Migratory Birds Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

2025, Science Vision

Aquatic avifauna are an important bio-indicator of an ecosystem changes. Mizoram, one of the northeastern states of India, lies in one of the richest biodiversity hotspots of the world. Along its water bodies, it is home to several species of resident birds, and is also a temporary home for migrating birds in different seasons. These resident and migratory avifauna form an important component of most wetland ecosystems, as they are vital components of the food webs. While only the Tamdil and Palak Lake are recognized as wetlands, there are several rivers and smaller water bodies around which aquatic avifauna exist. However, official records comprise of about 14 species of waterbirds belonging to 6 orders and 8 families. Of these, Anatidae, Charadriidae, Scolopacidae, Anhingidae, and Podicipedidae are represented by one species each, while the Ardeidae are represented by four species. Among the 14 species reported so far, two species of the Order Pelicaniformes, namely Anhinga melanogaster (Family Anhingidae) and Ardea insignis (Family Ardeidae) are highly endangered. However, detailed studies are wanting and, while there are sporadic reports of sightings on social media, there is a need for a more comprehensive study of the diversity and seasonal variations of aquatic avifauna around the different water bodies of the state of Mizoram.

2025, Journal of Ornithology

Glucocorticoids promote the mobilization of energy stores and they may facilitate the expression of energetically expensive functions. Early arrival on the breeding grounds in migratory species and territorial competition are energetically demanding activities that may be supported by elevated baseline glucocorticoid levels. Here, we evaluated the associations between the baseline levels of excreted corticosterone (CORT) metabolites of male Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) just after arriving on their breeding area and timing of arrival, considering ornamental traits indicative of social status, like forehead patch size and black plumage coloration, as well as heat shock protein levels (HSP60). We observed a positive association of CORT metabolites with HSP60 levels, which are synthesized under several environmental challenges affecting cell homeostasis. Our data showed a negative association between arrival date and CORT metabolite levels, possibly as a result of the higher energetic demands imposed by the hard environmental conditions experienced at the time of an early arrival after migration. We observed a negative relationship of forehead patch dimensions and CORT metabolite levels, suggesting that dominance is associated with low baseline CORT metabolites. Also, males that expressed a higher degree of territorial behaviour when exposed to a playback song of a conspecific at their nest-box showed higher CORT metabolites upon arrival than males that expressed a lower degree of territorial behavior. This may indicate that elevated baseline CORT metabolite levels may facilitate an intense territorial competition in males. Thus, male-male competition may be a factor affecting observed baseline glucocorticoid levels in migratory birds.

2025

Northern Kazakhstan and adjoining areas of Russia have vitally important autumn staging sites for arctic breeding geese, especially for the globally threatened Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (LWfG) and Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis (RbG). Part of the Fennoscandian and the entire Western Main subpopulations of LWfG and the global population of RbGs are believed to stage there, which facilitates obtaining up-to-date population estimates for these species. A total of 80 lakes were surveyed across four survey areas in autumn 2016, recording more than 1.2 million geese in the region. Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons (GWfG) were the most abundant with an estimated c. 890,000 birds, with counts of c. 250,000 Greylag Geese Anser anser, c. 53,000 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea , c. 39,100 RbG and c. 32,000 LWfG also recorded during the surveys. Based on a priori lake classification for both LWfG and RbG, to stratify survey lakes in order to generate total po...

2025

Roadside point counts are generally used for large surveys to increase the number of samples. We examined differences in species detected from roadside versus off-road (200-m and 400-m) point counts in the Shenandoah National Park. We also compared the list of species detected in the first 3 minutes to those detected in 10 minutes for potential species biases. Results from 81 paired roadside and off-road counts indicated that roadside counts had higher numbers of several edge species but did not have lower numbers of nonedge forest species. More individuals and species were detected from roadside points because of this increase in edge species. Sixtyfive percent of the species detected in 10 minutes were recorded in the first 3 minutes.

2025, Systematic and Applied Acarology

In 2008, tick surveillance of migratory birds was conducted on Hong-do (Hong Island), Jeollanam Province, Republic of Korea. Seventy-seven ticks representing two genera and four species-Haemaphysalis flava Neumann (21 ticks), Haemaphysalis ornithophila Hoogstraal & Kohls (2), Ixodes nipponensis Kitaoka & Saito (3), and Ixodes turdus Nakatsuji (51)-were collected from 12 species of birds belonging to nine genera. Two male H. ornithophila, an uncommonly collected tick, were removed from a scaly thrush, Zoothera dauma (Latham), on Hong-do. Haemaphysalis ornithophila is a Southeast Asian species that was transported to Korea during the spring migration of Z. dauma to its breeding grounds in Russia. This first report of H. ornithophila from Korea has implications for the introduction of exotic tick species and their pathogens on migratory birds.

