Data from: Phenology of migrating game birds in Italy based on citizen science data: mean maps and grid maps for 23 species

Studying the timing of the seasonal movements of migratory birds, known as
migration phenology, is crucial for managing and conserving migratory bird
populations. To effectively protect these species during these critical
periods, it is vital to employ reliable methods for assessing their
migration phenology. Citizen science, which involves the participation of
skilled volunteers in scientific data gathering, is a valuable resource
for migration studies. It allows the collection of large amounts of data
across extensive geographic areas, overcoming some limitations of other
datasets and analytical methods. In this study we analysed pre- and
post-breeding migration phenology of 23 game bird species in Italy, using
citizen science data from the www.Ornitho.it portal. These findings
highlight the value of citizen science data in obtaining migration timing
and the importance of employing multiple methods to estimate it. This
approach is particularly valuable for species subject to hunting, which
require well-informed management.