Michele Mendi

Polytypic species with large breeding range, from W Europe to C Asia and the Himalayas; also in NW Africa (BirdLife International 2021). Fairly resident, post-breeding dispersal or short-range migrations documented for those birds/population which breed mostly in Scandinavia/N Rusia (Tyler & Ormerod 1994). Associated to well-oxigenated rivers with stone beds (Tyler & Ormerod 1994).

Season of assessment

B

Population trendDecreasing
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		222000-547000,335000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for White-throated Dipper

Most regions show relatively short-range movements (<200 km), with the exceptions of Central, N and E Europe, where displacements of up to ca. 1000 km can be detected (though most obtained at less than 200 km). Thus, it is a majorly sedentary species, so recoveries show local natal or breeding dispersal patterns, rather than true migrations. Largest movements due to Fennoscandian populations, which move south/south-east in autumn, mostly to overwinter within the circum-Baltic region, also (more exceptionally) to Britain. In Spain, most recoveries (ca. 90%) obtained within <10 km, and only one recovery of >100 km (a bird ringed in Belgium) (Regla & Arizaga 2016). This is a general rule for the W and S populations (Tyler & Ormerod 1994, Spina & Volponi 2009).

Recoveries by Condition for White-throated Dipper

Overall, most recoveries (>90%) due to birds found alive, both recaptured for ringing and identified by other means, like leg ring(s). Before 1960, still a remarkable fraction (ca. 25%) of the birds was due to individuals encountered dead, sick or wounded. From 1990 to present, this fraction is absolutely marginal, so most recoveries come from birds encountered alive, either recaptured or identified by other means.

Annual Movements for White-throated Dipper

Natal dispersal in resident populations starts soon after young emancipate, and the timing for that can vary with altitude and latitude. In Fennoscandia, most birds found at their winter quarters by Oct, up to Mar/Apr.

Connectivity by Month by Region for White-throated Dipper

Most populations remain in the same zone for the whole annual cycle. Adults normally show high fidelity to breeding site (e.g., Tyler et al. 1990), whilst first-year birds show some degree of natal dispersal which, in addition, is greater in females (Tyler et al. 1990). Many Fennoscandian dippers abandon their breeding sites by Oct, as soon as water bodies where they live freeze. They then mostly occupy the circum-Baltic region. Return to breeding quarters patent in Apr; by May most birds are found at their breeding sites. In S Europe, where the birds breed associated to mountain ranges, altitudinal movements common (Tyler & Ormerod 1994). 

Juan Arizaga

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries
References Map
BirdLife International 2021 . Species factsheet: Cinclus cinclus.
Regla, M., Arizaga, J.2016 . Patrones de movimiento del mirlo acuático Cinclus cinclus L., 1758 en España: análisis de recapturas. Munibe 64: 41–51
Spina, F., Volponi, S.2009 . Atlante della migrazione degli uccelli in Italia. Vol. 2: Passeriformi. ISPRA-MATTM, Roma
Tyler, S. J., Ormerod, S. J.1994 . The Dippers. T & A. D. Poyser, London
Tyler, S. J., Ormerod, S., Lewis, J. M. S.1990 . The post-natal and breeding dispersal of Welsh dippers Cinclus cinclus. Bird Study 37: 18–23

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Michele Mendi

Large and powerful finch breeding over much of Europe from C Sweden, S Finland far into Russia, S to S France to Greece, C. Spain. Race buvryi in NWAfrica, nigricans Crimea, Caucasus. Sedentary, locally dispersive or partially migratory in Europe. Prefers broadleaved woodland; reaches highest densities in broadleaved forests in UK (Kirby et al 2015), also in mixed forest, parks and gardens; orchards, olive groves, steppe-woodlands and thorn thickets in S. Diet predominantly seeds, buds and shoots of trees and shrubs, nestlings fed with small invertebrates. 2,600,000-5,070,000 breeding pairs in Europe, moderately increasing.

Season of assessment

B

Population trendIncreasing
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		7280000-12100000,9290000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Hawfinch

Predominant direction of movement from NE to SW-W, with British population largely sedentary, N populations moving SSW, and most SE European birds moving due W to Italy. Birds from Fennoscandia and Baltic show longest movements. N Italy and S France receive bulk of migrating and wintering birds from C and E Europe and act as a hotspot in Oct-Dec, but may be biased because of high hunting pressure. Few birds on autumn migration in C Europe and Italy reached Morocco, Algeria or Tunisia. Shows signs of irruptive migration and numbers wintering in Italy vary greatly (Schmidt & Gatter 1986; Newton 2006).

Recoveries by Condition for Hawfinch

Some 13% of reencounters are ring recoveries, most frequent in Belgium, E Germany, Czech republic, Slovakia and Hungary, and N Italy. One third refer to birds that were shot or intentionally taken, mainly in Italy and S France, but this has stopped completely after 1990, while the importance of ringing recoveries increased. Another third refer to birds that were found dead from other causes, and these arse spread evenly across the entire range.

