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Raptor migration at Guantouling, south-west China: phenology, weather influence and persecution pressure

Publication ,  Journal Article
Shi, XU; Xiao, X; Zhao, X; Sun, R; Choi, CY; Lin, W
Published in: Bird Conservation International
November 11, 2023

South-west China, particularly between the Himalayas and the Beibu Gulf, constitutes an important corridor for migratory raptors along the East-Asian continental flyway. However, a lack of ornithological assessment and the common practice of illegal hunting in this region emphasize the need for research and conservation actions. To investigate the ecology of migration and scale of persecution, we launched one of the first citizen-science projects in mainland China to record southward-migrating raptors and hunting gunshots from 2015 to 2019 on Guantouling, a well-known raptor site in South-west China. A total of 42,891 raptors were recorded, belonging to 30 diurnal raptor species. Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus, Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus and Amur Falcon Falco amurensis were the three most abundant species recorded. The bulk of Grey-faced Buzzard and Amur Falcon migrated through Guantouling from mid-October till early November, while Oriental Honey Buzzard migrated throughout October and early November. Precipitation slowed down migration significantly while increasing cloud cover was favoured by the three most abundant species. We found hunting mostly occurred in the afternoon, coinciding with an increasing number of Oriental Honey Buzzard, which may become a major victim of hunting. It is thus suggested to prioritize peak raptor migration period for law enforcement actions, especially on cloudy days and after passage of cold fronts, when Oriental Honey Buzzards and other species are likely to migrate. The annual counting scheme on Guantouling is not only an ecological survey, but also an effective way of engaging the public to counter raptor persecution.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Bird Conservation International

DOI

EISSN

1474-0001

ISSN

0959-2709

Publication Date

November 11, 2023

Volume

33

Related Subject Headings

  • Ornithology
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
 

Citation

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Shi, X. U., Xiao, X., Zhao, X., Sun, R., Choi, C. Y., & Lin, W. (2023). Raptor migration at Guantouling, south-west China: phenology, weather influence and persecution pressure. Bird Conservation International, 33. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270921000356
Shi, X. U., X. Xiao, X. Zhao, R. Sun, C. Y. Choi, and W. Lin. “Raptor migration at Guantouling, south-west China: phenology, weather influence and persecution pressure.” Bird Conservation International 33 (November 11, 2023). https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270921000356.
Shi XU, Xiao X, Zhao X, Sun R, Choi CY, Lin W. Raptor migration at Guantouling, south-west China: phenology, weather influence and persecution pressure. Bird Conservation International. 2023 Nov 11;33.
Shi, X. U., et al. “Raptor migration at Guantouling, south-west China: phenology, weather influence and persecution pressure.” Bird Conservation International, vol. 33, Nov. 2023. Scopus, doi:10.1017/S0959270921000356.
Shi XU, Xiao X, Zhao X, Sun R, Choi CY, Lin W. Raptor migration at Guantouling, south-west China: phenology, weather influence and persecution pressure. Bird Conservation International. 2023 Nov 11;33.
Journal cover image

Published In

Bird Conservation International

DOI

EISSN

1474-0001

ISSN

0959-2709

Publication Date

November 11, 2023

Volume

33

Related Subject Headings

  • Ornithology
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences