Species no. 44: Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Distribution: This plover has a circumpolar distribution, and inhabits tundra on arctic islands and the shores of the Arctic Ocean. Movements: Migratory. The birds breeding from North-western Europe to the Taymyr Peninsula are visiting Western Europe, where many of them are wintering. Part of this population is reaching the coasts of West Africa, southwards to the Gulf of Guinea. More eastern birds pass Greece while migrating to East Mediterranean regions and Eastern Africa. Population size and trends: This plover breeds in most of arctic Russia, with the European part accounting for only a tiny proportion of its global breeding range (2,100 10,500 pairs, BirdLife Int. 2004A). No trend data were available for 1990-2000, but there is no evidence to suggest that the species declined. It is not breeding in EU 27. The Eastern Atlantic wintering population occurring from the Wadden Sea, Britain, Ireland south to West Africa is estimated at 247,000 individuals and decreasing (Delany & Scott 2006). Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size: 4 eggs (sometimes 3); incubation: 26-27 days; full flight of young birds at 35-45 days. Brood: 1. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 264 *
Movements Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Member MIGRANT REDENT State Breeding Passage Wintering FI SE EE LV LT PL SK Few DK UK IE DE NL BE Very few Few FR ES PT IT Very few GR CY Very few Very few RO BG HR Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 265 *
Period of reproduction Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola This species does not breed in the European territory of the EU. Prenuptial migration Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds? Member YES NO References State FI 1, 2, 3, 4 SE Only passage birds 10, 11 EE LV 6 LT 5,7 PL 1,3 SK 1 DK 5 UK 1 IE 1, 3 DE 4, 10 NL 37 BE 13, 19 FR 6 ES PT 9 IT 26 5 GR CY RO 3 BG 6, 15 HR Few. Mixing of migrating and wintering populations 17, 21, 23 Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 266 *
Period of prenuptial migration Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y FI SE EE LV LT PL SK DK UK IE DE NL BE? FR ES PT IT GR CY?? RO BG HR J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C Comments and conclusions 1) Entirely migratory. 2) The prenuptial migration begins with the departure from wintering grounds, ranging from the 1 st decade of February (IE, PT, DK) to the 2 nd decade of May (FI) and 3 rd decade of May (?). Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 267 *
Species no. 45: Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Distribution: In Palearctic, this plover inhabits boreal, temperate, steppe and Mediterranean regions of Europe and Asia, from Iberia to Finland and the British Isles to China. It breeds also in very small number in North Africa. Movements: Mainly migratory, though some western and southern sub-populations only partially so. Sensitive to prolonged cold spells. European populations winter in maritime climate from the British Isles to Morocco, and the Mediterranean regions. Britain, Ireland and Denmark constitute the northernmost regular wintering areas. In more northern wintering areas occasional spells of very cold weather in winter lead to pronounced movements, which can occur any time between autumn and spring passages. Spring passage begins early- from late January in southern wintering areasand in temperate Europe is at peak in early March. Population size and trend: The European breeding population numbers 1,700,000-2,800,000 pairs (BirdLife 2004A) of which 870,000-1,400,000 breeds in EU 27 (BirdLife Int. 2004A, 2004B). Although several small populations were stable or increased during 1990-2000, the species suffered declines across much of Europe, most notably the sizeable populations in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Russia and underwent a large decline (>30%) overall (BirdLife Int. 2004A). In most regions this species declined following wetland reclamation, intensification of agriculture and use of pesticides and chemicals. Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size is usually 4 eggs, sometimes 3, rarely 2 or 5; incubation: 26-28 days; fledging period: 35-40 days. Brood:1. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 268 *
Movements Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Member MIGRANT REDENT State Breeding Passage Wintering FI SE EE Occasional LV LT PL SK Rare Accidental DK UK IE DE NL BE FR ES PT IT GR CY RO BG HR Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 269 *
