... 1) and the land cover within a 40km radius of these sites was calculated. ●The anticipated ar... more ... 1) and the land cover within a 40km radius of these sites was calculated. ●The anticipated area of biomass crops needed for each power plant was estimated using data given in Lindegaard (2006). ● Changes in bird populations and communities at the field level were taken ...
... SEDIMENTS, INVERTEBRATES AND BIRDS OF THE SE WASH. Mick YATES*, Ed RISPIN**, Angus GARBUTT***... more ... SEDIMENTS, INVERTEBRATES AND BIRDS OF THE SE WASH. Mick YATES*, Ed RISPIN**, Angus GARBUTT***, Tony TURK*, Paul BELLAMY*, & Nigel BROWN*. * CEH, Monks Wood ** GT Environmental, Winfrith Technology Centre, Dorset *** CEH, Bangor ...
... SA Hinsley, PE Bellamy, I. Newton and TH Sparks Hinsley, SA, Bellamy, PE, Newton, I. and Spar... more ... SA Hinsley, PE Bellamy, I. Newton and TH Sparks Hinsley, SA, Bellamy, PE, Newton, I. and Sparks, TH 1995. ... In many studies of woodland bird communities, wood-land area has been found to explain a high percentage of the variation in total species numbers (Opdam et al. ...
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B Biological Sciences, Mar 22, 1996
... by intensive, arable agri-culture, the main crops being cereals, oil-seed rape, sugar ... was... more ... by intensive, arable agri-culture, the main crops being cereals, oil-seed rape, sugar ... was apparent only in species which occurred in relatively low numbers (amongst other characteristics). ... suitablehabitat, but in the absence of detailed information concerning habitat use, the ...
This paper discusses some of the advantages of quantitative versus qualitative data in the study ... more This paper discusses some of the advantages of quantitative versus qualitative data in the study of bird populations in fragmented habitat on a scale ranging from populations to individuals. Species/area relationships provide good baseline data on species richness and distributions between patches, but breeding species should be distinguished from non-breeders/transients, because the two groups show different relationships with local patch area and with characteristics of the landscape at a larger scale. Distributions based on presence/absence data alone need to be treated carefully because variation in local and/or regional abundance, both within and between species, may have profound effects on species occurrences. Population persistence may also be influenced by the balance between mortality and natality in relation to habitat characteristics. For example, tits breeding in small woods in eastern England breed later and are less successful than pairs in larger woods and may also i...
For birds in large tracts of continuous woodland, resources are patchily distributed and such eff... more For birds in large tracts of continuous woodland, resources are patchily distributed and such effects may be amplified in UK woods given their long history of human intervention. However, for birds in small woods, problems of resource quantity and accessibility are exacerbated by patch size and isolation. Even with good intrinsic quality, a patch may simply be too small to supply sufficient resources. The mobility of birds gives them the option of multiple patch use, but this incurs costs in terms of the time and energy required to move between patches (and increases exposure to predators). Birds in small woods also breed and hence moult later than birds in large woods. Late moulting, in relation to photoperiodic effects on the speed of moult, may be detrimental to feather quality and hence to bird survival and future performance. These costs are discussed in relation to feather quality in Starlings Sturnus vulgaris and to breeding success of Great Tits Parus major and Blue Tits P. ...
In this paper, we investigate habitat and landscape factors associated with high bird species ric... more In this paper, we investigate habitat and landscape factors associated with high bird species richness in small (less than or equal to15 ha) woods and examine whether or not species-rich woods also supported higher densities of individual species. Species-rich woods contained more habitat types than species-poor ones and had a greater density of vegetation in the shrub layer. They were also less isolated in the landscape, having more linear connections overall,, and in particular, more connecting hedgerows and tracks. Of nine individual bird species examined (Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Willow Warbler), all occurred at higher densities in species-rich woods in all. three study years, and most (81%) of these differences in density were. statistically significant. The ratios of species abundances between species-rich and species-poor woods were considered in relation to the species population. sizes and, in a wider context, in relation to...
