Recoveries by Condition for Northern Fulmar

Game species in Iceland and Faroes, protected throughout most of Europe.

NW Europe holds the bulk of encounters (ca. 78%). The dataset has largely been populated after late 1970s. The encounters mainly come from the breeding season (Jun-Aug) – ca. 72%, the peak being in Jul with ca. 38% (mostly juveniles ringed).

The encounters based on dead birds decreased markedly over the years – from 83% pre-1960  (15% shot) to about 27% after 1991 (just 1% shot). Inversely, the share of recoveries based on alive birds largely increased – from ca. 9 to 72% respectively, the latter mostly due to ringing encounters (concentrated on the British Isles).

Fishery gear can locally be a significant cause for mortality – 14% of all cases at the Faroe Is (Hammer et al. 2014). The species comprised ca. 33% of all incidental bycatch of seabirds in Norway (Bærum et al. 2019).

Annual Movements for Northern Fulmar

High-arctic populations’ migratory movements are often in response to sea-ice cover change (Mallory et al. 2020).

In temperate and low-arctic regions post-breeding dispersal is evident from Sep-Oct. The species was found to be most abundant during Oct-Mar in a recently identified major hotspot in the N Atlantic, of big importance for millions of seabirds of 21 species in total (Davies et al. 2021). In high-arctic NE Greenland, the breeding population arrives in late Apr – early May and departs in early Sep (Lyngs et al. 2003).

Depending on the latitude, the birds are back to the breeding grounds from Mar to May.

Sometimes even breeding birds travel great distances (more than 6200km) and wander as far as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge while searching for food (Edwards et al. 2013).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Northern Fulmar

Males generally stay longer at nest sites during the winter, females ranging further when not breeding (Wernham et al. 2002).

Post-breeding dispersal is recorded from early autumn in the high-arctic populations to mid-autumn in lower latitudes.

Some birds ringed in NW & N Europe have been encountered as immatures in the waters off SW and E Greenland during summer and autumn (Lyngs et al. 2003), while the encounters from Newfoundland and Labrador come from all seasons.

The breeding sites are occupied early to late spring.

The huge number of recoveries in the North Sea region (birds in various ages, all seasons) is explained by the high quality of the area for feeding and moulting (Wernham et al. 2002), but the good coverage in terms of human presence certainly helps. Birds marked on the British Isles (mainly Scotland) have largely been encountered there.

Recoveries by Condition for Common Quail

Game species, intensively hunted throughout most of its range. Most encounters obtained after 2000, nearly half of them (ca. 45%) coming from two peaks – in May (24%) and Aug (21%). SW, SC & W Europe hold the bulk of encounters (ca. 96%) – 44, 37 and 15% respectively. The encounters based on dead birds slightly decreased over time: 61% pre-1960, 86% in 1961-1990 and 45% after 1991; those based on alive birds considerably increased from 5-6% before 1990 to ca. 50% after 1991. Shooting/ hunting is the major factor among those causing mortality – 50% pre-1960, 78% in 1961-90 and 44% after 1991. Nowadays, about half (49%) of all encounters come from alive birds due to ringing.

Most encounters in W & SW Europe as a result of shooting/ hunting largely concentrated in W & SW France and N Spain.

Annual Movements for Common Quail

Post-breeding dispersal/ start of the autumn migration is evident from Aug. Birds from the breeding European populations are encountered at lower latitudes in S Europe and locally in N Africa mostly in Aug-Sep. Their numbers progressively decrease in autumn, and the encounters from Dec-Feb pertain mostly to overwintering birds in the W Mediterranean region (Morocco, Spain, France, Italy).

In spring, on their way back, encounters from Mar exist from the Canary Is & N Africa (Egypt, Morocco); the breeding grounds in Europe are reached in Apr or May.

Аltitudinal movements associated with habitat seasonality are also known for this species (Puigcerver et al. 2012).

Long-distance ring recoveries from the African winter quarters almost lacking.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Common Quail

Birds breeding in the UK and continental W Europe are encountered in SW France and N Spain mostly in late summer, some as late as mid-autumn; the SW routes lead them to Morocco where they overwinter or migrate through (encounters from mid-winter to early spring). Early to mid-winter encounters from the Atlantic coast, S France and S Spain suggest overwintering in low numbers. C European population takes SW, S and (to a lesser extent) SE routes in autumn, resulting in encounters mainly in the W & C Mediterranean – mostly in late summer and early autumn, some birds staying during winter (from W France and Morocco to Sicily). Breeding sites are normally occupied in mid-spring or a month later at the most N part of species range.

