bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlations between landscape features and crop type and the occurrence of the Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana in farmlands of Central Italy
Authors: Morelli Federico
Published: December 2023

The occurrence of Ortolan Bunting, a declining species in Europe, was investigated in relation to environmental characteristics of agricultural landscapes in Central Italy. The present work evaluated the significance of landscape features, land-use composition and crop type at the 7-ha scale, in predicting the presence of the Ortolan Bunting. The presence of the species was not strongly linked with measures of habitat heterogeneity, but was related to certain crop types: sunflower, oats and alfalfa, and also to the availability of bare soil. Patches of bare soil may be characteristic for important foraging sites of the focal species. These results may help to predict Ortolan Bunting responses to changes in farming practices, and improve farmland management for the maintenance of the Ortolan Bunting populations in Italy.
The diet of the Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus breeding on the isle of Hailuoto compared to other raptors in northern Finland
Authors: Tornberg Risto , Haapala Seppo
Published: December 2023

The Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus population has expanded rapidly during the last decades in northern Finland. We studied the diet of Marsh Harrier during the breeding seasons 2002–2009 on the isle of Hailuoto in the Gulf of Bothnia in Finland. We com-pared these results to those of other raptors in the region, and attempted to relate potential differences in the diet composition to population trends. Birds accounted for 73–93% of prey numbers in the Marsh Harrier during the breeding season. Passerine birds were the most numerous during the nestling (63%) and fledging periods (21%), while ducks and gulls/terns had the highest biomass (29% and 12%, respectively). Muskrat (Ondatra zibethica) was the most important prey among mammals by number and weight (15% and 18%, respectively). Compositional analysis showed that the Marsh Harrier depredated water and shore birds opportunistically. Based on multidimensional scaling, the food niche of the Marsh Harrier was distinctive from those of five other raptor species. Analy-sis of diet breadth and annual change in population size suggested that Marsh Harrier diet breadth was wider and its annual population increase among the fastest, compared to other raptor species. Annual population change of raptors was positive among species that were rare in the beginning of monitoring, i.e., in the early 1970s, but was negative among species that were common at that time. No significant relationships were observed between diet breadth and population growth among the studied species.
Projecting impacts of anthropogenic climatic change on the bird communities of southern Swedish spruce monocultures: will the species poor get poorer?
Authors: Felton Adam , Lindblah Matts , Elmberg Johan , Felton Annika M. , Andersson Erik , Sekercioglu Cagan H. , Collingham Yvonne , Huntley Brian
Published: December 2023

The potential impact of climatic change on bird species’ distributions in Europe was recentlymodeled for several scenarios of projected late 21st century climate. The results indicate mean range shifts of hundreds of kilometres north for many of European bird species. Here we consider the implications from such distributional shifts for the bird communities ofNorway spruce (Picea abies)monocultures in southern Sweden, a forest type likely to remain prevalent due to forestry, despite climate change.Our assessment led us to three key findings. First, the monocultures offer suitable habitat to only two bird species projected to extend their breeding distribution northwards into southern Sweden this century. Second, species richness was projected to decline overall, which would accentuate the depauperate nature of these stands. Third, all conifer-associated arboreal granivores and three of four conifer-associated arboreal insectivores were projected not to occur, reducing both the functional richness and functional redundancy. We discuss caveats related to our approach, including the potential for bioclimatic projections – used in this study – to be hampered by the artificial retention of dominant vegetation.We also discuss the implications of our results for avian biodiversity in what is today the most prevalent forest type in southern Sweden and in many other regions of Europe.
Ecology and behaviour of winter floaters in a subalpine population of Willow Tits, Poecile montanus
Authors: Hogstad Olav
Published: December 2023

Willow Tits Poecile montanus maintain yearlong territories defended by a male and femalemated pair. Outside the breeding season the adult pair lives togetherwith two to four unrelated first-year Willow Tits that have settled after a post-natal dispersal. Because the habitat of the species is largely saturated with dominant territory owners and the flock size is limited, many juveniles fail to become resident flock members. These non-territorial birds behave as migrants during autumn or stay in the area for a short time (transients) or live as floaters that switch among flocks or roam about singly. The floaters (51 colourringed) and transients (450 colour-ringed) did not differ physically or in their foraging behaviour, whereas birds of these groups weremore vigilant and used less time for foraging than residents (114 colour-ringed). Floaterswere sociallydominated by residents and also maintained a poorer nutritional status. The mean wing length of males observed for the last time in November was significantly longer than that of those seen for the last time in September or October, whereas no such differences were found for body mass or nutritional status. The floatersmoved around solitarily and crossed several Willow Tit territories (males 2-8 territories, females 2-5 territories; mean territory size ca 25 ha). Only three male floaters settled, one disappeared in December the same year, one was seen for the last time in March and one in April the following year.
Autumn migratory movements of raptors along the southern Baltic coast
Authors: Polakowski Michal , Jankowiak Lukasz , Kasprzykowski Zbigniew , Bela Gerard , Koœmicki Andrzej , Janczyszyn Adam , Niemczyk Artur , Kilon Dawid
Published: December 2023