Complete bird censuses of 56 small woods, in an arable landscape, over 13 years have provided an ... more Complete bird censuses of 56 small woods, in an arable landscape, over 13 years have provided an insight into how woodland structure and the nature of the surrounding landscape affect changes in breeding bird species over time. Increasing woodland area by planting new trees adjacent to small woods led to an increase in the numbers of breeding pairs in the original woods and to a smaller increase in the numbers of breeding species. The size of these increases was more strongly related to the length of edge between the original and newly planted woods, than to the change in area. Vegetation changes in woods due to the maturation of shrubs and young trees, along with the nature of the surrounding landscape and increases in regional bird populations, influenced changes in species richness in individual woods. Thus, optimising the value of new farm woodland for birds requires different planting strategies in different landscapes.
ABSTRACT Capsule At both landscape and local scales, breeding persistence in a declining Hawfinch... more ABSTRACT Capsule At both landscape and local scales, breeding persistence in a declining Hawfinch population was greatest where broadleaved woodland cover was high, while at a fine scale, nest sites were associated with openings in the woodland canopy. Aims To assess which components of habitat are associated with Hawfinch occupancy at landscape (10-km), local (tetrad) and fine (nest) spatial scales, during a period of population decline and range contraction. Methods Bird Atlas 2008–11 data were used to determine areas of Hawfinch loss and persistence over 20 years. Current habitat was measured and compared to look for correlates that helped explain the differing status at both 10-km and tetrad scales. Fine scale habitat data collected at nest sites were compared with random locations to investigate within-wood nest site selection. Results At both 10-km and tetrad scales, Hawfinch persistence is more likely where woodland cover is greater. Recent woodland management was less evident in tetrads where the species persisted. At the nest site scale, the only relationship detected was for nests to be close to canopy openings. Conclusions Maintaining and increasing broadleaved woodland area is likely to benefit Hawfinch. Within woods, maintenance and creation of open areas may enhance nesting opportunities.
ABSTRACT Capsule Radio-tracking and remote sensing showed Marsh Tits selected for English Oak Que... more ABSTRACT Capsule Radio-tracking and remote sensing showed Marsh Tits selected for English Oak Quercus robur trees within large winter home-ranges. Aims To investigate winter habitat selection by Marsh Tits in a British wood, testing for preferences in tree species and woodland structure. Methods Thirteen Marsh Tits were radio-tracked during the winter, and home-ranges were derived. Lidar and hyperspectral data were used to compare the vegetation structure and tree species composition of entire home-ranges and the core areas of intensive use within. Instantaneous sampling observations provided further information for tree species utilization. Results The mean home-range was very large (39 ha, n = 13). There were no significant differences in mean tree height, canopy closure, understorey height, or shrub volume between full home-ranges and the core areas of use. Core areas contained a significantly greater proportion of English Oak relative to availability in the full home-ranges. Instantaneous sampling confirmed that English Oak was used significantly more than other trees. Conclusion Selection for English Oak during winter contrasted with previous studies of breeding territories, indicating that habitat usage varies seasonally and demonstrating the need for habitat selection studies throughout the year. Large home-ranges help to explain the Marsh Tit's sensitivity to habitat fragmentation.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 1996
... by intensive, arable agri-culture, the main crops being cereals, oil-seed rape, sugar ... was... more ... by intensive, arable agri-culture, the main crops being cereals, oil-seed rape, sugar ... was apparent only in species which occurred in relatively low numbers (amongst other characteristics). ... suitablehabitat, but in the absence of detailed information concerning habitat use, the ...
This paper considers, for eight species of woodland bird, the factors that influenced both local ... more This paper considers, for eight species of woodland bird, the factors that influenced both local extinctions and recolonisations in 145 woods over 3 years. In all species, probability of local extinction was inversely related to population size; most local extinctions occurred in woods containing one to three breeding pairs. However, considerable variation in extinction probabilities occurred between species and between years. In addition, the suitability of habitat within a wood (more extinctions in less suitable woods) was important for wren Troglodytes troglodytes, song thrush Turdus philomelos and blue tit Parus caeruleus; also, the structure of the surrounding landscape was important for blue tit, great tit Parus major, and chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (more extinctions in localities with less woodland). In only two species was the probability of recolonisation related to any of the measured variables. Wrens were more likely to recolonise larger woods, whereas song thrushes were more likely to recolonise woods with a high habitat suitability rating and those which are more isolated from other woodland.
