IngentaConnect Winter distribution and population change of Red-crested Pochard ...

Author: Keller V.¹

Source: Bird Study, Volume 47, Number 2, 1 July 2000 , pp. 176-185(10)

Publisher: British Trust for Ornithology

Abstract:

Under the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) of the Convention on Migratory Animals (Bonn Convention), the Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina has a high conservation priority in Europe. This is particularly the case for the southwest/central European flyway population, which is considerably smaller than the southeast European and Asian ones. Data from the International Waterbird Census from 1967 to 1994 indicate that the flyway population has remained at a similar level between the mid-1980s and mid- 1990s, but is likely to be smaller than it was in the 1970s. Population size in January is estimated to be between 25 000 and 30 000 individuals. In winter, the Red-crested Pochard is concentrated at a small number of sites. In the period 1985–94, 75% of the population were observed at the six main sites: Laguna de Gallocanta, Albufera de Valencia, Delta del Ebro, Marismas del Guadalquivir (all in Spain), Camargue (France) and Lac de Neuchâtel (Switzerland). In January, 39 sites held 1% of the population at least once between 1975 and 1994. The Red-crested Pochard has recently shown a marked change in its winter distribution, and two patterns emerged: (1) a shift from the western Mediterranean to the region north of the Alps; and (2) the use of a greater number of sites.

Keywords: Netta

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Swiss Ornithological Institute/Schweizerische Vogelwarte, CH-6204 Sempach, Switzerland

Winter distribution and population change of Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina in southwestern and central Europe