Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008

Species no. 44:

Grey squatarola

Distribution: This plover has a circumpolar distribution, and inhabits on islands and the shores of the Arctic Ocean.

Movements: Migratory. The breeding from North-western Europe to the Taymyr Peninsula are visiting Western Europe, where many of them are wintering. Part of this population is reaching the coasts of West Africa, southwards to the Gulf of Guinea. More eastern birds pass Greece while migrating to East Mediterranean regions and Eastern Africa.

Population size and trends: This plover breeds in most of arctic , with the European part accounting for only a tiny proportion of its global breeding range (2,100 – 10,500 pairs, BirdLife Int. 2004A). No trend data were available for 1990-2000, but there is no evidence to suggest that the species declined. It is not breeding in EU 27.

The Eastern Atlantic wintering population occurring from the Wadden Sea, Britain, Ireland south to West Africa is estimated at 247,000 individuals and decreasing (Delany & Scott 2006).

Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size: 4 eggs (sometimes 3); incubation: 26-27 days; full flight of young birds at 35-45 days. Brood: 1.

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Movements

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

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

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Period of reproduction

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

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

Prenuptial migration

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

 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 Only passage birds 10, 11 EE X LV 6 LT X 5,7 PL X 1,3 SK 1 CZ X DK 5 UK X 1 IE X 1, 3 DE X 4, 10 NL X 37 BE X LU HU X AT 13, 19 SI FR X 6 ES PT X 9 IT X 26 MT 5 GR CY RO 3 BG X 6, 15 HR Few. Mixing of migrating and 17, 21, 23 wintering populations

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Period of prenuptial migration

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

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) Entirely migratory. 2) The prenuptial migration begins with the departure from wintering grounds, ranging from the 1st decade of February (IE, PT, DK) to the 2nd decade of May (FI) and 3rd decade of May (SI?).

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Species no. 45:

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Distribution: In Palearctic, this plover inhabits boreal, temperate, steppe and Mediterranean regions of Europe and Asia, from Iberia to Finland and the British Isles to China. It breeds also in very small number in North Africa.

Movements: Mainly migratory, though some western and southern sub-populations only partially so. Sensitive to prolonged cold spells. European populations winter in maritime climate from the British Isles to Morocco, and the Mediterranean regions. Britain, Ireland and Denmark constitute the northernmost regular wintering areas. In more northern wintering areas occasional spells of very cold weather in winter lead to pronounced movements, which can occur any time between autumn and spring passages. Spring passage begins early- from late January in southern wintering areas- and in temperate Europe is at peak in early March.

Population size and trend: The European breeding population numbers 1,700,000- 2,800,000 pairs (BirdLife 2004A) of which 870,000-1,400,000 breeds in EU 27 (BirdLife Int. 2004A, 2004B).

Although several small populations were stable or increased during 1990-2000, the species suffered declines across much of Europe, most notably the sizeable populations in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Russia – and underwent a large decline (>30%) overall (BirdLife Int. 2004A). In most regions this species declined following wetland reclamation, intensification of agriculture and use of pesticides and chemicals.

Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size is usually 4 eggs, sometimes 3, rarely 2 or 5; incubation: 26-28 days; fledging period: 35-40 days. Brood:1.

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Movements

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Member MIGRANT RESIDENT State Breeding Passage Wintering FI 9 9 SE 9 9 EE 9 9 Occasional LV 9 9 LT 9 9 PL 9 9 9 SK 9 9 Rare CZ 9 9 Accidental 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 LU 9 9 9 HU 9 9 AT 9 9 9 SI 9 9 FR 9 9 9 9 ES 9 9 9 9 PT 9 9 IT 9 9 9 9 MT 9 9 GR 9 9 9 CY 9 9 RO 9 9 BG 9 9 9 9 HR 9 9 9

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Definition of period of reproduction

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 sites SE Occupation of breeding 11, 12 sites EE Occupation of breeding sites LV 1 LT Construction of the nest 7 PL Occupation of breeding 3 sites SK Occupation of breeding sites CZ Occupation of breeding sites DK Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3, 4 sites UK Construction of the nest 2 IE Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3 sites DE Occupation of breeding 4 sites NL Occupation of breeding 11 sites BE Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 sites LU Occupation of breeding 1 sites HU Occupation of breeding sites AT Occupation of breeding sites SI FR Construction of the nest 1, 4, 6 ES Construction of the nest 1 PT IT Construction of the nest MT GR CY RO 3 BG Occupation of breeding 6 sites and courtship display HR Occupation of breeding 18 sites and courtship

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display

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Period of reproduction

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

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, though some western and southern sub-population only partially so. 2) The period of reproduction begins with the occupation of the breeding sites, in northern and eastern countries, or the construction of the nest, in southern and western countries. 3) The end of the period of reproduction ranges from the 1st decade of June (DK, PL, ES?) to the 1st decade of September (IE). Full flight of young birds marks the end of the reproduction period.

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Prenuptial migration

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

 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 11, 12 EE X LV 1 LT X 5,7 PL X 3 SK X CZ X DK X 1, 2, 3, 4 UK Mixing of wintering and resident 1 populations IE X 1, 3 DE X 4, 7, 10 NL X 7 BE Mild winters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LU X 1 HU X AT X SI X FR X 2, 4, 6 ES X 1, 9 PT X IT X MT GR No data on counts, phenology of 1, 2, 3 migration CY RO 3 BG X X 6, 16 HR Mixing of migrating and wintering 18 populations

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Period of prenuptial migration

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

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 BE - movements may start in 2nd or 3rd decade of January in mild winters.

Comments and conclusions

1) Departure of first migrants from wintering grounds (western and southern countries), or arrival of first migrants into breeding areas (eastern and northern countries), corresponds to the beginning of the prenuptial migration. 2) Beginning of prenuptial migration ranges from the 3rd decade of January (UK, IE, DE, ES, PT, GR) to the 3rd decade of February (FI, EE, LT, HR).

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Species no. 46:

Knot Calidris canutus

Distribution: This has a circumpolar breeding distribution in tundra, and the most important populations are found in North America, Greenland and eastern Siberia. The Knot is not breeding in the European Union.

Movements: Migratory. Birds visiting Europe belong to two distinct populations. C. c. islandica which breed in North Eastern and Greenland and winter along the coasts of North Western Europe (British Isles, the Netherlands and France). C. c. canutus, which breed in Svalbard and Taymyr and winter in two coastal wetlands in West Africa visit Europe only on migration (with an important spring staging area in the Wadden Sea).

Population size and trends: The population of islandica amount to about 450,000 individuals (Delany & Scott 2006). This population increased from late 1970s until 1990s but has since decreased (Delany & Scott 2006). The canutus population is estimated at 400,000 birds and the trend is unknown (Delany & Scott 2006).

Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size is 3-4 eggs; incubation: 21- 22 days; full flight of young birds at ca. 18-20 days. Brood: 1.

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Movements

Knot Calidris canutus

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

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Period of reproduction

Knot Calidris canutus

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

Definition of period of prenuptial migration

Knot Calidris canutus

 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 Only passage birds 8, 11 EE Only passage birds LV 6 LT PL X 3 SK CZ DK 5 UK X 3 IE X 1, 3, 7 DE X 4, 10 NL X 39, 40 BE X 3 LU HU AT SI FR 16 ES PT X 9 IT X 26 MT GR CY RO BG Very little numbers of passage and 6,15 wintering birds. HR Very few 11

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Period of prenuptial migration

Knot Calidris canutus

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 1) PL SK CZ DK 1 + 2 UK 1) UK 2) IE 2) DE 1) DE 2) ? ? ? ? NL 1) NL 2) BE 2) LU HU AT SI FR ES PT 2) IT 1) IT 2) MT GR CY ? ? RO BG HR

1) C. c. canutus (breeders from Svalbard and Taymyr); 2) C. c. islandica (breeders from Greenland and north-eastern Canada). UK - 1) C. c. canutus (very small population).

Comments and conclusions

1) Migratory with two distinct flyways in the EU: 1) C. c. canutus (breeders from Svalbaard and Taymyr); 2) C. c. islandica (breeders from Greenland and north- eastern Canada). 2) The prenuptial migration period begins with the departure from wintering grounds or the passage of first migrants.

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3) The beginning of the period of prenuptial migration ranges from the 2nd decade of January (DE?) to the 2nd decade of May (FI, SE, NL).

Species no. 47:

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Distribution: The species has a large Palearctic distribution across the boreal and Arctic zones of Eurasia. In Europe, most birds breed in Fennoscandia and Russia and sparsely in northwest Europe and the Baltic States. The breeding habitats are lowlands tundra or bogs in the North and wet meadows or coastal marshes in the south. The latter now holds only a small fraction of the population.

Movements: Most birds winter in sub-Saharan Africa, but some migrate to , the Middle East and small numbers occur in Europe.

Population size and trends: The European population is estimated to 200,000 – 510,000 pairs with the major part of this population breeding in Russia – 140,000 – 420,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The population in EU 27 is estimated to 51,000 – 71,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B).

