PROPOSAL-DRAFT for a “ EUROPEAN UNION MANAGEMENT PLAN for WOOD PIGEON “

The true Research concerning Columba palumbus is not so much present in the International European scientific Literature . Probably we need better idea and proposal ,as it following can be

________________________________________________________________________

EUROPEAN UNION MANAGEMENT PLAN

FOR

WOOD PIGEON ( Columba palumbus )

2019 – 2021

Contents

Executive summary

Introduction

Biological assessment

Available key-knowledge

Policies and legislation relevant for management

Framework for action

Activities

Guide-lines as

EUROPEAN UNION MANAGEMENT PLAN

FOR

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola

2006 -2009

Full Text at

http://centrostudinatura.it/public2/documenti/631-40065.doc DRAFT proposal

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

WOODPIGEON ( Columba palumbus ) is Species enclosed in

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/birdsdirective/index_en.htm

and is in the list of bird species (see here EU Bird List and Read-me note) that are considered to be covered by Article 1 of the Birds Directive (bird species naturally occurring in the wild state in the European Territory of the Member States to which the Treaty applies). This list, which has been agreed with the Member States, takes into account enlargements of the EU, natural changes to the distribution of species, and taxonomic improvements.

Reference at : < Annex 2: 82 bird species can be hunted. However, the hunting periods are limited and hunting is forbidden when birds are at their most vulnerable: during their return migration to nesting areas, reproduction and the raising of their chicks. >

The Woodpigeon Columba palumbus is listed on Annex II/1 of the EU Birds Directive as a species for which hunting is permitted within the marine and terrestrial area of application of the Birds Directive, without particular restrictions concerning the Member states. The Woodpigeon is an important quarry species in the EU with 3-4 million birds shot annually, essentially in Western and Southern member States. Hobson ( 2009) reports an hunting-bag in Europe 9-5 milion ( 5 milion in France) , but the long-term results of statistical analysis in Italy –exclusively during autumn migration – put evidence that the hunting incidence respect the birds’-mass observed in the same places ( Apppenine mounains) is between 1,5-2 % .The evidence of the present (2017-2018) real increasing of the European migrating Woodpigeons seems confirm that the hunting activities are not a real risk for the Species Columba palumbus but so many differences in various census activities need to be updated to better control the relationship benefit/unfavourable effects of the hunting , that is one of the target of the present Plan.

The Woodpigeon has been identified as a bird species, which has a favourable conservation status within the EU. This concern is based upon the fact that Woodpigeon populations are showing increasing trends in many Member States, but those trends and the conservation status of the species are still under discussion, as some European specialists try to better know the status during pre-/post-nuptial migrations and wintering . The wintering movements in South and South-West Europe are not – at present time – well studied , despite the important impact of the Species over Agriculture and Forests .

The main interests to Woodpigeon in the EU are identified as (1) modification (intensive agricultures ,fired woods and forests) of the breeding and wintering habitats (2) Impressive increasing of populations migrating along Mediterranean Flyway ( Central-East-Europe,Balkans,Italy ) and cultured fields ( crops,mais,sunflowers,cereals) (3) Parasitological and Avian-flu possible involvement

Recognising that the Woodpigeon is considered to have a favourable Conservation Status in EU (and Europe), the long-term objective (10 years) of this plan is to preserve the Woodpigeon to a favourable conservation but at the same time to study the impact on the biodiversity,Agricolture,health status of animals/men contacted, and hunting rules in the EU Countries .

Thus, the short-term objectives outlined in the plan will focus on:

The control of both breeding and wintering habitats
The implementation and/or consolidation of sustainable hunting practices
The development of research activities and monitoring

To reach these targets, the Management Plan identifies Results (11) to be achieved during its first 3- year running period. These are:

(1) The structure of forested habitats of the Woodpigeons is monitored as biodiversity , offering suitable places for breeding and for staging populations of Woodpigeons also in the stop-over (migration) and wintering EU areas .

(2) Permanent pastures land, cultures ( cereals,orticolture) are preserved in the surrounding of forested areas

(3) Agricultural practices are nature-friendly in the surrounding of forested areas, enhancing feeding opportunities for the Woodpigeons , but under control avoiding “pest effects” on the agriculture economy as in UK.

(4) Woodpigeon hunting in EU Member States does not affect birds during breeding period, and national hunting seasons are in accordance with information on breeding period as defined “Period of Reproduction and Prenuptial migration of Annex II Bird Species in the EU”

(5) Studies focused on breeding and wintering ecology of the species are continued, developed and supported by EU Member States, especially in Eastern South Europe and Balkans and other important states within the breeding range , considering also the present increasing of resident birds in West,South Europe , the damages of Agriculture ( pest effects) and potential damages effects ( parasites,avian-flu) in men’s area ( park of Cities,town,gardens)

(6 ) National bag statistics (including age and sex ratios) are collected and analysed, in the frame of national/regional/international research programs

(7 ) Ringing activities are developed or continued in all Member states which shelter Woodpigeon as breeding and/or wintering birds , but most important efforts must be developed in Satellite –Radio-tracking ,gps, as by http://www.fedechasseurslandes.com/IMG/pdf/rapport2.pdf

New Ornithological stations must be planned to operate in Migration/Wintering Researches , involving Universities’departments , Institutions and National International Associations by scientific credentials and CV , also by Citizen Science’s policies .

(8) The development of research activities and monitoring is documented by research’s evolution focused also on Phenology and Anatomical –physiological updating over the Species Columba palumbus .

(9) The “Management Plan EU “ preserved the Species Columba palumbus , introduced right laws for hunting preserving the rights of European hunters collaborators of Research programmes ( Citizen Science) , reduced damages over Agricultures , preserved health status of animals and men in the EU Countries involved in breeding , migrations , wintering areas of Woodpigeon .

(10) Autonomous coordinated researches of Associations/Institutions have documented/ or not ( Scientific “research-gate” publications, papers ) the main problems concerning the massive increasing of Woodpigeons’ populations from different Origins , the sustainable hunting and connected rules-laws in EU Countries , the impact on forests , farms’ fields and cultures, Cities’ gardens/parks and mainly the pest effects on the wild and domestic habitat as human-modified habitats and the seasonal yearly migrations’ movements/patterns have been a clear significance as sensor/indicator of the climatological changes .It’s basic to take note that the retroactive statistical researches in Italy ( Club Italiano del Colombaccio) have documented ( twenty years statistical counting records-CIC bibliography by Italian Journal Woodpigeon Research-www.journal.ilcolombaccio.it ) that the hunting impact over the migrating populations is around the 1,5 % , badly corresponding on the growing pest-effects during the sowing periods in the farms’ fields , depending on too strong limits for hunting-bags and hunting allowed periods

(Calculating annual mortality rates)

< Columba palumbus KVM GB 35-41%, juv 60-70%; Dk juv 54.3%; Ad 41.3%; NL ca 46% BWP Britain: juvenile mortality c. 74%, annual adult mortality c. 36% (Murton 1965b). Netherlands: 1911–53 (when no bounty paid for shooting) 1st-year mortality 49%, annual adult mortality 50%; 1959–62 (bounty) 1st-year 55%, adult 61% (Doude van Troostwijk 1964a); 1911–81 1st-year and adult both 46% (Glutz and Bauer 1980). Denmark: 1st-year mortality 54.7%, adult mortality 41.3% (Søndergaard 1983). Finland: 1st-year mortality 41.7%, 2nd-year mortality 47.6%, mortality in later years 30.5% (Saari 1979b) >

(11) Institutional researches have contributed to the better knowledge concerning phenology,biology, anatomical-physiology , ultrastructural molecular structure’s eco-sensors system, endocrine physiology during migrations , of the Species ( Columba palumbus ) and supposed sub-Species .

INTRODUCTION

The Wood pigeon ( Columba palumbus ) results by

https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=760F307A30689D66

Taxonomic number

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=177103#null

Basic Links

https://bd.eionet.europa.eu/article12/

http://s1.sovon.nl/ebcc/eoa/?species1=&species2=&species3=&species4=6700

The European population is estimated at 20,500,000-29,000,000 pairs, which equates to 40,900,000-58,000,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015). Europe forms c. 80% of the global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is 51-73 million mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is needed.

Trend Justification: The population is increasing in many parts of its range as it can exploit human-modified habitats; it has expanded its range northwards to Fenno-Scandia and Faeroe Islands (del Hoyo et al. 1997). The population trend in Europe increased moderately between 1980 and 2013 (EBCC 2015) , but increased dramatically in 2017-2018 .

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22690103/131924602 ( updated 06 August 2018 )

CONSERVATION ACTIONS EU :

Conservation Actions Underway
EU Birds Directive Annex II and III; C. There are no known conservation measures for this species.
Conservation Actions Proposed
No conservation measures are currently needed for this species.

The favourable conservation status of the species is based upon the fact that Woodpigeon populations show increasing trends in some Member States and in its core breeding range (Russia), and fluctuations in most of them. The Woodpigeon is a very important quarry species in the EU, and is in addition able of bad effects on human-modified habitats . Therefore it seems important to assess its current conservation status and the available research information in order to appraise the current effectiveness of conservation action, identify reasons for the observed trends and recommend management options to secure the population and reverse the downward trend where it occurs , but always in respect of human-modified habitats

Hence this plan will focus upon the full implementation of the provisions of the Birds Directive as these apply for this species.

Although this management plan provides recommendations and actions to be taken only by EU Member States, the ecology of the Woodpigeon makes it obvious that studies and conservation actions in breeding and wintering areas are also much needed, and that long-term conservation of the Woodpigeon depends on international cooperation programs.

