with higher area
importance.

# APPENDICES

## Appendix 1: Conservation Assessment Matrix

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      **Species**    **Census**     **Census**   **Census**   **Census**   **Confi-**   **Local/**   **Conserv.**   **Species**
  ----------------- ----------------- -------------- -------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------- -------------
  **Species**       **Latin name**    **Censused**   **Accuracy**   **Orig.**    **Error**    **Error      **dence**    **Global**   **Codes**      **Aggr.**
                                                                                              Class**                                               

  Black-bellied     *Pluvialis        0              X              M            X            Low          2            L                           0
  Plover            squatarola*                                                                                                                     

  American          *Pluvialis        0              X              M            X            Low          2            G            T              0
  Golden-Plover     dominica*                                                                                                                       

  Pacific           *Pluvialis fulva* 0              X              M            X            Low          2-3          L                           0
  Golden-Plover                                                                                                                                     

  Snowy Plover      *Charadrius       0              0              C/G          50%          Good         5            L            P2RDL          0
                    alexandrinus*                                                                                                                   

  Wilson\'s Plover  *Charadrius       0              X              G            25%          Low          3            G            P1RDT          0
                    wilsonia*                                                                                                                       

  Semipalmated      *Charadrius       0              X              G            50%          Low          2            L            D              0
  Plover            semipalmatus*                                                                                                                   

  Piping Plover     *Charadrius       1              1              C            5%           High         5            G            P1RDLT         0
                    melodus*                                                                                                                        

  Killdeer          *Charadrius       0              X              M            50-100%      Poor         1            G            DT             0
                    vociferus*                                                                                                                      

  Mountain Plover   *Charadrius       1              1              C            25%          Good         4            L            P1RDLT         0
                    montanus*                                                                                                                       

  American          *Haematopus       0              1              M            X            Moderate     3            G            P1RDT          0
  Oystercatcher     palliatus*                                                                                                                      

  Black             *Haematopus       0              0              M            50%          Moderate     3            L            P1RD           0
  Oystercatcher     bachmani*                                                                                                                       

  Black-necked      *Himantopus       0              X              M            X            Poor         2            G            T              0
  Stilt             himantopus*                                                                                                                     

  American Avocet   *Recurvirostra    0              X              G            25%          Moderate     3            G            DAT            1
                    americana*                                                                                                                      

  Greater           *Tringa           0              X              M            50%          Low          2            L                           0
  Yellowlegs        melanoleuca*                                                                                                                    

  Lesser Yellowlegs *Tringa flavipes* 0              X              M            25%          Low          2            L            R              0

  Solitary          *Tringa ochropus* 0              X              M            100%         Poor         1            G            P2T            0
  Sandpiper                                                                                                                                         

  Willet            *Catoptrophorus   0              X              M            X            Low          2            L            D              0
                    semipalmatus*                                                                                                                   

  Wandering Tattler *Heteroscelus     0              X              M            50%          Moderate     3            G            P1T            0
                    incanus*                                                                                                                        

  Spotted Sandpiper *Actitis          0              X              M            100%         Poor         1            L                           0
                    macularia*                                                                                                                      

  Upland Sandpiper  *Bartramia        0              X              M            X            Low          2            L            P2RDL          0
                    longicauda*                                                                                                                     

  Eskimo Curlew     *Numenius         0              X              M            X            Poor         1            G            P1RDLT         0
                    borealis*                                                                                                                       

  Whimbrel          *Numenius         1              X              M            X            Moderate     3            G            IT             0
                    phaeopus*                                                                                                                       

  Bristle-thighed   *Numenius         1              1              C            X            Good         4            G            P1AT           1
  Curlew            tahitiensis*                                                                                                                    

  Long-billed       *Numenius         0              X              M            X            Moderate     3            L            P2RL           0
  Curlew            americanus*                                                                                                                     

  Hudsonian Godwit  *Limosa           0              2              M            10%          Good         3            G            DIT            1
                    haemastica*                                                                                                                     

  Bar-tailed Godwit *Limosa           1              1              M            X            Moderate     3            X                           X
                    lapponica*                                                                                                                      

  Marbled Godwit    *Limosa fedoa*    0              2              C            50%          Good         3            G            RDIT           1

  Ruddy Turnstone   *Arenaria         0              X              M            X            Moderate     3            L                           0
                    interpres*                                                                                                                      

  Black Turnstone   *Arenaria         1              1              C            5%           Good         3-4          G            T              1
                    melanocephala*                                                                                                                  

  Surfbird          *Aphriza virgata* 0              2              C            X            Moderate     3            G            AT             1

  Red Knot          *Calidris         0              2              G            50%          Moderate     3            G            AT             1
                    canutus*                                                                                                                        

  Sanderling        *Calidris alba*   0              X              M            X            Low          2            L                           0

  Semipalmated      *Calidris         0              1              M            25%          Low          2            G            AT             1
  Sandpiper         pusilla*                                                                                                                        

  Western Sandpiper *Calidris mauri*  1              2              C            25%          Good         2            G            T              X

  Least Sandpiper   *Calidris         0              0              M            50%          Poor         2            G            T              0
                    minutilla*                                                                                                                      

  White-rumped      *Calidris         1              X              C            10%          Good         2            G            T              X
  Sandpiper         fuscicollis*                                                                                                                    

  Baird\'s          *Calidris         1              1              M            50%          Moderate     2            G            T              0
  Sandpiper         bairdii*                                                                                                                        

  Pectoral          *Calidris         0              1              M            X            Poor         2            G            DT             0
  Sandpiper         melanotos*                                                                                                                      

  Purple Sandpiper  *Calidris         0              0              M            X            Moderate     3            L            P1             0
                    maritima*                                                                                                                       

  Rock Sandpiper    *Calidris         0              0              C            25%          Moderate     3            L            D              1
                    ptilocnemius*                                                                                                                   

  Dunlin            *Calidris alpina* 0              0              C            50%          Low          2            G            DT             0

  Stilt Sandpiper   *Calidris         0              1              M            25%          Low          2            L                           0
                    himantopus*                                                                                                                     

  Buff-breasted     *Tryngites        0              0              M            100%         Low          2            G            P2DAT          1
  Sandpiper         subruficollis*                                                                                                                  

  Short-billed      *Limnodromus      0              X              M            X            Low          2            G            DT             0
  Dowitcher         griseus*                                                                                                                        

  Long-billed       *Limnodromus      0              0              M            X            Poor         1            G            T              0
  Dowitcher         scolopaceus*                                                                                                                    

  Common Snipe      *Gallinago        0              X              M            50%          Low          1            G            DT             0
                    gallinago*                                                                                                                      

  American Woodcock *Scolopax minor*  1              X              M            X            Moderate     4 (?)        G            DT             0

  Wilson\'s         *Phalaropus       1              1              C            X            Low          2            G            DAT            1
  Phalarope         tricolor*                                                                                                                       

  Red-necked        *Phalaropus       0              0              M            50%          Low-Poor     1            X            DA             1
  Phalarope         lobatus*                                                                                                                        

  Red Phalarope     *Phalaropus       0              X              M            25%          Low-Poor     1            G            RT             X
                    fulicarius*                                                                                                                     

  **TOTALS OR                         **11**         **21**                                                                                         **8**
  MEANS**                                                                                                                                           
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Continued**     **Aggr.**    **Aggr.**   **Aggr.**   **Br.**      **Br.        **Threat**   **Threat**   **Threat**   **Outside**
                                                                      Range**                                             
  ----------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
  **Species**       **Breed.**   **Migr.**   **Win.**    **Patchy**   **Decl.?**   **Breed.**   **Migr.**    **Win.**     **N. Amer.**

  Black-bellied     0            1           1           W            X            1            1            1            1
  Plover                                                                                                                  

  American          0            0           1           W            X            0            0            1            0
  Golden-Plover                                                                                                           

  Pacific           0            0           1           W            X            0            0            1            1
  Golden-Plover                                                                                                           

  Snowy Plover      1            0           1           P            1            1            1            1            1

  Wilson\'s Plover  0            1           1           P            1            1            1            1            1

  Semipalmated      1            1           1           W            0            1            1            1            1
  Plover                                                                                                                  

  Piping Plover     1            0           1           P            1            1            1            1            0

  Killdeer          0            0           1           W            0            1            X            1            1

  Mountain Plover   1            1           1           P            1            1            0            1            0

  American          1            1           1           P            1            1            0            1            1
  Oystercatcher                                                                                                           

  Black             1            1           1           P            1            1            0            0            0
  Oystercatcher                                                                                                           

  Black-necked      1            0           1           W            0            1            1            1            1
  Stilt                                                                                                                   

  American Avocet   1            1           1           W            X            1            1            1            0

  Greater           0            0           0           W            X            1            1            1            0
  Yellowlegs                                                                                                              

  Lesser Yellowlegs 0            0           1           W            1            1            1            1            0

  Solitary          0            1           0           P            0            1            X            1            0
  Sandpiper                                                                                                               

  Willet            0            1           1           P            0            1            1            1            1

  Wandering Tattler 0            0           0           W            X            1            1            1            1

  Spotted Sandpiper 1            0           0           W            0            0            0            0            0

  Upland Sandpiper  0            0           0           P            1            1            X            X            0

  Eskimo Curlew     0            1           1           P            1            0            1            1            X

  Whimbrel          0            1           1           I            X            1            1            1            1

  Bristle-thighed   1            1           1           P            X            1            X            1            0
  Curlew                                                                                                                  

  Long-billed       0            0           1           W            1            1            1            1            0
  Curlew                                                                                                                  

  Hudsonian Godwit  0            1           1           I            1            0            1            1            0

  Bar-tailed Godwit 0            1           1           W            0            X            0            0            1

  Marbled Godwit    0            1           1           I            1            1            1            1            0

  Ruddy Turnstone   0            1           1           W            X            X            X            X            1

  Black Turnstone   0            1           1           W            X            0            1            0            0

                                                                                                                          

  Surfbird          0            1           1           W            X            0            1            0            0

  Red Knot          0            1           1           P            0            0            1            1            1

  Sanderling        0            0           0           W            0            1            1            1            1

  Semipalmated      0            1           1           W            0            1            1            1            1
  Sandpiper                                                                                                               

  Western Sandpiper 0            1           0           W            0            0            1            1            1

  Least Sandpiper   0            1           1           W            0            0            1            1            0

  White-rumped      1            1           1           W            0            0            1            0            1
  Sandpiper                                                                                                               

  Baird\'s          0            1           1           W            X            0            1            1            0
  Sandpiper                                                                                                               

  Pectoral          0            1           1           P            0            0            1            1            1
  Sandpiper                                                                                                               

  Purple Sandpiper  0            1           1           P            X            0            0            1            1

  Rock Sandpiper    0            1           1           P            X            0            1            1            1

  Dunlin            1            1           1           W            0            0            1            1            1

  Stilt Sandpiper   0            1           0           W            0            1            0            0            0

  Buff-breasted     0            1           1           W            0            0            1            1            1
  Sandpiper                                                                                                               

  Short-billed      0            1           1           P            0            0            1            1            0
  Dowitcher                                                                                                               

  Long-billed       0            1           1           W            0            0            1            1            1
  Dowitcher                                                                                                               

  Common Snipe      0            1           1           W            0            1            1            1            1

  American Woodcock 0            1           0           W            0            1            1            1            0

  Wilson\'s         1            1           1           W            0            0            1            X            0
  Phalarope                                                                                                               

  Red-necked        1            1           1           W            0            X            1            1            1
  Phalarope                                                                                                               

  Red Phalarope     1            1           1           W            1            1            1            1            1

  **TOTALS OR       **15**       **37**      **41**                   **13**       **27**       **36**       **40**       **27**
  MEANS**                                                                                                                 
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Codes: Species Censused = has the species been thoroughly censused?
Census Error = estimated error of the census. Local = L or Global = G
threats to the species. Conservation codes: P1 = population \<10,000; P2
population less than 25,000; R = breeding range decline; D = significant
recent population decline; A = aggregation a conservation factor; I =
species highly isolated; T = species listed as threatened or endangered.
Aggregation scores describe: entire species, breeding, wintering, and
migration. Breeding patchiness, W = widely distributed, P = patchy. Br.
Range Decl.: x=unknown, 0=no, 1=yes. Outside N. Amer.: breeding outside
North America, 1=yes, 0=no.

## Appendix 2. Shorebird Conservation Units

Shorebird species in North America including Hawaii with distinct
population segments or recognized subspecies. Central Flyway defined as
Mississippi and Central Flyways combined (Lincoln 1952). Criteria for
listing the population/subspecies: 1. Phenotypic/Biogeographic Criteria,
a) Recognized by AOU (1957) as subspecies, 1 b) Not recognized by AOU
(1957), but breeding populations shown to be geographically
isolated/disjunct and/or phenotypically distinct within North America,
2. Genetic Differentiation Criteria - populations within North America
shown to have distinct genetic differentiation within species, 3.
Conservation/Political Criteria - federally listed population and
subspecies.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Species**       **Breeding    **Wintering   **Flyway(s)   **Criteria**   **Source**
                    Area**        Area**        Used**                       
  ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------
  **American                                                                 
  Oystercatcher**                                                            

  *Haematopus       Atlantic and  Atlantic and  Central,      1a,b           AOU 1957
  palliatus         Gulf coasts   Gulf coasts   Atlantic                     
  palliatus*                                                                 

  *H. p. frazari*   Formerly      Formerly      Pacific       1a,b           AOU 1957
                    Channel       Channel                                    
                    Islands south Islands south                              
                    into Baja     into Baja,                                 
                                  Mexico                                     

  **Black-bellied                                                            
  Plover**                                                                   

  *Pluvialis        Alaska        Pacific coast Pacific       1b             Paulson
  squatarola                      and south                                  1995,
  squatarola*                                                                Engelmoer
                                                                             and Roselaar
                                                                             1998

  *P. s. cynosurae* N. Canada     Atlantic and  Central,      1b             Paulson
                                  Gulf coasts   Atlantic                     1995,
                                  and south                                  Engelmoer
                                                                             and Roselaar
                                                                             1998

  **Snowy Plover**                                                           

  *Charadrius       Pacific       California to Pacific       1a, 3          Page et al.
  alexandrinus      coastal       Baja                                       1995, G.
  nivosus*          (Washington                                              Page pers.
                    to Baja)                                                 comm.

  *C. a. nivosus*   All other     Southern USA  Pacific       1a, 3          Page et al.
                    interior      and Mexico    Central, and                 1995
                    breeding      and Caribbean Atlantic?                    
                    birds and                                                
                    Atlantic                                                 
                    coast birds                                              

  *C. a.            Gulf coast    Caribbean,    Central,      1a, 3          Page et al.
  tenuirostris*     east of LA    Cuba, Bahamas Atlantic                     1995, G.
                    and Mexico                                               Page pers.
                                                                             comm

  **Piping Plover**                                                          

  *Charadrius       Atlantic      Atlantic and  Central?,     1a, 3          Haig 1992,
  melodus melodus*  coast         Gulf coasts,  Atlantic                     Plissner and
                                  West Indies                                Haig 1997

  *C. m.            Great Lakes   Atlantic and  Central,      1a, 3          Haig 1992,
  circumcinctus*                  Gulf coasts?  Atlantic?                    Plissner and
                                                                             Haig 1997

  *C. m.            Great Plains  Atlantic and  Central,      1a, 3          Haig 1992,
  circumcinctus*                  Gulf coasts?  Atlantic?                    Plissner and
                                                                             Haig 1997

  **Black-necked                                                             
  Stilt**                                                                    

  *Himantopus       Continental   Coastal and   Pacific,      1a,b           Robinson et
  mexicanus         USA           interior      Central,                     al. *in
  mexicanus*                      sites along   Atlantic                     press*
                                  Pacific,                                   
                                  Atlantic and                               
                                  Gulf coasts                                

  *H. m. knudseni*  Hawaii        Hawaii        resident      1a,b, 3        Robinson et
                                                                             al. *in
                                                                             press*

  **Willet**                                                                 

  *Catoptrophorus   Atlantic and  Central and   Atlantic      1a,b           Howe 1982
  semipalmatus      Gulf coasts   northern                                   
  semipalmatus*                   South America                              

  *C. s. inornatus* Northern      Pacific coast Pacific,      1a,b           AOU 1957
                    Prairies and  into Mexico,  Central and                  
                    Great Basin   Gulf coast    Atlantic?                    
                                  and perhaps                                
                                  Atlantic                                   
                                  coast                                      

  **Solitary                                                                 
  Sandpiper**                                                                

  *Tringa solitara  British       Atlantic and  Central,      1a             AOU 1957,
  solitara*         Columbia to   Gulf coasts   Atlantic                     Moskoff 1995
                    e. Canada                                                

  *T. s.            Alaska to     Mexico to     Pacific       1a             AOU 1957,
  cinnamomea*       Mackenzie     South America                              Moskoff 1995
                    Delta                                                    

  **Long-billed                                                              
  Curlew**                                                                   

  *Numenius         Southern      Pacific, Gulf Pacific,      1a             AOU 1957
  americanus        Great Plains  and Atlantic  Central,                     
  americanus*       from nw.      coasts,       Atlantic                     
                    Nevada into   Mexico                                     
                    south central                                            
                    Texas                                                    

  *N. a. parvus*    Northern      Pacific and   Pacific,      1a             AOU 1957
                    Great Plains  w. Gulf       Central                      
                    to Dakotas    states,                                    
                    and n. Great  Mexico                                     
                    Basin to ne.                                             
                    California                                               

  **Whimbrel**                                                               

  *Numenius         South and     Atlantic and  Central,      1a,b, 2        Zink et al.
  phaeopus          west coast of Gulf coasts?  Atlantic                     1995,
  hudsonicus*       Hudson Bay                                               Engelmoer
                                                                             and Roselaar
                                                                             1998

  *N. p.            Alaska west   Pacific coast Pacific?      1a,b, 2        Engelmoer
  rufiventris*      to Melville   of USA south?                              and Roselaar
                    Hills in NW                                              1998
                    Terr.                                                    

  **Marbled                                                                  
  Godwit**                                                                   

  *Limosa fedoa     Great Plains  West coast    Pacific,      1b             Gratto-
  fedoa*                          into Mexico,  Central                      Trevor *In
                                  Gulf coast                                 press*

  *L. f. fedoa*     Hudson Bay    se. U.S.      Atlantic?     1b             Gratto-
                                  coasts?                                    Trevor *In
                                                                             press*

  *L. f. beringiae* Alaska        Washington,   Pacific       1b             Gibson and
                                  Oregon and                                 Kessel 1989,
                                  central                                    Gratto-
                                  California                                 Trevor *In
                                  coasts?                                    press*

  **Hudsonian                                                                
  Godwit**                                                                   

  *Limosa           Western and   ?             Pacific,      1b, 2          Haig et al.
  haemastica*       southern                    Central?                     1997
                    Alaska/                                                  
                    Mackenzie                                                
                    Delta                                                    

  *Limosa           Hudson Bay    ?             Central?,     1b, 2          Haig et al.
  haemastica*                                   Atlantic                     1997

  **Ruddy                                                                    
  Turnstone**                                                                

  *Arenaria         Alaska        Pacific       Pacific       1a,b           Cramp and
  interpres                       islands and                                Simmons
  interpres*                      locally from                               1983,
                                  California                                 Engelmoer
                                  into Mexico                                and Roselaar
                                                                             1998

  *A. i. interpres* High arctic   Western       Atlantic      1a,b           Cramp and
                    Canada        Europe                                     Simmons
                                                                             1983,
                                                                             Summers et
                                                                             al. 1989

  *A. i. morinella* Low arctic    Atlantic and  Central?,     1a,b           Cramp and
                    Canada        Gulf coasts   Atlantic                     Simmons
                                                                             1983,
                                                                             Engelmoer
                                                                             and Roselaar
                                                                             1998

  **Rock                                                                     
  Sandpiper**                                                                

  *Calidris         Mainland      SE Alaska                   1a,b           Gibson and
  ptilocnemis       Alaska, St.   into BC-WA                                 Kessel 1997,
  tschuktschorum*   Lawrence and                                             Gill pers.
                    Nunivak                                                  comm.
                    islands                                                  

  *C. p.            Pribilofs,    Cook Inlet,                 1a,b           Gibson and
  ptilocnemis*      St. Matthew   AK                                         Kessel 1997,
                    and Hall                                                 Gill pers.
                    islands                                                  comm.

