In response to climate change, the spring migration of many migratory birds is shifting ever further forward. However, according to a study presented by an international research team led by Ivan Maggini and Leonida Fusani from the Konrad Lorenz Institute for Comparative Behavioral Research at Vetmeduni Vienna , this change does not follow a uniform pattern. On the contrary, closer inspection reveals a complex picture: Essential for the start of the migration is the region of wintering. 

It is known from previous studies that migratory birds bring forward their spring arrival in European breeding areas due to climate change. In addition, those species that are less able to adapt their migratory time suffer a decline in their population in Europe. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the cause of their decline is the inability to adapt the timing of their migration.  Fusani and Maggini - in collaboration with an international research team on Ponza - analyzed the migratory periods of the 30 species most frequently counted on the island during the last 18 years. 

Climate change affects different living beings in many different ways. In Europe, the early spring favors an earlier appearance of insects, which in turn affects the breeding season of insectivorous birds. By breeding earlier, they ensure that they find enough food to feed their young. However, many migratory birds are not able to observe seasonally changing, favorable conditions in their European breeding areas because they spend the winter thousands of kilometers away in Africa. Their internal clock stimulates them to leave their winter quarters at the appropriate time. In the face of climate change, it is therefore increasingly a challenge to adapt departure times in such a way that migratory birds are offered the maximum possible food sources on arrival at their destination in Europe.

The article "Recent phenological shifts of migratory birds at a Mediterranean spring stopover site: species wintering in the Sahel advance passage more than tropical winterers“ by Ivan Maggini, Massimiliano Cardinale, Jonas Hentati Sundberg, Fernando Spina, and Leonida Fusani was published in PLOS ONE.

(Web editor, 7 October 2020)

The characteristic call of the little owl is rarely heard in Austria, because the small owl species is threatened with extinction. Due to the increasing loss of habitat, little owls can only find few breeding sites and suitable living conditions. Together with the “Wagrampur” association and committed winegrowers in Austria's wine-growing regions, the Austrian Ornithological Centre would like to promote sustainable, future-oriented protective measures for this endangered bird species. The AOC with its branch in Seebarn am Wagram (Lower Austria) offers bird-related know-how as the basis for the "comeback" of little owls and other bird species. In cooperation with the “Wagrampur” association, framework conditions are being created for the resettlement of the little owl.

On September 17, 2020, a photo and press meeting took place in the branch of the AOC branch in Seebarn am Wagram to raise awareness on the need for the protection of the little owl in Lower Austria. In addition to Petra Winter, Rector of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna and Richard Zink (Head of the AOC branch in Seebarn), Alfred Riedl (Mayor of Grafenwörth and President of the Association of Municipalities), the winemaker Mike Ulzer (Weinhof Ulzer) and Wolfgang Pegler (Chairman of the “Wagrampur “) took part.

You can help save the little owl with a donation.

(Web editor, 18 September 2020)