Long-term environmental management to prevent waterfowl population declines is informed by ecology, movement behavior and habitat use patterns. Extrinsic factors such as human-induced disturbance can cause behavioral changes which may influence movement, and resource needs, driving variation that affects management efficacy. To better understand the relationship between human-based disturbance and animal movement and habitat use, and their potential effects on management, we GPS tracked 15 dabbling ducks in California over about 4-weeks before, during and after the start of a recreational hunting season in October and November 2018. We recorded locations at 2-minute intervals across three separate 24-hour tracking phases: Phase 1) two weeks before the start of the hunting season (control (undisturbed) movement); Phase 2) the hunting season opening weekend; and Phase 3) a hunting weekend two weeks after opening weekend. We used GLMM models to analyze variation in movement and habitat use under hunting pressure compared with normal observed patterns prior to commencement of hunting. We also compared responses to differing levels of disturbance related to the time of day high - lethal); moderate - non-lethal (crepuscular); and low - night). During opening weekend flight (percent time and distance) more than doubled during moderate and low disturbance and increased by 50 percent during high disturbance compared with the pre-season weekend. Sanctuary use tripled during moderate and low disturbance and increased 50 percent during high disturbance. Two weeks later flight decreased in all disturbance levels but was only less than the pre-season levels during high disturbance. In contrast, sanctuary use only decreased at night while daytime doubled from 45 percent to greater than 80 percent, although not to pre-season levels. Birds adjust rapidly to disturbance and nocturnal foraging compensates energy deficits. These results have implications for energetics models that estimate population food requirements and management may benefit from reassessing the juxtaposition of habitat to optimize wetland management for waterfowl.

These data describe the overlap of wild waterfowl and domestic poultry operations in California, USA. These data support a paired USGS publication.

These data describe the overlap of wild waterfowl and domestic poultry operations in California, USA. These data support a paired USGS publication.

Surveys are conducted to record the number of waterfowl utilizing the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Data are broken up by species and pond number where individuals are counted. This data and metadata were submitted by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Staff though the Data Management Plan (DMP) framework with the id: DMP000577. For more information, please visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/Data/Sci-Data.

Surveys are conducted to record the number of waterfowl utilizing the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Data are broken up by species and pond number where individuals are counted. This data and metadata were submitted by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Staff though the Data Management Plan (DMP) framework with the id: DMP000577. For more information, please visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/Data/Sci-Data.

Technological advancements in Global Positioning System (GPS) telemetry markers allow almost real-time observation of waterfowl movements and habitat selection. Telemetry data on ducks marked with GPS transmitters can be used to evaluate performance of remote sensing data (for example, dynamic open-water maps produced by Point Blue Conservation Science) for classifying habitats that are flooded and available for waterfowl. Translating dynamic open-water maps to waterfowl-relevant habitat maps provides a major improvement for wildlife researchers and managers to assist in their assessments of the areas and habitats used by waterfowl as hydrologic conditions change, both temporally and spatially. Suitable habitat maps developed using dynamic water data should accurately and consistently characterize those flooded habitats used by ducks. Because ducks prefer flooded habitats like wetlands and rice fields, duck locations recorded with telemetry technology can be used to validate and enhance maps developed to characterize waterfowl habitats that change temporally with drought or water management. Additionally, high-resolution telemetry data recorded in near real-time can provide information on waterfowl responsiveness to water-management decisions intended to provide adequate habitat for waterfowl. For example, telemetry data can be analyzed to infer duck response to drought in terms of distance traveled to feed and overlap in use of space or habitats by ducks, which have implications for the population dynamics of ducks.

Technological advancements in Global Positioning System (GPS) telemetry markers allow almost real-time observation of waterfowl movements and habitat selection. Telemetry data on ducks marked with GPS transmitters can be used to evaluate performance of remote sensing data (for example, dynamic open-water maps produced by Point Blue Conservation Science) for classifying habitats that are flooded and available for waterfowl. Translating dynamic open-water maps to waterfowl-relevant habitat maps provides a major improvement for wildlife researchers and managers to assist in their assessments of the areas and habitats used by waterfowl as hydrologic conditions change, both temporally and spatially. Suitable habitat maps developed using dynamic water data should accurately and consistently characterize those flooded habitats used by ducks. Because ducks prefer flooded habitats like wetlands and rice fields, duck locations recorded with telemetry technology can be used to validate and enhance maps developed to characterize waterfowl habitats that change temporally with drought or water management. Additionally, high-resolution telemetry data recorded in near real-time can provide information on waterfowl responsiveness to water-management decisions intended to provide adequate habitat for waterfowl. For example, telemetry data can be analyzed to infer duck response to drought in terms of distance traveled to feed and overlap in use of space or habitats by ducks, which have implications for the population dynamics of ducks.

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Vector datasets of CWHR range maps are one component of California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR), a comprehensive information system and predictive model for Californias wildlife. The CWHR System was developed to support habitat conservation and management, land use planning, impact assessment, education, and research involving terrestrial vertebrates in California. CWHR contains information on life history, management status, geographic distribution, and habitat relationships for wildlife species known to occur regularly in California. Range maps represent the maximum, current geographic extent of each species within California. They were originally delineated at a scale of 1:5,000,000 by species-level experts and have gradually been revised at a scale of 1:1,000,000. For more information about CWHR, visit the CWHR webpage (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR). The webpage provides links to download CWHR data and user documents such as a look up table of available range maps including species code, species name, and range map revision history; a full set of CWHR GIS data; .pdf files of each range map or species life history accounts; and a User Guide.