Annual Movements for Hawfinch

Band of recoveries from Belgium, Germany, SE to Czech Republic and Hungary in Jan-Aug represents main European breeding area, where birds present year-round. From mid Sep to end Dec eye-catching concentration directly S of Alps in Italy, and C Italy and S France, with highest density in Oct, probably related to large-scale hunting. fading out in Jan-Mar. Italy vacated in Apr, no birds present in May-Aug. Fennoscandia has most birds present in Feb-Jun, fewer in other months.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Hawfinch

Most birds in N Europe caught Jan-May, connecting to British Isles Mar-Apr, N. Germany, Netherlands Sep-Mar, and to S France, Italy Oct-Feb. Fewer birds in Jun-Dec, connecting shorter distances in all months and directions. E European birds mainly caught Apr-May and Aug-Oct in Baltic, connecting to C Europe, France and Italy in Oct-Apr. Birds in C Europe in Apr-Sep connect from a band stretching from N Germany to Hungary, to S France and N and C Italy in Oct-Dec, with Eastern birds connecting strongly to Italy (Halmos & Csörgő 1999), western birds to France. Mixed pattern in Oct-Mar with birds moving NE within region, or continuing to Fennoscandia, Baltic or further in May-Aug. SW Europe attracts birds from C Europe in Oct-Jan, fewer Feb-Apr. Very few connections in May-Sep, within the region or to C Europe.

Henk van der Jeugd

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries
References Map
Halmos, G., Csörgő, T.1999 . Migration and wintering of finches (Fringillidae) in the Carpathian Basin according to foreign recoveries. Ornis Hungarica 8: 1–12
Kirby, W.B., Bellamy, P.E., Stanbury, A.J., Bladon, A.J., Grice, P.V., Gillings, S.2015 . Breeding season habitat associations and population declines of British Hawfinches Coccothraustes coccothraustes. Bird Study 62 Link to Article (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2015.1046368) : 348–357
Newton, I.2006 . Advances in the study of irruptive migration. Ardea 94: 433–460
Schmid, U. Gatter, W.1986 . The influence of irruptions on the flock pattern of migrating hawfinches coccothraustes coccothraustes. Vogelwarte 33: 335–338

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Aron Tanti

Small swallow found in open areas, breeding on cliffs and in human habitations, including towns and cities. Breeds over most of Europe and in NW Africa. Builds nest made of mud pellets attached to the outside of a building or a bridge, occasionally also natural sea cliffs or rock face. Feeds almost entirely on flying insects that are taken by aerial-pursuit. Fully migratory, with European birds wintering south of the Sahara. European population 11,200,000-23,600,000 breeding pairs, decreasing.

Season of assessment

B

Population trendStable
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		23000000-48100000,33000000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Common House Martin

Nearly all connections are N-S oriented, with some variation. UK birds move more towards SE, W. European birds more SW. Pattern suggestive of connectivity between breeding and wintering locations with NW and W European birds crossing mainly from Iberia, C., N. and E. European birds moving through Italy and Greece. NW and W. European birds have just one sub-Saharan connection each, both in Nigeria, but many more in N, C and E European birds, with wintering areas in S and C Africa. Stable isotope analyses point to wintering areas of W. European birds in West Africa (Hobson et al. 2012). Some eye-catching E-W connections, from Finland to Faroe Islands, and from Denmark to Russia.

Recoveries by Condition for Common House Martin

Most re-encounter of house martins, 82%, are ring recoveries, and a further 7% were other alive encounters. Contrary to many other species, just 10% refers to dead birds, probably due to their aerial lifestyle during the non-breeding season. Most ring recoveries are from UK, the low countries and Eastern Germany, few scattered in other regions. Reports of dead birds equally spread throughout the area. Most shot birds in France and Italy.

Annual Movements for Common House Martin

From mid Nov to begin Feb encounters in Africa, and very few scattered around Europe. Already from end Feb number of encounters increase in Europe, but majority arrives end Apr through Iberia, Italy and Greece. Further increase begin May, Fennoscandia reached mid-May, northernmost locations mid Jun. Stable until mid Aug, sharp decline in Fennoscandia end Aug, vacated by mid Sep, when most birds concentrated in Southern half UK, W and C Europe. First half Oct hotspots in Switzerland and still Southern UK, en Oct few remain in Europe, last ones begin Nov.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Common House Martin

Birds during breeding in NW Europe in Jun-Aug connect to southern half of UK in Sep, and further S to France, Italy and Algeria in Oct or during spring migration Apr-May. Birds during breeding in W Europe in Jun-Aug connect to France, Spain and Switzerland in Oct, or around Mediterranean during spring in Mar-Jun. Birds in Sep-Oct in France connect to UK, low countries, Germany and Denmark in May-Jun. Breeding birds from N and E Europe in Jun-Aug connect to locations within the regions and to C Europe in the same period, to scattered locations in C. Europe and France in Sep-Oct, and to S. Africa and Zimbabwe mainly in Jan. Just two birds from NW and W Europe connect to Nigeria in Feb-Mar. Nearly all re-encounters in N. Africa are in Apr and connect to NW, W and C Europe in Jun-Aug.

Henk van der Jeugd

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries
References Map
Hobson, K. A., Van Wilgenburg, S. L., Piersma, T., Wassenaar, L. I.2012 . Solving a migration riddle using isoscapes: House Martins from a Dutch village winter over West Africa. PloS one 7 article no.: e45005 Link to Article (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0045005)

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Anne Cotton

Colonially breeding species, which occupies sparsely vegetated low-lying areas in exclusively coastal habitats, preferring sandy, muddy, gravelly or bare coral substrates. Widely, but patchily, distributed along the coasts of Europe, E North America, Caribbean region and South America (Shealer et al. 2020). European strongholds are in the Netherlands, the British Isles, Russia and Ukraine (Keller et al. 2020). Populations in Europe are migratory, the wintering grounds being largely in the Mediterranean region and along the coasts of W Africa.

Season of assessment

B

Population trendIncreasing
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		160000-320000,258000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Sandwich Tern

Birds breeding in N, NW, W & C Europe migrate S & SW mostly along the Atlantic coast of W & SW Europe, to a lesser extent through the W & C Mediterranean. Multiple encounters of wintering birds are spread along the whole Atlantic coastline of W & S Africa, reaching the Indian Ocean close to Mozambique. Wintering birds are encountered in the Macaronesian islands (single stragglers) and even as far as North America. Very few birds from N & C Europe take SE routes towards the Black Sea region. SC European breeders (Italy) migrate and overwinter both in the Mediterranean and along the W & S Africa coasts. The Black Sea breeding population mainly migrates to the Mediterranean Sea during winter, moving E-W. A bird marked by the Caspian Sea was recovered during winter in Sri Lanka.

Recoveries by Condition for Sandwich Tern

Most recoveries occur during the breeding season, peaking in Jun (ca. 42%). The bulk of encounters (ca. 80% in total) come from W  (32%), NW (17%), N (16%) and C Europe (15%). Recoveries of dead birds have  decreased over time: from 74%  before1961 to 14% since 1991; recoveries of live birds increased considerably from 9% before 1961 to 80% since 1991. The latter is mostly due to recaptures; especially metal rings read in the field and colour-ring resightings. Shooting was an important factor in the past (26% of all recoveries before 1961 and 6% 1961-1990). Birds have been locally trapped in W Africa by children using baited hooks or nooses (Wernham et al. 2002).

Annual Movements for Sandwich Tern

The populations around the North Sea show no prevailing direction for post-breeding dispersal (Jul-Aug; Møller 1981a). There is pronounced autumn migration mainly from Aug and especially in Sep. The wintering grounds along the W & S African coasts (even the furthest ones, in S Africa; Tree 2011) are reached as early as Sep; overwintering birds are encountered until Mar-Apr. Many of them depend on the local upwellings for food provisioning (Møller 1981b). Some birds from NW, W & C Europe are encountered in C Mediterranean (Italy) in autumn (mainly Sep-Oct) and spring (Apr-May). Most birds breeding in the Black Sea region migrate to the Mediterranean Sea (from Spain to Israel), where are encountered mainly Oct-Mar; some continue as far as W & S Africa. Spring movements are mainly undertaken in Mar-Apr, sometimes until May.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Sandwich Tern

Dispersal movements after the breeding season take place in mid- to late summer, migration is more evident from early autumn. Wintering birds in W & S Africa are encountered mostly between early autumn and mid-spring. Most first-year and some 2-3-year-old birds spend the summer in the winter quarters (Møller 1981b). Some birds from the populations around the North Sea migrate through Italy. The Black Sea breeding population moves E-W and overwinters mostly within the Mediterranean region (Popov et al. 2012), some birds reach the Canaries (Mar). Spring migration takes place mostly early to mid-spring. Spring movements from the wintering sites in Namibia to the colonies in the Netherlands last 30-45 days (Keijl 2003). Large-scale connectivity between NW European colonies has been suggested (Fijn et al. 2014).

