The importance of offshore areas in southern Öresund, Sweden, for staging and wintering sea ducks

Abstract

The occurrence of wintering and spring-staging sea ducks in the southern part of Swedish Öresund was surveyed from air and ship during the period 2001–2011. Altogether 22 air and 20 boat surveys were made during the months November–May and here we present the results regarding five commonly recorded sea ducks. We present the numbers recorded and the general time pattern of occurrence during winter and spring in the area. Recorded numbers are then used for evaluating the importance of the area, both in relation to national wintering totals as well as to international (Baltic) totals. Southern Swedish Öresund is of no larger importance for Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis in winter and spring. The area is however of national importance for both Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca and Common Scoter Melanitta nigra in winter. Peak numbers of Common Scoters do also reach international importance. Southern Swedish Öresund is of large national and international importance for both wintering and spring-staging Eider Somateria mollissima and Red-breasted Merganser Mergus merganser.