Motacilla Flava Research Articles

Breeding ecology of Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava in an arable landscape dominated by autumn-sown crops

Capsule Yellow Wagtails successfully raised two consecutive broods in landscapes dominated by autumn-sown crops and did not require spring crops or fallow plots for later nesting. Aims To assess whether arable landscapes dominated by winter cropping provide habitats that allow Yellow Wagtails to raise two successful broods. To assess the utility of spring cultivated agri-environment fallow plots as a nesting and foraging habitat for Yellow Wagtails. Methods Nesting success and foraging behaviour of Yellow Wagtails was monitored on lowland arable farmland dominated by winter cropping during two successive breeding seasons. Results Yellow Wagtails successfully raised first and second broods mainly in winter cereals, with later nests being more successful. Some nests were initiated in bean fields where egg-stage failure rates were high, probably as a consequence of depredation. Fallow plots were not used for nesting but, along with other areas of sparse vegetation, were regularly used for foraging. Conclusions Yellow Wagtails breeding at relatively low densities achieved high rates of reproductive success in a landscape dominated by winter cereals and with few spring-sown crops. This study suggests that spring-sown crops may not be necessary for Yellow Wagtails to rear two successful broods each summer within arable landscapes.

Description Of Avian Bio-Diversity Of Damdamma Jheel In Gurgaon District In Haryana, India

Damdamma Jheel is a wetland of impressive potentials of harboring rich avian bio-diversity in the accompaniment of enhanced habitat reconstruction and improvement. It is located in the National Capital Region, nearby Sohana town in Gurgaon district in Haryana merely 45 Kms from Dhaula Kuan in New Delhi. At present, compared to Sultanpur National Park, it is confronting neglect. Considering its positive features of terrain, water sheet, it has the qualities of being a rich habitat for birds of all hues including the winter migratory birds. The present studies focus attention on its avian biodiversity as well as its own degraded form and structure. In all, 128 species of birds belonging to 15 orders and 41 families could be enlisted. Order Passeriformes is the predominant one having 54 species, followed by Charadriiformes (14 Species) and Ciconiiformes (12 Species). The prominent winter migratory birds observed from Damdamma Jheel include Asian Openbill Stork Anastomus oscitans , Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia , Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata , Northern Pintail Anas acuta , Common Teal Anas crecca , Common Pochard Aythya ferina , Gadwall Anas strepera , Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha , Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus , Common Redshank Tringa tetanus, Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia , Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus , White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus , Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis , Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola , Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos , White Wagtail Motacilla alba and Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava . The lake is suffering from water scarcity considering its capacity and potential to have more water. The periphery towards east is plagued by the growth of peats. The very fact that in October 2012, a large group of Openbill Stork (Nearly 70-80) has already arrived at Damdamma Lake since September-2012 indicates that it is the largest HARBOUR of Open-bill Stork in Haryana. Also, Eurasian Spoonbills were seen in a group 10-12, again the largest in Haryana. It is argued in this paper, that Damdamma is the pride lake of Haryana and prime harbor for uncommon winter migratory birds like Open-bill Stork and Eurasian Spoonbill must be the prime place for habitat reconstruction by Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt. of India in conjunction with Govt. of Haryana with the active contributions by WWF (India) to add to the might vastness of this lake an element of grace and glory so as to conserve the winter migratory birds during their sojourn in India. In addition, it will be one nodal point to include Sultanpur National Park, Badkhal Lake, Bhindawas and Keoladeo National Park as an eco-tourism rectangle with provision for night halt.

Protection strategies for farmland birds in legume–grass leys as trade-offs between nature conservation and farmers’ needs

