Arkadiusz Sikora, Łukasz Ławicki, Jarosław K. Nowakowski, Przemysław Żurawlew
Ornis Polonica 2015, 56: 253–274
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2015.4.0
Abstract: This paper describes the occurrence of the Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus in northern and central Poland (above 51°30’ N). In 19th century the species was probably much more abundant than at present. In 1950–2014 it was observed 171 times (in total 227 invidivuals), but only since 1980 it has been recorded almost annually. The number of observed birds varied considerably between years; most individuals (43%) were found in 2010–2014. Regular mist-netting shows a decline in the number of captured birds (16 ind. in 1961–1970 and 2 ind. in 2005–2014). The Ring Ouzel was observed most often at the coast (74% of all birds; N=168), while much less frequently in other parts of Poland: non-coastal Pomerania – 9 ind., Kujawy, Podlasie and Wielkopolska – 12 ind. in each county, Masovia and Ziemia Lubuska – 5 ind. in each county, Ziemia Łódzka – 4 ind. The species was encountered in all months except January, July and August, the most often in spring (78% of birds; N=178) and autumn (19%; N=42), and exceptionally in winter (3%; N=7). The spring migration of the species occurs in April, with a clear peak in its last decade. Some birds, mostly females, are observed also in May. A clear advancement in the timing of spring migration has been recorded (2.7 days per each 10-year period). In autumn most individuals were observed in October (83% of birds encountered in autumn), however, no clear peak was recorded. Ring Ouzels were found the most often in an open landscape (meadows, pastures etc.; 65% of individuals and 58% of records), but also in thickets, parks, avenues, gardens, orchards and wastelands (27% of individuals, 32% of records). A total of 146 observations (85%) involved single individuals, whereas groups of 2–10 ind. were counted 25 times (15% of all records). Among 159 individuals whose sex was identified, males and females constituted respectively 74% and 26%. The proportion of males was lower in Pomerania (72%; N=104) compared to other parts of Poland (91%; N=32). Among 23 birds captured at the coast the share of males was 61%, and females 39%. In spring males were observed earlier than females. Of 74 males identified to the subspecies level, all represented the northern form.
Keywords: migration, northern and central Poland, sex structure, subspecies Turdus t. torquatus, wintering
