Recoveries by Condition for Common Blackbird

Until 1960 80% of the recoveries were dead birds, including 12% shot birds. From 1961 to 1990 59% concerned dead birds, including 4,3% shot birds. From 1991 5,5% concerned dead birds, no birds shot.
The hunting hotspots were in S France, N and C Italy, N Spain and the W Mediterranean Isles. Also a lot of shot birds in C France, Portugal, S and E Spain, Belgium and S Norway. Less hunting on the British Isles, S Sweden, S Finland and Greece.

Annual Movements for Common Blackbird

Year-round there are hotspots in the UK, the S coast of Norway and Finland, Denmark, the Low Countries and N Italy. From Nov - Jan there densities of wintering birds are high in Ireland, W and S France. Wintering birds are also found in C Europe, C France, Spain, the W Mediterranean Isles, C and S Italy and few in N Africa and SE Europe. Already in Feb numbers in Spain and France decrease again. In Mar - Apr a hotspot grows in C Europe and numbers in S Fennoscandia and E Europe increase, numbers in Ireland, France and S Italy decrease. In Sep numbers in Spain and France increase while numbers in C Fennoscandia decrease. In Oct – Nov, hotspots in Ireland and W and S France are built up, few birds remain in C Fennoscandia and E Europe. Blackbirds have increasingly become resident (van Vliet et al. 2009), especially in urban areas (Møller et al. 2014).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Common Blackbird

Fennoscandian and Danish breeders are mostly found in the UK and the Low Countries in Oct - Apr; also in France and Ireland and few in Spain, Italy, C Europe, Greece, N Africa and Iceland. UK breeders are most found in Ireland (Oct - Feb), also W Europe (Oct - Mar), S Scandinavia (Oct - Apr). Breeders of the Low Countries are most found in France and the UK in Oct - Mar, also Spain and Portugal in Oct - Apr and few in S Scandinavia in Oct - Dec and Ireland (Nov). Breeders of C and E Europe are found mostly in SW and S France, Italy and W Mediterranean Isles from Oct through Mar; also in S and C UK, the Low Countries and few in Greece and N Africa. From E Europe more recoveries in Greece (Feb - Mar) and one in Turkey (Nov) and Syria (Dec).

Recoveries by Condition for Willow Tit

Overall, 93% of recoveries associated to ringing. Before 1960, however, ca. 20% of recoveries were due to birds found dead, sick or wounded; from 1991 to present, this proportion is less than 1%. During the 1961-1990 time period, recoveries of birds recaptured alive already reached 94%, a proportion maintained from 1991 to present.

Annual Movements for Willow Tit

Higher number of recoveries in Sep-Oct, mostly juvenile individuals during post-fledging dispersal, that join non-kin wintering flocks (Hogstad & Slagsvold 2018). Otherwise shorter distance movements almost all year long, no specific yearly pattern as species is mostly resident.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Willow Tit

See ‘Annual movements’.

Recoveries by Condition for Common Reed Bunting

Overall, most (>95%) recoveries due to birds captured alive, usually in ringing campaigns. By periods, however, a remarkable fraction of recoveries before 1960 were due to birds found dead by shot (ca. 10%) or other than shot, sick or wounded (15%). This pattern clearly changed during the period 1961-1990, and from 1990 to present the number of birds found dead is absolutely marginal. 

Annual Movements for Common Reed Bunting

Migration in autumn starts in Sep, patent in Oct-Nov. Arrival to winter grounds from Oct to Nov, where the birds remain up to Feb-Mar. Spring migration in Mar-Apr. Arrival to breeding grounds by Apr-May. Differential migration by sex, hence males overwinter in further N regions as compared to females (Prys-Jones 1984, Arizaga et al. 2011). Moreover, males found to be predominant at sites close to presumably obligate migratory pathways, which would allow them to arrive faster to breeding sites as soon as weather conditions improve in spring (Arizaga et al. 2015).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Common Reed Bunting

Migratory populations from C Europe and the Atlantic façade up to N Europe show patent movements in Oct, when they start to reach their winter quarters in W/SW Europe. They remain there until Feb/Mar. Arrival to N breeding quarters in Scandinavia in late Apr/May. Populations from E Europe, up to the circum-Baltic area, also move mainly in Oct, to reach SC Europe, where they remain up to Feb (patent northward migration in Mar). Few data for the Scandinavian birds that move S to the Balkan peninsula and the area surrounding the Black Sea. Recoveries in these southern sites mainly in Feb.