Definition of period of reproduction Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SE Occupation of breeding 11, 12 EE Occupation of breeding LV 1 LT Construction of the nest 7 PL Occupation of breeding 3 SK Occupation of breeding Occupation of breeding DK Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3, 4 UK Construction of the nest 2 IE Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3 DE Occupation of breeding 4 NL Occupation of breeding 11 BE Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Occupation of breeding 1 Occupation of breeding Occupation of breeding FR Construction of the nest 1, 4, 6 ES Construction of the nest 1 PT IT Construction of the nest GR CY RO 3 BG Occupation of breeding 6 and courtship display HR Occupation of breeding and courtship 18 Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 270 *
display Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 271 *
Period of reproduction Lapwing Vanellus vanellus J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK DK UK IE DE NL BE FR ES??????? PT IT GR CY RO BG HR Comments and conclusions 1) Mainly migratory, though some western and southern sub-population only partially so. 2) The period of reproduction begins with the occupation of the breeding, in northern and eastern countries, or the construction of the nest, in southern and western countries. 3) The end of the period of reproduction ranges from the 1 st decade of June (DK, PL, ES?) to the 1 st decade of September (IE). Full flight of young birds marks the end of the reproduction period. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 272 *
Prenuptial migration Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds? Member YES NO References State FI 1, 2, 3, 4 SE 11, 12 EE LV 1 LT 5,7 PL 3 SK DK 1, 2, 3, 4 UK Mixing of wintering and resident 1 populations IE 1, 3 DE 4, 7, 10 NL 7 BE Mild winters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1 FR 2, 4, 6 ES 1, 9 PT IT GR No data on counts, phenology of 1, 2, 3 migration CY RO 3 BG 6, 16 HR Mixing of migrating and wintering populations 18 Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 273 *
Period of prenuptial migration Lapwing Vanellus vanellus J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK DK UK IE DE NL BE FR ES PT IT GR CY?? RO BG HR BE - movements may start in 2 nd or 3 rd decade of January in mild winters. Comments and conclusions 1) Departure of first migrants from wintering grounds (western and southern countries), or arrival of first migrants into breeding areas (eastern and northern countries), corresponds to the beginning of the prenuptial migration. 2) Beginning of prenuptial migration ranges from the 3 rd decade of January (UK, IE, DE, ES, PT, GR) to the 3 rd decade of February (FI, EE, LT, HR). Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 274 *
Species no. 46: Knot Calidris canutus Distribution: This bird has a circumpolar breeding distribution in tundra, and the most important populations are found in North America, Greenland and eastern Siberia. The Knot is not breeding in the European Union. Movements: Migratory. Birds visiting Europe belong to two distinct populations. C. c. islandica which breed in North Eastern Canada and Greenland and winter along the coasts of North Western Europe (British Isles, the Netherlands and France). C. c. canutus, which breed in Svalbard and Taymyr and winter in two coastal wetlands in West Africa visit Europe only on migration (with an important spring staging area in the Wadden Sea). Population size and trends: The population of islandica amount to about 450,000 individuals (Delany & Scott 2006). This population increased from late 1970s until 1990s but has since decreased (Delany & Scott 2006). The canutus population is estimated at 400,000 birds and the trend is unknown (Delany & Scott 2006). Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size is 3-4 eggs; incubation: 21-22 days; full flight of young birds at ca. 18-20 days. Brood: 1. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 275 *
Movements Knot Calidris canutus Member MIGRANT REDENT State Breeding Passage Wintering FI SE EE Occasional LV LT PL SK Very few DK UK IE DE NL BE Few Very few Few FR ES PT IT Few Few GR Few Few CY Very few RO BG Very few Very few HR Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 276 *
Period of reproduction Knot Calidris canutus This species does not breed in the European territory of the EU. Definition of period of prenuptial migration Knot Calidris canutus Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds? Member YES NO References State FI 1, 2, 3, 4 SE Only passage birds 8, 11 EE Only passage birds LV 6 LT PL 3 SK DK 5 UK 3 IE 1, 3, 7 DE 4, 10 NL 39, 40 BE 3 FR 16 ES PT 9 IT 26 GR CY RO BG Very little numbers of passage and 6,15 wintering birds. HR Very few 11 Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 277 *
