Aim: Migratory animals regularly move between often distant breeding and non-breeding ranges. Knowledge about how these ranges are linked by movements of individuals from different populations is crucial for unravelling temporal variability in population spatial structuring and for identifying environmental drivers of population dynamics acting at different spatio-temporal scales. We performed a large-scale individual-based migration tracking study of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), an Afro-Palearctic migratory raptor, to determine the patterns of migratory connectivity of European breeding populations. Location: Europe, Africa. Methods: Migration data were recorded using different devices (geolocators, Argos PTTs, GPS loggers) from 87 individuals breeding in the three core European populations, located in the Iberian, Italian and Balkan peninsulas. We estimated connectivity by the Mantel correlation coefficient (rM), and computed both the degree of separation between the non-breeding areas of individuals from the same population (i.e. the population spread) and the relative size of the non-breeding range (i.e. the non-breeding range spread). Results: European lesser kestrels migrated on a broad-front across the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara Desert, with different populations using different routes. Iberian birds migrated to western Sahel (Senegal, Mauritania, western Mali), Balkan birds migrated chiefly to central-eastern Sahel (Niger, Nigeria, Chad), whereas Italian ones spread from eastern Mali to Nigeria. Spatial differentiation of non-breeding areas led to a strong migratory connectivity (rM = 0.58), associated with a relatively high population (637 km) and non-breeding range (1149 km) spread. Main conclusions: Our comprehensive analysis of the non-breeding distribution of European lesser kestrel populations revealed a strong migratory connectivity, a rare occurrence in long-distance avian migrants. The geographic conformation of the species' breeding and non-breeding ranges, together with broad-front migration across ecological barriers, promoted the differentiation of migratory routes and non-breeding areas. Strong connectivity could then arise because of both high population spread and broad non-breeding range.

The East-Atlantic flyway represents one of the main bird migration routes worldwide, in which the Bay of Biscay acts as a geographic barrier. So far, the significance of the Bay of Biscay for migrants and its impact on their routes has not received a great deal of attention. The main goal of this study is to characterize the composition of nocturnal bird migration along the coast of the Bay of Biscay in northern Iberia. For this purpose, moon-watching was carried out at two study sites (Punta Galea, Cape Higuer) during spring and autumn 2014. The vast majority of observed migrants consisted of singly flying passerines, with a number of interspersed groups of non-passerines such as waterfowl, waders and swifts.Key words: East-Atlantic flyway, Basque coast, passerines, spring and autumn migration. ResumenLa ruta del Atlántico Oriental es una de las rutas de vuelo migratorio mas importantes en el mundo e incluye el golfo de Vizcaya como barrera geográfica. La importancia y el impacto del golfo de Vizcaya para las aves migratorias y sus rutas no han recibido mucha atención en la investigación. El objetivo principal de este estudio es caracterizar el ensamblaje de las aves que migran de noche por la zona del golfo de Vizcaya en el norte de la Península Ibérica. 155Moon-watching at the Bay of Biscay Munibe, Cienc. nat. 64, 2016 • pp. 155-159 • Donostia/San Sebastián •

Gathering information on the distribution and population size is crucial in order to develop precise conservation actions, especially in threatened species or those of special concern. The aim of the present article is to update the population status and the breeding parameters of the Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus L., 1756 in Gipuzkoa. We also used data obtained from previous studies in order to estimate population trends in the region (2000-2017). In 2017, 35 territories were detected. During the period from 1990 to 2000, the mean breeding population size increased 79.4%, but from 2000 to 2017, the increase was just 3.2%. However, the latter increase was not statistically significant. Therefore, it can be concluded that the population has remained stable for the last two decades. The Peregrine falcon is well distributed in Gipuzkoa, except for the central-eastern part of the region. The nests were found on inland cliffs (48.6%), marine cliffs (25.7%), quarries (22.9%) and buildings (2.9%). The breeding parameters in 2017 (productivity: 1.72 ± 1.36 offspring/breeding pair, n = 35; flight rate: 2.50 ± 0.83 offspring/nest, n = 24; breeding 7 Peregrine falcon in Gipuzkoa

La población de pico dorsiblanco Dendrocopos leucotos lilfordi Sharpe & Dresser, 1871 en España se estima en torno a las 100 parejas, el 98% de la cual se localiza en Navarra. Gracias al seguimiento de la nidificación de la especie en Navarra durante los últimos años, se han podido recolectar gran cantidad de datos sobre el sustrato de nidificación y parámetros reproductivos. El objetivo de este artículo es (1) actualizar y contribuir al conocimiento de la nidotópica de la especie en Navarra, (2) describir su reproducción (tamaño de puesta y razón de sexos de la nidada) y (3) proponer, en relación a los resultados que se exponen, medidas de gestión útiles para su conservación. En cuanto al sustrato de nidificación (n = 56 pies), todos los nidos se localizaron en haya, la mayoría de ellos en pies puntisecos o totalmente verdes (46%), seguido de árboles secos (40%) y, finalmente y más rara vez, hayas mitad secas-mitad sanas (14%). En promedio, la altura de los pies con nido fue 19,1 ± 8,1 m y la altura de los nidos fue de 11,1 ± 4,2 m. En promedio, la altitud de los nidos se situó a 943,8 ± 99,0 m. s. n. m. y la orientación de los nidos fue heterogénea, siendo en este caso el promedio de 180 ± 92º. La productividad se estimó en 1,4 ± 0,7 pollos/nido (rango = 0-3; n = 40). La productividad no varió entre las dos zonas (Belate y 31 Nidotópica y productividad del pico dorsiblanco en Navarra

Human disturbances can have a severe impact on avian conservation, decreasing diversity and carrying capacity of ecosystems. Coastal wetlands are hotspots for the conservation of biodiversity but they commonly suffer the impact of human activity because they are usually priority areas for socio–economic development. The aim of this study was to determine the role of several factors on the potential and real disturbances of human origin on waterbirds over an annual cycle, and to evaluate their impact on the waterbird community. The study was carried out at the Urdaibai estuary (Spain). Although Urdaibai is a main coastal refuge for aquatic birds in Northern Spain (a Ramsar site, Natura 2000 site, Reserve of Biosphere), it faces high levels of human–induced disturbances. We found disturbances varied across the day, week and year, with peak disturbance coinciding with hours, days and months with highest activity, mostly associated with leisure options. The impact on waterbirds varied between species and the response to such impacts was also species–specific. Disturbances were highest near the river mouth and decreased towards the upper parts of the estuary. Efforts to increase protection of waterbirds should consider reducing the disturbance in areas with the highest impact in order to increase the functional carrying capacity of the estuary for waterbirds and to create quiet feeding and resting areas, maybe by establishing reserves with restricted access.