2025, Environmental …

Because of their intense vegetation and the fact that they include areas of coastline, deltas situated in the vicinity of big cities are areas of greet attraction for people who wish to get away from in a crowded city. However, deltas, with their fertile soil and unique flora and fauna, need to be protected. In order for the use of such areas to be planned in a sustainable way by local authorities, there is a need for detailed data about these regions. In this study, the changes in land use of the Balçova Delta, which is to the immediate west of Turkey's third largest city Izmir, from 1957 up to the present day, were investigated. In the study, using aerial photographs taken in 1957, 1976 and 1995 and an IKONOS satellite image from the year 2005, the natural and cultural characteristics of the region and changes in the coastline were determined spatially. Through this study, which aimed to reveal the characteristics of the areas of land already lost as well as the types of land use in the Balçova delta and to determine geographically the remaining areas in need of protection, local authorities were provided with the required data support. Balçova consists of flat and fertile wetland with mainly citrus-fruit orchards and flower-producing green houses. The marsh and lagoon system situated in the coastal areas of the delta provides a habitat for wild life, in particular birds. In the Balçova Delta, which provides feeding and resting for migratory birds, freshwater sources are of vital importance for fauna and flora. The settlement area, which in 1957 was 182 ha, increased 11-fold up to the year 2005 when it reached 2,141 ha. On the other hand, great losses were determined in farming land, olive groves, forest and in the marsh and lagoon system. This unsystematic and rapid urbanization occurring in the study region is not only causing the loss of important agricultural land and wetland, but also lasting water and soil pollution.

2025, Animal Behaviour

Migratory birds replenishing their fuel stores have to decide when to leave their stopover site for the next flight bout. We studied whether the decision to leave a stopover site depends on wind and rain conditions. From captureerecapture data of 1153 European robins collected during three autumns at a stopover site in Switzerland, we estimated the daily emigration probability with a newly developed multistate captureerecapture model that accounts for the occurrence of transients. We tested whether the variation in the daily emigration probabilities can be explained by wind speed, wind direction (both on the ground and 300 m above ground) or rain. Variation in emigration probability was largely explained by variation in wind at 300 m and rain. The emigration probability was highest (0.5) during nights with no or weak (!1.5 m/s) winds at 300 m and no rain, intermediate (0.15e0.2) on nights without rain and with medium wind (O1.5 m/s), and on nights with weak winds (!1.5 m/s) and rain; and almost zero during nights with rain and strong winds at 300 m. Wind direction at 300 m and wind conditions (speed and direction) on the ground had no influence on departure decision. We suggest that birds may consider cues other than wind speed at ground level to predict wind speed at higher altitudes, and that they consider wind direction only when aloft by selecting an optimal flight altitude. Wind speed aloft and rain appeared to be significant factors that synchronize bird migration spatially and temporally.

2025

Birds are well known for construction of various kinds of nests. It is an instinct behaviour. For protection against rain, environmental temperature difference, to care the brood, a part of breeding process birds construct nests. Nest structure, designs and materials used in nest construction are species specific. The specificity also found in nesting site selection, avoidance of predation risk and easy way to rescue from the nest. Present study on ten species of local birds and their nest structure, nest material used reveals that 54.40 % locally available material was used by these species that includes plant materials mainly. The synthetic materials, soil, silt, mud and the materials of animal origin like human hair, spider net threads, and dropped feathers of birds were used in nest construction. Most diverse selection of nest material was by Indian Common Mayna whereas least type of material used by Baya weaver. Residential buildings and office buildings, buildings of education centres in the University campus were effectively used by the birds in non nesting period as shelter. The brilliance and plasticity of birds was remarkable for survival of fittest with existing conditions. Detailed study on each species nest was recommended to understand and plan for their conservational importance.

2025, Journal of Sustainability and Environmental Management (JOSEM)

Freshwater snail population numbers and their ecological significance need to be better understood. This study aimed to measure snail abundance in Biltongi-Narayanparabeel in the Natore district. The objective was to establish the population density of snails using the CMR (Capture-Mark-Recapture) method in four sections of the Biltongi-Narayanpara beel between August 2022 and February 2023. Snail samples were collected from four sampling sites, each located in different areas: one near agricultural land, one in the shallows, and one in the middle of the deepest part of the beel. The plot with the highest overall mean population density in terms of CMR for the presence of snails was plot 3 (33.25 ± 2.75), while the field with the lowest density was plot 4(22.75 ± 2.22). The biomass showed only slight variations across the different habitat categories. This is likely due to the presence of many young snails in shallow areas, whereas young snails in nearby regions were nearly nonexistent.

