species no. 50: eurasian woodcock scolopax...

Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 298 *

Species no. 50: Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Distribution: The Eurasian Woodcock has an extensive Palaearctic distribution. It breeds from the Azores and Ireland to the pacific coast of Russia. Birds winter in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia to Japan. In Europe breeding occurs from Fennoscandia and Russia to the Mediterranean basin and the Canary Islands. Movements: Breeding populations in western maritime countries are sedentary, whilst those elsewhere are migratory. Scandinavian populations move southwest to winter mainly in Britain and France. Finnish birds move mainly south and winter mostly in Italy and the Balkans. Autumn movements start after the onset of frosts. Birds from the large Russian population are recorded wintering across most of West and Central Europe. The majority of birds are in their winter quarters by November but further (sometimes large scale) movements may occur in response to cold weather. Return migration starts in February in the Mediterranean region and the first half of March elsewhere. Population size and trends: The Woodcock is a difficult bird to count accurately. The European breeding population is estimated at 1,800,000 – 6,600,000 pairs of which 1,200,000 - 5,000,000 breeds in Russia (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The EU 27 population is estimated at 460,000 - 1,500,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A, 2004B). During 1990-2000 trends were stable across most of its European range, but declining in its Russian stronghold resulting in an overall moderate decline in Europe (>10%) (BirdLife Int. 2004A). Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size is usually 4 eggs (2-5); incubation 21-24 days; fledging period 15-20 days but sometimes able to get off ground at 10 days; independence: 5-6 weeks after hatching; brood: normally one brood.



Movements

Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola

MIGRANT Member State RESIDENT Breeding Passage Wintering

FI SE EE Occasional LV LT PL SK CZ rare DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT ( ) IT MT GR Probably

breeding

CY RO BG HR



Definition of period of reproduction


Member State

Period of reproduction begins with

Comments References

FI Occupation of breeding sites

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

SE Occupation of breeding sites

1, 9, 12, 14

EE Occupation of breeding sites

LV LT Occupation of breeding

sites, courtship display 7

PL Occupation of breeding sites

SK Occupation of breeding sites

1, 2

CZ Occupation of breeding sites

DK Occupation of breeding sites

UK Nuptial parade 1 IE Occupation of breeding

sites 1, 2, 3

DE Occupation of breeding sites

1

NL Nuptial parade 21 BE Occupation of breeding

sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

LU Occupation of breeding sites

1

HU Occupation of breeding sites

HU1

AT Occupation of breeding sites

Arrival on breeding ground, mating

2

SI FR Occupation of breeding

sites 6

ES Occupation of breeding sites

1

PT Occupation of breeding sites

Only breeds in Madeira and Azores - no data available

8

IT Occupation of breeding sites

Scarce and irregular breeder

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

MT GR CY RO 3 BG Occupation of breeding

sites 6, 10

HR Occupation of breeding sites

Small breeding population

23



Period of reproduction


J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions 1) The period of reproduction begins with the occupation of the breeding sites

(courtship display - roding). 2) The beginning of the reproduction period ranges from 3rd decade of February (FR)

to 2nd decade of April (HU, EE, LV) 3) End of the period of reproduction ranges from the 3rd decade of July (EE, DK, HU,

RO, BG) to the 1st decade of September (AT, CZ, IE, UK, SK). The end of the reproduction period is difficult to observe in the field, but can be extrapolated from the laying date. Therefore, its end is c. 4 decades after hatching (full flight of young birds).



Prenuptial migration


Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds?

Member

State YES NO References

FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE X 1, 12 EE X LV 3 LT Mixed population of residents &

migrants 5,7

PL X 3 SK X 1, 2 CZ X DK Overlap between wintering birds

and returning breeders

UK Mixed population of residents & migrants; secretive habits / cryptic colouration.

1

IE Secretive species and nocturnal migrant Overlap between wintering birds and returning breeders

1, 3

DE X 4 NL Secretive species; presence of

wintering birds

BE Secretive species; presence of wintering birds

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

LU Secretive species 1 HU X 1 AT X 9 SI X FR No direct observation of birds 2, 6 ES Secretive species 1, 11, 12,

15,17 PT Difficult to detect and census 8 IT Secretive species. Mixing of

wintering and passage birds. 1, 4

MT 5 GR No data on counts, phenology of

migration 1, 2, 3

CY X RO 6 BG X 6, 10, 13, 16 HR X 12, 19



Period of prenuptial migration


J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT ? ? IT MT GR CY ? ? ? RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions 1) In western maritime countries, it is difficult to identify the beginning of the period

of return because the Woodcock is a secretive species, a nocturnal migrant and, furthermore, movements can occur in response to cold weather. In other regions where it is mainly migratory, it is not difficult to identify the beginning of that period (AT, DE, FI, SE).

