A5070737035- Avian ecology and behavior
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Marine animal studies overview
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Economic and Environmental Valuation
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
British Trust for Ornithology
2015-2025
Abstract Human activities are causing rapid environmental change at a global scale. Urbanization is responsible for some of the most extreme human‐altered habitats and known driver evolutionary change, but evidence understanding these processes limited. Here, we investigate potential underlying mechanisms contributing to contemporary evolution migration behaviour in Eurasian blackcap ( Sylvia atricapilla ). Blackcaps from central Europe have been wintering urban areas Britain with increasing...
Tracking devices are useful in studying the movement and behaviour of birds throughout year. However, effects device attachment must be monitored for bird welfare scientific veracity information gathered. We report on a trial three different harness types (leg-loop, body wing) attaching GPS to Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus leg-loop Great Skuas Stercorarius skua. This evaluated functionality whilst deployed, retention each birds. The prevented from charging, due feathers overlapping...
Summary Agricultural management of grassland in lowland Britain has changed fundamentally the last 50 years, resulting spatial and structural uniformity within pastoral landscape. The full extent to which these changes may have reduced suitability as foraging habitat for birds is unknown. This study investigated mechanisms by impacted on their food supplies. We quantified field use summer winter two areas England (Devon Buckinghamshire) over 3 relating bird occurrence management, sward...
Telemetry has become an important method for studying the biology and ecology of animals. However, impact tracking devices their attachment on different species across multiple temporal scales seldom been assessed. We compared behavioural demographic responses two seabird, Lesser Black‐backed Gull Larus fuscus Great Skua Stercorarius skua , to a GPS device attached using crossover wing harness. used telemetry information monitoring breeding colonies compare birds equipped with harness,...
Provision of bird food in gardens is a common activity that may provide an alternative source to birds winter. Long‐term survey data recording the weekly presence all species using garden feeders winter were analysed see if there was any evidence trends feeder use between 1970 and 2000 whether these correlated with breeding population trends. Of 41 analysed, 21 showed significant increases occurrence at 2000. Many evident only last 10 years. Several positive correlations relative size...
Abstract Human behavior profoundly affects the natural world. Migratory birds are particularly susceptible to adverse effects of human activities because global networks ecosystems on which rely undergoing rapid change. In spite these challenges, blackcap ( Sylvia atricapilla ) is a thriving migratory species. Its recent establishment high‐latitude wintering areas in Britain and Ireland has been linked climate change backyard bird feeding, exemplifying interaction between activity migrant...
Little is known about the wintering distribution of European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus . We combined geolocator and GPS ‐logger data from different sites in Western Europe to analyse migration routes timing this trans‐equatorial migrant. Nightjars followed a loop route during which they cross two ecological barriers, converged near common stopover zones Northern, Central Africa, where stayed for 2–3 weeks. used same as several other migrants, relying on small discrete areas within...
Abstract Each year, billions of songbirds cross large ecological barriers during their migration. Understanding how they perform this incredible task is crucial to predict global change may threaten the safety such journeys. Earlier studies based on radar suggested that most deserts in intermittent flights at high altitude, stopping desert day, while recent tracking with light loggers diurnal prolongation nocturnal and common non-stop for some species. We analyzed intensity temperature data...
Seasonal migration is a complex and variable behaviour with the potential to promote reproductive isolation. In Eurasian blackcaps ( Sylvia atricapilla ), migratory divide in central Europe separating populations southwest (SW) southeast (SE) autumn routes may facilitate isolation, individuals using new wintering areas Britain show divergence from Mediterranean winterers. We tracked 100 wild characterize these strategies. Blackcaps west east of used predominantly SW SE directions,...
Studies of the response high‐trophic‐level predatory species to environmental gradients contribute our understanding adaptation, dependency and risk, both predator its prey. Many such are high conservation concern because a slow life history greater susceptibility threats, not least in organized anthropogenic landscapes that have propensity modify or even distort predator–prey dynamics. There are, however, observational difficulties studying wide‐ranging furtive their behaviour. All above...
Abstract Protected areas (PAs) and agri‐environment schemes (AESs) are the main policy mechanisms for addressing terrestrial biodiversity loss in Europe. Landscape context can moderate their efficacy but has not been studied both concurrently. Both widely used to address ongoing declines of waders breeding on lowland wet grassland. Using a repeat, nationwide (England) survey, we investigate role PA status (nature reserves statutory designation), AES (bespoke general options), surrounding...
