FAO & OIE Avian Influenza and wild birds

Migratory flyways in Europe, Africa and Asia and the spread of HPAI H5N1

Ward Hagemeijer & Taej Mundkur

Wetlands International

Members of the UNEP/CMS Scientific Taskforce on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds

With contributions from David Stroud, Jan Veen, Cheikh Diagana

May 2006

Wetlands InternationalWetlands International works globally, regionally and nationally to achieve the conservation and wise use of wetlands, their resources and biodiversity, as a contribution to sustainable development.

• independent, not-for-profit, global organisation supported by Government membership

• 15 country offices in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, South,East and North Asia, Oceania, and South America,

• head office in Wageningen, the Netherlands. • supported by extensive Specialist Group networks, network of

Associate Experts and a network of tens of thousands of volunteers in the field.

Bird Migration: oversimplified

Map after International Wader Study Group

Wader Flyways

Incorrect use of map : map for some wader species used as general map for all waterbird migration

Types of migration or movement

– Seasonal migration

– Partial migration

– Reverse migration

– Moult migration

– Irruption

– Dispersion (typically non-directional)

– Cold weather movements

CMS definition of migration:

Cyclic, predictable movements of animals across national jurisdictional boundaries

Migration strategies (can) vary -

extent of migratory path can vary, both by• total length of flight-path• number and duration of stops along flight-path

• by species (and population within species)• by age of individual• by sex of individual• by individual• by season• with weather

• e.g. unfavourable headwinds can increase number of stops used

Very important caveat

• Individual variation in migration schedules (timing of migration or routes taken) is adaptive and central to differential evolutionary fitness

• Thus idealised migration flyways are just that

• Reality is much more ‘fuzzy’

• A highly summarised map• which applies only to some

waders• but is incorrect in for other

waders• and also doesn’t include geese,

ducks, gulls and other seabirds, storks etc. which all show different migratory strategies

• e.g. Isakov (1967) : Anatidae

Defining waterbird flyways

Conclusion:the separation between flyways is not easy to define

After Guillemain, Sadoul & Simon, Ibis 147: 688-696 (2005)Data Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, France.

Recoveries of Teal ringed in the Camargue:

1952-1978

But knowledge of delimitation of ‘flyways’ is poor

Teal flyways, after Scott & Rose 1996

What do we know?

☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺Ducks

☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺Waders

☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺ or ☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺Other

☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺Swans

☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺Geese

Africa timing of migration

Africa flyway locations

Europe timing of migration

Europe flyway locations

Key issues

1. Better, contemporary and international analysis of existing count and ringing data to synthesis summary information on migration routes and timings

2. Accessibility of data for decision makers and other users – flyway atlases or web-based GIS

3. Targeted international ringing and satellite telemetry programmes for selection of ‘higher risk’ species to improve underlying data

4. Collation of waterbird count data in seasons other than January and in geographical ‘gaps’

Wetlands International

• Bird Counts�Distribution data on birds: snapshot in time

�Wetlands International IWC�BirdLife International IBA’s�Others (e.g. species specialists)

�Migration counts: snapshot in space• Ringing data: Euring, Afring, etc. species

specialists• (satellite) tracking: ?, species specialist• Other techniques: ?, volunteer networks?

Data on Bird Migration in Africa-Eurasia

Maps of Waterbird migration patterns

From broad ranges to migratory routes:

satellite telemetry needed

Intra AfricanMigrationMovementsof birds atthe interiorof Africaand aroundits coastalareas are more irregular, rangingfrom local to international and oftendriven by climaticfactors

Migration is complex: Intra African MigrationMigration is complex: Intra African Migration

Urgent preliminary assessment of ornithological data relevant to spread of Avian Influenza in Europe

Commissioned by DG Environment toWetlands International and Euring

The following slides show some examples of preliminary results of the study contract issued by DG Env.

Different components of the project

Activities to be undertaken :

• identification of Higher Risk Species (HRS)• analysis of their migration routes• identification of concentration and mixingsites

• rapid assessment planning for wetland sites

Analysis of higher risk species

Identification of HRS on basis of:

• occurence of LPAI viruses• ecology and behaviour• contact risk with poultry• numbers within EU

In collaboration with David Stroud and Rowena Langston

Codes for ecology and behaviour

Habitat use

Group size Group density

F fresh water L large H high H highA agricultural M medium M medium M mediumN natural land S small L low L lowL littoral O solitary O zero O zeroM marineS salinasO other

