Branta Bernicla

Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009 Species no. 7:

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Distribution: The Brent Goose breeds on the arctic coasts of Eurasia and North America, mainly on small islets free of Arctic Foxes (Alopex lagopus). It winters along the temperate Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

Movements: Migratory, wintering at temperate latitudes or at more southern latitudes during severe winters. Branta b. bernicla, breeding in North Russia, predominantly on the Taymyr Peninsula, stages in Wadden Sea and winters mainly in The Netherlands, South England and North-west France. Branta b. hrota from Svalbard and Franz Joseph Land winters mainly in Denmark and may reach England and The Netherlands during severe winters. The separate population B. b. hrota from Greenland and North- east Canada mainly winters in Ireland. Some of these birds reach the British coasts and also maybe France.

Population size and trends: Within Europe three main populations can be distinguished (from Delany & Scott 2006):

• Branta b. bernicla breeding in West Siberia and wintering in the Wadden Sea area south to North-west France. The number of wintering birds is estimated at 200,000 individuals and the population appear to be declining (Delany & Scott 2006). • Branta b. hrota breeding on Svalbard, Franz Joseph Land and in Greenland and wintering mainly in Denmark and to a lesser extent in North-east England/Scotland. This population numbers 500-1500 pairs or 7000 individuals and is increasing (Delany & Scott 2006). • Branta b. hrota breeding in East Canadian high arctic and wintering mainly in Ireland. The Irish wintering population numbers 26.400 individuals (Delany & Scott 2006).

Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: the clutch size is usually 3-5 eggs; incubation: 24-26 days; fledging period: c. 40-45 days; brood: 1.

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 65 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Movements

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Member MIGRANT RESIDENT State Breeding Passage Wintering FI 9 SE 9 EE 9 LV 9 LT PL 9 SK CZ DK 9 9 UK 9 9 IE 9 DE 9 9 NL 9 9 BE 9 9 LU Vagrant Vagrant HU AT Vagrant Vagrant SI FR 9 ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG Vagrant HR

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 66 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Period of reproduction

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

This species does not breed in the European territory of the EU.

Prenuptial migration

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Â Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds?

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 67 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Period of prenuptial migration

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI 1 SE 1 EE 1 LV LT PL SK CZ DK 1 UK 1 DE 1 NL 1 BE 1 FR 1, 2 DK 2 UK 2 a UK 2 b IE 2 FR 2 LU HU AT SI ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG ? ? HR UK – 2a: Greenland/East Canadian high arctic; 2b: Sptizbergen/Franz Josef Land

FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU 1. B. b. 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 bernicla 2. B. b. hrota 9 9 9 (9)

HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR 1. B. b. 9 bernicla 2. B. b. 9 hrota

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 68 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Comments and conclusions

1) Migratory with two main sub-species wintering/staging in the EU. 2) Prenuptial migration starts with the departure from wintering grounds or the passage of migrants (SE, FI). 3) The beginning of the period of prenuptial migration ranges from: the 1st decade of February (BE) to the 2nd decade of May (SE) for B. b. bernicla; from the 1st decade of April (UK) to the 2nd decade of April (IE) for B. b. hrota.

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 69 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Species no. 8:

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

Distribution: This duck has a widespread distribution in northern Eurasia, from Great Britain to Kamchatka Peninsula.

Movements: Almost entirely migratory. The birds originating from Scandinavia, European Russia and northern Siberia (some coming as far as 80°E) winter in Northwest Europe, but during very severe winters they may reach Spain in large numbers. Most of the birds breeding in west and central Siberia, winter in the Caspian and Black Seas and in the Mediterranean region (westwards to southern Iberian Peninsula). They are less subject to spectacular winter movements. Some populations (e.g. the small British breeding population) are mainly sedentary.

Population size and trends: The European breeding population amounts to 300,000- 360,000 pair (BirdLife Int. 200A) of which 70,000 – 120,000 pairs breed in the EU (BirdLife Int. 2004B), mainly in Finland and Sweden. The trend of the European breeding population is unknown (BirdLife Int. 2004A).

