Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 1
Written by Sara SAHILI, Jean HUGÉ, Dimitar POPOV, Svetla DALAKCHIEA, Gradimir GRADEV
The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a long-distance migratory species, with its primary breeding areas in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and smaller populations in Portugal, France, Bulgaria, and other countries. Birds from the three peninsulas (Iberian, Apennine, and Balkan) follow distinct migratory routes to reach their non-breeding areas in the Sahel. This study aims to identify and describe the core wintering areas of the Bulgarian population, focusing on migratory patterns and habitat use during the non-breeding season. We hypothesized that the spatial distribution and individual presence in these areas would reveal patterns of site fidelity and migration strategies. The study was based on satellite tracking data from Lesser Kestrels tagged in Bulgaria, with data from nine individuals tracked over 11 winters. Two core wintering areas were identified: the first, covering about 138,700 km², spans territories in Niger and Nigeria; and the second, covering over 78,458 km², is located in central and southeastern Chad. These two areas are critical zones, showing relatively high concentrations of individuals, indicating their importance for roosting and foraging, and emphasizing the need to protect these habitats.
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