Migration and stopover ecology of European Robins Erithacus rubecula in an oleaster forest in southeastern Hungary

ABSTRACT Secondary wooded habitats provide suitable habitat for many bird species during autumn migration, and they also have an important role in migratory connectivity. In this study, we examined the migration timing and stopover ecology of the European Robins Erithacus rubecula migrating through a bird ringing station in southeastern Hungary. The ringing site is dominated by oleaster Elaeagnus angustifolia mixed with different berries and other shrubs and trees. The fieldwork covered the five years 2016–20, from early August to late October. For the analyses, we used data from a total of 725 ringed and 126 recaptured individuals. Our results show that these secondary habitats play an important role in the migration of this species. Birds migrated through the study site later than in other parts of Hungary, due to its southerly location. The rate of change in body mass was lower than that found at other locations in Europe, but the stopover duration was similar. The rate of change in body mass was influenced by the duration of stopover. Our findings highlight the importance of these secondary habitats in the farmland environment.