2.16 Northern Pintail ( Anas acuta )

2.16.1 Numbers and distribution

Northern Pintail is a significant migrant to Subsaharan and Iran, and in it is primarily a coastal species in winter (Figure 2.32). The most important wintering sites are in the zone of in Senegal, , Niger, Nigeria and Chad. There are crucial wintering sites on the Caspian coast in Azerbaijan and Iran, and in lakes of southern Iran. In Europe, the most important countries in January are Greece, Spain, The Netherlands, and UK, and Italy and Portugal are also important.

Between 100,000 and 150,000 have been counted at five sites, three of them in West Africa, and two in Iran (Table 2.28). These sites are two parts of The Inner in Mali, and the Djoudj National Park in Senegal, and in Iran, Ezbaran Damgah, and Bakhtegan and Tashk Lakes. Relatively few winter in Central . Other key sites in West Africa include Lac Fitri, Tchad, where 36,865 were counted in 1999, Hadejia-Nguru, Nigeria, where there were 34,866 in 1998, and Diawling, Mauritania, where 33,100 were counted in 1995. The most important sites in Europe are in Greece, where 35,965 were couinted in the Evros Delta in 1999, and 12,477 at the Amvrakikos Wetlands in the same year. Spain is the only other European country where five-figure site totals have been recorded in January, with 28,790 at Caño Del Guadiamar in 1997, and 17,500 at Embalse de Gargáligas in 2003. Between 8,000 and 10,000 have been recorded in Italy at Venice Lagoon, in France at Baie De L’Aiguillon Et Pointe D’Arcy, in Spain at Marisma de Hinojos and Lucios de VetaLengua Y Aguias Rubia, and in The Netherlands at Westerschelde.

Table 2.28: Nothern Pintail Anas acuta : Peak counts between 1990 and 2005 at sites in Europe, Africa, West and Central Asia where 2,000 or more have been recorded.

Country Sitename Year Count Type Ref. Albania Karavasta Complex 1999 5895 J 17 Algeria Lac Fetzara 1994 5810 J 17 Algeria Marais De Mekhada 1992 3205 J 17 Algeria Barrage De Boughzoul 1991 2500 J 17 Algeria Les Lacs = Chott De Tinnsilt 1992 2400 J 17 Algeria Sebkhet Djendli 1998 2000 J 17 Azerbaijan Caspian Coast: Gyzylagach Nature Re 25000 J 17 Azerbaijan Big Kyzyl-Agach Bay 1996 6536 J 17 Denmark Danish Wadden Sea 2001 3660 J 17 Ethiopia Shesher And Welala Marshes 2004 4350 J 17 France Baie De L'Aiguillon Et Pointe D'Arcy 2003 8350 J 17 France La Camargue 2004 6102 J 17 France Etang De Carcans-Hourtin 2000 2770 J 17 France Bassin D'Arcachon 1992 2590 J 17 France Littoral Picard 2002 2565 J 17 France Golfe Du Morbihan 1994 2350 J 17 Greece Evros Delta 1999 35965 J 17 Greece Amvrakikos Wetlands 1997 12477 J 17 Greece Kerkini 1995 6600 J 17 Greece Kotychi Lagoon 1996 2970 J 17 Greece Messolonghi Lagoon 1998 2715 J 17 Iran Ezbaran Damgah 2003 112500 J 17 Iran Bakhtegan & Tashk Lakes 1995 101540 J 17

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Figure 2.32: Nothern Pintail Anas acuta : Peak counts between 1990 and 2005 at sites in Europe, Africa, West and Central Asia where 250 or more have been recorded.