2025

Migratory birds demonstrate remarkable temporal plasticity, adapting their circadian rhythms and sleep patterns to meet the demands of long-distance migration. This perspective explores how insights from avian temporal adaptations could inform novel research directions in human sleep and circadian medicine. Birds' ability to maintain precise temporal organization through multiple coordinated oscillators, particularly during migratory periods, provides a valuable framework for understanding circadian flexibility. Drawing from recent advances in avian chronobiology, we propose several research priorities for human applications, including biomarker-guided chronotherapy, circuit-specific interventions, and optimization of environmental cue timing. We explore how birds' sophisticated control of sleep architecture and metabolic regulation during migration might inspire new approaches to managing circadian disruptions in humans. Neuroimaging studies of human temporal adaptability, guided by avian insights, could reveal network-level mechanisms underlying circadian plasticity. Of particular interest is the parallel between avian unihemispheric sleep and human hemispheric asymmetry during sleep, suggesting the evolutionary conservation of adaptive sleep mechanisms. While acknowledging the fundamental differences between avian and human circadian systems, we outline specific research directions that could translate avian temporal adaptability principles into therapeutic strategies for circadian disorders. While these avian-inspired hypotheses require rigorous validation, and some may not prove viable, embracing creative exploration remains essential for advancing our understanding of human circadian biology and guiding the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

2025, Central European Journal of Biology

Global climate change has important impacts on animal life-cycles. One of the responses to global warming is an earlier arrival time of many migratory bird species. The first arrival date of the Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) in Central Croatia was studied for the periods of 1901–1917 and 1991–2005. Data were derived from the first spring observations and first capture data. A statistically significant advance of 11 ± 1.4 days was recorded. The difference in the mean April temperature between two study periods was significant, while changes in NAO winter index were not significant. Adequate data from the beginning of the 20th century exist; however, recent studies were done on a relatively short-term basis. Therefore, the analysis of two discrete datasets may help to fill the gaps in the knowledge about the climate change response.

2025, Ornis Fennica

A. de Jong, L. Edenius, Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-901 83 Umeå, Sweden. * Corresponding author’s e-mail: adriaan.de.jong@slu.se J. Torniainen, Open Science Centre and Department of Biological and Environmental Science, P. O. Box 35, FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä, Finland O. G. Bourski, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Animal Ecology and Evolution RAS, Leninsky prospect 33, 119071 Moscow, Russia W. Heim, Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Heisenbergstraße 2, 48149 Münster, Germany

2025

The timing of moult in birds is thought to be constrained by physiological trade-offs. We studied barn swallows in central Spain to assess whether (a) body moult tends to be temporally separated from migration in adult and first-year birds, (b) it is related to an impaired fattening, and (c) its overlap with migration may involve adverse energetic effects. First-year swallows tended to moult early in the post-breeding period: the proportion of first-year birds in active moult was highest in July, and it decreased progressively until September. On the other hand, adult swallows tended to avoid moulting both in the post-breeding (July) and the migratory period (September), concentrating their moulting period in August. In all periods, swallows in active moult stored less fat than non-moulting ones, suggesting a faster depletion of energy resources by moulting birds. Swallows in active moult showed a better body condition -measured as body mass relative to body size and fat content -than nonmoulting ones before migration (coinciding with the periods of highest frequency of moulting individuals), but the opposite was found during autumn migration. Our results support the existence of a physiological trade-off between body moult and migration, which could have fitness consequences; thus, if these activities overlap it would impair migration performance of swallows.

2025, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

Recent experiments exposing migratory birds to altered magnetic fields simulating geographical displacements have shown that the geomagnetic field acts as an external cue affecting migratory fuelling behaviour. This is the first study investigating fuel deposition in relation to geomagnetic cues in long-distance migrants using the western passage of the Mediterranean region. Juvenile wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe) were exposed to a magnetically simulated autumn migration from southern Sweden to West Africa. Birds displaced parallel to the west of their natural migration route, simulating an unnatural flight over the Atlantic Ocean, increased their fuel deposition compared to birds experiencing a simulated migration along the natural route. These birds, on the other hand, showed relatively low fuel loads in agreement with earlier data on wheatears trapped during stopover. The experimental displacement to the west, corresponding to novel sites in the Atlantic Ocean, led to a simulated longer distance to the wintering area, probably explaining the observed larger fuel loads. Our data verify previous results suggesting that migratory birds use geomagnetic cues for fuelling decisions and, for the first time, show that birds, on their first migration, can use geomagnetic cues to compensate for a displacement outside their normal migratory route, by adjusting fuel deposition.