2) Beginning of the prenuptial migration period ranges from the 2nd decade of January (IT, ES) to the 3rd decade of March (LT).



Species no. 51: Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Distribution: Palearctic. Wide but disjointed breeding distribution from Iceland, across Europe to western Siberia, and isolated populations in eastern Siberia. Two-thirds of the world population of the species breeds in Europe. Two races occur in Europe: L. l. islandica which breeds in Iceland and sporadically in Ireland and Scotland, whilst the nominate from breeds from France and the Netherlands through central and Eastern Europe to Kazakhstan. Movements: Both races are migratory. Icelandic birds winter in Britain, Ireland and along the Atlantic coast of France, Spain and Portugal. Western populations of nominate limosa migrate down the Atlantic coast to tropical Africa whereas eastern populations (east of the German-Polish border) cross the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara to winter in central and eastern Africa. Population size and trends: L. l. limosa population in Europe numbers 84,000 – 115,000 pairs and the L. l. islandica 15,000-25,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The EU 27 population is estimated at 60,000 – 69,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B). The European population underwent a large decline during 1970-1990 and the decline continued in the Eastern and Western populations during 1990-2000 (BirdLife Int. 2004A). In the same time the Icelandic population increased. Biological and behavioural aspects: Clutch size is usually 3-4 eggs, rarely 5; incubation: 22-24 days; fledging period: 25-30 days; broods: one brood; independence: become independent at or soon after fledging; brood: one.



Movements

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

MIGRANT Member

State RESIDENT Breeding Passage Wintering FI Few SE EE LV LT PL SK Few CZ Few DK UK IE Few DE NL Few BE Very few LU Very few HU AT SI Few FR Few ES Few PT IT Few MT GR CY Few RO BG HR





Member

State Period of reproduction

begins with Comments References


1, 2, 3, 4, 5


8, 11, 12


LV 1 LT Occupation of breeding

sites 7


3




UK Occupation of breeding sites

2

IE Courtship display 1, 2, 3 DE Occupation of breeding

sites 4, 7

NL Occupation of breeding sites

11, 18

BE Occupation of breeding sites

1, 2, 3, 4

LU HU Occupation of breeding

sites


13, 19


sites 1, 4, 6

ES PT IT Courtship display MT GR CY RO 7 BG HR




Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR Comments and conclusions 1) The period of reproduction begins with the occupation of the breeding sites. 2) End of the period of reproduction ranges from the 2nd decade of June (IE) to the

3rd decade of July (FI, DE, IT, PL, CZ). Full flight of young birds marks the end of the reproduction period.






Member State

YES NO References

FI Marginal population X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE X 8, 11, 12 EE X LV 1 LT X 5,7 PL X 2,3 SK X CZ X DK X UK X 1 IE X DE X 4, 10 NL X 7, 37 BE X 1, 2, 3, 4 LU HU X AT 13, 19 SI X FR Presence of two populations

Breeding, migrating, wintering 2, 4, 6

ES PT Two different populations (L. l.

Limosa & L. l. islandica) with 2 different migration strategies and timings

IT MT 5 GR CY RO 1 BG X 5, 6, 15 HR X 18, 21




Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Distribution of the two populations during winter and migration

FI

SE

EE

LV

LT

PL

SK

CZ

DK

UK

IE

DE

NL

BE

LU

HU

AT

SL

FR

ES

PT

IT

MT

GR

CY

RO

BG

HR

1 - L. l. limosa 2 – L. l. islandica

?

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI 1 SE 1 EE 1 LV 1 DK 1 LT PL SK 1 CZ 1 UK 2 IE 2 DE 1 NL 1+2 BE 1+2 LU 1 HU 1 AT SI 1 FR 1+2 ES 1 PT 1+2 IT 1 MT 1 GR 1 CY 1 ? ? RO 1 BG 1 HR 1

Comments and conclusions 1) Two populations (L. l. limosa and L. l. islandica) occur in France, Belgium (regular

but in small numbers) and Portugal. During the prenuptial migration it is difficult to know if a bird is from the islandica wintering population or a migrant from the limosa population.

2) Beginning of the prenuptial migration ranges from the 3rd decade of January (IT) to the 2nd decade of April (FI, EE) in the case of L. l. limosa and from the 1st decade (UK, FR) to the 3rd decade of February (NL, PT) in the case of L. l. islandica.