Some of the known major bottlenecks on European flyways are yet insufficiently ex-plored and require more intensive study. On the basis of raptor counts on the Vistula Spit(southern Baltic coast, Poland), from 15th August to 15th November 2008–2011, we con-sider this bottleneck to be important at a European scale. Every year we observed there al-most 11,000 individuals of 22 raptor species. The flyway is especially important for Pere-grine Falcons, Hen Harriers, Merlins and Eurasian Sparrowhawks. To analyse the speciescomposition observed we related the mean annual number of raptors recorded on theVistula Spit to the corresponding numbers at Falsterbo. The linear mixed model showedthat the median migration date showed a significant effect on the species composition andthe flight strategies a nearly significant effect. The southern Baltic coast seems to be themost important bottleneck in the autumn passage for late migrating raptors with flappingflight and differ in composition and numbers of species from the flyway at Falsterbo.
Are tits really unsuitable hosts for the Common Cuckoo?
Authors: Grim Tomáš , Samaš Peter , Procházka Petr , Rutila Jarkko
Published: December 2023

Avian brood parasites exploit hosts that have accessible nests and a soft insect diet. Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) hosts were traditionally classified as suitable if both parameters were fulfilled or unsuitable if one, or both, were not. In line with this view, hole-nesting tits (Paridae) have become a text-book example of unsuitable Cuckoo hosts. Our extensive literature search for Cuckoo eggs hatched and chicks raised by hosts revealed 16 Cuckoo nestlings in Great Tit (Parus major) nests, 2 nestlings and 2 fledglings in Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), and 1 nestling in a Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) nest. Our own data from natural observations and cross-fostering experiments concur with literature data that Great Tits are able to rear Cuckoo chicks to fledging. The natural observations involve the first known cases where a bird species became parasitized as a byproduct of nest usurpation (take-over). Surprisingly, Cuckoo chicks raised by Great Tits grew better than Cuckoo chicks raised by common hosts, even alongside host own chicks. The frequency of Cuckoo parasitism in tits may be underestimated by studying tits in artificial nest-boxes with small entrances that prevent Cuckoos from laying and/or fledging. Results support a view that host suitability is not a categorical parameter (host suitable or unsuitable) but a continuous phenomenon. Understanding the diversity of parameters that determine host selection by Cuckoos is limited, because studies on Cuckoo chick diet, growth, and survival in most hosts are rare. Therefore any data are valuable and provide indispensable material for future meta-analyses.
Lack of polygyny in Central European populations of Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Authors: Halupka Lucyna , Sztwiertnia Hanna , Borowiec Marta , Klimczuk Ewelina , Leisler Bernd
Published: December 2023

So far discussions on the occurrence of polygyny have been conducted on an inter-specific or individual level. In this paper we analyse differences in polygyny rate between different populations of Eurasian Reed Warblers. We provide evidence that our study population in SW Poland, and also the nearby Slovak population, are purely monogamous in contrast to those from western Europe, and we discuss hypotheses regarding the occurrence of polygyny. We suggest that birds breeding in different parts of Europe may exhibit different strategies for optimising reproductive success. In richer habitats of western Europe, where solitary females are able to successfully rear their young, polygyny is more frequent and extra-pair copulations relatively rare. In contrast, in central Europe, where costs of rearing young unaided are high, males do not try to attract second females but engage more often in extra-pair copulations.
Assessment of habitat-specific food availability using human imprinted Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) chicks
Authors: Tillmann Jörg E. , Ronnenberg Katrin
Published: December 2023

There is an increasing awareness of the need to evaluate agricultural practices and the effectiveness of environmental conservation measures in order to halt the overall decline in farmland birds. One major reason for Grey Partridge population collapse in Europe is the decreased chick survival rate which directly reflects the abundance and biomass of invertebrates as essential chick food. We evaluated a new methodological design using human imprinted Grey Partridge chicks as a biological assay to compare relative food availability (g / chick / 30 min) in five different habitat types in an arable landscape. On average , partridge chicks slightly lost weight during the trials in all considered arable habitat types, indicating a low invertebrate biomass but also indicating methodological limitations of our approach. The greatest weight loss was found in the conventional crops maize and wheat and on eutrophic grass tracks; the lowest in segetal vegetation patches within wheat fields and in wildflower crop cultivated as ecologically sound cosubstrate for bio-gas production. An increased defaecation rate due to the handling procedure is suggested to account for the weight loss so that invertebrate availability is discussed comparing the extent to which chicks could compensate this weight loss through food intake. Considering the discussed methodological restrictions in future studies, weight changes in human-imprinted Grey Partridge chicks provide a biologically relevant index of food availability and foraging value of farmland habitats and crops. Thus, these are suitable for evaluating and monitoring the quality of farmland habitats for the Grey Partridge.
Characterizing the habitat requirements of the Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) in moderately urbanized areas
Authors: Droz Boris , Arnoux Robin , Rey Emmanuel , Bohnenstengel Thierry , Laesser Jacques
Published: December 2023

The clash of checklists:
Book reviews
Authors: Velmala William
Published: December 2023

A book of names – of birds and people:
Bo Beolens, Michael Watkins & Michael Grayson 2014: The Eponym Dictionary of Birds. — Bloomsbury. 624 pp.