2025, The Journal of Experimental Biology

Recent studies have shown that migratory thrush nightingales (Luscinia luscinia) experimentally treated with multiple changes of the magnetic field simulating a journey to their target stopover area in northern Egypt, increased fuel deposition as expected in preparation to cross the Sahara desert. To investigate the significance of food intake on the body mass changes observed, in the work described here we analysed food intake of the nightingales under study in those earlier experiments. Furthermore, to study whether a single change in the magnetic field directly to northern Egypt is sufficient to provide information for fuelling decisions, we performed a new experiment, exposing thrush nightingales trapped in Sweden, directly to a magnetic field of northern Egypt. Our results show that an experimentally induced magnetic field of northern Egypt, close to the barrier crossing, triggers the same response in fuel deposition as experiments with multiple changes of the magnetic field simulating a migratory journey from Sweden to Egypt, suggesting that migratory birds do not require successive changes in field parameters to incorporate magnetic information into their migratory program. Furthermore, irrespective of experimental set up (single or multiple changes of the magnetic field parameters) increase in food intake seems to be the major reason for the observed increase in fuelling rate compared with control birds, suggesting that geomagnetic information might trigger hormonal changes in migratory birds enabling appropriate fuelling behaviour during migration.

2025, Proceedings of The Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Bird migration requires high energy expenditure, and long-distance migrants accumulate fat for use as fuel during stopovers throughout their journey. Recent studies have shown that long-distance migratory birds, besides accumulating fat for use as fuel, also show adaptive phenotypic flexibility in several organs during migration. The migratory routes of many songbirds include stretches of sea and desert where fuelling is not possible. Large fuel loads increase flight costs and predation risk, therefore extensive fuelling should occur only immediately prior to crossing inhospitable zones. However, despite their crucial importance for the survival of migratory birds, both strategic refuelling decisions and variation in phenotypic flexibility during migration are not well understood. First-year thrush nightingales (Luscinia luscinia) caught in the early phase of the onset of autumn migration in southeast Sweden and exposed to a magnetic treatment simulating a migratory flight to northern Egypt increased more in fuel load than control birds. By contrast, birds trapped during the late phase of the onset of autumn migration accumulated a high fuel load irrespective of magnetic treatment. Furthermore, early birds increased less in flight-muscle size than birds trapped later in autumn. We suggest that the relative importance of endogenous and environmental factors in individual birds is affected by the time of season and by geographical area. When approaching a barrier, environmental cues may act irrespective of the endogenous time programme.

2025, Proceedings of The Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Recent evaluations of both temporal and spatial precision in bird migration have called for external cues in addition to the inherited programme defining the migratory journey in terms of direction, distance and fuelling behaviour along the route. We used juvenile European robins (Erithacus rubecula) to study whether geomagnetic cues affect fuel deposition in a medium-distance migrant by simulating a migratory journey from southeast Sweden to the wintering area in southern Spain. In the late phase of the onset of autumn migration, robins exposed to the magnetic treatment attained a lower fuel load than control birds exposed to the ambient magnetic field of southeast Sweden. In contrast, robins captured in the early phase of the onset of autumn migration all showed low fuel deposition irrespective of experimental treatment. These results are, as expected, the inverse of what we have found in similar studies in a long-distance migrant, the thrush nightingale (Luscinia luscinia), indicating that the reaction in terms of fuelling behaviour to a simulated southward migration varies depending on the relevance for the species. Furthermore, we suggest that information from the geomagnetic field act as an important external cue overriding the seasonal effect on fuelling behaviour in migratory birds.

2025, Journal of Experimental Biology

SUMMARY Long-distance migrants regularly pass ecological barriers, like the Sahara desert, where extensive fuel loads are necessary for a successful crossing. A central question is how inexperienced migrants know when to put on extensive fuel loads. Beside the endogenous rhythm, external cues have been suggested to be important. Geomagnetic information has been shown to trigger changes in foraging behaviour and fuel deposition rate in migratory birds. The underlying mechanism for these adjustments, however, is not well understood. As the glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone is known to correlate with behaviour and physiology related to energy regulation in birds, we here investigated the effect of geomagnetic cues on circulating corticosterone levels in a long-distance migrant. Just as in earlier studies, juvenile thrush nightingales (Luscinia luscinia) caught during autumn migration and exposed to the simulated geomagnetic field of northern Egypt increased food intake and attained...

2025, Ecological Engineering

e c o l o g i c a l e n g i n e e r i n g 3 2 ( 2 0 0 8 ) 320-328 a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v i e r . c o m / l o c a t e / e c o l e n g