... 1) and the land cover within a 40km radius of these sites was calculated. ●The anticipated ar... more ... 1) and the land cover within a 40km radius of these sites was calculated. ●The anticipated area of biomass crops needed for each power plant was estimated using data given in Lindegaard (2006). ● Changes in bird populations and communities at the field level were taken ...
... SEDIMENTS, INVERTEBRATES AND BIRDS OF THE SE WASH. Mick YATES*, Ed RISPIN**, Angus GARBUTT***... more ... SEDIMENTS, INVERTEBRATES AND BIRDS OF THE SE WASH. Mick YATES*, Ed RISPIN**, Angus GARBUTT***, Tony TURK*, Paul BELLAMY*, & Nigel BROWN*. * CEH, Monks Wood ** GT Environmental, Winfrith Technology Centre, Dorset *** CEH, Bangor ...
... SA Hinsley, PE Bellamy, I. Newton and TH Sparks Hinsley, SA, Bellamy, PE, Newton, I. and Spar... more ... SA Hinsley, PE Bellamy, I. Newton and TH Sparks Hinsley, SA, Bellamy, PE, Newton, I. and Sparks, TH 1995. ... In many studies of woodland bird communities, wood-land area has been found to explain a high percentage of the variation in total species numbers (Opdam et al. ...
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B Biological Sciences, Mar 22, 1996
... by intensive, arable agri-culture, the main crops being cereals, oil-seed rape, sugar ... was... more ... by intensive, arable agri-culture, the main crops being cereals, oil-seed rape, sugar ... was apparent only in species which occurred in relatively low numbers (amongst other characteristics). ... suitablehabitat, but in the absence of detailed information concerning habitat use, the ...
This paper discusses some of the advantages of quantitative versus qualitative data in the study ... more This paper discusses some of the advantages of quantitative versus qualitative data in the study of bird populations in fragmented habitat on a scale ranging from populations to individuals. Species/area relationships provide good baseline data on species richness and distributions between patches, but breeding species should be distinguished from non-breeders/transients, because the two groups show different relationships with local patch area and with characteristics of the landscape at a larger scale. Distributions based on presence/absence data alone need to be treated carefully because variation in local and/or regional abundance, both within and between species, may have profound effects on species occurrences. Population persistence may also be influenced by the balance between mortality and natality in relation to habitat characteristics. For example, tits breeding in small woods in eastern England breed later and are less successful than pairs in larger woods and may also i...
For birds in large tracts of continuous woodland, resources are patchily distributed and such eff... more For birds in large tracts of continuous woodland, resources are patchily distributed and such effects may be amplified in UK woods given their long history of human intervention. However, for birds in small woods, problems of resource quantity and accessibility are exacerbated by patch size and isolation. Even with good intrinsic quality, a patch may simply be too small to supply sufficient resources. The mobility of birds gives them the option of multiple patch use, but this incurs costs in terms of the time and energy required to move between patches (and increases exposure to predators). Birds in small woods also breed and hence moult later than birds in large woods. Late moulting, in relation to photoperiodic effects on the speed of moult, may be detrimental to feather quality and hence to bird survival and future performance. These costs are discussed in relation to feather quality in Starlings Sturnus vulgaris and to breeding success of Great Tits Parus major and Blue Tits P. ...
In this paper, we investigate habitat and landscape factors associated with high bird species ric... more In this paper, we investigate habitat and landscape factors associated with high bird species richness in small (less than or equal to15 ha) woods and examine whether or not species-rich woods also supported higher densities of individual species. Species-rich woods contained more habitat types than species-poor ones and had a greater density of vegetation in the shrub layer. They were also less isolated in the landscape, having more linear connections overall,, and in particular, more connecting hedgerows and tracks. Of nine individual bird species examined (Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Willow Warbler), all occurred at higher densities in species-rich woods in all. three study years, and most (81%) of these differences in density were. statistically significant. The ratios of species abundances between species-rich and species-poor woods were considered in relation to the species population. sizes and, in a wider context, in relation to...