Gregariousness Mixing

Selection of higher risk species

Common name Habitat Gregariousness Mixing

Mute Swan FA ML MBean Goose FA LM HCommon Snipe FA SL LNorthern Lapwing FA MH MEurasian Wigeon FAL LH HMallard FAL MH HBlack-tailed Godwit FAL MM HGadwall F SM HCommon Pochard F MH HSmew F MH LCommon Goldeneye FM SM MGoosander FM MM LGrey Plover L MH HEurasian Oystercatcher LFA LH HKing Eider M SH LGreater Scaup MF LH H

Higher risk species and species near-selected

Common name Scientific name Common name Scientific nam e

Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephalaMute Swan Cygnus olor Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferrugineaPink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhnchus Gadwall Anas streperaBean Goose Anser fabalis Greater Scaup Aythia marilaGreater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangulaLesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus Smew Mergellus albellusGreylag Goose Anser anser Goosander Mergus merganserBarnacle Goose Branta leucopsis Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus Brent Goose Branta bernicla Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquataRed-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis Common Redshank Tringa totanusEurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Lesser Black-backed gull Larus fuscusCommon Teal Anas crecca Herring Gull Larus argentatusMallard Anas platyrhynchos White-winged Tern Chidonias leucopterusNorthern Pintail Anas acuta Black Tern Childonias nigerGarganey Anas querquedulaNorthern Shoveler Anas clypeataMarbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostrisRed-crested Pochard Netta rufinaCommon Pochard Aythya ferinaTufted Duck Aythya fuligulaNorthern Lapwing Vanellus vanellusEurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Ruff Philomachus pugnaxBlack-headed Gull Larus ridibundusCommon Gull Larus canus

Higher Risk Species (26) Species near-selected (14)

Contact risk with poultry in EU member states

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Bewicks Swan 0 L 0 0 0 0 M M L

Mute Swan L M 0 H H H H H M M

Pink-footed Goose 0 0 0 L M 0 L

Bean Goose L 0 L M L L M M L

G. White-fronted Goose L L M L L M H M

L. White-fronted Goose 0 0 0 0 L L L 0 O

Greylag Goose M M M L M M L H M M

Barnacle goose 0 0 L 0 0 L L M M L

Brent Goose 0 L 0 0 0 L M 0 L

Red-breasted Goose 0 0 L L L 0 L

Eurasian Wigeon H H M 0 L L L M H M

Common Teal L M H L M M L L L M

Mallard M H H H H H H H H H

Northern Pintail L M M 0 L L L L M L

Risk score: 0 = virtually zero, L = low, M = medium , H = high

Contact risk and numbers in EU

Common name Scientific name Contact Risk* Numbers EU**

Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus L 29.000Mute Swan Cygnus olor M 297.500Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhnchus L 277.000Bean Goose Anser fabalis L 700.000Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons M 1.000.000Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus O 8.000-10.000Greylag Goose Anser anser M 522.100Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 437.100Brent Goose Branta bernicla L 240.000Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis L 88.000Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope M 1.800.000Common Teal Anas crecca M 1.150.000-1.775.000Mallard Anas platyrhynchos H 7.500.000Northern Pintail Anas acuta L 1.060.000Garganey Anas querquedula L 2.000.000-3.000.000Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata L 490.000Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris O 3.000-5.000Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina L 70.000-93.500Common Pochard Aythya ferina L 1.450.000Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula L 1.900.000Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus M 2.800.000-4.000.000Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria L 1.644.000-1.953.000Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa L 267.000-391.000Ruff Philomachus pugnax L >1.000.000Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus H 6.900.000-9.000.000Common Gull Larus canus L 1.400.000-3.100.000

* based on data from nine EU member countries** non-breeding population (bio-geographical population, Wetlands international 2002)

Overview of risk factors and H5N1

Common name Ecology Contact Risk Abundance H5N1

Bewick's Swan XXX XX XMute Swan XXX X X XPink-footed Goose XXXX XX XBean Goose XXX XX XGreater White-fronted Goose XXXX XXX X XLesser White-fronted Goose XXXX X XGreylag Goose XXXX XXX X XBarnacle Goose XXXX XX X XBrent Goose XXXX XX XRed-breasted Goose XXX XX X XEurasian Wigeon XXXX XXX XXCommon Teal XXXX XXX XX XMallard XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XNorthern Pintail XXXX XX X XGarganey XXX XX XXX XNorthern Shoveler XXX XX X XMarbled Teal XXX X XRed-crested Pochard XX XX XCommon Pochard XXX XX X XTufted Duck XXX XX XX XNorthern Lapwing XXX XXX XXXEurasian Golden Plover XXX XX XXBlack-tailed Godwit XXXX XX XRuff XXXX XX XBlack-headed Gull XXX XXXX XXXXXXXX X