2025, Ecological Engineering

2025, Parasites & Vectors

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) is a widespread pathogen maintained in an enzootic cycle between mosquitoes and birds with occasional spill-over into dead-end hosts such as horses and humans. Migratory birds are believed to play an important role in its dissemination from and to the Palaearctic area, as well as its local dispersion between wintering sites. The Djoudj Park, located in Senegal, is a major wintering site for birds migrating from Europe during the study period (Sept. 2008-Jan. 2009). In this work, we studied the seasonal feeding behaviour dynamics of the potential WNV mosquito vectors at the border of the Djoudj Park, using a reference trapping method (CDC light CO 2 -baited traps) and two host-specific methods (horse-and pigeon-baited traps). Blood meals of engorged females were analysed to determine their origin. Results: Results indicated that Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. neavei may play a key role in the WNV transmission dynamics, the latter being the best candidate bridging-vector species between mammals and birds. Moreover, the attractiveness of pigeon-and horse-baited traps for Cx. neavei and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus varied with time. Finally, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was only active when the night temperature was above 20°C, whereas Cx. neavei was active throughout the observation period. Conclusions: Cx. neavei and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus are the main candidate vectors for the transmission of WNV in the area. The changes in host attractiveness might be related to variable densities of the migratory birds during the trapping period. We discuss the importance of these results on the risk of WNV transmission in horses and humans.

2025

Prefectural Izunuma-Uchinuma Foundation, and the Yamashina Institute of Ornithology to study whether migratory birds might carry the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus from Asia to North America. We are using Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) as a model species to study intercontinental virus transmission because the species frequently migrates between Asia and North America, is abundant, and often carries avian influenza viruses. The various aspects of this project include: (1) an evaluation of spatial and temporal overlap of North American and Asian pintail populations through analysis of band recoveries, and marking of pintails with satellite transmitters on their Japanese wintering areas, (2) comparison of genetic differentiation of Asian and North American pintails to determine the degree to which populations are reproductively isolated, and (3) contrasting of strains of non-H5N1 viruses found in Northern Pintails on Japanese wintering areas and those on North American breeding and wintering areas to assess the recent and historic transcontinental transmission of avian viruses. Here we report on progress in these three areas of the study in 2007. We marked 27 pintails with satellite transmitters at one of their main wintering areas in Japan in February 2007. Fourteen pintails survived with operable transmitters to depart Japan for breeding areas in eastern Russia, and nine successfully completed migration to likely nesting and molting areas. Preliminary results suggest that after departing the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, pintails either migrate to Sakhalin Island before going to the Russian mainland, or make a non-stop migration of >1600 km over the Sea of Okhotsk to the Kamchatka Peninsula or eastern Chukotka. Though results of the satellite telemetry are preliminary, there was considerable overlap between satellite telemetry locations of Japanese pintails on Russian nesting and molting areas, and areas that had a 95% likelihood of use by North American pintails, as delineated from band recovery data.

2025, River Research and Applications

On meandering rivers with well-developed floodplains, bankfull stage has geomorphological and ecological significance because it approximates the level of connection between the channel and the floodplain. As a river rises to bankfull stage, sediment begins to be deposited on the floodplain, wetlands are progressively inundated and organisms migrate between the channel and floodplain habitats. On many rivers large headwater dams have reduced the frequency and duration of floodplain inundation downstream. However, the lack of reliable pre-regulation flow data has made it difficult to quantify the effects of river regulation. This study used historical regulated and modelled natural flow data to determine the effects of regulation on the frequency and duration of bankfull flows on the Murrumbidgee River, one of Australia's largest and most heavily regulated rivers. In combination with floodplain surveys the flow data show that regulation has halved the frequency and duration of bankfull flows. This reduction in channel-floodplain connection has implications for the ecological health of the Murrumbidgee River.

2025, The Wilson Journal of Ornithology

inland from the Atlantic coast. The large hydroelectric lakes in the Southeast may provide a corridor for such inland invasion, especially if marsh island habitats are available. Such an inland expansion would resemble that which has occurred in the closely related Greattailed Grackle (Q. mexicanus), which has penetrated as far inland as Nebraska (Faanes and Norling, Amer. Birds 35:148-149, 198 1). I thank G. T. Bancroft and D. M. Forsythe for criticizing the manuscript. -WILLIAM POST, The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting Street,

2025, Landscape Ecology

Context Urbanization has detrimental effects on biodiversity, yet how species respond to urban planning zoning outcomes and environmental changes at different spatial scales when selecting urban breeding habitats remains understudied.... more

2025, Biological report

On 12-13 April 1988 a workshop on the analysis of avian population trends was held at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland. The workshop was cosponsored by the Branch of Migratory Bird Research of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and the Office of Migratory Bird Management. During this workshop, we hoped to bring together some of the biologists and statisticians that coordinate and analyze data from major bird surveys to discuss recent advances in analytical methods of estimating population trends. The workshop had three sessions: one to describe some of the major surveys used to estimate population trends, one to discuss analytical methods, and one to consider population trends of a selected species: scissor-tailed flycatchers (Tyrallllus forficatus), for which a data set from the North American Breeding Bird Survey had been distributed to participants before the meeting. These proceedings present the results of the workshop. The papers are organized into three parts, following the design of the workshop. Part I is composed of papers that describe the design of major avian surveys, along with reviews of the constraints that the designs place on the analysis of population trends. Part II presents some of the major analytical methods that are used to estimate population trends. There is a good deal of diversity among the papers in this part, with some papers discussing overall approaches to surveys and their analysis, others attempting to analyze the relations among the methods, and some presenting only a specific method of analysis. Several papers broach general questions of sample size allocation for roadside surveys and associated technical questions. Part III contains three analyses of the scissor-tailed flycatcher data set: two variants of the route-regression method and a nonparametric analysis.

