Andrew F. Brown

Parasitism and host sensitivity to cadmium: an acanthocephalan infection of the freshwater amphipod Gammarus pulex

: A field experiment with two broomcorn millet varieties Longmi 8 (strong drought-resistant variety) and Jinmi 4 (drought-sensitive variety) was conducted to compare their differences in growth, field microclimate and photosynthetic capacity from anthesis to maturity under different fertility conditions. The results showed that, fertilization decreased canopy temperature, air temperature, soil temperature, illumination, but improved the relative humidity among broomcorn millet plants compared with the non-fertilization treatment. With an increase of the fertilizer level, the plant height, SPAD, LAI, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration in broomcorn millet showed an increasing trend, which of the high fertilization treatment were 9.2%, 15.1%, 56.6%, 17.8%, 24.6%, 14.2%, 29.7% higher than those of non-fertilization treatment, respectively. Compared with Jinmi 4, Longmi 8 showed a cold wet characteristic, with lower canopy temperature, air temperature, soil temperature; illumination, and higher plant height, LAI, SPAD and relative humidity during grain filling. Moreover, each photosynthetic index of Longmi 8 slowly decreased and extended the period of leaf photosynthetic function so as to accumulate more photosynthetic products.

Recent changes in the abundance of British upland breeding birds

Capsule Breeding wader populations have more often shown declines than passerine populations during the last 10–20 years. Aims To determine abundance changes in British upland breeding birds during the last 10–20 years. Methods We re-surveyed 1348 km2, in nine study areas, of the British uplands in 2000 and 2002, which had been previously surveyed between 1980 and 1991. In addition, we included data from recent repeat surveys in four other upland areas, covering approximately 365 km2, to broaden the scope of our study. Results We found evidence of widespread population declines in three species of breeding waders, Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Dunlin Calidris alpina and Curlew Numenius arquata. Among the passerines, some species declined, including Twite Carduelis flavirostris and Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus, while others showed strong gains, including Stonechat Saxicola torquata and Raven Corvus corax. Conclusion Overall, abundance changes were characterized by a high degree of variability across study areas, even when close together. This variability may have been partly due to the different time intervals between the original and repeat surveys. Improved upland breeding bird population monitoring is needed to allow better detection of trends. Action is needed to restore upland breeding bird populations in areas where they have declined.

Changes in the numbers of breeding waders on lowland wet grasslands in England and Wales between 1982 and 2002

Capsule Lapwing, Snipe, Curlew and Redshank decreased significantly between 1982 and 2002, while over the same period Oystercatcher increased. Aims To provide current status and population trends for waders breeding on lowland wet grassland in England and Wales. Methods Waders were counted and mapped on three visits to 1051 lowland wet grassland sites, between April and June 2002. Data were compared with those gathered using identical methods in a survey in 1982 and related to land use characteristics and conservation designation. Results Between 1982 and 2002 there were significant declines of 38% for Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, 61% for Snipe Gallinago gallinago, 40% for Curlew Numenius arquata and 29% for Redshank Tringa totanus. Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus increased significantly by 47% in the same period. Populations of all species were highly aggregated with most of the birds found on a small number of key sites. Site designation was found to be an important predictor of breeding wader distribution, density and density change. Conclusions The marked population declines of four grassland wader species over the last 20 years are of considerable concern. Careful management of nature reserves and other key sites is essential to halt these declines, while wider scale and more carefully targeted agri-environment schemes may hold the key to reversing declines in the longer term. The efficacy of site designation and current agri-environment schemes for conserving breeding waders on wet grasslands needs to be reviewed.

