FAO & OIE Avian Influenza and wild birds

May 2006 Migratory flyways in Europe, Africa and Asia and the spread of HPAI H5N1

Ward Hagemeijer & Taej Mundkur Wetlands International Members of the UNEP/CMS Scientific Taskforce on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds With contributions from David Stroud, Jan Veen, Cheikh Diagana Wetlands International Wetlands International works globally, regionally and nationally to achieve the conservation and wise use of wetlands, their resources and biodiversity, as a contribution to sustainable development.

• independent, not-for-profit, global organisation supported by Government membership • 15 country offices in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, South, East and North Asia, Oceania, and South America, • head office in Wageningen, the Netherlands. • supported by extensive Specialist Group networks, network of Associate Experts and a network of tens of thousands of volunteers in the field. Bird Migration: oversimplified

Incorrect use of map : map for some wader species used as general map for all waterbird migration Wader Flyways

Map after International Wader Study Group Types of migration or movement

– Seasonal migration – Partial migration – Reverse migration – Moult migration – Irruption – Dispersion (typically non-directional) – Cold weather movements

CMS definition of migration: Cyclic, predictable movements of animals across national jurisdictional boundaries Migration strategies (can) vary -

extent of migratory path can vary, both by • total length of flight-path • number and duration of stops along flight-path

• by species (and population within species) • by age of individual • by sex of individual • by individual • by season • with weather • e.g. unfavourable headwinds can increase number of stops used Very important caveat

• Individual variation in migration schedules (timing of migration or routes taken) is adaptive and central to differential evolutionary fitness

• Thus idealised migration flyways are just that

• Reality is much more ‘fuzzy’ Defining waterbird flyways

• A highly summarised map • which applies only to some waders • but is incorrect in for other waders • and also doesn’t include geese, ducks, gulls and other seabirds, storks etc. which all show different migratory strategies • e.g. Isakov (1967) : Anatidae Recoveries of Teal ringed in the Camargue:

1952-1978

Conclusion: the separation between flyways is not easy to define

After Guillemain, Sadoul & Simon, Ibis 147: 688-696 (2005 ) Data Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, France. But knowledge of delimitation of ‘flyways’ is poor

Teal flyways, after Scott & Rose 1996 What do we know?

Europe flyway Europe Africa flyway Africa timing of locations timing of locations migration migration Geese ☺☺☺ ☺☺☺ Swans ☺☺☺ ☺☺☺ Ducks ☺☺☺☺☺☺ ☺☺☺☺☺☺ ☺☺☺ ☺☺☺ Waders ☺☺☺☺☺☺ ☺☺☺☺☺☺ ☺☺☺☺☺☺ ☺☺☺☺☺☺

Other ☺☺☺☺☺☺ ☺☺☺☺☺☺ ☺☺☺☺☺☺ or ☺☺☺ ☺☺☺ Key issues 1. Better, contemporary and international analysis of existing count and ringing data to synthesis summary information on migration routes and timings

2. Accessibility of data for decision makers and other users – flyway atlases or web-based GIS

3. Targeted international ringing and satellite telemetry programmes for selection of ‘higher risk’ species to improve underlying data

4. Collation of waterbird count data in seasons other than January and in geographical ‘gaps’ Data on BirdWetlands Migration International in Africa-Eurasia

• Bird Counts Distribution data on birds: snapshot in time Wetlands International IWC BirdLife International IBA’s Others (e.g. species specialists) Migration counts: snapshot in space • Ringing data: Euring, Afring, etc. species specialists • (satellite) tracking: ?, species specialist • Other techniques: ?, volunteer networks? Maps of Waterbird migration patterns

From broad ranges to migratory routes: satellite telemetry needed MigrationMigration isis complex: complex: IntraIntra AfricanAfrican Migration Migration Intra African Migration Movements of birds at the interior of Africa and around its coastal areas are more irregular, ranging from local to internation al and often driven by climatic factors Urgent preliminary assessment of ornithological data relevant to spread of Avian Influenza in Europe

Commissioned by DG Environment to Wetlands International and Euring The following slides show some examples of preliminary results of the study contract issued by DG Env. Different components of the project

Activities to be undertaken :

• identification of Higher Risk Species (HRS) • analysis of their migration routes • identification of concentration and mixing sites • rapid assessment planning for wetland sites Analysis of higher risk species

Identification of HRS on basis of:

• occurence of LPAI viruses • ecology and behaviour • contact risk with poultry • numbers within EU

