Listening to climate change in my backyard: the frequency of overwintering Eurasian Blackcaps <i>Sylvia atricapilla</i> increased in a small town in Northern Italy, but not that of European Robins <i>Erithacus rubecula</i>

We examined features of citizen science that influence data quality, inferential power, and usefulness in ecology. As background context for our examination, we considered topics such as ecological sampling (probability based, purposive, opportunistic), linkage between sampling technique and statistical inference (design based, model based), and scientific paradigms (confirmatory, exploratory). We distinguished several types of citizen science investigations, from intensive research with rigorous protocols targeting clearly articulated questions to mass‐participation internet‐based projects with opportunistic data collection lacking sampling design, and examined overarching objectives, design, analysis, volunteer training, and performance. We identified key features that influence data quality: project objectives, design and analysis, and volunteer training and performance. Projects with good designs, trained volunteers, and professional oversight can meet statistical criteria to produce high‐quality data with strong inferential power and therefore are well suited for ecological research objectives. Projects with opportunistic data collection, little or no sampling design, and minimal volunteer training are better suited for general objectives related to public education or data exploration because reliable statistical estimation can be difficult or impossible. In some cases, statistically robust analytical methods, external data, or both may increase the inferential power of certain opportunistically collected data. Ecological management, especially by government agencies, frequently requires data suitable for reliable inference. With standardized protocols, state‐of‐the‐art analytical methods, and well‐supervised programs, citizen science can make valuable contributions to conservation by increasing the scope of species monitoring efforts. Data quality can be improved by adhering to basic principles of data collection and analysis, designing studies to provide the data quality required, and including suitable statistical expertise, thereby strengthening the science aspect of citizen science and enhancing acceptance by the scientific community and decision makers.

Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2) data for a period of 40years (1980-2019) was used to detect the trend characteristics of daily average temperature in the state of Kerala, India. Data extracted from a total of fifty locations in the state were statistically processed using Mann-Kendall (MK) and Spearman's Rho (SR) tests to detect the trend, Pettitt test to identify the single change point, and Theil-Sen's method for the calculation of the rate of change. The MERRA-2 product is validated for the study region according to statistical indicators. The daily average temperature in the state during the period of study varies between 16.56 and 32.64°C. The spatial pattern of daily average maximum temperature shows higher temperature domains in the central and southern parts of the state. Trend characteristics of daily average temperature assessed through MK and SR tests show a significant increasing trend in all stations, with maximum values in stations located in the northern part of the state. Change point detected through the Pettitt test divided the sampling stations into three groups based on the change in daily average temperature characteristics in the years 2002 (north zone), 2009 (south zone), and 2012 (central zone), indicating nonunique spatial variability in temperature characteristics in the state. The rate of change in the daily average temperature assessed indicates an increase at the rate of an average of 0.013°C.year-1. During the whole study period, the daily average temperature showed an overall increase of 0.54°C, and for the 100-year futuristic prediction, the daily average temperature in the state shows an average increase of 1.35°C. Among the stations, a higher rate of increase in daily average temperature is shown by stations located in the eastern part of the Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Kollam districts. Though the rise in daily average temperature is not much higher, its spatial characteristics require more attention because, in recent times, the study area has faced repeated, severe, and long drought conditions along with sunburn incidents. As an agrarian state, a change in the temperature domain will adversely affect the overall agricultural production and will evoke not only a food crisis but also economic as well as water resources issues. The result obtained can be used as holistic basic information for understanding the impending effect of climate change in the state to frame better mitigation as well as management strategies.

Directional Preferences of the Robin ( Erithacus rubecula ) and the Blackcap ( Sylvia atricapilla ) During Autumn Migration at Arosio (N Italy) in 2005 Results of orientation tests of nocturnal migrants with the use of Busse's cage (Busse 1995, Busse 2000) are described in this paper. That method enables to study directional behaviour of nocturnal migrants during daytime. The aim of these studies is the description of directional preferences of the Robin and the Blackcap at the ringing station Arosio, northern Italy. Totally, 220 orientation tests for the Robin and 77 for the Blackcap were performed. Tested species have shown differentiation of directional preferences. Distribution of directions for the Robin is very clear. One direction was preferred - SSE direction (34%). For the Blackcap the distribution of headings was more complex, but two main directions could be distinguished - SSW (23%) and WSW (22%). Migration patterns of both these species in Europe are complicated. Birds migrating through northern Italy should be regarded as different migrating populations (Remisiewicz 2002, Mokwa 2004). However, migration pattern of the Robin was strongly determinated in one SSE direction, which indicates the Apennine Peninsula. Blackcap followed two directions, which indicate western winter quarters. Obtained results stood in accordance with other data, such as recoveries. Although the obtained results seem to be very interesting and promising, only intensive studies, especially in areas indicated by tested birds, could give information about migration pattern of these species.

