<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Stêpniewska K., El-Hallah A., Busse P. 2011. <italic>Migration dynamics and directional preferences</italic><italic>of passerine migrants in Azraq (E Jordan) in spring 2008. </italic>Ring 33, 1-2: 3-25. Azraq ringing station is located in the Azraq Wetland Reserve in the eastern part of Jordan, on the Eastern Palearctic Flyway. It covers different types of habitat: reedbeds and a dry area with tamarisks (<italic>Tamarix sp.</italic>) and nitre bushes (<italic>Nitraria billardierei</italic>). In total, from 18 March till 28 April 2008, we caught 2767 birds from 64 species. Three species dominated distinctly, constituting 58% of total number of caught birds: the Reed Warbler (<italic>Acrocephalus</italic><italic>scirpaceus</italic>) - 570, the Chiffchaff (<italic>Phylloscopus collybita</italic>) - 535 and the Lesser Whitethroat (<italic>Sylvia curruca</italic>) - 488 birds. The catching dynamics reveals the highest numbers of birds in the beginning of the studied period. The total number constantly decreased till 6 April and then subsequently increased. The first high peak of the dynamics at the end of March was due to intensive migration of Chiffchaffs and Lesser Whitethroats. The second one at the end of April was caused by pronounced migration of Reed Warblers and Blackcaps. High numbers of migrants in the beginning and at the end of the catching period reveal that we did not cover the whole migration season in Azraq, so it is necessary to begin the study much earlier and to finish later there.We performed also 1169 directional preferences tests using Busse’s orientation cage, mostly for the Reed Warbler. Directional preferences of tested birds reveal clear dominance of NW headings - towards European breeding grounds. The NE headings towards Asian breeding grounds were also present. There was a low share of reversed headings, especially SE. We suppose that birds showing NW headings could migrate from wintering grounds in Africa across the most southern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula; these flying to the NE seem to have crossed Egypt and then fly along the Arava Valley. Many species presented in this paper, like the Red-backed Shrike (<italic>Lanius collurio</italic>), could show loopmigration, flying in spring more eastern than in autumn.High numbers of caught and observed birds, including habitat-specialists like numerous <italic>Acrocephalus </italic>warblers, reveal that the Azraq Wetland Reserve is a very important place for Palearctic migrants during their migration through desert areas of the Middle-East.</abstract>

Bird Migration Research Station, University of Gdañsk, Al. Marszałka Józefa Pi³sudskiego 46, PL-81-378 Gdynia, Poland

Shoumary Wild Life Reserve, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, North Azraq, Zarqa, Jordan

Bird Migration Network, Przebendowo, PL-84-210 Choczewo, Poland

Migration Dynamics and Directional Preferences of Passerine Migrants in Azraq (E Jordan) in Spring 2008

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Stêpniewski K., White M.L.J., Megalli M. 2011. <italic>Autumn migration of passerines in Bahariya</italic><italic>Oasis in Egypt - where do they come from and where do they go? </italic>Ring 33, 1-2: 27-36. We present the results of studies on directional preferences of passerine migrants in Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt. Fieldwork was conducted in August and September 2010. Birds were mist-netted, ringed and tested in Busse’s orientation cage; in total 66 tests were analysed. The most pronounced direction was W, which was surprising and remains unexplained. Southern directions were also prominent, particularly SW; among the northern directions NW were distinct and NE less so. Our results are in line with those at other ringing stations in Egypt, suggesting a common migration pattern in this region. They also allow for tracking probable migration routes through Bahariya. Birds may arrive at the oasis from the Nile Delta and Mediterranean coast, then the majority head SW towards Lake Chad, while others may fly directly S or SE towards the Nile Valley. Bahariya Oasis appears to be an important crossing point of passerine migration routes across the Sahara and it is important to continue further studies in this area.</abstract>

Bird Migration Research Station, University of Gdañsk, Al. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego 46, PL-81-378 Gdynia, Poland

RSPB Wessex Stone-curlew Project, Enterprise House, Cherry Orchard Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7LD United Kingdom

Autumn Migration of Passerines in Bahariya Oasis, Egypt – Where Do They Come from and Where Do They Go?

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Jolli V., Pandit M.K. 2011. <italic>Monitoring pheasants </italic>(<italic>Phasianidae</italic>) <italic>in the Western Himalayas to</italic><italic>measure the impact of hydro-electric projects. </italic>Ring 33, 1-2: 37-46.In this study, we monitored pheasants abundance to measure the impact of a hydroelectric development project. The pheasants abundance was monitored using “call count” and line transect methods during breeding seasons in 2009-2011. Three call count stations and 3 transects were laid with varying levels of anthropogenic disturbance. To understand how the hydro power project could effect the pheasant population in the Jiwa Valley, we monitored it under two conditions; in the presence of hydro-electric project (HEP) construction and when human activity significantly declined. The Koklass Pheasant (<italic>Pucrasia</italic><italic>macrolopha</italic>), Cheer Pheasant (<italic>Catreus wallichi</italic>) and Western Tragopan (<italic>Tragopan melanocephalus</italic>) were not recorded in Manjhan Adit in 2009. During 2010 and 2011 springs, the construction activity was temporarily discontinued in Manjhan Adit. The pheasants responded positively to this and their abundance increased near disturbed sites (Manjhan Adit). The strong response of pheasants to anthropogenic disturbance has ecological application and thus can be used by wildlife management in the habitat quality monitoring in the Himalayan Mountains.</abstract>

