Recoveries by Condition for European Serin

Overall, most (>95%) recoveries due to birds captured alive, usually in ringing campaigns. Indeed, reed warblers are one the most captured passerines for ringing due to their very high catchability in mist nets situated across reed beds. By periods, however, a small but still remarkable fraction of recoveries before 1960 were due to birds found dead (ca. 10%), with less than 5% due to shot. This pattern clearly changed during the period 1961-1990, and from 1990 to present the proportion of birds found dead is absolutely marginal. Impressive sample size, with >450,000 recoveries of birds recaptured alive overall.

Annual Movements for European Serin

Patent migration in autumn in Oct; spring migration back to breeding quarters in Mar-Apr; arrival to breeding quarters in N Europe in Apr. Birds in S half of Europe can occupy their breeding sites (especially males) as soon as weather conditions improve in mid- or late-winter.

Connectivity by Month by Region for European Serin

Birds from C Europe show recoveries at their wintering sites situated mostly from E Iberia to Greece mostly from Nov to Feb; these birds show patent passage across the Alps in Oct; many recoveries in Apr in E Italy (spring passage before crossing the Adriatic). Birds from W Germany with many recoveries in Belgium in Oct. W/C-W populations with many recoveries in winter in S France/E Iberia. Birds wintering in Spain seem to concrentrate along Mediterranean coast, up to SW Iberia (Guadalquivir river basin).

Recoveries by Condition for Rock/Water Pipit

The development of colour ringing at the end of the 1990s increased dramatically the number of recoveries and simultaneously the proportion of live recoveries, while old re-encounters were mainly of dead birds (two third before 1960, shifting to 1% after 1990).

Annual Movements for Rock/Water Pipit

Water Pipit. In Ukraine, the autumn migration peak occurs in the second half of September (Dubovyk et al. 2020). Actively migrating spinoletta ringed in the Czech Republic in September move to the S or SW to winter between Greece and Spain.

Rock Pipit. North birds (littoralis) arrive in France at the end of September, and in Spain by mid-October, illustrating the progress of the fall migratory movements. In spring, the last recoveries on the Atlantic coast of France are from the first decade of March, and last sightings in Scotland are from the first week of April.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Rock/Water Pipit

Water pipits (spinoletta) from South-West and South-Central Europe do not leave their regions in winter. Those from Central Europe are recovered along Mediterranean wintering sites from mid-September to the end of February.

Rock Pipit. North-Western petrosus from the British Isles hardly move to the continent. In the North, littoralis have all returned to the breeding grounds by early May, and the first southward movement are noted in the first decade of September, while the northernmost breeding sites are empty by the end of September. There are however winter recoveries in southern Scandinavia. Wintering sites in the South-West are occupied from October to February.

Recoveries by Condition for Northern Pintail

Two-thirds of all recoveries refer to shot or intentionally taken birds. Clear peak in encounters during last decade of July and first decade of August, presumably marking start of hunting season in many countries. Most birds encountered in 1950-1980. Assuming large unknown category pre-1960 refers to shot birds mainly, proportion shot birds has declined over time, with 40% in 1991-present, and ring recoveries and ring readings reaching more than 50% in this period.

Annual Movements for Northern Pintail

Wintering quarters vacated during end March begin April, spring migration concentrated in April and early May, with birds reaching Russian breeding grounds last decade of May. First southward movements already by end of June, birds reaching southern moulting areas in Wolga Delta and Western European wetlands end July and August, others remaining at scattered locations further north. Most birds reaching western European and UK wintering areas in September and October. Southern wintering areas in Africa and Asia reached in November. Hunting seasons likely bias movements patterns.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Northern Pintail

Bird encountered in winter months in Western Europe connected to staging sites in SW Russia in April, western and north western Russia in May, and to breeding grounds in Finland and Russia in June - July. Some connections to Wolga Delta in late summer suggesting some western European winterers moult there. Very large numbers encountered in Wolga Delta in July mainly connect to staging and breeding sites in Russia both sides of Ural in May-July, and to wintering sites in Italy, Balkan, Greece, Tunisia and Middle East in November – March. Many mid-winter movements within Europe between UK and mainland and from low countries to France, Spain and some extent Italian Po Delta. Summer encounters in West and central Europe few and Only connected locally.

