Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Use of an abandoned gravel-pit in inland Spain as a stopover site for the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Wetlands Ecology and Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Stopover sites are of vital importance for migrating birds, especially long-distance migrant species. This study describes a wetland in NW Spain, as a particular habitat used by the Aquatic Warbler, one of the most threatened passeriformes in Europe, during postnuptial migration. It is a recently abandoned gravel-pit with an artificial water regime, a large area of standing water and a mosaic of vegetation predominated by a rush-meadow of Juncus effusus and a cattail community of Typha domingensis, a priori very favourable conditions for the Aquatic Warbler. The Acrola index value for this locality is very high, and together with some of the results including mean stopover period, fattening rate, interannual site fidelity and calculated potential flight distances, indicates that the mosaic of plant communities offers good conditions as a refuelling site for the Aquatic Warbler. Nevertheless, in only 3 years a process of homogenization has been observed in the vegetation, where rush-meadow cover has decreased noticeably and cattail and willow cover have increased. This process caused a decrease in the Acrola index throughout 2008–2010, as well as a significant decrease in the importance of this wetland with regard to others in Spain. Significant differences were found in body condition between the two age groups: adults are heavier and obtain more body fat, which provides them with greater potential flight autonomy. Although gravel pits can act as alternative wetlands, rapid changes in plant communities succession requires more active management than in the case of natural wetlands.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alerstam T, Lindström Å (1990) Optimal bird migration: the relative importance of time, energy, and safety. In: Gwinner E (ed) Bird migration: physiology and ecophysiology. Springer, Berlin, pp 331–335

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Alerstam T, Rosén M, Bäckman J, Ericson PG, Hellgren O (2007) Flight speeds among bird species: allometric and phylogenetic effects. PLoS Biol 5:1656–1662

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arbeiter S, Tegetmeyer C (2011) Home range and habitat use by Aquatic Warblers Acrocephalus paludicola on their wintering grounds in Northwestern Senegal. Acta Ornithol 46:117–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arizaga J, Andueza M, Mendiburu A, Sánchez JM, Jauregi JI, Cuadrado JF, Aranguren I, Alonso D (2011a) El Carricerín Cejudo Acrocephalus paludicola en Txingudi (N de España): notas sobre las características del paso posnupcial. Rev Cat Ornitol 27:10–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Arizaga J, Mendiburu A, Andueza M, Fontanilles P, Fourcade JM, Urbina-Tobias P (2011b) Deteriorating weather conditions predict the use of suboptimal stopover sites by Aquatic Warblers Acrocephalus paludicola. Acta Ornithol 46:202–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arizaga J, Andueza M, Azkona A, Dugué H, Fontanilles P, Foucher J, Herrmann V, Lapios JM, Menéndez M, Musseau R, Unamuno E, Peón P (2014) Reed-bed use by the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola across the Bay of Biscay during the autumn migration of 2011. Alauda 82:343–351

    Google Scholar 

  • Atienza JC, Pinilla J, Justribó J (2001) Migration and conservation of the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola in Spain. Ardeola 48:197–208

    Google Scholar 

  • AWCT (1999) World population, trends and threat status of the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola. Vogelwelt 120:65–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargain B (2002) Etude du milieu fréquenté par le Phragmite aquatique en baie d’Audierne; radiopistage 2001 et 2002. Bretagne Vivante—SEPNB, Brest

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargain B (2008) The importance of Brittany in the Aquatic Warbler’s migration as brought to light by the Bay of Audierne ringing station. In: Dèzécot J, Le Nevé A, Bargain B (eds) The Aquatic Warbler, a globally threatened species. Proceedings of the Life Seminar “Conservation of the Aquatic Warbler in Brittany”. Bretagne Vivante—SEPNB, Brest, pp 28–33

  • BirdLife International (2012) Species factsheet: Acrocephalus paludicola. http://www.birdlife.org. Accessed 30 Dec 2013

