Biology of the Greenshank in Southern Africa

Moult, Mass and Flight Range of Waders Ready to Take Off for Long-Distance Migrations

“…Waders wintering in Africa and Australia extend the wing moult to continue through the whole autumn and winter (e.g. Middlemiss 1961, Thomas & Dartnal11971a, 1971b, Elliott et al 1976, Schmitt & Whitehouse 1976, Dean 1977, Paton & Wykes 1978, Tree 1979, Pearson 1987, Barter 1989, Summers et al 1989, in contrast to waders wintering in the temperate zone which finish their wing moult in autumn (e.g. Boere 1977, Summers et al 1989; see Smit & Piersma 1989: Fig.…”

Geographical Patterns in Primary Moult and Body Mass of GreenshankTringa nebulariain Southern Africa

“…These populations migrate to southern Africa probably mostly along the eastern coast and across the interior of Central and eastern Africa (Underhill et al 1999, Scott 2009. A record of a Greenshank ringed in southern Africa and recovered in France (Tree 1979) and of a bird ringed in the south of England and recovered near the White Sea (Robinson & Clark 2012), at the same breeding grounds as the southern African visitors, indicate occasional birds from Western Europe's migratory population.…”

“…In southern Africa they are common non-breeding waders in both habitats. At inland wetlands Greenshanks are scattered in small groups, but at coastal areas they might join larger mixed flocks of other waders (Tree 1979, 2005). As with other medium and large waders, many immature Greenshanks stay for a "gap year" in Africa (Underhill 2006) and return to the breeding grounds when they are almost two years old (Tree 1979, Urban et al 1986, Summers et al 1995.…”

“…At inland wetlands Greenshanks are scattered in small groups, but at coastal areas they might join larger mixed flocks of other waders (Tree 1979, 2005). As with other medium and large waders, many immature Greenshanks stay for a "gap year" in Africa (Underhill 2006) and return to the breeding grounds when they are almost two years old (Tree 1979, Urban et al 1986, Summers et al 1995. On average 30% of Greenshanks arriving in South Africa for the austral summer, and up to 48% of the birds arriving at the Berg River estuary on the west coast, probably mostly firstyear individuals, remain for the winter months (Velásquez et al 1991, Summers et al 1995.…”

“…Adults arrive in southern Africa from late July until September, juveniles from early September to late October. They depart between late March and early May (Tree 1979, 1985.…”