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The Eurasian Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis schvedowi) is widely distributed across Russia and East Asia and is a second-class key protected wild animal species in China. There have been few studies on the migration routes of this species. Here, we present data from solar-powered satellite transmitters we placed on 4 goshawks at Changdao Island, Shangdaong Province, China, to follow them over the period of 2008–2013 and document their migratory routes and site fidelity. We obtained 7 spring and 9 autumn migration trajectories. We identified Shangdong and Anhui in China as wintering sites and Inner Mongolia, China, and Russia as breeding areas of Eurasian Goshawks. The spring migration flights covered 1,936 ± 847.08 km and took 27 ± 11.20 d (n = 3), and the autumn migration covered 2,382.50 ± 781.35 km and took 39 ± 15.56 d (n = 2). We found no significant difference in migration distance covered or number of traveling days between autumn and spring. We identified 7 stopover sites during spring and 21 stopover sites during autumn migration. Goshawks had strong site fidelity to breeding and wintering sites, and the arrival dates at wintering and breeding sites were similar among years. Our data will aid in the conservation of this species, including guiding decision-making and conservation action plans by providing basic data for the protection of goshawk populations and habitats.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying the migration routes and stopover sites used by declining species is critical for developing targeted conservation actions. Long-distance migratory shorebirds are among the groups of birds declining most rapidly, yet we frequently lack detailed knowledge about the routes and stopover sites they use during their hemisphere-spanning migrations. This is especially true for species that migrate through mid-continental regions in the Western Hemisphere. We therefore used satellite transmitters to track 212 individuals of 6 shorebird species during their southward migrations— Pluvialis dominica (American Golden-Plover), Limosa haemastica (Hudsonian Godwit), Tringa flavipes (Lesser Yellowlegs), Calidris subruficollis (Buff-breasted Sandpiper), C. melanotos (Pectoral Sandpiper), and Bartramia longicauda (Upland Sandpiper)—as they crossed the Amazon Basin of South America, a region from which reports of shorebird numbers are increasing but remain relatively rare. Our results make clear that the Amazon Basin provides stopover habitat for a large number of shorebirds: more than 74% of individuals tracked crossing the Amazon Basin stopped over in the region for an average of 2–14 days, with some spending the entire nonbreeding season there. All species selected stopover sites along the region's many rivers and lakes, while within stopover sites each species exhibited distinct habitat preferences. The timing of stopovers within sub-basins of the Amazon Basin also coincided with periods of low water, when the muddy, shallow water habitats preferred by most shorebirds are likely plentiful. Together, our results highlight the need for detailed investigations into shorebird abundance and distribution within the Amazon Basin, threats to shorebirds within particular subbasins, and links between shorebird conservation efforts and those targeting the myriad other species that inhabit this dynamic, hyper-diverse region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intra‐Africa movements of most African migratory birds remain an enigma. We describe the migrations of Wahlberg's eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi using GPS‐GSM transmitters on adult eagles in their South African (n = 3) and Kenyan (n = 7) breeding areas between 2018 and 2022. The dataset included 57 migratory tracks, 29 post‐breeding and 28 pre‐breeding. We found long‐distance migrants (LDMs; from South Africa) and short‐distance migrants (SDMs; from Kenya) using common non‐breeding areas centered in the Sudans and Central African Republic. The timing of annual phases was similar, but LDMs departed on their pre‐breeding migration on average later than SDMs (13 August versus 31 July) and arrived later on their breeding grounds (13 September versus 10 August). Conversely, the average departure date on the post‐breeding migration was 4 April for SDM and 23 March for LDMs. LDMs spent significantly less time of the year than SDMs on breeding grounds (44 versus 57%), and slightly but not significantly more time (40 versus 38%) on non‐breeding areas. The post‐breeding migration distance was on average 3413.9 ± 170.9 km for LDMs and 491.9 ± 158.5 km for SDMs. At non‐breeding areas, LDMs reached more northerly latitudes than SDMs, increasing the pre‐breeding migration distance to 4495.9 ± 372.5 km for LDMs versus 1701.9 ± 167.3 for SDMs. Daily flight distances back to the breeding areas averaged 153.4 ± 130.3 km for LDMs and 167.4 ± 122.3 km for SDMs and to non‐breeding areas were shorter for SDMs (124.8 ± 113.0 km) than LDMs (178.0 ± 134.4 km). Migration speed was similar across populations and for pre‐ and post‐breeding migrations. LDMs used more stopover days than SDMs. We conclude that Wahlberg's eagles from different parts of Africa have adapted their migration to differences in timing of the breeding season, distance of travel, and resources in the landscapes encountered during migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shorebird populations are declining around the world, which has prompted concerns regarding tidal flat protection during migration. The lack of high-tide roosts not only can limit the access of shorebirds to tidal flats but also means that they expend more energy when moving between tidal flats and roosting sites. This situation can negatively affect their body condition. This highlights the importance of maintaining a network of tidal flats and high-tide roosts “ecologically linked” by shorebirds. Using the Yellow River Delta (YRD), a key stopover site in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF), as the case study area, we assessed how the availability of optimal high-tide roosts has changed over time and identified conservation hotspots and restoration gaps from the perspective of ecological connectivity for shorebirds. Based on a developed Geographic Information System (GIS) method, combined with knowledge of shorebird roost choices from the literature and remote sensing data, we evaluated the adequacy of high-tide roosts in the YRD over 20 years (2000–2020) and identified restoration areas by scenario analysis. The results showed that 1) the mean distance between potential intertidal habitats and the nearest optimal high-tide habitat increased from 1305 m in 2000 to 2931 m in 2020, with a 30 % decline in the area of intertidal habitats suitably covered by optimal high-tide habitats for shorebirds in Group 1 (body length ≦ 20 cm) in the YRD; 2) the scenario analysis suggested that this gap can be eliminated by seasonal management of mariculture ponds and salt pans in key areas. This approach is likely applicable to stopover sites throughout the EAAF.

Various avian species such as Eurasian wryneck visit the Indian subcontinent from the Palaearctic region during winter through different migratory flyways. However, information pertaining to migratory patterns of long-distance migrating forest birds to India is almost lacking. The current study documenting the sighting of Eurasian Wryneck with regard to its stopover site during migration and elevational range is the first photographic evidence from the state of Sikkim, Eastern Himalaya, India. In addition, the present study reports wintering and breeding distribution records of the species in Sikkim and India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male songbirds undergo a suite of physiological changes during spring migration that prepare them to initiate breeding activities upon arrival at nesting sites. These physiological changes could result in the expression of sexual behaviors, such as singing, during the migratory period. Yet, mostly anecdotal observations of singing during stopovers exist in the literature. We explored singing by males of 20 species of New World warblers (Parulidae; hereinafter "warblers") during stopovers on spring migration through southwest Michigan. To explore patterns of stopover singing by males, we used eBird data to determine the migratory timing of each species in our region, superimposed singing observations on these migration schedules, and calculated song rates of migrating birds. We compared song rates of species during stopovers with those from breeding populations and examined whether interspecific variation in song rates depended on the distance to be traveled to the closest potential breeding range. We observed singing by males in 19 of 20 warbler species. Stopover singing differed from breeding season singing, as males sang at lower rates on stopovers than when they were in northern breeding areas. Species breeding farther from our study region showed larger intraspecific differences in song rates between stopover and breeding populations than those breeding in closer proximity. Moreover, interspecific variation in song rate was explained in part by the distance between our stopover area and the closest breeding area. Our results suggest that male warblers commonly sing during stopovers, at least at this latitude, and variation in singing across species could reflect physiological readiness to breed. Understanding the prevalence and rate of singing on spring migration stopovers highlights the behavioral outcomes of physiological changes occurring in male birds. Our study contributes new data on migratory singing to a body of research that has historically focused solely on birdsong within a breeding framework. Las aves canoras machos experimentan a una serie de cambios fisiológicos durante la migración primaveral que los preparan para iniciar actividades de reproducción al llegar a los sitios de reproducción. Estos cambios fisiológicos podrían dar lugar a la expresión de comportamientos sexuales, como el canto, durante el período migratorio. Sin embargo, la mayoría de las observaciones del canto durante las paradas migratorias que existen en la literatura son anecdóticas. Grabamos el canto de machos de 20 especies de reinitas del Nuevo Mundo (Parulidae; en adelante "reinitas") durante paradas en la migración primaveral a través del suroeste de Michigan. Para explorar los patrones de canto de los machos durante las paradas, usamos los datos de eBird para determinar el calendario migratorio de cada especie en nuestra región, superpusimos las observaciones de canto en estos horarios de migración y calculamos las tasas de canto de las reinitas migratorias. Comparamos las tasas de canto de las especies durante las paradas con las de las poblaciones reproductoras y examinamos si la variación interespecífica en las tasas de canto dependía de la distancia recorrida hasta el área potencial de reproducción más cercana. Observamos el canto de los machos en 19/20 especies de reinitas. El canto durante las paradas difería del canto de la temporada de reproducción, ya que los machos cantaban a tasas más bajas en las paradas que cuando estaban en las áreas de reproducción del norte. Las especies que se reproducen más lejos de nuestra región de estudio mostraron mayores diferencias intraespecíficas en las tasas de canto entre las poblaciones de parada y de reproducción que las que se reproducen más cerca. Además, la variación interespecífica en la tasa de canto se explicó en parte por la distancia entre nuestra área de parada y el área de reproducción más cercana. Nuestros resultados sugieren que las reinitas machos cantan comúnmente durante las paradas migratorias, al menos en esta latitud y la variación en el canto entre especies podría reflejar la preparación fisiológica para la reproducción. Comprender la prevalencia y la tasa de canto en las paradas migratorias de primavera destaca los resultados conductuales de los cambios fisiológicos que ocurren en las aves canoras macho. Nuestro estudio aporta nuevos datos sobre el canto migratorio a un cuerpo de investigación que históricamente se ha centrado únicamente en el canto de las aves canoras dentro de un contexto reproductivo. Palabras clave: canto de aves, canto de machos, canto durante la migración, canto durante la temporada no-reproductiva, comportamiento sexual, migración de primavera, sitios de parada migratoria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birds that repeatedly visit distinct places along their migratory routes in consecutive years must be able to navigate to these places and respond appropriately to unfavourable wind conditions. This study analysed the migratory routes, repeatedly‐visited areas and responses to sidewinds of 15 GPS‐tracked adult ospreys Pandion haliaetus from northeast Germany migrating to their wintering sites in Africa and back. We determined stopovers and intermediate goal areas and performed repeatability estimations on timing and migratory paths in four regions. The orientation behaviour of the ospreys was analysed with regard to perpendicular wind components at each GPS point during autumn and spring migrations. Generalised linear mixed models were used to test the dependence of orientation behaviour on region and the distance to the next goal. The findings