Температурный режим торфяных олиготрофных почв лесостепи Западной Сибири (на примере Николаевского ряма)

Vigorita, V. 2000. Migration routes from Lombardy, Northern Italy, to Africa, covered by birds ringed during eighteen years of ringing activity in five Pre-alpine Ornithological stations. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 341. Systematic bird ringing in Lombardy, northern Italy, was started in 1977. In total 661 979 birds of 168 species were ringed in the period 1977–1994. The recoveries were 3 660. The ringed species in five Prealpine Ornithological stations wintering and recovered in Africa, during eighteen years were 14: Anthus trivialis, Anthus pmtensis, Motacilla Java, Motacilla alba. Erithacus rubecula. Phoenicum phoenicurus, Turdus merula. Turdus philomelos, Sylvia borin, Sylvia atricapilla, Ficedula hypoleuca, Sturnus vulgaris, Fnngilla coelebs, Carduelis spinus. Accordingly, with ringing and recoveries data in Lombardy and recoveries data in Africa, we can get some more detailed information on migration routes. A better knowledge of migration routes allows the study of correlation among trends of populations and quality- quantity variation of habitats and meteorological dynamics in Afiica. The collection of data is expected to continue with more standardised methods for field research, data storage and their processing. Detailed migration routes, based on analysis of ringing data, are shown.

During the Spring of 2011, we studied the bird community in an area of Val Borbera, in the province of Alessandria (NW Italy). In the study area, situated at an altitude between 655 and 1700 m a.s.l., we conducted 110 points count ten minutes each in four microhabitats (agricultural areas, shrubs, forests, and prairies). In total, we surveyed 72 species, of which 51 were passerine and 21 non passerine. The most abundant species were Sylvia atricapilla, Phylloscopus collybita, Apus apus, and Turdus merula. In the agricultural areas, we detected a total of 50 species (Sylvia atricapilla, Parus major, Turdus merula were the most abundant). In the shrubs, we detected 30 species (Sylvia atricapilla, Parus major, Fringilla coelebs, Phylloscopus collybita, Turdus merula, Erithacus rubecula were the most abundant). In the forest areas, we found 45 species (Sylvia atricapilla, Parus major, Fringilla coelebs, Phylloscopus collybita, Turdus merula, Erithacus rubecula were the most abundant), and in the prairies, we detected 48 species (Alauda arvensis, Anthus campestris, Sylvia atricapilla, Turdus merula, Anthus trivialis, Sylvia communis were the most abundant). Compared to the other macro habitats, the agricultural areas have a significantly high abundance and richness in species, which highlights the importance of the agricultural mosaics in the Piedmont and mountain areas. The data which has been collected so far confirms the important role of this area, given the presence of some species which are rare at a regional scale.

Climatic, ecological, and socioeconomic factors are facilitating the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, heightening the importance of vector surveillance and control. Citizen science is proving to be an effective tool to track mosquito populations, but methods are needed to detect and account for small scale sampling biases in citizen science surveillance. In this article we combine two types of traditional mosquito surveillance records with data from the Mosquito Alert citizen science system to explore the ways in which the socioeconomic characteristics of urban neighborhoods result in sampling biases in citizen scientists’ mosquito reports, while also shaping the spatial distribution of mosquito populations themselves. We use Barcelona, Spain, as an example, and focus on Aedes albopictus, an invasive vector species of concern worldwide. Our results suggest citizen scientists’ sampling effort is focused more in Barcelona’s lower and middle income census tracts than in its higher income ones, whereas Ae. albopictus populations are concentrated in the city’s upper-middle income tracts. High resolution estimates of the spatial distribution of Ae. albopictus risk can be improved by controlling for citizen scientists’ sampling effort, making it possible to provide better insights for efficiently targeting control efforts. Our methodology can be replicated in other cities faced with vector mosquitoes to improve public health responses to mosquito-borne diseases, which impose massive burdens on communities worldwide.

