Short abstract from the book: The redshank is one of the most common waders in Denmark
and additionally a common passage migrant in autumn and
spring.
In Denmark the first redshank was ringed in 1911, with
most ringed in the 1950s and ’60s. Only two waders, the
lapwing and the dunlin, have been ringed in greater numbers.
Ninety-five per cent of the recovered birds were ringed on
Amager; most were ringed in June–August.
Danish redshanks start their autumn migration in early
July, and few birds have been recovered in Denmark after
that month. Some birds migrate SW along the European west
coast, while others fly almost due south to Italy and the French
Mediterranean coast. The migration happens fast, and in
August the mean position is in northern France. One potential
Danish bird was recovered in Senegal, but the majority of the
Danish population seems to winter in southwest Europe and
North Africa. The spring migration is fast and broad fronted
as in autumn. Most birds have returned to Denmark by the
end of April. Many birds have been recovered at the ringing
site in subsequent breeding seasons.
Passage migrants of both totanus and robusta subspecies
have been ringed and recovered in Denmark. The first totanus from southern Scandinavia arrive in Denmark in late
July, and their further migration is very similar to that of the
Danish population. The migration of totanus from northern
Scandinavia takes place somewhat later and mainly along
the SW route. Most visitors from northern Scandinavia
are juveniles. In spring birds from southern Scandinavia
pass Denmark in March–April and birds from northern
Scandinavia in early May.
A few birds from the Icelandic population have been recovered or ringed in Denmark. The recoveries of these birds indicate that some are faithful to their Danish winter quarters.
Read more about the species in the chapter from The Danish Bird Migration Atlashere
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