Distribution, Phenology and Long-Term Population Trends in Blacktailed Godwits Limosa Limosa wintering in Coastal France

Abstract. Species with known long-term changes in abundance and distribution enable exploring the role of newly accessible sites in population regulation. In Western Europe, the Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa islandica is one of the few wintering shorebirds with increasing populations. The French coasts comprise a major wintering site within its global wintering area, with several thousand individuals at some sites. Nevertheless, the role and importance of French sites in general distribution patterns of the species remain unclear, especially as its hunting was legal there until 2008. In contrast, recent increases in protected areas in France (from 4,000 ha in 1973 to 28,000 ha in 2005) offer new safe sites and suitable habitats for the species. In this study, we assessed the numbers and distribution of Black-tailed Godwits along the coasts of Western France. The main wintering sites in France are progressively occupied from August, reaching peak occupation in late autumn or early winter although few o...