Species no. 52: Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Distribution: The Bar-tailed Godwit inhabits arctic and sub-arctic regions of Eurasia and western Alaska. Movements: Migratory. The birds of northern Fennoscandia, European Russia and western Siberia are wintering mainly in Western Europe. The birds breeding more to the east in Siberia are migrating along the coasts of Western Europe, but are wintering in North-west Africa. Population size and trends: The European breeding population is estimated to 1,400-7,400 breeding pairs, with most birds breeding in Norway and Russia (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The EU 27 population numbers only 110-350 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B) and are found in Sweden and Finland. The European population seems stable even though the population declined in Finland during 1990-2000 (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The birds wintering in coastal west Europe and North-west Africa amount to about 120,000 individuals and the numbers are stable (Delany & Scott 2006). Biological and behavioural aspects: clutch size is 3-4 eggs (2); incubation: 20-21 days; fledging period: not recorded; independence: dependent at least until fledging; broods: one.



Movements

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica


FI SE 5-50 pairs EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU Very few HU AT Few SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR





Member State

Period of reproduction begins with

Comments References


1, 2, 3, 4, 5


Information on breeding is scarce

10, 11

EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR






Comments and conclusions

1) In the EU, it only breeds in FI and SE. 2) The period of reproduction starts with the occupation of the breeding sites. 3) The period of reproduction ends during the 1st decade of August with the full

flight of young birds.





Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds? Member


FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE X 8, 10, 11 EE LV 1 LT PL X 3 SK CZ DK 5 UK X 1 IE X 1, 3 DE X 4, 10 NL X 41 BE X 3 LU HU AT SI FR X 6 ES PT X 9, 10 IT X MT GR CY RO BG X 5, 6, 15 HR Very few 9







1) Migratory with two different flyways in the EU: 1) Breeders from northern Fennoscandia, European Russia and western Siberia mainly winter in western Europe; 2) breeders from east of Siberia winter in north-western Africa passing along the west European coasts.

2) The prenuptial migration period starts with the departure from the wintering grounds or the arrival of first migrants.

3) The start of the prenuptial migration period ranges from the 1st decade of February (IE) to the 3rd decade of April (FI, SE).



Species no. 53: Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Distribution: The Whimbrel inhabits boreal and arctic regions of Eurasia and North America. Movements: Migratory. West Palearctic population winters mainly in Afrotropical regions and on islands and coasts of western Indian Ocean. The birds from the European breeding population winters mainly in West Africa. Small numbers winter in Europe. Population size and trends: The European population is totalling 160,000-360,000 breeding pairs with the majority (100,000-250,000 pairs) breeding in Iceland (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The European Union holds 40,000 – 61,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B), which are mainly concentrated in Finland and Sweden and with small populations in Estonia, Latvia and the UK. The European population seems stable although a population decline has been reported from Finland (BirdLife Int. 2004A). Biological and behavioural aspects: clutch size is 3-4 eggs (2-5); incubation: 27-28 days; fledging period: 35-40 days; independence: independent at or soon after fledging; broods: one.



Movements

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus


FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ Few DK UK IE Very few DE NL BE LU Very rare HU AT SI FR ES Few PT Few IT MT GR CY Very few RO BG Very few HR





Member




1, 2, 3, 4, 5


8, 10, 11


LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK Occupation of breeding

sites 2

IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR







1) In the EU, it only breeds in FI, SE, EE, LV and UK. 2) The period of reproduction starts with the occupation of the breeding sites. 3) The end of the reproduction period ranges from the 2nd decade of July (EE) to

the 1st decade of August (FI, SE, UK) with the full flight of young birds.





Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds? Member


FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE X 8, 10, 11 EE X LV 6 LT X PL X 3 SK CZ DK 5 UK X 1 IE X 1, 3, 4 DE X 4, 10 NL X 12 BE X 3 LU HU X AT 13, 19 SI FR X 6 ES PT X 9, 10 IT X MT GR CY RO 3 BG X 5, 6, 15 HR In the Adriatic difficult to separate

from local wintering birds, small number of birds present during whole spring and summer

21, 23





J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY ? ? RO BG HR


1) Migratory with very few birds wintering in the EU. 2) The period of prenuptial migration begins with the arrival of first migrants. 3) The beginning of the prenuptial migration period ranges from the 1st decade of

March (UK, BG) to 3rd decade of April (SE).



Species no. 54: Curlew Numenius arquata Distribution: Palearctic; this large wader inhabits the temperate and boreal zones of Europe and Asia. The nominate Numenius a. arquata breeds in Europe but grades into the Asiatic N. a. orientalis in South-east Europe and European Russia. Movements: Mostly migratory, though some resident in west of range. The Curlew winters in Europe and on coasts in North and West Africa. Banc d’Arguin, in Mauritania is usually the southern limit for west and central European birds. Many first year birds remain in winter quarters. Population size: The European population is totalling 220,000-360,000 breeding pairs, of which 48,000 – 120,000 breeds in Russia (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The EU 27 population is estimated at 160,000 – 220,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B). More than 50% of the EU population breeds in the United Kingdom. In Europe the population is decreasing in four countries (United Kingdom, Russia, Finland and Sweden) which collectively hold more than 85% of the European population (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The only significant increase is occurring in France, on the coastal plains of Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark (BirdLife Int. 2004B). Biological and behavioural aspects: clutch size is usually 4 eggs (2-5); incubation: 27-29 days; fledging period: 32-38 days; independence: independent at or soon after fledging; broods: one brood.



