Ken W. Smith

Reedbed management and breeding bitterns Botaurus stellaris in the UK

A survey of habitats at 17 reedbed sites in the UK which currently hold or have recently held breeding bitterns Botaurus stellaris has shown significant differences between sites with decreasing and sites with increasing numbers of birds over the period 1979 to 1994. Those sites where bitterns have declined had significantly higher values for variables describing scrub encroachment and the presence of wet herb species than those where the bitterns have increased. A model describing bittern numbers in 1990 at the 17 sites included reed area and a measure of scrub encroachment as the significant predictive variables. It is concluded that hydroseral succession has been a key factor in the recent decline in breeding bitterns in the UK.

Changes in the status of waders breeding on wet lowland grasslands in England and Wales between 1982 and 1989

A randomly selected sample of sites surveyed in 1982 for the Breeding Waders of Wet Meadows survey was re-visited in 2989 and information on numbers of breeding waders collected. This showed that over this period numbers of Lapwings Vanellus vanellus had declined significantly by 38%, whilst Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus had increased by 56%. There was no evidence of a change in numbers of Snipe Gallinago gallinago, Redshank Tringa totanusor Curlew Numenius arquata. In both 1982 and 1989 a high proportion of all Snipe and inland breeding Redshank occurred on nature reserves. Numbers of Snipe and Redshank (but not Lapwing) were less likely to have declined on reserves than on unprotected sites.

The status and distribution of waders breeding on wet lowland grasslands in England and Wales

Damp grasslands are disappearing at an alarming rate, due to drainage and agricultural changes. Consequently their breeding waders have experienced fragmentation of range, with notable concentrations now at a few key sites. A 1982 survey has provided a much-needed assessment of the current situation.

The status and distribution of Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus in Britain in 1992. A report to the British Trust for Ornithology

In 1992 the British Trust for Ornithology and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds organized a national survey of Nightjars. A total of 3093 churring males was located and the British population was estimated to be approximately 3400 males. This represents an increase in numbers of more than 50% since the last national survey in 1981. Possible reasons for this partial recovery after a long period of decline are discussed.

Has the reduction in nest-site competition from Starlings Sturnus vulgaris been a factor in the recent increase of Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major numbers in Britain?: Capsule A national decline in Starling numbers and the reduction in nest-site competition may have contributed to the increase in nest success, numbers and habitat distribution of the Great Spotted Woodpecker in Britain.

Capsule A national decline in Starling numbers and the reduction in nest-site competition may have contributed to the increase in nest success, numbers and habitat distribution of the Great Spotted Woodpecker in Britain. Aims To examine the evidence that nest-site competition from Starlings was once a significant factor in the breeding performance and phenology of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. Methods The causes of nest failure, daily nest survival and first-egg dates of the Great Spotted Woodpecker from an intensive local study (1984–2003) and the national British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Nest Record Cards are analysed in relation to nesting Starling density and BTO Common Bird Census/Breeding Bird Survey Starling population trends. Results Nest-site interference from Starlings was cited as a significant cause of breeding failure in the Great Spotted Woodpecker. There were also significant relationships between Starling numbers and the woodpecker daily nest survival and first-egg dates at the local and national scale. With the decline in Starling numbers, cases of interference are no longer reported. Conclusion Up to the 1980s, when Starling numbers were high, nest-site interference was a significant cause of nest failure and delayed breeding in the Great Spotted Woodpecker and may have been sufficiently high to affect their population and habitat distribution. The decline in Starling numbers in recent decades has led to increased breeding success of the woodpeckers and may have allowed them to expand their breeding distribution into less wooded habitats.

Habitat use and site fidelity of Green Sandpipers Tringa ochropus wintering in Southern England

Between 1982 and 1991 Green Sandpipers were studied in mid-Hertfordshire through regular counts and observations of colour-ringed birds. Birds were present in the study area in every month of the year but only in low numbers during May. Overall, throughout the year, 35.1 % of the birds were found at gravel pit complexes and 37.8 % at disused watercress beds. There was a marked shift from gravel pits in summer and autumn to disused watercress beds and stream sides in winter. Colour-ringing showed that the population consisted mainly of birds which regularly spent the winter in the area; the overall return rate from one winter to the next was 83.5%. Individual birds changed sites between autumn and winter in a similar way to the population as a whole and, in mid-winter, were extremely faithful to particular sites to which they returned each year. The return rates from one winter to the next are negatively correlated with the number of nights with air frost in the first winter.