The clash of checklists:
Josep del Hoyo & Nigel Collar 2014: HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. — Lynx Edicions. 904 pp.
Effects of experimental perturbation of group structure on hierarchy formation and behaviour in House Sparrows
Authors: Kubitza Robin J. , Suhonen Jukka , Vuorisalo Timo
Published: December 2023

Establishment of dominance hierarchies has been proposed as amechanism that stabilizes andmaintains social groups by reducing physical intra-group conflicts. However, the exact behavioural processes involved in hierarchy formation within natural populations, as well as those leading to destabilization, are still a matter of debate. Here, we investigate possible behavioural processes in play during periods of high and low social cohesion by experimentally manipulating group structure (experimental perturbation). House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) are an ideal study species as they form gregarious flocks structured by social dominance. Using a non-breeding flock of wild-caught urban sparrows, we analysed four behavioural parameters (outside the feeding context: agonistic behaviour; within the feeding context: non-aggressive joining, aggressive supplanting and the duration of feeding bouts) in relation to birds’ sex and social rank during successive periods of unstable and stable group structure. In this population birds established a hierarchy quickly after initial group fusion but did not re-establish transitive relationships after a subsequent perturbation of group structure. Dominant birds consistently showed more frequent agonistic and supplanting behaviour than subordinates, irrespective of experimental condition. Likewise, the length of feeding boutswas unaffected by the experimental treatment. Thus, House Sparrows appear to be resilient to a certain degree to disruptions of social organization. However, female but not male House Sparrows selectively increased rates of non-aggressive joining during the latter period of social stability. Here, we highlight processes involved in the formation and re-formation of social hierarchies in natural populations that are exposed to frequent sources of instability.
Modelling at the edge: habitat types driving the occurrence of common forest bird species at the altitudinal margin of their range
Authors: Brambilla Mattia , Pedrini Paolo
Published: December 2023

We investigated habitat drivers of occurrence of five common forest bird species (Erithacus rubecula, Phylloscopus collybita, Sylvia atricapilla, Periparus ater, Fringilla coelebs) at the uppermargin of their range in the Alps. Our work aimed to i) identifymethods to analyse species-habitat relationships at themargin of species distribution, ii) provide recommendations for conservation and management in this changing environment. We recorded species occurrence at 149 points in Trento province (Italy; 1,365–2,200 m a.s.l.), and related occurrence to elevation and cover of habitats in a 100-m radius.We estimated factors affecting occurrence by single-species and multi-responseMARS models. We also evaluated factors driving the overall species richness at point counts bymeans of a glmmPQLapproach.Multi-responsemodels performed well (in general they performed better than single-species models) and suggested important effects of elevation (negative), conifer forest (not significant for P. collybita, positive up to a threshold for other species) and wood pasture (not significant for S. atricapilla, positive for other species). Conifer forest, wood pastures, shrubland and elevation affected the number of species at point counts (positive effect for all variables except for elevation).Multi-responsemodels may help elucidate ecological relationships for ‘rare’ species, including common species at the margin of their range. Wood pasture promoted the occurrence of common forest species and the number of species, even if scarcely represented, and thus could deserve more consideration in conservation andmanagement planning, given that several species are of high conservation concern.
Nesting behaviour of Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) females kept in aviaries
Authors: Rosenberger Joanna , Lukaszewicz Ewa , Kowalczyk Artur , Deeming Denis , Rzonca Zenon
Published: December 2023

For many bird species in captivity the best practice for incubation procedures have not been yet developed. This is hampered by a lack of cooperation between bird breeders or by a reluctance to experiment on valuable eggs. The last two problems may be solved by observation of natural incubation, which technology has made a lot easier. Many studies document incubation behavior: daily time spend in the nest, preferred hours of making abscences, egg turning rate and incubation temperature. Such data is scientifically interesting but also allows for better protection of endangered species through development of captive breeding programmes. The Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is a threatened species over much of its European range and various conservation actions are being taken to save populations from global or local extinction. Our study took place in Capercaillie Breeding Centre in Wisla Forestry District and describes nesting and incubation behaviour of Capercaillie females kept in captivity. Our aim was to better document the nesting behaviour by recording egg turning rate, and the time and length of incubation recesses. Time of and day of incubation had no significant influence on recess length, but the number of recesses was related with time of day with two peaks at 06:00h and 18:00h . Egg turning activity was the greates during the first and last two days of incubation but generally consistent throughout the rest of incubation. Captive hens spent less time outside of the nest than wild ones, their absences were shorter, rarer and took place mostly in the evening. However, differences in the preferred absence hours were not as clearly markes as in the case of wild birds. We hope that this information will help improve management practises to maximise the reproductive output of captive Capercaillie.
Individual identification of Black-throated Divers (Gavia arctica)
Authors: Lehtonen Pekka J. , Lappalainen Jyrki
Published: December 2023

The potential to identify individual Black-throated Divers (Gavia arctica) on the basis of breeding plumage features was explored using 278 photos, including two paired birds followed during the years 2007–2015 at a specific breeding location. Observations were focused on: 1) white lines on the sides of neck, 2)mantle having rows of sharply contrasting white squares, and 3) small white spots on lesser andmedian coverts. In photos, the number ofwhite lines on the sides of neck varied from four to seven (mean = 5.0, n = 278), and the second line from the head was the highest in 92.1% of the photos. The number of “white square” rows on the mantle varied from 11 to 14 and the small white spots on coverts from 27 to 67. Identification of individual Black-throated Divers was potentially easiest if the plumage had some special patterns (19.4% of birds, n = 278). Plumage remained the same in the followed pair between years, as was also shown by the discriminant analysis, since the followed pair was correctly classified by sex but not by sides showing that sides are similar. To estimate whether it is possible to separate these two birds from other birds, a second discriminant analysis was accomplished. Thus, 125 other birds were added to analysis as a third group together with the followed pair (female andmale, nine years and n = 18 per sex). The linear discriminant analysis yielded a classification rate of 70.8% in original analysis and 69.6% based on the leave-one-out analysis (n = 161). These analyses were based on the relative height of the neck lines, their average relative height and standard deviation.When the number ofwhite spotswere added to this discriminant analysis, a correct classification rate of 77.4% in original analysis and 75.7% in the leave-one-out analysis was obtained (n = 115). These analyses suggest that the plumage can be used in identification, especially when following nesting pairs during their breeding seasons in different years. Presumed female andmaleBlack-throatedDiver could be distinguished based on the shape of the forehead.
New evidences confirm that during the breeding season Lesser Kestrel is not a strictly diurnal raptor
Authors: Gustin Marco , Giglio Giuseppe , Pellegrino Stefania , Frassanito Annagrazia , Ferrarini Alessandro
Published: December 2023

Although Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is considered a typically diurnal species, in a previous study we have provided the first report on its nocturnal activity in Italy even in rural areaswith no artificial illumination. In this study, using new,more complete and balanced data we provide further evidences that during the breeding season LesserKestrel is not a strictly diurnal species.Using accurate GPS data-loggers on LesserKestrels belonging to the two colonies of Gravina in Puglia andAltamura (Apulia region; Southern Italy), we have registered widespread nocturnal flightswith distances from nests up to 15 km. At night, all of the surveyed Lesser Kestrels were active even in areas with no artificial illumination, and they were found in flight for about 25% of the tracking time. By comparing night-time and daytime periods, we found significant differences for three flight attributes: 1-minute flight length, distance from nest and distance from nearest roost. Instead, we found no significant differences in flight attributes betweenmales and females and between the two colonies at night.
Impact of military activities on bird species considered to benefit from disturbances: an example from an active military training area in Latvia
Authors: Aunins Ainars , Avotins Andris
Published: December 2023

We surveyed the military training area Adazi to evaluate the effects of disturbance caused by military activities on the abundance of protected bird species considered to benefit from disturbances at the site (SCBD). We collected data on the abundance of the selected bird species in a set of representative sample plots during three repeated surveys. In each plot we mapped areas affected by different visually detectable disturbances of military origin and areas covered by EU protected habitat types. Overall abundance and richness of SCBD were calculated for each of the surveyed squares. Generalised linear modelling was used to relate the recorded abundance of each species, and the overall abundance and richness of SCBD, with the available habitat and military disturbance parameters. We evaluated a set of competitive models to identify the most important explanatory variables. The modelling results imply clear positive effects of most of the military activities on the analysed species as well as overall species richness.
Can common forest bird species tolerate disturbances in neighbouring areas? A case study of the Vuosaari Harbour construction in southern Finland
Authors: Yrjölä Rauno A. , Tanskanen Antti , Sarvanne Hannu , Vickholm Jorma , Lehikoinen Aleksi
Published: December 2023

We studied the population growth and expansion of Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) in Helsinki archipelago, southern Finland. Barnacle Goose breeding was first recorded in Helsinki in 1989. During our study 1996–2013 the number of nesting geese increased from 24 to 740 pairs.We analyzed the role of protected islands in the population growth, and the factors behind differences in growth rates. Our study data consisted of 104 islands. Of these, 29 are protected from private recreational activity (nature reserve ormilitary areas) and were established prior to the start of our study.We predicted that protected areas would have a positive impact on Barnacle Goose population growth. In part of the study period (2002–2013) the population growth in our study area was much steeper in protected islands compared to islands with open access.Results indicate that early breeders likeBarnacleGeese do not benefit from island protection probably because the recreational use of the islands is scant early in the spring.
Variation in body condition of songbirds during breeding season in relation to sex, migration strategy and weather
Authors: Andersson Noora , Piha Markus , Meller Kalle , Välimäki Kaisa , Lehikoinen Aleksi
Published: December 2023