  *C. p. cousei*    Attu Island,  Aleutians and               1a,b           Gibson and
                    Aleutians     Alaska                                     Kessel 1997,
                                  Peninsula                                  Gill pers.
                                                                             comm.

  **Purple                                                                   
  Sandpiper**                                                                

  *Calidris         N. Canada,    Europe        Atlantic      1b             Engelmoer
  maritima          except east                                              and Roselaar
  maritima*         coast Hudson                                             1998
                    Bay                                                      

  *C. m. belcheri*  east coast    E. Canada and Atlantic      1b             Engelmoer
                    Hudson Bay    ne. USA                                    and Roselaar
                                                                             1998

  **Red Knot**                                                               

  *Calidris canutus Low arctic    Southern      Atlantic      1a,b           Morrison and
  rufa*             Canada        South America                              Harrington
                                                                             1992

  *C. c. islandica* High arctic   Western                     1a,b           Davidson and
                    Canada        Europe                                     Wilson 1992

  *C. c. roselarri* Alaska and    California    Pacific,      1a,b           Tomkovich
                    Wrangel       south to      Central?,                    1992,
                    Island        Atlantic and  Atlantic?                    Piersma and
                                  Gulf coasts                                Davidson
                                                                             1992

  **Dunlin**                                                                 

  *Calidris alpina  Western       Pacific coast Pacific       1a,b, 2        Warnock and
  pacifica*         Alaska        to Mexico                                  Gill 1996,
                                                                             Wenink et
                                                                             al. 1996,

  *C. a. arcticola* Northern      Asia          Pacific?      1b             Warnock and
                    Alaska                                                   Gill 1996,
                                                                             Gill pers.
                                                                             comm.

  *C. a. hudsonia*  Central       Atlantic and  Central,      1b, 2          Warnock and
                    Canada        Gulf coasts   Atlantic                     Gill 1996,
                                                                             Wenink et
                                                                             al. 1996,

  **Short-billed                                                             
  Dowitcher**                                                                

  *Limnodromus      Hudson Bay    Central and   Central?,     1a,b           Cramp and
  griseus griseus*  east to       South America Atlantic                     Simmons 1983
                    Ungava Bay                                               

  *L. g.            Canada, west  Atlantic and  Central,      1a,b           Cramp and
  hendersoni*       of Hudson Bay Gulf coasts,  Atlantic                     Simmons
                                  perhaps to n.                              1983,
                                  South America                              Jaramillo et
                                                                             al. 1991

  *L. g. caurinus*  Southern      Pacific coast Pacific       1a,b           Cramp and
                    Alaska        North America                              Simmons
                                                                             1983,
                                                                             Jaramillo et
                                                                             al. 1991
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

^1^Information provided by Guy Morrison and Bob Gill.

^2^Estimate for North American birds, not including Greenland.

^3^Estimate probably includes a number of the subspecies *C. c.
rogersi*. Another 10-20,000 birds winter along Gulf and Atlantic coasts
and these birds are suspected to be *C. c. roselarri*, but could also be
an unidentified population of *C. c. rufa* (Brian Harrington pers.
comm.).

**Other species that may require conservation attention below the
species level:**

Semipalmated Plover - genetic data, see Haig et al. (1997)

Semipalmated Sandpipers - east and west breeders, different migration
routes? Genetic data, see Haig et al. (1997)

Red Phalarope -- east and west coast migrants, different breeding
grounds?

Red-necked Phalarope -- east and west coast migrants, different breeding
grounds? Genetic data, see Haig et al. (1997)

Pectoral Sandpiper - Genetic data, see Haig et al. (1997)

Upland Sandpiper - small populations in Washington and Oregon

Stilt Sandpiper -- a small population of a few hundred birds winters at
the Salton Sea

Common Snipe

American Woodcock

## Appendix 3: Population Size Estimates

Sizes, ranges and likely accuracy of North America shorebird population
estimates.

+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| ** | **Species** | ##### **Scie  | **P | **Range, notes**  | **Ac   |
| Co |             | ntific name** | op. |                   | curacy |
| de |             |               | Est |                   | ra     |
| ** |             |               | .** |                   | ting** |
+====+=============+===============+=====+===================+========+
| BB | Bl          | *Pluvialis    | 200 | \>140000          | 2      |
| PL | ack-bellied | squatarola*   | 000 |                   |        |
|    | Plover      |               |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| AG | American    | *Pluvialis    | 150 | breeding\>134000  | 2      |
| PL | Go          | dominicus*    | 000 |                   |        |
|    | lden-Plover |               |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| PG | Pacific     | *Pluvialis    | 16  | global at least   | 2      |
| PL | Go          | fulva*        | 000 | 90000             |        |
|    | lden-Plover |               |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| SN | Snowy       | *Charadrius   | 16  | 16000-21000,      | 4      |
| PL | Plover      | alexandrinus* | 000 | ±50%?             |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| WI | Wilson's    | *Charadrius   | 6   | 5000-6000, ±25%?  | 2      |
| PL | Plover      | wilsonia*     | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| SE | S           | *Charadrius   | 150 | \>124000, ±50%?   | 2      |
| PL | emipalmated | semipalmatus* | 000 |                   |        |
|    | Plover      |               |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| PI | Piping      | *Charadrius   | 5   | census, ±10%?     | 5      |
| PL | Plover      | melodus*      | 913 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| KI | Killdeer    | *Charadrius   | 1   | 200000-2000000    | 2      |
| LL |             | vociferus*    | 000 |                   |        |
|    |             |               | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| MO | Mountain    | *Charadrius   | 9   | 7500-10000, ±25%  | 4      |
| PL | Plover      | montanus*     | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| AM | American    | *Haematopus   | 7   | 6500-7500         | 3      |
| OY | Oy          | palliatus*    | 500 |                   |        |
|    | stercatcher |               |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| BL | Black       | *Haematopus   | 8   | 6900-10800, ±50%  | 3      |
| OY | Oy          | bachmani*     | 900 |                   |        |
|    | stercatcher |               |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| BN | B           | *Himantopus   | 150 | \>141000          | 2      |
| ST | lack-necked | mexicanus*    | 000 |                   |        |
|    | Stilt       |               |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| HA | Hawaiian    | *Himantopus   | \(  | 1500-1800         | 5      |
| ST | Stilt       | knudseni*     | 165 |                   |        |
|    |             |               | 0\) |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| AM | American    | *             | 450 | 300000-500000,    | 3      |
| AV | Avocet      | Recurvirostra | 000 | ±25%?             |        |
|    |             | americana*    |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| GR | Greater     | *Tringa       | 100 | \>83000, ±50%?    | 2      |
| YE | Yellowlegs  | melanoleuca*  | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| LE | Lesser      | *Tringa       | 500 | 300000-820000,    | 2      |
| YE | Yellowlegs  | flavipes*     | 000 | ±25%?             |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| SO | Solitary    | *Tringa       | 25  | 25000-150000      | 1      |
| SA | Sandpiper   | solitaria*    | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| WI | Willet      | *C            | 250 | \>245000          | 2      |
| LL |             | atoptrophorus | 000 |                   |        |
|    |             | semipalmatus* |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| WA | Wandering   | *Heteroscelus | 10  | 10000-25000?,     | 1      |
| TA | Tattler     | incanus*      | 000 | ±25%?             |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| SP | Spotted     | *Actitis      | 150 | 50000-250000      | 1      |
| SA | Sandpiper   | macularia*    | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| UP | Upland      | *Bartramia    | 350 | 350000-2000000    | 2      |
| SA | Sandpiper   | longicauda*   | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| ES | Eskimo      | *Numenius     | \   | 0-50              | 1      |
| CU | Curlew      | borealis*     | <50 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| WH | Whimbrel    | *Numenius     | 57  | 25000-100000      | 2      |
| IM |             | phaeopus*     | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| BT | Bris        | *Numenius     | 10  | 7500-11800        | 4      |
| CU | tle-thighed | tahitiensis*  | 000 |                   |        |
|    | Curlew      |               |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| LB | Long-billed | *Numenius     | 20  | 15000-20000       | 3      |
| CU | Curlew      | americana*    | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| HU | Hudsonian   | *Limosa       | 50  | \>46000           | 3      |
| GO | Godwit      | haemastica*   | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| BT | Bar-tailed  | *Limosa       | 100 | ±10-25%??         | 3      |
| GO | Godwit      | lapponica*    | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| MA | Marbled     | *Limosa       | 171 | 141000-203000,    | 3      |
| GO | Godwit      | fedoa*        | 500 | ±25%?             |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| RU | Ruddy       | *Arenaria     | 235 | ±30000?           | 3      |
| TU | Turnstone   | interpres*    | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| BL | Black       | *Arenaria     | 80  | 61000-99000       | 4      |
| TU | Turnstone   | m             | 000 |                   |        |
|    |             | elanocephala* |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| SU | Surfbird    | *Aphriza      | 70  | 50000-100000      | 3      |
| RF |             | virgata*      | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| RE | Red Knot    | *Calidris     | 400 | ±25%?             | 3      |
| KN |             | canutus*      | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| SA | Sanderling  | *Calidris     | 300 | ±50%??            | 2      |
| ND |             | alba*         | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| SE | S           | *Calidris     | 3   | 3000000-400000    | 2      |
| SA | emipalmated | pusilla*      | 500 |                   |        |
|    | Sandpiper   |               | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| WE | Western     | *Calidris     | 3   | 2800000-4300000   | 4      |
| SA | Sandpiper   | mauri*        | 500 |                   |        |
|    |             |               | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| LE | Least       | *Calidris     | 600 | ±50%??            | 1      |
| SA | Sandpiper   | minutilla*    | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| WR | W           | *Calidris     | 400 | ±25%??            | 3      |
| SA | hite-rumped | fuscicollis*  | 000 |                   |        |
|    | Sandpiper   |               |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| BA | Baird\'s    | *Calidris     | 300 | 140000-300000     | 3      |
| SA | Sandpiper   | bairdii*      | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| PE | Pectoral    | *Calidris     | 400 | 350000-400000     | 1      |
| SA | Sandpiper   | melanotos*    | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| SH | S           | *Calidris     | 30  | 166000 global     | 1      |
| SA | harp-tailed | acuminata*    | 000 |                   |        |
|    | Sandpiper   |               |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| PU | Purple      | *Calidris     | 15  | 10000-20000       | 3      |
| SA | Sandpiper   | maritima*     | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| RO | Rock        | *Calidris     | 150 | 150000-200000     | 2      |
| SA | Sandpiper   | ptilocnemis*  | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| DU | Dunlin      | *Calidris     | 1   | 950000-1525000    | 2      |
| NL |             | alpina*       | 525 |                   |        |
|    |             |               | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| ST | Stilt       | *Calidris     | 200 | 50000-200000      | 2      |
| SA | Sandpiper   | himantopus*   | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| BB | Bu          | *Tryngites    | 15  | 15000-20000       | 2      |
| SA | ff-breasted | s             | 000 |                   |        |
|    | Sandpiper   | ubruficollis* |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| SB | S           | *Limnodromus  | 320 | ±25-50%??         | 2      |
| DO | hort-billed | griseus*      | 000 |                   |        |
|    | Dowitcher   |               |     |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| LB | Long-billed | *Limnodromus  | 500 | ±25-50%??         | 1      |
| DO | Dowitcher   | scolopaceus*  | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| CO | Common      | *Gallinago    | 2   | 1000000-3000000   | 1      |
| SN | Snipe       | gallinago*    | 000 |                   |        |
|    |             |               | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| AM | American    | *Scolopax     | 5   | ±25%??            | 2      |
| WO | Woodcock    | minor*        | 000 |                   |        |
|    |             |               | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| WI | Wilson\'s   | *Phalaropus   | 1   | 500000-1500000    | 2      |
| PH | Phalarope   | tricolor*     | 500 |                   |        |
|    |             |               | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| RN | Red-necked  | *Phalaropus   | 2   | 1000000-3000000   | 1      |
| PH | Phalarope   | lobatus*      | 500 |                   |        |
|    |             |               | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+
| RE | Red         | *Phalaropus   | 1   | 1000000-2500000   | 1      |
| PH | Phalarope   | fulicaria*    | 000 |                   |        |
|    |             |               | 000 |                   |        |
+----+-------------+---------------+-----+-------------------+--------+