In collaboration with David Stroud and Rowena Langston Codes for ecology and behaviour

Habitat use Gregariousness Mixing

Group size Group density

F fresh water L large H high H high A agricultural M medium M medium M medium N natural land S small L low L low L littoral O solitary O zero O zero M marine S salinas O other Selection of higher risk species

Common name Habitat Gregariousness Mixing

Mute Swan FA ML M Bean Goose FA LM H Common Snipe FA SL L Northern Lapwing FA MH M Eurasian Wigeon FAL LH H Mallard FAL MH H Black-tailed Godwit FAL MM H Gadwall F SM H Common Pochard F MH H Smew F MH L Common Goldeneye FM SM M Goosander FM MM L Grey Plover L MH H Eurasian Oystercatcher LFA LH H King Eider M SH L Greater Scaup MF LH H Higher risk species and species near-selected

Higher Risk Species (26) Species near-selected (14)

Common name Scientific name Common name Scientific name

Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala Mute Swan Cygnus olor Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhnchus Gadwall Anas strepera Bean Goose Anser fabalis Greater Scaup Aythia marila Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus Smew Mergellus albellus Greylag Goose Anser anser Goosander Mergus merganser Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus Brent Goose Branta bernicla Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis Common Redshank Tringa totanus Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Lesser Black-backed gull Larus fuscus Common Teal Anas crecca Herring Gull Larus argentatus Mallard Anas platyrhynchos White-winged Tern Chidonias leucopterus Northern Pintail Anas acuta Black Tern Childonias niger Garganey Anas querquedula Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina Common Pochard Aythya ferina Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Ruff Philomachus pugnax Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Common Gull Larus canus Contact risk with poultry in EU member states UnitedKingdom Ireland Portugal CzechRepublic Slovenia Austria Germany Netherlands Estonia Mean

Bewicks Swan 0 L 0 0 0 0 M M L Mute Swan L M 0 H H H H H M M Pink-footed Goose 0 0 0 L M 0 L Bean Goose L 0 L M L L M M L G. White-fronted Goose L L M L L M H M L. White-fronted Goose 0 0 0 0 L L L 0 O Greylag Goose M M M L M M L H M M Barnacle goose 0 0 L 0 0 L L M M L Brent Goose 0 L 0 0 0 L M 0 L Red-breasted Goose 0 0 L L L 0 L Eurasian Wigeon H H M 0 L L L M H M Common Teal L M H L M M L L L M Mallard MHHHHHHHHH Northern Pintail L M M 0 L L L L M L

Risk score: 0 = virtually zero, L = low, M = medium, H = high Contact risk and numbers in EU

Common name Scientific name Contact Risk* Numbers EU**

Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus L 29.000 Mute Swan Cygnus olor M 297.500 Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhnchus L 277.000 Bean Goose Anser fabalis L 700.000 Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons M 1.000.000 Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus O 8.000-10.000 Greylag Goose Anser anser M 522.100 Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 437.100 Brent Goose Branta bernicla L 240.000 Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis L 88.000 Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope M 1.800.000 Common Teal Anas crecca M 1.150.000-1.775.000 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos H 7.500.000 Northern Pintail Anas acuta L 1.060.000 Garganey Anas querquedula L 2.000.000-3.000.000 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata L 490.000 Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris O 3.000-5.000 Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina L 70.000-93.500 Common Pochard Aythya ferina L 1.450.000 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula L 1.900.000 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus M 2.800.000-4.000.000 Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 1.644.000-1.953.000 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa L 267.000-391.000 Ruff Philomachus pugnax L >1.000.000 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus H 6.900.000-9.000.000 Common Gull Larus canus L 1.400.000-3.100.000

* based on data from nine EU member countries ** non-breeding population (bio-geographical popula tion, Wetlands international 2002) Overview of risk factors and H5N1

Common name Ecology Contact Risk Abundance H5N1

Bewick's Swan XXX XX X Mute Swan XXX X X X Pink-footed Goose XXXX XX X Bean Goose XXX XX X Greater White-fronted Goose XXXX XXX X X Lesser White-fronted Goose XXXX X X Greylag Goose XXXX XXX X X Barnacle Goose XXXX XX X X Brent Goose XXXX XX X Red-breasted Goose XXX XX X X Eurasian Wigeon XXXX XXX XX Common Teal XXXX XXX XX X Mallard XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX X Northern Pintail XXXX XX X X Garganey XXX XX XXX X Northern Shoveler XXX XX X X Marbled Teal XXX X X Red-crested Pochard XX XX X Common Pochard XXX XX X X Tufted Duck XXX XX XX X Northern Lapwing XXX XXX XXX Eurasian Golden Plover XXX XX XX Black-tailed Godwit XXXX XX X Ruff XXXX XX X Black-headed Gull XXX XXXX XXXXXXXX X Proportion of species H5N1 infected

group of species number H5N1 infected* number percent higher risk species 26 13 50% near-selected HRS 14 5 36% other species 70 3 4% Total 110 21 19%