showed that ospreys demonstrate high fidelity to migratory paths in autumn and spring, as well as to the timing of migration in autumn; and sidewinds are predominantly compensated, especially when sidewinds are strong. Furthermore, during autumn migration, the proportion of compensation increases in most regions with decreasing distances to the next goal; however, during spring migration, drift behaviour was detected more often at smaller distances to the next goal than at higher distances in the regions Mediterranean and central Europe. In general, ospreys compensate for unfavourable sidewinds and utilise supporting tailwinds on their journeys to the wintering sites in Africa and back to central Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The White-eared Night Heron (Gorsachius magnificus) is a poorly known species. Little ecological research has been conducted on this species, and its migration route in particular is poorly understood. Clarification of the migratory routes of this species can enhance our understanding of its distribution and aid its conservation. Here, we identified the wintering and summering sites and characterized the migration route of one White-eared Night Heron by GPS/GSM tracking. Our results indicated that the Nanting River on the China–Myanmar border is the wintering site for this individual, and the Shizhuang River in Nanzhang, Hubei Province, China is the summering site. The heron migrated along the mountains and rested near rivers and reservoirs. This study is the first to reveal the migration route of the White-eared Night Heron. Our findings suggest that this species in Yunnan, Hubei, and Guizhou Provinces is not a resident bird. Generally, these data will aid the conservation of this species, including the development of action plans and the establishment of local nature reserves along its migration route and at wintering, summering, and stopover sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiota, considered the "invisible organ" in the host animal, has been extensively studied recently. However, knowledge about the gut microbiota characteristics of passerine migratory birds during migration is limited. This study investigated the gut microbiota characteristics of three dominant migratory bird species (namely orange-flanked bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus, yellow-throated bunting Emberiza elegans, and blackfaced bunting Emberiza spodocephala) in the same niche during spring migration and whether they were bird sex-specific. The compositions of gut microbiota species in these three migratory bird species and their male and female individuals were found to be similar. The main bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, and the main genera were Lactobacillus, Acinetobacter, Rickettsiella, and Mycobacterium; however, their relative abundance was different. Moreover, some potential pathogens and beneficial bacteria were found in all the three bird species. Alpha diversity analysis showed that in T. cyanurus, the richness and diversity of the gut microbiota were higher in male individuals than in female individuals, while the opposite was true for E. elegans and E. spodocephala. The alpha diversity analysis showed significant differences between male and female individuals of E. elegans (p < 0.05). The beta diversity analysis also revealed that the gut microbial community structure differed significantly between the male and female individuals of the three migratory bird species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many birds migrate at night, but little is known about whether they base nocturnal settlement decisions on visual or acoustic cues. Studies of conspecific attraction have found that songbirds and seabirds are attracted by day to call playback or decoy models, and birds will also settle preferentially in certain environments based on the presence of vegetation or water bodies. Remotely activated broadcasts and Autonomous Recording Units were applied to study whether Soras (Porzana carolina), common nocturnally migrating rails in central Illinois, could be enticed to settle in farm field habitats. At three study areas (farms) we used cues to attempt to attract Soras, with our experimental design consisting of Sora vocalizations, small ponds (Sora habitat), both cues, and no cues. Neither conspecific playback, visual pond cues, nor their combination significantly influenced Sora settlement. However, there were significant differences between farms in Sora calls recorded. One study area, Franklin Farm, had the most Sora detections during the study period, consistent with its high-quality habitat status as a Nature Conservancy restored wetland. As nocturnal calls were detected at every farm sampled, these results may assist wetland managers in promoting Sora settlement in critical breeding habitats in Illinois and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The majority of European Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) migrate south along the western coast of Europe and Africa, while birds from eastern regions are known to cross the Mediterranean Sea from east to west or migrate along the eastern African coast. The migration route of north European terns wintering along the coast of western Africa was already described using geolocator data, while knowledge about movements of the European inland populations is based only on relatively scarce recoveries of ringed birds. Methods We used light-level geolocators in inland Common Tern colonies in Hungary and Croatia to study their migration route and to identify wintering areas along with stopover sites. Results revealed by geolocators were compared with recoveries of ringed birds. Results All tracked birds used the east African migration route with autumn stopovers at Lower Nile and in the southern part of the Red Sea, and short spring stopover in Israel. Terns wintered along Kenyan coasts and in the southern Mozambique Channel. Autumn migration lasted four times longer than spring migration. Conclusions This is the first geolocator study that describes the east African migration route of the Common Tern. Important stopover sites were identified. More studies of inland populations are needed to better elucidate tern winter movements.

