Migration and wintering of Reed Buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus) in Spain.

The migration and wintering patterns in Spain of Reed Buntings were described from ring-recovery data for 451 birds. Differential migration according to the age and sex of birds was also analyzed, paying special attention to latitudinal differences. Recoveries of Reed Buntings in Spain occur mainly on the Cantabrian, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts and in the Ebro and Tajo valleys (Figs. 1 and 2). The origins and winter distribution of recoveries suggest two different migratory fronts. Birds from Fennoscandia and the European Atlantic countries migrate through the European Atlantic coast and winter mainly along the Cantabrian coast and in the central part of Spain. The second migratory front comes from central Europe and winters mainly along the Mediterranean coasts and in southwestern Spain. The breeding areas of Reed Buntings wintering in Spain are mainly located in central and western Europe (Germany, Benelux and France) and, to a lesser extent, in northern (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Baltic Countries) and eastern (Poland, ex-Checoslovaquia) Europe. Although most recoveries are located east of 4