Boris Nikolov

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries
References Map
2020 . European Breeding Bird Atlas 2: Distribution, Abundance and Change. European Bird Census Council & Lynx Edicions, BarcelonaEditor(s): Keller, V., S. Herrando, P. Voříšek, et al.
2002 . The Migration Atlas: movements of the birds of Britain and Ireland. T. & A.D. Poyser, LondonEditor(s): Wernham, C.V., Toms, M.P., Marchant, J.H., Clark, J.A., Siriwardena, G.M., Baillie, S.R.
Fijn, R. C., Wolf, P., Courtens, W., Verstraete, H.,. Stienen, E. W. M, Iliszko, L. & Poot, M. J. M.2014 . Post-breeding prospecting trips of adult Sandwich Terns Thalasseus sandvicensis. Bird Study 61: 566–571
Møller, A. P.1981 . The migration of European Sandwich Tems Sterna s. sandvicensis. I. Vogelwarte 31: 74–94
Møller, A. P.1981 . The migration of European Sandwich Tems Sterna s. sandvicensis. II. Vogelwarte 31: 149–168
Popov, D., Kirov, D., Zhelev, P.2012 . Results from Marking of Sandwich Terns (Sterna sandvicensis) with Colour Rings and Radio Transmitters at Pomorie Lake. Acta zoologica bulgarica : 147–154
Shealer, D., J. S. Liechty, A. R. Pierce, P. Pyle, and M. A. Patten2020 . Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis), version 1.0. In Birds of the World Link to Article (DOI: https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.santer1.01) Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA
Tree, A. J. 2011 . Origins, occurrence and movements of Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis in southern Africa. Marine Ornithology 39: 173–181

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Michele Mendi

Small tern breeding solitary or colonially in a wide variety of flat and open habitats in coastal and inland areas, increasingly on roofs. Breeds patchily in most of Europe, also Asia and N America.  Strongly migratory, European population wintering mainly along coasts of Africa, bays, harbours, lakes and rivers. Geolocators revealed offshore wintering at upwelling seas of W Africa is common (Becker et al. 2016). Large variation in migratory strategies among individuals, but high repeatability within (Kürten, et al. 2022). European population 316,000-605,000 breeding pairs, increasing.

Season of assessment

B

Population trendUnknown
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		881000-1430000,1120000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Common Tern

Movements mainly N-S, with connectivity from breeding to wintering areas in W Africa (Senegal to Ghana), and S Africa (Namibia to S Africa). Birds from NW Europe predominantly winter W Africa with just 2% in S Africa, of W European birds c.20% winters S Africa, of birds from N and C Europe c.50% winters S Africa, E European birds all winter in S, and some E Africa, but latter common based on geolocators even for C European birds (Kralj et al. 2020). Indication for leapfrog migration; birds from Finland move longest and winter predominantly in S Africa, birds from SW and SC Europe more often found in W Africa N to Mauretania. Birds from Azores connect to E Brazil and Argentina. Otherwise, few connections to both N and S America, 3 birds reached Australia, 2 India.

Recoveries by Condition for Common Tern

More than three fifth of all re-encounters are ringing recoveries or birds otherwise identified, e.g. rings being read in the field, especially after 1990 and predominantly in W Europe, especially the Netherlands and Belgium where many colour-ringing projects. Dead birds make up 30% of total, occurring equally across entire range. Although common terns are long lived, mortality during the first two years of life, between fledging and first breeding exceeds 50% and is strongly related to fledging body mass (Braasch et al. 2009). Among dead birds, 6% of total was shot or intentionally taken, especially in Denmark, France, Spain and W Africa, but after 1990 only 1% of total was.

Annual Movements for Common Tern

From mid Nov to begin Apr all recoveries are in Africa S of Sahara, then rapid Northward spread; Mid Apr concentration in Netherlands, few elsewhere in Europe, begin May concentrations in British Isles, Netherlands, Germany, few Baltic, end May all breeding sites filled, concentrations in Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, E Germany along Elbe SE to C Europe, Baltic, Finland, Black Sea and Azores. Distribution remains stable until end Jul. Quite some birds remain in Africa during summer. Begin Aug birds appear at coasts of France and Iberia, end Aug increase in W Africa. Finland and inland C Europe vacated begin Sep. Mid Sep birds leave Scotland, mid Oct birds become sparse in Europe, begin Nov very few left, mainly Netherlands. Winter encounters are odd birds, possibly long dead.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Common Tern

Connections in Nov-Mar few and local in all regions. Breeders (Jun-Jul) in NW, W Europe connect to W and, fewer, S Africa Sep-Feb, immatures also Mar-Jul. Birds passing in May and Aug-Sep strongly connected to Fennoscandia in Jun-Aug. Breeders (May-Jul) in C and N Europe connect to W, SW Europe Aug-Oct; W, S Africa Oct-Jan. Fewer C European breeders to Black Sea Aug-Sep, M East, E Africa in Oct-Apr (imm. Jun-Jul). E European breeders (Jun-Jul) connect to S Africa Nov-Mar, few M East, E Africa Jan-May. Passage Mar-May and Aug-Oct in SW Europe connects to NW, W, C and N Europe in Jun-Jul, local breeders Jun-Jul to S America (from Azores) and W Africa mainly in Jan. Connections from ‘other regions’ best reveal full wintering range and extent to which immature birds remain there May-Aug.

