2.13 Gadwall ( Anas strepera )

2.13.1 Numbers and distribution

Figure 2.22 shows that the biggest Palearctic concentrations of Gadwall are in and there are major moulting sites across the Caucasus in Russia. Other large concentrations are in southern France and northern Tunisia and Algeria. This is not a numerous species and other centres of population are in southern England, The Netherlands, lakes north of the Alps, Spain, Italy and Greece.

Of 40 sites where more than 3,000 Gadwall have been counted, 22 are in Iran and three in (Table 2.22). The most important of these are Gyzylagach Nature Reserve (Azerbaijan) where 21,100 were counted, and Fereydon Kenar, Iran, where there were 21,000 in 2003. There are few key sites in the Black Sea- East Mediterranean region, the most important being Amvrakikos Wetlands, Greece, where 3,600 were counted in 1998. The West Mediterranean is more important. The highest January count of all was made at Lake Oubeira, Algeria, in 1994, when 23,920 were counted, and Lac Fetzara recorded 13,800 in 1998. The Camargue, France, recorded 13,570 in 1994, and in Spain, 4,686 and 4,630 were counted in the Ebro Delta and Doñana National Park in, respectively, 1999 and 1994. The Grado Lagoon, Italy recorded 3,188 in 1992. Further north in Europe counts are mostly lower, with 5,769 at the Bodensee (Germany-Switzerland-Austria) in 1996, and 3,042 on the river Rhine in Germany between Breisach and Nonnenweier in 1990. The highest count recorded in The Netherlands was 2,220 at Grevelingen in 2002.

Table 2.22: Gadwall Anas strepera : Peak counts between 1990 and 2005 at sites in Europe, Africa, West and Central Asia where 600 or more have been recorded.

Country Sitename Year Count Type Ref. Albania Karavasta Complex 1997 830 J 17 Algeria Lac Oubeira 1994 23920 J 17 Algeria Lac Fetzara 1998 13800 J 17 Algeria Lac Tonga 1998 3220 J 17 Algeria Marais De La Macta 1996 690 J 17 Azerbaijan Caspian Coast: Gyzylagach Nature Reserve 21100 J 17 Azerbaijan Kirov Bay 1991 3460 J 17 Azerbaijan Hagygabul Gyolu (Hadgegabol Lake) 1996 3160 J 17 Azerbaijan Sarysu Lake (Sarasuy) 2332 J 17 Azerbaijan Big Kyzyl-Agach Bay 1996 1299 J 17 Azerbaijan Mahmud-Chala Lake (Third Chala) 1996 850 J 17 Azerbaijan Lake Aggyol 637 J 17 Azerbaijan Mahmudchala Lake 633 J 17 Belgium Schulensbroek Schulen 2002 625 J 17 Egypt Nile Valley Cairo-Aswan(850Km) 1990 838 J 17 France La Camargue 1994 13570 J 17 France Cours Du Rhin (67 / 68) 1999 5153 J 17 France Lac De Grandlieu 2002 1550 J 17 France Etangs D'Orx 2004 929 J 17 France Etangs De La Brenne 1996 818 J 17 France Grand Plan Du Bourg; Dont Complexe Du Vigueirat 2001 669 J 17 Germany Rhein: Nonnenweier-Kehl 2002 3042 J 17

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Figure 2.22: Gadwall Anas strepera : Peak counts between 1990 and 2005 at the sites in Europe, Africa, West and Central Asia where 250 or more have been recorded.

