Autumn Migrants Research Articles

Spectral specificity for targeted flight in the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae

Two behavioural phases can be recognized in Aphis fabae flying in an automated flight chamber: the migratory (distance) flight phase is characterized by a persistent upward flight to an overhead white light, while the attacking (alighting) phase is a period during which a small, green-illuminated target proves repeatedly more attractive than the overhead light. In summer migrants, a negligible or very short migratory flight precedes the attacking phase. Autumn migrants, on the other hand, undertake a long-lasting migratory flight during which they are completely unresponsive to targets illuminated by monochromatic light in the visible (human) region of the spectrum (wavelengths 448–638 nm). Autumn migrants in migratory flight, and both forms during the attacking phase show a significant response to targets illuminated with white (tungsten) light and ultraviolet (λmax 360 nm). Experimental protocols involving spectral efficiency and sensitivity measurements in the visible region of the spectrum during the atacking phase reveal target attraction to wavelengths between about 500 and 600 nm with peak specificity in the green region (530–560 nm). Both summer and autumn forms behave similarly and targets illuminated with infrared (wavelengths >700 nm) were always ignored. The results are discussed with reference to the location of host plants and the disparity presented by a visual system which appears to be spectrally optimised for the detection of vegetation but which is known to produce a greater attraction for yellow than plant-green.

Population Fluctuations in Complex Life Cycles: An Example From Pemphigus Aphids

The population dynamics of organisms with complex life cycles are rarely examined due to the number of potentially interacting variables. Experimental manipulations of conditions and long—term data on abundances were used to investigate the bases of year—to—year fluctuations in population size in the aphid Pemphigus betae, which has a complex life cycle. Spring generations may live in leaf galls on cottonwood trees, whereas summer generations obligately inhabit roots of herbaceous Rumex and Chenopodium species. Experimental manipulation of irrigation levels of root colonies in both field and garden experiments showed that soil moisture affects aphid survival and reproduction on roots. The importance of this single factor in governing population size is further supported by 6 yr of gall—density and weather data showing a strong relationship between gall abundance and the amount of rainfall the previous season. Censuses of autumn migrants arriving at cottonwoods during three of these years corroborate this. Thus, weather affects success on summer hosts and consequently determines numbers of migrants returning to cottonwoods and gall abundances during the subsequent spring. This study demonstrates that conditions during one phase of a complex life cycle may largely determine the population size of future generations using alternate niches.

Host monitoring by aphid migrants: do gynoparae maximise offspring fitness?

Gynoparae (autumn migrants) of the bird cherry-oat aphid,Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), were not found to land randomly on their primary host,Prunus padus L. Some trees, although within a few metres of heavily infested trees, were not colonized at all. This phenomenon occurs regularly from year to year.The reasons for this non-random landing pattern are examined in terms of the success of subsequent generations, special attention being paid to the reproductive rate of the oviparae and fundatrices and the success of the developing populations in the spring of the following year.Trees in Scotland and Finland were examined in this manner and the hypothesis developed that the gynoparae ofR. padi show maternal care in selecting hosts that favour their offspring's survival and reproduction.Aphids were reared under controlled conditions in the laboratory on twigs cut from trees of known previous infestation levels. Aphids on twigs from preferred trees had better survival rates and produced more offspring than those aphids on twigs from non-preferred trees.

Migration and wintering of the BlackcapSylvia atricapillaon a Mediterranean island

892 Blackcaps were ringed on a southern Italian island, Vivara (40°45'N, 13°58'E) near Naples, between October 1977 and December 1983, and morphological data were taken from the 569 birds caught between January 1980 and August 1983. The autumn migration peaked in October and November while the spring migration was mainly the return of local breeding birds. Mean monthly sex ratio was 0.51 (S.D. = 0.1); inequalities were found only in March (20 males vs. 9 females). Wing lengths of both sexes were significantly shorter during the breeding season than in winter due to the influx of longer‐winged migrants at the latter season. Males migrated earlier than females. An analysis of the recaptures indicated three groups of birds: a) autumn migrants with no recaptures (not even the next day after ringing; b) a small wintering group with recaptures of up to two months after ringing; c) breeders, recaptured several times, in the same and later years. Breeding birds left the island in September. No autumn‐ringed bird ...

Wintering Blackcaps in Britain and Ireland

Despite the severity of the 1978/79 winter, at least 1,714 Blackcaps were reported during a special survey; these were heavily concentrated in western and south-western counties. An increase over recent decades in the numbers of Blackcaps wintering in Britain and Ireland is correlated with expansion of north European breeding populations and with a rise in numbers of autumn migrants passing through British east coast bird observatories. Successful overwintering here is attributed to the way the birds have adapted to taking artificial foods at garden bird tables.