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Table 2.28 continued: Nothern Pintail Anas acuta

Country Sitename Year Count Type Ref. Fereydoon Kenar, Ezbaran & Sorkh Rud Damgahs: Iran Damgah Fereydoon Ke 2003 73000 J 17 Iran Miankaleh W.R. & Gorgan Bay: Mianka 1991 30412 J 17 Fereydoon Kenar, Ezbaran & Sorkh Rud Damgahs: Iran Damgah Sork Kerud 2003 20700 J 17 Iran Gavekhoni Marsh 1990 13256 J 17 Iran Helleh River: River And Delta 1990 12000 J 17 Iran Gomishan Marsh 1995 11500 J 17 Fereydoon Kenar, Ezbaran & Sorkh Rud Damgahs: Iran Esbaran Marsh 1997 9500 J 17 Iran Hamidieh Grassland 1994 8924 J 17 Iran Govater Bay & Hur-E-Bahu: Bahookala 1995 7893 J 17 Iran Hamoun Lakes Complex: Kuh-I-Khajeh 1997 7797 J 17 Iran Miangaran Marshes: Miangaran & Izeh 1994 6560 J 17 Iran Shadegan Marshes Protected : 2003 5615 J 17 Iran Anzali Mordab Complex: Anzali Marsh East 1991 5310 J 17 Iran Anzali Mordab Complex: Selkeh Prote 1992 4950 J 17 Iran Maharloo Lake 1997 4950 J 17 Iran Hamoun Lakes Complex: Hamoun-E-Sabe 1997 4711 J 17 Anzali Mordab Complex: Anzali Marsh West (Main Iran lagoon) 2003 4700 J 17 Iran Sorkhrood Damgah 1997 4500 J 17 Iran Coast (Mazandaran): Ban 1990 4445 J 17 Iran Dasht-E-Arjan Marsh 1997 4123 J 17 Iran Chah Nimeh Lake 1995 4018 J 17 Iran Kaftar Lake 1993 3600 J 17 Iran Sayed Mahali & Zarinkola Ab: Zarink 1993 2890 J 17 Iran Ala Gol Marshes: Ala Gol 1993 2700 J 17 Iran Amirlayeh & Sheikh Ali Kol: Amirlay 2003 2300 J 17 Iran Sanandaj (Vahdat) Dam: Vahdat Dam 1995 2300 J 17 Italy Laguna Di Venezia 2002 8981 J 17 Kazakhstan Lakes of Kustanai region 2003 3666 S 39 Mali Delta Quad`S 101,102,107-110,115-11 1994 150000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 33 2000 100000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 84 2001 35000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 20 2001 30000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 46 2001 26000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 74 2001 20150 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 18 2001 15100 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 40 1999 15000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 79 2001 11000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 65 2001 10000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 93 (Walado Debo) 1999 8000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 53 2000 7000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 45 2001 6500 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 48 2001 6000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 39 1999 6000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 8 2000 5000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 22 2000 4200 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 95 1999 3120 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 75 2001 3000 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 19 2001 2500 J 17 Mali Delta Quad 24 1999 2000 J 17 Mauritanie Diawling 1995 33100 J 17 Mauritanie Mahmouda 2004 18360 J 17 Mauritanie Lac De Mal 1999 12520 J 17 Mauritanie Pn Diawling, Annexes, Dioup, Keur M 1999 10667 J 17

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Table 2.28 continued: Nothern Pintail Anas acuta

Country Sitename Year Count Type Ref. Mauritanie Tichilitt 1998 8100 J 17 Mauritanie Bassin De R'Kiz 2001 6160 J 17 Mauritanie Lac D'Aleg 2004 3236 J 17 Mauritanie Tamourt Sawana 2000 3100 J 17 Mauritanie Rosso, Toumbos Sud (Mohad) 2004 3033 J 17 Morocco Merja Zerga: Kenitra 1992 3622 J 17 Netherlands Westerschelde 2002 8325 J 17 Netherlands Groningse Noordkust 2002 6090 J 17 Netherlands Schiermonnikoog 2002 3567 J 17 Netherlands Terschelling 1990 2847 J 17 Netherlands Oosterschelde 2001 2395 J 17 Niger Chiya 1995 11600 J 17 Niger Gouske 2001 9187 J 17 Niger Lac Tchad - Quadrat 16 2003 7800 J 17 Niger Atchi 1995 5000 J 17 Niger Parc Nationale Du "W" 1994 4070 J 17 Niger Lassouri 1995 3800 J 17 Niger Namga 1996 2600 J 17 Niger Karandi 1996 2500 J 17 Niger Tabalak 1994 2015 J 17 Nigeria Hadejia-Nguru, All Quadrats 1998 34866 J 17 Nigeria Hadejia-Nguru Wetland, Quad 13 1990 15886 J 17 Nigeria Lac Tchad - Quadrat 51 2003 4160 J 17 Nigeria Hadejia-Nguru Wetland, Quad 12 1990 3200 J 17 Portugal Estuário Do Tejo 1999 7400 J 17 Portugal Estuário Do Sado 1999 5410 J 17 Russia Dvuobje total 900000 J 17 Russia Il'men' Lake, Leningrad region 11500 J 17 Russia West 600000 S 22 Senegal Parc National Des Oiseaux Du Djoudj 2000 148675 J 17 Senegal Ndiael 2002 14200 J 17 Senegal Les Trois Marigots 1996 5200 J 17 Senegal Zic De Djeuss Et Environs (Total) 1990 2500 J 17 Spain Caño Del Guadiamar Pnd (H) 1997 28790 J 17 Spain Embalse De Gargáligas 2003 17500 J 17 Spain Marisma De Hinojos (H) 2000 8781 J 17 Spain Lucios De Veta Lengua Y Aguas Rubia 1992 8000 J 17 Spain Delta Del Ebro (T) 1999 7967 J 17 Spain Caño Travieso (Se) 1997 7390 J 17 Spain Lucios De Beta La Palma-Isla Mayor 1999 6536 J 17 Spain Lucio De Los Ansares (Se) 2003 4731 J 17 Spain Lucio Del Membrillo (H) 1992 4500 J 17 Spain Embalse De Zújar - Serena 1993 2417 J 17 Spain De Aguas Rubias Al Lucio Del Hondón 1997 2240 J 17 Spain Parque Nacional De Doñana (Consolid 1991 2200 J 17 Bagga Sites 2003 6620 J 17 Tchad Lac Fitri 1999 36865 J 17 Tchad Lac Tchad - Quadrat 17 2003 10300 J 17 Tchad Lac Tchad - Quadrat 71 2003 9050 J 17 Tchad Lac Tchad - Quadrat 60 2003 5220 J 17 Tchad Bas Chari (Tchad) 1999 4138 J 17 Tunisia Garaet Mabtouha 1991 2000 J 17 Tunisia Sebkha Kelbia 1995 2000 J 17 Turkey Goksu Delta (Silifke) 1992 5365 J 17 Turkey Kizilirmak (Karabogaz+Balik) 1995 4184 J 17 Turkey Kizilirmak East (Balik) 1999 3850 J 17

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Table 2.28 continued: Nothern Pintail Anas acuta

Country Sitename Year Count Type Ref. Turkey Yumurtalik Lagoons(Yapi+Omerg) 1999 2762 J 17 Turkey Isikli Golu [Civril Golu] 1990 2000 J 17 Turkmenistan Krasnovodsk Gulf (Convention Mar)(T 2004 2386 J 17 United Kingdom Ribble Estuary 1999 3894 J 17 United Kingdom Morecambe Bay 1999 3544 J 17 United Kingdom Burry Inlet 1996 3541 J 17 United Kingdom The Wash 1992 3503 J 17 United Kingdom Mersey Estuary 1993 3042 J 17 United Kingdom Solway Estuary (Scottish Counties) 2002 2910 J 17 United Kingdom Nene Washes 1994 2313 J 17 United Kingdom Duddon Estuary 1994 2194 J 17 United Kingdom Ouse Washes 2000 2033 J 17

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2.16.2 Northern Pintail movements

The breeding area of the Pintail covers a large area of the northern Holarctic, across and . The Pintail is mainly migratory and in most is a long-distance migrant. Wintering areas are spread out in western and , across Africa south of the , southwest Asia, India, southern China and Japan. North American Pintails move south and leave most of the breeding range during winter.