Recoveries by Condition for Sedge Warbler

Most recoveries (98%) are of birds recaptured alive. Recoveries in Africa increased as a result of several intensive ringing campaigns from the 1970s onwards. Recoveries of dead birds were relatively frequent (23%) before 1961 but, as so many birds are now recaptured, they are extremely rare (0.5%).

Annual Movements for Sedge Warbler

Departure from the breeding quarters starts in Jul, continuing to mid-Aug. Birds breeding further N leave earlier than populations to the S. Adults migrate through stopover sites before first-year birds. Birds arrive on the winter quarters in Africa by Oct and depart from Mar, with some leaving as late as May. Sedge Warblers reach the breeding grounds Apr-May (northern European populations arrive later than their southern counterparts).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Sedge Warbler

Western populations migrate through Iberia Jul-Sep (peak in Aug); and across NW Africa Aug-Oct. Passage of eastern populations across SE Europe is mostly in Aug-Sep. Return passage across S Europe occurs mostly in Apr, with some in May. Eastern populations migrate through SE Europe (mostly the Balkan peninsula), while western populations mostly move across E Iberia/France, avoiding W Iberia, thus giving rise to loop migration.

Recoveries by Condition for Atlantic Puffin

Protected species in most of Europe, currently hunted legally in Iceland and the Faeroes. Most encounters are obtained primarily during the breeding season, peaking in Jun-Jul (ca. 92% combined) – mainly after first year and adult birds. The bulk of encounters come from NW (93%) and N Europe (5%). Most of the encounters are obtained after 2000. The encounters based on dead birds decreased markedly over the years – from 86% pre-1960 (17% shot) to about 8% after 1991 (almost none shot). The share of recoveries based on alive birds largely increased – from ca. 9 to 91% respectively, the latter mostly due to ringing encounters.

Most shot birds come from S Norway and Newfoundland (mainly in the past) and the Faeroes. The species is vulnerable to oil spills, violent weather and seabird bycatch (Wernham et al. 2002, Anker-Nilssen et al. 2017, Bærum et al. 2019).

Annual Movements for Atlantic Puffin

Post-breeding dispersal starts Jul-Aug, the birds migrate quickly to the wintering areas. Scandinavian population migrates towards Iceland (encounters from Feb, as well as some from Jul of summering birds), the Faeroes (mostly Nov-Feb), S Greenland (Nov-Dec), Newfoundland, the British Isles and W Europe (Aug-May).

Tracked birds from Ireland travelled rapidly W into the N Atlantic in Aug, most reaching the Newfoundland-Labrador shelf; by Oct, all birds moved back to the mid-Atlantic where they remained resident until return to the breeding colony (Jessopp et al. 2013). Tracked birds from NW Norway took NE routes at the end of the breeding season to the Barents Sea (Anker-Nilssen, Aarvak, 2009).

The species undergoes a flightless wing-moulting period during winter (Lowther et al. 2020).

Breeding sites are reached back from late Feb (S) to Apr or even May (N).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Atlantic Puffin

Tracking studies revealed a dispersive pattern of movements changing through the non-breeding period (Guilford et al. 2011). Birds breeding in Iceland are found in Newfoundland mostly Oct-Nov, and in UK – mainly Aug. Most winter encounters of the British Isles breeders along SW & W Europe are from Dec-Feb, the earliest being from Aug-Sep. Birds breeding in E Scotland moult locally off the coast (Glew et al. 2018) and overwinter mainly in the NW North Sea (Harris et al. 2010).

Birds breeding in NW Greenland migrate generally S, the males used a form of chain migration (overwintering off SW & S Greenland coasts) while females appeared to largely use leap-frog migration traveling much farther (Burnham et al. 2021).

The species was found to be most abundant from mid-autumn to early spring in a recently identified major hotspot for millions of seabirds in the N Atlantic (Davies et al. 2021).

Recoveries by Condition for European Pied Flycatcher

Overall, most (ca. 90%) recoveries due to birds captured alive, usually in ringing campaigns (68%). By periods, however, a remarkable fraction of recoveries before 1960 were due to birds found dead (ca. 30%). This pattern clearly changed from 1991 to present, when this proportion comprises just ca. 5% of recoveries, with the rest being due to birds recaptured alive, normally due to ringing.