With a few exceptions the format of this management plan follows a Single Species Action Plan format developed by BirdLife International for UNEP/AEWA

Biological assessment

Taxonomic source(s)
AERC TAC. 2003. AERC TAC Checklist of bird taxa occurring in Western Palearctic region, 15th Draft. Available at: #http://www.aerc.eu/DOCS/Bird_taxa_of _the_WP15.xls#.
Cramp, S. and Simmons, K.E.L. (eds). 1977-1994. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The birds of the western Palearctic. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

The documental elements as “general informations” and taxonomy , population development , distribution through the annual cycles and connected patterns , “survival and productive “ , all concerning the biological assessment of the Species “ Columba palumbus “ have been enclosed in the above-mentioned Links , and many of them are discussed in the Vol.1 –on-line of Italian Journal Woodpigeon Research and Bibliography and Web-bibliography http://journal.ilcolombaccio.it/item/index/ and https://www.ilcolombaccio.it/CMS/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Bibliografia.pdf

Other biological problems must be considered concerning the wild and human-modified habitats as by the following Links

http://www.foresteurope.org/documentos/LU_Europeans_Forest.pdf

http://www.efi.int/portal/virtual_library/information_services/mapping_services/forest_map_of_europe

https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/statistics_en

https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/100papers/100_Ecological_Papers/100_Influential_Papers_008.pdf

also concerning the Climate Change

https://books.google.it/books/about/Signs_of_Climate_Change_in_Nordic_Nature.html?hl=it&id=H-d1lIamBwcC&redir_esc=y

as in the Baltic Countries , considering woodland and urban populations of Woodpigeon

http://www.ardeola.org/files/1521.pdf

important areas :

Country/Territory	IBA Name
Czech Republic	Krivoklatsko (Krivoklatsko region)
Portugal	Cabeço do Fogo
Portugal	Lomba Grande
Portugal	Pico da Vara
Portugal	Zona Central do Pico
Russia (European)	Buzulukski forest
Spain Italy	Mountains of Barcelona-Extremadura Mesola Forest – Conero Park – S.Rossore Forest Park –Elba Park

Available key-knowledge

Following “ Recommended citation »
BirdLife International (2018) Species factsheet: Columba palumbus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/12/2018. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2018) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/12/2018.

It is mandatory check the following Links and details

http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/common-woodpigeon-columba-palumbus

« This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. » http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/common-woodpigeon-columba-palumbus/details

Population justification
The European population is estimated at 20,500,000-29,000,000 pairs, which equates to 40,900,000-58,000,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015). Europe forms c. 80% of the global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is 51-73 million mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is needed.

Trend justification
The population is increasing in many parts of its range as it can exploit human-modified habitats; it has expanded its range northwards to Fenno-Scandia and Faeroe Islands (del Hoyo et al. 1997). The population trend in Europe increased moderately between 1980 and 2013 (EBCC 2015).

This species has a wide distribution across the western Palearctic. It occurs in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Andorra, France, Monaco, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, India and Nepal (del Hoyo et al. 1997).

The species is found in a mosaic of woodland and open ground, notably farmland, parks and suburban gardens (Tucker and Heath 1997). It is typically a species of ecotone in deciduous or coniferous woodland. Its breeding season varies between regions, ranging from late February to early September. It normally lays two eggs. The nest is built of twigs and lined with more twigs, grasses and leaves usually 1.5-2.5 m above ground in trees and on building ledges or occasionally in thick vegetation or under a hedge. It takes food from the ground and also feeds in trees, mainly taking plant matter such as green leaves, buds, flowers, seeds, berries, grain and occasionally invertebrates. It is mainly migratory in northern and eastern Europe and partially migratory or resident in the rest of Europe (Baptista et al. 1997).

There are currently no known significant threats to this species..

EU Birds Directive Annex II and III; C . There are no known conservation measures for this species.

No conservation measures are currently needed for this species

“ Text account compilers
Ashpole, J, Khwaja, N., Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J. BirdLife International (2018) Species factsheet: Columba palumbus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/12/2018. «

Habitat (level 1)	Habitat (level 2)	Importance	Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial	Arable Land	suitable	non-breeding
Artificial/Terrestrial	Arable Land	suitable	breeding
Artificial/Terrestrial	Pastureland	suitable	non-breeding
Artificial/Terrestrial	Pastureland	suitable	breeding
Artificial/Terrestrial	Plantations	suitable	non-breeding
Artificial/Terrestrial	Plantations	suitable	breeding
Artificial/Terrestrial	Rural Gardens	suitable	non-breeding
Artificial/Terrestrial	Rural Gardens	suitable	breeding
Forest	Boreal	suitable	non-breeding
Forest	Boreal	suitable	breeding
Forest	Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane	suitable	non-breeding
Forest	Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane	suitable	breeding
Forest	Temperate	suitable	non-breeding
Forest	Temperate	suitable	breeding
Shrubland	Boreal	suitable	non-breeding
Shrubland	Boreal	suitable	breeding
Shrubland	Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation	suitable	non-breeding
Shrubland	Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation	suitable	breeding
Shrubland	Temperate	suitable	non-breeding
Shrubland	Temperate	suitable	breeding
Altitude	0 – 1600 m	Occasional altitudinal limits

