Haematopus Ostralegus Research Articles

Decline in the Numbers of Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus on the Exe Estuary Special Protection Area

Decline in the Numbers of Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus on the Exe Estuary Special Protection Area

Implementing heuristic-based multiscale depth-wise separable adaptive temporal convolutional network for ambient air quality prediction using real time data

In many emerging nations, rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to heightened levels of air pollution. This sudden rise in air pollution, which affects global sustainability and human health, has become a significant concern for citizens and governments. While most current methods for predicting air quality rely on shallow models and often yield unsatisfactory results, our study explores a deep architectural model for forecasting air quality. We employ a sophisticated deep learning structure to develop an advanced system for ambient air quality prediction. We utilize three publicly available databases and real-world data to obtain accurate air quality measurements. These four datasets undergo a data cleaning to yield a consolidated, cleaned dataset. Subsequently, the Fused Eurasian Oystercatcher-Pathfinder Algorithm (FEO-PFA)—a dual optimization method combining the Eurasian Oystercatcher Optimizer (EOO) and Pathfinder Algorithm (PFA)—is applied. This method aids in selecting weighted features, optimizing weights, and choosing the most relevant attributes for optimal results. These optimal features are then incorporated into the Multiscale Depth-wise Separable Adaptive Temporal Convolutional Network (MDS-ATCN) for the ambient Air Quality Prediction (AQP) process. The variables within MDS-ATCN are further refined using the proposed FEO-PFA to enhance predictive accuracy. An empirical analysis is performed to compare the efficacy of our proposed model with traditional methods, underscoring the superior effectiveness of our approach. The average cost function is reduced to 5.5%, the MAE to 28%, and the RMSE to 14% by the suggested method, according to the performance research conducted with regard to all datasets.

Intelligent breast cancer diagnosis with two-stage using mammogram images

Breast cancer (BC) significantly contributes to cancer-related mortality in women, underscoring the criticality of early detection for optimal patient outcomes. Mammography is a key tool for identifying and diagnosing breast abnormalities; however, accurately distinguishing malignant mass lesions remains challenging. To address this issue, we propose a novel deep learning approach for BC screening utilizing mammography images. Our proposed model comprises three distinct stages: data collection from established benchmark sources, image segmentation employing an Atrous Convolution-based Attentive and Adaptive Trans-Res-UNet (ACA-ATRUNet) architecture, and BC identification via an Atrous Convolution-based Attentive and Adaptive Multi-scale DenseNet (ACA-AMDN) model. The hyperparameters within the ACA-ATRUNet and ACA-AMDN models are optimized using the Modified Mussel Length-based Eurasian Oystercatcher Optimization (MML-EOO) algorithm. The performance is evaluated using a variety of metrics, and a comparative analysis against conventional methods is presented. Our experimental results reveal that the proposed BC detection framework attains superior precision rates in early disease detection, demonstrating its potential to enhance mammography-based screening methodologies.

A hybrid methodology based battery power management and torque control of open-end winding induction motor drive for electric vehicles

This paper proposes a hybrid strategy for an isolated battery-powered induction motor drive with two stages fed by an inverter and open-end winding, designed for electric vehicle applications. The hybrid approach, termed EOO-RERNN, combines the Eurasian Oystercatcher Optimizer (EOO) and Recalling Enhanced Neural Network methods. RERNN predicts the control pulses generated by EOO, which are utilized to control the voltage source inverter (VSI) switches. The system comprises dual motors, two battery packs (BPs), and VSIs supplying power to both the rear motor (RM) and front motor (FM). The primary objective of the EOO-RERNN technique is to regulate each DC-link's power share to maintain equilibrium in the electric vehicle's charge. Direct Torque Control (DTC) is employed due to its quick and precise torque response and tolerance for parameter variations. Proper tuning is required to control the state of charge battery level. The EOO-RERNN method is implemented in the Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB) platform, with performance contrasted to other methods such as Wild Horse Optimizer (WHO), Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (GOA), and Heap-Based Optimizer (HBO). Simulation results indicate a motor speed of 4850 rpm for the EOO-RERNN method.