2025, Wildfowl

Despite the recent decline in the Eastern Palearctic population of the Lesser Whitefronted Goose Anser erythropus (LWfG), numbers wintering in Japan have increased modestly since the 2000s. There have, however, been no systematic studies of the wintering ecology of the species previously conducted in Japan. In this study, count surveys were made of roosting and foraging sites, directed by tracking data from a GPS-tagged bird, to describe the movements of a wintering flock. The home range of the tagged LWfG during the 2020/21 winter was 9,120 ha (core area: 2,080 ha), and the distance between roosting and foraging sites ranged from 1.95-3.64 km. A change in the foraging and roost sites used by the geese was associated with low temperatures in mid-winter. This study provides preliminary information on the movements and habitat use by LWfGs in Japan, but further studies are required to improve our understanding of their wintering ecology, including their feeding habits and energy budgets, in relation to the quality and quantity of food resources available.

2025, Wildfowl

Of the world's Brent Goose Branta bernicla populations, the migration routes and winter distribution of the East Asian population of Brent Geese B. b. nigricans are the least well known. We therefore marked Brent Geese at their primary pre-migratory staging area in Notsuke Bay, Hokkaido, Japan to describe their migration between breeding and wintering areas in East Asia. Additionally, count data were compiled from the literature to identify important wintering and staging sites for the species, following Ramsar Convention criteria, and to assess trends in numbers of Brent Geese recorded in Japan and South Korea. The tracking data provided the first direct Migration and population status of Brent Geese in East Asia 245 © Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Wildfowl (2020) Special Issue 6: 244-266 evidence of migratory connectivity between staging sites in northern Japan and the Korean Peninsula. A total of 26 internationally important sites were identified in the Russian Far East (7), northern Japan ( ), northeast China (2) and the Korean Peninsula (1). Autumn surveys made at staging sites in Japan indicate that the East Asian population is increasing, although more extensive surveys for Brent Geese in China and on the Korean Peninsula are needed to confirm overall population trends and to identify critical habitats and wintering sites. We encourage the continuation of tracking studies, to describe more precisely the main migration routes, staging areas and, importantly, the breeding grounds for this vulnerable Brent Geese population.

2025

Effective and efficient capture methods are needed for marking and monitoring individuals in studies of demography, migration and habitat use. We describe a novel use of leg-hold nooses aligned on lines and mats to capture non-breeding Brent Geese Branta bernicla in water at a staging and wintering site in Japan. A total of 24 Brent Geese were caught in autumn 2017 and 2018. The traps, which were easy to set up and transport, were effective at catching small numbers of Brent Goose at intertidal roosting and gritting sites. Leg-hold noose lines and mats may be a suitable alternative to other standard catching techniques, such as cannon-netting and flat net traps, in locations where it is not practicable to use these other methods.

2025

This special issue of Wildfowl has summarised our knowledge of the biogeographical populations of ten key Anatidae species in East Asia, their current and recent estimated abundance and distributions, their migration routes and movements, and sites of importance to these populations at key stages of their annual cycles. The analysis was possible only through the active cooperation of the many biologists and site managers involved in studies of these species in different countries participating in a collaborative programme of monitoring, research and analysis. Development of new telemetry and bio-logging technology has played a key role in our ability to describe linkages between the breeding, moulting, staging and wintering areas used by individual waterbirds. Compilation of movement data recorded for tracked individuals of each species has provided initial information on flyway delineation and range definition, which forms the basis for future identification of biogeographical popu...

