Migration-segment metrics from GPS-GSM-tracked Greater Sand Plovers between the Guangxi coast of the northern Beibu Gulf, China, and Mongolia, 2021
Data files
Jun 23, 2026 version files 19.42 KB
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migration_segment_metrics.xlsx
12.93 KB
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README.md
6.49 KB
Abstract
This dataset contains migration-segment metrics derived from GPS-GSM tracking of Greater Sand Plovers (Charadrius leschenaultii) captured along the Guangxi coast of the northern Beibu Gulf, China, during 2021–2022. The dataset includes individual-level spring and autumn migration records used to quantify and compare migration-segment distance, observed migration-segment duration, route straightness, number of stopovers, proportion of time at stopovers, travel-to-stopover ratio, and related movement metrics. It also includes supporting information on bird ID, season, tracking period, and migration-segment classification used in the associated article.
These data can be reused to examine seasonal differences in shorebird migration, compare stopover allocation among East Asian-Australasian Flyway species, support meta-analyses of migration metrics, and inform conservation planning for inland and coastal wetlands used by migratory shorebirds. The data have been anonymized at the individual bird level where appropriate, and no human-subject data are included. Fieldwork was conducted under relevant permits and ethical approvals described in the associated article. Users should cite both this dataset and the associated publication when reusing the data.
Associated manuscript
Seasonal differences in migration routes and stopover use of Greater Sand Plovers between Mongolia and the Beibu Gulf revealed by GPS tracking
File: migration_segment_metrics.xlsx
File description:
This workbook contains migration-segment metrics calculated for GPS-GSM-tracked Greater Sand Plovers. Each valid row in Sheet1 represents one observed migration segment for one anonymized bird in one season. Spring refers to northward migration, and autumn refers to southward migration. The workbook also includes a data dictionary in Sheet2.
The dataset is intended to support analyses comparing seasonal differences in migration-segment distance, observed migration-segment duration, stopover allocation, movement-phase travel rate, and route straightness.
Workbook structure:
Sheet1
Main data table containing bird-season migration-segment metrics.
Note: one blank row separates spring and autumn records in the spreadsheet. This blank row is not a data record and should be removed or ignored before analysis.
Sheet2
Data dictionary defining the migration metrics used in Sheet1.
Variables in Sheet1
| Column name | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| ID | Anonymized individual bird identifier used in the manuscript and supplementary materials | none |
| season | Migration season. Spring indicates northward migration; Autumn indicates southward migration |
none |
| start time | Start date of the observed migration segment | date |
| end time | End date of the observed migration segment | date |
| Observed migration-segment duration (day) | Time elapsed between departure from the origin area and arrival at the destination area within the observed migration segment. Premigratory fattening was not included | days |
| Total stopover duration (days) | Total time spent at all identified stopover sites during the observed migration segment | days |
| Movement duration | Observed migration-segment duration minus total stopover duration | days |
| Number of stopovers | Number of stopover events identified during the observed migration segment | count |
| Proportion of time at stopovers | Total stopover duration divided by observed migration-segment duration | unitless |
| Mean stopover duration (days) | Total stopover duration divided by the number of stopovers | days |
| Travel-to-stopover ratio | Migration-segment distance divided by total stopover duration | km/day |
| Migration-segment distance (km) | Cumulative distance between consecutive observed GPS locations from the start to the end of the observed migration segment | km |
| Movement-phase travel rate | Migration-segment distance divided by movement duration. This metric excludes stopover time and should not be interpreted as overall migration speed | km/day |
| Route straightness | Great-circle distance between the start and end of the observed migration segment divided by migration-segment distance | unitless |
Metric calculation notes
Migration-segment distance was calculated as the cumulative distance between consecutive observed GPS locations within each observed migration segment.
Observed migration-segment duration was calculated from the departure date from the origin area to the arrival date at the destination area within the observed migration segment. Premigratory fattening was not measured and was not included.
Movement duration was calculated as:
Movement duration = observed migration-segment duration - total stopover duration
Movement-phase travel rate was calculated as:
Movement-phase travel rate = migration-segment distance / movement duration
Travel-to-stopover ratio was calculated as:
Travel-to-stopover ratio = migration-segment distance / total stopover duration
Route straightness was calculated as:
Route straightness = great-circle distance between segment start and end points / migration-segment distance
Date and time notes
Dates are provided in year/month/day format (YYYY/M/D). For example, 2021/5/3 refers to 3 May 2021..
Missing values
Blank cells indicate unavailable or not applicable values. The blank separator row in Sheet1 is not a data record.
Recommended data handling
Before analysis, remove blank rows and ensure that numeric columns are read as numeric variables. For paired seasonal comparisons, each individual bird should contribute only one spring record and one autumn record.
Suggested citation
Please cite the associated manuscript when using this dataset.