The role of peri-urban wetland and meadow habitats in the protection of trans-Saharan migrant passerine species in a central European city

Densities were estimated for several passerine longdistance migrant species associated with peri-urban wetlands and meadows in the city of Wroclaw (293 km2), SW Poland. Acrocephalus arundinaceus, A. scirpaceus, Locustella naevia and Lanius collurio nested in a crude density of more than 0.2 pairs/territorial males per 100 ha. The group of four other species (Saxicola torquatus, Locustella fluviatilis, L. luscinioides and Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) bred in a crude density between 1.1 and 1.5 pairs per 10 km2. The least numerous were the Sylvia nisoria (0.06 pairs per 100 ha) and Remiz pendulinus (0.02 pairs per 100 ha). Most of these species nested in the city in higher crude density than in a neighbouring rural area, richer of suitable habitats. Most breeding pairs occupied extensive peri-urban wetlands and meadows. These habitats could play an important role in conservation of these trans-Saharan migrants, as well as other water and marshland bird species. Such habitats are postulated to be protected as nature reserves or Special Protection Areas of the Natura 2000.