Very large numbers of Wigeon winters in Europe:

• The population wintering in NW Europe is totalling 1,500,000 individuals and is probably overall stable (Delany & Scott 2006). Most years about half of this population (c. 800,000) winters in The Netherlands (BirdLife Int. 2004A).

• The population wintering in the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions is estimated at 300,000 individuals (Delany & Scott 2006). The long-term trend of decrease of the population apparently levelled off after the 1990s (Delany & Scott 2006).

Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size is usually 8-9 eggs (6-12); incubation: 24-25 days; full flight of young birds at 40-45 days; brood: 1.

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 70 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Movements

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

Member MIGRANT RESIDENT State Breeding Passage Wintering FI 9 9 SE 9 9 9 EE 9 9 Few LV Few 9 LT Few 9 PL Very Few 9 SK 9 CZ 9 9 DK 9 9 UK 9 9 9 9 IE Few 9 9 DE Few 9 9 NL Few 9 9 BE Few 9 9 LU 9 Few HU 9 AT 9 9 SI 9 9 FR 9 9 ES 9 9 PT 9 9 IT 9 9 MT 9 Few GR 9 9 CY 9 9 RO Rare 9 9 BG 9 9 HR 9 9

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 71 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Definition of period of reproduction

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

Member State Period of reproduction Comments References begins with FI Occupation breeding sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SE Occupation breeding sites 1, 2, 8 DK 5 EE Occupation breeding sites LV 6 LT PL Occupation breeding sites SK CZ UK Construction of the nest 1 IE Construction of the nest Pairs before occupation of 1, 2, 3 breeding sites DE Occupation of breeding sites Nuptial parade before 4, 11 occupation of breeding sites NL BE Pair formation in wintering 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 areas; occasional breeders LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 72 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Period of reproduction

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

Comments and conclusions

1) In the EU, it breeds mainly in Fennoscandia (almost entirely migratory) and the UK (also resident). 2) The period of reproduction begins with the occupation of the breeding sites and it ends with the full flight of young birds. 3) The end of the reproduction period ranges from the 3rd decade of July (PL) to the 1st decade of September (DE).

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 73 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Definition of prenuptial migration

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

Â Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds?

Member State YES NO References FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE X 1, 8, 18 DK 5 EE X LV LT X 5,7 PL X 2, 3 SK CZ X UK X 1 IE X 1, 3 DE X 4, 11 NL X 22 BE High numbers in winter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LU HU X AT X 3, 8, 17 SI X 17 FR X 6 ES X 2 PT X 2 IT X 2, 14, 16, 26, 27, 28 MT 5 GR Little information on counts, 5, 6, 7 migration phenology. CY X 3 RO 3 BG X 6 HR X 15, 17

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 74 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Prenuptial migration

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES ? PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR Comments and conclusions

1) Almost entirely migratory. 2) The period of prenuptial migration starts with the departure from wintering grounds or the arrival of first migrants (SE, FI). 3) The beginning of the prenuptial migration ranges from the 2nd decade of January (GR) to the 3rd decade of March (EE, FI).

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 75 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Species no. 9:

Gadwall Anas strepera

Distribution: Breeding in the temperate regions of North America and Eurasia.

Movements: Partially migratory. The northern breeding birds descend to lower latitudes in winter, but breeding birds in more temperate regions tend to be rather sedentary. Most of the breeding birds of Scandinavia, the Baltic States and European Russia winter in Western Europe, where they mix with the sedentary local breeding population. The birds visiting Greece in winter originate from South-west Asia and perhaps further east.

Population size and trends: The European breeding population amounts to 60,000- 96,000 breeding pairs, of which 32,000-55,000 in Russia (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The EU 27 breeding population is estimated at 23,500-33,000 pairs, including the breeding population of 3,000-5,000 pairs in Romania (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The trend in the European breeding population is probably stable overall (BirdLife Int. 2004A).

The population wintering in North-west Europe is estimated at 60,000 individuals (Delany & Scott 2006) and has increased during the last decades. The area around the Black Sea and the Mediterranean area hold 75,000-150,000 wintering individuals with the population in central Europe probably increasing while the Mediterranean population is stable (Delany & Scott 2006).

Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size usually 8-12 eggs (6-15); incubation: 24-26 days; fledging period: full flight of young birds at 45-50 days; independence: At or just before fledging; broods: one brood.

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 76 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Movements

Gadwall Anas strepera

Member MIGRANT RESIDENT State Breeding Passage Wintering FI 9 9 SE 9 9 EE 9 9 Few LV 9 9 LT 9 9 PL 9 9 SK 9 9 9 CZ 9 9 Few DK 9 9 9 UK 9 9 9 9 IE 9 9 9 9 DE 9 9 9 9 NL 9 9 9 9 BE 9 9 9 9 LU 9 9 HU 9 9 AT 9 9 9 SI Few 9 FR 9 9 9 9 ES 9 9 9 9 PT 9 9 9 9 IT 9 9 9 9 MT 9 GR 9 9 9 CY 9 9 RO 9 9 9 BG 9 9 9 9 HR 9 9 9

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 77 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Definition of period of reproduction

Gadwall Anas strepera

Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI Occupation of breeding sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SE Occupation of breeding sites 2, 8, 11 EE Occupation of breeding sites LV LT Occupation of breeding sites PL Occupation of breeding sites 2, 3 SK Occupation of breeding sites 3 CZ Occupation of breeding sites DK Occupation of breeding sites UK Construction of the nest 1 IE Construction of the nest Pairs before 1, 2, 3, 6 occupation of breeding sites DE Occupation of breeding sites Nuptial parade before 4 occupation of breeding sites NL Construction of the nest 16 BE Construction of the nest Pair formation in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 wintering areas LU HU Occupation of breeding sites AT Occupation of breeding sites Pairing already in 2, 3 previous summer/autumn SI FR Occupation of breeding sites 6 ES Occupation of breeding sites 1 PT Occupation of breeding sites 1 IT Construction of the nest 2, 14, 16, 26, 27, 28 MT GR CY RO 3 BG Occupation of breeding sites 6 HR Occupation of breeding sites Small breeding 15, 23 population

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 78 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Period of reproduction

Gadwall Anas strepera

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions

1) It breeds in most of the EU countries - migrant breeder in Fennoscandia, mainly resident in other places. 2) The reproduction period starts with the occupation of the breeding sites where it is mainly migratory (FI, SE, DK) or the construction of the nest in other situations. 3) The period of reproduction ends with the full flight of young birds, which ranges from the 3rd decade of June (DK) to the 2nd decade of September (CZ).

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 79 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Prenuptial migration

Gadwall Anas strepera

Â Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds?

Member YES NO References State FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE X 1, 8, 11 EE X LV 2 LT X 5,7 PL X SK X CZ X DK X UK X 1 IE Increasing breeding population 1, 3 which is difficult to separate from the small wintering population DE X 4 NL X 37 BE Presence of wintering birds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LU HU X AT X 3 FR X 6 SI X ES PT X 2 IT X 2, 14, 16, 26, 27, 28 MT GR Small numbers 5, 6, 7 CY X 3, 6 RO 3 BG Mixing of small resident 6 population, with large wintering numbers HR Mixing of wintering and migrating 15,23 populations

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 80 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Period of prenuptial migration

Gadwall Anas strepera

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions

1) Partially migratory. 2) The prenuptial migration starts with the arrival of first migrants (FI, SE, DK) or the departure from the wintering grounds. 3) The beginning of the prenuptial migration period ranges from the 3rd decade of January (FR, PT, IT) to the 1st decade of April (FI, EE).

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 81 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Species no. 10:

Common Teal Anas crecca

Distribution: The Common Teal inhabits northern Eurasia.

Movements: Mainly migratory. Most birds wintering in North-west Europe originate from Fennoscandia, the Baltic States, North-west Russia and northern Poland. During severe winters, birds normally wintering in north-western Europe fly to Spain and Portugal. Birds usually wintering in the West Mediterranean area include birds breeding in western Siberia, West-central Russia and Central Europe. Those wintering in the East Mediterranean area originate mainly from Central Russia and Ukraine. Only a fraction of the birds reaches West Africa.