Henk van der Jeugd

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries
References Map
Becker, P.H., Schmaljohann, H., Riechert, J., Wagenknecht, G., Zajková, Z., González-Solís, J.2016 . Common Terns on the East Atlantic Flyway: temporal–spatial distribution during the non-breeding period. Journal of Ornithology 157 Link to Article (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-016-1346-2) : 927–940
Braasch, A., Schauroth, C., Becker, P.H.2009 . Post-fledging body mass as a determinant of subadult survival in Common Terns Sterna hirundo. Journal of Ornithology 150 Link to Article (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-008-0362-2) : 401–407
Kralj, J., Martinović, M., Jurinović, L., Szinai, P., Sütő, S., Preiszner, B.2020 . Geolocator study reveals east African migration route of Central European Common Terns. Avian Research 11 Link to Article (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-020-00191-z)
Kürten, N., Schmaljohann, H., Bichet, C., Haest, B., Vedder, O., González-Solís, J., Bouwhuis, S.2022 . High individual repeatability of the migratory behaviour of a long-distance migratory seabird. Movement Ecology 10 Link to Article (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-022-00303-y)

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Michele Mendi

Grey Heron is widely distributed throughout much of the Old World, in Europe, Africa and Asia, but absent in the boreal region and deserts(BirdLife International 2021). Migratory behaviour varies from resident to partial migrant or migratory (Voisin 1991) with a cline of increasing migration to the N and E. 

Season of assessment

B

Population trendDecreasing
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		492000-700000,583000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Grey Heron

Movement patterns vary from ‘local’ dispersal of up to some hundreds of km to true migrations, of up to >6000 km (though most movements <2000 km). Migration is more common N and E populations, even also at more regional levels (Manikowska-Slepowronska et al. 2018). Overall, migration takes places along a NE-SW axis, up to N Africa and the Sahelian belt in W Africa, up to Tchad and Congo Republic. Populations from E and C Europe winter from C and W Europe to N and W Africa; some kind of parallel migration patterns, especially seen in Africa, to a lesser extent in Europe (Campos et al. 2001). N European Grey Herons overwinter mostly from the British Isles to C and W Europe, with some birds found in N and W Africa. Wintering in Iceland has also been reported, particularly of birds ringed in Norway. Birds from the British Isles and W/SW Europe are geerally resident (Campos et al. 2001, Wernham et al. 2002), but with some NE-SW movements as far as Africa. Recoveries in SC/SE Europe are mostly due to the C-European population which migrate on a N-S axis.

Recoveries by Condition for Grey Heron

Currently, around half of the recoveries are of birds seen alive and identified from leg ring(s) or other marks. Before 1960, a remarkable proportion of recoveries were of shot birds (>45%). During 1961-1990, this source of recoveries fell to 26%, though most birds were still found dead. Currently, 44% of the birds are found dead or sick/wounded, with far fewer shot birds (<5%).

Annual Movements for Grey Heron

Post-natal/-breeding dispersal/migration seems to start as early as Jul, when recoveries in Africa not due to summering birds are found. The bulk of migration is detected, however, from late Aug to Oct. Return to breeding grounds seen from Feb, up to Apr. In May, virtually all birds at their breeding sites, except subadult non-breeders, that can remain in their wintering areas or somewhere between these and their future breeding grounds. Recoveries in W Africa exceptional from late Apr onwards.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Grey Heron

Excluding resident birds, most European populations seem to have a similar migration pattern, with first movements in Jul-Aug, following a NE-SW axis, so giving rise to some degree of connectivity, although with high overlap in W/SW Europe and in W Africa, where birds coming from W to C and E Europe overwinter together (Zwarts et al. 2009). Migration from the wintering areas starts in Feb but mostly occurs in Mar-Apr in N European birds. By May, all birds are on their breeding grounds, unless they are non-breeders. Summering in W Africa has been reported, especially for the C and N populations.

Juan Arizaga

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries
References Map
2002 . The Migration Atlas: movements of the birds of Britain and Ireland. T. & A.D. Poyser, LondonEditor(s): Wernham, C.V., Toms, M.P., Marchant, J.H., Clark, J.A., Siriwardena, G.M., Baillie, S.R.
BirdLife International 2021 . Species factsheet: Ardea cinerea.
Campos, F., Fernández-Cruz, M., Prósper, J.2001 . Movements of Grey Herons Ardea cinerea to and within the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands. Ardeola 48: 209–215
Manikowska-Ślepowrońska, B., Mokwa, T., Jakubas, D. 2018 . Wintering and Stop-Over Areas of Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea) Breeding in Central Europe: A Ring-Recovery Analysis. Annales Zoologici Fennici 55: 277–285
Voisin, C.1991 . The Herons of Europe. T & A D Poyser, London
Zwarts, L., Bijlsma, R. G., van der Kamp, J., Wymenga, E. 2009 . Living on the edge: Wetlands and birds in a changing Sahel. KNNV Publishing, Zeist

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Vincent van der Spek

Medium-sized passerine, feeds on seeds, berries, and (in summer) invertebrates, especially Lepidoptera larvae and beetles (Coleoptera); in winter quarters specializes in beechnuts Fagus sylvatica. Breeds across boreal and subarctic zones of west Palearctic, in the more open birch Betula woods, and in mixed forests of birch and conifers. Winters in Europe from S Sweden to N Morocco and from UK to Turkey and Georgia. The population trend appears to be decreasing, but not sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable. A medium distance migrant. Extent of movement is strongly dependent on food availability; local concentrations of millions of birds occur in south-central Europe.

Season of assessment

B

Population trendDecreasing
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		14000000-26000000,19500000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Brambling

Predominant direction of movement of Fennoscandian birds is NE - SW, with many connections with the Low countries, but also UK, C and S Europe. From the UK, movements are predominantly NW - SE, with connections with the Low countries, S and SE Europe. Birds from W Europe move mainly in NE - SW direction with connections with SW Europe and one in N Africa. Also movements in NW - SE directions with connections with C, S and SE Europe and one in Georgia. Birds from E Europe move mainly in NE - SW direction; most connections with C Europe but also with W and SW Europe. C Europe has connections with Georgia.

Recoveries by Condition for Brambling

Until 1987 annual number of encounters fluctuated around 700, only 1976 was much better with 1531 encounters. After 1987 six years followed with lower numbers between 158 and 531. From 1994 to 2002 numbers increased to the same level as before 1987. After 2002 average numbers  increased to around 2000, but with big fluctuations between 672 (2007) and 4005 (2006).
Most encounters are in January, then the numbers decrease gradually from February to May. In fall the peak is between 8 October and 7 November, followed by a second peak in December.
Before 1960 about 38% of recoveries were dead birds, between 1960 and 1990 this percentage was still relatively high with 30%. After 1990 about 3% concerned dead birds.

Annual Movements for Brambling

In Nov - Dec the hotspots are in the Low Countries and N Italy. Other encounters are spread over S Fennoscandia, UK, SW and C Europe and around the Black Sea. In Jan the hotspot in N Italy is gone and concentrations appear in S and SW France, Switzerland, and UK. In Feb only the hotspots in Switzerland and the Low Countries remain, few birds in S Europe and N Africa. In Mar - Apr birds move north, few birds left in France and C Europe. Birds move to Fennoscandia but still many birds in Low Countries and UK. In May most birds arrived in their breeding areas. From May - Aug few birds stay in the Low Countries, C Europe and N Italy. In Sep the first migrants arrive in UK, W and S Europe. In Oct birds have left N Fennoscandia and the hotspots in the Low Countries and N Italy build up.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Brambling

Birds from Fennoscandia are found in Lithuania in October and from October - March in the UK and W and S Europe. From January - March there are recoveries in Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia and Georgia. In September a bird was reported in Iceland. Birds ringed in the UK were found in Ireland, the Low Countries, France, N Italy and N Spain from October - March. Eastern Europan birds are reported in the Low Countries, Germany, Switzerland, France and N Italy from October - March. From December - February there are recoveries in Hongary and Czechia. Birds from W Europe are found in Iberia from November - March and in February in Morocco and Malta. Other birds moved to N Italy and were reported from August - February and more easterly in Romania, Bulgary and Georgia from December - March.

Henk van der Jeugd

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries

Michele Mendi

This reedbed passerine has an extended mid-latitudes distribution across Eurasia, highly fragmented in Europe, ranging from Spain (Peiró 2013) to southern Finland. Mostly resident in the south, some short-distance movements in the north. Tightly linked to Phragmites reedbeds across its range.

Season of assessment

B

Population trendIncreasing
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		343000-783000,496000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Bearded Tit

There are thousands of ring re-encounters further than 50 km from the ringing site, though most of them obtained within a few hundred kilometres, also few up to 900 km. So the bearded tit is clearly a dispersive species (Axell 1966), with sometimes some movements at longer distances, along a classical north-east to south-west direction, though tits hardly move from one region to another. There are however some movements between the British Isles and the continent, or between southern Fennoscandia and Central Europe (Horˇák et al. 2003).

Recoveries by Condition for Bearded Tit

The few old recoveries were of dead birds, but post 1960, and even more recent data concern almost only live recoveries, with most data obtained in the 2000s.

