Spatial and temporal migratory patterns of trans-Saharan birds in the Iberian Peninsula

• Main Author: Gordo Villoslada, Óscar
• Other Authors: [e-mail], true, Brotons, Lluís, Ferrer i Parareda, Xavier, Sanz Cid, Juan José, Universitat de Barcelona. Departament de Biologia Animal
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Universitat de Barcelona 2011
• Subjects: Canvi climàtic; Factors ambientals; Oreneta; Rossinyol; Falciot; Cucut; Cigonya; Migració d'aus; Ciències Experimentals i Matemàtiques; 59; Apus apus
• Online Access: http://www.tdx.cat/TDX-0910107-093750; http://hdl.handle.net/10803/803

The spatial and temporal variability of migratory phenology of Ciconia ciconia, Cuculus canorus, Apus apus, Hirundo rustica and Luscinia megarhynchos were studied by means of 44000 records for 1400 spanish sites during the period 1944-2004. In all species, first individuals arrive to the southern areas of Iberia, to low altitude sites, with dry and warm summers, and near to the Straits of Gibraltar. A. apus and H. rustica showed quite similar spatial patters due to the strong influence of fixed factors, which impose optimum migratory pathways. The onset of singing of C. canorus and L. megarhynchos showed a different and weak geographical pattern, which suggests that other local environmental factors could be influencing singing behaviour of males. In spite to be a soaring species, C. ciconia follows similar spatial patters for spring arrivals. However, its autumn departure and length of stay did not show any spatial gradient. Excepting L. megarhynchos , all species have advanced their arrival dates during the last three decades. Nevertheless, current dates are similar to those recorded sixty years ago. The strongest advancement was detected in C. ciconia , probably as a result of the growing number of wintering individuals in Iberia. In overall, species arrived earlier those years with plentiful rainfalls in western Africa and warmer spring temperatures in Iberia. Therefore, climate change is probably the underlying mechanism for temporal changes in migratory phenology also in Mediterranean populations. Departure dates only showed a significant advancement in H. rustica . Departures were weakly related to climatic variables. Temperatures during breeding period advanced departures in all species, while only H. rustica was affected by temperatures at departure time. S'estudià la variabilitat espacial i temporal en la fenologia de la migració de diverses aus trans-Saharianes. Es van fer servir unes 44000 dates d'arribada i emigració de cigonya ("Ciconia ciconia"), cucut ("Cuculus canorus"), falciot ("Apus apus"), ...