Recoveries by Condition for Taiga/Tundra Bean Goose

Classical switch from mainly dead recoveries of shots before 1960 to mainly colour ring reads today, though dead recoveries still the second recovery condition, but less than 6% in frequency. Heterogeneities in temporal patterns of recoveries might ensue from changes in recovery conditions, but also more ring reads during the 1990s. European Taiga Bean Geese historically showed lower survival that Tundra forms, which might be due to heavier hunting pressure (Fox et al. 2021) which may affect our ability to recognise patterns in the two forms.

Annual Movements for Taiga/Tundra Bean Goose

Breeders from Scandinavia winter in southern Scandinavia, mainly southern Sweden and Denmark, reaching northern Germany, few to the Netherlands. A few birds from Finnmark tracked with GPS wintered in southern Sweden, arriving there during the last decade of September, and leaving in the last decade of April. Most birds wintering in the Netherlands undergo a spring migration to Russia, reaching the Siberian tundra in the third decade of May. Migration to Finnmark mainly coastal, migration to Siberia mainly over the continent.

A recent tracking study provides novel information on movements of Finnish Taiga fabalis (Piironen et al. 2021); satellite-tracked non-breeders and unsuccessfull breeders migrate to the island of Novaya Zemlya in the high Arctic for wing moult, outside the breeding range, for approximately three months; migratory connectivity between breeding and moulting sites was very low; moult migrants began fall migration later in autumn than successful breeders, and their overall annual migration distance was more than twofold that of successful breeders; these tracked fabalis wintered in southern Sweden.

No separation of data from the two forms (tundra/taiga) here, so potential differences in timing between subspecies to be considered carefully (Heinicke 2010), as both forms seem also to locally hybridize (Ottenburghs et al. 2020).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Taiga/Tundra Bean Goose

No movements of wintering birds from end of November to the end of January, first movements towards southern Scandinavia noted early February, reaching Finland in March, installed in May (Nilsson 2011). Records restricted to northern Siberia after mid-May, so ongoing movements to the far-north during three months. In autumn, first notable movements noted in early September, to be completed during October. Far-eastern Siberian birds are on the move after the Scandinavian birds, and reach their breeding grounds later.

Recoveries by Condition for Peregrine Falcon

Until 1960, 88% of the recoveries were dead birds, including 47% shot birds. From 1961 to 1990 92% concerned dead birds, including 8% shot birds. From 1991 46% concerned dead birds, about 1% was shot. The hunting hotspots were the UK, Belgium, S and W France and Protuga. Birds were also shot in Fennoscandia, Denmark, S Spain and C Europe. Ringing recoveries are rare, but since 1990 the proportion ‘alive, identified by other means’ increased to over 40%, owing to the application of colour-rings that are frequently read in the field.

Annual Movements for Peregrine Falcon

From Nov - Feb the main concentrations are found in the UK, the Low countries and SW Germany; also Denmark, Ireland, France, Iberian Peninsula and C Europe, few in Italy and N and sub-Saharan Africa. These concentrations stay year-round. In Mar most birds move in NE direction: fewer birds in Africa and SE Europe, more in NE Europe and S Scandinavia. In Apr - May further increase in N Fennoscandia and E Europe, few birds in Spain, France and N Italy. From Jun - Sep few movements. In Oct most birds left N Scandinavia, still some birds in N Finland. 

Connectivity by Month by Region for Peregrine Falcon

Fennoscandian breeders are found in Denmark (Oct - Feb), British Isles (Oct - May), W and C Europe (Sep - May), Italy (Sep, Feb), Balkan (Jan, Mar), the Iberian Pen. (Oct - Apr), N Africa (Nov - May) and sub-Saharan Africa (Nov, Feb). UK breeders are found in Ireland (Dec - Feb), Belgium (Apr), France (Aug - Nov, Mar, Jun), Portugal (Sep, Nov) and Can.Islands (Mar). From the Low Countries recoveries in the UK (Oct - Apr, Jun), France (Aug - Feb) and C Europe (Aug, May). Birds from C Europe found in W Europe (Oct - Feb), The Balkan (Oct -Nov), Bulgaria (Aug), N Italy (Sep - Oct) and the Iberian Pen. (Oct - Mar). All recoveries are in the same migration corridor in Europe, but recent GPS tracking revealed longitudinal connectivity among six breeding populations in Eurasia (Gu et al. 2021).

Recoveries by Condition for Common Ringed Plover

Until 1960 72% of the recoveries were dead birds, including 46% shot birds. From 1961 to 1990 38% concerned dead birds, 20% was shot. From 1991 almost all recoveries concerned alive birds. Most birds were shot at the westcoast of Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain and Morocco. Also in Italy and S France and Russia birds were shot. From 1991 6,7% of the recoveries was read in the field and 7,6% identified by color mark.