Recoveries by Condition for Subalpine Warbler

There were very few recoveries before the 1990s, with just one before 1961 - a bird found dead - and  only a handful in 1961-1990. From 1991 to present, 99% of recoveries were of birds found alive, nearly al of which were recaptures by ringers.  

Annual Movements for Subalpine Warbler

Autumn migration is widespread in Sep-Oct, with most birds having left Europe before Nov, when some birds are already in W Africa. Passage in spring in Europe is obvious in Mar-Apr.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Subalpine Warbler

Birds from the SW European population are encountered in W Africa in Dec-Feb, with recoveries in Morocco in spring (Apr-May, but one in Feb), also suggesting a slightly E-biased route in spring. There are no encounters of Italian birds S of the Sahara. There are encounters in NW Africa (Algeria) in spring (Apr). Overall, spring passage through the Mediterranean is very conspicuous and occurs mostly in Apr, as reported by the ‘Piccole Isole’ project (Gargallo et al. 2011).

Recoveries by Condition for Brünnich's Guillemot

Although currently hunted legally in Iceland and Greenland, Brünnich's Guillemot is a protected species in most of Europe, although they are vulnerable to by-catch in fishing nets. Most recoveries are after 2010 and are primarily during the breeding season (92% Jun-Jul; mainly adults and 'after 1st year' birds). About 98% of all recoveries are outside the main European regions; with 2% in N & NW Europe. There are very few pre-1961 encounters. The majority of records (81%) from 1961-90 are of dead birds, including 'shot/hunted' (73%; mainly from Greenland, Iceland & Newfoundland), but this fell to just 4% after 1990. The percentage of recoveries of live birds has increased considerably from 13% in 1961-90 to 93% since 1991 (mostly due to recaptures by ringers). 

Annual Movements for Brünnich's Guillemot

Post-breeding dispersal movements start Jul-Aug. The Svalbard population (incl. Bear Is) reaches the wintering grounds in SW Greenland as early as Sep-Oct, mostly in Nov and through to Mar, although wintering sites in Iceland are left as late as Apr. Birds breeding in N Norway overwinter in the N Atlantic Nov-Feb. N Icelandic breeders moult (Aug-Sep) off the coasts of E & SW Greenland and mainly winter in the coastal waters of SW & E Greenland, although some winter locally (Linnebjerg et al. 2018). It is most abundant during Oct-Mar in a recently discovered, major hotspot in the N Atlantic, S of Greenland, which very important for millions of seabirds of 21 species (Davies et al. 2021). Spring migration takes place Mar-May, with the occupation of breeding sites being dependent on retreating sea ice (Noskov et al. 2016).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Brünnich's Guillemot

Breeding sites are usually left mid- to late summer. The breeders from the Svalbard archipelago overwinter in Iceland, Newfoundland and, especially, SW Greenland, where they are present between (early) mid-autumn and early to mid- spring; immatures normally arrive earlier than adults (Bakken & Mehlum 2005). Birds breeding in N Norway are encountered in the same regions (Iceland, SW Greenland and Newfoundland) between late autumn and late winter. Icelandic breeders overwinter in SW Greenland and Newfoundland from mid-autumn to early spring. SW Greenland is also an important wintering area for the birds breeding in NW Russia (Kampp 1988, Noskov et al. 2016).

The species is most numerous among the seabirds wintering in SW Greenland (Boertmann et al. 2004). Strong migratory connectivity is found across the NE Atlantic (Merkel et al. 2021). Return movements take place from early to late spring, sometimes early summer.

Recoveries by Condition for Collared Flycatcher

Most old records are dead recoveries, with a shift towards nearly 90% or ringing casualties in the 1990s. Tracked adults do stop-over in Libya in autumn where very few ringing recoveries, due to low ringing and observation effort.

