<< Globally threatened species

Aquatic Warbler

General Information

Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola is a globally threatened species, which is classified as VULNERABLE by BirdLife International - the official Red List Authority for birds for IUCN.

Identification. 12-13 cm. Small, heavily streaked, buff-and-black warbler. Strong black streaking on mantle bordered by pale "tramlines". Pale coronal stripe with black border. Pale lores. Streaked back, rump and uppertail-coverts. Finely streaked breast. Similar spp. Sedge Warbler A. schoenobaenus generally browner and less streaked. Lacks strongly streaked mantle and pale "tramlines", pale coronal stripe and streaks on breast. Song more complex and varied with mimicry and distinctive sweet notes. Voice Series of simple trills and short whistles, given from vegetation or short song flight. Does not mimic extensively. Low tuk or dry churr call.

Range. Aquatic Warbler breeds in Belarus, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Ukraine. The global population is estimated at around 27,000 - 42,000 singing males (BirdLife 2005), with major populations in Belarus, Ukraine, Poland and Hungary. The breeding distribution is fragmented because of habitat constraints.

Since 1970, the population is likely to have declined significantly as a result of destruction of 80-90% of its habitat in the river systems of upper Pripyat, Yaselda and Biebrza/Narew. These systems hold approximately 75% of the European population.

Photo: A.P.Leventis

Ecology. It breeds in lowland marsh habitats (mostly sedge fen mires) with water less than 10 cm deep1. It winters in similar habitats and, on migration, favours low stands of sedge and reed near open water.

Threats. The most important threats are loss of breeding habitat owing to drainage for agriculture and peat extraction, damming of floodplains, unfavourable water management and the canalisation of rivers1. Habitat degradation is widespread where traditional fen management has ceased allowing succession to unsuitable overgrown reedbed, scrub or woodland1. Uncontrolled fires in spring and summer pose a direct threat to birds and nests, and can burn out the upper peat layer of fens1. In the wintering grounds, drought, wetland drainage, intensive grazing, succession to scrub, desertification and salinisation of irrigated soils are all potential threats1.

Conservation measures underway. This species is included in the Annex I of the European Union’s Wild Birds Directive, Appendix II of the Bern Convention, Appendix I and II of the Bonn Convention, Appendix II of CITES.

It is legally protected in Belarus, Germany, Hungary, Ukraine and Poland. Key breeding sites in Belarus, Germany, Hungary and Poland are within protected areas1. Habitat is actively managed in Poland. Belarus, Hungary and Poland have monitoring programmes. Studies on halting succession have been conducted in Belarus. A European action plan was published in 1996.

On April 29th, 2003, 9 countries whose territories include natural habitats of Aquatic Warbler have signed the Memorandum of Understanding and Action Plan Concerning Conservation Measures for the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola (under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals). Ukraine joined this Memorandum on the 21st of May. Now, it is important to update the respective National Action Plan and take measures to ensure proper enforcement of the Memorandum in Ukraine. Current project substantially contributes towards this task through continuing monitoring of AW breeding populations in Ukraine, which could help develop effective conservation strategy including measures for the protection of species, sites and habitats.

Conservation measures proposed

• - Conduct surveys in western Siberia.
• - Implement a monitoring programme.
• - Protect key breeding sites and develop management plans.
• - Promote protection of the species and its habitat in wintering areas and along the migration route.
• - Ensure full legal protection.

What is done in Ukraine?

Aquatic Warbler is a Red-listed species in Ukraine. Some of the breeding sites are within protected areas.

The monitoring of six key habitats of AW has been carried out by the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds since 2002. For this purpose, two breeding sites of Desna-Dnipro population (valleys of Supoy and Uday Rivers) and four breeding sites of Pripyat population (two sites at the valley of Pripyat, valleys of Turya and Stir River) were chosen. These six key breeding sites support from 50 to 70 % of the Ukrainian Aquatic Warbler population.

In 2006-2007, USPB is implementing a project management planning for conservation of Aquatic Warbler Desna-Dniper population.

USPB is also working to protect key breeding sites of Pripyat population through lobby against water management projects threatening key habitats.

© The Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds  
2002-2007