Annual Movements for Common Ringed Plover

From Nov - Feb hotspots along the coasts of the British Isles, W Europe and Iberia. Also encounters at the coast of Morocco, Senegal and Ghana. In Mar numbers increase in Denmark, the Baltic States, S Scandinavia and in Italy. In Apr numbers decrease in Senegal, Ghana and SW Europe. In Fennoscandia numbers increase. In May big hotspots in the UK and the coasts of the Low Countries and Denmark from passing Tundrae. Birds arrived in Iceland, N Norway, SW Finland and Russia. Few birds left in Morocco and S Europe. In Jun - Jul birds are in their breeding areas. In Aug first birds in C and S Europe and Morocco. In Sep birds have left Iceland and N Norway, first birds in Senegal. In Oct almost no birds in Fennoscandia, most birds along coasts of W Europe and the UK or migrating in C Europe. First birds in Ghana.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Common Ringed Plover

Fennoscandian birds are reported from W Europe, the British Isles and Morocco from Aug - Mar and from Ghana between Dec and Feb. Iceland birds are found mainly on the British Isles and W France from Sep – Apr, 1 in Morocco in Oct. Birds from W Iceland are also reported from Iberia in Sep - May. UK breeders are found in SW France, Ireland and S UK from Sep - Mar, in S Spain from Apr - May, in NW Africa south to Ghana from Oct - May. Birds from the Low Countries are reported in the UK from Sep - Nov, W France Sep - Feb, Portugal Aug - Sep. Breeders from Russia were reported from Finland (Aug), Poland, N Germany, Italy and Israel (Sep). Greenland breeders were found in the UK (May and Aug), Belgium (May) and SE Spain (Apr). A bird from Baffin Island (Can) was found in Ireland in Jan.

Recoveries by Condition for Common Wood Pigeon

As Wood Pigeon is hunred in most countries, overall about half of all recoveries are of shot birds, with 38% shot from 1991. Before 1991, almost all recoveries were of birds found dead with up to ca. 75% of them being shot in 1961-1990. Since 1991, the percentage of recoveries of birds found alive is ca. 40%.

Annual Movements for Common Wood Pigeon

Mgration towards SW Europe occurs in Sep-Oct, with a main passage through the W Pyrenees (one of the main flyways) in Oct. Encounters from Nov onwards are in the wintering areas, spread across W Europe, from Iberia to NW Germany and the British Isles, where they remain until Feb-Mar. By Mar, there are hardly any encounters in Iberia, and spring migration is active. Birds arrive in the N breeding quarters, in Fennoscandia, Apr-May.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Common Wood Pigeon

Birds from S and W Europe, including the British Isles are mostly resident. The Baltic and N European birds migrate along Atlantic flyway to overwinter in SW Europe, mostly Iberia (birds shot in France are residents; Hobson et al. 2009). Birds leave the breeding grounds in Sep-Oct and peak in the W Pyrenees (with annual counts of >2.5 million birds) in Oct (Cohou et al. 2006). Departure from winter quarters is in Feb-Mar. Similar temporal patterns are seen on the Mediterranean flyway, which is used by birds from E Europe (up to Ukraine), which overwinter in Italyand S France.

Recoveries by Condition for Moustached Warbler

Overall, the vast majority of recoveries (99%) are recaptures by ringers. There are extremely few recoveries (N = 5) before 1960; all of which were shot dead or encountered sick/wounded. There were some recoveries of dead individuals during 1961-1990. Since 1991, virtually all recoveries are recaptures.

Annual Movements for Moustached Warbler

Movements to the winter quarters are seen in Oct, but it is likely that some birds left earlier. Birds are back on their breeding sites from Feb, but mainly in Mar. Distances moved are short (especially for the SW population) and it is likely that birds cover the distance between their breeding and wintering areas in just one/a few days.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Moustached Warbler

For the SW population, encounters in Iberia of birds breeding in France are mostly in Oct-Mar, indicating true migratory movements. However, some shorter movements could be dispersal, which can be >100 km (Ceresa et al. 2016). Most individuals, however, seem to be philopatric (Ceresa et al. 2016). Island populations appera to be resident; e.g. birds in the Balearic islands only encountered there (Aymí 1991). For the eastern population, recoveries outside the breeding grounds are mostly in Oct-Mar, with some in Apr, especially in Italy.