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Table 2.22 continued: Gadwall Anas strepera

Country Sitename Year Count Type Ref. Germany Rhein: Breisach - Nonnenweier 1990 2712 J 17 Germany Rhein: Weil-Breisach 2003 790 J 17 Germany Rhein: Kehl-Helmlingen 1997 760 J 17 Germany / Switzerland / Austria Bodensee Gesamt 1996 5769 J 17 Greece Amvrakikos Wetlands 1998 3600 J 17 Greece Evros Delta 1998 1832 J 17 Greece Keramoti Lagoons 1997 800 J 17 Hungary Kisbalaton Tarozo 2001 910 J 17 Fereydoon Kenar, Ezbaran & Sorkh Rud Damgahs: Iran Damgah Fereydoon Ke 2003 21000 J 17 Iran Bakhtegan Lake 1997 17750 J 17 Iran Govater Bay & Hur-E-Bahu: Bahookalat River 1997 15927 J 17 Iran Anzali Mordab Complex: Sorkhankel 2003 15800 J 17 Iran Gomishan Marsh 1991 13000 J 17 Iran Hamidieh Grassland 1994 12418 J 17 Iran Shadegan Marshes Protected Region: Total 2003 11896 J 17 Iran Maharloo Lake 1997 9900 J 17 Iran Anzali Mordab Complex: Selkeh Protected Region 1992 8013 J 17 Iran Miangaran Marshes: Miangaran & Izeh Marshes 1994 7765 J 17 Iran Paein Rud Posht Ab-Bandan 2003 7400 J 17 Iran Anzali Mordab Complex: Anzali Mars West (Main Lagoon) 2003 7300 J 17 Iran Gavekhoni Marsh 1990 6607 J 17 Iran Caspian Coast (Gilan): Astara - Hashtpar 2003 6300 J 17 Iran Anzali Mordab Complex: Siakeshim Protected Region 2003 4864 J 17 Iran Chookam Ab-Bandan 2003 4600 J 17 Iran Anzali Mordab Complex: Anzali Marsh East 2003 4500 J 17 Iran Miankaleh W.R. & Gorgan Bay: Miankaleh Protected Region 2003 4000 J 17 Iran Lavandavil Wildlife Refuge: Lavandavil Marsh 2003 3755 J 17 Iran Amirlayeh & Sheikh Ali Kol: Amirlayeh Lake 2003 3700 J 17 Iran Hamoun Lakes Complex: Hamoun-E-Saberi 1994 3132 J 17 Iran Hamoun Lakes Complex: Kuh-I-Khajeh 1997 2900 J 17 Anzali Mordab Complex: Part Of Siahkeshim Protected Iran Region 2003 2800 J 17 Iran Sayed Mahali & Zarinkola Ab: Zarinkola Ab-Bandan 1990 2410 J 17 Iran Helleh River: River And Delta 1997 2370 J 17 Iran Horeh Bamdej Marshes: Horeh Bamdej Marsh 2003 2207 J 17 Iran Dasht-E-Arjan Marsh 1990 2200 J 17 Iran Sorkhrood Damgah 1997 2200 J 17 Iran Ala Gol Marshes: Ala Gol 1995 2100 J 17 Iran Ala Gol Marshes: Ulma Gol 1995 2100 J 17 Iran Said Mahaleh (Sayed Mohalli) Ab-Bandan 1993 2078 J 17 Iran Anzali Mordab Complex: South Of Anzali Wetland 1998 2075 J 17 Iran Dasht-E-Azadegan: Susangerd-Howeizeh-Bostan Plain 1993 1800 J 17 Fereydoon Kenar, Ezbaran & Sorkh Rud Damgahs: Iran Esbaran Marsh 1997 1800 J 17 Iran Dasht-E-Azadegan: Horeh Sosangerd 1990 1755 J 17 Fereydoon Kenar, Ezbaran & Sorkh Rud Damgahs: Iran Damgah Sorkherud 2003 1550 J 17 Iran Kaftar Lake 2003 1550 J 17 Iran Anar Marz Ab-Bandan 1990 1520 J 17

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Table 2.22 continued: Gadwall Anas strepera

