Possible Impacts of Climatic Conditions on Changes in Numbers and in Distribution of Certain Breeding and Staging Wildfowl Spsecies in Lithuania

Abstract

The long-term changes in numbers and distribution of 13 wildfowl species breeding and staging in Lithuania were analysed. Three species of wildfowl (Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula, Common Pochard Aythya farina and Goosander Mergus merganser) became established in Lithuania as new breeding birds in the late 19th century and 3 other species (Whooper Swan Cygnus Cygnus, Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna and Gadwall Anas strepera) did so during several past decades in the 20th century. Marked changes in numbers and distribution of migratory wildfowl populations were recorded during the last decades. It is likely that the recent changes in numbers and distribution of certain wildfowl species have been resulted in partly by climatic factors.