Autumn Passage of Waders (Charadrii) in the Middle Vistula Valley (Kaliszany, Central Poland)

The phenology and dynamics of wader migration were studied at a stopover area in the middle Vistula Valley (Kaliszany ringing station, 51°05'N, 21°48'E, central Poland). The study was conducted during autumn passage seasons of 1993-1996 and 1999-2001. At this time 364 counts were done from mid-July to the end of October. Altogether 23 030 waders of 27 species were recorded within the study period. The most numerous species observed were: the Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) — 49% of all birds, Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) — 16% and Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) — 9%. Species constituting ca 2-4% of all noted waders each were: the Dunlin (Calidris alpina), Spotted Redshank (T. erythropus), Wood Sandpiper (T. glareola), Curlew (Numenius arquata), Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) and Green Sandpiper (T. ochropus). The proportion of the remaining species did not exceed 2%. The pattern of autumn migration dynamics is presented for the dominant species.