Autumn migrating Bluethroats Luscinia s. svecica orient in an eastsoutheasterly direction at Gävle, East Sweden

Abstract

The orientation of Bluethroats captured during autumn migration at a stopover site in eastern Sweden was investigated by cage experiments during the twilight period after sunset. The mean direction of 63 juvenile birds tested under clear skies was 117° (ESE). This direction is consistent with data from ringing recoveries within as well as outside Scandinavia. We suggest that an earlier assumption that Scandinavian Bluethroats migrate towards both southwest and southeast should be reconsidered.