Urban rooftops near sports pitches provide a safe haven for a declining shorebird

Urbanisation has contributed to a severe decline in biodiversity worldwide. However, urban ecosystems can also play an important role in the conservation of threatened species, including ground-nesting birds such as the Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus). While the coastal populations of this shorebird have declined sharply, there is growing evidence that pairs nesting on urban flat roofs have high reproductive success. However, the reasons for rooftop nesting and the species’ habitat use in urban areas remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the territory selection and foraging behaviour of the Eurasian Oystercatcher in the city of Münster (NW Germany). All nesting sites were located on flat roofs (N = 24), most of which were covered with gravel. Overall, reproductive success was high. This was mainly because the roofs provided protection from mammalian predators, leading to increased nest and chick survival. Moreover, breeding performance in the study area was favoured by the proximity of sports pitches. According to our observations, they provided a large amount of easily accessible prey throughout the breeding season. Overall, our study highlights that the reproductive success of the Eurasian Oystercatcher in urban environments is highly dependent on both safe nesting sites on flat roofs and the availability of suitable foraging habitats. Although our study suggests that breeding in urban areas can be beneficial for the model organism, the species’ strong territory fidelity makes it very sensitive to the rapid environmental changes occurring in cities. The value of urban ecosystems for bird conservation should therefore be better integrated into urban planning and management.

Long-term dataset for contaminants in fish, mussels, and bird eggs from the Baltic Sea

Widespread persistent contaminants are a global environmental problem. In the Baltic Sea, wildlife contamination was first noticed in the 1960s, prompting the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency to establish a comprehensive Swedish National Monitoring Programme for Contaminants in Marine Biota (MCoM) in 1978 run by the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Eight species have been analysed, four fish species (Atlantic herring, Atlantic cod, European perch, viviparous eelpout), one bivalve species (blue mussel), and egg from three bird species (common guillemot, common tern, Eurasian oystercatcher). Here, we present a dataset containing MCoM data from its start until 2021. It includes 36 sets of time-series, each analysed for more than 100 contaminants. The longest time-series is for common guillemot and starts in 1968. We describe the structure of MCoM including historic changes to the number of stations, sample treatment, analytical methods, instruments, and laboratories. The MCoM data is available at the Bolin Centre repository and on GitHub through our R package mcomDb. The latter will be updated yearly with new MCoM records.

Comparison of waterbird communities in a Mediterranean salina – saltmarsh complex

Coastal wetlands provide habitat for large numbers and many species of waterbirds. Man-made salinas are a particu-lar habitat type often found in such wetlands. This study is an initiative to understand the differences in bird communities between a salina (including evaporation ponds and prebasin) and a saltmarsh. Bird counts and nest surveys took place in the wetlands of Angelochori, Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1991, when the salina was inactive, and in 1997, 2000-01 when it was active. Counts in evaporation ponds were richer in species, abundance and nests compared to the prebasin and the saltmarsh. These three wetland types supported different bird communities. Similarities among bird communities depended on the inundation of the salina with seawater. Evaporation ponds in their inactive period presented low similarity with the communities of the prebasin and the saltmarsh ; in the active period this was observed only for the saltmarsh. Species showing clear selection for the evaporation ponds were Charadrius alexandrinus, Calidris alpina, Calidris minuta, Recurvirostra avosetta, Sterna hirundo, Sternula albifrons, Sterna sandvicensis and Haematopus ostralegus; the prebasin was preferred by Phoenicopterus roseus and Anas platyrhynchos, and the saltmarsh by Anas querquedula, Anas clypeata, Plegadis falcinellus, Tringa totanus, Tringa glareola, Tringa stagnatilis and Himantopus himantopus.

To the fauna of rare bird species of coastal habitats of Temryuk Bay

New information on the presence of 27 rare, protected or little-studied species and subspecies of birds (greylag and red-breasted geese, common shelduck, gadwall, common pochard, Eurasian oystercatcher, pied avocet, black-winged stilt, Eurasian golden-plover, Eurasian curlew, sanderling, common greenshank, yellow-legged, great black-headed, Mediterranean, slender-billed, and little gulls, Caspian tern, European turtle-dove, great white and dalmatian pelicans, squacco heron, glossy ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, lesser spotted and white-tailed eagles, Eurasian hobby) obtained in the Temryuk region (Eastern Azov region) in different seasons of 2022-2023. The coast of the bay is a stopping place on the spring migration of Eurasian oystercatcher, pied avocet, Eurasian golden-plover, Eurasian curlew, sanderling, common greenshank, common shelduck, slender-billed gull, and Caspian tern; in the fall - pied avocet, sanderling, and Caspian tern. Information about the migration of the sanderling at the end of March has been obtained for the first time. The location of the concentration of Caspian tern and slender-billed gull has been identified. The glossy ibis, the number of which is growing, the black-winged stilt, and the great black-headed gull remain in the spring-summer period in the flooded rice fields. Harvested rice fields provide valuable habitat for Eurasian spoonbills during their fall migration. Information about a large aggregation of red-breasted goose in rice fields in January 2023 is presented for the first time. The great black-headed gull is found on estuaries in all seasons. The common pochard, gadwall, little gull, and Dalmatian pelican stop at the estuaries during the migration period. The migration of the lesser spotted eagle at the end of September and the migration of a large flock of great white pelican in May were recorded in this area for the first time. The squacco heron, which is disturbance tolerant, is common in reed habitats of estuaries and irrigation canals.

