<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">An analysis of the speed of autumn migration was based on 315 ringing recoveries of Blue Tits caught between 1963-1999 at 6 ringing stations along the south-eastern and southern Baltic coast. It was found that among passerines the Blue Tit is the slowest European migrant (median value - 25.8 km/day, average - 28.4 km/day), with a very low (intra- and interpopulation) variation of migration speed. No differences in migration speed were found between individuals of different age and sex and among years of different intensities of movements. The migration speeds of the Blue Tit and the Great Tit (<italic>Parus major</italic>) in different years correlated.</abstract>

Dept. of Zoology, University of Podlasie, Prusa 12, PL-08-110 Siedlce, Poland

Bird Migration Research Station, University of Gdańsk, Przebendowo, PL-84-210 Choczewo, Poland

Speed of autumn migration of the Blue Tit (<italic>Parus caeruleus</italic>) along the eastern and southern Baltic coast

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Data were collected at the Operation Baltic stations and included over 2000 owls caught and ringed at Bukowo-Kopań station in autumns 2000-2003. Birds were caught with raptor nets, ringed and measured according to the Operation Baltic standards.The Long-eared Owl (<italic>Asio otus</italic>) is the most numerous migrant at Polish coast of the Baltic Sea. Migration of this species has wave-like pattern with few nights of very high owl numbers after nights without these birds. Amount of migrants changes decidedly from year to year. This is a result of fluctuations associated with small mammal populations dynamics. Other owl species pass Bukowo-Kopań station in rather low numbers. We can distinguish two groups of owl species according to terms of passage peaks. Both the Short-eared Owl (<italic>Asio flammeus</italic>) and the Barn Owl (<italic>Tyto alba</italic>) migrate in the highest numbers generally at the same time as the Long-eared Owl, <italic>i.e.</italic> at the beginning of November. Correlation is in most cases statistically significant. On the contrary, the migration pattern of the Tengmalm's Owl (<italic>Aegolius funereus</italic>) is conspicuously different. Passage maximum of this species occurs at the beginning of October and by 25 October the passage is almost finished. But even then individuals that migrate later are caught during the same migration peaks as the Long-eared Owl.Obtained results indicate that the passage of different owls is similar to the most numerous and typical migrant species - the Long-eared Owl. Other species choose the same nights for passage, which suggests that some common factors influencing owl migration exist.</abstract>

Seasonal migration pattern of owls at Bukowo-Kopań station (N Poland) in 2000-2003

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The Emlen funnel cage was introduced in 1966. Since then it has been used in numerous studies on bird orientation. In 1995, Busse proposed another technique - in the form of flat, round cylindrical cage. Busse also tested nocturnal migrants in the daytime. He, and Nowakowski and Malecka (1999), proved that birds tested in daylight and at night displayed similar distributions of their preferred directions. This study also supports their findings. Zehtindijev <italic>et al.</italic> (2003) found that results in the Emlen funnel and Busse's flat cage were coherent, despite the tests were performed in different conditions (night-day) and in different years. This study is the first one that compares results of the same individuals tested in the two types of orientation cages during the day (<italic>N</italic> = 75) and night (<italic>N</italic> = 17). Results of both methods did not differ (Watson-Williams test of mean angles, Mann-Whitney <italic>U</italic>-test of angular dispersion) both during the day and at night. Multiheading bird behaviour is common in both types of cages and seems to be a normal feature of orientation data. The only difference was found in bird activity (<italic>i.e.</italic> number of scratches during 10 minutes of testing) that was higher for Busse's flat cage in daytime tests.</abstract>

Bird Migration Research Station, Univ. of Gdańsk, Przebendowo, PL-84-210 Choczewo, Poland

International Birding and Research Centre in Eilat, P.O. Box 774, Eilat 88000, Israel