The Migratory Ambit of the Hop Aphid and its Significance in Aphid Population Dynamics

(1) Of about 320 species of aphids whose aerial distributions were examined, only sexual autumn migrants of the hop aphid (Phorodon humuli Schrank) originated from dense, isolated and persistent population 'patches'. (2) These source patches were hop gardens maintained in two small areas in southern England. (3) Patterns of aerial distribution were the same for both sources and for both males and gynoparous females. (4) Parthenogenetic spring alates migrating from native host plants were more evenly distributed and patches could not be isolated because, like all other aphid species, migratory ambits overlapped. (5) As expected, migration was not random, but directional orientation was negligible. (6) Evidence suggests that boundary layer migration, stratiform drift and cumuliform high level migration (L. R. Taylor 1965), were all used on different occasions. (7) The gamma regression models (R. A. J. Taylor 1979a) described the mean density x distance profile; the median distance travelled was 15-20 km and the 9500 limit was 100-150 km. The A-function probably has extreme parameter values. (8) The regression of log spatial variance on log mean density is identical for the autumn migration of males and gynoparous females; the summer migration of virginoparous females differs in intercept but not in slope.

Autumnal Bird Migration Observed from Ships in the Western North Atlantic Ocean

The western north Atlantic Ocean constitutes a major route for autumnal migrants moving between eastern North America and the Caribbean or South America. Some shorebirds have long been known to use this route (Lincoln, 1939; Hagar, 1966; Palmer, 1968; McNeil and Burton, 1973), and recently Drury and Nisbet (1964) and Nisbet (1970) have stated that the Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata) probably flies over the western Atlantic between New England and South America, although this route was disputed by Murray (1965). Atlantic migrants have been studied with radar installations on the North American coast

Autumn Roosting Flight Counts as an Index to Wood Duck Abundance

Roosts and roosting flights of wood ducks (Aix sponsa) were studied during autumn, 1959-64. Observations were made during 768 flight periods at 52 roosts. The primary study area was a 100-mile segment of Mississippi River bottoms in northeastern Iowa. Roosts were in many species of emergent vegetation. Barring major changes in habitat, autumn roost sites were usually the same each night and each year. Autumn migrants used roosts established in late summer by local birds. Seasonal changes in roosting populations were similar each year. September 20 is recommended for making roosting flight counts to be used as an index to annual changes in abundance of wood ducks. Evening counts were superior to morning counts. Numbers at a roost ranged up to 5,400. Sampling units, sampling schemes, sensitivity, and use of roosting flight counts for estimating abundance of wood ducks are discussed. The Mississippi Flyway Council stated that adequate information on population levels of wood ducks was not provided by techniques used to census other waterfowl (Yancey et al. 1958). In response, the Iowa Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit initiated a study of some methods of censusing wood ducks. This is a report of an investigation of wood duck roosting phenomena in northeastern Iowa and adjacent areas during August-November, 1959-64. The main objective was to evaluate roosting flight counts as a method of estimating abundance of wood ducks. We are grateful to Refuge Manager Don Gray and his staff on the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge for their assistance and support of this study.

DO BIRDS TRANSMIT FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE?

SummaryEvidence regarding the role of birds in the transmission of foot and mouth disease is briefly reviewed.Bird movements in Europe are briefly considered and while some autumn migrants and winter visitors to Britain could transmit disease to livestock on the east coast, it seems unlikely that summer migrants could be involved as vectors between France and the south coast.Outbreaks of “obscure” origin tend to be concentrated in the eight coastal counties, Lincolnshire to Dorset. There is a correlation between the autumn outbreaks on the east coast (Lincolnshire‐Essex) and a high incidence of disease in the Low Countries and Denmark; and a correlation between a high level of infection in summer in France and outbreaks on the south coast (Kent‐Dorset).Very few coastal outbreaks occurred in Britain at migration times during the war years of 1940–44 at a time when the level of Continental infection was apparently high.Outbreaks in Britain in 1951–52 showed a clockwise movement from the east to the south coast paralleling the swing in the peak of infection from the Low Countries to France. During this period British outbreaks showed a marked tendency to be clustered round various seaports.The relative importance and the volume of coastal infection has increased since the late 1930s and these facts cannot be reconciled with the bird transmission theory. The tendency for a later spread of the disease in Britain has lessened in recent years, presumably because control methods have improved.The pattern of spread of disease within the Continent is also shown to be inconsistent with a theory involving birds as vectors. In Sweden the disease pattern has changed since Bullough (1942) examined the problem and it is very unlikely that bird movements have altered to account for this.It is concluded on the evidence so far available that some explanation other than one incriminating birds is necessary to account for the incidence of foot and mouth outbreaks of “obscure” origin in the English coastal counties.