  • Braun-Blanquet J (1979) Fitosociología. Bases para el estudio de las comunidades vegetales. Blume Ediciones, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Catry P, Encarnação V, Araújo A, Fearon P, Fearon A, Armelin M, Delaloye P (2004) Are long-distance migrant passerines faithful to their stopover sites? J Avian Biol 35:170–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Céréghino R, Ruggiero A, Marty P, Angélibert S (2008) Biodiversity and distribution patterns of freshwater invertebrates in farm ponds of a southwestern French agricultural landscape. Hydrobiologia 597:43–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chenaval N, Lorrillière R, Dugué H, Doxa A (2011) Phénologie et durée de halte migratoire de quatre passereaux paludicoles en migration post-nuptiale en Estuaire de la Loire. Alauda 79:149–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Chernetsov N, Manukyan A (2000) Foraging strategy of the Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) on migration. Die Vogelwarte 40:189–197

    Google Scholar 

  • De By RA (1990) Migration of Aquatic Warbler in Western Europe. Dutch Bird 12:165–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Declerck S, De Bie T, Ercken D, Hampel H, Schrijvers S, Van Wichelen J, Gillard V, Mandiki R, Losson B, Bauwens D, Keijers S, Vyverman W, Goddeeris B, De Meester L, Brendonck L, Martens K (2006) Ecological characteristics of small farmland ponds: associations with land use practices at multiple spatial scales. Biol Conserv 131:523–532

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delingat J, Bairlein F, Hedenström A (2008) Obligatory barrier crossing and adaptive fuel management in migratory birds: the case of the Atlantic crossing in Northern Wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 62:1069–1078

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Pozo R, Fernández-Aláez C, Fernández-Aláez M (2010) An assessment of macrophyte community metrics in the determination of the ecological condition and total phosphorus concentration of Mediterranean ponds. Aquat Bot 92:55–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • European Environment Agency (1997) The CORINE biotopes (Version 2000) database is an inventory of major nature sites. http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/corine-biotopes. Accessed 24 Jan 2015

  • Flade M, Lachmann L (2008) Species action plan for the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola. BirdLife International and European Commission, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Jakubas D, Wojczulanis-Jakubas K, Foucher J, Dziarska-Pałac J, Dugué H (2014) Age and sex differences in fuel load and biometrics of Aquatic Warblers at an autumn stopover site in the Loire estuary (NW France). Ardeola 61:15–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jubete F, Torres M, Gómez S, Cirujano S, Zuazua P (2006) The Aquatic Warbler: manual for managing helophytic vegetation and monitoring populations. Fundación Global Nature, Palencia

    Google Scholar 

  • Julliard R, Bargain B, Dubos A, Jiguet F (2006) Identifying autumn migration routes for the globally threatened Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola. Ibis 148:735–743

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser A (1993) A new multicategory classification of subcutaneous fat deposits of songbirds. J Field Ornithol 64:246–255

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerbiriou C, Bargain B, Le Viol I, Pavoine S (2011) Diet and fuelling of the globally threatened aquatic warbler at autumn migration stopover as compared with two congeners. Anim Conserv 14:261–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kozulin A, Krogulec J (1999) Habitat selection of the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola in Poland: consequences for conservation of the breeding areas. Vogelwelt 120:64–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubacka J, Oppel S, Dyrcz A, Lachmann L, Duarte JP, Kail U, Zdunek W (2014) Effect of mowing on productivity in the endangered Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola. Bird Conserv Int 24:45–58

  • Miguélez D, Zumalacárregui C, Fuertes B, Astiárraga H, González-Jáñez R, Roa I, de la Calzada F (2009) Habitat, phenology and biometrics of the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola during autumn migration through a riverine wetland in Iberia. Ring Migr 24:277–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miguélez D, García J, Zumalacárregui C, Fuertes B (2014) Does the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola differential migration by age during the autumn in Iberian Peninsula? J Ornithol 155:829–833

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mukhin A, Chernetsov N, Kishkinev D (2008) Acoustic information as a distant cue for habitat recognition by nocturnally migrating passerines during landfall. Behav Ecol 19:716–723

