Geographic Origin of Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus in western France : first results

• Main Authors: Joyeux, Emmanuel, Cumin, Estelle, Francesiaz, Charlotte
• Other Authors: Office français de la biodiversité (OFB), Service conservation et gestion durable des espèces exploitées (OFB SEEX), Direction de la recherche et de l’appui scientifique (OFB - DRAS), Office français de la biodiversité (OFB)-Office français de la biodiversité (OFB), Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage (ONCFS), International Wader study Group
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2023
• Subjects: Northern Lapwing; wintering; breeding; [SDE]Environmental Sciences; [SDE.BE]Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; ural mountains; Vanellus vanellus
• Online Access: https://ofb.hal.science/hal-04256978; https://ofb.hal.science/hal-04256978/document; https://ofb.hal.science/hal-04256978/file/OFB-poster%20WSG_2023_JOYEUX%20%26%20al.pdf

Central-western France is home to almost 1,5 million lapwings every winter, giving this geographical area a key role in the ecology of this species. Nevertheless, the population of lapwing is declining. There may be several reasons for this, including weather conditions, agricultural changes and hunting… Therefore, it is essential to understand the constraints and strengths of this population. This is why the French Agency for Biodiversity (OFB) is conducting a study until 2025 with the following objectives : to identify and characterise feeding and daytime staging areas, and to determine the origin and main migratory routes of this species. In 2021 and 2022, 12 and 20 birds, respectively, were captured and fitted with GPS/GSM tags in Vendée. Initial results indicate that nearly half of these birds mainly breed in Eastern Europe (Belarus, Poland and Russia). The remaining birds bred in Finland, East Russia (beyond the Ural mountains) and Hungary, and even a sedentary bird that nested in the Marais Poitevin a few kilometers away from where it was captured. Some roads also suggest fidelity to nesting and wintering sites for 3 birds fitted in 2021. These diverse origins highlight the significant responsibility of this geographical area in hosting these birds. Therefore, it is important to define the main feeding areas, which fluctuate with changes in farming practices, as well as the quiet areas where lapwings can meet their ecological needs.