Period of prenuptial migration Knot Calidris canutus J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y FI 1) SE 1) EE 1) LV LT 1) PL SK DK 1 + 2 UK 1) UK 2) IE 2) DE 1) DE 2)???? NL 1) NL 2) BE 2) FR ES PT 2) IT 1) IT 2) GR CY?? RO BG HR J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C 1) C. c. canutus (breeders from Svalbard and Taymyr); 2) C. c. islandica (breeders from Greenland and north-eastern Canada). UK - 1) C. c. canutus (very small population). Comments and conclusions 1) Migratory with two distinct flyways in the EU: 1) C. c. canutus (breeders from Svalbaard and Taymyr); 2) C. c. islandica (breeders from Greenland and northeastern Canada). 2) The prenuptial migration period begins with the departure from wintering grounds or the passage of first migrants. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 278 *
3) The beginning of the period of prenuptial migration ranges from the 2 nd decade of January (DE?) to the 2 nd decade of May (FI, SE, NL). Species no. 47: Ruff Philomachus pugnax Distribution: The species has a large Palearctic distribution across the boreal and Arctic zones of Eurasia. In Europe, most birds breed in Fennoscandia and Russia and sparsely in northwest Europe and the Baltic States. The breeding habitats are lowlands tundra or bogs in the North and wet meadows or coastal marshes in the south. The latter now holds only a small fraction of the population. Movements: Most birds winter in sub-saharan Africa, but some migrate to India, the Middle East and small numbers occur in Europe. Population size and trends: The European population is estimated to 200,000 510,000 pairs with the major part of this population breeding in Russia 140,000 420,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The population in EU 27 is estimated to 51,000 71,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B). During 1990-2000 most populations, including the core populations in Sweden and Russia, declined moderately (>10%) (BirdLife Int. 2004A). Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch sizes usually (2-) 4 eggs; incubation: 20-23 days; fledging period: 25-28 days and becomes independent at or before fledging as the female, who is the only parent caring for the young, sometimes depart before fledging of the young; brood: 1. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 279 *
Movements Ruff Philomachus pugnax Member MIGRANT REDENT State Breeding Passage Wintering FI SE EE EE Rare LV LT PL SK DK UK Very few (< 5 pairs) IE Very few occasionally DE NL BE Occasional Irregular FR Very few ES PT IT Very few GR Few CY RO BG HR Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 280 *
Definition of period of reproduction Ruff Philomachus pugnax Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI Occupation breeding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SE Occupation breeding 8, 11, 12,46 EE Courtship display LV 1 LT Construction of the nest, 7 courtship display PL Occupation breeding Very few breeding pairs. 3 SK DK 5 UK Display 2 IE DE Occupation breeding 4, 7 NL Display 11 BE Occupation breeding Irregular breeder FR ES PT IT GR CY RO BG HR Occupation breeding 1, 4, 6 Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 281 *
Period of reproduction Ruff Philomachus pugnax FI SE EE LV LT PL SK DK UK IE DE NL BE FR ES PT IT GR CY RO BG HR J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C Comments and conclusions 1) The period of reproduction begins with the occupation of the breeding. 2) The end of the period of reproduction ranges from the 2 nd decade of June (PL) to the 3 rd decade of August (UK). Full flight of young birds marks the end of the reproduction period. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 282 *
Prenuptial migration Ruff Philomachus pugnax Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds? Member YES NO References State FI 1, 2, 3, 4 SE 8, 11, 12 EE LV 6 LT The local breeding birds 5,7 are mixing with migrants PL 3 SK 1, 8 DK 5 UK 1 IE DE 4, 7, 10 NL 21, 37 BE Presence of wintering birds Small numbers FR 2, 4, 6 ES PT Little data available IT 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 5 GR CY RO 3 BG 6 HR 18, 20, 21 Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 283 *
Period of prenuptial migration Ruff Philomachus pugnax J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK DK UK IE DE NL BE FR ES PT IT GR CY??? RO BG HR IT - the country is crossed by large numbers of birds ringed in northern European countries; also birds of much more eastern origin are passing (recoveries from eastern Russia and Siberia of birds ringed in IT during prenuptial migration). Comments and conclusions 1) Migratory with most birds wintering in sub-saharan Africa. 2) This species shows a sharp difference in the phenology of migration according to sex and age classes. 3) The beginning of the prenuptial migration ranges from the 3 rd decade of January (IT, BG) to the 2 nd decade of April (FI, EE, SE, LT). Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 284 *