Animal body reserves are often linked with demographic parameters such as breeding success and survival. During breeding season individuals face a trade-off between maintaining body reserves and investing in reproduction. Factors influencing the body reserves of species during breeding season are poorly understood. In this study, we used long-term trapping data from Finnish Constant Effort Sites program to evaluate the impact of sex, migration behaviour, and weather on body reserve index (BRI) of old and young birds during breeding season in 20 species. Our main interest was to study how variation in weather conditions influences the BRI of breeding passerine birds. Weather variables did not explain BRI of adults. However, we found that BRI of young birds was weakly negatively connected with mean temperature, but this may have low biological importance. BRI of adult males increased towards the end of August, but female BRI showed a seasonal decline throughout June and July.
Breeding performance and population trend of the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus in Bulgaria: conservation implications
Authors: Arkumarev Volen , Dobrev Vladimir , Stoychev Stoycho , Dobrev Dobromir , Demerdzhiev Dimitar , Nikolov Stoyan C.
Published: December 2023

The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) has been classified as ‘Endangered’ due to rapid population declines across its range. Thus, exhaustive studies on its demography may serve as an important stepping stones for successful conservation programs. Breeding performance is one of the main components of the demography of a raptor population. Evaluating reproductive rates is easier than other demographic parameters, while remaining a very useful metric to identify factors driving raptor population trends. Here we present the breeding performance of the species’ population in Bulgaria as a result of a long-term monitoring (2005–2016). The studied population shows high breeding performance, based on a breeding success (1.11 ± 0.13 fledglings / laying pairs), productivity (0.88 ± 0.1 fledglings / occupied territories) and fledgling success (1.2 ± 0.1 fledglings / successful pairs), all among the highest recorded in Europe. Pairs breeding in territories with high occupancy rate produced 88% of the fledglings.
Habitat use of flying subadult White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla): implications for land use and wind power plant planning
Authors: Tikkanen Hannu , Balotari-Chiebao Fabio , Laaksonen Toni , Pakanen Veli-Matti , Rytkönen Seppo
Published: December 2023

Large-scale construction of wind power plants may threaten large raptors at both individual and population levels. The most efficient way to prevent the negative effects of wind power plants is to avoid building on presumably high-risk sites, which requires an understanding of the movement patterns and habitat use of vulnerable species. The White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is vulnerable to wind energy in terms of both collision mortality and displacement due to disturbance. We used satellite transmitters to study the movements of juvenile and sub-adult White-tailed Eagles. We developed a Resource Selection Function (RSF) to model their habitat use at the Finnish coast, which holds about 80% of all planned and constructed wind power plants in the country. In addition, we made a collision risk assessment by calculating how likely areas are to be visited by a flying White-tailed Eagle at both planned and existing wind-farm areas. Our resource selection model predicted 83% of the observations correctly. We found that sub-adult White-tailed Eagles preferred areas close to their natal sites, the coastline and archipelagos. They avoided the open sea, urban areas and other constructed areas such as cottages, industrial areas and agricultural fields. The White-tailed Eagles flew lower over the sea (median 20 m) than over land (median 80 m), and time spent flying at risk heights (50–200 meters) was greater over land (28%) than over the sea (19%).
Local weather, food resources and breeding stage influence Thrush Nightingale movement
Authors: Vega Marta L. , Thorup Kasper
Published: December 2023

Insectivorous migrants breeding at northern latitudes often time the breeding period with the seasonal peak of food resources. Whether this general pattern transfers to movement behaviour during the breeding season requires detailed study from a local perspective. We investigated fine-scale environmental correlates of movements by six actively-breeding adult Thrush Nightingales (Luscinia luscinia) at a breeding site in Denmark, using radio tracking and multiple regression models. Overall, the chick-rearing period coincided with the peak of vegetation greenness at the site. Adults flew further from nesting areas during stable weather and as vegetation greenness decreased. Adults were more active at higher environmental temperatures and when fledglings were older but still dependent on adults. These changes in local movements likely reflect adjustments to chick developmental needs and to specific local environmental conditions, including resource availability.
Effects of forest management practices in clearings on breeding performance of the Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)
Authors: Pedersen Lykke , Schnedler-Meyer Nicolas Azaña , Ekberg Per , Tøttrup Anders P.
Published: December 2023