A comparison of the Emlen funnel and Busse's flat cage for orientation studies

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Ringing operations hold opportunities for introducing error into biometric recording. This situation needs to be addressed by field workers, data processors and archivists. Avoidable error may be systematic and/or random, and adds "noise" to random error from natural variation. Handling techniques and measuring equipment are responsible for introducing systematic errors in fieldwork. This aspect requires an increased level of professionalism among ringers to correct it. Analysis of data can induce further random error, <italic>e.g.</italic> when generating indices from measurements. Analysts also need to be aware of pitfalls inherent in field data, especially that collected historically.</abstract>

Remarks on the taking and recording of biometric measurements in bird ringing

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Data were collected in 1996 at Bukowo-Kopań ringing station situated on the southern Baltic coast. During the whole autumn migration period 2380 Robins were caught, and 445 of them were tested with Busse's method for directional behaviour.Birds' headings were grouped in four main axes: ENE-WSW, NNE-SSW, NNW-SSE and WNW-ESE. The seasonal dynamics of birds caught was divided into periods reflecting waves of migration. For each period the percentage shares of these four main axes were extrapolated into the daily numbers of birds caught. The obtained pattern consisted of four migration dynamics characterising differently heading birds.The total migration dynamics of the Robin at the station is interpreted as follows. In 1996, the intensive migration started around the middle of September with a numerous wave consisting of at least three populations. The peaks of those population waves were shifted in relation to each other in just 1-2 days, and occurred in following order: birds heading to the Apennine winter-quarter, birds heading to the most eastern wintering grounds, and birds heading to the southern parts of Western winter-quarter. The second, numerous wave consisting at least of birds heading to Mediterranean winter-quarter occurred with a peak on 26 September. In two most numerous October waves around 10 and 18 October, birds heading to the northern parts of Western migration route dominated. However, also birds heading to the Balkan (earlier) or even more eastern (later) wintering grounds formed numerous waves around those dates. The model of Robin migration is proposed, in which the wavy character of migration is generally explained by large-scale factors (like macrosynoptic weather situations, or changes in length of day). Their influence results in the most pronounced waves consisting of populations of different origin. However, the final pattern of dynamics is affected strongly by many other factors: <italic>e.g.</italic> localisation and characteristics of those populations.</abstract>

Intra-seasonal changes in directional preferences of Robins (<italic>Erithacus rubecula</italic>) caught on autumn migration at Bukowo-Kopań ringing Station (N Poland) in 1996

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The autumn orientation and migratory activity of Song Thrushes at different periods around sunset were recorded in northern Italy using orientation cages and release experiments, mostly under overcast skies. The aim of the experiments was to examine the importance of timing and energetic condition for the orientation and relative migratory activity of Song Thrushes located close to the wintering area. The data demonstrate that the birds tested during sunset showed a mean orientation that coincided with the average sunset azimuth. The birds that were tested after sunset chose headings towards the south, significantly different from tests at sunset, showing oriented <italic>Zugunruhe</italic> in visually cueless situations. Lean migrants in funnel cages displayed relatively more activity than migrants with larger fat stores, but they also showed more scattered directional choices. A bird's energetic state did seem to affect the likelihood of undertaking night migration. Test birds with relatively small fat reserves at release were more likely to perform landing flights than birds with larger fat deposits. Although nocturnal passerine migrants generally show well-oriented responses only shortly after sunset, both cage and release experiments 1-2 h after sunset indicate that timing may not be critical for the initial orientation of Song Thrushes. However, cage tests performed before sunset resulted in more unclear responses by the test birds than tests performed after sunset.</abstract>

Orientation and migratory activity of Song Thrushes (<italic>Turdus philomelos</italic>) in northern Italy: cage and release experiments under overcast conditions

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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. 

The Ring

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

Speed of autumn migration of the Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) along the eastern and southern Baltic coast

Seasonal migration pattern of owls at Bukowo-Kopań station (N Poland) in 2000-2003

A comparison of the Emlen funnel and Busse's flat cage for orientation studies

Remarks on the taking and recording of biometric measurements in bird ringing

Intra-seasonal changes in directional preferences of Robins (Erithacus rubecula) caught on autumn migration at Bukowo-Kopań ringing Station (N Poland) in 1996

Orientation and migratory activity of Song Thrushes (Turdus philomelos) in northern Italy: cage and release experiments under overcast conditions

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