Population size and trends: The European breeding population amounts to 920,000 – 1,200,000 pairs of which European Russia holds 665,000-740,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The European Union breeding population is estimated at 215,000-360,000 breeding pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B), essentially concentrated in Fennoscandia. The species decreased as a breeding bird in nine EU countries, notably Finland, where 60% breeds (BirdLife Int. 2004A).

The birds wintering in Europe can be divided in two sub-populations (from Delany & Scott 2006):

• The North Sea and the East-Atlantic population occurring from Denmark to the British Isles and South-west France: this population is estimated at 500,000 individuals and is increasing (Delany & Scott 2006).

• The Black Sea-Mediterranean population is estimated at 750,000-1,375,000 individuals; the western Mediterranean population appears to decline, while the eastern Mediterranean appears to increase (Delany & Scott 2006).

Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size is usually 8-11 eggs (7-15); incubation: 21-23 days; full flight of young birds at 25-30 days; brood 1.

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 82 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Movements

Common Teal Anas crecca

Member MIGRANT RESIDENT State Breeding Passage Wintering FI 9 9 SE 9 9 EE 9 9 9 LV 9 9 Few LT 9 9 Few PL 9 9 SK Few 9 9 CZ 9 9 9 DK 9 9 9 9 UK 9 9 9 9 IE 9 9 9 9 DE 9 9 9 9 NL 9 9 9 9 BE 9 9 9 9 LU 9 9 HU Few 9 9 AT 9 9 9 SI Few 9 FR 9 9 9 9 ES 9 9 9 9 PT 9 9 IT 9 9 9 9 MT 9 Few GR 9 Few 9 9 CY 9 9 RO 9 Few 9 BG 9 9 9 9 HR 9 9

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 83 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Definition of period of reproduction

Common Teal Anas crecca

Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI Occupation breeding sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SE Occupation breeding sites 1, 2, 9 EE Occupation breeding sites LV LT Construction of the nest 3,7 PL Occupation of breeding 2, 3 sites SK Occupation of breeding sites CZ Occupation of breeding sites DK Occupation of breeding sites UK Construction of the nest 1 IE Construction of the nest Pairs before occupation of 1, 2, 3, 6 breeding sites DE Occupation of breeding Nuptial parade before 4, 11 sites occupation of breeding sites NL Construction of the nest Pairs before occupation of 16 breeding sites BE Construction of the nest Pair formation in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 wintering areas LU HU Construction of nest AT Occupation of breeding Pair formation start in 1, 2, 17 sites winter SI FR Occupation of breeding 6 sites ES Construction of the nest 1 PT IT Construction of the nest 2, 14, 16, 26, 27, 28 MT GR CY RO 5 BG Occupation of breeding 6 sites HR

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 84 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Period of reproduction

Common Teal Anas crecca

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions

1) It breeds in most EU countries - migrant breeder in Fennoscandia. 2) The period of reproduction starts with the occupation of the breeding sites where it is mainly migratory (FI, SE, DK, DE, AT) or with the construction of the nest in other situations. 3) The period of reproduction ends with the full flight of young birds, which ranges from the 3rd decade of June (BG) to the 1st decade of September (IT).

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 85 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Prenuptial migration

Common Teal Anas crecca

Â Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds?

Member YES NO References State FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE X 1, 8, 9 EE X 4 LV 2 LT X 5,7 PL X 2,3 SK Mixing of wintering and migrating birds CZ Overlap of wintering and migratory populations in mild winters DK X UK X 1 IE X 1, 3 DE X 4 NL X 37 BE Presence of wintering birds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LU HU Mixing of wintering and migrating birds, very few breeding pairs at regular intervals AT X 3, 17 SI FR X 6 ES X 1, 2 PT X 2 IT Presence of wintering and passage 2, 14, 16, 26, 27, 28 migrants MT Flocks at sea in winter. Frequent 4, 5 migrant. GR Little information on counts, 1, 2, 3, 5,7 migration phenology CY X 3 RO 3 BG Mixing of small resident population 6 with large wintering numbers HR Mixing of wintering and migrating 12, 15 populations

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 86 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Period of prenuptial migration

Common Teal Anas crecca

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES ? PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions

1) Mainly migratory. 2) The prenuptial migration starts with the arrival of first migrants (FI, SE, LT, DK) or the departure from wintering grounds. 3) The beginning of the prenuptial migration period ranges from the 3rd decade of January (FR, PT, IT, GR, MT) to the 1st decade of April (LV).