Enhancement of Eurasian Oystercatcher Optimizer for Spectral Efficiency Maximization in Massive MIMO Systems through Optimal Power Allocation

Enhancement of Eurasian Oystercatcher Optimizer for Spectral Efficiency Maximization in Massive MIMO Systems through Optimal Power Allocation

Enhancement of Eurasian oystercatcher optimiser for spectral efficiency maximisation in massive MIMO systems through optimal power allocation

Enhancement of Eurasian oystercatcher optimiser for spectral efficiency maximisation in massive MIMO systems through optimal power allocation

Identifying how restoration measures influence the presence of shorebirds: a case study on the use of artificial structures for restoring mussel reefs

Artificial structures are often used as a tool for habitat restoration and the recreation of degraded coastal ecosystems and their associated food webs. However, it is often unknown if and how these artificial structures may influence the habitat use of target species, thereby hampering restoration goals. In this study, we test how artificial barriers, deployed to enhance the creation of an intertidal mussel bed, influenced the mussel‐habitat use by two bird species under pressure, Eurasian oystercatchers and Eurasian curlews. Average bird presence was monitored using time‐lapse camera's from the start of the mussel bed restoration in August 2018 until April 2019. We found that in the first few months of the experiment, both oystercatchers and curlews avoided the restored mussel beds containing artificial structures in the form of metal barriers that act as traps for dislodged mussels. Thereafter, the presence of barriers had no negative influence on the average presence of oystercatchers or curlews. In fact, curlews were significantly attracted to the mussel beds with barriers in January and February. In addition, we found a negative effect of the presence of European herring gulls on the presence of oystercatchers and curlews. The higher herring gull densities in the first 2 months of the experiment might explain the lower‐than‐expected curlew and oystercatcher densities observed in August. To our knowledge, no other studies have investigated the effect of artificial restoration structures on the abundance or habitat use of specific shorebirds.

Primary moult in the annual cycle of adult African Oystercatchers Haematopus moquini

African Oystercatchers Haematopus moquini are sedentary, intertidal foraging birds, range-restricted to Namibia and South Africa. Their annual cycle has two components: breeding and moult. The Underhill–Zucchini model estimated a primary moult duration of 154 days, and mean start and completion dates of 1 April and 2 September. Most eggs (90%) are laid between mid-November and mid-February; thus, on average, oystercatchers have 2–3 months between moult completion and egg laying. The completion date confirms an overlap between moult and the period of post-fledging dependence of juveniles on their parents. The 154-day primary moult duration spreads the energetic demands of feather production to cope with this overlap and with the fact that primary moult extends through winter when storms make intertidal areas inaccessible for days. There are approximately 50 quantitative studies of primary moult for migrant waders (suborder Charadrii); this is the third for a resident species. The other two species of resident waders studied are in south-eastern Australia: the Hooded Dotterel Thinornis cucullatus and Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus. The Hooded Dotterel has one of the longest estimated moult durations (203 days) and its moult and breeding overlap. The annual schedules for the Sooty Oystercatcher and African Oystercatcher are similar, as is the estimated moult duration: 149 and 154 days, respectively. Preliminary studies of the primary moult of the Eurasian Oystercatcher H. ostralegus indicate the duration to be 100 days, which is two-thirds that of the two sedentary oystercatchers. This is likely a consequence of Eurasian Oystercatchers having migration and harsh winter conditions as additional components of their annual cycle, and thus a limited period for primary moult. This study was based largely on photographic records of African Oystercatchers in flight, with contributions by citizen scientists. We make two key conclusions: the need for more studies of the moult strategies of the Haematopidae and resident waders; and digital photography of free-ranging birds can be used to study primary moult.

Hybrid approach based combined allocation of electric vehicle charging stations and capacitors in distribution systems

This manuscript proposes a hybrid EOO-QNN method for the combined allocation of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) and capacitors in the distribution systems (DS). The proposed hybrid approach is combined with Eurasian Oystercatcher Optimiser (EOO) and Quantum Neural Network (QNN). Hence it is known as an EOO-QNN approach. The primary objective of EOO-QNN algorithm is to control the capacitors to maintain the voltage-profile, increase the net gain and minimize active power loss. The EOO approach is utilized to produce solutions for the power loss problems while improving the dependability of distribution network, and the QNN is employed to forecast the converter's ideal control signal. By then, the proposed method is executed in MATLAB and is compared with other existing methods. The EOO-QNN method shows better results in all approaches, like Particle swarm optimization (PSO), Wild horse optimizer (WHO), and Scalp Swarm Algorithm (SSA). From the simulation, it accomplishes that the voltage of EOO-QNN approach is high compared to existing techniques. From the simulation analysis, the proposed method based high voltage 500 V is high compared to other existing methods. From the result, it proven that the EOO-QNN method provides higher voltage compared to existing methods.

