Stable isotopes have been used to estimate migratory connectivity in many species. Estimates are often greatly improved when coupled with species distribution models (SDMs), which temper estimates in relation to occurrence. SDMs can be constructed using from point locality data from a variety of sources including extensive monitoring data typically collected by citizen scientists. However, one potential issue with SDM is that these data oven have sampling bias. To avoid this potential bias, an approach using SDMs based on marsh bird monitoring program data collected by citizen scientists and other participants following protocols specifically designed to maximize detections of species of interest at locations representative of the species range. We then used the SDMs to refine isotopic assignments of breeding areas of autumn-migrating and wintering Sora (Porzana carolina), Virginia Rails (Rallus limicola), and Yellow Rails (Coturnicops noveboracensis) based on feathers collected from individuals caught at various locations in the United States from Minnesota south to Louisiana and South Carolina. Sora were assigned to an area that included much of the western U.S. and prairie Canada, covering parts of the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi Flyways. Yellow Rails were assigned to a broad area along Hudson and James Bay in northern Manitoba and Ontario, as well as smaller parts of Quebec, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, including parts of the Mississippi and Atlantic Flyways. Virginia Rails were from several discrete areas, including parts of Colorado, New Mexico, the central valley of California, and southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the Pacific and Central Flyways. Our study demonstrates extensive data from organized citizen science monitoring programs are especially useful for improving isotopic assignments of migratory connectivity in birds, which can ultimately lead to better informed management decisions and conservation actions.

SDM Variables Part 1part 1 of the input files for SDM creation.sdm_variables_1.zipSDM Variables Part 2part 2 of the input files for SDM creation.sdm_variables_2.zipSDM Variables Part 3part 3 of the input files for SDM creation.sdm_variables_3.zipSora mrange filesZip file of the Sora mrange filess_mrange.zipVirginia Rail mrange filesVirginia Rail mrange filesvira_mrange.zipYellow Rail mrange filesYellow Rail mrange filesy_mrange.zipData Filesinput files for monitoring data, stable isotope data, maping inputs for figures and sdm models saved in .Rdata files.data_files.zipIntermediate FilesIntermediate Files from the data cleaning, SDM and assignment process.intermediate_files.zipShapefilesShapefiles for each speciesshapefiles.zipscriptsR scripts to create all figures, tables, data cleaning, SDM creation and assignment