Weights of Autumn Migrants from Coastal New Jersey

Weights of Autumn Migrants from Coastal New Jersey

The over-sea crossings of land birds in the western Pacific

Japan lies apart from the continent and many migration routes to and vir this archipelago are innevitably sea-crossing, for example, Japan Sea and China Sea crossings, 425-480 miles. Many stray autumn migrants of land birds reach the Bonin and Volcano Is., possibly aided by oceanic wind drift after crossing 500-600 miles and more may perish on the ocean. They seem to survive the winter on the islands but the summer records are extremely few and spring migration from the south is not evident. This is supported by the fact that actually no Passerines reach Marianas, N. Micronesia, though some palaearctic ducks further reach W. Carolines and even Marshall Is. There are, on the other hand, some northern migrant species which reach Palau Is., SW. Micronesia, from the Philippines crossing 580 miles of the sea, perhaps also aided by winds. Except the waders, only a few American ducks could reach the Marshall Is., E. Micronesia, after flying vast Pacific Ocean.

NOTES ON AUTUMN MIGRANTS IN MOROCCO

IbisVolume 102, Issue 2 p. 330-332 NOTES ON AUTUMN MIGRANTS IN MOROCCO Richard Vaughan, Richard VaughanSearch for more papers by this author Richard Vaughan, Richard VaughanSearch for more papers by this author First published: April 1960 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1960.tb07121.xCitations: 3AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume102, Issue2April 1960Pages 330-332 RelatedInformation

On the distfibution and migration of Muscicapa mugimaki

Mugimaki Flycatcher breeds in Sakhalin and Siberia and winters in southern Asia, passing Japan as a transient. Udagawa considered it an autumn migrant, which occurs only as stragglers in spring (May and March, the latter being doubtful and his theory of correlation with snow line is not tenable). The author adds five spring records (May) from Hokkaido, Honshiu and S. Korea, which prove its regular passage in this season, though less notice than in autumn, when it moves slowly in broad front with its number multiplied by young birds. Birds might stop and breed if they found a suitable breeding environment before reaching finar destination. Udagawa's late May observation of a pair in Fuji Mt., Honshin, might be such an example. Suggestion is given of its migration routes.

A STUDY OF THE MALLOPHAGA OF BIRDS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THEIR ECOLOGY

SUMMARYOver three thousand live birds have been examined in the British Isles and Sweden in a study of the ecology and biology of their ectoparasites. The main emphasis has been placed on Mallophaga, which are discussed in this paper.The very exact food and temperature requirements of feather lice are considered.The effect of lice on the host is discussed. Sick or injured birds which are unable to rid themselves easily of parasites tend to develop heavy infestations.The relationship between host and parasite is described. The infestation of five common bird species is analysed on a specific and monthly basis. The proportion of birds carrying various species of lice varies from species to species and from month to month and also between sexes. There is a peak of infestation prior to the bird's breeding season. Rates of infestation on autumn migrants in Sweden are discussed.Birds found uninfested and later found to be infested appear to acquire a parasite population at any season of the year.The habitat of Mallophaga on their hosts is given for each species examined at Silwood Park, Berkshire.The following points are discussed in appendices:–the collection and examination of birds, and an attempt to develop a satisfactory technique for sampling Mallophaga populations.

NOTES ON AUTUMN MIGRATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Summary.Notes were made on autumn migrants in Jordan and Iraq in the late autumn of 1956. Three movements were distinguished, a trans‐desert passage of passerines and water birds, local movements of larks and sand‐grouse, and incursions of northerly winter visitors. Some factors affecting the movements are discussed.

The bird fleas of Fair Isle.

Approximately 5000 birds (78 species) were trapped on Fair Isle and examined for fleas. Six species of flea were recorded: D. g. gallinulae (430 records), C. gallinae (205 records), C. borealis (126 records), C. garei (4 records), C. fringillae and C. vagabundus (1 record each).The infestation rate among spring-passage migrants was 52·2% and among autumn-passage migrants only 2·7%. Spring migrants released and retrapped after ‘de-fleaing’ in the Fair Isle apparatus showed a 55% re-infestation rate. On spring migrants D. g. gallinulae was the dominant flea, but on autumn migrants C. gallinae was dominant. The most heavily infested group of birds were the Turdidae (61% spring, 3% autumn infestation rate) and Sylviidae (53% spring, 1% autumn infestation rate).A number of double and triple infestations with 2 or 3 species of flea is recorded. Double infestations involving D. g. gallinulae and C. borealis occur more frequently than would be expected for purely chance associations. More male birds (90) than female birds (70) were infested.The sex ratio of the fleas (on the bodies of birds) was: D. g. gallinulae 294 males, 325 females; C. gallinae 115 males, 214 females; C. borealis 77 males, 77 females. On the spring migrants there was an excess of male D. g. gallinulae and on the autumn migrants an excess of females.On the resident birds there was definite evidence of host preference. The starling was the chief host of C. gallinae, the pipits of D. g. gallinulae and the wheatear of C. borealis. The re-infestation rate of ‘de-fleaed’ retraps showed a higher rate than original trappings in all cases, but the lack of D. g. gallinulae on retrapped starlings suggested some host selection on the part of the flea.The proportions of the three principal species of flea found in (i) the nest of the wheatear, and (ii) on the body of the bird were strikingly different.