2025, Journal of Applied Ecology

1. Populations of migratory birds often mix to a considerable extent in their wintering areas. Knowledge about the composition of wintering populations is highly relevant to management, not least for species such as the great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis, prone to conflicts with human interests. However, few studies have been able to estimate long-term changes in winter population composition. 2. We use 30 years of ringing and recovery data from all major breeding populations of cormorants in continental Europe (except the Black Sea region) to estimate partitioning probabilities (i.e. the probabilities of moving to specific wintering areas) using a Bayesian capture-mark-recovery model. Combining these results with information on breeding numbers and reproductive output in a population model, we estimate the size and composition of wintering populations in Europe and North Africa. 3. Partitioning probabilities showed some variation over time, but were similar for first-winter and older birds. Cormorants from the western part of the breeding range tended to winter progressively further west over time. This may be a density-dependent response to the recent growth of more easterly breeding populations. 4. All wintering populations grew rapidly over the study period, and their composition showed pronounced changes. All wintering populations were composed of birds from many different breeding populations, but the proportion of cormorants of more easterly origin increased markedly over time in most wintering areas. of birds of different breeding origins. These mixtures are also highly variable over time. These factors reduce the chances of successfully limiting conflicts in specific wintering areas through, for example, regulation of breeding numbers in one breeding area. The dynamic nature of cormorant winter populations means that conflicts are best addressed when and where the conflict occurs, or on the scale of the entire continental population. It is unlikely that the latter will be cost-effective and politically realistic. How to cite this article: Frederiksen M, Korner-Nievergelt F, Marion L, Bregnballe T. Where do wintering cormorants come from? Long-term changes in the geographical origin of a migratory bird on a continental scale.

2025

After circa 35 years of drainage and intensive arable tillage, the lower Skjern River, Denmark was re-engineered to its original meanders and flooding regime, creating 22 km 2 of lakes, shallow wetlands and seasonally flooded grazed wet grassland costing €38 million. The primary motivation was to restore the sediment/nutrient retention capacity of the river valley to reduce eutrophication of Ringkøbing Fjord at its efflux. Secondary objectives were to (i) restore breeding and staging bird habitat, (ii) enhance the self-sustaining Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar population and (iii) improve recreational and tourist activities. Despite lack of specific success criteria, breeding waterbird numbers increased from 134 ± 22.9 SE (n = 3) pairs before to 1,744 ± 153 SE (n = 5) after restoration (although on average 1,004 of these were Black-headed Gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus), species richness and diversity also increased. Twenty-nine waterbird species returned to breed, 10 of national or international significance (Danish Red List/European Union Birds Directive Annex 1 species) now ranking Skjern River amongst the top 10 most important breeding waterbird sites in Denmark. Currently, agriculture supports cost-neutral management of the restoration area, but whilst most expected wet meadow and marsh species had returned, lack of goal-orientated management targets resulted in some additional rare and threatened species remaining absent. Breeding pair density and diversity of other species could have been greatly improved by prior planning and management intervention but at additional cost.

2025, Journal of Applied Ecology

Populations of migratory birds often mix to a considerable extent in their wintering areas. Knowledge about the composition of wintering populations is highly relevant to management, not least for species such as the great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis, prone to conflicts with human interests. However, few studies have been able to estimate long‐term changes in winter population composition. We use 30 years of ringing and recovery data (1983–2013) from all major breeding populations of cormorants in continental Europe (except the Black Sea region) to estimate partitioning probabilities (i.e. the probabilities of moving to specific wintering areas) using a Bayesian capture–mark–recovery model. Combining these results with information on breeding numbers and reproductive output in a population model, we estimate the size and composition of wintering populations in Europe and North Africa. Partitioning probabilities showed some variation over time, but were similar for first‐w...

2025

In recent years, ornithological information about Ash Island has increased substantially. This report reviews the status for each of the species recorded on Ash Island since 1980. It is clear that Ash Island is a very important component of the wetland habitat of the Hunter estuary, supporting many threatened species. Ash Island is presently unprotected from future industrial development.

2025

The Eastern Curlew is a common and abundant shorebird of Port Stephens. At least 600 birds are present each summer and many of the immature birds remain through the winter months. Port Stephens is an internationally significant habitat... more

2025

The population of migratory and resident shorebirds in Port Stephens in NSW was surveyed using boats at high tide on 8 February 2004. The total population was 2,053 shorebirds, with 13 species present. Two species, Eastern Curlew and Pied Oystercatcher, were present in numbers representing >1% of their total world population, 2% of the Australian population of Whimbrel were present, and around 0.5% of the Australian populations of Bar-tailed Godwit and Sooty Oystercatcher. The results, and the data available for Port Stephens between 1970 and 1990, demonstrate that Port Stephens has been an important shorebird habitat over the long term. The 2004 survey is the first complete survey of the area and it provides baseline data that can be used to manage shorebirds and their habitat in Port Stephens.

2025

Past records of the Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes in the Hunter Region are reviewed. The largest numbers have been recorded in Port Stephens. The Hunter Estuary is another important site whereas only small numbers of birds have been recorded at other locations within the region. Regular surveys in Port Stephens in 2012-13 revealed the presence of up to 124 birds during the non-breeding period and up to 14 birds over-wintering. Port Stephens has been confirmed to be the most important area in New South Wales for Grey-tailed Tattler. Six locations were identified as the main high-tide roosting sites in the nonbreeding period and one additional site for over-wintering birds. These sites are analysed for their common characteristics, which include mangroves Aegiceras corniculatum and Avicennia marina and proximal seagrasses Zostera sp. Some feeding and agonistic behavioural observations are also reported.