Complete bird censuses of 56 small woods, in an arable landscape, over 13 years have provided an ... more Complete bird censuses of 56 small woods, in an arable landscape, over 13 years have provided an insight into how woodland structure and the nature of the surrounding landscape affect changes in breeding bird species over time. Increasing woodland area by planting new trees adjacent to small woods led to an increase in the numbers of breeding pairs in the original woods and to a smaller increase in the numbers of breeding species. The size of these increases was more strongly related to the length of edge between the original and newly planted woods, than to the change in area. Vegetation changes in woods due to the maturation of shrubs and young trees, along with the nature of the surrounding landscape and increases in regional bird populations, influenced changes in species richness in individual woods. Thus, optimising the value of new farm woodland for birds requires different planting strategies in different landscapes.
ABSTRACT Capsule At both landscape and local scales, breeding persistence in a declining Hawfinch... more ABSTRACT Capsule At both landscape and local scales, breeding persistence in a declining Hawfinch population was greatest where broadleaved woodland cover was high, while at a fine scale, nest sites were associated with openings in the woodland canopy. Aims To assess which components of habitat are associated with Hawfinch occupancy at landscape (10-km), local (tetrad) and fine (nest) spatial scales, during a period of population decline and range contraction. Methods Bird Atlas 2008–11 data were used to determine areas of Hawfinch loss and persistence over 20 years. Current habitat was measured and compared to look for correlates that helped explain the differing status at both 10-km and tetrad scales. Fine scale habitat data collected at nest sites were compared with random locations to investigate within-wood nest site selection. Results At both 10-km and tetrad scales, Hawfinch persistence is more likely where woodland cover is greater. Recent woodland management was less evident in tetrads where the species persisted. At the nest site scale, the only relationship detected was for nests to be close to canopy openings. Conclusions Maintaining and increasing broadleaved woodland area is likely to benefit Hawfinch. Within woods, maintenance and creation of open areas may enhance nesting opportunities.
ABSTRACT Capsule Radio-tracking and remote sensing showed Marsh Tits selected for English Oak Que... more ABSTRACT Capsule Radio-tracking and remote sensing showed Marsh Tits selected for English Oak Quercus robur trees within large winter home-ranges. Aims To investigate winter habitat selection by Marsh Tits in a British wood, testing for preferences in tree species and woodland structure. Methods Thirteen Marsh Tits were radio-tracked during the winter, and home-ranges were derived. Lidar and hyperspectral data were used to compare the vegetation structure and tree species composition of entire home-ranges and the core areas of intensive use within. Instantaneous sampling observations provided further information for tree species utilization. Results The mean home-range was very large (39 ha, n = 13). There were no significant differences in mean tree height, canopy closure, understorey height, or shrub volume between full home-ranges and the core areas of use. Core areas contained a significantly greater proportion of English Oak relative to availability in the full home-ranges. Instantaneous sampling confirmed that English Oak was used significantly more than other trees. Conclusion Selection for English Oak during winter contrasted with previous studies of breeding territories, indicating that habitat usage varies seasonally and demonstrating the need for habitat selection studies throughout the year. Large home-ranges help to explain the Marsh Tit's sensitivity to habitat fragmentation.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 1996
... by intensive, arable agri-culture, the main crops being cereals, oil-seed rape, sugar ... was... more ... by intensive, arable agri-culture, the main crops being cereals, oil-seed rape, sugar ... was apparent only in species which occurred in relatively low numbers (amongst other characteristics). ... suitablehabitat, but in the absence of detailed information concerning habitat use, the ...
This paper considers, for eight species of woodland bird, the factors that influenced both local ... more This paper considers, for eight species of woodland bird, the factors that influenced both local extinctions and recolonisations in 145 woods over 3 years. In all species, probability of local extinction was inversely related to population size; most local extinctions occurred in woods containing one to three breeding pairs. However, considerable variation in extinction probabilities occurred between species and between years. In addition, the suitability of habitat within a wood (more extinctions in less suitable woods) was important for wren Troglodytes troglodytes, song thrush Turdus philomelos and blue tit Parus caeruleus; also, the structure of the surrounding landscape was important for blue tit, great tit Parus major, and chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (more extinctions in localities with less woodland). In only two species was the probability of recolonisation related to any of the measured variables. Wrens were more likely to recolonise larger woods, whereas song thrushes were more likely to recolonise woods with a high habitat suitability rating and those which are more isolated from other woodland.
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