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 87 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009 Species no. 11:

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Distribution: Holarctic, with a wide breeding distribution across North America and northern Eurasia. All countries in Europe also hold populations of feral Mallards.

Movements: Partially migratory. Northern breeding birds are generally migratory, wintering much further south, while birds breeding in temperate regions are sedentary or dispersive (e.g. in most of Western Europe). Thus, Mallards wintering around the North Sea coasts comprise a mixture of local breeding birds and immigrants from Fennoscandia, the Baltic countries and North-west Russia. The majority of birds breeding in Central Europe are migratory and winter along the northern Mediterranean coast.

Population size and trends: The European breeding population comprises 3.3-5.1 million pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A). About 1.7-3.0 million pairs breed in EU 27 (BirdLife Int. 2004A). Overall the European population is believed to have declined slightly during 1990-2000 (BirdLife Int. 2004A).

The European wintering population holds at least 7.5 million birds. They can be divided in the following populations, mainly based on the wintering areas (from Delany & Scott 2006):

• Breeding in North Europe, wintering in Northwest Europe east to the Baltic: 4,500,000 birds. • Breeding in North Europe wintering in Central Europe/West Mediterranean area: 1,000,000 birds. • Breeding in East Europe, wintering in the Black Sea/East Mediterranean area: 2,000,000 birds.

Biological and behavioural aspects: Moult migrations occur from mid-May. Females and juveniles leave the breeding grounds in September. The return passage begins as early as mid-January.

Breeding: clutch size usually 9-13 eggs (4-18); incubation: 27-28 days; fledging period: 50-60 days.

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 88 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Movements

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

MIGRANT Member State RESIDENT Breeding Passage Wintering FI Few 9 9 9 SE Few 9 9 9 EE 9 9 9 9 LV 9 9 9 9 LT 9 9 9 9 PL 9 9 9 9 SK 9 9 9 9 CZ 9 9 9 9 DK 9 9 9 9 UK 9 9 9 9 IE 9 9 9 Few DE 9 9 9 9 NL 9 9 9 9 BE 9 9 9 9 LU 9 9 9 9 HU 9 9 9 AT 9 9 9 9 SI 9 9 9 9 FR 9 9 9 9 ES 9 9 9 9 PT 9 9 9 9 IT 9 9 9 9 MT 9 9 GR 9 9 Few Few CY 9 9 9 9 RO 9 9 9 BG 9 9 9 9 HR 9 9 9 9

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 89 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Definition of period of reproduction

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI Occupation breeding sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SE Occupation breeding sites 1, 2 EE Occupation breeding sites LV LT Occupation breeding 7 sites, nuptial parade PL Occupation of breeding 2, 3 sites SK Occupation of breeding Pair formation starts in 1, 4, 5 sites wintering areas CZ Construction of the nest DK Construction of the nest 1, 4 UK Construction of the nest 1 IE Construction of the nest Pairs before occupation of 1, 2, 3 breeding sites DE Occupation breeding sites Nuptial parade before 4 occupation of breeding area NL Construction of the nest 1, 7 BE Occupation breeding sites Paring in wintering areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LU Occupation breeding sites Nuptial parade in 1 wintering areas and/or on migration HU Construction of the nest AT Construction of the nest But pairing during 1, 2 previous autumn SI 3 FR Construction of the nest 1, 4, 6 ES Construction of the nest 4 PT Construction of the nest 1 IT Construction of the nest MT 5 GR Construction of the nest 1, 2, 3 CY Construction of the nest 3 RO 3 BG Construction of the nest Nuptial parade in 15, 20 wintering areas and/or on migration HR Construction of the nest 15