Thoughts of brain EEG signal-to-text conversion using weighted feature fusion-based Multiscale Dilated Adaptive DenseNet with Attention Mechanism

Individuals with visual inefficiencies or different abilities face difficulties using their hands to operate smartphones and computers, necessitating reliance on others to enter data. Such dependence may lead to security and privacy issues, especially when sensitive information is shared with helpers. To address this problem, we present Think2Type, an efficient Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) that enables users to translate their active intentions into text format based on Morse code. BCI leverages brain activity to facilitate interaction with computers, often captured via Electroencephalography (EEG). This work proposes an enhanced attention-based deep learning strategy to develop an efficient text conversion mechanism from EEG signals. We begin by collecting EEG signals from standard benchmark datasets and extracting spectral and statistical features in phase 1, concatenating them into concatenated feature set 1 (F1). In phase 2, we extract spatial and temporal features via a One-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1DCNN) and a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), respectively, concatenating them into concatenated feature set 2 (F2). Weighted feature fusion is performed on concatenated features F1 and F2, with the hybrid optimization algorithm Eurasian Oystercatcher Wild Geese Migration Optimization (EOWGMO) optimizing the weight for improved fusion efficiency. The text conversion phase utilizes the Multiscale Dilated Adaptive DenseNet with Attention Mechanism (MDADenseNet-AM) to obtain the converted text information. The MDADenseNet-A's parameters are optimized to improve thought-to-text conversion performance. The developed model's performance is evaluated via experimental analysis and compared to conventional techniques, resulting in a higher accuracy value of 96.41%, facilitating appropriate text conversion.

Quorum decision making coordinates group departure decisions in Eurasian oystercatchers, Haematopus ostralegus

Prey species that form groups gain a range of benefits from associating with conspecifics, including access to social information. Groups typically coordinate collective movement through local interactions, where individuals copy their nearest neighbours' behaviour to generate group level decisions. However, individuals in a group may not always make ‘correct’ decisions, and blind copying of behaviour can lead to the spread of poor information and maladaptive cascades. To impede the spread of poor information, many animals that form groups have developed information-dampening mechanisms such as consensus decision making through the quorum response. In this study we monitored flocks of roosting Eurasian oystercatchers with a view to understanding the mechanics of group departure decisions and to test for the presence of a quorum response. Nearing high tide, oystercatchers would leave the roosting site en masse, where the timing of departure of many individuals was coordinated. Coordinating the timing of mass departures was a complex task as single birds and small groups frequently joined and departed from the roosting site, meaning individuals had to decide which departures to copy and which to ignore. Individual oystercatchers were more likely to depart within 10 s of another bird if they were closer together in the group, suggesting that departure information may be transferred locally between neighbouring birds. While single departures were very common, most individuals departed in groups of 10 or more, showing that single departures were a relatively weak departure cue and were frequently ignored by the rest of the group. The probability of an individual joining a departure event was higher with increasing departure group size in a nonlinear (sigmoidal) relationship. This trend is consistent with a quorum response with the propensity to copy the departure of groupmates sharply increasing at a quorum threshold of about 10 birds.

Effect of habitat and resource use on reproductive success of Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus breeding in Iceland

Effect of habitat and resource use on reproductive success of Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus breeding in Iceland

Effects of Dutch agri-environmental field margins and bird plots on cropland birds