Differential migration is a widespread, but poorly understood, phenomenon in birds. In this paper, we present the first detailed field study of differential Old World warbler (Sylviidae) family. We studied two chiffchaff Phylloscopus [ collybita ] semispecies: common P. c. and Iberian ibericus . Using data collected at several latitudes Europe Africa, convincing evidence for distance sexes chiffchaffs, with females moving further than males. Interestingly, while there was pronounced gradient...
Abstract Wind energy generation has become an important means to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate against human‐induced climate change, but could also represent a significant human–wildlife conflict. Airborne taxa such as birds may be particularly sensitive collision mortality with wind turbines, yet the relative vulnerability of species’ populations across their annual life cycles not been evaluated. Using GPS telemetry, we studied movements lesser black‐backed gulls Larus...
It is essential to gain knowledge about the causes and extent of migratory connectivity between stationary periods migrants further understanding processes affecting populations, allow efficient implementation conservation efforts throughout annual cycle. Avian likely use optimal routes with respect mode locomotion, orientation migration strategy, influenced by external factors such as wind topography. In self-powered flapping flying birds, any increases in fuel loads are associated added...
In Europe, the consequences of commercial plantation management for birds conservation concern are poorly understood. The European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus is a species across Europe due to population depletion through habitat loss. Pine plantation‐forest now key nesting habitat, particularly in northwestern and increased understanding foraging selection required. We radiotracked 31 Nightjars an extensive (185‐km 2 ) complex conifer landscape 2009 2010. Home‐range 95% kernels females,...
Abstract Given the global decline of many invertebrate food resources, it is fundamental to understand dietary requirements insectivores. We give new insights into functional relationship between spatial habitat use, availability, and diet a crepuscular aerial insectivore, European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus ) by relating use data with high‐throughput sequencing (HTS) combined DNA metabarcoding. Our study supports predictions that nightjars collect substantial part their daily...
Abstract Capsule We report large declines among summer populations between 1968–80 and 2000. Aim To assess changes in the status of breeding birds pastoral uplands. Methods Volunteer observers revisited 13 areas marginal upland Britain where Common Birds Census data were collected during 1968–80. This allowed 35 bird species to be examined over about 20 years make a comparison grassland-based woodland-based species. Results For 12 decline abundance was significant, particularly passerines,...
Summary Avian electrocutions are a global conservation problem. Power outages associated with problematic for electric utilities focused on delivering reliable power. We used contextual data, photographs, line voltage, outage type and assessments of power components to quantify outage-causing avian throughout each Iran’s 31 provinces. evaluated records 222 avian-caused involving 235 electrocuted birds in 2018. Of these, 14.5% involved species concern, few (at least eight) sparked fires when...
The Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus and Woodlark Lullula arborea are identified as species of conservation concern at both a UK European level on account historical declines in their population sizes ranges. populations have increased significantly recent decades this paper reviews the extent, nature causes these changes, based evidence from national surveys autecological studies. It also considers future prospects face likely changes to preferred habitats Britain. numbers greatly since...
Abstract Capsule The population of Nightjars in the UK increased by over 36% between 1992 and 2004. Aims To determine size distribution examine associations with forestry heathland habitat features. Methods A volunteer survey was supported professional cover remote parts Wales, areas Dorset lowland Scotland. Two visits to allocated 1-km squares were made late May mid-July. Each surveyor recorded locations calling males onto maps occurrence categories within 50 m each Nightjar registration....
The Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata has recently expanded its range northwards and upwards in the UK, consistent with hypothesis that this cold‐sensitive species responded to a warming climate. We interrogated distribution data, collected during four national surveys of between 1974 2006, assess whether large‐scale expansion been accompanied by finer‐scale changes topographic characteristics breeding locations. Within sites occupied successive surveys, there was some evidence limited...
Capsule The breeding Woodcock population in Britain 2013 was estimated at 55 241 males (95% CL: 41 806–69 004), suggesting a large-scale decline that is supported by 2 additional sources of data.Aims To provide an updated estimate the size Britain's population, measure recent trends and identify spatial patterns change.Methods Displaying male were surveyed stratified sample 834 randomly selected sites. Population estimates compared with baseline survey conducted 2003 trend data from annual...
Abstract Capsule Farmland bird species occurred at low densities and were highly aggregated in a small proportion of available pastures, stubble fields farmyards. Aim To document the current distribution abundance farmland birds their habitats within lowland Britain winter. Methods Over three winters volunteer observers visited stratified random sample 1090 1-km squares which they counted suite 30 mapped agricultural habitats. Results For individual species, less than 10% habitat patches...