Populations of migratory bird species have suffered a sustained and severe decline for several decades. Contrary to non-migratory species, understanding the causal mechanisms proves difficult (for migratory bird species) as underlying processes may operate across broad geographic ranges and stages of the annual cycle. Therefore, the identification of migration routes, wintering grounds, and stopover sites is crucial for the development of relevant conservation strategies for declining migrant bird species. We still lack fundamental data of the non-breeding movements for many migratory species, such as European turtle doves Streptopelia turtur, a trans-Saharan migrant. For this species, knowledge of non-breeding movements is mainly based on ringing data that are limited by a low recovery rate in Africa, and tracking studies with a strong bias towards individuals breeding in France. We used Argos satellite transmitters to obtain detailed year-round tracks and provide new insights on migration strategies and winter quarters, of turtle doves breeding in Central and Eastern Europe. The tracking data along with analysis of land cover data confirm previously assumed use of multiple wintering sites and the use of a wide range of forest and agricultural landscapes at the breeding grounds. Tracking data in combination with environmental parameters demonstrated that most environmental parameters and niche breadth differed between breeding and wintering grounds. "Niche tracking" was only observed regarding night-time temperatures. Furthermore, we provide evidence for breeding site fidelity of adult individuals and for home range size to increase with an increasing proportion of agricultural used areas. Significance statement: The European turtle dove, a Palearctic-African migrant species, is one of the fastest declining birds in Europe. The rapid decline is presumed to be caused mainly by habitat modification and agricultural changes. Here, we represent data on migration strategies, flyways, and behavior on European breeding and African non-breeding sites of turtle doves breeding in Central and Eastern Europe equipped with satellite transmitters. Our results confirm the use of different migration flyways and reveal an indication for "niche switching" behavior in terms of environmental factors during the different annual phases. The migratory behaviors revealed by the tracking approach, e.g., prolonged stopovers during autumn migration in Europe overlapping with time of hunting activities, stopovers in North Africa during spring migration, or evidence for loop migration, are important protection-relevant findings, particularly for the Central-Eastern flyway, for which no tracking data has been analyzed prior to our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The majority of European Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) migrate south along the western coast of Europe and Africa, while birds from eastern regions are known to cross the Mediterranean Sea from east to west or migrate along the eastern African coast. The migration route of north European terns wintering along the coast of western Africa was already described using geolocator data, while knowledge about movements of the European inland populations is based only on relatively scarce recoveries of ringed birds. Methods: We used light-level geolocators in inland Common Tern colonies in Hungary and Croatia to study their migration route and to identify wintering areas along with stopover sites. Results revealed by geolocators were compared with recoveries of ringed birds. Results: All tracked birds used the east African migration route with autumn stopovers at Lower Nile and in the southern part of the Red Sea, and short spring stopover in Israel. Terns wintered along Kenyan coasts and in the southern Mozambique Channel. Autumn migration lasted four times longer than spring migration. Conclusions: This is the first geolocator study that describes the east African migration route of the Common Tern. Important stopover sites were identified. More studies of inland populations are needed to better elucidate tern winter movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Large areas of agricultural land have been abandoned in European Russia since 1991, triggering succession toward more wooded landscapes, especially in northern regions where conditions for agriculture are more challenging. We hypothesize that this process has contributed to a southward shift by migratory Atlantic Greater White‐fronted geese, as stopover sites in northern Russia became progressively less suitable. To test this hypothesis, we located stopover sites from information contained in 2976 ring recoveries and sightings of neck‐collared geese. These records were divided into three time periods, chosen to reflect major changes in the economy and land use of European Russia: 1960–1990, 1991–2000, and 2001–2013. We used a kernel density estimator grid to delineate areas surrounding 300 putative stopover sites, and statistically evaluated the effects of latitude, distance to nearest waterbody, settlement, and period on stopover site usage by geese. Our results show that over the three periods, usage of the stopover sites has shifted southward, indicating that Greater White‐fronted geese have shifted their migration pathway, with the greatest shift in the most recent period. This shift was confirmed by a highly significant squared latitude term and significant interaction term between periods. The nearest settlements showed no significant effect on stopover site usage while the nearest waterbody term was negative, suggesting higher waterbody densities contributed to higher densities of stopover sites. We attribute the shift to the successional reforestation of the Russian landscape that has followed widespread land abandonment, especially that following the break‐up of the former USSR.

Large areas of agricultural land have been abandoned in European Russia since 1991, triggering succession toward more wooded landscapes, especially in northern regions where conditions for agriculture are more challenging. We hypothesize that this process has contributed to a southward shift by migratory Atlantic Greater White-fronted geese, as stopover sites in northern Russia became progressively less suitable. To test this hypothesis, we located stopover sites from information contained in 2976 ring recoveries and sightings of neck-collared geese. These records were divided into three time periods, chosen to reflect major changes in the economy and land use of European Russia: 1960–1990, 1991–2000, and 2001–2013. We used a kernel density estimator grid to delineate areas surrounding 300 putative stopover sites, and statistically evaluated the effects of latitude, distance to nearest waterbody, settlement, and period on stopover site usage by geese. Our results show that over the three periods, usage of the stopover sites has shifted southward, indicating that Greater White-fronted geese have shifted their migration pathway, with the greatest shift in the most recent period. This shift was confirmed by a highly significant squared latitude term and significant interaction term between periods. The nearest settlements showed no significant effect on stopover site usage while the nearest waterbody term was negative, suggesting higher waterbody densities contributed to higher densities of stopover sites. We attribute the shift to the successional reforestation of the Russian landscape that has followed widespread land abandonment, especially that following the break-up of the former USSR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity loss has multiple causes, but habitat degradation through land-use change is the predominant driver. We investigated the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network in preserving the main wetlands of the two largest islands of the Mediterranean region, whose conservation is critical for many avian species at European and global level, in a 23-year period (1990–2012). In Sardinia, the surroundings of 22 wetlands were affected by an increase in artificial areas (+64 ha/year) and decrease in agricultural (−54 ha/year) and natural (−17 ha/year) ones. In Sicily, the surroundings of 16 wetlands were impacted by an increase in agricultural areas (+50 ha/year) and decrease in natural and semi-natural ones (−62 ha/year). Results show that the Natura 2000 policies were effective in preserving wetlands (no shrinkages detected in both regions), but their surroundings experienced intense processes of degradation and artificialization in all the sub-periods considered (1990–2000, 2000–2006, 2006–2012), whose effects are now threatening waterbirds and wetland integrity. The enlargement of the existing Natura 2000 sites, the creation of new ones and the speedup of the application of the rules of the Habitats and Birds Directives seem necessary to counteract the rapid land-use changes around these important stopover sites.