The study shows organic legume–grass leys to be highly attractive for skylark (Alauda arvensis), corn bunting (Emberiza calandra), yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) and whinchat (Saxicola rubreta). But due to harvesting three to four times per year, legume–grass leys can become an ‘ecological trap’. Therefore, the aim was to analyse the effects of optimized harvesting measures on territory densities and the breeding success of farmland birds and, concomitantly, on forage yield and quality of dairy farms: (1) later first cut, (2) later second cut, (3) high first cut and (4) unmown strips. Measures (1) and (2) improve productivity for breeding skylark but result in a sharp decline in the nutritional quality and net energy lactation yield (NEL) in the conserved forage. Measure (3) causes a yield reduction of about 5 GJ NEL ha−1 with no effect on quality. Due to the higher cut, grass regrowth is accelerated, and this could lead to earlier nest initiation for skylark, rendering a delay in the second cut unnecessary. Direct nest losses are reduced for all species. Measure (4) might allow whinchat and yellow wagtail to maintain territories after mowing and may increase the reproductive success of all species, with yield reductions similar to measure (3). For the first time, this study demonstrates, under large-scale practical conditions (1,200 ha), measurable benefits for farmland birds in legume–grass leys by integrating modified harvesting measures. The effectiveness and the feasibility are highly dependent on individual farm conditions; we therefore recommend the adoption of all measures into agri-environmental schemes.

Breeding-site fidelity and dispersal in isolated populations of three migratory passerines

Living in an isolated patchmay increase, for example, the extinction risk of a local population, but such risksmay bemitigated by natal and breeding dispersal.We therefore analyzed five years of Russian banding data on BootedWarbler,Whinchat and YellowWagtail (Hippolais caligata, Saxicola rubetra and Motacilla flava, respectively), within a 20-ha abandonedmeadow, isolated from similar habitat by vast areas of woodland.We individually banded 203 Booted Warblers, 193 Whinchats and 83 Yellow Wagtails. During the years following banding, fourmales ofBootedWarbler (2.0%), onemale ofWhinchat (0.4%) and 11 Yellow Wagtails (13.3%; 7 males and 4 females) returned to the study meadow. The apparent survival rate of the YellowWagtail was significantly higher than that of theWhinchat and BootedWarbler. For the YellowWagtail, the yearly numbers of recoveries varied considerably, and were linked with previous-year breeding success. Successful years were usually followed by returns to the same site next year. Moreover, recoveries of individuals that were born at the study site during the preceding years were extremely scarce (two out of a total of 258 banded nestlings). These findings suggest two important aspects: (1) species-specific returning rates and annual fluctuation in these are largely defined bymortality and reproductive success during the previous year, and (2) local populations of all three species are apparentlymostly formed by immigrants, implying that local nestling productionmay not contribute significantly to the local population. The negative consequences of living in isolated patches of habitat may be mitigated by natal and breeding dispersal.

Blood parasites, body condition, and wing length in two subspecies of yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) during migration

Blood parasites of migrating yellow wagtails of two subspecies--Motacilla flava feldegg and Motacilla flava flava-were studied on a sample of 473 birds caught in spring and autumn periods in Bulgaria. We controlled eight "migration waves" (flocks captured in different evenings) of yellow wagtails for four parameters--average body mass, average fat level, average wing length, and average prevalence of different hematozoan species. Gametocytes or meronts of a total of six species of hematozoa belonging to three genera were identified-Haemoproteus motacillae, Haemoproteus anthi, Plasmodium relictum, Plasmodium subpraecox, Plasmodium cathemerium, and Tryponosoma avium. Mixed infections were detected in 31 cases, of which 14 were of H. anthi/H. motacillae type. Parasite species composition was similar in the two studied subspecies of M. flava. We did not find any significant differences in the overall infection prevalence or number of infecting parasites between M. f. flava and M. f. feldegg. Parasite prevalence and the number of co-infecting parasites in spring were much higher than in fall. Season had a strong influence on the prevalence of H. anthi and H. motacillae, and for both, there was a marginally significant interaction between subspecies and season, but not a season-independent influence of subspecies. Males of M. f. feldegg had a significantly higher overall blood parasite prevalence and prevalence of H. anthi than females. Sex-related differences in the prevalence of other parasites were not significant. Migration waves of yellow wagtails differed in overall infection status and in H. motacillae prevalence, but not for H. anthi prevalence. We also found significant differences in fat score, weight, and wing length between the studied migration waves of the yellow wagtails. Fat scores of birds infected with different hematozoa were lower compared with those of the non-infected birds. This only marginally was true for body weight and was not the case for wing length. Overall, infected birds were in worse condition (estimated as the residual weight after regression with wing length) compared with the non-infected birds, but after controlling for seasonal effects, the differences in condition appeared to be due to migration season and did not significantly differ between infected and non-infected birds caught in the same season.