Breeding bird communities of broadleaved plantation and ancient pasture woodlands of the New Forest

To compare the breeding bird communities, counts were made at a total of 408 points in 482 ha of oak plantations and 641 ha of ancient pasture woodlands of the New Forest. Thirty-three species were recorded in each woodland type and the overall breeding bird density was similar in each, with Blue Tit and Chaffinch the most abundant species. Measurements at each point showed significant habitat differences between the 2 woodland types although there was much overlap and, particularly in the plantations, considerable variation in structure. The habitat variables were used to distinguish those points where the structure was typical of the plantations from those where the structure was more characteristic of the pasture woodlands. Seven species were more numerous in areas where the structure was typical of the plantations (Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Blackbird and Mistle Thrush) and three species (Great Tit, Willow Warbler and Jackdaw) were more numerous in typical pasture woodlands. Es...

Contribution of research to conservation action for the Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in Morocco

Summary The Northern Bald Ibis or Waldrapp Geronticus eremita is a species of arid semi-deserts and steppes, which was formerly widely distributed as a breeding bird across North Africa, the Middle East and the European Alps. Just over 100 breeding pairs now remain in the wild at two sites in Morocco whilst two further wild pairs remain in Syria. There is also a population in Turkey, which is maintained for part of the year in captivity, and a large captive population in zoos. The species is classified by IUCN as ‘Critically Endangered’, the highest threat category. The wild population has grown during the past decade, which represents the first evidence of population growth in the species’ recorded history. Conservation action in Morocco has contributed to this recovery. A large part of the contribution of research to conservation action has been to establish and document the value of simple site and species protection. Quantitative assessments of the importance of sites for breeding, roosting and foraging have helped to prevent disturbance and the loss of sites to mass-tourism development. Wardening by members of the local community have reduced disturbance by local people and others and increased the perceived value of the birds. Monitoring has suggested additional ways to improve the breeding status of the species, including the provision of drinking water and removal and deterrence of predators and competitors. These actions have been evaluated by subsequent testing. Steppe and two-year fallows were shown to be the key feeding habitats, and maintaining such non-intensive land uses in future may present major management challenges. The recovery in the Souss-Massa region remains precarious because the population is concentrated in a few places where adverse changes are possible. However, it could provide opportunities for natural extension of the range to formerly occupied sites further north in Morocco.

Nocturnal and diurnal activity patterns and roosting sites of green sandpipers Tringa ochropus wintering in southern England

A radio telemetric study of Green Sandpipers at their wintering site, a disused watercress bed in southern England, shows that they alternate between the watercress bed and a nearby gravel pit complex over the course of the autumn and winter. Birds spent most days feeding at the watercress bed and roosted overnight in the gravel pit complex. During extremely cold weather in January and February the birds switched to roosting at the watercress beds. Automatic activity monitoring showed that the birds were active for around 80% of each day at all times of year. Their time active at night varied from around 16% in autumn to over 40% in cold conditions in midwinter. The hours the birds were active during the day and night in mid‐winter were inversely proportional to the maximum daily temperature. The evidence suggests that a low level of night time activity is normal in Green Sandpipers but the high levels found during extremely cold winter conditions are the result of birds attempting to increase their daily...

Factors influencing patch occupancy and within‐patch habitat use in an apparently stable population of Willow Tits Poecile montanus kleinschmidti in Britain

Capsule Birds selected younger woodland patches with fewer conifers and higher soil moisture content; within these patches, they selected areas with higher vegetation cover at 2–4 m, and less bracken. Aims For an apparently stable population, to investigate habitat differences between occupied and unoccupied woodland patches and habitat selection within occupied woodlands. Methods We surveyed woodland patches for breeding Willow Tits in April 2006 in an area with an apparently stable population. Habitat was measured at points spread throughout each woodland patch and at points where Willow Tits were located. We compared habitat between occupied and unoccupied sites. In addition, within occupied sites, we examined habitat differences between Willow Tit locations and the points spread throughout the wood. Results We surveyed 65 woodland patches, of which 29 were occupied. Willow Tits were more likely to be found in deciduous woodland that was younger and had higher levels of soil moisture. Probability of occupancy fell from 60% for woods aged 20–25 years to only around 15–30% for woods aged over 80 years. Within occupied woods, Willow Tits were more likely to be found in areas with more vegetation cover at the 2–4 m level and in areas with less bracken. Conclusions Habitat management for Willow Tits should involve provision of young woodland patches with moist soils. Changes to the age structure and/or the soil moisture content of woods may be implicated in the dramatic decline of Willow Tits in Britain.