Abstract
The occurrence of wintering and spring-staging sea ducks in the southern part of Swedish Öresund was surveyed from air and ship during the period 2001–2011. Altogether 22 air and 20 boat surveys were made during the months November–May and here we present the results regarding five commonly recorded sea ducks. We present the numbers recorded and the general time pattern of occurrence during winter and spring in the area. Recorded numbers are then used for evaluating the importance of the area, both in relation to national wintering totals as well as to international (Baltic) totals. Southern Swedish Öresund is of no larger importance for Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis in winter and spring. The area is however of national importance for both Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca and Common Scoter Melanitta nigra in winter. Peak numbers of Common Scoters do also reach international importance. Southern Swedish Öresund is of large national and international importance for both wintering and spring-staging Eider Somateria mollissima and Red-breasted Merganser Mergus merganser.
Highlights
Southern Öresund is an important staging and wintering area for large numbers of waterfowl
We use data from a monitoring program around the Lillgrund wind farm (Green & Nilsson 2006, Nilsson & Green 2011) in order to describe the numbers of sea ducks using the offshore parts of southern Swedish Öresund
The main aim of this paper is to show the magnitude of sea duck use of the Swedish part of southern Öresund during winter and spring
Summary
Southern Öresund is an important staging and wintering area for large numbers of waterfowl. Other parts of Öresund, e.g. Lommabukten and Lundåkrabukten further north along the Swedish coast are important for different wetland species and these, or parts of these, are designated SPA under the Birds’ directive as well as Ramsar areas Both these areas regularly hold bird numbers fulfilling the criteria for international importance. We use data from a monitoring program around the Lillgrund wind farm (Green & Nilsson 2006, Nilsson & Green 2011) in order to describe the numbers of sea ducks using the offshore parts of southern Swedish Öresund Low numbers of these species are regularly seen from the coasts, but the vast majority of all individuals using the area are to be found at longer distances (>2 km) from the coast
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