Where does the Whinchat establish its primary wintering grounds outside of the northern breeding season?
Answer
South of the Sahara Desert in the African savanna.
Upon the onset of the cold weather in the north, the Whinchat undertakes a significant migration to its non-breeding areas, which are situated far to the south, specifically south of the Sahara Desert. The environment encountered there is drastically different from the temperate uplands of Europe. The primary wintering habitat consists of various grassland ecosystems and the African savanna. These areas are characterized by vast, open grassy expanses often punctuated by scattered woody elements like acacia thickets, where the birds continue their specialized hunting behaviors.

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