COUNTRIES distribution

Country/Territory	Occurrence status	Presence	Resident	Breeding	Non-breeding	Passage
Afghanistan	N	Extant		Yes
Albania	N	Extant		Yes
Algeria	N	Extant
Andorra	N	Extant	Yes
Armenia	N	Extant		Yes
Austria	N	Extant		Yes
Azerbaijan	N	Extant	Yes
Belarus	N	Extant		Yes
Belgium	N	Extant	Yes
Bosnia and Herzegovina	N	Extant	Yes
Bulgaria	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
China (mainland)	N	Extant		Yes
Croatia	N	Extant	Yes
Cyprus	N	Extant	Yes
Czech Republic	N	Extant	Yes
Denmark	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
Egypt	V	Extant
Estonia	N	Extant	Yes
Faroe Islands (to Denmark)	N	Extant		Yes
Finland	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
France	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
Georgia	N	Extant		Yes
Germany	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
Gibraltar (to UK)	V	Extant
Greece	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
Hungary	N	Extant		Yes
Iceland	N	Extant		Yes
India	N	Extant
Iran, Islamic Republic of	N	Extant	Yes
Iraq	N	Extant	Yes
Ireland	N	Extant	Yes
Israel	N	Extant
Italy	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
Jordan	V	Extant
Kazakhstan	N	Extant		Yes
Kuwait	N	Extant				Yes
Kyrgyzstan	N	Extant		Yes
Latvia	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
Lebanon	N	Extant			Yes	Yes
Liechtenstein	N	Extant		Yes
Lithuania	N	Extant	Yes
Luxembourg	N	Extant	Yes
Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of	N	Extant	Yes
Malta	N	Extant		Yes
Mauritania	V	Extant
Moldova	N	Extant	Yes
Mongolia	N	Extant		Yes
Montenegro	N	Extant		Yes
Morocco	N	Extant
Nepal	N	Extant
Netherlands	N	Extant	Yes
Norway	N	Extant		Yes
Oman	N	Extant	Yes
Pakistan	N	Extant		Yes
Poland	N	Extant	Yes
Portugal	N	Extant	Yes
Romania	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
Russia	N	Extant	Yes	Yes		Yes
Russia (Central Asian)	N	Extant		Yes
Russia (European)	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
Serbia	N	Extant		Yes
Slovakia	N	Extant	Yes
Slovenia	N	Extant	Yes
Spain	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (to Norway)	V	Extant
Sweden	N	Extant	Yes
Switzerland	N	Extant	Yes
Syria	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
Tajikistan	N	Extant		Yes
Tunisia	N	Extant
Turkey	N	Extant	Yes
Turkmenistan	N	Extant				Yes
Ukraine	N	Extant	Yes			Yes
United Arab Emirates	V	Extant			Yes
United Kingdom	N	Extant	Yes
Uzbekistan	N	Extant		Yes
Western Sahara	N	Extant

Policies and legislation relevant for management

It is fundamental base to take note , applying the proposed Woodpigeon Plan

<< The species for which Article 9(1)(a) are invoked are sometimes referred to as ‘pest species’. The justifications for their control include ‘to prevent serious damage to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries and water’ as well as ‘for the protection of flora and fauna’. The first justification in particular relates to a wide range of species, including members of the Corvidae, Columbidae, Sturnidae, Laridae and Anseridae . Several of the species concerned are widespread and relatively abundant and are considered to have a favourable conservation status >> http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/hunting/docs/hunting_guide_en.pdf

<< Article 9(1)(a) of the Directive lists a number of reasons, which may justify the use of derogations. They are: • In the interests of public health and safety • In the interests of air safety • To prevent serious damage to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries and water • For the protection of flora and fauna >>

Concerning Agricolture < <concerns the prevention of serious damage to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries and water. This derogation, which is intended to regulate ‘damage-causing birds’, has a number of dimensions. Firstly, it clearly relates to economic interest. Secondly, it is intended to prevent damage; therefore it is not a response to already proven damage but of the strong likelihood that this will take place in the absence of action. Thirdly, there must be a basis for concluding that damage will be serious in the absence of action. 3.5.8 Bird damage is usually caused by feeding (crops, livestock, fisheries), destruction (crops, forests), and pollution (water). 3.5.9 Such bird damage concerns a wide spectrum of species, including the Corvidae, Columbidae, Sturnus vulgaris, Laridae and Anseridae. Of those Annex II species many are also the subject of long overlaps (over 40 days) between hunting seasons and the periods of breeding and return migration. 3.5.10 Damage to interests other than those mentioned, e.g. other forms of property>>

