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Stopover ecology of migratory Sedge Warblers (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) at Eilat, Israel
Abstract
Migrating Sedge Warblers Acrocephalus
schoenobaenus were captured in Eilat, Israel, during their spring and
autumn migration. Data on spring and autumn body masses, their interannual
variation and the pattern of fuel accumulation were analysed. Body mass and
body condition index significantly varied between the years of study in spring
but not in autumn. This may be due to birds over-flying the area, but loop
migration might also be involved. Sedge Warblers gain mass in Eilat, both in
spring and in autumn. Birds in poor initial condition and those stopping over
for a longer period gained more body mass faster. In spring, but not in autumn,
the progress of the season was another important factor: late birds gained more
body mass. The average rate of body mass gain was 0.179g day–1 ± SE
= 0.026. This suggests that Eilat is an important staging area for Sedge
Warblers in spring and to a smaller extent in autumn.
Ostrich 2004, 75(1&2): 52–56
schoenobaenus were captured in Eilat, Israel, during their spring and
autumn migration. Data on spring and autumn body masses, their interannual
variation and the pattern of fuel accumulation were analysed. Body mass and
body condition index significantly varied between the years of study in spring
but not in autumn. This may be due to birds over-flying the area, but loop
migration might also be involved. Sedge Warblers gain mass in Eilat, both in
spring and in autumn. Birds in poor initial condition and those stopping over
for a longer period gained more body mass faster. In spring, but not in autumn,
the progress of the season was another important factor: late birds gained more
body mass. The average rate of body mass gain was 0.179g day–1 ± SE
= 0.026. This suggests that Eilat is an important staging area for Sedge
Warblers in spring and to a smaller extent in autumn.
Ostrich 2004, 75(1&2): 52–56
