Branta Issues > Issue №6 (2003)

Autumn migration of the Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) in the southern Belarus (Pripyat Floodplain)

Pinchuk P.V.

The paper presents a preliminary analysis on the Wood Sandpiper autumn migration across the Pripyat floodpain in southern Belarus during 1998-2001. A total of 103 counts were conducted, and 1653 Wood Sandpipers were counted in the vicinity of Turov village. A total of 125 juveniles and 14 adults were captured during the autumn migration in 1999-2001. The most complete counts were carried out in 2000.

Autumn migration dynamics of the Wood Sandpiper in 2000 was characterized by four migration peaks: first – in late June, second – late July, third – mid August and fourth – early September. The first peak was caused by passage of adults; the second was a mixed migration of adult and juvenile birds that was confirmed by catching data. The third and fourth peaks presumably consisted of juveniles from different populations. Significant difference between the number of adults and juveniles (adults made up 11% of total numbers) did not allow comparing morphometric parameters of two age groups, and thus they are given only for morphometric data of juveniles. Distribution of all parameters (except for body weight) was normal. There were no statistically significant differences in sizes and body weights between birds, captured in southern Belarus and those from neighboring countries (Ukraine, Poland).

One international recovery was received – a bird, ringed by us on 8.08.2000, was caught in Lithuania on 20.07.2001.