Concerning << Policies and legislation relevant for management >> must be considered < Court case references pertinent to the guide. The details can be found on the Internet web site of the Court of Justice of the European Communities (http://curia.europa.eu/en/content/juris/index.htm) >

Framework for Action

Priority statement/evaluation

With a breeding population estimated between 20,500,000-29,000,000 pairs, which equates to 40,900,000-58,000,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015 estimate ) the Woodpigeon is a widespread and fairly common species. Most part of the European population of Woodpigeon breeds within the EU, Russia and Scandinavia representing the core breeding range. Population trends show fluctuation or even a strong in crease, and the species has therefore been given an very favourable conservation status by BirdLife International (2004a) This status is still under discussion, as few European specialists of the species are not convinced of the increasing . According to Wetlands International, populations trends of the Woodpigeon are considered as stable but some consideration must be done : considering expanding man-handed area in a very long term period and the pollution of the Species , the Species itself could evolve in genetic changes as it probably happened in North America for Pigeon Passenger then extinct .

However, it seems relevant within this management plan to set conservation and control objectives and to propose activities that can secure the European population of Woodpigeons under scientific control .

Changes in the habitats of the Woodpigeon are believed to be of major importance for the observed increase of the species within the EU. However forested areas seem to be increasing all over Europe, changes in the structure of habitats within forested area and Intensive Agriculture area are believed to have important effects on the increasing trend .

The Woodpigeon is also an important quarry species, with an annual bag estimated between 3 and 4 millions of birds for the EU.. Woodpigeon hunting is often practiced by specialist hunters, who are in many cases well structured and fully aware of the necessity of conserving the species on the long-term. The principle of bag/season limitation is therefore fully accepted, and it is of highest relevance to encourage and strengthen the implication of the hunter’s community in the global management of the species. However, up to now these bag-limit are fixed arbitrarily without biological data on population trends.

Furthermore, scientific knowledge needs to be improved in the breeding/stop-over grounds of the species (in and outside the EU) as well as in wintering areas. Only few member States are actually conducting focused research programs about the species.

Purpose of the action plan

The Woodpigeon is an expanding species which is subject to important bag-take within the EU but at the same time – expanding all-over in wild and civilian habitats without control – building risks for Agriculture economy (pest) , for animal-vegetal disease diffusion ,intrinsic risks for the genetic of the species . Its populations show fluctuations and is considered to have an favourable Conservation Status in the EU and at a pan-European scale (BirdLife International, 2004b).

Therefore, the long-term objective of this plan is:

the Scientific control of the Species in front of the increasing anthropization of its habitats avoiding damages and risks for the Species,animals,men also by the implementation and/or consolidation of sustainable hunting practices. Hobson ( 2009) reports an hunting-bag in Europe 9-5 milion ( 5 milion in France) , but the long-term results of statistical analysis in Italy –exclusively during autumn migration – put evidence that the hunting incidence respect the birds’-mass observed in the same places ( Apppenine mounains) is between 1,5-2 % .

The short-term objective of this plan is :

the development of research activities and monitoring

This management plan applies for a 3-years period after which is should be evaluated and reviewed. This should include an assessment of the results achieved during the first 3 years. During this process updated short-term objectives for the next Woodpigeon management plan should be identified and eventually modified .

Results for the period 2019-2022

Management of habitats
Management of wintering populations
Policy and legislative actions
Research, monitoring and international cooperation

This section outlines the Results to be achieved during the first 3-year period of Woodpigeon management within the EU. The Results outlined below and the corresponding activities are targeted at the authorities responsible for the implementation of the provisions of the Birds Directive in the Member States.

Those results aim to initially address the most urgent issues to safeguard the Woodpigeon and its linked habitats (including man’s activities) in the EU but at the same time restrict the corresponding activities to be carried out in the 3 year period to a realistic level. It is anticipated that the objectives have been achieved when the running period of the Management Plan ends in 2022. It is furthermore an underlying assumption that this first Management Plan will be followed by versions with revised objectives that take into account the results achieved during the first phase, other new information etc. In the Logical Framework Analyses (LFA) table the Results with corresponding Activities, verifiable indicators, means of verification and assumptions are outlined.

Some factors affecting the achievements of the long-term management objectives are not included among the objectives/activities of this plan

Management of habitats

The habitats requirements of the Woodpigeon include mixed forest covers, with deciduous trees and stands of different ages, together with open fields, intensive-agriculture-area , grassland which offer suitable foraging habitats (wintering areas). Wooded farmland including hedges can complete those habitats in wintering areas.

Habitat of the species is subject to change in the European Union, with fragmentation, replacement of mixed forest by conifers in monoculture, and more generally with intensification of forestry practices, that is unlikely to be favourable to the species. Those changes can have both impacts on the vegetation cover (decrease of underlying shrub cover) and, indirectly, on the food .

In addition to the changes in forestry practices, intensification of agricultural practices has also too strong impacts on the species, as extensive lands have been transformed into cereal crops. The use of chemicals and ploughing techniques are also not favourable for the Woodpigeon .