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Musseau R, Herrmann V (2013) Gironde estuary, France: important autumn stopover site for Aquatic Warbler. Dutch Bird 35:15–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Neto JM, Encarnação V, Fearon P (2010) Distribution, phenology and condition of Aquatic Warblers Acrocephalus paludicola migrating through Portugal. Ardeola 57:181–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Newman S, Schuette J, Grace JB, Rutchey K, Fontaine T, Reddy KR, Peitrucha M (1998) Factors influencing cattail abundance in the northern Everglades. Aquat Bot 60:265–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newton I (2008) The migration ecology of birds. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Overdijk O, Navedo JG (2012) A massive Spoonbill stopover episode: identifying emergency sites for the conservation of migratory waterbird populations. Aquat Conserv 22:695–703

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poulin B, Duborper E, Lefebvre G (2010) Spring stopover of the globally threatened Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola in Mediterranean France. Ardeola 57:167–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Provost P, Kerbiriou C, Jiguet F (2010) Foraging range and habitat use by Aquatic Warblers Acrocephalus paludicola during a fall migration stopover. Acta Ornithol 45:173–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Core Team (2014) R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. http://www.R-project.org/. Accessed 1 June 2014

  • Řehounková K, Prach K (2010) Life-history traits and habitat preferences of colonizing plant species in long-term spontaneous succession in abandoned gravel–sand pits. Basic Appl Ecol 11:45–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson HA, Funnell EP (2012) Aquatic plant dynamics of Waituna Lagoon, New Zealand: trade-offs in managing opening events of a Ramsar site. Wetl Ecol Manag 20:433–445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santiago-Ibarlucea NF, Fernández-Aláez M, Fernández-Aláez C (2005) Clasificación de las lagunas asociadas al Canal de Castilla (Palencia) basada en la presencia de macrófitos acuáticos y emergentes. Limnetica 24:145–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Santoul F, Gaujard A, Angélibert S, Mastrorillo S, Céréghino R (2009) Gravel pits support waterbird diversity in an urban landscape. Hydrobiologia 634:107–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schäffer N, Walther BA, Gutteridge K, Rahbek C (2006) The African migration and wintering grounds of the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola. Bird Conserv Int 16:33–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shennan NM (1985) Relationships between morphology and habitat selection by male Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus. Ring Migr 6:97–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Svensson L (1992) Identification guide to European passerines. Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet, Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanneberger F, Bellebaum J, Fartmann T, Haferland HJ, Helmecke A, Jehle P, Sadlik J (2008) Rapid deterioration of Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola habitats at the western margin of the breeding range. J Ornithol 149:105–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanneberger F, Flade M, Preiksa Z, Schröder B (2010) Habitat selection of the globally threatened Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola at the western margin of its breeding range and implications for management. Ibis 152:347–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanneberger F, Bellebaum J, Dylawerski M, Fartmann T, Jurzyk-Nordlöw S, Koska I, Tegetmeyer C, Wojciechowska M (2011) Habitats of the globally threatened Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) in Pomerania—site conditions, flora, and vegetation characteristics. Plant Divers Evol 129:253–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woo I, Zedler JB (2002) Can nutrients alone shift a sedge meadow towards dominance by the invasive Typha x glauca? Wetlands 22:509–521

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zumalacárregui C, González C, Herrero A, Jubete F, Bello A (2011) Características del paso postnupcial del carricerín cejudo (Acrocephalus paludicola) en un complejo de zonas húmedas del noroeste de España. Rev Anillamiento 28:24–29

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Our thanks to the members of the Grupo Ibérico de Anillamiento (GIA-León) and the volunteers who helped during sampling, particularly Héctor Astiárraga, who discovered the wetland. We also thank Francisco García and Alejandra Morán for their help with the statistical analysis; to Juan Arizaga and Dariusz Jakubas for providing the bibliography; to Carlos Pérez, Azaitz Unanue, Paloma Peón and Vicente González for their comments and data ringing sites; and to Catherine Martin and Álvaro Rada for her English language revision. Licences for the trapping and ringing of birds were obtained from the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente of Spain and the Junta de Castilla y León.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Miguélez.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 14 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Miguélez, D., García, J., Castro, V. et al. Use of an abandoned gravel-pit in inland Spain as a stopover site for the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola . Wetlands Ecol Manage 23, 855–864 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-015-9424-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-015-9424-4

Keywords

Navigation