Identifying mismatches between habitat selection and habitat quality in a ground-nesting farmland bird

Human-induced habitat changes often generate novel or radically altered habitat characteristics, which can impair the ability of organisms to differentiate between suitable and unsuitable sites. This phenomenon, often termed an ecological trap, has been identified as a potential driver of biodiversity loss worldwide. However, few unequivocal examples have been documented, even in agricultural environments where contemporary habitat changes have been rapid and significant. Several problems complicate the detection of ecological traps in the field, including difficulties in measuring key parameters such as relative habitat preference. Here, we assess habitat selection preferences and breeding success of the yellow wagtail Motacilla flava, a UK red-listed declining passerine, in arable farmland. We combine habitat-specific density indices with measures of home range exclusivity to make inferences on relative habitat preference that are robust to the confounding effect of competitive exclusion. Using multiple measures of breeding success, we identify maladaptive habitat selection patterns at the scale of both territory and nest site choice. Yellow wagtails showed a preference for establishing territories within field bean crops, but subsequently suffered high nest predation rates. Similarly, pairs showed a preference for nesting close to tramlines within cereal fields, but nests further from tramlines achieved higher success due to lower predation rates. We found no evidence of competitive exclusion among neighbouring pairs, suggesting that density-based indices provided an accurate reflection of relative habitat preferences. Our findings highlight the potential role of maladaptive habitat selection in suppressing breeding success among farmland species.

Longer term trends in arrival timing of long distance migrants: the influence of abundance and population change

The first arrival dates for summer migrants in Cheshire and Wirral indicate a longer term trend towards earlier arrival since the mid 1970s, consistent with the findings of previous studies based on first arrival data from UK area bird reports. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of abundance and population change on the apparent advancement of arrival dates. Stronger apparent advancement in arrival was observed for species which have increased in numbers in the county over recent years, for example Hobby Falco subbuteo. Less common and declining species, such as Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava, Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix, Willow Warbler P. trochilus and Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata, showed some of the lowest rates of advancement. These observations can be interpreted in terms of the dependence of the first arrival date on the probability of detection of individuals, which is dependent on the level of abundance of a species as a whole, and hence on changes in abundance. Theoretical considerations indicate that changes in abundance are likely to have more of an impact on the apparent advancement rate of arrival for less abundant species than for more abundant ones. Such factors may in part explain the regional differences that have been observed in apparent advancement rates for some species.

Shift in crop preference during the breeding season by Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava flava on arable farms in The Netherlands

Dutch farmland bird populations are in steep decline as a result of agricultural intensification. The Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava flava) is one of those species, but its decrease has mainly occurred in grasslands, with its population in arable areas remaining more or less stable. In contrast, populations of other typical birds of arable habitats, such as the Skylark (Alauda arvensis) and Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix), are declining strongly in this habitat type. The favorable status of the Yellow Wagtail is probably caused by the crop-mosaic composition of arable farms in The Netherlands, which often includes winter cereals, potatoes, and sugar beet. This study focused on crop preference by the Yellow Wagtail during the breeding season. Early in the breeding season Yellow Wagtails showed a strong preference for winter cereals. However, as the breeding season progressed, their preference gradually shifted to broad-leaved crops, especially potatoes. Measurements of the crop structure as an indication for vegetation height or bare ground, revealed that the Yellow Wagtail strongly preferred crops 20–40 cm high. Higher crops were also used more than expected based on a uniform distribution, but to a lesser extent, and crops <20 cm in heigth were not preferred at all. In terms of ground coverage, Yellow Wagtails preferred crops providing a ground coverage of at least 60%. There was a negative association between Yellow Wagtail numbers and crops providing <20% ground coverage.