It has to be stressed that inflexions and changes concerning agriculture and forestry practices are very challenging to achieve both at the EU level and at national/regional levels. However, the results to achieve concerning the management of habitats are the following:

The structure of forested habitats of the Woodpigeon is improved, offering suitable places for breeding and for staging populations of Woodpigeon .
Agricultural practices are nature-friendly in the surrounding of forested areas, enhancing feeding opportunities for the Woodpigeon .

Management of wintering populations

Studies about the dynamic of population of the species have shown that the Woodpigeon tolerates a high hunting pressure, without any major decline due to hunting so far. This is very much the case in Western Europe, where fully migratory Woodpigeon originating from Eastern Europe (incl. Russia) are mostly targeted by hunters. Scientists have shown that the species is very flexible to climatic changes . In this context, and whatever the fluctuation patterns of the populations are, it is crucial to secure the population and to manage it wisely.

As the Woodpigeon is a very widespread species, only few hunting-free areas are specifically targeted at its conservation, the existing ones are mostly centred on forested areas. It was has highlighted the importance and benefit of hunting-free reserves for the conservation of the Woodpigeon . The benefit is even much higher in case the reserves include surrounding of forested areas. Such models should therefore be developed in respect of Agriculture area .

Results that should be achieved under the chapter of population management are the following:

Preserve the typology-phenology of the migratory Species Columba palumbus .
Evaluate the risks of excessive increasing of the population and present trend to occupy men’s area .
Updating knowledge ( anatomic-physiology) concerning migratory behaviour as sensitive for climatic changes
Preserve and modulate the traditional typologies of hunting as social net in many EU Countries

Policy and legislative actions

Woodpigeon is a very important quarry species in the EU, with a total bag roughly estimated over 2 millions birds shot annually.

Woodpigeon hunting is mainly practiced by specialist hunters, who are well structured ( traditional methods in some Countries and local Regions considered as “historical art” ) and who have developed self-monitoring activities for the conservation of the species. The principle of bag limitation is therefore fully accepted, and bag limits are already mandatory (or on a voluntarily basis) in many regions within the EU. Bag limitation is most of the time concomitant with the obligation of writing down bagged birds on a hunting notebook (“carnet de chasse”), the notebooks providing in addition important scientific data needed for monitoring.

In areas with no current bag limitation, the implementation of bag limits should not be arbitrarily fixed, but should follow results of scientific monitoring and should be adapted to local contexts and climate conditions.

Results to achieve concerning policy and legislation are the following:

Mandatory bag limitation is set in all Member states allowing hunting of Woodpigeon , with respect to regional context, and is adaptable to trends in populations and weather conditions.
Woodpigeon hunting in EU Member States does not affect birds during breeding period, and national hunting seasons are in accordance with information on breeding period as defined “Period of Reproduction and Prenuptial migration of Annex II Bird Species in the EU”
Woodpigeon hunting must been regulated by local rules/law during pre – “post-nuptial” migration (August-September) and wintering period ( December-February) depending on scientific local monitoring system .

To achieve those results it is strongly recommended to learn lessons from all self-monitoring schemes and regional legislation actually in place in the EU, and to promote their use for the entire hunter’s community.

Research, monitoring and international cooperation – KEY item –

Involvement of Associations ( by Citizen Science policy) , Institutions , Universities, Research Foundations,Laboratories, Web-makers,Media should be basic for the Research as a “Key-item”.

Specific research about the Woodpigeon in the EU and in its breeding range is still limited, most of the programs taking place in France, Itay,Spain or in Russia through international cooperation programs. As a majority of woodcocks present in the European Union during winter originate from Russia,Belarus ,Scandinavia and from other Eastwards countries, it seems absolutely necessary to strengthen current cooperation projects and to develop new scientific collaborations.

Regarding scientific investigations, ONCFS (F) has developed considerable efforts in research and capacity building (ringing – satellite monitoring ) over the last 10 years, extending the network of partners within the EU and in Russia. Those initiatives can therefore be shown on of the best practices in the field of long-term monitoring and research programs about the Woodpigeon. The new technologies must be considered the goal.

Research and monitoring of the species should thus be enlarged to all Member states which shelter breeding,migrating (stop-over) and/or wintering Woodpigeon . As highlighted by several specialists of the species, specific attention should be paid to survival rate of juvenile Woodpigeon and breeding success in Russia, those parameters being of crucial importance to understand how the species can tolerate important pressures .

Ringing and gps monitoring of Wooddpigeon should also be encouraged (during nesting and on wintering grounds), and hunting bags should be made available on an annual basis. More work is needed to decide bag limit in accordance to seasonal population trends, instead of arbitrary bag limits as it is mostly the case today. Ringing and monitoring of woodpigeons at the beginning of migration in early autumn in Eastern and Northern Europe is especially important to investigate about abundance of birds and age-ratio that seem to be well correlated to the breeding success in Russia and Fenno-Scandia, and to the abundance of birds arriving later on the wintering grounds, where most hunting occurs.