Population Estimate Accuracy Classification

1 (Poor): A population estimate based on an educated guess. Score 1 also
given to ESCU which has not been reliably seen in recent years. 2 (Low):
A population estimate based on broad-scale surveys where estimated
population size is likely to be in right order of magnitude. 3
(Moderate): A population estimate based on a special survey or on
broad-scale surveys of a narrowly distributed species whose populations
tend to concentrate to a high degree either a) in a restricted habitat,
or b) at a small number of favored sites. Estimate thought to be within
50% of the true number. 4 (Good): A calculated estimate based on
broad-scale mark:recapture ratios or other systematic estimating effort
resulting in estimates on which confidence limits can be placed. 5
(High): Number obtained from a dedicated census effort and thought to be
accurate and precise. In some cases, an indication of the estimated %
accuracy is also given in the range/notes column. No accuracy rating is
given for the four "Additional species" breeding in very small numbers
in Alaska.

## Appendix 4: Population Targets

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Species**       **Binomial name** **Priority         **PT         **%         **Period of     **Estimated   **Desirable   **Proposed Action **Notes**
                                      Conservation       Score^2^**   Decline**   Decline**       population    Population    ^x^**             
                                      Habitat ^1^**                                               size          Level                           
                                                                                                  (1000's)**    (1000's)**                      
  ----------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------ ----------- --------------- ------------- ------------- ----------------- ---------------
  Black-bellied     *P. squatarola    MN;coastal         5^b^         45%         ***1972^a^***   150           272.7         Halt declines,    Annual trend
  Plover            cyanosurae*       intertidal                                                                              then restore to   1972-1983 was
                                                                                                                              calculated 1972   -5.4 (Howe et
                                                                                                                              levels            al 1989)

                    *P. s.            MN;coastal         3(U)         45%                         50            90.9          Increase          90% loss of
                    squatarola*       intertidal                                                                              recommended to    intertidal
                                                                                                                              compensate for    habitat on
                                                                                                                              extensive loss of Pacific coast;
                                                                                                                              US west coast     trends stable
                                                                                                                              intertidal        in major US
                                                                                                                              habitat           wintering areas
                                                                                                                                                according to
                                                                                                                                                CBC data

  American          *Pluvialis        MN;grassland       4            ?           1900            150           ? ^c^         Halt declines,    Habitat loss
  Golden-Plover     dominica*                                                                                                 determine extent  not estimated
                                                                                                                              and then reverse  \-- most winter
                                                                                                                              decline with goal in southern
                                                                                                                              of restoring to   South America
                                                                                                                              1970 levels       

  Pacific           *Pluvialis fulva* MN;grassland       3            0           0               16            16            Population change Unknown
  Golden-Plover                                                                                                               status unknown.   
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Snowy Plover      *Ch. alexandrinus B;alkaline lakes   4            ?                           13.2          25            Information       
                    nivosus           MN; coastal beach                                                                       lacking on extent 
                    (interior)*                                                                                               of decline;       
                                                                                                                              strong declines   
                                                                                                                              evident from NV,  
                                                                                                                              OR, and CA        

                    *Ch. a. nivosus   B;alkaline lakes   5            \> 50%      1900            2             3             Increase to level 
                    (Pacific)*        MN; coastal beach                                                                       called for by     
                                                                                                                              recovery plan     

                    *Ch. a.           MNB;coastal beach, 4            ?                           0.5           recovery plan Increase to level 
                    tenuirostris      salinas                                                                   not completed called for by     
                    (Gulf &                                                                                                   recovery plan     
                    Caribbean)*                                                                                                                 

  Wilson\'s Plover  *Charadrius       MNB;coastal beach  3 (u)        ?           1950            6             10            Coastal beach     Populations of
                    wilsonia*                                                                                                 nesting habitat   coast-nesting
                                                                                                                              greatly reduced;  shorebirds have
                                                                                                                              population small  declined
                                                                                                                              \-- increase to   
                                                                                                                              ensure viability  

  Semipalmated      *Charadrius       MN;coastal         3            ?           1900            150           150           Population change Declines not
  Plover            semipalmatus*     intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Piping Plover     *Ch. melodus      B;alkaline & fresh 5            ?           ?               3.3           6             Monitor           Population goal
                    circumcinctus     lakes, sandbars,                                                                        nonbreeding       from Plissner &
                    (Gt. Plains)*     MN coastal beach                                                                        season habitat    Haig (2000)
                                                                                                                              loss, incl.       
                                                                                                                              riverine          
                                                                                                                              sandbars;         
                                                                                                                              determine         
                                                                                                                              historic          
                                                                                                                              population size   
                                                                                                                              and restore       
                                                                                                                              population to     
                                                                                                                              same level.       