During 1990-2000 most populations, including the core populations in Sweden and Russia, declined moderately (>10%) (BirdLife Int. 2004A).

Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch sizes usually (2-) 4 eggs; incubation: 20-23 days; fledging period: 25-28 days and becomes independent at or before fledging as the female, who is the only parent caring for the young, sometimes depart before fledging of the young; brood: 1.

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Movements

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

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

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Definition of period of reproduction

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI Occupation breeding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 sites SE Occupation breeding 8, 11, 12,46 sites EE Courtship display LV 1 LT Construction of the nest, 7 courtship display PL Occupation breeding Very few breeding pairs. 3 sites SK CZ DK 5 UK Display 2 IE DE Occupation breeding 4, 7 sites NL Display 11 BE LU HU Occupation breeding Irregular breeder sites AT SI FR Occupation breeding 1, 4, 6 sites ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

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Period of reproduction

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

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 occupation of the breeding sites. 2) The end of the period of reproduction ranges from the 2nd decade of June (PL) to the 3rd decade of August (UK). Full flight of young birds marks the end of the reproduction period.

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Prenuptial migration

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

 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 8, 11, 12 EE X LV 6 LT The local breeding birds 5,7 are mixing with migrants PL X 3 SK 1, 8 CZ X DK 5 UK X 1 IE X DE X 4, 7, 10 NL X 21, 37 BE Presence of wintering birds LU Small numbers HU X AT SI X FR X 2, 4, 6 ES PT Little data available IT X 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 MT 5 GR CY RO 3 BG X 6 HR X 18, 20, 21

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Period of prenuptial migration

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

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 country is crossed by large numbers of birds ringed in northern European countries; also birds of much more eastern origin are passing (recoveries from eastern Russia and Siberia of birds ringed in IT during prenuptial migration).

Comments and conclusions

1) Migratory with most birds wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. 2) This species shows a sharp difference in the phenology of migration according to sex and age classes. 3) The beginning of the prenuptial migration ranges from the 3rd decade of January (IT, BG) to the 2nd decade of April (FI, EE, SE, LT).

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Species no. 48:

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

Distribution: The Jack Snipe is breeding in boreal regions of North Eastern Europe and Siberia.

Movements: Migratory. The birds of Europe and western Siberia are wintering in Western and South Western Europe and in North Western Africa.

Population size and trends: The European breeding population amounts to 18,000- 70,000 breeding pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The European Union breeding population is estimated at 12,000-19,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B).

The status of the Jack Snipe remains relatively unknown, and consequently it is not yet possible to determine long-term population trends. During 1990-2000 the populations are believed to have remained stable in most countries but the large population in Russia declined (BirdLife Int. 2004A).

Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size is (3)-4 eggs; incubation: at least 24 days; fledging period: not recorded – but probably 2-3 decades after hatching as other snipes; brood: normally one but two broods suspected but no proof.

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Movements

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

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

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Definition of period of reproduction

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 sites SE Occupation of breeding 10, 11 sites EE Occupation of breeding 4 sites LV 6 LT Courtship display PL Occupation of breeding Exceptional breeder 3 sites PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

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Period of reproduction

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

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, the majority breds breeds in FI and SE with only small populations few pairs in EE, LV and LT. 2) The reproduction period begins with the occupation of the breeding sites. 3) The end of the reproduction period ranges from the 3rd decade of May (PL) to the 1st decade of September (FI). Full flight of young birds (probably 2-3 decades after hatching as other snipes) marks the end of the reproduction period.

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Prenuptial migration

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

 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 8, 10, 11 EE X LV 6 LT PL X 3 SK 1 CZ X DK 5 UK X 1 IE Secretive species; few 1, 3 seen/recorded after end of hunting season (31/01) DE No data available 4 NL Secretive species X 42 BE Secretive species; presence of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 wintering birds LU HU Irregular AT X 8 FR X 6 ES Small number of wintering birds 1 PT Secretive species occurring in small numbers. Little information available. IT X 26 MT 5 GR Little information on counts, 1, 2, 3 migration and phenology CY X RO 3 BG Secretive species occurring in 6, 15, 21 small numbers HR X 9, 17, 23

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Period of prenuptial migration

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

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) Migratory and secretive. 2) The prenuptial migration period starts with the arrival of first migrants in Fennoscandia and the departure from wintering grounds elsewhere. 3) The beginning of the prenuptial migration period ranges from the 3rd decade of January (ES) to the 1st decade of April (FI, EE, LT).