Migration functions as an adaptive strategy to improve fitness by allowing individuals to exploit spatiotemporal gradients of resources. Yet migration, especially among large ungulates, is increasingly threatened by human activities, making it necessary to understand variation in migratory behavior. We identified different movement strategies for pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) at the northern limit of the species' range, and tested hypotheses for variation between migratory behaviors. From 2003-2010, we captured 185 female pronghorn across Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada, and Montana, USA. We identified discrete migratory behaviors, including seasonal migration, facultative winter migration, potential post-fawning migration, and the use of stopover sites. Fifty-five percent of individuals undertook seasonal migrations, and we recorded the longest reported round-trip migration for the species at 888 km. Some (22%) seasonal migrations included ≥1 stopover sites, with significantly greater use of stopovers during spring than fall. Migrants (34%) and residents (20%) undertook facultative winter migrations, with the majority (68%) undertaken by migrants. Additionally, 12% of individuals exhibited potential post-fawning migrations. For each season, we estimated a suite of movement metrics and used multivariate statistics to compare movement similarities across migration behaviors. Correspondence analyses revealed 3 groupings of migration behavior. Spring migration was its own grouping, characterized by more sinuous and slower movements, consistent with the forage maturation hypothesis. Fall migration, facultative winter migration, and potential postfawning migration clustered in a single group that displayed linear, fast movements, consistent with being influenced by ecologically limited resources such as severe winters or predation avoidance. Lastly, spring and fall stopover sites were grouped together as a means to use high-quality forage during migration, also consistent with the forage maturation hypothesis. At the northern periphery of pronghorn range, differences between migratory behaviors are influenced by various ecological factors, merit increased attention, and contribute to overall persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of our current knowledge on migration strategies in juvenile light-weight birds originates from laboratory studies, displacement experiments and partial migration tracks. Here we report on the first recording of two consecutive migration cycles of one such light-weight migrant, the European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus. This bird visited the same stopover zones and wintering area in both years, but with earlier arrival times and less time spent at stopover zones in the second year. This unique dataset shows that adult nightjars seem to possess the capability to perform some form of navigation towards areas which are established during the juvenile migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 2008-2011, nine juvenile Saker Falcon Falco cherrug females were tagged with satellite transmitters in Slovakia. Satellite telemetry provided new insights into the juveniles' movements. In this study we present the use of temporary settlement areas (TSAs) during the movement of the tracked juveniles. We characterized natal areas (NAs, the first TSA in the life cycle of juvenile, restricted to the nest) and TSAs as areas where the distance between the all-night perches did not exceed ten kilometres and where a particular bird spent at least five consecutive days. In these areas 3 types of polygons were identified in relationship to the area of use - a home range (95% kernel polygons), a core area (50% kernel polygons) and an overall used area (100% minimum convex polygons). The overall used areas were highly variable and probably influenced by exploratory flights, when sakers fly out of their home ranges and come back at night. Habitat preference was then analysed in the TSAs for a better understand of juvenile habitat requirements. For habitat preference a CORINE raster image (version 13/2006) with a resolution of 100 × 100 m was used. In the TSAs 14 habitat categories were recorded, but for statistical analysis only 8 habitat categories were used. Conservation status of the NAs and TSAs was also described. Arable land represented the dominant habitat category in the TSAs (mean 67.64% for overall used areas, and 80.94% for core areas). A significant difference was found in the habitat structure of the overall used areas, the home ranges and the core areas. All of the tracked Saker Falcons preferred arable land, while avoiding two habitat categories - forests and scrub and/or herbaceous vegetation associations. The number of days spent in the TSAs (9-139 days, mean = 46.7 days) and in the NAs (36-134 days, mean = 62.3 days) varied by different individuals. Most of the NAs and TSAs are at least partially covered by protected areas, only four areas had no conservation status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Selection of timing to match optimal environments is crucial for migrants that breed at high latitudes where there is a narrow time window suitable for breeding. However, birds generally depart from non-breeding grounds in a broad time window. How birds adjust their migration schedule to match optimal timing of arrival at breeding grounds is largely unexplored. We radio-tracked Great Knots Calidris tenuirostris at stopping sites in the southern and northern Yellow Sea during the entire stopping periods to determine their time schedules during northward migration. Great Knots stayed for 40.7 ± 9.2 days ( n = 11) in the whole Yellow Sea, with the early arrivals having a longer length of stay than the late arrivals. There was no significant difference in the length of stay between birds that arrived on various dates in the southern Yellow Sea, while the late arrivals spent less time during flights from the southern to the northern Yellow Sea, and stayed for a shorter time than the early arrivals in the northern Yellow Sea. We estimated that the later arrivals can still moult into full breeding plumage and deposit enough fuel for a flight to the breeding grounds before departure. We propose that early and latter migration are the two ends of migratory schedule, with the former adapting to unpredictable and rigorous environments and the latter to stable and favourable environments en route. Stopping sites play an important role for birds to adjust their migration schedule to meet optimal timing of arrival at migratory destination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the foraging behaviour of the Cyprus Wheatear, Oenanthe cypriaca on Cyprus, an important stopover site during intercontinental spring migration. It was observed that during inclement weather, perch height and aerial sallying were lower and perch/pounce activity increased. While average perch height and sallying went up over the season, perch-pounce foraging went down. The large population of migrants reportedly did not affect the behaviour of the Cyprus Wheatear.