Annual Movements for Bearded Tit

The movements attested by long-distance ring recoveries are probably dependant on particular resource or meteorological conditions, explaining the unusual dispersion of some birds in some years at unusual distances.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Bearded Tit

Most long-distance recoveries have been obtained in November, December and January, more rarely at the end of October, with no geographical pattern among the different regions in Europe.

Frédéric Jiguet

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries
References Map
Axell, H. E.1966 . Eruptions of Bearded Tits during 1959–1965. British Birds 59: 513–543
Horˇák, D., Procházka, P., Cepák, J. and Zárybnický, J.2003 . Movements of Bearded Tits (Panurus biarmicus) in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Sylvia 39: 79–94
Peiró, I.G.2013 . Movements, sex-ratios, recovery rates and longevity of the Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus in Iberia. Ringing & Migration 28 Link to Article (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03078698.2013.810855) : 50–52

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Rob Robinson

An exclusively marine, medium-sized seabird, occupying rocky coastal regions on steep mainland cliffs and offshore islands (Lavers et al. 2020). Its range extends across the temperate, boreal and low-arctic waters of the N Atlantic. Patchily distributed in Europe, from NW France and the British Isles to Iceland (holding the bulk of population), N Norway, Bear Is and NW Russia (Keller et al. 2020).

Season of assessment

B

Population trendIncreasing
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		519000-1070000,763000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Razorbill

Migratory movements are longest in high-latitude populations. Further S Razorbill is partially migratory, resident or locally dispersive. British Isles breeders are mostly found along the Atlantic coast of Europe from NW Africa to C Norway in winter, but also the W Mediterranean, reaching Tunisia and Italy and a few as far as W Greenland and the Azores. The Icelandic population migrates SE towards the Faroes and the British Isles; some reach S Scandinavia. The small population in NW France is resident. Baltic Sea region breeders move withing the region, often dependent on the sea ice coverage in winter. Birds breeding in NW Russia, N & C Norway are found locally and along the coasts of SW & S Norway and the Danish straits in winter (Hestem 2019), with some reaching the British Isles.

Recoveries by Condition for Razorbill

Razorbill is a game species in the Faroes and Iceland, but is protected in most of Europe. Most recoveries are in NW (69%) & N Europe (22%) with 68% in Jun-Jul. Recoveries of birds found dead decreased from 80% pre-1961 to 23% after 1991; those of live birds markedly increased from 5% before 1960 to 77% after 1991. The latter is mostly due to recaptures, including ring resightings. Shooting was an important factor in the past - 33% of all cases pre-1961, but now fewer than 1% of all recoveries are of shot birds. Currently 7% of all recoveries come from by-catch casualties (22% in 1961-1990). The species is vulnerable to oil pollution - now 2% of all cases (11% in 1961-1990).

Annual Movements for Razorbill

After breeding, Razorbills undergo a flightless wing moult (Lavers et al. 2020). N Icelandic breeders moult locally (Aug-Sep) and some remain along the coasts of S Iceland in winter (Linnebjerg et al. 2018).; ohers move towards the Faroes (Oct-Jan). Birds breeding in the British Isles are found along the Atlantic coasts of N, W, and SW Europe, as well as NW Africa (mostly Morocco, but S to Western Sahara and even Mauritania; Isenmann et al. 2010) as early as Sep, most encounters are Nov-Feb. Summer encounters on the wintering grounds are of immature birds. Birds breeding in the Baltic Sea region overwinter locally, mostly in the S & SE part. N European breeders are found along SW & S Scandinavian coasts mainly in Oct-Feb. Breeding sites are reached from late Feb, mostly Mar-Apr (May at latest) (Cherenkov et al. 2016, Noskov et al. 2016).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Razorbill

Post-breeding dispersal starts in mid-summer. Birds breeding in the British Isles migrate and are found along the Atlantic coasts of Europe and NW Africa mostly between mid- to late autumn and late winter. First-winter birds from British colonies tend to migrate farther than adults (North 1980, Wernham et al. 2002). Some immatures stay in the winter quarters during their first summer; the proportion returning increases with age (Lavers et al. 2020). Birds breeding in W Europe and the Baltic Sea region are sedentary or locally dispersive. N European population (N Norway & NW Russia) take SW routes towards S Scandinavia and the Danish straits, where they are encountered primarily from mid-autumn to late winter; some continue as far as the British Isles (records are mostly in late winter to early spring) and France.