                    *Ch. melodus      coastal lagoons &  5            \> 50%      ?               2.6           4             Increase to level Atlantic Region
                    melodus           beaches                                                                                 called for by     Recovery Plan
                    (Atlantic)*                                                                                               recovery plan     for Piping
                                                                                                                                                Plover

                    *Ch.m.            B; Gt. Lakes       5            \> 50%      ?               0.3           0.3           Population        Draft, Great
                    circumcinctus     beaches; MN                                                                             recovery plan     Lakes Piping
                    (Gt. Lakes)*      coastal beach                                                                           calls for 150     Plover Recovery
                                                                                                                              breeding pairs    Plan

  Killdeer          *Ch. vociferus*   MNB;grasslands,    5            ?           *1970^a^*       1000          ?             Still a common    Signif.
                                      agricultural,                                                                           species, so       declines in
                                      gravel                                                                                  resoration of     some regions
                                                                                                                              numbers not       accord.
                                                                                                                              warranted;        Sanzenbacher &
                                                                                                                              investigate cause Haig (in litt.)
                                                                                                                              of localized      and CBC (Sauer
                                                                                                                              declines and halt et al. 1996)
                                                                                                                              them where        
                                                                                                                              practical         

  Mountain Plover   *Ch. montanus*    BN; short-grass    5            \> 50%      1900            9             20            Calculated 1970   Significant
                                      prairie & agric                                                                         population =      declines
                                                                                                                              20,000 based on   reported in the
                                                                                                                              BBS decline rates listing
                                                                                                                                                petition (BBS
                                                                                                                                                1966-1996
                                                                                                                                                trend=-2.7,
                                                                                                                                                p=0.02, n= 33)

  American          *Haematopus       BN;coastal         3            ?           1900            7.5           7.5           Coastal beach     Current U.S.
  Oystercatcher     palliatus*        islands, coastal                                                                        nesting habitat   Atlantic
                                      intertidal                                                                              greatly reduced   distribution
                                                                                                                              and at risk;      expanding, but
                                                                                                                              monitor           still certainly
                                                                                                                              population to     smaller than
                                                                                                                              determine         historical
                                                                                                                              population trends distribution

  Black             *Haematopus       BN; rocky          4            25%         1900            8.9           11.9          Halt declines,    Minor declines
  Oystercatcher     bachmani*         intertidal                                                                              determine extent  suspected
                                                                                                                              and then reverse  
                                                                                                                              decline with goal 
                                                                                                                              of restoring to   
                                                                                                                              1970 levels       

  Black-necked      *Himantopus       BN;fresh wetland   5                        1870            1.6           1.5           Goal from         Endangered;
  Stilt             mexicanus                                                                                                 Endangered        declines have
                    knudseni*                                                                                                 Species Recovery  reversed,
                                                                                                                              Plan              population
                                                                                                                                                recovery is
                                                                                                                                                underway

                    *H. m. mexicanus* BN;fresh wetland   2            0                           150           150           Population change Declines not
                                                                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  American Avocet   *Recurvirostra    B;fresh/alkaline   3 (u)        ?           1900            450           450           Investigate       
                    americana*        wetland, MN                                                                             suspected         
                                      estuaries &                                                                             declines          
                                      lagoons                                                                                                   

  Greater           *Tringa           MN;fresh & salt    3            0           X               100           100           Population change Declines not
  Yellowlegs        melanoleuca*      wetland                                                                                 status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Lesser Yellowlegs *T. flavipes*     MN;fresh & salt    3            0           X               500           500           Population change Declines not
                                      wetland                                                                                 status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Solitary          *T. solitaria     BM;fresh wetland   3 (u)                    X               4             ?             Investigate       
  Sandpiper         cinnamonea*                                                                                               suspected         
                                                                                                                              declines.         
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

                    *T. s. solitaria* BM;fresh wetland   3 (u)                    X               21            ?             Investigate       
                                                                                                                              suspected         
                                                                                                                              declines.         
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Willet            *C. s. inornatus* MN;coastal wetland 3 (u)        ?                           160           160           Population change Declines not
                                                                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

                    *C. s.            MN;coastal wetland 3            0                           90            90            Population change Declines not
                    semipalmatus*                                                                                             status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Wandering Tattler *Heteroscilus     MN; rocky          3            0           X               10            10            Population change Declines not
                    incanum*          intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Spotted Sandpiper *Actitis          MN;coastal         3            0           0               150           150           Population change Declines not
                    macularia*        intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Upland Sandpiper  *Bartramia        BN;grassland       2            ?           1900            350           350           None. Apparent    Unknown whether
                    longicauda*                                                                                               declines have     breeding or
                                                                                                                              reversed;         nonbreeding
                                                                                                                              populations       habitats limit
                                                                                                                              increasing in     population size
                                                                                                                              recent decades    

  Eskimo Curlew     *Numenius         MN;tall-grass      5 ^(E)^      99%         1890            \<.05         \>100%        Manyfold increase Endangered; if
                    borealis*         prairie                                                                                                   still extant,
                                                                                                                                                population
                                                                                                                                                almost
                                                                                                                                                certainly \<
                                                                                                                                                100

  Whimbrel          *N. phaeopus      MN;coastal                      60% ^b^     ***1972^a^***   17            42.5          Calculated        Annual trend
                    hudsonicus*       intertidal                                                                              population in     1972-1983 was
                                                                                                                              1973 was 42,500;  -8.3 (Howe et
                                                                                                                              halt declines,    al. 1989)
                                                                                                                              then evaluate     
                                                                                                                              restoration to    
                                                                                                                              1973 levels       

                    *N. p.            MN;agricultural &  3(u)         60% ^b^     ?               40            105           Monitor           Habitat loss
                    rufiventris*      intertidal                                                                              populations and   not estimated
                                                                                                                              nonbreeding       \-- most winter
                                                                                                                              season habitat    south of the
                                                                                                                              loss              United States

  Bristle-thighed   *Numenius         MN; oceanea        3            ? 25%       1900            10            13.3          Calculated        
  Curlew            tahitiensis*                                                                                              population was    
                                                                                                                              \<13,300; halt    
                                                                                                                              declines, then    
                                                                                                                              evaluate          
                                                                                                                              restoration goals 

  Long-billed       *Numenius         B; short-grass     5            ?           ***1982***      20            50            30% loss of Great No sig. change
  Curlew            americanus*       prairie & agric.                                                                        Plains habitat;   accord. to BBS
                                                                                                                              additional major  (Sauer et al.
                                                                                                                              declines in so.   1996); 30% hab.
                                                                                                                              ID, extirpated    loss estimated
                                                                                                                              from WA, OR;      from MOPL
                                                                                                                              restore to 1970   listing.
                                                                                                                              levels.           

  Hudsonian Godwit  *L. haemastica    MN;coastal         3            0           X               36            36            Population change Declines not
                    (Hudson\'s Bay)*  intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

                    *Limosa           MN;coastal         3 (u)        25-50%      1900            14            18.7          Decline           Habitat loss
                    haemastica        intertidal                                                                              suspected,        not estimated
                    (Alaska)*                                                                                                 population small; \-- most winter
                                                                                                                              increase by 25%   in southern
                                                                                                                                                South America

  Bar-tailed Godwit *Limosa           MN;coastal         3            0           X               100           100           Population change Habitat loss
                    lapponica*        intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   not estimated
                                                                                                                              Determine status, \-- most winter
                                                                                                                              then halt and     in New Zealand
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Marbled Godwit    *L. fedoa         MN;coastal         3            ?                           2             2             Population change 
                    beringiae         intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   
                    (Alaska)*                                                                                                 Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

                    *L. f. fedoa (Gt. MN; inland wetland 4            35% ?       1900            168           258.5         Restoration goal  Breeding
                    Plains)*          & coastal                                                                               based on 35%      habitat loss
                                      intertidal                                                                              increase          prob. \> 35%
                                                                                                                              (commensurate     (Page & Gill
                                                                                                                              with habitat      1994);
                                                                                                                              loss); halt       intertidal
                                                                                                                              declines,         habitat loss
                                                                                                                              determine extent  not estimated
                                                                                                                              and then reverse  \-- many may
                                                                                                                              decline with goal winter in
                                                                                                                              of restoring      Mexico and
                                                                                                                                                northern South
                                                                                                                                                America

                    *L. f. fedoa      MN;coastal         4            ?                           1.5           3             Population small  35% winter
                    (Hudson\'s Bay)*  intertidal                                                                              \-- double to     habitat loss
                                                                                                                              ensure viability  estimated on
                                                                                                                                                basis of US
                                                                                                                                                coast in SC,
                                                                                                                                                GA, FL

  Ruddy Turnstone   *A. interpres     MN;coastal         4            ?                           180           \> 180        Halt declines,    Habitat loss
                    morinella*        intertidal                                                                              determine extent  not estimated
                                                                                                                              and then reverse  \-- most winter
                                                                                                                              decline with goal south of the
                                                                                                                              of restoring to   United States
                                                                                                                              1970 levels       

                    *A.i. interpres   MN;coastal         3(u)         0                           20            20            Population change Declines not
                    (Alaska)*         intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

                    *A.i. interpres   MN;coastal         3            0                           35            35            Population change Declines not
                    (High Arctic      intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                    Canada)*                                                                                                  Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Black Turnstone   *Arenaria         MN; rocky          3            0           X               80            80            Population change Declines not
                    melanocephala*    intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Surfbird          *Aphriza virgata* MN; rocky          4            0           1900            70            ?             Halt suspect      Habitat loss
                                      intertidal                                                                              declines,         not estimated
                                                                                                                              determine extent  \--most winter
                                                                                                                              and reverse with  in Mexico and
                                                                                                                              goal of restoring northern South
                                                                                                                              to 1970 levels    America

  Red Knot          *C. canutus       MN;coastal         3(u)         ?                           150^3^        ?             Evaluate; winters Wintering
                    roselaari*        intertidal                                                                              in So. Am. where  distribution
                                                                                                                              intertidal        poorly known
                                                                                                                              habitat is        
                                                                                                                              disappearing with 
                                                                                                                              likely effect on  
                                                                                                                              population size   

                    *C. c. rufa*      MN;coastal         4            50%         ***1980***      170           240           Evaluate Delaware Data exist that
                                      intertidal                                                                              Bay counts; halt  would be
                                                                                                                              declines, then    appropiate to
                                                                                                                              restore to 1980   evaluate
                                                                                                                              levels            

                    *C. c.islandica*  MN;coastal         3            ?                           80^2^         ?             Evaluate          Habitat loss
                                      intertidal                                                                              population        has occurred in
                                                                                                                              change; winters   recent decades
                                                                                                                              in Europe where   (Davidson &
                                                                                                                              extensive         Wilson 1992)
                                                                                                                              intertidal        
                                                                                                                              habitat loss has  
                                                                                                                              occurred in       
                                                                                                                              recent decades    

  Sanderling        *Calidris alba*   MN;coastal         5            80%         ***1972^a^***   300           1500          Populations may   Annual trend
                                      intertidal                                                                              have partially    1972-1983 was
                                                                                                                              recovered since   -13.7 (Howe et
                                                                                                                              1989; halt        al. 1989)
                                                                                                                              decline if        
                                                                                                                              extant.           

  Semipalmated      *Calidris         MN;coastal         5            50%         ***1972^a^***   3500          7000          Calculated 1974   Annual trend
  Sandpiper         pusilla*          intertidal                                                                              population (7     1972-1983 was
                                                                                                                              million); halt    -8.4%; Morrison
                                                                                                                              declines then     et al. 1994
                                                                                                                              evaluate for      
                                                                                                                              restoration       

  Western Sandpiper *Calidris mauri*  MN;coastal         3            0           X               3500          3500          Population change Declines not
                                      intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Least Sandpiper   *Calidris         MN;coastal         5            15%         ***1974^a^***   600           706           Halt declines,    Annual trend
                    minutilla*        intertidal                                                                              then evaluate for 1972-1983 was
                                                                                                                              restoration       -7.7% (Morrison
                                                                                                                                                et al. 1994)

  White-rumped      *Calidris         N; So. Am. coastal 3            0           X               400           400           Investigate       Habitat loss
  Sandpiper         fuscicollis*                                                                                              suspected         not estimated
                                                                                                                              declines and set  \-- most winter
                                                                                                                              population goal   in southern
                                                                                                                              accordingly       South America

  Baird\'s          *Calidris         So. Am. mixed      3            0           X               300           300           Population change Habitat loss
  Sandpiper         bairdii*                                                                                                  status unknown.   not estimated
                                                                                                                              Determine status, \-- most winter
                                                                                                                              then halt and     in southern
                                                                                                                              reverse any       South America
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Pectoral          *Calidris         So. Am. fresh      3            ?           1900            400           400           Population change Habitat loss
  Sandpiper         melanotos*        wetland & agric.                                                                        status unknown.   not estimated
                                                                                                                              Determine status, \-- most winter
                                                                                                                              then halt and     in southern
                                                                                                                              reverse any       South America
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Purple Sandpiper  *C. maritima      MN; rocky          3 (u)        ?           ?               15            15            Population change Population
                    belcheri*         intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   trend
                                                                                                                              Determine status, increasing
                                                                                                                              then halt and     according to
                                                                                                                              reverse any       CBC 1959-1988
                                                                                                                              decline.          (Sauer &
                                                                                                                                                Bortner 1991)

                    *C. m. maritima*  MN; rocky          3 (u)        ?           ?               ?             ?             None. Nonbreeding 
                                      intertidal                                                                              habitat in        
                                                                                                                              Iceland/Europe.   

  Rock Sandpiper    *C. ptilocnemis   MN; rocky          3 (u)        ?           X               75            75            Population change Declines not
                    cousei*           intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

                    *C. p.            MN; island tundra, 4            30-50%      1980 ?          25            41.7          30-50% decline    30-50% of
                    ptilocnemis*      coastal intertidal                                                                      suspected,        breeding
                                                                                                                              population fairly habitat gone
                                                                                                                              small; increase   
                                                                                                                              by 40%            

                    *C. p.            MN; rocky          3 (u)                                    50            50            Population change Declines not
                    tschuktschorum*   intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              halt and reverse  
                                                                                                                              any decline.      

  Dunlin            *C. alpina        MN;coastal         5            50% ?       ***1980^a^***   750           ?             Population change Population in
                    arcticola*        intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   mid-90\'s ca.
                                                                                                                              Determine status, half early
                                                                                                                              halt and reverse  80\'s(Declan
                                                                                                                              any decline.      Troy, unpubl.
                                                                                                                                                Alaskan
                                                                                                                                                breeding
                                                                                                                                                studies); cause
                                                                                                                                                likely is
                                                                                                                                                wintering
                                                                                                                                                habitat loss
                                                                                                                                                outside No. Am.

                    *C. a. hudsonia*  MN;coastal         4            ?                           225           ?             Halt declines,    Based on
                                      intertidal &                                                                            determine extent  habitat loss on
                                      agricultural                                                                            and then reverse  USA Atlantic
                                                                                                                              decline with goal and Gulf coasts
                                                                                                                              of restoring to   
                                                                                                                              1970 levels       

                    *C. a. pacifica*  MN;coastal         4            ?                           550           ?             Halt declines,    Based on
                                      intertidal                                                                              determine causes  habitat loss on
                                                                                                                              and extent of     USA west coast
                                                                                                                              decline, then     
                                                                                                                              evaluate goals    

  Stilt Sandpiper   *Calidris         MN;fresh wetland & 3            X           X               200           200           Population change Habitat loss
                    himantopus*       coastal lagoon                                                                          status unknown.   not estimated
                                                                                                                              Determine status, \-- most winter
                                                                                                                              then halt and     south of the
                                                                                                                              reverse any       United States
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Buff-breasted     *Tryngites        MN;grassland       4            90% ?       1900            15            30            Strong declines   Habitat loss
  Sandpiper         subruficollis*                                                                                            suspected; double not estimated
                                                                                                                              current           \-- most winter
                                                                                                                              population        in southern
                                                                                                                                                South America

  Short-billed      *L. griseus       MN;coastal         3(u)         ?                           150           ?             Population change Habitat loss
  Dowitcher         caurinus*         intertidal                                                                              status unknown.   not estimated
                                                                                                                              Determine status, \-- most winter
                                                                                                                              then halt and     south of the
                                                                                                                              reverse any       United States
                                                                                                                              decline.          

                    *L. g. griseus*   MN;coastal         5            46%         ***1972^a^***   110           204           Halt declines,    Annual trend
                                      intertidal                                                                              then evaluate     1972-1983 was
                                                                                                                              restoration to    -5.5; Howe et
                                                                                                                              calculated 1972   al 1989
                                                                                                                              levels (204,000)  

                    *L. g.            MN; coastal        4            ?                           60            ?             Halt declines,    Habitat loss
                    hendersoni*       intertidal & fresh                                                                      determine extent  not estimated
                                      wetland                                                                                 and then reverse  \-- many may
                                                                                                                              decline with goal winter in
                                                                                                                              of restoring to   Mexico and
                                                                                                                              1970 levels       northern South
                                                                                                                                                America

  Long-billed       *Limnodromus      MN;fresh wetland   2            X           X               500           500           Population change Declines not
  Dowitcher         scolopaceus*                                                                                              status unknown.   suspected
                                                                                                                              Determine status, 
                                                                                                                              then halt and     
                                                                                                                              reverse any       
                                                                                                                              decline.          

  Common Snipe      *Gallinago        MN;fresh wetland   5            27%         1950            2000          4345          Restore to        BBS 1980-1996;
                    gallinago*                                                                                                calculated 1950   trend -1.7, P
                                                                                                                              population level  \<0.01 N=516

  American Woodcock *Scolopax minor*  BN;upland          5            68%         1900            5000          5938          Extensive         BBS 1980-1996;
                                                                                                                              reduction of      -6.4, P= 0.07
                                                                                                                              second growth     N= 58. No sig.
                                                                                                                              habitat;          trend change
                                                                                                                              restoration to    according to
                                                                                                                              1900 population   CBC. Sig.
                                                                                                                              (calculated as    decline by
                                                                                                                              .59 million)      Sauer & Bortner
                                                                                                                                                (1991)

  Wilson\'s         *Phalaropus       MN; fresh &        4            ?           1970            1500          \> 1500       Halt declines,    Breeding
  Phalarope         tricolor*         alkaline wetland                                                                        determine degree  habitat
                                                                                                                              and causes, then  reduction
                                                                                                                              reverse decline   likely exceeds
                                                                                                                              with goal of      35% due to
                                                                                                                              restoring to 1970 prairie habitat
                                                                                                                              levels            reduction;
                                                                                                                                                winter habitat
                                                                                                                                                loss not
                                                                                                                                                estimated \--
                                                                                                                                                most winter in
                                                                                                                                                so. South
                                                                                                                                                America

  Red-necked        *Phalaropus       uncertain          4            ? 50%       1990            2500          5000 ?        Halt declines,    Decline cause
  Phalarope         lobatus*                                                                                                  determine extent  mysterious \--
                                                                                                                              and then reverse  most breed in
                                                                                                                              decline with goal Arctic, winter
                                                                                                                              of restoring to   at-sea in
                                                                                                                              1970 levels       southern
                                                                                                                                                hemisphere

  Red Phalarope     *Phalaropus                          4            X           X               1000          1000 ?        Halt declines,    Decline cause
                    fulicaria*                                                                                                determine extent  mysterious \--
                                                                                                                              and then reverse  Most breed in
                                                                                                                              decline with goal Arctic, winter
                                                                                                                              of restoring to   at-sea in
                                                                                                                              1970 levels       southern
                                                                                                                                                hemisphere
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Footnotes

^a^ years in bold italics show when trend changes were detected;
declines may have begun earlier.

^b^ at least one subspecies is in decline

^c^ declines strongly suspected; habitat-based recovery objectives not
possible because data unavailable from wintering grounds

^1^B=breeding habitat, M= migration habitats, N= non-breeding habitats

^2^ Values represent trend from sources considered most representative
for each taxon; in some cases higher/lower values may be known, but were
not used because they were from an inappropriate season or section of
the range.

## Appendix 5: National Shorebird Species Priority Scores

#### Shorebird Prioritization Scores: Taxonomic Order

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Species**                      **PT**   **RA**   **TB**   **TN**   **BD**   **ND**   **Category**   **Rule**
  -------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------------- ----------
  Black-bellied Plover             5        3        2        2        2        1        3              3a

  American Golden-Plover           4        3        2        4        2        3        4              4a,b

  Pacific Golden-Plover            3        5        2        2        5        4        4              4b

  Snowy Plover                     5        5        4        4        3        4        5              5a

  Wilson\'s Plover                 3        5        4        4        4        3        4              4b

  Semipalmated Plover              3        3        2        2        1        1        2              2a

  Piping Plover                    5        5        5        4        5        4        5              5a

  Killdeer                         5        1        3        3        1        2        3              3a

  Mountain Plover                  5        5        4        4        5        4        5              5a

  American Oystercatcher           3        5        4        4        3        4        4              4b

  Black Oystercatcher              3        5        4        3        3        4        4              4a,b

  Black-necked Stilt               3        3        3        2        1        2        2              2a

  American Avocet                  3        2        3        4        2        3        3              3b

  Greater Yellowlegs               3        4        2        2        2        1        3              3b

  Lesser Yellowlegs                3        2        2        3        2        1        2              2a

  Solitary Sandpiper               3        4        4        2        3        2        4              4b

  Willet                           3        3        3        3        3        3        3              3c

  Wandering Tattler                3        5        2        2        3        2        3              3b

  Spotted Sandpiper                3        3        2        2        1        1        2              2a

  Upland Sandpiper                 2        2        2        4        2        3        2              2b

  Eskimo Curlew                    5        5        3        4        5        5        5              5a

  Whimbrel                         5        4        2        2        3        2        4              4a

  Bristle-thighed Curlew           3        5        2        4        5        3        4              4b

  Long-billed Curlew               5        5        4        4        3        3        5              5a

  Hudsonian Godwit                 3        4        3        4        4        4        4              4b

  Bar-tailed Godwit                3        4        2        4        4        3        4              4b

  Marbled Godwit                   4        3        4        4        3        3        4              4a,b

  Ruddy Turnstone                  4        3        2        4        2        2        4              4a,b

  Black Turnstone                  3        4        4        4        5        3        4              4b

  Surfbird                         4        4        2        4        4        3        4              4a,b

  Red Knot                         5        2        2        4        3        3        4              4a

  Sanderling                       5        2        2        4        2        1        4              4a

  Semipalmated Sandpiper           5        1        2        3        3        3        3              3a

  Western Sandpiper                3        1        2        4        4        2        3              3b

  Least Sandpiper                  5        2        2        2        2        2        3              3e

  White-rumped Sandpiper           3        2        2        2        3        3        2              2a

  Baird\'s Sandpiper               3        2        2        2        3        3        2              2a

  Pectoral Sandpiper               3        2        2        3        2        3        2              2a

  Purple Sandpiper                 2        5        2        3        3        3        2              2b

  Rock Sandpiper                   3        3        3        4        5        4        3              3b

  Dunlin                           5        1        2        3        2        3        3              3a

  Stilt Sandpiper                  3        3        3        4        3        3        3              3b

  Buff-breasted Sandpiper          4        5        3        4        3        4        4              4a,b

  Short-billed Dowitcher           5        2        2        4        3        2        4              4a

  Long-billed Dowitcher            2        2        2        3        4        3        2              2b

  Common Snipe                     5        1        3        2        1        2        3              3e

  American Woodcock                5        1        4        4        2        3        4              4a

  Wilson\'s Phalarope              4        1        3        4        2        5        4              4a

  Red-necked Phalarope             4        1        2        3        1        3        3              3a

  Red Phalarope                    4        1        2        3        2        1        3              3a
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#### Shorebird Prioritization Scores: Priority Order

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Species**                      **PT**   **RA**   **TB**   **TN**   **BD**   **ND**   **Category**   **Rule**
  -------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------------- ----------
  Snowy Plover                     5        5        4        4        3        4        5              5a

  Piping Plover                    5        5        5        4        5        4        5              5a

  Mountain Plover                  5        5        4        4        5        4        5              5a

  Eskimo Curlew                    5        5        3        4        5        5        5              5a

  Long-billed Curlew               5        5        4        4        3        3        5              5a

  American Golden-Plover           4        3        2        4        2        3        4              4a,b

  Pacific Golden-Plover            3        5        2        2        5        4        4              4b

  Wilson\'s Plover                 3        5        4        4        4        3        4              4b

  American Oystercatcher           3        5        4        4        3        4        4              4b

  Black Oystercatcher              3        5        4        3        3        4        4              4a,b

  Solitary Sandpiper               3        4        4        2        3        2        4              4b

  Whimbrel                         5        4        2        2        3        2        4              4a

  Bristle-thighed Curlew           3        5        2        4        5        3        4              4b

  Hudsonian Godwit                 3        4        3        4        4        4        4              4b

  Bar-tailed Godwit                3        4        2        4        4        3        4              4b

  Marbled Godwit                   4        3        4        4        3        3        4              4a,b

  Ruddy Turnstone                  4        3        2        4        2        2        4              4a,b

  Black Turnstone                  3        4        4        4        5        3        4              4b

  Surfbird                         4        4        2        4        4        1        4              4a,b

  Red Knot                         5        2        2        4        3        3        4              4a

  Sanderling                       5        2        2        4        2        1        4              4a

  Buff-breasted Sandpiper          4        5        3        4        3        4        4              4a,b

  Short-billed Dowitcher           5        2        2        4        3        2        4              4a

  American Woodcock                5        1        4        4        2        3        4              4a

  Wilson\'s Phalarope              4        1        3        4        2        5        4              4a

  Black-bellied Plover             5        3        2        2        2        1        3              3a

  Killdeer                         5        1        3        3        1        2        3              3a

  American Avocet                  3        2        3        4        2        3        3              3b

  Greater Yellowlegs               3        4        2        2        2        1        3              3b

  Willet                           3        3        3        3        3        3        3              3c

  Wandering Tattler                3        5        2        2        3        2        3              3b

  Semipalmated Sandpiper           5        1        2        3        3        3        3              3a

  Western Sandpiper                3        1        2        4        4        2        3              3b

  Least Sandpiper                  5        2        2        2        2        2        3              3e

  Rock Sandpiper                   3        3        3        4        5        4        3              3b

  Dunlin                           5        1        2        3        2        3        3              3a

  Stilt Sandpiper                  3        3        3        4        3        3        3              3b

  Common Snipe                     5        1        3        2        1        2        3              3e

  Red-necked Phalarope             4        1        2        3        1        3        3              3a

  Red Phalarope                    4        1        2        3        2        1        3              3a

  Semipalmated Plover              3        3        2        2        1        1        2              2a

  Black-necked Stilt               3        3        3        2        1        2        2              2a

  Lesser Yellowlegs                3        2        2        3        2        1        2              2a

  Spotted Sandpiper                3        3        2        2        1        1        2              2a

  Upland Sandpiper                 2        2        2        4        2        3        2              2b

  White-rumped Sandpiper           3        2        2        2        3        3        2              2a

  Baird\'s Sandpiper               3        2        2        2        3        3        2              2a

  Pectoral Sandpiper               3        2        2        3        2        3        2              2a

  Purple Sandpiper                 2        5        2        3        3        3        2              2b

  Long-billed Dowitcher            2        2        2        3        4        3        2              2b
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#### Shorebird Species With Subspecies Scores

+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Species,** *subspecies*     | * | # | * | * | * | * | **    | **Ru |
|                               | * | # | * | * | * | * | Categ | le** |
|                               | P | # | T | T | B | N | ory** |      |
|                               | T | # | B | N | D | D |       |      |
|                               | * | # | * | * | * | * |       |      |
|                               | * | # | * | * | * | * |       |      |
|                               |   |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               |   | R |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               |   | A |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+===============================+===+===+===+===+===+===+=======+======+
| ###### Black-bellied Plover   | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3     | 3a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *P. s. cynosurae*             | U | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3     | 3b   |
|                               | ( |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | 3 |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | ) |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Pluvialis squatarola         | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4     | 4b   |
| squatarola*                   |   |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Snowy Plover**              | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5     | 5a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Charadrius alexandrinus      | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5     | 5a   |
| nivosus (Pacific coast)*      |   |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *C. a. nivosus*               | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4     | 4a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *C. a. tenuirostris*          | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5     | 5a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Piping Plover**             | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5     | 5a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Charadrius melodus melodus*  | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5     | 5a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *C. m. circumcinctus? (Great  | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5     | 5a   |
| Lake)*                        |   |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *C. m. circumcinctus (Great   | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5     | 5a   |
| Plains)*                      |   |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Black-necked Stilt**        | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2     | 2a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Himantopus mexicanus*        | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3     | 3b   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *H. m. knudseni*              | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4     | 4b   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Solitary Sandpiper**        | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3     | 3b   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Tringa solitara solitara*    | U | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2     | 2a   |
|                               | ( |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | 3 |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | ) |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *T. s. cinnamomea*            | U | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3     | 3b   |
|                               | ( |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | 3 |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | ) |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Willet**                    | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3     | 3c   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Catoptrophorus semipalmatus  | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3     | 3b   |
| semipalmatus*                 |   |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *C. s. inornatus*             | U | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3     | 3b   |
|                               | ( |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | 3 |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | ) |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Whimbrel**                  | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4     | 4a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Numenius phaeopus            | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5     | 5a   |
| hudsonicus*                   |   |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *N. p. rufiventris*           | U | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3     | 3b   |
|                               | ( |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | 3 |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | ) |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Hudsonian Godwit**          | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4     | 4b   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Limosa haemastica (Alaska)*  | U | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4     | 4b   |
|                               | ( |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | 3 |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | ) |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Limosa haemastica (Hudson    | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4     | 4b   |
| Bay)*                         |   |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Marbled Godwit**            | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4     | 4a,b |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Limosa fedoa fedoa (Great    | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4     | 4a   |
| Plains)*                      |   |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *L. f. fedoa (Hudson Bay)*    | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4     | 4a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *L. f. beringiae*             | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4     | 4b   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Ruddy Turnstone**           | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4     | 4a,b |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Arenaria interpres interpres | U | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3     | 3b   |
| (Alaska)*                     | ( |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | 3 |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | ) |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *A. i. interpres (Canada to   | U | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3     | 3b   |
| Europe)*                      | ( |   |   |   | 3 |   |       |      |
|                               | 3 |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | ) |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *A. i. morinella*             | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4     | 4a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Red Knot**                  | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4     | 4a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Calidris canutus rufa*       | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4     | 4a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *C. c. islandica*             | U | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3     | 3b   |
|                               | ( |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | 3 |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | ) |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *C. c. roselarri*             | U | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3     | 3b   |
|                               | ( |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | 3 |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | ) |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Purple Sandpiper**          | 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2     | 2b   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Calidris maritima maritima*  | U | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4     | 4b   |
|                               | ( |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | 3 |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | ) |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *C. m. belcheri*              | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4     | 4b   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Rock Sandpiper**            | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3     | 3b   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Calidris ptilocnemis         | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4     | 4b   |
| tschuktschorum*               |   |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *C. p. ptilocnemis*           | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4     | 4a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *C. p. cousei*                | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4     | 4b   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Dunlin**                    | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3     | 3a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Calidris alpina pacifica*    | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4     | 4a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *C. a. arcticola*             | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5     | 5a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *C. a. hudsonia*              | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3     | 3a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| **Short-billed Dowitcher**    | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3     | 3a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *Limnodromus griseus griseus* | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4     | 4a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *L. g. hendersoni*            | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4     | 4a   |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+
| *L. g. caurinus*              | U | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3     | 3b   |
|                               | ( |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | 3 |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
|                               | ) |   |   |   |   |   |       |      |
+-------------------------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+-------+------+

## Appendix 6: Area Importance of Shorebird Planning Regions

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Species Name**  **Pacific**                                               **IM West** **Central**                         **Mississippi**                 **Eastern**            
  ----------------- ------------------- --------------- ------------- ------- ----------- --------------------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- ------------- -------- ---------------
                    **1**               **2**           **3**         **4**   **5**       **6**                 **7**         **8**             **9**         **10**        **11**   **12**

  Black-bellied     **B,M**             **M**,W         **M**,**W**           M,W         m                     M             M                 M,W           **M**,w       m        M,**W**
  Plover                                                                                                                                                                             

  American          **B**               m               m                     m           M                     **M**         M                 **M**         m             m        m
  Golden-Plover                                                                                                                                                                      

  Pacific           **B,M**             m               m,w           M,W                                                                                                             
  Golden-Plover                                                                                                                                                                      

  Snowy Plover                          **B**,M,**W**   **B,M,W**             **B,**M,W                         **M**,**B**   ** **             b,M,W                                **B,W**

  Wilson\'s Plover                                                                                              m                               **B,**m,w     b                      **B,W**

  Semipalmated      **B**,m             **M**,w         M,W                   M,W         M                     M             M                 M,w           **M**         m        **M**,W
  Plover                                                                                                                                                                             

  Piping Plover                                                                           B,M                   **B,**M       **B**,M           **M**,**W**   **B,**m                B,**M**,**W**

  Killdeer          b                   **M**,**W**     B,M,**W**             B,M,W       B                     M,W,B         B,M               B,M,**W**     B,m,w         b,w      B,**W**

  Mountain Plover                                       M,**W**               **B,**m,W   b,m                   **M**,w,B     ** **             m,w                                   

  American                                                                                                                                      b,W           **B**                  **B,W**
  Oystercatcher                                                                                                                                                                      

  Black             **B,W**             **B,**M,**W**   **B,W**                                                                                                                       
  Oystercatcher                                                                                                                                                                      

  Black-necked                          m               B,M,W         **B**   **B**,M,W   b                     B,M                             b,M,W                                B,m,W
  Stilt                                                                                                                                                                              

  American Avocet                       m               B,**M**,W             **B**,M,W   B                     **M**,w,B     ** **             b,M,W         m                      m,w

  Greater           **B**,M             **M**,W         M,**W**               M,W         M                     **M**         **M**             **M**,W       M             m        **M**,W
  Yellowlegs                                                                                                                                                                         

  Lesser Yellowlegs **B,**m             M               m,w                   m,w         M                     M             M                 **M**,W       M             m        **M**,W

  Solitary          **B**               m               m                     m           M                     M             b,M               M,w           M             m        **M**
  Sandpiper                                                                                                                                                                          

  Willet                                m,w             b**,M,W**             **B,**M,W   B,M                   B,M,w         m                 B,M,W         **B,**M,w              **B**,M,**W**

  Wandering Tattler **B**               M               M,w           M                                                                                                               

  Spotted Sandpiper B                   b,m,w           B,M,W                 **B,**M,W   B,M                   B,M,w         B,M               b,M,w         B,M           b,m      b,**M**,W

  Upland Sandpiper  b                                                         b,m         **B**                 **B,M**       b,m               **M**         b,m           m        b,M

  Eskimo Curlew     M                                                                                           **M**                           **M**         **M**                   

  Whimbrel          **B,M**             **M**,w         **M**,w               m           m                     M             m                 **M**         **M**         m        **M**,w

  Bristle-thighed   **B,M**                             m             **M**                                                                                                           
  Curlew                                                                                                                                                                             

  Long-billed                           m,w             b,**M,W**             **B,**M,W   b                     B,M                             M,**W**                              m,w
  Curlew                                                                                                                                                                             

  Hudsonian Godwit  **B,M**                                                               M                     **M**         M                 **M**         M                      m

  Bar-tailed Godwit **B,M**                                                                                                                                                           

  Marbled Godwit    B,M                 M,w             **M,W**               b,M,W       **B**,m               m             b,m               M,W           m             m        M,**W**

  Ruddy Turnstone   **B,M**             M,w             m,w           **M**   m           m                     m             M,w               M,W           **M**,w       m        M,W

  Black Turnstone   **B,M**,w           M,**W**         M**,W**                                                                                                                       

  Surfbird          **B,M**,w           M,**W**         m,w                                                                                                                           

  Red Knot          **B,M**             **M**           M,W                   m                                               m                 m,w           **M**                  **M**,**W**

  Sanderling        b,m,w               **M,W**         M,W                   m           m                     m             M                 M,W           **M**,w       m        **M**,W

  Semipalmated      **B**,M             m               m                     m           M                     M             M                 M             **M**         m        **M**
  Sandpiper                                                                                                                                                                          

  Western Sandpiper **B,M**             **M**,w         **M,W**               **M**,W     m                     M             m                 M,W           m                      M,W

  Least Sandpiper   **B**,M             M,w             M,W                   **M**,W     m                     **M**,W       **M**             M,W           M             m        M,W

  White-rumped      **B**                                                     m           M                     **M**         M                 **M**         **M**         m        m
  Sandpiper                                                                                                                                                                          

  Baird\'s          **B**,m             m               m                     m           **M**                 **M**         M                 M             m             m        m
  Sandpiper                                                                                                                                                                          

  Pectoral          **B,M**             m               m                     m           **M**                 **M**         M                 **M**         m             m        **M**
  Sandpiper                                                                                                                                                                          

  Purple Sandpiper                                                                                                                                            **W**                  W

  Rock Sandpiper    **B,W**             m,w             w                                                                                                                             

  Dunlin            **B,M**             **M**,**W**     **M**,**W**           M,W         M                     m             M                 M,W           **M**,W       m,w      m,**W**

  Stilt Sandpiper   **B**               m                                     m           **M**                 M             M                 **M**,w       m             m        M,w

  Buff-breasted     **B**,m             m                                                 m                     **M**         M                 M             M                      M
  Sandpiper                                                                                                                                                                          

  Short-billed      **B,M**             **M**           **M**,W               m           m                     m             M                 M,W           **M**         m        **M**,**W**
  Dowitcher                                                                                                                                                                          

  Long-billed       **B**,M             **M**,w         **M**,**W**           **M**,W     M                     **M**         M                 M,W           m             m        m,W
  Dowitcher                                                                                                                                                                          

  Common Snipe      **B**               b,m,**W**       **W**                 B,M,W       b                     b,M,W         b,M               M,W           B,M,w         m        M,**W**

  American Woodcock                                                                       B                     B,W           B,M               B,W           **B,M**,W     b,M,w    B,**W**

  Wilson\'s                             b,m             b,M                   B,**M**     **B**                 B,M           b,M               M             m             m        M
  Phalarope                                                                                                                                                                          

  Red-necked        **B,M**             **M**           M                     **M**       M                     m             m                 m             **M**                  m
  Phalarope                                                                                                                                                                          

  Red Phalarope     **B,M**             **M**,w         **M**         ** **   m                                                                 m             M                      m,w

                    5 Inter-Mountain                                                      9 Lower                                                                                    
                    West                                                                  Mississippi/Western                                                                        
                                                                                          Gulf Coast                                                                                 

                    6 Northern                                                            10 Northern Atlantic                                                                       
                    Plains/Prairie                                                                                                                                                   
                    Potholes                                                                                                                                                         

                    7 Central                                                             11 Appalachians                                                                            
                    Plains/Playa Lakes                                                                                                                                               

                    8 Upper                                                               12 Southeastern                                                                            
                    Mississippi/Great                                                     Coastal                                                                                    
                    Lakes                                                                 Plain/Caribbean                                                                            
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Region Number/Name: 1. Alaska, 2. Northern Pacific, 3. Southern Pacific,
4. Hawaii, 5. Intermountain West, 6. Northern Plains/Prairie Potholes,
7. Central Plains/Playa Lakes, 8. Upper Miss./Great Lakes, 9. Lower
Miss./Western Gulf Coast, 10. Northern Atlantic, 11. Appalachians, 12.
Southeastern Coastal Plain/Caribbean

## Appendix 7: Area Importance of Bird Conservation Regions

See draft table at <http://www.manomet.org/USSCP/files.htm>

Filename BCRSCORES

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