* date 30 March 2006 Higher risk species related to migration route

Common name Black Sea Nigeria S. Urals Bewick's Swan Mute Swan X Pink-footed Goose Bean Goose Greater White-fronted Goose X Lesser White-fronted Goose Greylag Goose X Barnacle Goose Brent Goose Red-breasted Goose X Eurasian Wigeon X X Common Teal X X Mallard X Northern Pintail X X Garganey X X Northern Shoveler X X Marbled Teal Red-crested Pochard X Common Pochard X X Tufted Duck X X Northern Lapwing X Eurasian Golden Plover Black-tailed Godwit X Ruff X Black-headed Gull X X Common Gull WetlandsData on Bird International Migration

• Distribution data on birds • Migration counts • Ringing data • (satellite) tracking Recoveries of Wigeon all months

Anas penelope All Recoveries of Wigeon per month

Moving pattern does not show in pdf. Movements of Wigeon Using waterbird data at the site scale

Density of waterbirds at the Eastern Sivash in all seasons

Source: S. Khomenko, Wetlands International, Kiev Predicted risk

Density of waterbirds at the Eastern Sivash in all seasons

Waterbird density Proximity to waterbody Human population density

Estimated outbreak risk and actual outbreaks of H5N1 HPAI in the Eastern Sivash in early 2006 Source: S. Khomenko, Wetlands International, Kiev Thank you and over to Taej Key Points

Introduction to Asia-Pacific flyways

Current status on information and capacity

Priority actions Flyways of the Asia-Pacific (overlaps in breeding and staging areas)

East Asian – Australasian Flyway Current status for Asia-Pacific flyways

Capacity and systems National bird ringing schemes in less than 5% of countries Bird monitoring schemes established in 90% of countries Very limited capacity in some countries Absence of region-wide mechanism for coordination of ringing and colour marking schemes

Data collection and availability Basic bird distribution available Monitoring data variable Population estimates need updating Substantial bird banding movement data of few countries to be analysed/published Satellite tracking done for very few species (e.g. cranes, geese, Black Stork, Black-faced Spoonbill) Big gaps on migration patterns of many waterbird groups (e.g. rails, herons, gulls, terns) Revealing the migration routes of cranes

Courtesy BirdLife Asia Migration routes of Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus Migration routes of Central Asian breeding population of Black Stork Ciconia nigra Source: www.rozhlas.cz/odysea/angl Migratory patterns of Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

Source: BNHS Sites of importance for Spotted Redshank in the EAAF

Mark Barter Sites of importance for Bartailed Godwit in the EAAF

Mark Barter Asian Flyways of globally threatened Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus Barheaded Goose migration and non-breeding period distribution

Yellow dots – birds locations during AWC Migratory patterns of Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Migratory patterns of Brownheaded Gull Larus brunnicephalus Distribution and migration of Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Monitoring of waterbird distribution and abundance at a regional level (Asian Waterbird Census AWC)

• A total of 5,700 sites from 25 countries have been counted at least once since 1987. • Thousands of volunteers contributed to the AWC. Priorities for AI and migratory waterbirds in Asia-Pacific flyways Improve understanding of migratory strategies of birds Identify high-risk species of AI Rapid collate available knowledge on migratory patterns for high-risk species Identify data gaps to prioritize future migration research for high-risk species Develop coordinated and cooperative projects for priority species • Satellite tracking • Colour marking and ringing Consolidate and expand waterbird monitoring programmes Initiate structured AI surveillance of high risk species and mortality monitoring Priorities for AI and migratory waterbirds in Asia-Pacific flyways

Build national capacity and networks to support research, monitoring and surveillance Secure resources to support priority work Communicate results rapidly Build awareness to conserve migratory birds and their habitats Establish regional mechanism for communication and coordinating analysis and research on migratory strategies of waterbirds Asia-Pacific Working Group on AI and migratory birds Wetlands International www.wetlands.org