European Wagtail populations in Poland face potential threats

While the population of European Wagtails (Motacilla flava) is currently increasing in Poland, including in urban areas, scientists warn that this trend may soon reverse.

Research published in ‘Global Change Biology’ indicates that the survival and migration patterns of these birds are heavily dependent on environmental conditions in Africa, where they spend the winter. Analysis of data spanning the last two centuries shows that the birds' ability to return to Europe is linked to rainfall levels in their African wintering grounds. Increasing droughts in Africa could limit access to essential water and food, potentially reducing the number of wagtails returning to Europe in the future.