Recoveries by Condition for Tengmalm's Owl

Currently protected species in Europe. Most encounters were obtained after late 1980s, N Europe being the region holding the bulk of them (ca. 79%). The encounters mainly come from Apr-Jun – 51% (nestbox ringing), and from Sep-Oct (37%, autumn dispersal/ irruptions).

The encounters based on dead birds considerably decreased over time (from 87% pre-1960 to 8% after 1991), while those based on alive birds – markedly increased (from ca. 8% to 91% respectively); the latter is mostly due to ringing encounters. Nestbox encounters keep rather constant share after 1961 (ca. 5%). Encounters based on shot birds are from pre-1960 only (17%). Traffic and collision with glass are among the currently important negative factors.

Most distant recoveries (>=50 km) are less than 550 km from the ringing site.

Annual Movements for Tengmalm's Owl

Post-natal and autumn movements start in late Jul to early Aug and last usually until Oct, early Nov at latest (Korpimäki, Hakkarainen, 2021). Juveniles from the population in Finland are recorded between Sep and Feb wintering in Scandinavia during invasion, having taken SW, W and even NW routes from the breeding grounds (Saurola et al. 2013). Scandinavian population seems to disperse/ migrate within the peninsula mostly.

Return movements in spring take place between Mar and early May (Noskov et al. 2016).

Similarly to N Europe, large-scale irruptive movements (some nearly 800 km) have been recorded in C Europe as well (Korpimäki, Hakkarainen, 2021).

Although the species is largely resident in S Europe, a long-distance movement of 156 km has been recorded within the Spanish Pyrenees (Malagelada et al. 2007).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Tengmalm's Owl

Females move much further away in their natal dispersal compared to males – 140 vs. 47.7 km respectively (Newton et al. 2002). Based on data from Fennoscandia during post-natal dispersion and autumn migration juveniles are more frequent than adults, and the sex ratio of juvenile owls is significantly female-biased; in addition, among juveniles, males migrate earlier than females (Hipkiss et al. 2002).

Regular autumn movements are thought to extend at least 500–600 km (Korpimäki, Hakkarainen, 2021).

Post-breeding dispersal and autumn migration movements are evident from mid- to late summer; during invasion, the Finnish birds are mainly encountered from early autumn to late winter SW, W & NW (Sweden and Norway) from their natal sites (Saurola et al. 2013).

Return migration to the breeding grounds takes place early- to late spring.

Recoveries by Condition for Arctic Tern

About 23% of all re-encounters are ringing recoveries, an almost equal proportion to what is seen in common terns. Birds otherwise identified, e.g. rings being read in the field are uncommon at 6% (common tern 32%), but large increase after 1990, because colour-ringing is relatively new in Arctic tern. Both categories mainly in UK, Belgium, Netherlands and Denmark. Dead birds make up 54% of total, occurring equally across entire range. Shot and intentionally taken birds rare at 5%, mainly in Denmark, France, Spain and W Africa.

Annual Movements for Arctic Tern

From mid Nov to end Mar, all recoveries in Africa, except few odd records in Europe. Begin Apr birds appear in Denmark, mid/end Apr Netherlands, British Isles. N Baltic reached begin May, density highest in all breeding areas up to N Norway from mid-Jun, when first birds reach Iceland and Svalbard. Stable until end Jul. Through Aug, density in N Europe decreasing and movement S to France, Spain and first birds reach W Africa, already many there by end Aug. Rapid decline in whole of Europe through Sep, first birds appear S Africa. Mozambique and Australia reached mid Oct, brief concentration Denmark, the last birds leaving Europe until none left mid Nov. End Oct W Africa vacated, birds in Gulf of Guinea and S to Angola, by end Nov most in Southern Africa or beyond.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Arctic Tern