Annual Movements for European Pied Flycatcher

First post-breeding movements in Jul, with prolonged migration across Europe up to Oct. Peak of migration in S half of Europe in Aug-Sep (migrants from N Europe pass later than those from W Europe, Ouwehand et al. 2016). Migrants can establish temporal territories at stopovers (Bibby & Green 1980). Important fuelling in S Europe, probably also in NW Africa, before crossing the Sahara (e.g., Hilgerloh & Wiltschko 2000). Most recoveries in winter quarters in Africa from Oct to Mar. Spring passage through Europe peaks in Apr. Arrival to N breeding quarters in Scandinavia mostly in May. Recoveries in winter in Europe progressively more frequent (e.g., Morganti & Pulido 2012). Males arrive earlier than females to breeding quarters in spring (Harnos et al. 2015).

Connectivity by Month by Region for European Pied Flycatcher

Overall, very W-biased routes in autumn, more E-biased in spring, thus giving rise to loop migration across Europe (Bairlein 2001). Birds from NW/W Europe show many recoveries in autumn in W Iberia, mostly along Portuguese coast (Aug-Oct); return in spring (Apr-May) more through central Iberia, up to Italy. Birds from C Europe pass over W Iberia mostly in Aug-Sep; return in spring mostly across E Iberia/W Mediterranean. Birds from N/E Europe show similar geographic pattern, but pass over W France mostly Aug-Sep, over W Iberia Sep-Oct; some birds from E Scandinavia pass over the Alps, mostly Aug-Sep, thus taking a more E flyway than conspecifics. Exceptional recoveries from N Europe in SE Europe/E Mediterranean (Sep-Oct) or E Africa (Dec).

Recoveries by Condition for Dunnock

There were few recoveries before the 1990s, with increasing numbers in the 21st century. Encounters occur year-round, with a slight peak (22%) in Sep-Oct (autumn migration). Encounters in May-Jun are largely of adults, while from mid-Jul to Nov they are mostly juveniles. Most recoveries are in NW Europe (61%), with many also in W, C, N & SC Europe (37% combined). Recoveries of birds found dead have decreased from 58% pre-1961 to 2% after 1990, while those based on live birds markedly increased from 40% pre-1961 to 98% after 1990, largely due to an increase in recaptures. Shooting accounted for few recoveries - mainly in the past (4% pre-1961) - primarily in the W & C Mediterranean region.

Annual Movements for Dunnock

Post-breeding dispersal and autumn migration in migratory populations start from Aug, with movements concentrated in Sep-Oct and progressively decreasing in Nov. Local breeders have mostly left the N European breeding grounds by the end of Nov. Wintering areas in NE Spain are occupied between mid-Sep and mid-Apr (Pons 2001). The very few encounters in N Africa come from Nov-Mar. Spring migration takes place from late Feb, but mostly in Mar-Apr. There are sedentary populations in the British Isles, W, SW and S Europe - the latter three regions receive most of the migrants originating from N, C and partly E Europe. Long-distance recoveries from SE Europe are almost lacking, this region possibly holds wintering birds primarily from N European Russia.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Dunnock

Migratory and resident strategies may both occur in any population (Csörgö et al. 2001, Bønløkke et al. 2006, Bairlein et al. 2014). Birds from the migratory populations start dispersing as early as late summer, with most autumn migration in early to mid-autumn. In N Ukraine the species migrates in autumn almost equally to W & SW, based on visual data (Khymyn 2020). In C Europe autumn migration lasts from mid-Aug to mid-Nov, progressing N to S at a rate of 50-60 km/day (Hudde & Vohwinkel 1997). The migrants from N, C and to some extent E Europe join the local resident populations in W & S Europe during winter. Wintering sites are occupied until early to mid-spring, when return migration begins. N European populations undertake the longest migrations on the continent. The Black Sea region mountain populations undertake mostly local altitudinal movements. 

Recoveries by Condition for Common Whitethroat

Overall, most (>95%) recoveries are of birds captured alive, usually recaptures by ringers. However, most recoveries before 1961 were of birds found dead (shot 15%, other dead, sick or wounded ~40%). This pattern clearly changed during 1961-1990, and from 1991 to present very few birds are found dead, with 97% of recoveries being of birds recaptured alive in ringing programs.