Studies on wintering ecology should be pursued in various habitats, especially those never investigated like Mediterranean forests and, pine forests (important habitats in Spain, Italy and Greece that are the other most important countries for total hunting bag), mountains where altitudinal migrations occur, and regions where the species is resident all year round .

To achieve the Result that by 2022 better information is available about breeding and wintering populations of Woodpigeon in the EU Member States, authorities responsible for the implementation of the Birds Directive in the Member States must achieve following results:

– Studies focused on breeding ecology of the species are continued, developed and supported by EU Member States, especially in Russia and other important states within the breeding range , especially in Balkans,Italy,France,Spain within migrating period ( October-November)

– National bag statistics (including age and sex ratios) are collected and analysed, in the frame of national/regional/international research programs

– Monitoring ( live counts) activities are developed or continued in all Member states which shelter Woodpigeon as breeding .migrating and/or wintering birds.

Special Institutions ( Universities) reported their results concerning anatomic-physiological updating of the body’s structures ( specially sense’s organs) not yet completely investigated .

Special Web enterprises ( as Journals,Blogs,Websites,scientific Forum) reported results of wide-world exchange of scientific information .

ACTIONS’ PLANNING : Italy – Spain – France – Russia – Poland (Baltic area)

See “ Specific APPENDIX” work in progress

Activities

WORK in PROGRESS : tables will be prepared according to http://centrostudinatura.it/public2/documenti/631-40065.doc

High: an action that is needed to prevent a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: an action that is needed to prevent a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: an action that is needed to prevent local population declines or which is likely to have only a small impact on the population across the range.

The Time scales attached to each Activity use the following criteria:

Immediate: completed within the next year.
Short: completed within the next 1-3 years
Medium: completed within the next 1 – 5 years.
Long: completed within the next 1 – 10 years
Ongoing: an action that is currently being implemented and should continue.

WORK in progress

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THE GENERAL PATTERN OF SEASONAL DYNAMICS *****
OF THE AUTUMN MIGRATION OF THE WOOD PIGEON
(COLUMBA PALUMBUS)IN ITALY
Enrico Cavina, Rinaldo Bucchi and Przemyslao Busse

THE RING 40 (2018) 10.1515/ring-2018-0001

( https.//www.researchgate.net/publication/328336987)

102 . MONOGRAPHY 2018 : CAVINA Enrico, BUCCHI Rinaldo ,,BIANCHI Denis ,FELIGETTI Vasco,GIOVANETTI Graziano, GIANNERINI Sauro , BECECCO Luca — La MIGRAZIONE AUTUNNALE del COLOMBACCIO ( Columba palumbus )in ITALIA” -Book 2018 -Edited by Club Italiano del Colombaccio – published by ARACNE EDITRICE – Roma

WEB-BIBLIOGRAPHY about Woodpigeons ( Columba palumbus )

http://journal.ilcolombaccio.it/web-bibliography-about-woodpigeons-columba-palumbus/

APPENDIX (1) —- ITALY

Club Italiano del Colombaccio ( Italian Club Woodpigeon) as Federation of Regional Sections started monitoring the autumn migration in 1997 .

The results of the scientific – research activities are documented in Bibliography .

In 2018 three events must be underlined .

Publishing of a Monography ( Book and E-book available on-line )

MONOGRAPHY 2018 : CAVINA Enrico, BUCCHI Rinaldo ,,BIANCHI Denis ,FELIGETTI Vasco,GIOVANETTI Graziano, GIANNERINI Sauro , BECECCO Luca —<< La MIGRAZIONE AUTUNNALE del COLOMBACCIO ( Columba palumbus )in ITALIA >> -Book 2018 -Edited by Club Italiano del Colombaccio – published by ARACNE EDITRICE – Roma

Publishing of a paper on an International Journal of Ornitholgy << The Ring >>

THE GENERAL PATTERN OF SEASONAL DYNAMICS *****
OF THE AUTUMN MIGRATION OF THE WOOD PIGEON
(COLUMBA PALUMBUS) IN ITALY
Enrico Cavina, Rinaldo Bucchi and Przemyslao Busse

THE RING 40 (2018) 10.1515/ring-2018-0001

( https.//www.researchgate.net/publication/328336987)

A Journal on line was founded

ITALIAN JOURNAL WOODPIGEON RESEARCH ( IJWR) collecting in the first year

23 Papers .

Concerning the target – results of the present proposal-plan the involvement of Club Italiano Colombaccio was as following :

(2) Permanent pastures land, cultures ( cereals,orticolture) are preserved in the surrounding of forested areas

Agricultural practices are nature-friendly in the surrounding of forested areas, enhancing feeding opportunities for the Woodpigeons , but under control avoiding “pest effects” on the agriculture economy as in UK.

