Species fact sheet by Global Register of Migratory Species - www.groms.de

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Highly migratory. Nominate race leaves breeding grounds late Jul to Nov (mainly late Aug to Oct), W populations moving S on Broad front through Middle East (mid-Aug to early Dec) and E Africa. Winters mainly in E & S Africa, although small numbers may winter in W Africa. In spring, returning birds move N or NE, Mar- Jun, generally returning to breeding grounds Apr-May. Race meridionalis moves S on broad front across Mediterranean, N parts of Middle East and N Africa, and winters mainly in S and perhaps C Africa, though small numbers may winter in W Africa. Return movements probably at same time as nominate race. Race sarudnyi possibly winters mainly in E & SE Africa. In spring, moves NE through Arabian Peninsula, perhaps late Feb to May. Race unwini leaves breeding grounds possibly Aug-Sept and moves SE on broad front across Middle-East; winters mainly in E & SE Africa, although small numbers occasionally overwinter in Israel, Pakistan and possibly NW India. Return route in spring apparently farther N. After breeding, race plumipes moves SW on broad front and winters mainly in SE Africa. Race dementievi probably also winters in E & SE Africa. Vagrants recorded in Iceland, Faeroes, Azores, Madeira, Canary Is and Seychelles.   (del Hoyo J, Elliott A, Sargatal J (eds), 1999)

• digitised by GROMS, after del Hoyo J A Elliott; J Sargatal (eds) (1999) - www.hbw.com,
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