Annual Movements for Common Whitethroat

Autumn migration starts in Aug and is widespread across Europe in Aug-Sep, with fewer encounters in Europe in Oct. In S Europe/N Africa, birds gain enough fuel to cross the Sahara (Schaub & Jenni 2000). Encounters in the sub-Saharan belt are mostly from Nov-Apr (some even in May). Spring passage in Europe is cledar in Apr, continuing into May. Birds arrive on the Scandinavian breeding quarters in May, but arrive several weeks earlier in S Europe.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Common Whitethroat

W populations pass over W France in Aug and Iberia in Aug-Sep, with recoveries in W Africa mostly in Sep-Apr. Encounters suggest a loop migration, with a more W flyway in autumn, and more E (E Iberia, W Mediterranean) in spring, a relatively common phenomenon in other trans-Saharan migrants. Scandinavian birds concentrate in SE Europe/N Egyptian coast in Sep-Oct, but there are many more recoveries in C Mediterranean in spring, mostly Apr-May, which would also suggest loop migration, but opposite to what is seen for the W European populations.

Recoveries by Condition for Willow Warbler

Until 1960 52% of the recoveries were dead birds: 8% were shot and 2,8% intentionally taken. From 1961 to 1990 11% concerned dead birds: 1% was shot and 0,4% was intentionally taken. From 1991 almost all recoveries concerned alive birds. Most dead birds were intentionally taken or shot in Portugal, N Spain and N Italy; also around the Mediaranean E coast and in NW, W, C and SE Africa.

Annual Movements for Willow Warbler

In Nov - Feb birds are found in W, C and SE Africa, but also in Europe and NW Africa. In Mar numbers in NW Africa and Europe increase. In Apr hotspots are in the UK, the Low Countries and C Europe, also many birds in S Europe and NW Africa and first birds in S Fennoscandia; there are still birds in W and SE Africa and in Near East. In May - Jul most birds are in the UK, NW Europe and S Fennoscandia; less birds in N Fennoscandia and S Europe. In Aug - Sep numbers in SW Europe and N Italy increase, first birds in NW Africa, SE Europe, Near East and Egypt. In Oct numbers most birds have left Fennoscandia, still birds in Europe, most in the Low Countries, N Italy, Portugal and Spain; also in NW Africa, Egypt and Near East; first birds in W, C and SE Africa.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Willow Warbler

Fennoscandian birds are found in W Europe (Aug - Sep, Apr), SW Europe (Sep - Nov), E Spain, the Balearic Isles and S France (Apr - May), N Italy (Sep - Dec), S Italy (Apr - May), NW Africa (Sep - Dec, Mar - May), C and SE Europe, N Egypt (Sep - Oct), Near East (Sep - Oct, Feb - May) and in whole sub-Saharan Africa (Oct - Apr). Ireland and UK birds are found in SW Europe (Sep - Dec), E Spain and France (Feb - Apr), Switzerland (Apr), NW Africa (Sep - Oct, Mar - Apr) and W Africa (Oct - Apr). W Europe birds are found in Portugal and (W) Spain (Aug - Nov), E Spain, S France and Italy (Mar - May), NW Africa (Sep - May) and C Africa (Oct - Mar). Birds of C and E Europe are found in SW Europe (Aug - Oct), S Europe (Apr - May), NW Africa (Oct - Dec, Apr -May), W Africa (Mar - Apr).

Recoveries by Condition for Bluethroat

Most recoveries are of birds recaptured for ringing. Before 1960 ca. 15% of recoveries were of birds found dead, including those shot or sick/wounded.

Annual Movements for Bluethroat

Birds leave the breeding quarters soon after breeding, mostly in Jul/Aug, up to Sep in very N populations (Lislevand et al. 2015). Passage in W Europe starts in mid-Aug, peaking in Sep (Arizaga et al. 2010). By Nov, most birds already found at their wintering sites. Spring migration starts in Mar, peaking in Apr in S/C Europe and also the Indo-European flyway-associated Bluethroats (Lislevand et al. 2015),  arrival on the northern European breeding grounds (Scandinavian birds) is in May; later than for the W/C European populations. Migratory speed seems to be slow, assessed to be <200 km/day (including stopovers; Lislevand et al. 2015), though probably much faster in spring (Lomas-Vega et al. 2019).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Bluethroat

There are fewer recoveries during spring migration than in autumn. Autumn recoveries There are fewer recoveries during spring migration than in autumn. Autumn recoveries cyanecula are common both on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean coasts of W/C Europe, while in spring most recoveries show a Mediterranean–biased distribution, suggesting loop migration at least in this subspecies are common both on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean coasts of W/C Europe, while in spring most recoveries show a Mediterranean–biased distribution, suggesting loop migration at least in this subspecies (Arizaga & Tamayo 2013). In autumn, svecica moves through C Asia from Sep to Oct/Nov; reaching India from late Sep to Oct/Nov (Lislevand et al. 2015).