All the problems connected with present items (1-2-3 ) (Forests – Agriculture) had a large documentation in the Chapter II (pgg.21-26) of the Book ( attached – as Document- to the Plan-proposal draft )

(6 ) National bag statistics (including age and sex ratios) are collected and analysed, in the frame of national/regional/international research programs

All the problems connected with present items (4-5-6 ) ( Hunting rules in Italy , studies,statistics ) could be discussed as following :

Law : Regional rules are established yearly and managed by local ATC ( administrative powers in local area -372 in Italy) these also responsible of collecting data-bags for statistics . Studies are mostly promoted by Hunters’ Associations .

Ringing activities for Woodpigeons are very few or zero in Italy . Radio-tracking must be promoted .

The papers of CIC produced and reported on-line in Vol.1 – Italian Journal Woodpigeon Research are testimonial about the Researches’ results of CIC concerning Phenology . On the same way for Anatomical – Physiological items by CIC must be considered :

-http://journal.ilcolombaccio.it/the-para-tympanic-organ-pto-of-vitali-a-documental-continuing-forgotten-request-to-the-science/

-http://journal.ilcolombaccio.it/item/didactic-supplement/

– WOODPIGEON’s ANATOMY – Photographic Atlas

https://plus.google.com/photos/103942035281038458760/albums/5802521945641185121

(Calculating annual mortality rates)

Results documented as by Italian Journal Woodpigeon Research vol1- 2018

On the base of a possible acceptance/starting of the “Woodpigeon Plan” , CIC will promote Cooperation in Italy with Italian Universities ( specific Doctorates in Research ) , and possibly other Institutions and Associations .

Italian involvement by CIC managing the Plan will be on :

Breeding period : as by Chapter XI – Progetto Colombaccio Italia – “ Reproduction of Columbides pgg. 140-143 and results Breeding Columbides Pgg 147-153 “ in MONOGRAPHY 2018 : CAVINA Enrico, BUCCHI Rinaldo ,,BIANCHI Denis ,FELIGETTI Vasco,GIOVANETTI Graziano, GIANNERINI Sauro , BECECCO Luca —<< La MIGRAZIONE AUTUNNALE del COLOMBACCIO ( Columba palumbus )in ITALIA >> -Book 2018 -Edited by Club Italiano del Colombaccio – published by ARACNE EDITRICE – Roma-2018
Migratory period : continuing Monitoring by 3 Projects PCI,MSM,MCL as in Italian Journal Woodpigeon Research

Wintering period : as by http://journal.ilcolombaccio.it/parasitological-research-in-woodpigeons/

and mainly by “ Réserve naturelle “Bois de la Mesola”: l’hivernage du pigeon ramier. Année 2017/2018.

BIANCHI Denis” http://journal.ilcolombaccio.it/ijwr-vol-1-2018-papers-short-comunications/

“This study concerns a winter monitoring of the wood pigeon made in Italy by the Italian club of the “CLUB ITALIANO DEL COLOMBACCIO” wood pigeon around the wood of Mesola. This wood is located near the sea on the Adriatic coast. It has been chosen for its strategic geographical position or converges two major migratory lines coming from the countries of north and north-east of Europe. This forest, formed in prevalence by holm oaks, has been declared an integral reserve of the Italian state since the year 1971. The forest, entirely fenced, is at the same time surrounded by an oasis of protection of the wild fauna. The monitoring methods in this study are very detailed as well as the days of the surveys carried out on the most important points of exit of the wood as on certain places where the wood pigeons will feed during the winter. The study ends with a summary with a conclusion where we also find a comparison between the current agricultural situation and the agricultural situation of the 1980s / 1990s. Agricultural situation which determines each year the evolution of the wintering of the woodpigeons on this place.”

FULL overview of the RESEARCH’s programme of Club Italiano del Colombaccio are by DETAILS in

Cap.XXI – pag. 247-256 of

as attached Document –

APPENDIX (2) —- FRANCE

Invited Institution : Groupe d’Investigation sur la Faune Sauvage – GIFS

111-chemin del’Herté-Pontonx-sur-l’Adour – FRANCE

www.gifs-france.com

REFERENCE for all activities at :

Monography – “ Le GIFS et la Palombe,30 ans d’histoire “ – self publishing 2017

APPENDIX (3 ) —- SPAIN

Invited Institution : Associacion Paloma Torcaz de Euskadi ACPTE

www.acpte-org

APPENDIX (4 ) —- PORTUGAL

Invited Institution :Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves – Lab.Ornitologia .

http://www.spea.pt/pt/

APPENDIX (5 ) —- POLAND

Invited Institution : Bird Migration Research Foundation – SE European Bird Migration Network

http://www.seen-net.eu/

APPENDIX (6 –out EU ) —- RUSSIA

Invited Istitution : Severtsov’s Institute of Ecology and Evolution – Russian Academy of Science – Moscow – RUSSIA –

http://www.sevin.ru

other : work in progress