Movements

Curlew Numenius arquata

MIGRANT Member

State RESIDENT Breeding Passage Wintering FI SE EE LV LT PL SK Rare CZ (Few) Rare DK UK IE DE NL BE LU Few HU AT SI Few FR ES (Few) PT IT (Few) MT GR CY RO BG HR





Member




1, 2, 3, 4, 5


8, 11, 12


LV LT Occupation of breeding

sites 7


3




1, 2, 3, 4

UK Occupation of breeding sites

1

IE Occupation of breeding sites

1, 2, 3

DE Occupation of breeding sites

4, 8

NL Display 11, 12 BE Occupation of breeding

sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

LU HU Occupation of breeding

sites


13,19


sites 1, 4, 6

ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR




Curlew Numenius arquata J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR Comments and conclusions 1) The period of reproduction begins with the occupation of the breeding sites. 2) The end of the period of reproduction ranges from the 2nd decade of June (AT) to

the 3rd decade of August (IE). Full flight of young birds marks the end of the reproduction period.






Member State

YES NO References

FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE X 8, 11, 12 EE X LV 6 LT X 5,7 PL X 3 SK X CZ X DK X 1, 2, 3, 4 UK Mixed population of residents &

migrants 1

IE Mixed population of residents & migrants

1, 3

DE X 4, 10 NL Mixing of breeding and migrating

birds 7, 37

BE Presence of wintering birds 1, 2, 3, 4 LU Small numbers HU X AT 9, 14, 20 SI X FR Mixing of breeding and migrating

birds 2, 4, 6

ES PT IT MT 5 GR CY RO 3 BG X 6, 5, 15 HR Difficult to separate local

movements of winter population and returning migrants, small number of birds present during whole spring and summer

18, 21, 23





J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY ? RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions 1) Mostly migratory. 2) The beginning of the prenuptial migration is difficult to identify in regions where

residents and migrants are mixed (FR, UK, IE). 3) Departure of migrants from wintering grounds, in western maritime countries, or

arrival of first migrants, in other regions, corresponds to the beginning of the prenuptial migration.

4) Beginning of prenuptial migration ranges from the 1st decade of February (DK, IE, BG, HR) to the 3rd decade of March (FI, EE).



Species no. 55: Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Distribution: This bird inhabits taiga and scrub tundra in northern Eurasia, from the north of Scandinavia and Finland to eastern Siberia. Movements: Migratory. The European population winters mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, north of the Equator. Small numbers stay in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions and Western Europe. Population size and trends: The total European population is estimated at 19,000-42,000 breeding pairs (BirdLife 2004A). The total population in the European Union is estimated to 15,000 - 26,000 breeding pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B). During 1990-2000 the population in Norway and Russia remained stable, but decreased in Finland, which is the country holding the largest part of the population in the European Union (BirdLife Int. 2004A, 2004B). Biological and behavioural aspects: clutch size is 4 eggs (sometimes 3); incubation: period not recorded; fledging period: not recorded; independence: not recorded; broods: one brood.



Movements

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus


FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE Few DE NL BE LU Few HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR





Member




1, 2, 3, 4, 5


8, 10, 11

EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY HR







1) In the EU, it only breeds in FI and SE. 2) The period of reproduction starts with the occupation of the breeding sites. 3) The end of the period of reproduction ranges from the 1st (FI) to the 2nd decade

of decade of August (SE). Full flight of young birds marks the end of the period of reproduction.






Member State

YES NO References

FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE X 8, 10, 11 EE X 4 LV 6 LT X PL X 3 SK CZ X DK 5 UK X 1 IE X 3 DE X 4, 8, 10 NL X 12, 37, 44 BE X 3, 5 LU HU X AT 13, 19 SI X FR X 6 ES PT Present always in small numbers 9 IT X MT 5 GR CY RO 3 BG X 6, 15, 16 HR X 17, 18





J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY ? ? RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions 1) Migratory with small numbers of wintering birds in the Mediterranean and Black

Sea regions and Western Europe. 2) The prenuptial migration period begins with the arrival of the first migrants. 3) The beginning of the period of prenuptial migration ranges from the 3rd decade of

February (IE, PT, BG) to the 1st decade of May (FI).

species no. 50: eurasian woodcock scolopax...

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