HEG D (1988) Wintering of the Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus around Nijmegen. LIMOSA 61 (3): 113-118.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Migrating Green Sandpipers arrive in the surroundings of Nijmegen (fig. I) in early June. Peak numbers are recorded in August, but it is not until the end of September that the numbers fall sharply. Small numbers seem to winter each year. Spring migration takes place mainly in April (fig. 2). Regular counts along brooks and rivulets suggest that the first birds arrive at the traditional wintering areas at the end of October or the beginning of November. The last birds leave the area at the end of March or the beginning of April. The birds prefer brooks that remain accessible during severe winters. Locally, the numbers can vary strongly as a result of arrivals of temporary winter guests. They may stay for several days or weeks before leaving. The numbers in the area are obviously influenced by frost (fig. 3). Apparently many birds arrive during a spell of cold weather, while others then leave. In the mild winter of 1983/84 the population increased during the winter, and many sites occupied in December were used throughout the entire winter. In 1984/85, an influx of Green Sandpipers coincided with a spell of cold weather in early January, but many areas where birds were present in December were left. N0vember and the beginning of December 1985 were cold. The frost then probably drove Green Sandpipers from other countries into the Netherlands. An average winter during our observation period (1976/77-1985/86) was characterized by many shifts and overall decreasing numbers of Green Sandpipers. Green Sandpipers were seen in almost every water course, brook, and rivulet, where muddy fringes were preferred (appendix). The average number of Green Sandpipers present in the study area at the same moment during winter is estimated at 5075. With the knowledge available, the winter population for the Netherlands is estimated at 300-400 birds

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