Differential autumn migration of the Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) in the Duero valley (north-west Spain)

Full article

Published:

Volume 50(1), June 2003. Pages 59-66.

Language:

Spanish

Original title:

Migración otoñal diferencial del Andarríos Chico (Actitis hypoleucos) en la cuenca del Duero

Keywords:

Actitis hypoleucos, Common sandpiper, migration, stop-over length, ringing, waders

Abstract:

This work shows information about the dynamics, differential migration and length of stop-over of the Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) during the autumn migration in the Duero valley (North-western, Spain). There were 150 specimens recovered out of 491 captured for ringing. Most of the adult birds (EURING Code 4 and 5, n = 206) passed between the second fortnight of July and the end of August, the passage of the younger ones (EURING Code 3, n = 162) falling mainly between the last week of July and the first fortnight of September. The maximum of adults captures ocurred 21 days before peak passage of the younger birds. Comparing the present result with those obtained in other study areas, we suggest that there is a delay in the advance of the younger birds compared with the adults in their movement to wintering areas. The mean stop-over length is similar between juveniles (3.44 days) and adults (3.91 days). The present study suggests an earlier migration for females compared with males. Finally, late migrants tend to stay longer.