The dramatic decline in the once superabundant Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola, a widely distributed Eurasian songbird, triggered worldwide media interest. Five years after the initial publication, we set out to give an update on the status of this critically endangered species, the conservation actions that followed, and the lessons that can be learned from this exceptional case for the conservation of migratory land birds in Asia and beyond. While there are signs of possible population recovery in the Yellow-breasted Bunting, other migratory songbird species were recently observed to be trapped in huge numbers, which could lead to further declines. We argue that the Yellowbreasted Bunting can be used as a flagship species to promote the conservation of East Asian land bird migrants.

Capsule Improving habitat quality through late or intermittent mowing may increase passerine population density without reducing reproductive success. Aim To describe the relationship between passerine territory density (TD) and Whinchat Saxicola rubetra and Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava hatching success, under different management regimes. Methods TD was defined by the Territory Mapping method in nine sites selected in five French flood plains, in four intermittently mown meadows in Russia and in four additional French sites where mowing was partially postponed. Hatching success was assessed by the observation of prey carrying. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used to analyse the influence on hatching rates of mowing management, early mowing and TD. Linear Mixed Models were used to study the effect of mowing management on TD. Results In French early mown meadows, TD affected reproductive success. Higher hatching rates and TD were observed in Russia. Similar results in French study sites with postponed mowing confirmed the influence of mowing management on carrying capacity. Conclusion In west-European grassland systems, late or intermittently mown patches within or at the edge of meadow areas, with potentially improved invertebrate-prey availability, should help to sustain bird demography and improve the efficiency of current conservation programmes.

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Институт проблем экологии и эволюции им. А.Н. Северцова РАН, Москва Русское общество сохранения и изучения птиц, Москва Рассмотрены период и направления заселения дубровником Европейской России; факторы, обусловившие как расширение ареала и увеличение численности, так и обратный процесс. Проведено обобщение данных (разбросанных в различных публикациях) по территориям, где сохранились современные локальные гнездовые группировки, в разных субъектах федерации. Выявлены регионы, где вид исчез; для некоторых из них определены годы последней регистрации территориальных пар. Ключевые слова: дубровник, расширение и сокращение области обитания, изменение численности.