Proportion of species H5N1 infected

group of species number

number percent

higher risk species 26 13 50%near-selected HRS 14 5 36%other species 70 3 4%

Total 110 21 19%

* date 30 March 2006

H5N1 infected*

Higher risk species related to migration route

Common name Black Sea NigeriaS. Urals

Bewick's SwanMute Swan XPink-footed GooseBean GooseGreater White-fronted Goose XLesser White-fronted GooseGreylag Goose XBarnacle GooseBrent GooseRed-breasted Goose XEurasian Wigeon X XCommon Teal X XMallard XNorthern Pintail X XGarganey X XNorthern Shoveler X XMarbled TealRed-crested Pochard XCommon Pochard X XTufted Duck X XNorthern Lapwing XEurasian Golden PloverBlack-tailed Godwit XRuff XBlack-headed Gull X XCommon Gull

Wetlands International

• Distribution data on birds• Migration counts• Ringing data• (satellite) tracking

Data on Bird Migration

Anas penelopeAll

Recoveries of Wigeon all months

Recoveries of Wigeon per month

Moving pattern does not show in pdf.

Movements of Wigeon

Density of waterbirds at the Eastern Sivashin all seasons

Source:

S. Khomenko,

Wetlands International, Kiev

Using waterbird data at the site scale

Density of waterbirdsat the Eastern Sivash in all seasons

Estimated outbreak risk and actual outbreaks of H5N 1 HPAI in the Eastern Sivash in early 2006Source: S. Khomenko, Wetlands International, Kiev

Predicted risk

Waterbird density

Proximity to waterbody

Human population density

Thank you

and over to Taej

Key Points

Introduction to Asia-Pacific flyways

Current status on information and capacity

Priority actions

Flyways of the Asia-Pacific (overlaps in breeding and staging areas)

East Asian –Australasian Flyway

Current status for Asia-Pacific flyways

Capacity and systemsNational bird ringing schemes in less than 5% of countriesBird monitoring schemes established in 90% of countriesVery limited capacity in some countries Absence of region-wide mechanism for coordination of

ringing and colour marking schemes

Data collection and availabilityBasic bird distribution available Monitoring data variablePopulation estimates need updatingSubstantial bird banding movement data of few countries to

be analysed/publishedSatellite tracking done for very few species (e.g. cranes,

geese, Black Stork, Black-faced Spoonbill)Big gaps on migration patterns of many waterbird groups

(e.g. rails, herons, gulls, terns)

Revealing the migration routes of cranes

Courtesy BirdLife Asia

Migration routes of Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus

Migration routes of Central Asian breeding populati on of Black Stork Ciconia nigra

Source: www.rozhlas.cz/odysea/angl

Migratory patterns of Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

Source: BNHS

Sites of importance for Spotted Redshank in the EAA F

Mark Barter

Sites of importance for Bartailed Godwit in the EAAF

Mark Barter

Asian Flyways of globally threatened Dalmatian Peli can Pelecanus crispus

Barheaded Goose migration and non-breeding period d istribution

Yellow dots – birds locations during AWC

Migratory patterns of Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Migratory patterns of Brownheaded Gull Larus brunnicephalus

Distribution and migration of Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans

Monitoring of waterbird distribution and abundance at a regional level (Asian Waterbird Census AWC)

• A total of 5,700 sites from 25 countries have been counted at least once since 1987.

• Thousands of volunteers contributed to the AWC.

Priorities for AI and migratory waterbirds in Asia- Pacific flyways

Improve understanding of migratory strategies of bi rds

Identify high-risk species of AI

Rapid collate available knowledge on migratory patt erns for high-risk species

Identify data gaps to prioritize future migration r esearch for high-risk species

Develop coordinated and cooperative projects for pr iority species

• Satellite tracking

• Colour marking and ringing

Consolidate and expand waterbird monitoring program mes

Initiate structured AI surveillance of high risk sp ecies and mortality monitoring

Priorities for AI and migratory waterbirds in Asia- Pacific flyways

Build national capacity and networks to support res earch, monitoring and surveillance

Secure resources to support priority work

Communicate results rapidly

Build awareness to conserve migratory birds and the ir habitats

Establish regional mechanism for communication and coordinating analysis and research on migratory strategies of waterbirds

Asia-Pacific Working Group on AI and migratory bird s

Wetlands International www.wetlands.org