2025, hboc.org.au

Many bird species listed as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered (collectively referred to as "threatened") under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW) have been recorded within the Hunter Region. The majority are resident or regular migrants. Some species are vagrants, and some seabirds regularly present are not reliant on the Region for survival. The authors have reviewed the regional status of all species, with particular focus on the residents and regular visitors. The conservation status for each species is given, including where relevant the status under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) review. Recent records for the Region are compared with previous periods, local threats are reviewed and the outlook for each species is discussed. New Zealand and Antarctic Birds (HANZAB) and The New Atlas of Australian Birds ("Atlas") as the main references. To avoid repetition, these three sources are not specifically cited within the body of the paper. Readers can discern the relevant issue of HANZAB or the Annual Bird Report from the context of the discussion for the particular species. We are aware that databases managed by other organisations contain additional records for the Hunter Region. These may have allowed further insights. Two difficulties confronted usin some cases, access to the database was not readily available and in other cases the vetting process for records was considered to have been less rigorous than desirable. All HBOC records are subjected to scrutiny by a Records Appraisal Committee,

2025, Stilt

2025, Major Fed 16 Environmental Law Forum (Pennsylvania Bar Institute 2024)

The following details developments in the federal circuit courts in decisions involving NEPA, ESA, CERCLA and RCRA since the 2022-23 PBI-ELF. NEPA The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires a "detailed statement" (also known as an "Environmental Impact Statement") for major federal actions that significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Much of recent litigation involves challenges to agency determinations that impacts are not significant, and thus no EIS is required. For the most part, we see federal courts of appeal affirming lower court decisions upholding agency decisions not to prepare an EIS or a supplemental EIS.

2025, Agroforestry Systems

Shade coffee plantations support high numbers of Neotropical migratory birds, but relatively little is known about the structural and floristic attributes used by individual species. From 2005 to 2007, we studied the relationship between habitat characteristics and Neotropical migratory birds in shade coffee plantations in the Venezuelan Andes. Our results indicate that density of migrants was significantly related to both structural and floristic attributes of coffee farms. Specifically, upper canopy foragers were positively associated with number of large trees ([38 cm dbh), tree canopy height, and understory vegetation density. Low canopy and ground foragers were positively associated with numbers of small (8-23 cm dbh) and medium (23-38 cm dbh) trees and increased shade cover. Moreover, certain tree species, especially Inga spp., Erythrina spp. and Acnistus arborescens, were important components of habitat for those species that forage in the canopy. For example, our detailed foraging observations showed that Inga trees were used in greater proportion than available throughout plantations by Cerulean Warblers (Dendroica cerulea), a species of high conservation concern. Overall, our research suggests that suitability of coffee plantations for migratory birds may be improved by managing for particular structural and floristic characteristics of plantations.

2025, Journal of ornithology

2025, Corella

Four stages of leather abrasion have been defined for fully grown feathers; they can be recognized in the remiges, rectrices, and primary and secondary coverts of most birds. A code is given for each abrasion stage, allowing abrasion to be recorded in conventional moult formulae. Systematic recording of abrasion condition may help establish when moult occurs in species for which few other data are available. Partial and arrested primary moults, staffelmausers and slow continuous primary moults all produce distinctive patterns of abrasion; all these types of moult need more study. Feather abrasion can be an indispensable ageing guide in birds in which we have some knowledge of the moult history.

2025, Uccelli d'Italia

Four new species: Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis, Brown Booby Sula leucogaster, Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan, Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea were recorded between 2023 and 2024. These species bring the number of species of birds recorded in the Maltese Islands to 476. The list of the birds recorded in Malta that had been updated in 2010 (Fenech 2010) was later updated with new species that were recorded between 2010 and 2015 (Fenech & Sammut 2015). More new species were added in 2017 (Fenech 2017), in 2020 (Fenech & Sammut 2020), and in 2022 (Fenech & Sammut 2022).

2025, BioScience

Connectivity-the flows and exchanges of organisms, materials, and energy within and among watersheds-is a central paradigm in ecosystem science. Changes in those connections have consequences for ecosystem functioning and water quality downstream and upstream. Therefore, connectivity is a cornerstone for federal water protection under the United States Clean Water Act (CWA). In the present article, we review the science of connectivity, explain the history of changes in CWA jurisdiction defining waters of the United States, discuss implications for US water policy, and highlight key steps to align that policy with science. The Sackett v. EPA (2023) Supreme Court decision significantly reduced federal water protection for wetlands and headwaters, disregarding their connectivity with larger, protected waterbodies. To fulfill the goals of the CWA to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of U.S. waters, Congress must amend the act, fully recognizing the multidimensional connectivity of aquatic ecosystems and ultimately incorporating these connections into ecosystem-level policy.