Climate-driven shifts in trans-Saharan bird migration illustrated by the spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata).

ABSTRACT: Records of European long-distance migrant birds wintering in the Western Palaearctic have increased recently, possibly in response to milder climatic conditions due to climate change. The spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata), traditionally a trans-Saharan migrant, has recently been observed wintering north of the Sahara Desert. This study examines the winter status of this species in the Western Palaearctic and identifies climatically favourable yet unoccupied wintering areas. We compiled wintering records from 2000 to 2024 using the citizen science platform eBird. We then modelled the distribution of these data across Europe and the Middle East using 19 climatic and two topographic variables. Our results provide the first evidence of a regular wintering pattern of the species in the Wes

SUBMITTER: Lopez-Ramirez S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12508157 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature