Seasonal Movements of Male Great Bustards in Central Spain

A sample of 22 radio-tagged male Great Bustards from central Iberian populations was studied from 1996 to 1998. All birds undertook seasonal movements to postbreeding areas located up to 167 km away from their leks. Departures from leks occurred between May and July, with most birds moving northeast to summering areas. Approximately 47% of the males spent only the summer away from their leks, returning to leks between September and December. Other males overwintered in areas located to the southeast, returning to lek sites between January and March.