The winter population of the Water Rail Rallus aquaticus in the Kiel area
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21248/corax.v26.54Abstract
Due to ringing studies in Hamburg and Sylt the breeding-population of Water Rail Rallus aquaticus in Northern Germany is known to migrate moderate distances in south-western directions with wintering sites in France and Great Britain, whereas an undetermined percentage stays in Schleswig-Holstein between november and february. To estimate a part of this wintering population specific surveys where made during the winter 2020/21 to 2022/23 in the region of Kiel. By using playback response Water Rails were found in over 18 different sites range from two to 26 individuals. A total of 50 Rails was ringed, from which two adult males were caught in
their terretories again in following winters. Based on the recorded accumulations and weather data an absolute wintering population of approximately 100 to 160 Water Rails can be estimated for the survey area.
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