The annual cycles of species that migrate long distances are synchronised with the climatic conditions in their breeding areas, as these have an impact on the availability of food resources. A new study examines the influence of local climate on the migratory behaviour of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), a long-distance migrant.
This research analyses variations in the arrival dates of kestrels according to the location of breeding colonies situated along a longitudinal and latitudinal gradient between Spain and Italy. The results show that the latitude, longitude and local temperature of the nesting sites significantly affect the timing of the birds’ arrival.
The study shows that falcons nesting in south-western colonies arrive earlier than those in north-eastern colonies. This is mainly due to earlier departure from their wintering grounds in West Africa. Although the speed of travel and the duration of stopovers influence arrival dates, the impact of these variables remains relatively weak compared with the effect of departure date.
These observations highlight the importance of local climatic conditions in synchronising the annual cycles of migratory species. The results indicate that the annual migration cycles of long-distance migrants are tuned both to local climatic gradients in the breeding areas and to conditions during migration. The strong effect of departure date on arrival date, in contrast to the more moderate influence of local arrival conditions, suggests that geographically uneven climate change could have a negative impact on the physical condition of individuals.
Publication
Lopez-Ricaurte, L., Hernández-Pliego, J., García-Silveira, D. et al. Local climate at breeding colonies influences pre-breeding arrival in a long-distance migrant. J Ornithol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-024-02207-7
Contact
Lina LOPEZ RICAURTE – Post-doctoral researcher at Tour du Valat