Recoveries by Condition for Eurasian Collared Dove

Before 1991, most recoveries (~ 57%) were of birds found dead, but birds reported alive (recaptures or resightings) comprise the vast majority (90%) of  recoveries since then. This is linked to the development of demographic studies, despite the species being a gamebird in several European countries.

Annual Movements for Eurasian Collared Dove

Collared Dove has a long to medium distance dispersal strategy (Hensz 2018, Slager 2020), which enabled the colonization of Europe during the second half of the 20th century. Natal dispersal of up to a few 100 km facilitates this. Only a small number of Collared Doves migrate, but some birds make short to long distance movements in Sep-Oct to reach wintering sites.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Eurasian Collared Dove

Most birds only move a few 100 km to the S or SW and these movements are not necessarily well documented by recoveries. Encounters are farily evenly distributed throughout the year, with no seasonal peaks. However, in autumn, movements occur in Sep-Oct, while in spring there are more in Apr.

Recoveries by Condition for Alpine Swift

Most encounters are obtained during the breeding season – primarily in Jun-Jul (53%). C European region holds exclusively almost all of them (ca. 99%). In total, ca. 90% of all encounters are based on alive birds – this share stayed comparatively high over the years (from 77% pre-1960, ca. 60% for the period 1961-1990 and ca. 95% after 1991). The number of encounters coming from dead birds before 1960 was 22%, then nearly doubled during the 1961-1990 period (40%) and currently it holds just 4% from the sample after 1991. Considerable amount of encounters (18%) was received in 1961-1990 due to cold weather.

The bulk of encounters are obtained after 2000.

Live recoveries of ringed birds are concentrated in Switzerland, where the species is most heavily studied.

Annual Movements for Alpine Swift

Post-breeding dispersion of C European breeding population (Switzerland) starts in Aug, when birds are encountered in the neighbouring countries SW and S from the breeding sites (S France, N Italy). Autumn migration is evident mostly in Sep-Oct (lasting until Nov) at lower latitudes in SW Europe & NW Africa. Encounters from the wintering grounds are very limited – from Jan (Ghana) and Kenya. During spring migration birds are encountered as early as Feb but mostly Mar-Apr (until May) on their way back at similar locations in Maghreb and the Iberian and Apennine Peninsulas. Tracked Swiss breeders undertake a migratory journey of ca. 3500 km to W Africa in about two weeks (Liechti et al. 2013).

There are very few long-distance ring recoveries from the African winter quarters.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Alpine Swift

Migratory movements of the breeding population in C Europe start as early as late summer, being more pronounced in mid- to late autumn. At this time lots of encounters exist from SW Europe, but also from Italy and N Morocco and Algeria. Limited data from the wintering sites suggest mid-winter encounter in W Africa. Early- to mid-spring encounters are available from the same regions in NW Africa, Spain, France and Italy; migration continues until late spring. Post-breeding dispersal of the Swiss population results in numerous encounters in almost all neighbouring countries, incl. some breeding cases in following years.

Most encounters involve short distances covered only – less than 100km from the ringing site.

Recoveries by Condition for Western Yellow Wagtail

Until 1960 48% of the recoveries were dead birds: 16% were shot and 5,9% intentionally taken. From 1961 to 1990 34% concerned dead birds: 13% were shot and 3,3% intentionally taken. From 1991 almost all recoveries concerned alive birds.
Hotspots for shot birds are N Italy and the coasts of Spain and Portugal. Also many birds shot in SW France, S Italy, Greece and Morocco.

Annual Movements for Western Yellow Wagtail

From Nov - Feb birds are in the winter areas from Senegal to C Afr. Republic, also some in NW Africa and S Europe (mainly Spain). In Mar numbers in NW Africa increase. In Apr many arrive in C Europe, the Low Countries and S UK, also many in NW Africa and S Europe and few still in W Africa. In May birds arrive in Fennoscandia, less birds in S Europe and NW Africa and none left in W Africa. In Aug numbers in Spain and N Italy increase. In Sep few birds in Fennoscandia, numbers in C Europe and UK decrease, numbers in S Europe and N Africa increase. In Oct most birds have left Fennoscandia, C and W Europe and UK. Many birds in S Europe and NW Africa with hotspot along coasts of Ib. Peninsula. Many birds arrive in W Africa.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Western Yellow Wagtail

Fennoscandian birds pass S Sweden and S Finland in Aug; reports from Belgium, C Europe, N taly and S France (Aug-Sep), Ib. Peninsula (Aug-Dec, May), S Italy (Oct, May), NW Africa (Oct-Nov, Apr-May) and Senegal - C Afr. Republic (Oct-Apr). UK birds pass S UK and W France in Aug-Sep; reports from Portugal (Sep-Nov), Spain (few Sep-Nov, more Mar-Apr), Morocco (few Sep-Nov, more Mar-May) and Senegal - Guinnee Bissau (Oct-Apr). From Low Countries reports from France (Aug–Sep), Ib. Peninsula (Sep-Nov), NW Africa (Aug-Dec and Mar-Apr) and W Africa (Nov-Apr). C Europe birds are found in France (Sep-Oct, Apr), Ib. Peninsula (Sep-Dec, few Apr), few Greece (Oct, Dec), Italy and NW Africa (Sep-Oct, Mar-May) and Senegal - C Afr. Republic (Oct-Mar). N. populations move longest and leap-frig over S populations (Bell 1996; Bell2007).

Recoveries by Condition for Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye is a game species in a number of European countries and before 1961 ~54% of all recoveries were of dead birds as a result of shooting/hunting. The percentage reported dead fell during the next two 30-year periods (28 and 11% respectively). Inversely, the percentage of recaptures increased from 9.5% before 1961 to 75% after 1991. Most encounters are in N Europe (90%). Drowning in fishing nets can be an important cause of mortality – 8% pre-1961, 6% 1961-1990, and 2.5% of all recoveries after 1991 (15% of all dead birds in Finland; Saurola et al. 2013).

About half of all encounters (ca. 51%) are obtained in May-Jun – the species readily occupies nestboxes. Nestbox recoveries share increased fourfold from the pre-1960 period (1%) to after 1991 (4.6%).

Annual Movements for Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye undergo a flightless moult taking about a month in late summer and autumn, with males moulting earlier than females. Short migratory movements to moulting sites lead to local concentrations (Baltic Sea, White Sea; Eadie et al. 2020). True autumn migration starts in Aug, peaks in Nov and most wintering sites are occupied by Dec. Birds originating from Fennoscandia and NW Russia are encountered Aug-Mar (mostly Nov-Feb) in N/Baltic Sea region and W Europe, while those breeding in E Europe are in SE Europe Sep-Apr. Return movements start Feb-Mar and most have left by the end of Mar. Birds start to arrive on their breeding sites at the end of Mar, although most return in Apr, or even May in the extreme N of the range.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Common Goldeneye

Birds from the breeding population in Fennoscandia and NW Russia are encountered in late summer, autumn and winter (even early spring) primarily in the region of Baltic and N Seas, but also at other coastal sites elsewhere in W Europe, including the British Isles. A few are also encountered further south in C & S Europe in winter, reaching the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Birds arrive on the breeding sites in N Europe in mid- to late spring. Birds breeding in E Europe are encountered in SE Europe and S Russia from early autumn to mid-spring, mostly in late autumn and winter. C European breeding birds are encountered from early autumn to early spring at a number of sites in N, W & SW Europe. Scottish breeders winter in Ireland.

Recoveries by Condition for Barnacle Goose

All populations were hunted until sixties, and pre-1960 most recoveries were from shot birds. After that, hunting was banned in most countries except Russia, and recaptures and rings being read in the field dominate. Colour-ringing and reading is extensive in all populations, but most observations of colour-ringed birds are lacking from this atlas, leading to some bias. Most notable is the almost complete absence of encounters along the Norwegian coast in spring, where no ringing takes place but reading of colour-rings is extensive. Recently, derogation hunting occurs in many countries but hunting recoveries are still outnumbered by other categories.

Annual Movements for Barnacle Goose

Majority of birds from Russian breeding areas moving to Baltic in October, with bulk arriving in Western European wintering grounds in November. First birds moving north again in April, with staging in Baltic in May. Main spring migration however nowadays occurs in May, with birds rapidly moving north with limited staging and arriving in breeding areas end of May. Greenland and Svalbard breeders arrive in Western region mainly in October to winter, with Greenland breeders making a stop-over on Iceland in September. Spring migration is in April. For these populations, spring staging on Iceland and on Norwegian coast to second half of May still is the norm, after which mass migration to breeding areas occurs where they arrive end of May, beginning of June.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Barnacle Goose

Ringing and recovery activities concentrated in July in breeding and moulting areas, and in winter months in wintering areas. Strong connectivity between birds wintering in North-west region and breeding on Svalbard and Greenland. Few birds reached US coast through Greenland breeding areas. Birds wintering in West region strongly connected to breeding areas in NW Russia. Birds summering in West region (June, July, August) mainly show short-distance connections within region, pointing to the sedentary nature of these populations. Same is true for birds summering in North-west region. Few connections from summer in West and North-west to northern breeding areas results from either crippled norther breeders staying behind in summer, and from natal dispersal to northern breeding areas.