Dispersal and site fidelity in lesser whitethroats sylvia curruca

Abstract

Over a 20 year period the average annual return rate of adult Lesser Whitethroats was 23%. Recaptures of these birds at the site of ringing totalled 88%, which suggests a strong fidelity to breeding area. The number of birds breeding each year at the study site was mainly dependent on the return of previously ringed adult birds. When these did not return either breeding did not take place, or the population was very low. Juvenile birds commenced dispersal at the start of post‐juvenile moult and were more sedentary during mid‐moult. Migration appeared to commence as moult neared completion. Returns of juvenile birds in subsequent years was very low (0.8%), but the two birds that did return had been ringed in moult stage 2/3 and were probably not reared at the study site. It is suggested that a pre‐breeding population of Lesser Whitethroats arrives each spring, comprising principally first‐year birds, probably returning to the general area of their birth and then selecting breeding sites for the coming season. © 1992 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.