Bird: habitat associations in the eastern Highlands of Scotland

Seventy-one 1-km 2 squares of unenclosed upland, located in the Grampian, Tayside and Central regions of Scotland, were surveyed for 29 species of upland breeding birds, vegetation and other habitat attributes between 13 April and 28 June 1989. Each site was described in terms of its location (easting and northing), the percentage of its area within six topography classes (measures of altitude and slope) and the percentage cover of eight habitat patch types (incorporating both the plant species and structural features within the patch). Classification and ordination methods suggested that the distributions of the bird species could not be considered as a number of discrete groups at the level of the sampling unit

Habitat selection by golden plover Pluvialis apricaria chicks

Despite the listing of golden plover Pluvialis apricaria on Annex 1 of the European Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds there is virtually no information on the habitat requirements or diet of their chicks. We used radio telemetry to investigate habitat selection of 22 broods on two upland study sites in northern England. Broods (< 16 days old) avoided old or extensive stands of heather Calluna vulgaris but selected small patches of heather mixed with grass. They also selected marshes (mainly soft rush Juncus effusus), grassland and Eriophorum vaginatum mire. Habitat selection broadly fitted the distribution of their favoured prey (Tipula spp. and beetles). We suspect food availability, vegetation structure and cover from predators may partly explain habitat preferences. We suggest moorland could be managed for golden plover broods by managing stocking densities to create patchworks of grass and heather and a heterogeneous mature heather sward and by blocking drainage ditches to create areas of soft rush. Habitat-Selektion von Goldregenpfeifer-Kuken (Pluvialis apricaria) Trotz der Auflistung des Goldregenpfeifers (Pluvialis apricaria) in Anhang 1 der „European Directive of the Conservation of Wild Birds“ gibt es kaum Informationen uber die Habitatanspruche und die Nahrung der Kuken. Wir nutzten die Radio-Telemetrie fur die Analyse der Habitat-Selektion von 22 Bruten auf zwei Hochland-Untersuchungsgebieten in Nord-England. Die Bruten (< 16 Tage alt) vermieden alte oder grose Heideflachen (Calluna vulgaris), selektierten aber kleine HeideFlecken, die mit Gras gemischt waren. Sie selektierten auch Sumpfe (hauptsachlich mit Binsen, Juncus effusus), Grasland und Eriophorum vaginatum Morast. Die Habitat-Selektion passte grob zur Verbreitung der bevorzugten Beute (Tipula spp und Kafer). Wir vermuten, dass Nahrungsverfugbarkeit, Vegetationsstruktur und Schutz vor Pradatoren zum Teil die Habitat-Praferenzen erklaren konnen. Wir schlagen vor, Moore fur die Brut des Goldregenpfeifers zu managen, indem die Bodendeckung gemanagt wird, um Flecken von Gras und Heide sowie einen heterogenen, reifen Heidebestand zu schaffen und die Drainagegraben zu blockieren, um Binsen-Areale zu schaffen.

Nest-site characteristics of Woodlarks Lullula arborea breeding on heathlands in southern England: are there consequences for nest survival and productivity?

Capsule Although Woodlarks showed strong preferences for various nest-site characteristics, there were no fitness consequences of these choices. Aim To investigate nesting habitat preferences of Woodlarks, and to assess whether these confer any advantage in terms of nest survival and productivity. Methods Nest-site habitat preferences were measured for Woodlarks nesting on heathlands in Dorset, southern England, and related to nest survival, hatching success and nestling growth. Results Compared to associated habitat patches, Woodlarks were favouring areas of taller, denser vegetation in which to place their nests. Although the majority (81%) of nests were placed at the base of clumps of heather or grass, this was in accordance with the relative abundance of these two vegetation types. There appeared to be a positive selection for tree saplings; however, the number of nests was low (n= 14). There was a strong preference for a north or northeast nest orientation (76%). Despite the strong selection of many microhabitat characteristics, none of them was associated with greater survival, hatching success or chick weight. Conclusion It is probable that Woodlark nesting preferences evolved under different environmental conditions to the ones they experience now, hence the lack of a relationship with nest survival and productivity.

