Thanks Ian. Is the distinction
between ‘short and middle-distance migrants’ and ‘long-distance
migrants’ merely one between Australian breeders and N hemisphere
breeders (trans-equatorial migrants)? If so, that data merely shows migrants
are spending more time in their breeding areas. Perhaps in due course
they will not need to migrate at all.
From: Ian Fraser [
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 11:26
AM
To: Cog line
Subject: [canberrabirds] [Fwd: FW:
Australia*s
early birds feel the heat]
"Half of the species studied showed a significant trend toward earlier
arrival since 1960, with an average advance in arrival of 3.5 days per decade
across the whole group," says Beaumont.
"At the same time, there has been an average delay in departure of 5.1
days per decade. However there is a big discrepancy in this last result between
different types of birds - short and middle-distance migrants have delayed
departure by 8.1 days per decade, while long-distance migrants have actually
advanced departure by an average of 6.9 days per decade."
Media contact: Linda Beaumont 0422 388 335
