Piotr Świętochowski, Michał Korniluk, Paweł Białomyzy, Tomasz Tumiel, Marcin Wereszczuk
Ornis Polonica 2016, 57: 204–211
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2016.3.2
Abstract: The Great Snipe Gallinago media distribution and abundance were investigated at its most important Polish breeding site, the Biebrza Basin (NE Poland). The area surveyed (ca 240 km2) covered 70–80% of the species’ potential breeding habitats at this site. The field work was conducted between 1 May and 10 June 2012 (one or two surveys per site) and the total time spent for the survey was 86 person-nights. In total 186 displaying males on 29 different leks were recorded. The average distance between lek sites was 4.2 km (SD=3.3 km, range 0.35–10 km). Population size of the Great Snipe in the Biebrza Basin in 2012 was estimated at 190–220 males. Compared to the 1990s, the number of lek sites was similar but their distribution has changed. A considerable population decline (ca 60%) was discovered. The mean lek size (6.4 males, SD=5.6; with 14 leks grouping just 4 or less males) was smaller compared to previous studies in this region. Results of our study suggest that relevant conservation measures for the Great Snipe must be undertaken immediately to prevent further population decline
Keywords: Biebrza Basin, Gallinago media, Great Snipe, population decline, waders
