Fieldfare turdus pilaris ringing recoveries during autumn, winter and spring, analysed in relation to river basins and watersheds in europe and the near east

Abstract

Fieldfare ringing data from 16 breeding zones in Europe and Asia were analysed in relation to autumn/winter recoveries in 15 western European and Jive Near East watershed areas. First year birds migrate several weeks later and to more regular destinations than adults. TWo watersheds, Maas/Schelde/Somme and Thames/Humber, attract first year migrants from north and west Scandinavia. The Rhône/Languedoc attracts first year migrants from Switzerland and Germany. The Po/Upper Adriatic watershed is attractive to first year migrants from eastern Europe, north‐eastern Scandinavia, Russia and Siberia. Adults usually migrate further than first year birds and as a result are found in particularly high concentrations in Gironde/Adour. However, Central Russian and Siberian adults may winter much closer to their breeding areas, in the Aegean basin or the Transcaucasus. It is argued that this shows that adults are exploring more “exotic” destinations after their “preprogrammed” first year migration. The species favours watersheds with large low‐lying flood plains, which provide good winter food resources of soil invertebrates and fruit. Areas with little low‐lying ground, such as Iberia, the Balkans and Asia Minor are not favoured wintering areas. Migratory strategy, progress and timing are examined and discussed, as are altitudes of recovery and age ratios. Cases of recurrence in consecutive winters are discussed, as is the relevance of the concept of a migratory destination for this species. The use of ringing recoveries as an indicator of relative abundance is examined. The effect of different winter feeding strategies on migration is examined. Newly published data from Central Russia and Siberia are presented as a separate section. © 1994 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.