Clark, J.A. 2004. Ringing recoveries confirm higher wader mortality in severe winters. Ringing & Migration 22: 43-50

Abstract

Periods of severe weather can result in significant mortality in bird populations. In Britain there is a system of voluntary, followed by official, bans on wildfowl hunting in coastal areas during periods of severely cold weather, in order to minimise disturbance to bird populations during these periods of energetic stress. The effectiveness of such hunting bans will be influenced by the spatial variation in severe weather and consequent mortality. Reports of dead ringed birds (recoveries) clearly show that the number of recoveries of waders increases in severe weather periods. The distribution of this mortality in severe weather varies between species and both temporally and spatially. It is suggested that the numbers of recoveries received in severely cold weather could be monitored and used to confirm that increased mortality is occurring.

 

Back to Publications 2004 Page