Boris Nikolov

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries
References Map
2020 . European Breeding Bird Atlas 2: Distribution, Abundance and Change. European Bird Census Council & Lynx Edicions, BarcelonaEditor(s): Keller, V., S. Herrando, P. Voříšek, et al.
2002 . The Migration Atlas: movements of the birds of Britain and Ireland. T. & A.D. Poyser, LondonEditor(s): Wernham, C.V., Toms, M.P., Marchant, J.H., Clark, J.A., Siriwardena, G.M., Baillie, S.R.
Cherenkov, A. E., Kouzov, S. A., Semashko, V. Y., Tertitski, G. M., Semashko, E. V. 2016 . Present status of Razorbills Alca torda in Russia: occurrence, population and migrations. Marine Ornithology 44: 207–213
Hestem, M. 2019 . Should I Stay or Should I Go? Geolocators reveal different winter home ranges and -activity patterns in sympatrically breeding razorbills (Alca torda). Master’s Thesis. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Isenmann, P., Benmergui, M., Browne, P., Ba, A. D., Diagana, C. H., Diawara, Y., and El Abidine ould Sidaty, Z. 2010 . Birds of Mauritania/Oiseaux de Mauritanie. Société d’Études Ornithologiques de France, Paris
Lavers, J., J. M. Hipfner, and G. Chapdelaine 2020 . Razorbill (Alca torda), version 1.0. In Birds of the World Link to Article (DOI: https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.razorb.01) Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA
Linnebjerg, J.F., Frederiksen, M., Kolbeinsson, Y., Snaethórsson, A. Ö., Thórisson, B., Thórarinsson, T. L. 2018 . Non-breeding areas of three sympatric auk species breeding in three Icelandic colonies. Polar Biology 41: 1951–1961
North, P. M. 1980 . An analysis of Razorbill movements away from the breeding colony. Bird Study 27: 11–20
Noskov, G. A., Rymkevich, T. A., Gaginskaya, A. R. 2016 . Migration of Birds on Northwest Russia. Non-Passerines. ANO LA “Professional”, Saint Petersburg

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Michele Mendi

Trans-Saharan migratory passerine, it breeds from W Europe to Central Siberia (avoids the boreal belt); spends the winter in wetlands across the Sahel and further S (BirdLife International 2021).

Season of assessment

B

Population trendStable
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		4760000-8880000,6410000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Great Reed Warbler

Few recoveries in Africa, so patterns depicted from ring-recovery data majorly concern passage through Europe. Parallel migration: W breeders pass mainly across Iberia/NW Africa; Scandinavian/C European birds move along the C Mediterranean; NE/E populations pass over the Balkans. Geolocator tracking have helped to know pattern in Africa. Birds maintain to a high extent breeding longitudes at their stopover sites and winter quarters (Koleček et al. 2016), giving rise to moderate degree of connectivity. Multiple winter sites within a season relatively frequent (Horns et al. 2016, Koleček et al. 2016, Lemke et al. 2013). Loop migration, following a more E flyway in spring for the E populations, but not for the rest of W/C European populations (Koleček et al. 2016).

Recoveries by Condition for Great Reed Warbler

Most recoveries (92%) due to birds recaptured alive (ringing recovery). Recoveries due to birds found dead were relatively frequent before 1960 (ca. 40%, half of which were birds dead by shot), but nowadays virtually lacking.

Annual Movements for Great Reed Warbler

Departure from breeding quarters mostly from Jul to Aug. Some birds found to fly direct to Africa from their breeding sites, though most make up to 3 main stopovers in autumn (Horns et al. 2016, Koleček et al. 2016). Arrival to winter quarters from Aug to Oct. Departure from Africa spring in Mar, up to late Apr. Passage across S Europe starts in late Mar, obvious in Apr. Arrival to breeding places from Apr to May (N European populations arrive later than their S counterparts).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Great Reed Warbler

See ‘Overall connectivity patterns’.

Juan Arizaga

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries
References Map
BirdLife International 2021 . Species factsheet: Acrocephalus arundinaceus.
Horns, J. J., Buechley, E., Chynoweth, M., Aktay, L., Çoban, E., Kırpık, M. A., Herman, J. M., Şaşmaz, Y., Şekercioğlu, Ç. H.2016 . Geolocator tracking of Great Reed-Warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) identifies key regions for migratory wetland specialists in the Middle East and sub-Saharan East Africa. Condor 118: 835–849
Koleček, J., Procházka, P., El-Arabany, N., Tarka, M., Ilieva, M., Hahn, S., Honza, M., de la Puente, J., Bermejo, A., Gürsoy, A., Bensch, S., Zehtindjiev, P., Hasselquist, D., Hansson, B.2016 . Cross-continental migratory connectivity and spatiotemporal migratory patterns in the great reed warbler. Journal of Avian Biology 47: 756–767
Lemke, H. W., Tarka, M., Klaassen, R. H. G., Åkesson, M., Bensch, S., Hasselquist, D., Hansson, B.2013 . Annual cycle and migration strategies of a trans-Saharan migratory songbird: A geolocator study in the Great Reed Warbler. PLoS One 8

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