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 90 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Period of reproduction

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions

1) The period of reproduction begins with the construction of nest, although nuptial parade and pairing occurs in autumn/winter before occupation of breeding sites. In northern countries (SE, FI) where most birds are migratory it begins with the occupation of breeding sites. 2) Full flight of young birds should be used to identify the end of the period of reproduction, which ranges from the 3rd decade of June (MT, CY) to the 3rd decade of September (UK, IE). 3) Some populations of A. platyrhynchos related to human settlements of Northwestern Europe, live in parks and on ornamental waters of gardens. These birds are sedentary and may nest from January to November.

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 91 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Prenuptial migration

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Â Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds? Member YES NO References State FI Overwinters in small numbers in 1, 2, 3 sea-areas, and in cities and streams SE X 1 EE Mixing of wintering and migrating birds LV LT Mixing of wintering and migrating 5,7 birds PL X 2, 3 SK Mixing of resident and wintering 1, 4 populations CZ Mixing of wintering and migrating birds DK X 1, 4 UK Mixing of migrant and resident 1 populations IE Small number of migrants 1, 3 impossible to distinguish from large breeding pop. DE Migratory and resident populations occur mixed at the same places NL Mixed with local resident population 2, 7 Frequent shifts during winter BE Mixing of wintering and introduced 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 birds LU X 1 HU Mixing of wintering and migrating birds AT Overlap with breeders and wintering 3, 9 birds SI FR Breeding, migratory, wintering 2, 4, 17 ES Mixing of migrant and resident 4 populations PT X 2 IT Mixing of resident with wintering 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 populations MT 5 GR Mixing of small resident population, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 with large wintering numbers CY Mixing of wintering and migrating birds, very few breeding pairs RO 3 BG Mixing of resident population with 6, 15, 20 large wintering numbers HR Mixing of resident, migrating and 12, 15 wintering populations

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 92 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Period of prenuptial migration

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions

1) Partially migratory; birds breeding in northern areas are generally migratory, wintering much further south, while birds breeding in temperate regions are sedentary or dispersive (e.g. in most western Europe). 2) In all EU countries there are breeding, migratory (passage) and wintering populations. In most cases, it is difficult to identify the beginning of the prenuptial migration because there is: 3) migrants mixed with local resident population 4) frequent shifts during winter 5) small number of migrants mixed with large breeding population. 6) Departure from wintering grounds or, if before, arrival of first migrants corresponds to the beginning of the prenuptial migration. 7) Beginning of prenuptial migration ranges from the 1st decade of January (PL, SK, IT) to the 3rd decade of March (LV).

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 93 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Species no. 12:

Pintail Anas acuta

Distribution: Holarctic with wide breeding distribution across North America and Northern Eurasia. In western Eurasia, the species breeds mainly in the Northern tundra, forest tundra and forest-steppe zones between 60-70°N. The Pintails that breed in Europe and western Asia, winter over a very large area, ranging from West and Central Europe to the southern Sahel.

Movements: Migratory. Most of the birds in the relatively small population wintering in North-west Europe originate mainly from North Europe and West-Siberia. Birds wintering in the Mediterranean Basin, Black Sea area and the Sahel zone breed in North-east Europe and West Siberia. Males leave the breeding areas in late May and early June and may undertake extensive moult migrations. Dispersal from the moulting areas and breeding grounds takes place from mid-August to early September. The return migration in spring begins in February in West Africa and in late February and March in Western Europe.

Population size and trends: The breeding population of Europe holds 320,000-360,000 breeding pairs, of which 300,000-325,000 breeds in Russia (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The EU breeding population holds 16,000-27,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B). The overall trend for the European breeding population is a moderate decline during 1990-2000 (BirdLife Int. 2004).

Two populations winter and/or migrate through Europe (from Delany & Scott 2006):

• The Northwest European population. This population numbers about 60,000 birds and has increased modestly in 1993-2002.