LAND‐AND SEA‐BIRD MIGRATION IN NORTH‐WEST SPAIN, AUTUMN 1954

SUMMARY. Between 28 September and 31 October 1954 a visit was paid to N.W. Spain to study the autumn migration and also to collect local information about migrants. Much of the coast between the mouth of the Miño and Santander was visited. We saw arrivals from the north (from across the Bay of Biscay), particularly Meadow Pipits, at Tapia, Ribadesella and Pendueles, but found very little evidence of arrivals in the extreme N.W. corner. Along the north coast we saw a spectacular westward coasting movement, chiefly Chaffinches and Meadow Pipits, and a similar, but smaller, movement southwards down the west coast. According to local information several species, especially Woodcock, Lapwings, thrushes and Starlings, are known chiefly as hard‐weather visitors rather than regular autumn migrants. Sea‐bird movements westwards along the north coast were impressive, especially Scoters, Lesser Black‐backed Gulls and Gannets.

Autumnal Trans-Gulf Migrants and a New Record for the Yucatan Peninsula

Autumnal Trans-Gulf Migrants and a New Record for the Yucatan Peninsula

Report on the phenological observations in the British Isles from December, 1335, to November, 1936. No. 46

AbstractThe year was remarkable for sunlessness generally, and also for wetness in England and Wales, b u t temperature after a cool winter remained close to normal. The result was a rather gloomy and inclement year due to lack of sunshine and excess of rain rather than to low temperature. Plants generally flowered late, all in the Midlands, nearly all in England SE., SW., and Ireland S., but were earlier in Scotland, especially in Scotland W. Floral isakairs show a late strip across southern Ireland and Wales, the Midlands and England NE., with slight earliness over a wide area in NE. Ireland, the Scottish Lowlands and East Coast. Insects were nearly all late in appearing in England, but were very erratic in Scotland and in Ireland N. Spring migrants were generally late, save in Scotland, but the earliest arrivals were early as they just escaped the cooling of April. Spring migrant isophenes show a restriction of the usual early landing areas, with a rather slow advance afterwards. The autumn migrants were mostly early in moving.

Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Records

THE issue of the nineteenth annual report of the Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Committee for the year 1932 adds Plastoscira Egertoni, from Rostherne Mere, Cheshire, as a new species to science, while a list of a hundred new species added to the faunistic records for the two counties includes 38 Mallophaga on the birds and mammals, which Mr. H. Britten is investigating, 20 Diptera, 17 sawflies, 10 Coleoptera, 9 Hymenoptera, 3 Anoplura, and one each of Lepidoptera, Arachnida and mites. The avi-fauna records for the year include the nesting of the golden-eye and of the pochard in Cheshire for the first time, and the occurrence of a flock of knots (Calidris c. canutus), estimated to number 7,000, on the Lancashire coast in July. White-fronted geese and grey lag geese are increasing in north Lancashire in winter, while tufted ducks, teal, shoveller and little owl are also reported to be increasing in parts. The main colony of Sandwich terns on Walney Island, Lancashire, was wiped out by the herring and lesser black-backed gulls, the colony of which, established five years ago, has assumed alarming proportions. The terns from Walney went to nest at Ravenglass ternery where the Sandwich terns have increased from 12 pairs in 1930 to 70 in 1931, and 370 in 1932. The ruff (Philomachus pugnax) is still a regular autumn migrant and records are made of the wood-sandpiper (Tringa glareola), green-sandpiper (T. ochropus), greenshank (T. nebularia) and grey phalarope (Phalaropus fulicariiis) on passage, while large numbers of black-tailed godwits were seen in the spring on the coast. The Fauna Committee announces that it will dedicate Part 2 of its “Check List of the Fauna of Lancashire and Cheshire” to the late T. A. Coward, for many years one of the recorders of the Committee; Part 1 having been issued in 1930. Mr. A. W. Boyd is president of the Committee and H. E. Britten, Prof. S. J. Hickson and W. Mansbridge vice-presidents.