Connections in Aug-Sep in all regions show post-breeding movement from Baltic to W coast of Norway, likely overland, Germany/Netherlands, British Isles and W coast of France. Some movements from Baltic towards Black Sea. Nov-Jan connections very rare and local only. Most ringing during breeding Jun-Jul, connecting all regions to coasts of W Africa in Aug-Mar, S Africa in Oct-Mar without variation. NW and N birds also found in Australia and N Zealand in Oct-Dec (Jun), and NW. Birds from Iceland and Sweden found in S America in Nov and Apr. Geolocators show true extent of movements and variation between regions: after rounding S Africa, Baltic and Dutch terns flew to Antarctica reaching 207E, while such movements were much less prominent among Greenland birds (Alerstam et al. 2019).

Recoveries by Condition for Golden Eagle

Ring recoveries consist of 80% of live birds identified in the field from their ring, but historically most were dead recoveries, even until 1990.

Annual Movements for Golden Eagle

Recoveries are mainly from the North, in winter, with also another peak of young birds moving in May-June, and at moderate distances, but up to 1500 kilometres. Immatures are not territorial and more prone to move away from the natal area (Weston et al. 2013). Young females are prominent dispersers and show a more eager exploratory behaviour (Soutullo et al. 2006).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Golden Eagle

Birds breeding in the North are in their breeding region from May to August, with first record further South in East Europe in September, then in Central Europe too, from October to March. Birds from East Europe can move to Central Europe at similar dates. Birds from Central Europe are mainly from the Alps and hardly move to more Mediterranean sites in winter.

Recoveries by Condition for Eurasian Wigeon

Most encounters are in winter, with distinct second peak in May during hunting season in Russia. Two thirds of recoveries related to hunting with no clear trend in time. Ringing recoveries make up most of the other encounters, representing a long tradition of catching and ringing ducks on reserves and in duck decoys.

Annual Movements for Eurasian Wigeon

Wintering birds reach furthest south in mid-winter, with Spanish sites already vacated begin March, France end March. Eastward movements from end March to areas SE of Moscow, then gradually further north to reach breeding belt around Arctic circle end of May. Summering and moulting birds in western Europe show no connection to Russian breeding sites, suggesting no or local breeding, first influx occurs in August after annual wing moult. More birds arrive through September and October, with onwards movements along the western European coasts. Despite presence of the species in winter in sub-Saharan Africa, no encounters there and encounters on north African coast very few and connected to Wolga delta, suggesting eastern origin of wigeon wintering in Africa.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Eurasian Wigeon

Traditional duck decoys in Netherlands are focal points with strong connections to France and Eastern UK in mid-winter. Wetland reserves are nuclei in UK, with most winter connections to other sites on British Isles, and to Italy and France. Wintering birds in Western Europe connected to sites in Finland in summer, connections further east to Russia are mainly in May, when most hunting takes place, with April encounters occurring further south, representing earlier arrival and spring hunting. South-Eastern and South-central European wintering areas connect to both wintering areas in western Europe and in the Wolga Delta, linking birds from different flyways. Wolga winterers mainly connect to Russia east of Ural in May. Some birds in Iceland in summer connect to East coast of US in autumn.

Recoveries by Condition for Meadow Pipit

Annual Movements for Meadow Pipit

There are many recoveries of North birds obtained in West Europe, along the Wadden Sea; most are obtained from early September to the end of October, with very few later in the winter, so concern birds on the move to more southward wintering destinations. Winter recoveries of these northern birds are mainly from southern Spain and North Africa (Tellería et al. 2014). In spring, most movements occur during April, while some late migrants can be observed until earl May.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Meadow Pipit

Most birds of the North-West region have finished the spring migration at the start of April, and will start to move to the continent in early September, leaving their northernmost breeding range (Scotland) during October. Mid-September marks also the start of the southward movements for birds of West, Central and North Europe, which will be on the move in October, and have all reached their wintering grounds after the first decade of November. In spring, most birds are back on the breeding grounds during the last decade of April.

