Monika Filar1, Karolina Adamska2
Bird Migration Research Station, University of GdaĆsk, Przebendowo, 84-210
Choczewo, Poland
biomf@univ.gda.pl 1, bioka@univ.gda.pl 2
Directional preferences of the Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
migrating along the eastern migratory flyway are presented in this study. Cage
experiments in the Busse?s cage were applied to analyse migrants? directional
preferences. All orientation tests were performed at several ringing stations
located along the South-East migration flyway in Europe (Belarus, Bulgaria,
Poland), western Asia (Israel, Jordania and Turkey) and Africa (Egypt). Birds
were tested during autumn migration in years 1999-2006. Totally, 2048 tests of
the Chiffchaff were analysed. Although sampling at these stations was irregular
and rather differentiated, general pattern of migration was elaborated. Aim of
this study was to compare general pattern of the species headings at all stations
mentioned above. Moreover, possible migratory routes for the Chiffchaff were
investigated. Tested species has shown differentiation of directional preferences.
Chiffchaff migration strategy through European continent is complicated. This
was also confirmed by highly differentiated general distributions of headings
shown by the species. However, when latitude and local topography were taken
into consideration observed pattern became more clear. Some differences
between inland and coastal stations were recorded. Preferred directions and
migration pattern became clearer at those located on the coast. Moreover we
also observed differences between stations located in the North and South of the
eastern flyway. Pattern at the more southern stations was less dispearsed and
more directed. Orientation experiments could be a valuable method to
determine directional preferences of night migrants but there is a need for
further intensive and regular studies on a large geographical scale.




