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Range expansion of the Olive-tree Warbler (Hippolais olivetorum) along the Croatian coast.

The Olive-tree Warbler (Hippolais olivetorum) has a restricted range in north-eastern Mediterranean. Through the range, its occurrence is patchy and clustered. In Croatia it inhabits Dalmatia, north to Zadar. Usually, individual pairs or small clusters were recorded. It arrives from wintering grounds in May and departs south in August. Its breeding range in Croatia widely extended during last hundred years. In early 20th century, it was recorded only in south Dalmatia, north to Metković and island of Korčula while in central and northern Dalmata it was recorded only after 1950s. During our study in northern Dalmatia conducted between 2010 and 2012 we confirmed the existence of small scattered populations in northern Dalmatia. More intensive ornithological studies in Dazlinsko polje near Pirovac in 2012 revealed the density of three singing males in the area of 1.5 km2. We noted very low singing activity that might be related to individual territories without auditory contact between males. We also recorded territorial Olive-tree Warbler males north of Dalmatia, in Primorje region: in Crikvenica on 30th April and 1st May 2010, in Rudelić Draga south of Karlobag, on 11th May 2010 and in Novi Vinodolski 6th June 2011. In regards to the date that lays in the middle of the breeding season, this record indicates probable breeding of the Olive-tree Warbler in Primorje region. As Croatia represents the northern limit of the Olive-tree Warbler’s range, new records along Primorje region indicate the expansion of the northern limit of the species’ global distribution.

Olive-tree Warbler (Hippolais olivetorum); range; Croatia

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