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Almost wholly long distance migrant, although numerous Dec-Feb records from W Europe, especially in 19 th century when breeding population much larger. Main flyways into Africa: W route via Morocco and Algeria; and more important E route via Egypt; few cross Mediterranean between these flyways. Some, probably from E Palearctic, enter Egypt and Sudan via Arabia and Red Sea. Autumn movements Aug-Nov (peak Sept) in Europe; passes through Morocco and Egypt Aug-Oct (mainly Sept); arrives Sudan Sept-Oct and most pass through Kenya Oct-Dec; few recorded S of equator before mid-Nov. Most reach C & S Africa late Nov-Dec, and leave late Feb-Apr; return passage more rapid, birds crossing Mediterranean late Mar to mid-May; W Palearctic breeding grounds occupied from mid-Apr. Passage recorded Azerbaijan Sept-Nov and Apr-May. Occasionally winters Mediterranean basin and N Africa. Migrates at night, at low altitude; often strikes lighthouses. Vagrants to Canary Islands, Azores, Madeira, Iceland, Greenland (c. 20 records), North America (c. 17 records) from Baffin I along Atlantic coast and S to Bermuda; S & SE to India/Pakistan (2), Sri Lanka (3), Seychelles, and Australia (New South Wales and off W Australia); New Zealand record not accepted; in Africa very rare or vagrant to Libya (2), W Mauritania (2), Mali, SW Niger, Chad (2), Nigeria (4), W Somalia (4), Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon (3), Congo (3), Angola (2), W Namibia (1) and W Cape (1). High degree of vagrancy indicative of dispersive ability and of readiness with which birds are blown off course by opposing winds.   (del Hoyo J, Elliott A, Sargatal J (eds), 1996)

• digitised by GROMS, after del Hoyo J A Elliott; J Sargatal (eds) (1996) - www.hbw.com,
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