Distribution and habitat of the Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata in the Eastern Tuscany
Tellini Florenzano G. & Lapini L.Abstract:
The distribution of the Dartford Warbler in Eastern Tuscany was investigated visiting all types of potentially inhabited shrubland. The species seems to be rather well distributed in the study area, but only on sufficiently extensive (>5 ha) Erica scoparia heathlands. In this habitat it reaches high densities (12.7 singing males/10 ha) in good years, but, after cold spells, the population crashes dramatically. These heathlands are disappearing, so this important part of the species’ Tuscan population is vulnerable.