The timing of Robin migration in Belgium as shown by ringing recoveries

Abstract

1079 recoveries of Robins ringed in Belgium and 86 records of Robins with a foreign ring recovered in Belgium, were analysed. Birds were ringed in the period 1927–1982. In Belgium, autumn migration starts with the departure of local birds from the last week of August onwards. Foreign Robins migrate through Belgium from mid‐September until mid‐November (with a peak in the first half of October). In the period December to mid‐March few movements occur. In spring, Robins migrate through Belgium from mid‐March onwards. Most of them pass in the first half of April. Few migrant Robins are observed in May. The timing of migration found in this study coincides very well with the results of a field study of a Robin population in the north of Belgium, and with the results of several other studies elsewhere in Europe.