Recoveries by Condition for Long-eared Owl

Currently protected species in Europe. Most encounters are obtained after the 1970s. C & W Europe hold the bulk of encounters (ca. 35 and 34% respectively), considerable amount of them also in N Europe (19%). The encounters mainly come from May-Jun (ca. 26%) and Oct (13%), most ringed birds are juveniles.

The share of encounters based on dead birds changed little until 1991 (72-83%), then decreased to 47% after 1991. Those obtained due to shooting markedly decreased over time – from 18% pre-1960 to less than one percent after 1991. The encounters based on alive birds considerably increased from ca. 7% pre-1960 to 42%, mostly due to ringing encounters. Traffic is outlined as one of the most important negative factors after 1961 (15-16% of all cases).

Annual Movements for Long-eared Owl

In N Europe breeders, post-breeding dispersal lasts from late Jul to early Sep, later replaced by autumn movements till Oct-Nov. Their wintering grounds in W & C Europe are reached as early as Aug-Sep, but in most cases – in Oct-Nov. Return movements to the breeding sites take place in Mar-Apr; some encounters of birds still present in late May on their C European wintering grounds indicate possible late migration to the northernmost populations.

Most birds breeding in E Europe show similar timing in their migratory movements towards W Europe, however, their routes follow E – W direction.

Those birds from the W European breeders which migrate are encountered in SW Europe mostly Nov-Mar, S to N Spain.

Birds from the Icelandic population have been encountered in UK between Nov and May.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Long-eared Owl

Longest-distance movements are performed by the populations in N and E Europe. Birds breeding in N European breeding population start their post-breeding dispersal from mid- to late summer, the autumn migration lasting in most cases until mid- to late autumn. They are encountered at their wintering grounds in W & C Europe from late summer, most often – in mid- to late autumn. Return migration to the breeding grounds is evident mainly early- to mid-spring, but sometimes lasting until late spring.

Three distinguished passage waves have been recorded during autumn migration along the Polish Baltic coast, the adults migrating earlier and the immatures – most numerous in the second and third wave (Michalonek et al. 2009). Uneven sex ratios have been recorded in migrating and wintering birds in W & N Europe (Overskaug, Kristiansen, 1994; Erritzøe, Fuller, 1999; Wernham et al. 2002).

Recoveries by Condition for Bohemian Waxwing

Most recoveries are after the 2000s, with irregular peaks possibly reflecting invasions, and are mainly outside the breeding season (~99% Oct-Apr). About 85% of all recoveries are in N Europe. Recoveries of dead birds increased from 53% pre-1961 to 70% in 1961-1990, then decreased to 6% after 1991; the percentage of recoveries of live birds has increased  from 9% pre-1961 to 93% after 1990. The latter is mostly due to recaptures and colour-mark resightings (mostly in the British Isles). Although there are no recent reports of shot birds, 15 to 22% of recoveries before 1991 were from shooting (noticeable concentration in SE France & N Italy). During invasions, a surprising number of birds are reported as having hit glass (Winkler 2006).

Annual Movements for Bohemian Waxwing

In non-irruptive years, post-breeding dispersal and migration are largely concentrated in S Fennoscandia and the Baltic region. During invasions, birds mainly move SW, S & SE in autumn. Once wintering sites at lower latitudes are reached, dispersal movements take place in any direction. In irruption years, the wintering grounds are reached as early as Sep (data from C and even S Europe) but normally the numbers build up later, with most encounters from Nov onwards. In spring, return movements are evident usually in Mar-Apr, but some birds are encountered as late as May. Numerous encounters from European Russia, W & C Siberia (mostly Oct-Feb, but also during the breeding season) suggest this is where birds involved in invasions in Europe originate from.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Bohemian Waxwing

In years of irruptions, substantial migratory movements are evident as early as late summer or early autumn. Most encounters of wintering birds at mid-latitudes, sometimes even the Mediterranean region, occur from late autumn through to early to mid-spring, although a few birds are present in late spring. Mainly autumn and winter encounters of birds in NE Europe & Siberia suggest that irruptive birds may come from these areas. The longest-distance recovery is of a bird marked in Hungary and encountered in the Russian Far East (nearly 8,000 km).