• The Black Sea/ Mediterranean/West Africa wintering population is estimated at 750,000 birds and with a declining trend.

The number of Pintails wintering in Europe is probably more than 120,000 but the number declined moderately during 1990 and 2000 (BirdLife Int. 2004A).

Biological and behavioural aspects: In Northwest Europe, A. acuta is amongst the most concentrated of waterfowl in winter, with half of the population confined to just thirteen sites.

Breeding: clutch size: usually 7-9 eggs (6-12); incubation: 22-24 days; fledging period: 40-45 days; brood one.

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 94 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Movements

Pintail Anas acuta

Member MIGRANT RESIDENT State Breeding Passage Wintering FI 9 9 SE 9 9 EE 9 9 Few LV 9 9 LT Few ( 5 -20 pairs) 9 PL Very few 9 9 SK Few 9 9 CZ 9 Few DK 9 9 9 UK 9 9 9 IE Few 9 9 DE 9 9 9 NL 9 9 9 BE Few 9 9 LU 9 HU 9 9 9 AT Few 9 Few SI 9 FR Few 9 9 ES Few 9 9 PT 9 9 IT 9 9 MT 9 9 GR 9 9 CY 9 9 RO 9 9 BG Few HR 9 9

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 95 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Definition of period of reproduction

Pintail Anas acuta

Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI Occupation breeding sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SE Occupation breeding sites 1, 2, 3 EE Courtship display LV LT Occupation breeding sites 3,6,7 PL Occupation breeding sites 2, 3 SK Occupation breeding sites CZ DK Occupation breeding sites 1, 2, 3, 4 UK Construction of the nest 1 IE Construction of the nest Pairs before occupation of 1, 2, 3 breeding sites DE Occupation breeding sites Nuptial parade before 3, 4 occupation of breeding sites NL Construction of the nest 16 BE Occupation breeding sitesPairing in wintering areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LU HU Occupation breeding sites AT Occupation breeding sites But pairing already 2, 3 during previous winter FR Occupation breeding sites 1, 4, 6 ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG Occupation breeding sites 6 HR

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 96 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Period of reproduction

Pintail Anas acuta

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions

1) In the EU, it regularly breeds in the northern MS (FI, SE, LV, LT, DK). Very few breeders in BE, DE, AT, FR, IE, ES. 2) For this species it is considered that the period of reproduction begins with the occupation of the breeding sites, although pairing occurs in autumn/winter before occupation of breeding sites. 3) Full flight of young birds should be used to identify the end of the period of reproduction, which ranges from 1st decade of July (DK) to the 3rd decade of August (FR, UK).

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 97 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Prenuptial migration

Pintail Anas acuta

Â Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds?

Member YES NO References State FI X 1, 2, 3, 4 SE X 1, 3 EE X LV 2 LT In some places (Nemunas Delta 3,5,7 region) the local breeders mix with migrants. PL X 2,3 SK X CZ X DK X 1, 2, 3, 4 UK X 1 IE X 1, 3 DE X 1 NL X 37 BE X 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LU Small numbers HU X AT X 3 SI X FR X 2, 4, 6 ES X 2, 4 PT X 2 IT X 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 MT GR Little data on counts, phenology and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 migration CY Mixing of wintering and migrating birds RO 3 BG Mixing of the few breeding pairs with 6, 13, 15 large wintering population HR Mixing of wintering and migrating 15, 23 populations

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 98 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version2009

Period of prenuptial migration

Pintail Anas acuta

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY ? ? ? RO BG HR

IT - the beginning of the return movements coincides with the third decade of January; the number of recoveries then shows an increase in February, to peak at the beginning of March. The country is crossed by large numbers of birds of Russian origin; birds ringed in the NL are also well represented.

Comments and conclusions

1) The beginning of the prenuptial migration is not difficult to identify. 2) Arrival of first migrants in northern countries (DK, LT, SE, FI), or departure from wintering grounds in the other countries, corresponds to the beginning of the prenuptial migration. 3) Beginning of prenuptial migration ranges from the 3rd decade of January (IT) to the 3rd decade of March (FI, EE).

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 99 *