Monitoring Pheasants (Phasianidae) in the Western Himalayas to Measure the Impact of Hydro-Electric Projects

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Jankowiak Ł., Polakowski M. 2011. <italic>Biometrics of non-breeding immature Mallards (Anas</italic><italic>platyrhynchos) in north-eastern Poland. </italic>Ring 33, 1-2: 47-53. Non-breeding immature Mallards from north-eastern Poland (Północnopodlaska Lowland) were captured and measured (altogether 182 individuals in their 1st year of life). Immature males were significantly larger than females according to all analysed parameters. The length of bill and wing were the most sexually dimorphic traits and the least dimorphic were the total length of bill with head and tarsus length. The results of the present analysis and other studies in different regions of Europe suggest that wing size of Mallards follows Bergmann’s rule, while a bill size - Allen’s rule. Mallards from north-eastern Poland are larger than those from western Europe. We hypothesize that the reason for this is the fact that main population of non-breeding Mallards originates from the larger eastern European population, which is confirmed by some ringing data. </abstract>

Department of Behavioural Ecology, Faculty of Biology of Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, PL-61-614 Poznań, Poland

Zachodnia 30A/8, PL-15-345 Białystok, Poland

Biometrics of Non-Breeding Immature Mallards (Anas Platyrhynchos) in North-Eastern Poland

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Ibrahim W.A.L. 2011. <italic>An overview of bird migration studies in Egypt. </italic>Ring 33, 1-2: 55-75. This is an overview of ornithological studies carried out in Egypt since the beginning of XXth century till the present time made on the basis of several more or less general publications. Geographical location and climate descriptions give the background information about the area. The literature overview stresses especially problems connected with the migration of passerines, but wider avifaunistic background is discussed as well. Special attention is paid to the passerines’ strategy of migration through the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara Desert, its direction and timing, as well as to the factors affecting passerines migration and bird ringing in Egypt. In conclusion, it is stressed that the studies on bird migration were done sporadically, from time to time and from one place to another, and there is a dramatic lack of permanent ringing / bird migration study field stations, despite the fact that some suitable and promising localities have been found, in which the studies have been carried out since 2001 by the SE European Bird Migration Network in cooperation with some protected areas managements.</abstract>

An Overview of Bird Migration Studies in Egypt

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Zaniewicz G., Chruoeciel J. 2011. <italic>Burullus ringing station (N Egypt) - ringing results and</italic><italic>seasonal bird migration dynamics in 2005-2007. </italic>Ring 33, 1-2: 77-87. Burullus Ringing Station is one of the several stations belonging to the SEEN organization (SE European Bird Migration Network). This station is situated close to the border of Burullus Protected Area in the northern part of Egypt and it started work in 2005. Data were collected during two spring and three autumn seasons. Birds were caught in mist-nets, which were placed mainly in reedbeds. Over 12 thousands of birds from 74 species were caught and ringed during five migratory seasons. Many of them were also tested for directional preferences in Busse’s cage.</abstract>

Burullus Ringing Station (N Egypt) – Ringing Results and Seasonal Bird Migration Dynamics in 2005-2007

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 43 (2021): Issue 1 (December 2021)

Volume 42 (2020): Issue 1 (December 2020)

Volume 41 (2019): Issue 1 (December 2019)

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Volume 37 (2015): Issue 1 (December 2015)

Volume 36 (2014): Issue 1 (December 2014)

Volume 35 (2013): Issue 1 (December 2013)

Volume 34 (2012): Issue 1 (December 2012)

Volume 33 (2011): Issue 1-2 (December 2011)

Volume 32 (2010): Issue 1-2 (December 2010)

Volume 31 (2009): Issue 2 (December 2009)

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Volume 27 (2005): Issue 2 (December 2005)

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Volume 26 (2004): Issue 1 (June 2004)

Volume 25 (2003): Issue 1-2 (December 2003)

Volume 24 (2002): Issue 2 (December 2002)

The Ring

 The on-line version of the journal is a primary one to the printed edition. The Ring is an international journal dealing with problems of bird ringing, migration and monitoring bird numbers. The main fields of interest are original papers, review articles and methodical discussions. Information, progress reports, personal comments and short notes or news are also accepted to the informative columns of the journal. Although papers are refereed, conclusions, opinions and discussion are published on the author's responsibility. Innovative and even controversial ideas are appreciated.  Why subscribe and read  Excellent source of high quality research on bird migration; original articles on:   migration strategies (long jumps vs. short jumps; stopover ecology; fattening strategy; obligatory vs. partial migration, etc.);  migratory patterns (breeding/wintering areas and flyways; migration dynamics and phenology, distances and migration speed, etc.);  populational differentiation of migrating birds (incl. mechanisms isolating different populations, morphological differentiation and morphometrics studies, etc.);  long-term monitoring of migratory bird populations.   Why submit   transparent, comprehensive and fast peer review,  innovative ideas are appreciated.   Rejection Rate   About 10%   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 