The response of spring arrival dates of non-passerine migrants to climate change

• Published in: Acta Zoologica Lituanica
• Main Authors: Žalakevičius, Mečislovas, Bartkevičienė, Galina, Ivanauskas, Feliksas, Nedzinskas, Vytautas
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Lithuanian; English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Climate change impact; Spring arrival response; Bird migration; Non-passerine migrants; North Atlantic; North Atlantic oscillation
• Online Access: http://lmavb.lvb.lt/LMAVB:ELABAPDB5848018&prefLang=en_US

Under the conditions of climate warming spring arrival dates of birds were noticeably earlier for both short-distance and long-distance migrants: earlier arrival was statistically significant for 10 short-distance migrants (83.3%) of 12 investigated and for 5 long-distance migrants (62.5%) of 8 investigated (p < 0.05). During the study period arrival dates became earlier on average from 0.14 days per year for black tern (Chlidonias niger) to 1.15 for common crane (Grus grus). The arrival to an observation site directly depends on air temperatures increasing in the site and en route of Europe and decreasing in North Africa. For all 12 short/medium-distance migrant species spring arrival has been registered statistically significantly earlier at a higher positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index in winter (p < 0.05). In the group of long-distance migrants the correlation between advancement of arrival dates and growth of NAO index has been registered for 3 species (37.5%) of 8 investigated in winter and in March and for 2 species (25%)- in February (p < 0.05). The timing of spring arrival depends on atmospheric circulation conditions en route.