Sjeldne fugler i Norge i 2008 - Rapport fra Norsk sjeldenhetskomité for fugl (NSKF)

This is the 33rd annual report from the Norwegian Rarities Committee (NSKF). The majority of records treated here are from 2008, but more than 100 older records are also included. The Norwegian rarities committee follow advises given by the Taxonomic Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Association of European Records and Rarities Committees (AERC) on issues concerning taxonomy and nomenclature. The systematic list of accepted records is set out in the following system: (1) The bird's Norwegian name, (2) scientific name, (3) the numbers in brackets, e.g. (2, 30/32, 1), refers respectively to the (i) total number of records/total number of individuals up to and including 1974, (ii) total number of records/total number of individuals from 1975 (the foundation year of NSKF), except (iii) records/individuals in 2008, (4) any breeding, (5) year, (6) county, (7) number of individuals, age (1K = first calendar year etc.), sex (if known) and sometimes circumstances (&laquo;rm.&raquo; means that the bird was ringed, &laquo;sy.&raquo; indicates a singing male), (8) site and municipality, (9) date, (10) * indicates if the record was complemented by positive evidence, and type of the evidence (F = photo, V = video-recorded, L = tape-recorded), (11) observers' names in brackets, main observer(s) is specified first and emphasized with *, (12) roughly gives the species' distribution and (13) comments concerning the records.Species and subspecies new to the Norwegian listTwo new species were accepted to the Norwegian Category A list from 2008. Both of these were Nearctic waders, namely a Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica from R&oslash;stlandet on June 24th and a Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri from J&aelig;ren on July 12th-13th. In addition there were three new subspecies accepted: Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens japonicus (Karm&oslash;y, January to April), Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg (Utsira, 3rd to 5th June) and White Wagtail M. alba leucopsis (Lista, 1st-2nd November).General trendsRecord numbers for Norway was recorded for Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius (14/23) during 2008. Also the following species showed an occurrence above average during 2008: Great White Egret Ardea alba, Black Kite Milvus migrans, Pectoral Sandpiper C. melanotos, Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica, Citrine Wagtail M. citreola, Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum and Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus. Also published here are the 6th Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca (Cat. C), 3rd Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis, 8th Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus, 5th to 7th American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica, 4th Laughing Gull Larus atricilla, 6th Franklin's Gull L. pipixcan, 6th and 8th Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis, 8th Blyth's Pipit A. godlewskii, 2nd Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope, 5th Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina, 10th Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata, 4th Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta, 3rd Eastern Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis and 4th and 7th Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis pallidirostris.

Mid‐season shifts in the habitat associations of Yellow WagtailsMotacilla flavabreeding in arable farmland

Declines in habitat quality through the breeding season within a bird’s home‐range can limit overall productivity. In environments where multiple breeding opportunities arise during the course of a season, these effects can be buffered by a shift to different breeding sites or habitats. We studied the distribution and habitat associations of a crop‐nesting farmland bird, the Yellow WagtailMotacilla flava, across an arable‐dominated farming region in eastern England using both field‐scale territory mapping and large‐scale transect surveys. Surveys were repeated at monthly intervals to measure changes in both distribution and habitat use during the course of the season. The distribution of breeding birds changed markedly at both regional and field‐scales, coinciding with a shift in crop preference. Initially, most territorial birds were recorded in autumn‐sown cereal fields, but this crop was subsequently abandoned in favour of potato crops, which were more patchily distributed. Other habitat features influencing Yellow Wagtail distribution included local crop diversity, hedgerow presence and soil type, with organic soils supporting higher abundance than alluvial clays or silts. The mid‐season switch in habitat associations might allow individuals to maximize the number of breeding attempts made in a single year by using multiple habitats sequentially. The use of multiple habitats could influence population regulation by buffering the effects of local within‐season declines in habitat suitability. Seasonal habitat switching may be more prevalent than is currently recognized in seasonal environments.

Foraging habitat selection, diet and nestling condition in Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava breeding on arable farmland

Capsule Yellow Wagtails showed seasonally variable foraging preferences, favouring field margin and crop habitats, although habitat availability did not influence brood productivity. Aims To identify key habitats and prey types for Yellow Wagtails in arable farmland, assessing the importance of foraging habitat availability in determining breeding productivity. Methods Intensive nest searches were conducted across six areas in eastern England over two breeding seasons. Focal nest watches were used to determine foraging habitat selection. Nestling condition was analyzed in relation to surrounding habitat characteristics and weather conditions. Diet was assessed using chick faecal samples. Results Wet ditches and tracks were favoured foraging habitats, together with crop fields used for nesting. Crop preference varied seasonally, with autumn‐sown wheat preferred in May–June and potatoes preferred in July–August. Chick diet was dominated by flies (Diptera), although beetles (Coleoptera) were prevalent in early broods and damselflies (Zygoptera) in late broods. Weather and foraging habitat availability were poor predictors of nestling condition. Conclusion Our results highlight key microhabitats for Yellow Wagtails in arable farmland. The late‐season avoidance of autumn‐sown cereals implies that breeding season length could be limited in cereal‐dominated areas. The provision of alternative late‐season breeding habitats might represent an effective conservation strategy for this species.