Determining the distribution of stopover and overwintering areas of migratory animals is essential for understanding population dynamics and building predictive models. Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are small songbirds that breed across North America. Data from Doppler weather radar and eBird indicate that Tree Swallow numbers increase throughout October and November in southeastern Louisiana, but then decrease during December. We thus hypothesized that southeastern Louisiana is a stopover area used by Tree Swallows during fall migration before they move to farther overwintering areas. We tested this hypothesis by attaching light-logging geolocators to Tree Swallows at five breeding sites spanning the species' breeding range from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, and then tracking their fall migration routes, stopover sites, and wintering locations. Of 38 individuals that returned in the following breeding season, 11 birds from three breeding sites (Saskatchewan, Wisconsin, and Ontario) used southeastern Louisiana as a stopover site. Arrival date and duration of stay closely matched observations from both eBird and radar data. From Louisiana, most Tree Swallows continued their migration to one of three wintering sites: peninsular Florida, the Bahamas, or the Yucatan Peninsula, whereas two birds remained until spring within 200 km of the stopover area. Our results (1) suggest that southeastern Louisiana is an extended stopover site for Tree Swallows that originate from a wide geographic range on the breeding grounds; and (2) demonstrate how geolocators, combined with other sources of movement information, reveal habitat use throughout the annual cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses research on the migration of Arctic terns Sterna paradisaea birds from the Netherlands, which travel back and forth between the Arctic and the Antartic annually, by attaching a coloured ring to the leg of the birds with an archival light logger geolocators. It references a study by Ruben C. Fijn et al., published in a 2013 issue of "Ardea." The migration records of the birds indicate their departure from the North sea post breeding staging up to their arrival at the North Atlantic southbound staging area. Findings show that the Arctic terns spent the austral summer in the marginal ice-zone along the Antarctic continent.

We assessed the migratory pathways, migration chronology, and breeding ground affiliation of Canada Geese (Branta canaden-sis interior) that winter in and adjacent to the Santee National Wildlife Refuge in Summerton, South Carolina, United States. Satellite transmitters were fitted to eight Canada Geese at Santee National Wildlife Refuge during the winter of 2009-2010. Canada Geese departed Santee National Wildlife Refuge between 5 and 7 March 2010. Six Canada Geese followed a route that included stopovers in northeastern North Carolina and western New York, with three of those birds completing spring migration to breeding grounds associated with the Atlantic Population (AP). The mean distance between stopover sites along this route was 417 km, the mean total migration distance was 2838 km, and the Canada Geese arrived on AP breeding grounds on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay between 20 and 24 May 2010. Two Canada Geese followed a different route from that described above, wi:h stopovers in northeastern Ohio, prior to arriving on the breeding grounds on 9 June 2010. Mean distance between stopover sites was 402 and 365 km for these two birds, and total migration distance was 4020 and 3650 km. These data represent the first efforts to track migratory Canada geese from the southernmost extent of their current wintering range in the Atlantic Flyway. We did not track any Canada Geese to breeding grounds associated with the Southern James Bay Popu-lation. Caution should be used in the interpretation of this finding, however, because of the small sample size. We demon-strated that migratory Canada Geese wintering in South Carolina use at least two migratory pathways and that an affiliation with the Atlantic Population breeding ground exists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 1979 through 2009, 81 records of long-distance vagrancy in the Long-billed Murrelet (Brachyramphus perdix) in North America south of Alaska were examined to assess body condition and survival after first observation. Sixty-one records were of live birds, of which 38 (62.3%) were discovered at sea along the west coast of North America, 18 (29.5%) were encountered inland, and 5 (8.2%) were encountered along the Atlantic coast. Fifteen of the 20 individuals salvaged (19 adults, 1 juvenile) were discovered on lake shores (75.0%) and the other 5 (25.0%) on marine coasts; 85.0% were dead when initially found (15 dead, 2 shot), and 3 (15.0%) were moribund (2 died within one day, 1 later released). Of 10 sexed individuals, 5 were adult males, 4 were adult females, and 1 was a juvenile female. Eight of 10 murrelets observed foraging were diving on lakes, but 2 others surfaced with fish; two species of common freshwater fish were removed from stomachs of 2 birds shot by hunters. Most birds (72.1%, n = 61) disappeared after one observation, which suggests survival and mov-ing on; one bird stayed at the same location for at least 25 days before disappearing. Dead or dying Long-billed Murrelets found on shorelines of fresh water may have been too emaciated to regain lost mass after arrival--they weighed less than those shot, presumably because they were not able to locate prey or too weak to capture it. Survival for weeks or longer on freshwater stopover sites better explains how Long-billed Murrelets move across North America, with some reaching the Atlantic Ocean. Long-surviving vagrants may establish a new breeding population of Long-billed Murrelet on the west coast of North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although stopover habitats are used by many species as refuelling stations during migration and can be critical for survival and successful reproduction, they are rarely incorporated in year-round population models and conservation strategies. We incorporate stopover habitat into a density-dependent population model and then use this model to examine how optimizing one-time land purchase strategies for a migratory population is influenced by variation in the quality and the strength of density-dependence in a stopover habitat used for both fall and spring migration. As the strength of the density-dependence in the stopover habitat increases, the optimal amount of stopover habitat purchased increases while the amount of habitat during the stationary periods of the annual cycle (breeding and wintering) decreases. Any change in the cost of purchasing stopover habitat affects investment strategies in all three periods of the annual cycle. When the quality of the stopover habitat is high, the optimal strategy is to invest in low-quality habitat during breeding and wintering and when the stopover habitat quality is low, the optimal strategy switches to investing in high-quality habitat during the stationary periods. We apply this model to a threatened warbler population and demonstrate how purchase decisions to conserve stopover habitat that are not coordinated with conservation actions on the breeding and wintering grounds can potentially result in a lower population carrying-capacity compared to considering habitat in all three periods of the annual cycle simultaneously. Our model provides potential guidelines for developing conservation strategies for animals that rely on refueling habitats between the stationary breeding and non-breeding periods of the migratory cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses how the spread of tamarisk trees along the San Pedro River in Arizona may affect Wilson's Warblers which pass by the area along their migration. The researchers looked at how the birds fed off of the native cottonwood and willow habitat, and compared it with how they fed off of the new tamarisk trees. They found that the birds that foraged had a preference for the native fauna, while others preferred the new one. They concluded that overall, tamarisk served the birds better in providing their energy needs during their stop overs.