Migration patterns of two populations of twite carduelis flavirostris in Britain

Following a recent large decline in range and numbers, the Twite Carduelis flavirostris is a red‐listed bird of conservation concern. An understanding of the species’ movements between wintering and breeding areas is essential to underpin effective conservation. The migration patterns of two populations of Twite were examined: those breeding in the South Pennines and those wintering on the west coast of Lancashire and Cumbria. This was achieved by carrying out an intensive colour‐ringing study on the two populations between 2003 and 2005. Birds breeding in the South Pennines wintered predominantly on the east and southeast coasts of England. However, a small number migrated to the west coast of England. Furthermore, large flocks of predominantly South Pennines‐bred individuals overwintered in the South Pennines. From the single previous recovery, northwest‐coast birds were also thought to originate from the South Pennines. However, resightings from this study suggest that these birds breed primarily on the west‐coast islands of Scotland, with smaller numbers breeding on the Scottish mainland. Some interaction occurred between northwest‐coast and South Pennines birds, with several birds ringed on the northwest coast found wintering during the same or subsequent year on the coast of Lincolnshire. Two birds ringed in the South Pennines were found breeding elsewhere in subsequent years: one in Scotland and one in Wales. This study has shown that, despite a small amount of cross‐dispersal, these two populations have entirely different wintering and breeding grounds, and should be treated discretely for the purposes of future conservation management plans

The distribution, numbers and breeding ecology of Twite Acanthis flavirostris in the south Pennines of England

This study used the results of a systematic upland bird survey conducted in 1990 and the information held on BTO nest record cards to study the distribution, numbers and breeding ecology of Twite Acanthis flavirostris in the south Pennines of England. The survey estimated the size of the population as between 200 and 400 pairs. The distribution of records obtained during the survey is mapped. In the breeding season, Twite show an association with relatively low-altitude sites at the moorland edge, especially where the length of reservoir or river shore tends to be large and the sward height exceeds 5 cm. They apparently avoid areas dominated by Juncus¸ spp. flush vegetation. We compare information available on BTO nest record cards for south Pennines Twite with those from Scotland. Breeding performance for Twite nesting in heather-dominated habitats was better than for those nesting on either grassdominated or other moorland habitat. Twite brood-size in the south Pennines has declined in recent years and ...

Early nesting does not result in greater productivity in the multi-brooded Woodlark Lullula arborea

Capsule Birds that started nesting early and made more nesting attempts did not produce more fledglings or recruits. Aims To investigate seasonal trends in reproductive performance of a multi-brooded ground-nesting passerine, and whether re-nesting compensates for loss of productivity to nest predation. Methods Nesting was observed in a Woodlark population breeding on heathlands in Dorset, southern England. Clutch and brood size, hatching success, chick weights, nestling starvation, fledging success and recruitment rates were compared between successive nests of individual females. Results There was a mid-season peak in clutch size, but no seasonal differences in most reproductive parameters. However, proportionally more juveniles that fledged from early nests were recruited into the breeding population. Conclusion Individuals that started nesting earlier had more nesting attempts. However, although such individuals are expected to achieve higher average annual fledging success and to contribute more recruits, neither effect was significant in a sample of 29 and 46 territories over two years, due to high levels of stochastic nest losses through predation.

Natal philopatry and local movement patterns of Twite Carduelis flavirostris

The Twite Carduelis flavirostris is classified as a red‐listed bird of conservation concern in the United Kingdom. Successful conservation initiatives will depend on an understanding of local movement patterns and natal philopatry as these will be important in determining how likely the species is to colonise new nesting areas. Natal philopatry was studied in twelve breeding colonies in the South Pennines Special Protection Area using an intensive colour‐ringing programme. Of twenty birds colour‐ringed as nestlings and relocated in a subsequent breeding season, half had returned to their natal colony. Seven had moved to adjacent colonies while the remaining three had moved up to 12.1 km away. Local movement patterns were studied by colour‐ringing birds at two feeding stations outside the breeding season. These birds did not necessarily breed in adjacent colonies in subsequent years but rather dispersed throughout the South Pennines. In the post‐breeding season, before winter migration, adults and first‐year birds moved extensively throughout the study area. During this time, certain key feeding sites were utilised by individuals from widely dispersed colonies. The observed pattern of natal dispersal and local movements within the South Pennines suggests that historical breeding sites can be recolonised if appropriate breeding conditions are restored.