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Species no. 49:

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Distribution: The Common Snipe (excluding G. delicata from the Nearctic) has a large Palearctic breeding distribution. It winters in Europe, North and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle-East, India and south-east Asia. Within Europe the species is a widespread breeder from Iceland to Russia above approximately 50° N. The main wintering range extends from the British Isles, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and France south to Iberia and North Africa, eastwards through the Mediterranean basin to Turkey and the Middle-East. Two subspecies occur in Europe G. g. faeroeensis which breeds in Iceland and the Faeroes, and the nominate race which occurs elsewhere in Europe.

Movements: The species is mostly migratory in Europe, though some birds in the western maritime countries are only partially migratory or even resident. Fennoscandian populations mainly winter in Ireland, Britain, France and Iberia. Some of these birds winter in Denmark and the Netherlands. Birds moving through southern Fennoscandia include birds from Northwest Russia. Return migration starts in February in Iberia, and March elsewhere, breeding grounds being occupied in April-May.

Population size and trends: The population is estimated to 930,000 – 1,900,000 pairs in Europe of which 300,000-850,000 breeds in Russia (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The population in the European Union amounts to 300,000 – 450,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004B). Eastern European populations appear to be currently stable. In contrast the western European populations have declined during 1990-2000 (BirdLife Int. 2004A).

Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size: usually 4 eggs (2-5); incubation: 18-20 days; fledging period: 19-20 days; independent before or soon after fledging; broods: probably only one brood.

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Movements

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Member MIGRANT RESIDENT State Breeding Passage Wintering FI 9 9 SE 9 9 EE 9 9 Occasional 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 IE >20 000 p 9 9 DE 9 9 9 NL 9 9 9 BE 9 9 9 LU 9 9 HU 9 9 AT 9 9 9 SI 9 9 9 FR 9 9 9 ES Very few 9 9 PT Very few 9 9 IT Accidental 9 9 MT 9 9 GR 9 9 CY 9 9 RO 9 9 9 BG Few HR 9 9 9

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Definition of period of reproduction

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 sites SE Occupation of breeding 1, 9, 11 sites EE Courtship display LV 1 LT Courtship display 7 PL Occupation breeding 3 sites SK Courtship display CZ Occupation of breeding sites DK Occupation of breeding sites UK Courtship display 1 IE Construction of the nest 1, 2, 3 DE Occupation of breeding 1 sites NL Courtship display 11 BE Occupation of breeding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 sites with nuptial parade LU HU Courtship display AT Pair formation Displaying away from breeding area SI FR Occupation of breeding 6 sites ES Occupation of breeding 5 sites PT Occupation of breeding Little data available 7 sites IT 1, 4 MT GR CY RO 1 BG Courtship display 6, 13 HR Occupation of breeding Small breeding 20, 23 sites with courtship population display

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Period of reproduction

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

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 ES and SL - very small population. LU - rare breeding species. PT - very small population, breeding in mountainous areas.

Comments and conclusions

1) The period of reproduction begins with the occupation of the breeding sites with courtship display or the construction of the nest where resident populations exist (UK, IE, HU). 2) End of the period of reproduction ranges from the 3rd decade of May (PL) to the 2nd decade of September (UK). Full flight of young birds indicates the end of the reproduction period (c. 2 decades after hatching), but difficult to notice in the field.

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Prenuptial migration

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

 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, 9, 11 EE X LV 1 LT X 5,7 PL X 3 SK Mixing of wintering and migrating birds CZ X DK UK Mixed population of migrants & 1 residents. Secretive species. IE Secretive species; small minority of 1, 2 the population seen after the end of the hunting season (31st January). Difficult to distinguish between wintering migrants and the breeding population DE X 1 NL Large wintering population 7 BE Presence of wintering birds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LU X 1 HU X AT X 5, 6 SI X FR Secretive species. Overlap of 6 breeding, migrating and wintering populations ES 1, 4 PT Little data available on species phenology IT Secretive species. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Overlap of wintering and passage migrants MT X 5 GR No data on counts, phenology of 1, 2, 3 migration CY 3 RO 1 BG Secretive species. 6, 13, 16 Overlap of wintering, passage and breeding migrants HR Mixing of migrating and wintering 18, 21, 23

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populations

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Period of prenuptial migration

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

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 BE - winter movements in January; IE - very early move eastwards, especially in mild winters; Icelandic breeding population probably starts to leave much later than the European population.

Comments and conclusions

1) Mostly migratory in Europe with major resident populations in the UK and IE. 2) It seems difficult to make difference between a wintering and a migrating bird and so it is difficult to identify the beginning of the period of return. The first strong movements may indicate the beginning of the prenuptial migration. 3) Beginning of the prenuptial migration ranges from the 3rd decade of January (IE) to the 3rd decade of March (FI, EE, LT).

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