A preliminary stage in developing comprehensive conservation plans involves identifying areas used by the organisms of interest. The areas used by migratory land birds during temporal breaks in migration (stopover periods) have received relatively little research and conservation attention. Methodologies for identifying stopover sites across large geographic areas have been, until recently, unavailable. Advances in weather-radar technology now allow for evaluation of bird migration patterns at large spatial scales. We analyzed radar data (WSR-88D) recorded during spring migration in 2000 and 2001 at 6 sites in the Great Lakes basin (U.S.A.). Our goal was to link areas of high migrant activity with the land-cover types and landscape contexts corresponding to those areas. To characterize the landscapes surrounding stopover locations, we integrated radar and land-cover data within a geographic information system. We compared landscape metrics within 5 km of areas that consistently hosted large numbers of migrants with landscapes surrounding randomly selected areas that were used by relatively few birds during migration. Concentration areas were characterized by 1.2 times more forest cover and 9.3 times more water cover than areas with little migrant activity. We detected a strong negative relationship between activity of migratory birds and agricultural land uses. Examination of individual migration events confirmed the importance of fragments of forested habitat in highly altered landscapes and highlighted large concentrations of birds departing from near-shore terrestrial areas in the Great Lakes basin. We conclude that conservation efforts can be more effectively targeted through intensive analysis of radar imagery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Connectivity among habitat patches has mainly been studied in relation to species-specific behaviours. However, the movements of animals among patches may have different functions, and tolerance to gaps between habitat patches may vary between these functions. We tracked the movements of greater flamingos during the breeding and post-breeding periods with the aim of illustrating how the degree of connectivity may vary depending on the biological processes underlying the movements between wetlands. Most foraging sites used by breeding adults in a colony in southern Spain were within 200km of the colony site, although some birds eventually moved 400km. After the breeding season, the adults remained for several weeks in specific wetlands, moving to other sites located 280–2100km away to overwinter. During these movements the birds may use stopover sites, the conservation of which may be critical to facilitate long-range movements. Our results suggest that wetland connectivity during chick rearing does not seem to be determined by whether or not central-place foraging flamingos are able to reach wetlands located at the longest distance that they are able to fly during non-stop flights (>1000km), but by whether they are able to sustain the energetic costs derived from frequent commuting. In contrast, long-distance movements were occasionally undertaken during the post-breeding period. The energetic costs of such flights could be paid by flamingos because these movements were infrequent. Thus, in the case of flamingos, connectedness thresholds between wetlands vary depending on the biological process involved (chick rearing or post-breeding movements). This emphasizes the need to consider different types of connectivity in conservation planning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Migration stopover resources, particularly riparian habitats, are critically important to landbirds migrating across the arid southwestern region of North America. To explore the effects of species biogeography and habitat affinity on spring migration patterns, we synthesized existing bird abundance and capture data collected in riparian habitats of the borderlands region of the U.S. and Mexico. We determined the importance of geographic factors (longitude and latitude) in explaining variation in abundances and capture rates of 32 long-distance and three short-distance migrant species. Abundances and capture rates of 13 and 11 species, respectively, increased with increasing longitude, and four species' abundance and capture rates decreased with increasing longitude. Riparian associates, but not nonriparian species, were more abundant in western sites. Their abundance patterns were only weakly influenced by species biogeography. In contrast, biogeography did influence abundance patterns of nonriparian birds, suggesting that they choose the shortest, most direct route between wintering and breeding areas. We hypothesize that riparian obligate birds may, to some degree, adjust their migration routes to maximize time spent in high-quality riparian zones, but they are able to find suitable habitat opportunistically when crossing more hostile landscapes. In contrast, nonriparian birds adhere more closely to a hierarchical model in which the migratory route is determined by biogeographic constraints. Conservation of riparian habitats is necessary to meet future habitat stopover requirements of many western Neotropical migrant birds. We advocate a coordinated research effort to further elucidate patterns of distribution and habitat use so that conservation activities can be focused effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decline of many species of Neotropical migrants has prompted increased research on their ecology on their breeding and wintering grounds. However, studies of their ecology during migration are relatively few. Despite documentation of molt-migration in at least six Neotropical passerine species, this phenomenon has been ignored in current conservation strategies for Neotropical migrants. In this review paper, we suggest that molt studies need to be done as a way to refine and improve conservation plans for Neotropical migrants. We identify three important questions that merit further study: (1) which Neotropical migrant species undergo flight feather molt at migratory-stopover sites; (2) where are molt-migration stopover sites geographically located; and (3) why are these sites preferred as stopover sites during molt? Finding answers to these questions will allow us to protect molt staging areas occupied by Neotropical migrants during migration as many wetland and nearshore