Country Sitename Year Count Type Ref. Iran Hamoun Lakes Complex: Chong Sourkh 1998 1506 J 17 Iran Abbas-Abad Dam 2003 1500 J 17 Iran Ezbaran Damgah 2003 1500 J 17 Miankaleh W.R. & Gorgan Bay: Lapoo - Zaghmarz Ab- Iran Bandan 2003 1400 J 17 Iran Hoor Al-Azim Marshes 1997 1313 J 17 Iran Pain Rudposht Ab-Bandan 1998 1308 J 17 Iran Chah Nimeh Lake 1997 1260 J 17 Iran Parishan Lake 1995 912 J 17 Iran Larim Ab-Bandan 1993 850 J 17 Iran Choghakhor Marsh 1995 828 J 17 Iran Dasht-E-Azadegan: Hoveizeh And Surroundings 2003 765 J 17 Iran Miankaleh W.R. & Gorgan Bay: Gorgan Bay 1997 700 J 17 Iran Shahr Pir & Ezadkhast (Near Lar) 1995 700 J 17 Iran Chaf Bala Ab-Bandan 1994 655 J 17 Italy Laguna Di Grado E Marano 1992 3188 J 17 Italy Trasimeno 1995 1790 J 17 Italy Valli Di Argenta 1994 1022 J 17 Italy Laguna Di Caorle E Valli Di Bibione 2002 1013 J 17 Italy Lago Di Narni 2003 816 J 17 Italy Lago Di Alviano 2001 692 J 17 Italy Oristano 1995 669 J 17 Italy Pianura Bolognese - Settore Est 1999 629 J 17 Kazakhstan Chardara Vdchr 2004 3435 J 17 Kazakhstan Kulykol-Taldykol Lake System 2000 1540 M 5 Morocco Marais Du Bas Loukkos 1994 870 J 17 Morocco Merja Bargha 1991 690 J 17 Morocco Dayet Al Hafs (Jorf Lasfar) 1991 600 J 17 Netherlands Grevelingen 2002 2220 J 17 Netherlands Biesbosch 2001 2095 J 17 Netherlands Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal 1996 1062 J 17 Netherlands Noordzeekanaal 2002 1003 J 17 Netherlands Nieuwe Waterweg / Calandkanaal 2002 941 J 17 Netherlands Markermeer 1998 928 J 17 Netherlands Ijsselmeer 1992 693 J 17 Netherlands Markiezaat 1990 607 J 17 Portugal Ria De Faro 1999 1040 J 17 Romania Delta Dunarii (Danube Delta) 1994 1345 J 17 Russia Group of limans between the Kuban and Protoka 2750 J 17 Russia Volga-Akhtuba Floodplain 25000 M 22 Russia Pre-Caucasus Total 12000 M 22 Russia North Total 11000 M 22 Russia West Siberia 350000 S 22 Spain Delta Del Ebro (T) 1999 4686 J 17 Spain Parque Nacional De Doñana (Consolidation) 1994 4630 J 17 Spain Lucio De Los Ansares (Se) 2003 3696 J 17 Spain Marisma De Hinojos (H) 2001 3260 J 17 Spain Embalse De Valdecañas 2003 2628 J 17 Spain Lucio Del Membrillo (H) 1994 2410 J 17 Spain Lucios De Veta Lengua Y Aguas Rubias (H) 1992 2000 J 17

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Table 2.22 continued: Gadwall Anas strepera

Country Sitename Year Count Type Ref. Spain Tablas De Daimiel (Cr) 1998 1450 J 17 Spain Lucios De Beta La Palma-Isla Mayor (Se) 1999 1388 J 17 Spain Embalse De Orellana 1991 1333 J 17 Spain Caño Travieso (Se) 1997 1230 J 17 Spain Embalse De Sierra Brava 2003 1165 J 17 Spain Embalse De Buendía (Cu) 2003 1156 J 17 Spain Laguna De Manjavacas (Cu) 1999 974 J 17 Spain Laguna De Gallocanta (Z) 1990 804 J 17 Spain Lucios Al Sur De De Los Ansares (Se) 1990 800 J 17 Spain De Aguas Rubias Al Lucio Del Hondón (H) 1997 710 J 17 Spain Laguna Chica - Villafranca De Los Caballeros (To) 1998 648 J 17 Spain Embalse De Zújar - Serena 1995 606 J 17 Switzerland Lac Léman-Ch 2003 1166 J 17 Switzerland Aare: Wohlensee 2004 926 J 17 Switzerland Lac De Neuchâtel 1998 731 J 17 Syria Qattine 1993 700 J 17 Syria Al-Rastan Dam 1995 600 J 17 Floodplain Chardzhev-Soskara 1995 1000 J 17 Turkmenistan Lower River: Total 1999 813 J 17 Turkmenistan Caspian Coast: Gasankuli-Guyjuk 1991 800 J 17 Turkmenistan Kelif Floodlands (Formerly Kelif Lakes) 1993 600 J 17 United Kingdom Somerset Levels 2003 1077 J 17 United Kingdom Wraysbury Gravel Pits 1999 923 J 17 United Kingdom Thames Estuary 2003 815 J 17 United Kingdom River Avon: Fordingbridge To Ringwood 2001 794 J 17 United Kingdom Lee Valley Gravel Pits 2000 764 J 17 United Kingdom Rutland Water 1996 601 J 17 Serbia&Montenegro -Albania Skadarsko Jezero 1999 700 J 17