Annual Movements for Collared Flycatcher

Birds breeding in the North move southwards, birds breeding in Central Europe too, with a few unusual records in South-West Europe. No difference between age classes. Most active migrants are recorded in late August and early September in South and South-East Europe, with a few late individuals in October. Light logger data indicate a desert crossing by late August/early September for breeders of Czech Republic, mainly mid-late September for Swedish adults; mainly last decade of April in the spring (Adamik et al. 2016), with a final rapid bout to arrive on the breeding grounds (Briedis et al. 2018), with a effect of climate change on arrival date (Weidinger and Král 2007). Autumn stopover of all these gls-tracked birds mainly from North Libya.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Collared Flycatcher

First migrants arrive in southern Europe during the second decade of April, and most breeders are on territories by the first decade of May in Central Europe, the second decade in the North. Autumn departures are concentrated in August, starting during the second decade, with few late individuals in September.

Recoveries by Condition for Black Guillemot

Game species in Iceland and Greenland, protected species in most of Europe.

N & NW Europe account for most of the encounters – ca. 86 and 11% respectively. Most encounters (ca. 67%) come from the period Jun-Jul, mainly due to juveniles ringed. Encounters based on dead birds decreased from 90% pre-1960 to 54% after 1991; those based on alive birds increased from 3% before 1960 to 42% after 1991. The latter is mostly due to ringing recoveries. Shooting was an important factor mainly in the past – 45% of all cases pre-1960, currently these cases account for less than 1%. Nowadays 15% of all recoveries come from by-catch casualties (40% in 1961-1990). Vulnerable to oil pollution (Wernham et al. 2002).

Most of the distant (>=50 km) recoveries are spread primarily throughout the Baltic region and the British Isles.

Annual Movements for Black Guillemot

Post-breeding dispersal starts in Aug. The species undergoes a flightless wing-moulting period after breeding season (Butler et al. 2020).

Icelandic breeders take either SW routes to overwinter in SW Greenland (Dec) or head W towards E Greenland where encountered Sep-Nov, joining the wintering local population (Lyngs 2003). British Isles population is primarily sedentary, dispersing locally – most encounters are from the Irish Sea and Orkney/ Shetland regions. Barents Sea population is largely resident (Flint, Golovkin, 1989; Noskov et al. 2016), but a juvenile from NW Russia was found wintering in C Norway (Nov). S Fennoscandian and Baltic Sea region breeders are mostly local dispersers, some reaching W France (Dec) & British Isles (Feb) during winter. Juvenile from the Finnish population was found wintering inland – SW Russia (Feb), close to Volga River.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Black Guillemot

Dispersal movements after the breeding season start in late summer. Icelandic population takes SW & W routes to winter in SW & E Greenland (encounters from early autumn to early winter). Birds breeding in the British Isles are largely sedentary and locally dispersive.

N European population (Norway, Russia) is mostly resident, but overwintering birds are encountered along the coast of C & SW Norway from mid-autumn to mid-winter. Birds breeding in S Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea region are mainly sedentary, some spreading to France and UK (mid- to late winter records).

Return to breeding sites takes place from early to late spring, depending on the latitude and sea ice conditions.

The species is known to be philopatric, but levels of philopatry and dispersal distance varies between colonies (Frederiksen, Petersen, 1999; Johnston et al. 2018).

Recoveries by Condition for Spanish Sparrow

The majority of recoveries are in SW (36%) & SC Europe (61%) with most (ca. 40%) occuring in Apr-Jun and the remainder almost equally distributed throughout the rest of the year. Almost all recoveries (ca. 99%) occured since 1991 and are of recaptured birds. There are hardly any pre-1961 recoveries, but there are several historical recoveries of shot birds - mostly from 1961-1990 in S Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. There are very few recoveries from the African winter quarters.