After completing a night migratory flight in the morning, European Robins begin to make search movements to find a stopover for rest and replenishment of their energy resources. The data on the capture of 111 European Robins during the spring migration on the Courish Spit of the Baltic Sea show that the speed of movement of birds during the search does not depend on air temperature, wind speed, rainfall, or the number of conspecific individuals at the stopover. It is to a small extent affected by the age and energy state of birds, as well as the calendar date. It is assumed that the most powerful influence on the speed of search movements of European Robins in spring is exerted by the endogenous programs for finding stopovers, which differ greatly among individual birds.

BackgroundThe European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) is eurytopic in its choice of nest site, which can be either half-open or closed, and situated either on the ground or at a height of several meters. On occasion, robins also nest in closed nestboxes, though generally only solitary such cases are documented, albeit that dozens of such events can be recorded during the course of some long-term studies. However, until now, nobody has summarised the peculiarities of robins nesting in closed nestboxes.MethodsIn the period 1978–2020, wooden tit and starling nestboxes were inspected regularly at five study sites in Lithuania, this totaling more than 18,000 nestbox-seasons. During these inspections, 90 cases of robins nesting in the nestboxes were recorded. Publications on this topic from the entire robin distribution range were reviewed.ResultsRobins prefer to nest in old large-sized fairly shallow nestboxes with wide entrance holes, for example starling nestboxes or tit nestboxes with enlarged entrance holes. Increased numbers of nestboxes being occupied by robins were recorded for 3–8 years in row. In Lithuania, nesting success in nestboxes is not higher than compared with nesting on the ground. Tree climbing mammals, Pine Martens (Martes martes), Hazel Dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius), Edible Dormice (Glis glis) and Forest Dormice (Dryomys nitedula), are the main predators of robin nests in nestboxes.ConclusionsSome geographic variation was found in the occurrence of robins nesting in nestboxes with more such cases recorded in central and southern parts of the range. Possibly robins are more philopatric in these parts of the range, with the same females or their offspring nesting in nestboxes for several years in row. In areas inhabited by dormice, nesting in closed nestboxes is not advantageous for robins.

Migratory passerines were mist-netted during the spring and autumn migrations at two localities in Israel: Ein Fashkha, a desert oasis near the Dead Sea, and Elon, a maquis vegetation area in the western Galilee. In both localities, mean body mass of the blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) was significantly heavier in autumn, and heavier in the Galilee than in the oasis. More blackcaps were netted in spring at both sites. The robin (Erithacus rubecula) had heavier body mass in spring, and its capture rate was higher in autumn. In autumn, the blackcap passes through Israel loaded with fat on its way south to its winter quarters in East Africa. In spring, it arrives in relatively poor body condition after crossing the Sahara. A higher capture rate during springtime could be explained by the poor condition of the birds. The robin winters in Israel, and birds captured in autumn have just completed their migration, and carry little fat reserves, while those caught in spring are loaded with fat for their nor...

Capsule The first analyses of trends in relative abundance of terrestrial birds in Ireland showed that trends were predominantly stable or increased between 1998 and 2008. Aims To determine trends in relative abundance of common and widespread breeding birds in the Republic of Ireland between 1998 and 2008. Methods Changes in abundance of 52 species were described nationally, and at regional level, by fitting log‐linear regression models to transect data gathered as part of the Countryside Bird Survey between 1998 and 2008. Results Some 22 species were shown to increase, 8 species declined, and 22 species were relatively stable. Greatest increases were seen in Stonechats Saxicola torquata, Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla, European Goldfinches Carduelis carduelis, Common Redpolls C. flammea, and Common Bullfinches Pyrrhula pyrrhula. The greatest declines in trends were in Common Kestrels Falco tinnunculus, Common Swifts Apus apus, Sky Larks Alauda arvensis and Mistle Thrushes Turdus viscivorus. Most of the national trends were consistent across eight regions. Conclusions Breeding bird populations in the Republic of Ireland have generally fared well between 1998 and 2008, although declining trends in Sky Larks and Common Kestrels in particular may indicate that farming practices continue to impact on farmland specialists. The declines shown in European Robins Erithacus rubecula, Mistle Thrushes and Black‐billed Magpies Pica pica were unexpected. The significant population trends presented are largely consistent with those in Britain and in Europe. The trends contrast with other European populations by the increases shown for Common Bullfinches and House Sparrows Passer domesticus and the decline shown for European Robins and Rooks Corvus frugilegus.