The structure and quality of breeding habitats play an essential role for breeding success of individuals and thus, the viability of populations. Knowledge on habitat requirements can guide management practises to ensure optimal conditions for breeding. In this study, we investigate the effect of different habitat features and forest management strategies on the breeding performance of Red-backed Shrikes (Lanius collurio) breeding in Gribskov forest, Denmark. We found that the availability of available perches for hunting is the main predictor having a positive effect on number of breeding pairs and fledglings. It was also positively associated with the number of years that the clearing has been occupied by breeding pairs. Furthermore, clearings with grazing animals contained breeding pairs for more years than clearings without grazing, suggesting improved foraging conditions in clearings with low vegetation. Our results provide direct applications for forestry management for improving the conservation status of this species.
Vocal activity of the Central European Boreal Owl population in relation to varying environmental conditions
Authors: Sevcík Richard , Riegert Jan , Sindelár Jirí , Zarybnicka Marketa
Published: December 2023

Vocal activity is one of the main attributes that enables assessment of the presence and abundance of animal populations. However, the factors affecting vocal activity are rarely studied, especially in owls. We studied the vocal activity of Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) using acoustic monitoring in relation to environmental factors in Central Europe (Czech Republic), over an area of 100 km2. We analysed a total of 1,310 hours of sound recordings collected over two years (2015 and 2016) at the turn of March/April and April/May. The frequency of sampling points in which we recorded Boreal Owl vocalizations varied from 0.17 to 0.59 and was higher in the year of increased prey abundance (2015) and earlier in the breeding season (March/April). The duration of Boreal Owl vocal activity varied from 1 to 60 minutes per hour and was related to temporal factors. In particular, the duration of Boreal Owl vocalization increased late in the breeding season (April/May) and in the year of higher prey abundance (2015), and it showed two peaks of vocal activity during the night.
Timing and duration of spring staging of the Eurasian Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons albifrons) in relation to sex, age and progress of migration season
Authors: Polakowski Michal , Jankowiak Lukasz , Stepniewski Krzysztof , Stepniewska Katarzyna , Kruckenberg Helmut , Ebbinge Barwolt S. , Broniszewska Monika , Cichocka Anna
Published: December 2023

Among Arctic-breeding waterfowl species, spring stopovers are critical to individuals as a means to accumulate fat and nutrient stores to invest in both migration and their breeding attempt in the tundra zone. We studied the influence of possible factors (age, sex, progress of migration season) on the stopover duration of one such species, the Eurasian Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons albifrons), by analysing records of 1,115 neck-banded birds spotted at their Biebrza Basin stopover site on spring migration in Poland. As expected, because most mature birds are paired, there were no differences between the sexes in stopover duration. Generally, adults stayed for shorter periods than immatures and stopover duration was shorter later in the season. Data from individuals of known age showed that the rate of decrease in stopover duration with season was faster among older than younger geese. Immature birds, still not ready to breed, do not face the pressure to attain breeding condition and therefore may stay longer in the stopover areas.
Nest tree characteristics of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor) in boreal forest landscapes
Authors: Pakkala Timo , Tiainen Juha , Pakkala Heikki , Piha Markus , Kouki Jari
Published: December 2023

Tree cavities, and especially cavities made by woodpeckers, are important microhabitats in forest ecosystems. However, the properties of woodpecker nest trees and cavities are poorly known even in boreal areas where most tree cavities are made by woodpeckers. We studied the nest tree characteristics of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor) in a 170-km2 forest-dominated area in southern Finland during 1987–2018. The data included 97 nest trees with 106 nest cavities in five deciduous tree species. During the study period, more than one nest cavity (2–3) was excavated in 7% of all cavity trees. Nests were found in three forest types, but the proportions of nest tree species differed between them. Birch (Betula spp.) was the most common nest tree species with 40% of nests. Nest trees were either dead (79%) or decaying (21%), and the majority (69%) had a broken top.
High tourism activity alters the spatial distribution of Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) and predation on artificial nests in a high-mountain habitat
Authors: Matysek Marcin , Gwiazda Robert , Zieba Filip , Klimecki Maciej , Mateja Radoslaw , Krzan Piotr
Published: December 2023

Human presence can significantly reduce habitat availability for wildlife. We investigated the impact of the distance from hiking trails and number of tourists on the number of sites occupied by Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) and on the predation rate of artificial nests in two forest types (spruce and beech) in the Tatra Mountains (Poland). The study was carried out in the Tatra National Park from 2009 to 2014. Presence of Hazel Grouse males was detected in spring by playing territorial calls of this species from an electronic device. A total of 79 sites occupied by Hazel Grouse were found, and 174 artificial ground nests were monitored. Data on the number of tourists gathered at entry points and at trail crossings in the Tatra National Park were used to estimate levels of tourism activity. Sites occupied by Hazel Grouse were mostly located farther from hiking trails and in places with low tourist numbers. Artificial nests were mainly predated by mammals (85%) in both spruce and beech forests.
The Macaronesian Sparrowhawk diet in native and exotic forests
Authors: Rodríguez Beneharo , Rodríguez Airam , Lorenzo Juan , Martínez Juan Manuel
Published: December 2023

