Summer distribution of Red-legged Partridges Alectoris rufa in relation to water availability on Mediterranean farmland

The suggestion that the summer distribution of Red-legged Partridges Alectoris rufa in the Mediterranean region is determined by the availability of surface water was examined on the agricultural farm, Alto Alentejo, southern Portugal. Partridge coveys were surveyed between 15 July and 15 August in 1993 and 1994. Using a vector-based Geographic Information System, we assessed, for each covey location and for the locations of a double number of random points, the distance to the nearest water point, distance to field boundaries, distance to water lines and land use classes. Univariate comparisons were made between the two groups of locations, and three multivariate logistic models were fitted through forward stepwise selection to the 1993, 1994 and pooled data sets to estimate the probability of sighting partridge coveys in the study area. Distance to water was significantly lower for partridge locations than for random points in both years and was the only variable selected for all logistic models. Apart from water availability, Red-legged Partridge locations were also affected by land use and distance to field boundaries.