We tested whether European robins Erithacus rubecula have a time-independent stellar compass, i.e. whether they can use the stellar pattern for finding the seasonally appropriate migratory direction without reference to their internal clock. It has been claimed earlier on the basis of experiments with other nocturnal migrants, indigo buntings Passerina cyanea, pied flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca and blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla, but none of the previous experiments was performed in the vertical magnetic field, which rules out the use of the magnetic compass, and under the natural nocturnal sky. We argue that pervious experiments allow alternative interpretations, albeit unlikely. Our data independently confirm that European robins, like other nocturnal passerine migrants hitherto studied, use their stellar compass independently of their internal clock. It is generally assumed since the classic experiments of Stephen Emlen performed in the 1960s that star compass of migrating songbirds is time-independent, i.e. that the birds use the pattern of constellations and not the angle of rotation of the starry sky. However, it has not been shown unequivocally, because early experiments did not consider the possibility that the birds relied on magnetic compass rather than on time-independent stellar compass system. Here, we show that stellar compass of European robins tested in the vertical magnetic field that did not provide compass information is indeed independent of the birds’ internal clock and cannot be manipulated by resetting this clock. Cognitive challenges of learning the pattern of constellations, which is necessary to use time-independent star compass, are most fascinating and deserve detailed behavioural and neurobiological study.

Capsule Radio-tracking of four woodland passerine species reveals variation in winter roost site selection within and between species. Aims To evaluate methods for studying winter roosting behaviour in woodland passerines and to collect preliminary data on intra- and inter-specific differences in roost site characteristics and spatial arrangement. Methods Ten woodland birds (three Eurasian Blackbirds Turdus merula, three Dunnocks Prunella modularis, two Great Tits Parus major and two European Robins Erithacus rubecula), were fitted with a tail-mounted Lotek PicoPip AG337 VHF radio tag (January to March 2022). Tagged birds were located by triangulation, and nightly winter roost locations identified and characterized. A geographic information system was used to quantify roost site fidelity, roosting height and types of habitats used. Results Manual tracking of birds with radio tags is a cost effective and appropriate method for studying passerine winter roosting behaviour. Sample sizes were too small to allow exploration of significant differences between sites, age and sex. European Robins showed the greatest site fidelity in relation to between-night roost positions, with Eurasian Blackbird, Great Tit and Dunnock being more variable in the sites chosen between nights. Eurasian Blackbird and Great Tit roost sites were generally higher above the ground (up to 6 m), compared to European Robins and Dunnocks (all sites less than 4 m above the ground). Eurasian Blackbirds varied the most in the number of habitats used for roost sites, and European Robins showed the least variation. Only three out of 11 habitat types (bramble Rubus sp, laurel Prunus sp. and Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus with Ivy Hedera helix) were used by more than one species as a roosting habitat. Conclusion Further research should focus on: (1) habitat use in relation to relative availability; (2) increasing samples sizes to allow comparison of factors such as age, sex and sites; (3) the impact of supplementary feeding on roosting behaviour; (4) quantifying the thermal properties of roost sites.

ABSTRACTCapsuleThere were survival costs for adult European Robins Erithacus rubecula grounded at coastal sites following departure, but not for young Robins or Song Thrushes Turdus philomelos.AimsTo compare survival costs of crossing the Baltic Sea in autumn in adults and young of two passerines: the smaller European Robin and the slightly larger Song Thrush.MethodsWe calculated the mortality of experienced adults and those embarking on their first migration, modelling survival in a capture-mark-recapture framework using ringing records from three bird observatories on the periphery of the Baltic Sea. We tested the subsequent age- and species-dependent 12-month interval survival of autumn migrants caught before, during and after the barrier.ResultsSurvival did not differ in relation to the capture site, however, results revealed species-specific post-capture survival. Adult European Robins encountering an ecological barrier on autumn migration had lower survival probability than that of immature birds, and less than a third of adults at following intervals. Yet, in Song Thrushes, adult survival estimates were similar over all time intervals, and estimates for both age classes were comparable to those derived from breeding sites.ConclusionExperienced individuals of the smaller species are likely to become grounded at the periphery of the ecological barrier as a result of physiologically limiting conditions. Species- and age-dependent survival also highlights potential inherent biases of sampling birds at coastal bird observatories.

![Figure][1] In August 2009, the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) held its 36th Congress in Kyoto in the same convention centre where the historic Kyoto Protocol was drawn up 12 years earlier. The symbolism of this coincidence was not missed by Malcolm Gordon, the Chair of