The Macaronesian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus granti) is an endemic subspecies restricted to the forest habitats of Madeira and the Canary Islands. We studied its inter-habitat diet variation on the largest of the Canaries, Tenerife, during the 2014–2015 breeding seasons. We also compared the current food spectrum (2014–2015) with that reported in a study conducted 30 years ago. Prey remains analyses were conducted at the three main forested habitats, two native (laurel forest and Canarian pinewood) and one exotic (exotic tree plantations). Birds formed the main dietary component of the Sparrowhawk (26 species identified), but mammals and reptiles were also consumed in small numbers. Avian prey of around 200–300 g were preferred by Sparrowhawks.
Changing environmental conditions and structure of a breeding population of the threatened Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus L.)
Authors: Markkola Juha A. , Karvonen Risto T.
Published: December 2023

Migratory birds breeding at high latitudes face challenges in relation to timing of breeding vs. annual weather, climate change, and predator abundance. Hunting pressure along migration routes and wintering quarters forms an additional challenge. We studied population structure and interaction with environmental factors in a small population of threatened Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus, living in sub-arctic zone in Lapland in 1989–1996. Thereafter the population disappeared. The population comprised 2–15 breeding pairs plus 0–12 non-breeders, which left in June to moult elsewhere. 30 broods were observed (0–8 annually) with an average number of 2.9 goslings. Of the 3 satellite tagged plus 7 ringed geese at least 3 were shot and altogether 4 killed during the first year.
Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides viridanus): An overlooked indicator of old-growth forest?
Authors: Väli Ülo , Vaan Piia Katharina
Published: December 2023

Effective bioindicators of old-growth forest are important for conservation. The Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides viridanus), a forest-dwelling passerine, has been recorded in old-growth forests; however, its precise habitat preferences are poorly studied. We used opportunistic observations collected by citizen scientists and stand descriptions from a forestry database to analyse its habitat preferences in Estonia, with a focus on the characteristics of old-growth forests. The Greenish Warbler preferred productive spruce and black alder stands but also favoured rare broad-leaved stands. Forest stands were older, less drained and contained more standing and fallen dead trees in warbler sites than in control sites. Positive effects of stand age and soil fertility exhibited the highest average relative importance in generalized linear models, drainage was of intermediate importance and the occurrence of dead wood was least important. The terrain at warbler sites was also more often uneven than that at control sites. The preference for old-growth forests observed in our study makes the Greenish Warbler, despite occupying various forest stands suggestive of plasticity, a good candidate for inclusion in a suite of old-growth forest indicators.
Review of inter and intraspecific predation by shorebirds
Authors: Kubelka Vojtech
Published: December 2023

Predation is often the most important driver of breeding productivity and population dynamics in birds, with an increasing impact in the currently rapidly changing world. Despite decades of intensive research, our understanding of trophic interactions and food webs is still limited. Although there is good knowledge of regular predators within particular groups of animals, focused overviews of such predator-prey interactions are often lacking. Here, I review predation behaviour by shorebirds: plovers, sandpipers and allies, over the globe – presenting 16 cases of interspecific predation relationships and two cases of intraspecific predation of eggs or chicks, altogether involving 11 species of predators and 13 species of prey.
Sexual dimorphism in size and plumage in adult Curlew Sandpipers (Calidris ferruginea) migrating in autumn through the Baltic Sea region
Authors: Witkowska Marta , Meissner Wlodzimierz
Published: December 2023

The Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) displays sexual dimorphism in size and in breeding plumage. We analysed biometric and plumage characteristics in adult Curlew Sandpipers and proposed a protocol for sexing individuals, with the use of the discriminant function analysis. We measured 222 females and 164 males captured during autumn migration on the southern Baltic coast, among which 92 females and 84 males were photographed for analysis of plumage characteristics. All birds were sexed with molecular methods. Females were larger than males in all body measurements. Bill length was the most dimorphic trait, and the most effective function with bill length as a single predictor correctly identified the sex of 82.1% of birds.
Climate and land use changes: similarity in range and abundance changes of birds in Finland and Great Britain
Authors: Lehikoinen Aleksi , Johnston Alison , Massimino Dario
Published: December 2023

Climate change and human land use are causing changes to species ranges and abundances. However, factors influencing the species-specific speed and direction of changes are not well understood. In addition, intra-specific variation in the responses has rarely been investigated and thus it is not known if the same species show similar population changes in different areas. We compared the rate of changes in range size (since the 1970s) and population abundance (since the 1980s) as well as shifts in mean weighted latitude of range (since the 1970s) and density (since the 1990s) among the same bird species in Finland and Great Britain, two countries that share similar north– south climatic gradients. Similar responses between countries could indicate that climate change is causing parallel changes in species’ ranges and abundances in the countries. Furthermore, we tested whether the responses differed between habitat types, which could indicate that local habitat availability and land use may be more important than climate change. Wetland species showed parallel range size change in the wo countries, but no such connection was found in open and forested habitats. Population abundance trends were also parallel in both countries and northern species showed more negative population trends than southern species. The speed of change in species’ average latitudes was positively correlated between the two countries when using occurrence data, but negatively correlated when using species density. Species that show similar changes in population sizes in Finland and Great Britain, that are likely caused by large scale population drivers, such as climate change. However, speed of latitudinal shifts in species’ densities were not connected between the two countries. These potential differences are likely driven by spatial variation in land use changes and habitat availability.
The effect of local weather conditions and nest box location on the reproduction of the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in the farmland of eastern Poland
Authors: Kasprzykowski Zbigniew , Rzȩpała Mirosław , Golawski Artur
Published: December 2023