oceanic habitats have been protected for molting waterfowl, shorebirds, and seabirds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Biodiversity loss has multiple causes, but habitat degradation through land-use change is the predominant driver. We investigated the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network in preserving the main wetlands of the two largest islands of the Mediterranean region, whose conservation is critical for many avian species at European and global level, in a 23-year period (1990–2012). In Sardinia, the surroundings of 22 wetlands were affected by an increase in artificial areas (+64 ha/year) and decrease in agricultural (−54 ha/year) and natural (−17 ha/year) ones. In Sicily, the surroundings of 16 wetlands were impacted by an increase in agricultural areas (+50 ha/year) and decrease in natural and semi-natural ones (−62 ha/year). Results show that the Natura 2000 policies were effective in preserving wetlands (no shrinkages detected in both regions), but their surroundings experienced intense processes of degradation and artificialization in all the sub-periods considered (1990–2000, 2000–2006, 2006–2012), whose effects are now threatening waterbirds and wetland integrity. The enlargement of the existing Natura 2000 sites, the creation of new ones and the speedup of the application of the rules of the Habitats and Birds Directives seem necessary to counteract the rapid land-use changes around these important stopover sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands provide a wide range of ecosystem services, including supplying the food and shelter for a rich assemblage of waterbirds and providing the stopover sites that allow birds to make migratory journeys. Human impact and the ongoing climate change are however reducing the ability of wetlands to provide such important services. Through field surveys, GIS analyses and climate projections, we assessed the status of, and threats to, 38 largest wetlands belonging to the Mediterranean bird flyways in Sardinia and Sicily (Italy). We then combined ten decision criteria about avifaunal diversity and human/climate threats in order to prioritize the studied wetlands from most to least worthy of urgent interventions. Results showed that the main wetlands of these two regions have distinct demands with regard to the kind of actions required, going from the mitigation of tourism pressure to the prevention of climate-induced water shortage in summer. Furthermore, clear priorities for interventions emerged in both regions. Our study has direct implications for managers and researchers attempting to assess wetland conditions and set conservation priorities, thus offering a tool for deciding urgent interventions on the main stopover sites along the Mediterranean bird flyways. Unlabelled Image • Wetlands provide the stopover sites that allow waterbirds to make migratory journeys. • We evaluated and prioritized 38 main wetlands in Sardinia and Sicily (Italy). • The Sardinian wetlands resulted mainly threatened by human activities. • The Sicilian wetlands resulted primarily endangered by climate change. • We suggest urgent interventions on these sites along the Mediterranean bird flyways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bird migration is a long studied phenomenon that involves animals moving back and forth from wintering sites and to reproductive grounds. Several studies have focused on identifying the timing, physiology and evolution of migration, but a spatial approach to understand the migratory routes is still an open challenge. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can provide the tools to explore such a complicated issue. Birds usually move from the wintering sites to spring breeding grounds in multiple flights, stopping at intermediate sites to rest and refuel, being unable to cover the distance in a single travel. The choice of stopover sites by birds depends not only on their ecological features but also on their position and visibility along main migratory flyways. In this work, we calculated the possible migratory routes that minimize the distance covered or the elevation gaps for birds crossing the Southern Alps, simulating the flight within a network connecting potential stopover sites and other relevant point of passage, using the shortest path computation. Subsequently, we performed a visibility analysis along the identified flyways to understand which stopover sites, belonging to the Natura2000 network, were visible for a bird in an area with complex morphology. Data available from ringing stations confirm the selection or avoidance of some stopover sites based on their en route visibility. The knowledge of bird flyways and stopover sites has implications for conservation as well as for planning, especially for wind farms or other infrastructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding migration ecology of Eurasian wigeons ( Mareca penelope ) is crucial for effective population management, mitigating conflicts with human, and habitat conservation. The objectives of the present study were 1) to determine their migration patterns of Eurasian wigeons in the East Asian flyway, and 2) to identify the key breeding and stopover sites. From 2007 to 2016, a total of the 64 wigeons, which wintered in Japan, were equipped with satellite transmitters. Most Eurasian wigeons migrated to breeding sites in Russia either (a) via a continental route through China, (b) via the Kamchatka Peninsula, or (c) via Sakhalin Island. In spring, many of the Eurasian wigeons (60.98%) migrated via the continental route. In autumn, most Eurasian wigeons (57.14%) migrated through Kamchatka. These differences may be attributable to the influence of Okhotsk Sea air mass on migration decisions due to loop migration. Similarly to the migration of Mallards, Eurasian wigeons employed a "long-stay and short-travel" migration strategy. Eurasian wigeons mainly nested between latitude between 43° to 75°N. From the present findings and the published literature, Eurasian wigeons that winter in Japan are considered to migrate to Russia, China, and the United States during the breeding season, although the main breeding area is in northeastern Russia. A total of 296 important sites to Eurasian wigeons were mapped, and 118 location names with geographic coordinates, and the top five most frequently used sites were identified in each season.