Fugler i Norge i 2005 - Rapport fra Norsk faunakomité for fugl (NFKF)

THE NORWEGIAN BIRD REPORT 2005 - a report on locally uncommon and scarce birds in Norway in 2005, by the Norwegian Birds Records Committee (NFKF)&nbsp;The basis of this report is the annual reports produced by the county rarities committees. For 2005 all the counties on the mainland contributed to the report, although Finnmark, Troms, Sogn &amp; Fjordane, Rogaland and Vest-Agder counties did not publish own county reports. Svalbard archipelago and Jan Mayen did not contribute to this report. We believe this report reflects fairly well observations from Norway in 2005. Readers should take care to note the geographical or time delimitation of the records stated for the different species, as stated in codes immediately after the scientific name of the species. The Norwegian Birds Records Committee (NFKF) has been publishing annual reports since 1991. The occurrence of Bewick&rsquo;s Swan Cygnus columbianus was the poorest in NFKFs history, and the occurence of Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus at the traditional feeding and roosting site at Valdakmyra, Porsanger (FI) continued to be very low. White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons were seen in poor numbers, while Bar-headed Geese Anser indicus were seen in record high numbers. Mandarin Ducks Aix galericulata occurred in high numbers. Gadwalls Anas strepera have occurred in steadily increasing numbers in Norway in recent years, and 2005 was the best year to date for this species. Garganeys Anas qurquedula had a poor year. Quail Coturnix coturnix occurred in good numbers for the fourth year in succession. Yellow-billed Divers Gavia adamsii experienced the second best year since 1991. Due to favourable weather conditions in late August both Sooty Shearwaters Puffinus griseus and Manx Shearwaters Puffinus puffinus occurred in record high numbers. Many Rough-legged Buzzards Buteo lagopus were seen during the winter months. The Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo is a raptor that has occurred in high numbers in recent years, and 2005 was the third best year ever. The occurrence of Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta was very poor. Several shorebirds, such as Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula, Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus, Sanderlings Calidris alba and Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica were reported in high numbers from mid-January following the winter storm &laquo;Inga&raquo;. The number of migrating Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus, Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa and Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus were the second best in NFKFs history. Migrating Pomarine Skuas Stercorarius pomarinus was seen in good numbers. Iceland Gulls Larus glaucoides occurred in record high numbers while the occurrence of Little Gulls Larus minutus and Glaucous Gulls Larus hyperboreus was the third best in NFKFs history. The occurrence of Black Terns Chlidonias niger was very poor. Wood Larks Lullula arborea occurred in record high numbers. The negative trend related to migrating Horned Larks Eremophila alpestris continued in 2005 and the last six years represent the six poorest years for this species. Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus had another poor year, while Richard&rsquo;s Pipits Anthus richardi occured in record high numbers. The occurrence of Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava flavissima was the poorest in NFKF&rsquo;s history. Stonechats Saxicola torquata occurred in record high numbers and seventeen confirmed breeding pairs were recorded from coastal areas. The Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus is probably expanding significantly in the north of its distribution range. The number of singing Common Grasshopper Warblers Locustella naevia and the occurrence of Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus was the best ever recorded. The number of Barred Warblers Sylvia nisoria was the second best in NFKF&rsquo;s history. The number of Great Grey Shrikes Lanius excubitor was the highest ever recorded. Two-barred Crossbills Loxia leucoptera and Pine Grosbeaks Pinicola enucleator occurred in poor numbers. The Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana still has a negative trend and is disappearing from former breeding areas. The Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica experienced the poorest year in NFKFs history, while the occurrence of Little Buntings Emberiza pusilla was the best ever recorded.