Artificial nests like nest boxes are commonly used to improve the reproductive output and population status of wild birds and advance our understanding of their evolutionary ecology. To investigate how the location of nest boxes and local weather conditions affect Common Kestrel reproduction (number of fledglings), 319 broods from 173 nest boxes in east-central Poland were examined. Of the six meteorological parameters analysed, only mean temperature and maximum temperature were selected as the best model. Mean daily temperature had a positive effect but maximum temperature a negative one on Common Kestrel reproduction. The first egg laying date was negatively correlated with the number of fledglings. Contrary to the assumption that trees should offer a superior microclimate in the canopy, nest boxes placed on utility poles have the same numbers of fledglings. The area of the main habitat type is not decisive in Common Kestrel productivity either. These findings may be helpful for ongoing conservation programmes and confirm that utility poles should be the preferred form of deployment of nest boxes as they are easier to monitor and maintain.
Citizens’ attitudes on climate policy instruments
Authors: Sivonen Jukka
Published: December 2023

Jukka Sivonen’s PhD thesis “Public attitudes on climate policy instruments: a comparative perspective in Europe” was examined at the University of Turku on 6 October 2023.
AVALIAÇÃO DO POTENCIAL HIPOGLICEMIANTE DO EXTRATO DE BACUPARI (Salacia elliptica) EM CAMUNDONGOS DIABÉTICOS
Authors: Costa Telice Silva , Borges Luanna Patrícia , Figueiredo Matheus Henrique Barcelos , Costa Renata Mazaro e , Dias Júnior Walter
Published: December 2023

O diabetes é uma doença metabólica crônica de origem múltipla, com elevado índice de casos, que o torna um grande problema de saúde mundial, sendo considerado uma das emergências de saúde global que mais crescem no século XXI. Em 2021, estima-se que 537 milhões de pessoas são portadores de diabetes, e esse número está projetado para chegar a 643 milhões em 2030, e 783 milhões até 2045. Com esse aumento significativo da doença o tratamento terapêutico alternativo utilizando plantas medicinais tem se tornado uma opção viável de tratamento de doenças crônicas, como o diabetes. O objetivo desse estudo é avaliar a capacidade hipoglicemiante do extrato bruto (etanólico) das folhas de bacupari em camundongos com diabetes tipo I induzidos por aloxana. Metodologia: O extrato foi elaborado após a secagem e trituração das folhas do Bacupari, pelo método de maceração em etanol na proporção 1:3 (massa:volume), sendo 500 gramas de folhas moídas imersas em 1,5L de etanol 92,8% à temperatura ambiente em 3 etapas de filtração, depois foi encaminhado para rotaevaporador a 40ºC para a finalização. Para testar o efeito do extrato bruto das folhas do Bacupai foram utilizados 60 Camundongos Swiss machos adultos pesando cerca de 50-60g, 30 deles foram selecionados para fazer do grupo controle (animais normais), e os outros 30 foram submetidos a indução de diabetes pela administração de aloxana, com dose de 150 mg/Kg via intraperitoneal. Depois foi realizada redistribuição dos animais conforme os grupos de tratamento, sendo 10 animais/grupo: Grupo Controle (C); Grupo Diabético Controle (DC); Grupo Salacia elliptica (extrato) (CS); Grupo Diabético + Salacia elliptica (extrato) (DS); Grupo Acarbose (inibidor α-glicosidase) (CA); Grupo Diabético + Acarbose (inibidor α-glicosidase) (DA). Cada animal antes de receber o seu tratamento recebeu uma dose de 10% de carboidratos (amido de milho) via gavagem. Após os tratamentos foi verificada a glicemia de cada animal por 240 min (4h) para analisar a influência dos tratamentos na glicemia pós-prandial.  A aloxana comprovou sua atividade diabetogênica, desenvolvendo um alto percentual de condição diabética nos animais e baixa mortalidade. Quanto a efetividade do extrato etanólico das folhas de Bacupari (Salacia elliptica) foi constatado que a dose única de 400mg/Kg suprimiu (p<0,05) os níveis de glicose pós-prandial em camundongos não diabéticos. No entanto, essa redução não foi observada (p>0,05) nos animais diabéticos. Os efeitos do extrato bruto na diminuição da glicemia pós-prandial foram comprovados em animais normais, necessitando o desenvolvimento de novas pesquisas para compreender os efeitos bioquímicos do extrato do Bacupari no intuito de desenvolver e ofertar terapias que auxiliem no tratamento do diabetes.