Migration of Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea in Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia

On northward migration, Curlew Sandpipers crossed southern Yakutia in a dispersed fashion without welldefined migratory routes. On average birds arrived on the breeding grounds on 2 June, and the mean date of passage in areas south of the breeding grounds was four days earlier, on 29 May. Staging south of the breeding grounds was irregular with no records in many years, apparently related to weather conditions. In years with favourable weather, Curlew Sandpipers probably crossed Yakutia without stopping. Birds originating from different non-breeding grounds mixed in the region. Comparing observations and ring recoveries, it appeared that staging areas in western Yakutia were mainly used by Curlew Sandpipers of African and Indian origin, and those in eastern parts by Australian birds.