Atles dels ocells de Catalunya a l’Hivern 2006-2009

Prat de la Riba prize awarded by the Institut d’Estudis Catalans, 2014

Ornithological atlases are often one of the best ways of improving knowledge and management of a country’s avifauna. To date two breeding-bird atlases have been published in Catalonia (1984 and 2004), but a winter atlas was lacking, despite the importance of this season for many local breeding species and migrants from central and northern Europe. Thanks to the work of over 1,000 contributors, this Catalan Winter Bird Atlas 2006-2009 is one of the most important collective contributions to the knowledge of biodiversity in Catalonia to date and becomes a reference reaching far beyond its limited territorial scope.

A total of 318 bird species were observed in Catalonia during the study period, of which 206 wintered regularly and relatively abundantly. The distributions and abundances of these species are often quite different from those of the breeding period and in some cases change from one winter to another. All the information gathered is depicted in great detail on maps with a resolution of up to 250×250 m; as well, for the first time, data from monitoring projects operating since 1972 have been collated and analyzed. From the extraordinary abundance of Blackcaps in olive groves to the presence of Wallcreepers in Mediterranean limestone mountains, each and every one of the birds discussed in this book provides surprises that will fascinate nature lovers as much as wildlife managers.

• 570 maps, 519 graphs, 238 illustrations and 35 photographs.