Species Composition Changes and their Reasons in the Terrestrial Birds Wintering in Lithuania

Abstract

In the article, changes in the wintering avifauna in Lithuania are discussed. During the investigation period 21 atypical wintering species of terrestrial birds was recorded. Over the last decade, some species were observed which as recently as in the middle or even in the second half of the 20th century used to winter in more southerly regions. The data obtained clearly revealed that certain changes are being undergone by the terrestrial avifauna wintering in Lithuania. In addition, it was established that human activities make favourable feeding conditions for the wintering birds unable to survive in the natural environment. Human-induced favourable feeding conditions can determine the formation of new wintering bird populations under favourable climatic conditions. Climate change is the determinant factor of the change in the composition of bird species and of the formation of new wintering populations of certain bird species.