Włodzimierz Meissner, Dawid Cząstkiewicz, Jacek Antczak, Sebastian Guentzel
Ornis Polonica 2021, 62: 293–309
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2021.4.2
Abstract: National autumn count of Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus and Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria was conducted for the fourth time. In October 2020 we recorded a total of 171,000 Lapwings and 47,000 Golden Plovers at 530 sites, whereas in November 88,000 Lapwings and 68,000 Golden Plovers at 363 sites. Both species were more abundant in the northern part of the country, where in October and November, respectively, 45% and 49% of all Lapwings were found. Likewise, in the two months, respectively, 83% and 74% of all Golden Plovers were counted. In October median flock of Lapwings consisted of 120 ind., and in November of 88 ind. Most often flocks comprised between 101 and 500 ind. (40% of flocks in October and 29% in November). Median flock size of Golden Plovers included 62 ind. in October and 65 ind. in November. In October most flocks of Golden Plovers consisted of between 101 and 500 ind. (30%), while in November most often flocks of 11–50 ind. were encountered (29%). In both species mean flock size was lower compared to the previous count in 2014. Data from 110 sites visited in both months indicate that in all parts of Poland the numbers of Lapwings declined between October and November, while the opposite trend was found for the Golden Plovers. In October and November most Lapwings (36% and 37%, respectively) were found on emptied water reservoirs, mainly fish-ponds. Golden Plovers were observed most frequently on fields with winter crops, although between the two months the proportion of birds found in this habitat declined from 72% to 39%. In November 2020 at least 2–3% of Lapwings and 3–4% of Golden Plovers wintering in Europe were observed in Poland. This shows once again that Poland is an important site for these species during their migration.
Keywords: autumn migration, Eurasian Golden Plover, habitat preferences, Northern Lapwing, Pluvialis apricaria, Vanellus vanellus
