The Lesser Yellowlegs is a medium-sized shorebird that breeds in northern North America and migrates to coastal areas further south for the winter. Understanding where these birds breed can provide important information about their habitat needs and conservation status.
Breeding Range
Lesser Yellowlegs breed primarily in Canada and Alaska. Their breeding range extends:
- From western and central Alaska across northern Canada to Hudson Bay
- South to central British Columbia, central Alberta, central Saskatchewan, southern Manitoba, and southern Ontario
- East through Quebec to Labrador and Newfoundland
Within this broad region, Lesser Yellowlegs nest in open boreal forest and taiga habitat near wetlands. They prefer areas with many ponds, marshes, and wet meadows where they can forage.
Key Breeding Locations
Some of the key areas where Lesser Yellowlegs congregate to breed in highest numbers include:
- Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
- Wood Buffalo National Park, Northwest Territories
- Northern Alberta and British Columbia
- Central and Northern Saskatchewan
- Northern Manitoba
- James Bay and Hudson Bay Lowlands, Ontario
- Ungava Peninsula, Quebec
Lesser Yellowlegs often return to the same breeding sites each year. Areas with extensive wetlands and a mix of boreal forests tend to support the largest breeding concentrations.
Habitat Preferences
On their breeding grounds, Lesser Yellowlegs prefer the following habitats and features:
- Boreal forest – open conifer and mixed forests with black spruce, tamarack, pine, fir, aspen, birch
- Wetlands – shallow marshes, ponds, flooded meadows, bog and fen habitats
- Shorelines – edges of lakes, rivers, streams
- Clearings – forest openings and edges
- Low cover – areas with short grasses and sedges for nesting
Ideal breeding areas provide a mix of forest and open wetland foraging habitat, with scattered pools, marshy edges and stream banks for feeding.
Arrival on the Breeding Grounds
The timing of Lesser Yellowlegs arrival on their breeding grounds depends on ice breakup and spring thaw each year. Typically they arrive between early May and early June, with timing from south to north as follows:
- Southern Yukon, British Columbia – early to mid May
- Central Northwest Territories, Alberta, Saskatchewan – mid to late May
- Northern Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec – late May
- Ungava Peninsula, Labrador – early to mid June
Males usually arrive before females to establish and defend breeding territories. Peak breeding occurs from mid-June through July across their range.
Nesting and Reproduction
On the breeding grounds, Lesser Yellowlegs form monogamous pairs and nest solitarily. Their nesting habits include:
- Nests on the ground in dry open areas near water
- Lays a clutch of 3-5 eggs (sometimes 2-7)
- Eggs light brown to olive with dark spotting
- Incubated for 21-22 days by both parents
- Precocial young leave nest within 1 day
- Chicks fledge at 18-20 days old
- May produce one brood per year
Nest success averages around 40%, with clutch loss common due to predation and flooding. Parents actively defend nests from predators with alarm calls and distraction displays.
Threats on the Breeding Grounds
Some of the major threats that Lesser Yellowlegs face on their breeding grounds include:
- Habitat loss – wetland drainage for agriculture, development, forestry, mining
- Predators – coyotes, foxes, mink, gulls take eggs/young
- Climate change – altering wetland hydrology, drying conditions
- Disturbance – human activity near breeding sites
- Contaminants – mercury, pesticides accumulating through food chain
Protecting key wetland complexes and minimizing disturbances in core breeding areas are important for conservation.
Departure from Breeding Grounds
Lesser Yellowlegs depart on southbound migration shortly after breeding. Failed breeders and males leave first, followed by successful females and the young. Departure takes place in August and September, earlier from northern areas. Fall migration brings Lesser Yellowlegs to coastal marshes, mudflats, lakes and rivers across North and South America for the winter.
Conclusion
In summary, Lesser Yellowlegs breed primarily in boreal forest and wetland habitats across Alaska, Canada, and into the eastern U.S. Key breeding locations center on the Yukon Delta, the Northwest Territories, and the Hudson Bay lowlands region. Preferred breeding sites provide a mix of forest cover and open wetland ponds and marshes. Arrival takes place from May to early June, with most birds departing on southbound migration by mid-September. Protecting wetland complexes from development is critical to preserving breeding habitat across their range.
