Phenological Parameters of a BluethroatLuscinia svecica azuricollisPopulation Breeding at High Altitude in Spain

Abstract

Summary. Bluethroats Luscinia svecica azuricollis breeding in Spain belong to a poorly known endemic subspecies that is restricted to a relatively small distribution range. We aimed to present information on some basic life-history parameters from a population breeding at high altitude in central Spain. In particular, we wanted to answer the following questions: (1) When do these birds reach their breeding area, and when do they depart? (2) When do chicks appear in the population? (3) Do adult birds reach their breeding area with extra fuel? Do they depart from their breeding areas with fuel? (4) Do they moult within their breeding area? To answer these questions we used ringing data of birds captured during 2011 at La Covatilla, Salamanca province. Adults were caught mostly from May to July (no captures in August, 2.4% of adults in September). First-year bluethroats, however, appeared in June and remained in the zone up to September. Moulting adults (66% of 12 birds in total) were caught only in July. Mo...