Large numbers of recoveries are Figure 2. 33: Map depicting the movements of available only from birds ringed in Northern Pintail ( Anas acuta ) based on Russia, Britain and the Netherlands. published information and ring recoveries in Recoveries from the period December – the EURING Data Bank. February are found in western and southern Europe, and in the area of the Black and Caspian Sea. A few recoveries are also reported from southwest Asia and India as well as from areas south of the Sahara in Africa. An increase in recoveries in Mediterranean countries like Italy is observed between January and February, becoming more intense between February and March. The most intense phases of return migration start in March, become prominent in in April and reach the northernmost areas in May. Recoveries from the breeding season (May-June) cover a large area to about 80 oE, with concentrations of recoveries in southwestern Siberia and northern Kazakhstan. The autumn migration seems to start in August, but recoveries are spread out in Ukraine, western and southern Russia and in Kazakhstan as late as October. Birds breeding in Iceland, Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States and northwest Russia migrate SW-S mainly to west and south Europe and often along the Atlantic coast. Birds from western and central Siberia move to the Mediterranean, the and the area of the Black and Caspian Sea as well as to India. Some also move to western and southwestern Europe, and further to tropical West Africa. Birds from Siberia and northern Russia also winter in southwest Asia, the Delta and in wetlands in Sudan and Ethiopia. Recoveries of ringed birds indicate that interchange between flyways in different years exists. Moult migration is common in Pintails and large numbers of males are known to gather in southwestern Siberia and northern Kazakhstan, where large concentrations of recoveries are found.

150 Table 2. 29: Summary of the movements of Northern Pintail ( Anas acuta ) from the literature based on published information and ring recoveries in the EURING Data Bank.

Pintail Anas acuta

Distribution : Holarctic, across North America and northern Eurasia, in Western Eurasia between 60° and 70°N. No discrete populations defined main migration routes along the coasts. In winter, four basins distinguished: Mediterranean, Sudan, Niger, Chad; overlap between wintering groups in Western Eurasia and Africa.

Moult : moult migrations frequent, moulting areas in the Volga Delta, North Caspian region, SW-Siberia; mass moult migrations in Siberia

Population Autumn Migration Wintering / Non-breeding Grounds Spring Migration References (or part of population) direction / via during location during direction / via during North America exchange with Eastern North America and , Japan 3, 10 Russia Central Eurasia probably moulting in Volga Sahel region (Senegal, Niger, Chad) of West 2, 3, 8, 10, Delta, migration via Egypt Africa, Northwest Europe, the Mediterranean 11, 14 basin, eastern Africa, Southwest Asia south to the Gulf, India, China, Japan SW-Siberia moulting and breeding sites along shores of Mediterranean, Black and 11, 14 Caspian Seas, Iraq and India, Egypt, wetlands in Sudan and Ethiopia and Western Siberia Black Sea/Mediterranean region, Western 1, 3, 5, 8, 12 Asia and

Russia ( and Irtysh), western and moult in North Caspian Netherlands, NW-France, Great Britain, as 1, 2, 3, 8, 10 central Siberia region, migrate via Egypt far as North Africa and Senegal delta

the Baltics, , Iceland Northwest Europe, (Wadden Sea), Denmark, 2, 5, 8, 12 Netherlands, Italy

Finland mainly SW to SSW: Great Britain, along Atlantic coast, Italy, 2, 5, 11 Denmark, Benelux, South North Africa of Britain, French Atlantic Coast; Italy Norway (rare breeder) Aug-Nov Scotland, few overwintering on coast north to 9 Tromso, probably west coasts of Europe, possibly south to West Africa Denmark (rare breeder) SW Great Britain, France, Spain, Belgium, Dec-Feb 2, 5 Netherlands, Germany, few along Mediterranean Belgium Camargue (France) and Guadalquivir Delta 7 Netherlands France, Spain; few East as far as Egypt 14 Northwestern population during cold weather increases in Northern France (out of Dutch, 8 movements German and Danish coasts), Iberia Great Britain and Ireland (mainly sedentary); passage through Britain 3 on major flyway from northwest Siberia to subtropical Africa.

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Finding locations of all dead birds

January February

March April

152

May June

July August

September October

November December

Figure 2. 34: Finding locations of all dead Northern Pintail ( Anas acuta ) in the EURING data bank. All birds are presented and also broken down by month.

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