Agri-environmental measures (AEMs) are the main instrument of the Common Agricultural Policy to protect farmland biodiversity, but their effectiveness is questioned. In the Netherlands, AEMs have been implemented by farmers’ collectives since 2016, with the goal to improve the spatial targeting and coordination of measures, and thereby increase their effectiveness. The objective of this paper is to assess the effects of two AEMs, bird plots and field margins, on the abundance of seven cropland bird species targeted by the Dutch agri-environmental policy, and on their total abundance and species richness. The study was carried out in four farmers’ collectives in the provinces of Groningen, Drenthe and Flevoland in the Netherlands. We assessed how bird abundance and species richness measured on AEM plots and control plots were related to management and landscape factors. Furthermore, we assessed whether bird abundance and species richness measured on AEM plots were related to the spatial concentration of other AEM plots in landscapes surrounding AEM plots. With regard to plot management, we found a significant positive effect of field margins on skylarks, yellowhammers, common linnets, common kestrels, total bird abundance and species richness. Bird plots had a significant positive effect on skylarks and total bird abundance. However, western yellow wagtails, northern lapwings and Eurasian oystercatchers did not benefit from the two studied measures, likely because the vegetation in the bird plots and field margins is too high and dense for these species. Landscape factors, such as landscape openness, had contrasting effects on the analysed species, due to their different habitat requirements. Hence, there are no optimal landscapes for all target species, which underlines the need for a fine scale spatial targeting of measures based on species habitat requirements. Furthermore, the spatial concentration of other AEM plots in the landscape surrounding AEM plots had a significant effect for only two species (yellowhammer and western yellow wagtail), and this effect was negative. Thus, our results suggest that - for the studied species and landscapes - the type of measures and landscape in which they are taken are more important than their spatial concentration.

Breeding and Migratory Bird Diversity in Iğdır Province (Eastern Anatolia)

The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of avian diversity and breeding species in Türkiye. Observations were carried out in Iğdır Province within a total of 40 days spread throughout the migration and breeding periods of 2017-2018. Regional status and breeding codes were determined for each species. Some winter visitors have also been observed during the early stages of the spring migration. In the study, 192 species were identified belonging to 50 families from 20 orders and 58 residents, 83 summer visitors, 11 winter visitors, and 40 transit migratory birds. According to the result of the recording breeding behavior, 52 bird species were classified as confirmed breeders, 36 as probable breeders, and 70 as possible breeders. According to IUCN Red List, 10 globally threatened species (Haematopus ostralegus, Vanellus vanellus, Numenius arquata, Gallinago media, Gypaetus barbatus, Aegypius monachus, Circus macrourus, Aythya ferina, Streptopelia turtur, Neophron percnopterus) were observed. Aras Valley and Aralık-Karasu Wetlands are the most important areas for birds. The conservation of these areas is of high importance in the region for migratory birds.

Variety in responses of wintering oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus to near-collapse of their prey in the Exe Estuary, UK.

Globally, habitat loss or degradation is a major threat to many species, and those with specific habitat requirements are particularly vulnerable. Many species of wading birds (Charadrii) are dependent upon intertidal sites to feed, but, as a result of anthropogenic pressures, the prey landscape has changed at many estuaries. Behavioral adaptations may be able to buffer these changes. In this study over multiple seasons, we aimed to investigate the foraging behaviors of wintering Eurasian oystercatchers in the Exe Estuary where mussel beds, the preferred prey at this site, have almost disappeared in the last decade. From 2018 to 2021, GPS tracking devices were deployed on 24 oystercatchers, and the foraging locations of adults, sub-adults, and juveniles were determined. Of the 12 birds tracked over multiple winter periods, 10 used the same foraging home ranges but a juvenile and sub-adult changed locations interannually. The dominant prey species at key foraging sites were assessed, and we found that younger birds were more likely to visit sites with lower quality prey, likely due to being at a competitive disadvantage, and also to explore sites further away. Individuals were generally consistent in the areas of the estuary used in early and late winter, and over 90% of locations were recorded in the protected area boundary, which covers the sand and mudflats of the Exe. These findings suggest high specificity of the current protected area for oystercatchers in the Exe Estuary, although, if the prey landscape continues to decline, younger individuals may provide the potential for adaptation by finding and foraging at additional sites. Continued monitoring of individual behavior within populations that are facing dramatic changes to their prey is essential to understand how they may adapt and to develop suitable management plans to conserve threatened species.

GPS tracking data of Eurasian oystercatchers (Haematopusostralegus) from the Netherlands and Belgium.

We describe six datasets that contain GPS and accelerometer data of 202 Eurasian oystercatchers (Haematopusostralegus) spanning the period 2008-2021. Birds were equipped with GPS trackers in breeding and wintering areas in the Netherlands and Belgium. We used GPS trackers from the University of Amsterdam Bird Tracking System (UvA-BiTS) for several study purposes, including the study of space use during the breeding season, habitat use and foraging behaviour in the winter season, and impacts of human disturbance. To enable broader usage, all data have now been made open access. Combined, the datasets contain 6.0 million GPS positions, 164 million acceleration measurements and 7.0 million classified behaviour events (i.e., flying, walking, foraging, preening, and inactive). The datasets are deposited on the research repository Zenodo, but are also accessible on Movebank and as down-sampled occurrence datasets on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS).