Spatiotemporal distribution of birds at the guerrero negro saltworks, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Abstract

The saltworks development located near the Ojo de Liebre-Guerrero Negro coastal lagoon system, in Baja California Sur (Mexico), conforms a modified habitat used by resident and migratory) birds. To describe the species composition, distribution and abundance of this avifauna, 12 monthly censuses mere performed in the area, from December 1995 to December 1996. Ninety-five species were identified. Changes in the number of species during the study period (from a maximum of 61 in January to a minimum of 39 in July) are related to the presence or absence of migratory and/or wintering species. Fifteen of the species are protected by the Mexican Government under some kind of status (two endangered, seven threatened, one rare and five under special protection). Changes in the abundance were also related to the occurrence of migratory and wintering birds, with the highest numbers recorded between August and December. The lowest abundance, 5.561 birds, was recorded in June and the highest, 72,951 birds, in August. The most abundant species were Phalaropus lobatus (24.1% of the overall record), Calidris mauri (23.2%), Podiceps nigricollis (13.8%), Limosa fedoa (6.4%) and Branta bernicla (6.2%). These results confirm that this area is ornithologically important.