Could soil degradation contribute to farmland bird declines? Links between soil penetrability and the abundance of yellow wagtails Motacilla flava in arable fields

Major changes to the extent and quality of farmland habitats, brought by the intensification of agricultural practice, are thought to be the main factors driving declines in a suite of farmland bird species in Europe. Recent changes in agricultural techniques have also contributed to widespread soil degradation, arising from increased soil exposure to erosion forces, declining soil organic content and increasing soil compaction. Although soils have a fundamental influence on ecosystem properties, the implications of soil degradation for farmland biodiversity have received little attention. In this study, we measure the influence of soil conditions on the distribution of a declining insectivorous farmland bird, the yellow wagtail Motacilla flava, relative to other habitat features in arable fields. Soil penetrability was found to have a significant influence on the abundance of territorial yellow wagtails at the field scale, together with crop type. Other measured habitat features had little effect on territory abundance, including soil organic content, crop height (within preferred crop types), field boundary habitats and availability of bare ground. Monitoring of invertebrate abundance across 20 cereal fields revealed a significant influence of both soil penetrability and soil organic content on aerial invertebrate capture rates. This relationship was strongest during the latter part of the breeding season, implying that settling yellow wagtails could use soil penetrability as a predictive indicator of prey abundance during the chick-rearing period. The strong relationship between yellow wagtails and soil penetrability suggests a potential causative link between soil degradation and population decline. The role of soils in determining abundance patterns and population declines of other farmland species may have been overlooked in previous studies.

Close to the edge: predation risks for two declining farmland passerines

Data on the breeding success of two crop‐nesting passerines, Skylark Alauda arvensis and Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava, were collected in relation to linear features within and surrounding arable crops. Both species were found to experience high rates of nest predation with increased proximity to field boundaries, although the exact nature of the relationship differed with species and, in the case of Skylark, with boundary type. Most nest losses were attributable to predation. During 2006 video cameras deployed on Skylark nests showed that all recorded predation was by mammals of various species, and that these were most active in or around grass margins. The results suggest that further research is needed into ways of minimizing negative impacts of predation on Skylarks. Possible solutions discussed include concentrating Skylark Plots in the field centres away from grass margins and promoting Skylark Plots in fields without grass margins in future agri‐environmental schemes.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava migration from West Africa to Europe: pointers towards a conservation strategy for migrants on passage

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava migration from West Africa to Europe: pointers towards a conservation strategy for migrants on passage

Fugler i Norge 2004 – Rapport fra Norsk faunakomite for fugl (NFKF)

THE NORWEGIAN BIRD REPORT 2004 - a report on locally uncommon and scarce birds in Norway in 2004, by the Norwegian Birds Records Committee (NFKF)The basis of this report is the annual reports produced by the county rarities committees. For 2004 all the counties contributed to the report, although Finnmark, Troms, Sogn &amp; Fjordane, Rogaland and Vest-Agder counties did not publish own county reports. We believe this report reflects fairly well observations from Norway in 2004. Readers should take care to note the geographical or time delimitation of the records stated for the different species, as stated in codes immediately after the scientific name of the species. The Norwegian Birds Records Committee (NFKF) has been publishing annual reports since 1991. The occurrence of Bewick&rsquo;s Swan Cygnus columbianus was one of the poorest in NFKFs history, and the occurence of Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus at the traditional feeding and roosting site Valdakmyra, Porsanger (FI) continued to be very low. White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons was seen in good numbers. Mandarin Ducks Aix galericulata occurredin record high numbers. Gadwalls Anas strepera have occurred in steadily increasing numbers in Norway in recent years, and 2004 was the second best year to date for this species. Quails Coturnix coturnix occurred in good numbers for the third year in succession. Yellowbilled Divers Gavia adamsii experienced the second best year since 1991. Leach&rsquo;s Storm Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa was seen in record high numbers in Rogaland in September. Many Common Kestrels Falco tinnunculus were seen during the winter months. The Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo is a raptor that has occurred in high numbers in recent years, and 2004 was the second best year ever. The occurrence of Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta was the best ever in NFKFs history. Several shorebirds, such as European Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria, Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus, Great Knots Calidris canutus, SanderlingsCalidris alba and Woodcocks Scolopax rusticola wintered in low numbers. The number of migrating Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus was the second best in NFKFs history. Migrating Pomarine Skuas Stercorarius pomarinus and Long-tailed Skuas Stercorarius longicaudus were seen in good numbers, and the occurrence of Little Gulls Larus minutus was the second best in NFKFs history. Compared to the last three years, Glaucous Gulls Larus hyperboreus occurred in considerable lower numbers in 2004. Also the occurrence of Snowy Owls Bubo scandiaca and Great Grey Owls Strix nebulosa were very poor. The negative trend related to migrating Horned Larks Eremophila alpestris continued in 2004, and the last five years represent the five poorest years for this species. The occurrence of Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus was one of the poorest in NFKFs history, while Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava flavissima and Pied Wagtails Motacilla alba yarrellii occurredin near record numbers. Many breeding attempts of Waxwings Bombycilla garrulus were recorded, especially in Nordland county. Stonechats Saxicola torquata occurred in record high numbers, and nine confirmed breeding pairs were recorded. The number of singing Common Grasshopper Warblers Locustella naevia was the highest ever recorded, and the number of Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris and Redbreasted Flycatchers Ficedula parva continued to be high. Many breeding attempts of Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurio were recorded in Rogaland county, and Great Grey Shrikes Lanius excubitor had another good year throughout the country. The Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus still show a marked increase in the north of its distribution range, especially in Nord- Tr&oslash;ndelag county. In November, the southernmost parts of Norway experienced a major influx of Pine Grosbeaks Pinicola enucleator producing record numbers in the history of NFKF. In October, Norway also had a major influx of Bullfinches Pyrrhula pyrrhula. These Bullfinches probably came from other parts of Europe than Fennoscandia. The Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana continued to occur in low numbers and the Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica experienced the poorest year in NFKFs history. The occurrence of Little Buntings Emberiza pusilla was very good.

