Arctic Migratory Raptor Selects Nesting Area During the Previous Breeding Season

Migratory species have a limited time for habitat selection upon arrival at the breeding grounds. This is especially evident in arctic migrants, which are restricted by narrow window of opportunity when environmental conditions favorable breeding. general constraint amplified rough-legged buzzards ( Buteo lagopus ) who, as many other predators, rely on rodent (lemming) cycles during season, 3–5 year period waxing and waning local food abundance. It remains unclear how can find nesting areas where rodents numerous their so limited. We hypothesized that select previous season. tracked 43 using GPS telemetry assessed movements post-breeding prospecting behavior to test our hypothesis. Here we show search location season period. In following year, individuals return attempt breed area they inspected before. Rough-legged buzzards, regardless success, remained Arctic all until end September. Failed breeders prospected more than successful ones. At same time, bred rodent-free ecosystem less showed high level philopatry. Therefore, been predicted collapse warming Arctic, expect predators change movement patterns future with serious potential consequences conservation. anticipate study provides step forward toward understanding settlement decisions animals experiencing inter-annual variation.