Species no. 48: Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Distribution: The Jack Snipe is breeding in boreal regions of North Eastern Europe and Siberia. Movements: Migratory. The birds of Europe and western Siberia are wintering in Western and South Western Europe and in North Western Africa. Population size and trends: The European breeding population amounts to 18,000-70,000 breeding pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The European Union breeding population is estimated at 12,000-19,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B). The status of the Jack Snipe remains relatively unknown, and consequently it is not yet possible to determine long-term population trends. During 1990-2000 the populations are believed to have remained stable in most countries but the large population in Russia declined (BirdLife Int. 2004A). Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size is (3)-4 eggs; incubation: at least 24 days; fledging period: not recorded but probably 2-3 decades after hatching as other snipes; brood: normally one but two broods suspected but no proof. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 285 *
Movements Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Member State REDENT MIGRANT Breeding Passage Wintering FI SE EE Irregular EE Rare Irregular LV Few LT Irregular PL SK Rare DK UK IE? DE NL BE Few FR ES PT IT GR CY Few Few RO BG HR Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 286 *
Definition of period of reproduction Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SE Occupation of breeding 10, 11 EE Occupation of breeding 4 LV 6 LT Courtship display PL Occupation of breeding Exceptional breeder 3 PL SK DK UK IE DE NL BE FR ES PT IT GR CY RO BG HR Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 287 *
Period of reproduction Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus FI SE EE LV LT PL SK DK UK IE DE NL BE FR ES PT IT GR CY RO BG HR J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C Comments and conclusions 1) In the EU, the majority breds breeds in FI and SE with only small populations few pairs in EE, LV and LT. 2) The reproduction period begins with the occupation of the breeding. 3) The end of the reproduction period ranges from the 3 rd decade of May (PL) to the 1 st decade of September (FI). Full flight of young birds (probably 2-3 decades after hatching as other snipes) marks the end of the reproduction period. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 288 *
Prenuptial migration Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds? Member YES NO References State FI 1, 2, 3, 4 SE 8, 10, 11 EE LV 6 LT PL 3 SK 1 DK 5 UK 1 IE Secretive species; few 1, 3 seen/recorded after end of hunting season (31/01) DE No data available 4 NL Secretive species 42 BE Secretive species; presence of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 wintering birds Irregular 8 FR 6 ES Small number of wintering birds 1 PT Secretive species occurring in small numbers. Little information available. IT 26 5 GR Little information on counts, 1, 2, 3 migration and phenology CY RO 3 BG Secretive species occurring in 6, 15, 21 small numbers HR 9, 17, 23 Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 289 *
Period of prenuptial migration Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK DK UK IE DE NL BE? FR ES?? PT IT GR?? CY RO BG HR Comments and conclusions 1) Migratory and secretive. 2) The prenuptial migration period starts with the arrival of first migrants in Fennoscandia and the departure from wintering grounds elsewhere. 3) The beginning of the prenuptial migration period ranges from the 3 rd decade of January (ES) to the 1 st decade of April (FI, EE, LT). Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 290 *
Species no. 49: Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Distribution: The Common Snipe (excluding G. delicata from the Nearctic) has a large Palearctic breeding distribution. It winters in Europe, North and sub-saharan Africa, the Middle-East, India and south-east Asia. Within Europe the species is a widespread breeder from Iceland to Russia above approximately 50 N. The main wintering range extends from the British Isles, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and France south to Iberia and North Africa, eastwards through the Mediterranean basin to Turkey and the Middle-East. Two subspecies occur in Europe G. g. faeroeensis which breeds in Iceland and the Faeroes, and the nominate race which occurs elsewhere in Europe. Movements: The species is mostly migratory in Europe, though some birds in the western maritime countries are only partially migratory or even resident. Fennoscandian populations mainly winter in Ireland, Britain, France and Iberia. Some of these birds winter in Denmark and the Netherlands. Birds moving through southern Fennoscandia include birds from Northwest Russia. Return migration starts in February in Iberia, and March elsewhere, breeding grounds being occupied in April-May. Population size and trends: The population is estimated to 930,000 1,900,000 pairs in Europe of which 300,000-850,000 breeds in Russia (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The population in the European Union amounts to 300,000 450,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B). Eastern European populations appear to be currently stable. In contrast the western European populations have declined during 1990-2000 (BirdLife Int. 2004A). Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size: usually 4 eggs (2-5); incubation: 18-20 days; fledging period: 19-20 days; independent before or soon after fledging; broods: probably only one brood. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 291 *
Movements Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Member MIGRANT REDENT State Breeding Passage Wintering FI SE EE Occasional LV LT PL SK Few DK UK IE >20 000 p DE NL BE FR ES Very few PT Very few IT Accidental GR CY RO BG Few HR Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 292 *
Definition of period of reproduction Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SE Occupation of breeding 1, 9, 11 EE Courtship display LV 1 LT Courtship display 7 PL Occupation breeding 3 SK Courtship display Occupation of breeding DK Occupation of breeding UK Courtship display 1 IE Construction of the nest 1, 2, 3 DE Occupation of breeding 1 NL Courtship display 11 BE Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 with nuptial parade Courtship display Pair formation Displaying away from breeding area FR Occupation of breeding 6 ES Occupation of breeding 5 PT Occupation of breeding Little data available 7 IT 1, 4 GR CY RO 1 BG Courtship display 6, 13 HR Occupation of breeding with courtship display Small breeding population 20, 23 Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 293 *
Period of reproduction Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK DK UK IE DE NL BE FR ES PT?? IT GR CY RO BG HR ES and SL - very small population. - rare breeding species. PT - very small population, breeding in mountainous areas. Comments and conclusions 1) The period of reproduction begins with the occupation of the breeding with courtship display or the construction of the nest where resident populations exist (UK, IE, ). 2) End of the period of reproduction ranges from the 3 rd decade of May (PL) to the 2 nd decade of September (UK). Full flight of young birds indicates the end of the reproduction period (c. 2 decades after hatching), but difficult to notice in the field. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 294 *
Prenuptial migration Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds? Member YES NO References State FI 1, 2, 3, 4 SE 1, 9, 11 EE LV 1 LT 5,7 PL 3 SK Mixing of wintering and migrating birds DK UK Mixed population of migrants & 1 residents. Secretive species. IE Secretive species; small minority of 1, 2 the population seen after the end of the hunting season (31st January). Difficult to distinguish between wintering migrants and the breeding population DE 1 NL Large wintering population 7 BE Presence of wintering birds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1 5, 6 FR Secretive species. Overlap of 6 breeding, migrating and wintering populations ES 1, 4 PT Little data available on species phenology IT Secretive species. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Overlap of wintering and passage migrants 5 GR No data on counts, phenology of 1, 2, 3 migration CY 3 RO 1 BG Secretive species. 6, 13, 16 Overlap of wintering, passage and breeding migrants HR Mixing of migrating and wintering 18, 21, 23 Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 295 *
populations Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 296 *
Period of prenuptial migration Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago FI SE EE LV LT PL SK DK UK IE DE NL BE FR ES PT IT GR CY RO BG HR J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C BE - winter movements in January; IE - very early move eastwards, especially in mild winters; Icelandic breeding population probably starts to leave much later than the European population. Comments and conclusions 1) Mostly migratory in Europe with major resident populations in the UK and IE. 2) It seems difficult to make difference between a wintering and a migrating bird and so it is difficult to identify the beginning of the period of return. The first strong movements may indicate the beginning of the prenuptial migration. 3) Beginning of the prenuptial migration ranges from the 3 rd decade of January (IE) to the 3 rd decade of March (FI, EE, LT). Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 297 *