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2.13.2 Gadwall movements

The Gadwall is a Holarctic species with breeding areas in northwestern North America, locally in Europe and eastwards to northern China. The species is largely migratory, but resident in western and southern Europe.

Ringed in small numbers in most countries, the largest numbers of recoveries are from birds ringed in Britain, Russia, The Netherlands and Germany. Recoveries between December and February are concentrated in western Europe, but some are also reported from the Mediterranean Figure 2. 23: Map depicting the and the Caspian Sea areas. Few recoveries movements of Gadwall Anas strepera are reported during March, while recoveries based on published information and ring are spread out in southern Russia and recoveries in the EURING Data Bank Kazakhstan in April. During the breeding season, recoveries are found in western and central Europe and in southern Russia east to southwestern Siberia. The number of recoveries increases in western Europe in September and in November most birds in Russia have moved to coastal areas of the Caspian Sea. Birds breeding in Britain, Denmark, Scandinavia, the Baltic, Poland and European Russia migrate to western Europe and the Mediterranean. Central European birds and birds breeding in eastern Europe and southwestern Siberia winter in the area of the Black and the Caspian Seas, eastern Mediterranean, Turkey and south to the Nile and a few as far as East Africa. Birds breeding in Siberia also winter in the Caspian Sea, in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and India. Important moulting areas for males are known from the northern Caspian Sea area, e.g. the Volga delta, but also in lakes in Kazakhstan.

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Table 2.23: Summary of the movements of Gadwall Anas strepera from the literature based on published information and ring recoveries in the EURING Data Bank.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Distribution : Holarctic, across North America and Eurasia. Three main wintering groups, but no evidence of different populations: NW-Europe, Central Europe/Black Sea/Mediterranean, SW-Asia. pair formation takes place in winter and males often follow females to her breeding grounds

Population Autumn Migration Wintering / Non-breeding Grounds Spring Migration References (or part of population) direction / via during location during direction / via during Iceland Britain and Ireland 8 Scandinavia, Great Britain, Denmark (rare), Denmark, Netherlands Western Europe, mix with sedentary population 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, Baltic states, Germany, Poland, European in Netherlands, France, Italy, Britain and Ireland, 7, 8, 12 Russia Denmark, as far as Mediterranean

Eastern Europe to Western Siberia WSW to SW, many via Italy Sep-Nov Black Sea, Caspian Sea regions, Greece, Mar-Apr 1, 3, 8, 11, Turkey, Nile Delta, few as far as East-Africa:Nile 12 Valley south to Sudan, Ethiopian highlands, rarely Somalia, Tanzania, Kenya. Few West Africa, Senegal Delta, Nigeria, Chad

SW-Siberia WSW along shore of Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan, 11 Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan

Western Eurasia South to North Africa and the Gulf, few further 8 south into Sub-Saharan Africa, Arabian Peninsula

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Finding locations of all dead birds

January February

March April

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May June

July August

September October

November December

Figure 2.2 4: Finding locations of all dead Gadwall Anas strepera in the EURING data bank. All birds are presented and also broken down by month.

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