Spectacled warbler Sylvia conspicillata in France: distribution, population and changes

摘要

In order to improve knowledge of Spectacled Warbler in France, we send a questionnaire to many bird-watchers from the Mediterranean part of France. New bibliographical information concerning Languedoc-Roussillon and Catalonia (Spain) was also used. All the information available seems to indicate that the species is in sharp decline in France. For example in the Aude and Pyrenees-Orientales departements there has been an 80% decline in population size and a 50% contraction of the breeding range over the past 30 years. The French population is estimated at 300-1300 pairs half of which breed in Lavender crops in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, making it one of the most rare species of breeding passerines in France. This sharp decline could be linked to the closure of the open Mediterranean shrub-land or to the urbanisation of the Mediterranean coats, but it is also possible that problems in the overwintering quarters, regular anti mosquito campaigns in the salt marshes and competition with Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala do play a role. Iberian populations, which are the most important in Europe, seem to have been overestimated; it is therefore urgent to set up specific studies in order to establish conservation measures that will safeguard this species future.