Annual Movements for Spanish Sparrow

In migratory populations marked autumn migration occurs in Sep-Oct. Birds breeding on the Balkan Peninsula are found in Oct in S Greece and S Italy, the wintering sites in Egypt are reached in Oct-Nov. A tracking study revealed an 1,800 km migration from Bulgaria to the species’ wintering grounds in Egypt, with 12-hr nonstop flights across the Mediterranean (ca. 640km; Hahn et al. 2019). Some birds marked in Tunisia in May and Jul are found in N Italy in Sep-Dec. Winter records in the northern part of the breeding range involve mostly adult birds. Migrating flocks have been recorded in Malta in spring and autumn (Apr and Oct; Sultana 2009). Spring migration records (Apr) from Levant involve birds breeding on the Balkan Peninsula. Migratory populations reach their breeding sites late Mar-May.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Spanish Sparrow

Post-breeding dispersal movements in search of food can be of several hundred km (Summers-Smith 2020). Birds from the E Balkan Peninsula breeding population are encountered during migration in S Greece (mid-autumn), reaching the wintering grounds in Africa in mid- to late autumn. Limited numbers of birds irregularly overwinter in Bulgaria (Ivanov & Nankinov 1980). W Balkan Peninsula birds are found in S Italy mostly in spring, but also in mid-autumn. Birds wintering in S Israel have been encountered during (mostly mid-autumn) migration in Cyprus. Birds in Tunisia in late spring and mid-summer are found in N Italy during autumn and even winter (Spina & Volponi 2008). There is migration through Malta and S Italy in mid- to late spring and mid-autumn. Populations in Portugal (Equipa Atlas 2018) and Spain undertake nomadic movements with no clear pattern.

Recoveries by Condition for Melodious Warbler

Overall, 98% of recoveries due to birds recaptured alive due to ringing. No data before 1960. Between 1961-1990, ca. 80% of the recoveries due to ringing, 15% dead recoveries. Nowadays, 99% of recoveries associated to recaptures of ringed birds under ringing campaigns.

Annual Movements for Melodious Warbler

Departure from breeding area in late Jul, with passage through Europe in autumn up to Sep. According to literature, arrival to winter quarters in Africa, from Senegal to Nigeria, from late Aug to Nov (Kennerley & Pearson 2010). Return spring migration starts as early as Feb, with a peak in Europe from late Apr to May (Kennerley & Pearson 2010).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Melodious Warbler

Recoveries in Iberia mainly from Aug to Oct, reflecting migration to Africa. Several recoveries in Morocco in Apr and May, during spring passage back to Europe.

Recoveries by Condition for Wood Sandpiper

Most recoveries are at the end of breeding season and during autumn migration (~87% in Jul-Sep), when juveniles have primarily been ringed. The majority of encounters are in C and N Europe (~73% combined). the percentage of recoveries of dead birds decreased from 82% pre-1961 to 6% after 1991 with live birds increasing from 13% before 1961 to 84% after 1991 (mostly recaptures by ringers). Shooting was an important factor until about 20 years ago (74% of all pre-1961 and 46% of all 1961-90 recoveries), more recently shooting accounts for just 2.4% of all recoveries. Most of the distant (>=50 km) recoveries are less than 2,500 km away, but a few move >8,000 km.

Annual Movements for Wood Sandpiper

Post-breeding dispersal and autumn migration start as early as late Jun, adults being ahead of juveniles which follow about a month later. Migration takes place overland on a broad front (Van Gils et al. 2020). The mean direction for autumn migration in S Sweden was SSW for juveniles and SW for adults (Iwajomo et al. 2013). Autumn migration is most intensive Aug to mid-Sep, although the African wintering grounds are reached as early as late Jul. Spring migration takes place mostly Mar to mid-May, although some late migrants are encountered in the Mediterranean until late May. In Europe, spring migration is quick, with one peak and with males generally preceding females (Remisiewicz et al. 2006, 2007). Few birds remain in Africa in the breeding season.

Breeding sites are reached mostly in May, locally (far N) - even in early Jun.

Few birds remain summering in S Africa (Oschadleus 2002).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Wood Sandpiper

Dispersal movements and migration start in mid-summer, with adults leaving first. In Europe, peak passage is in late summer and early autumn. The birds are in their African wintering sites between late summer and mid-spring (rarely late spring). The wintering grounds in W Africa are mainly the Inner Niger Delta, the Gulf of Guinea and the Senegal Delta (Zwarts et al. 2009). In tropical Africa, return migration is mostly in early to mid-spring; late spring in the Mediterranean region and Europe. Data from Germany suggest a progressively earlier arrival in spring and delayed departure in autumn, presumably in response to climate change (Anthes 2004). The overall picture suggests that more easterly routes are taken in spring than in autumn.