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By analysing the deuterium concentration in the scapulars and rectrices (δ2Hf) of breeding and spring migrating Ortolan Buntings (Emberiza hortulana), we found a high correlation attesting that spring body and central rectrices have grown in similar isotopic environments. Furthermore, we failed to find a correlation between δ2Hf of the rectrices and the amount-weighted growing season precipitation δ2Hp of sites where we captured the birds. Winter-grown body coverts and rectrices displayed similar probabilistic assignments to origin. Further examination of 76 tails of breeding birds captured in Finland in May–June confirmed that breeding birds wear recently moulted central rectrices. The body coverts are known to moult during the winter partial moult in that species, but the rectrices have been reported to moult only once a year, during the complete post-breeding moult occurring on the breeding grounds in summer. Here, we reveal the common replacement of the central pair in winter, as well. The winter tail moult could occur beyond the central pair in some individuals, but this has still to be confirmed or refuted, by, e.g., further isotopic investigations.

Anthropogenic activities, such as agricultural intensification, caused large declines in biodiversity, including farmland birds. In addition to demographic consequences, anthropogenic activities can result in loss of genetic diversity, reduction of gene flow and altered genetic structure. We investigated the distribution of the genetic variation of a declining farmland and long- distance migratory bird, the ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulana, across its European breeding range to assess the impact of human-driven population declines on genetic diversity and structure in order to advise conservation priorities. The large population declines observed have not resulted in dramatic loss of genetic diversity, which is moderate to high and constant across all sampled breeding sites. Extensive gene flow occurs across the breeding range, even across a migratory divide, which contributes little to genetic structuring. However, gene flow is asymmetric, with the large eastern populations acting as source populations for the smaller western ones. Furthermore, breeding populations that underwent the largest declines, in Fennoscandia and Baltic countries, appear to be recently isolated, with no gene exchange occurring with the eastern or the western populations. These are signs for concern as declines in the eastern populations could affect the strength of gene flow and in turn affect the western populations. The genetic, and demographic, isolation of the northern populations make them particularly sensitive to loss of genetic diversity and to extinction as no immigration is occurring to counter-act the drastic declines. In such a situation, conservation efforts are needed across the whole breeding range: in particular, protect- ing the eastern populations due to their key role in maintaining gene flow across the range, and focussing on the northern populations due to their recent isolation and endangered status.

During 2011–2012 a special survey of all mammal groups of the National Park “Pripyatsky” (Southern Belarus) was conducted. According to surveys, the territory of the National Park and its environs are inhabited by 58 mammal species. The abundance of all species was estimated. During the investigation, seven new bat species were found: Pipistrellus nathusii, Myotis brandtii, Myotis dasycneme, Barbastella barbastellus, Nyctalus leisleri, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Eptesicus nilssoni. Two species from the previous list became extinct: Ursus arctos and Mustela lutreola, and other two species became probably extinct: Procyon lotor and Dryomys nitedula. Thus, the full list of mammals of the National Park includes 62 species. Ten species that inhabit the National Park are in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus (2004): Muscardinus avellanarius, Glis glis, Myotis brandtii, Myotis dasycneme, Nyctalus leisleri, Eptesicus nilssonii, Barbastella barbastellus, Meles meles, Lynx lynx and Bison bonasus. All of them are forest dwelling species and 70 % (bats mostly) are inhabitants of hollows and cavities of old trees. Considering high species richness of bats (13 species and also potentially expected 5 species), the area of the National Park “Pripyatsky” is an important reserve for the conservation of this unique and vulnerable group of animals.

Following recent updates proposed by BirdLife International and further updates across Europe gathered in the context of a continent-wide study of the migration strategy of the species, we propose here an update of national population sizes and associated recent trends of the Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). Previous estimates for the period 1999-2002 reported 5'200'000 to 16'000'000 breeding pairs, for an area extending east to European Russia, and south to the Caucasus and Turkey. The countries holding the largest populations were Turkey (3-10 million pairs) and Russia (1.5-5.0 million pairs). The updated results give approximately 3'319'000 to 7'057'000 pairs in Europe (for the period 2012-2014), representing a c. 50% decrease in numbers over the last decade. This decrease is partly due to overestimates proposed in previous reports for the key country, Turkey, which is now considered to support only 5000'000 to 1'000'000 pairs. Russia still holds 2.0-4.3 million pairs, although with an estimated decline of c. 15-30% since 2000. Overall, within the 39 European countries assessed here, recent decadal trends (on average 2000-2012) in population size are reported as unknown in 15 countries, increasing in 2 countries (Germany and Serbia), stable or fluctuating in 6 countries, and decreasing in 16 countries including recent extinctions in Belgium, Hungary, Slovakia and the Netherlands. Overall, declining populations are mostly located in northern Europe, and fourteen of the 15 northern European countries with a known national trend have declining breeding populations, suggesting that northern breeders are of particular conservation concern.