The annual distribution of starlings in Schleswig-Holstein, Sturnus vulgaris, based on ring findings

Abstract

The feedback received by the Helgoland and Radolfzell bird observatories by 1 June 1966 on starlings ringed in Schleswig-Holstein (198 usable recoveries) is evaluated.

The young starlings apparently do not undertake an intermediate migration. The discovery of a bird in its second year of life could indicate such a migration. No other evidence of an intermediate migration has been found.

Migration begins as early as September and follows the southern North Sea coast to the British Isles, the actual wintering area, with the Netherlands, Belgium and northern France playing only a minor role.

Starlings from Schleswig-Holstein are mainly involved in the migration across the German Bight north of an approximate line between the Elbe estuary and the middle Eider. These birds probably stay in England north of the 53rd parallel. Our ringing data clearly shows that the Holstein starlings south of this line spend the English winter mainly south of 53° N.

Reference is made to the migration of starlings in Denmark, and an overview is provided of the north-south progression in the distribution of English records of Danish and German starlings of various origins.

There are individual records of wintering in the home range. These concern birds in their first year of life and, more frequently, birds that are several years old.

The number of sightings in the direction of homeward migration is very low. The earliest sightings of last year's starlings in their home territory occur almost without exception in April, while those of one-year-olds and older birds are already numerous in March.

Return to the place of birth or ringing, or its vicinity (within a radius of about 10 km), is the rule and is particularly pronounced in the case of old-ringed birds. Starlings from the previous year are more often found near their place of birth than directly at it.