Trends in the Arrival Dates of Spring Migrants in Lublin (E Poland)

Abstract

Long-term trends in the first arrival dates of 15 common breeding bird species to the city of Lublin (eastern Poland) were studied for the period 1982-2006. Only two species tested, Whitethroat Sylvia communis and Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, demonstrated a statistically significant trend toward earlier arrival. No significant correlation between the first arrival date and spring (March to May) temperature was found for any of the species studied although some correlations were significant with temperatures of individual months. A significant correlation with winter temperature was found for only 2 species, Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca and Blackcap. Short distance migrants arrived signifi- cantly earlier (median date: April 13) than the long distance migrants examined (median: May 7). The mean first arrival date of short distance migrants was more temperature related than that of long distance migrants. The results support the hypothesis that climate related changes in the first arrival dates of birds are manifested less in birds in the interior of the European continent than on its periphery.