SATELLITE TELEMETRY RESEARCH OF INFLUENCE OF WEATHER PARAMETERS ON MIGRATORY SPEED OF WHITE STORKS

Abstract

The relation between weather and daily migration speed along the entire migration route of white storks was analysed.  Mean daily migration speed was calculated using satellite telemetry data for autumn and spring migration of white storks from their breeding grounds to wintering grounds in Africa and back. White storks migrated significantly faster and had a shorter migration season in autumn ( 10,7 km/h ) compared to spring ( 7,4 km/h ).  In autumn mean daily migration speed was significantly slower in Europe (8 ,7 km/h) than in the Middle East (11 ,7 km/h) and Africa (11 ,3 km/h).  In spring mean daily migration speed was significantly faster in Africa (10 , 5 km/h) as birds left their wintering grounds than in the Middle East and Europe (6,3 km/h and 5,5 km/h). In both spring and autumn tailwind (at 850mb) and latitude were found to be significant variables related to daily migration speed. Key words: migration, weather conditions, White storks, satellite telemetry.