Changes in spring migration of the wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) in northwestern Croatia

Several papers have shown the sensitivity of birds as monitors of climatic trends. We examined how a short-distance migrant bird, the wood pigeon, has responded to the recent climate change using data from a long-term study (1983-2007) in northwestern Croatia. The wood pigeon arrival dates have become 11.5 days earlier during the study period. This result suggests that the first arrival date of the wood pigeon is influenced by warm springs.