Annex 2-2

This duck has a fragmented distribution from the Iberian peninsula, southern and eastern Europe to Central Asia, mainly in steppe regions. The small population inhabiting north-western Europe (United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands) seems to originate from captive birds, and is currently increasing. The birds of south-western and western Europe are partly sedentary, partly migratory. They are totalling 25000 individuals, and seem to decline. The birds seen in Greece and southern Italy belong the population of the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean regions, estimated at 50000 individuals (Scott & Rose).

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This duck inhabits a major part of temperate Eurasia, from the British Isles to Mongolia. During the last decades it has extended its distribution westwards and south-westwards. It is now breeding regularly in small numbers in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Spain. The birds of the European Union winter partly from Denmark to the British Isles and Bretagne; partly in Central Europe and the Mediterranean. Its is unlikely however that these birds have a different origin. Only for practical reasons they are considered as belonging to distinct populations. The birds wintering in north-western Europe are amounting to 350000 individuals; those of the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and Central Europe are estimated at 1000000 individuals (Scott & Rose). A few thousands of individuals of this last population reach sub-Saharan Africa. After an increase in numbers and an extension in distribution, the West European population seems currently to be somewhat declining. The trends of the East European populations, visiting e. g. Greece, are less well known but seem also to indicate some decline. In the western Mediterranean this decline is estimated at 70% during the last 20 years (EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds).

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This duck has a wide distribution in northern Eurasia, from Iceland to Kamchatka and between 45°N and 70°N. European populations winter southwards to North Africa, and only a small number of individuals reach sub-Saharan Africa. The birds of the south-west of the distribution area seem to be sedentary however. In the European Union the main wintering grounds are centred on the Baltic Sea, the Netherlands and the lakes of Central Europe. The population of north-western Europe is totalling 1000000 individuals. The population of Central Europe, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean is estimated at 600000 individuals. Both populations have undergone a definite increase during the last decades (Scott & Rose, EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds).

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This mainly marine species is breeding on arctic islands, in the north-west and extreme east of Eurasia and in North America. Some populations are sedentary. Others are migratory, wintering mainly in Denmark, northern Germany and the Netherlands, but reaching the Atlantic coasts of France. A few birds are seen in Central Europe and the western Mediterranean. The population of north-western Europe is totalling 1.7 to 2.3 millions of individuals (Scott & Rose). A few birds also reach Greece. They probably belong to a small population inhabiting the Ukrainian shores of the Black Sea (Flint et al. 1984 ; Handrinos & Akriotis).

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Outside the breeding season this duck is almost exclusively a marine species. It breeds in the arctic and boreal regions of a major part of Europe and North America. The western Eurasian population is wintering in the Baltic Sea and along the Atlantic coasts, southwards to North Africa. It is estimated at 1600000 individuals, and seems stable despite some northward contraction of its breeding area (Scott & Rose). The only breeding population of the European Union is this of the British Isles, currently estimated at 190 breeding pairs.

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This duck inhabits the forested regions of northern Eurasia and North America, between 55°N and 70°N. It is breeding in tree holes. The birds visiting the European Union belong to two distinct populations. One is originating from Scandinavia, Finland and western Russia, and wintering mainly in the Baltic and the North Sea but also in smaller numbers on the continental waters of Germany and the lakes around the Alps. It comprises about 300000 individuals, and is constantly increasing. The second population has probably a more eastern origin and is wintering on the middle Danube and in the Adriatic region. It reaches north-eastern Italy and northern Greece. It amounts to about 75000 individuals, but its trends are not well known (Scott & Rose).

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This duck inhabits boreal regions – locally also temperate and arctic regions – in North America and Eurasia, from the British Isles to the Bering Street. The birds visiting the European Union belong to a population which breeding area extends from eastern Greenland to Novaya Zemlaya and includes the British Isles, Denmark and Scandinavia. The sub-population of Greenland, Iceland and the British Isles is partly sedentary, partly migratory and wintering in the British Isles. It amounts to about 15000-25000 individuals. The sub-population of northern continental Europe is wintering from the Baltic Sea to Portugal. it amounts to about 125000 individuals. Apart from some extension of its breeding area in the British Isles, this species seems to be quite stable. The birds visiting Greece belong most probably to a more eastern population, the winter quarters of which are centred on the Black Sea. This populations is estimated at 50000 individuals, but its trends are unknown (Scott & Rose).

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This duck has a wide distribution in boreal and temperate regions of Eurasia and North America. It has also isolated populations in the mountainous regions of the Alps, the Caucasus and Tibet. Two populations inhabit or visit the European Union. One comprises the birds of northern and north-western Europe, wintering mainly in the Baltic Sea and around the North Sea. It amounts to about 200000 individuals, and seems stable. The birds of the British Isles are sedentary. They amount to about 5000-8000 individuals and increased during the last decades. The population of Central Europe (France, Germany) amounts to 3000 individuals. It is also sedentary and seems to be slightly increasing. A very small population is breeding in the Balkan Peninsula. It is estimated at not more than 11-32 breeding pairs, and its trends are unknown (Scott & Rose).

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