Climate change and spring migration in the Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava: an Afrotropical perspective

Timing of pre-migratory fattening among Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava wintering in Nigeria pre-1980 is compared with that in the period 2004–2006 to determine whether this has been affected by trends towards earlier spring phenology in Europe over the same period. Wagtails wintering in northern Nigeria showed later fattening, in central Nigeria similar timing, and in southern Nigeria earlier fattening, than comparable pre-1980 populations. Later fattening in the north may be related to environmental degradation and difficulties faced by such populations in advancing migration date because of the proximity of the moulting period. Consistency of timing in central Nigeria may be related to the regular arrival of drought-breaking rain at this latitude around the start of April, and earlier fattening in the southerly winterers may reflect a general lack of constraint for such populations, which gain weight in wet season conditions, several weeks after the end of moult. Since southern winterers breed furthest north, advancement of spring arrival time should therefore be more pronounced among populations breeding in northern Europe.

Timing of pre-nuptial migration and leap-frog patterns in Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla flava)

Leap-frog migration may be caused by a surge in food availability late in the pre-nuptial migration period, in parts of the wintering grounds most distant from the breeding area. Birds breeding at the highest latitudes are the latest to depart on pre-nuptial migration, and so can take advantage of this surge by extending their post-nuptial migration to pass the winter in the most distant wintering areas. Such populations should fatten more quickly prior to migration than low-latitude breeders, which migrate earlier in the year and winter closer to the breeding area. In April 2004, I conducted a pilot study into the feasibility of comparing fattening rates ahead of pre-nuptial migration among populations of a leap-frog migrant, the Yellow Wagtail, at different latitudes in Nigeria. A population in central Nigeria was estimated to be fattening at up to 0.47g d−1, which is greater than estimates obtained from data collected at a site in northern Nigeria. More northerly breeding populations wintering in central Nigeria may therefore be able to add sufficient fat to cross the Sahara up to 7.5d more quickly than would be possible if they remained in northern Nigeria.

Birds in willow short‐rotation coppice compared to other arable crops in central England and a review of bird census data from energy crops in the UK

We present the results of spring and winter surveys of birds using 22 willow short‐rotation coppice (SRC) fields and 22 paired arable or grassland controls over a 5 year period in central and northern England. The study sites were linked to the first commercial wood‐fuelled electricity plant in Yorkshire and were managed commercially. We use the findings of this study, in the context of other work on birds in energy crops, to suggest how birds may be affected by commercial cropping of SRC or energy grasses on UK farmland. For willow SRC, most existing farmland species were not completely displaced by SRC cropping. Even farmland specialists such as Skylark Alauda arvensis used cut SRC fields. Some species characteristic of scrub and wood‐type habitats were attracted onto farmland by SRC. Birds were more abundant in hedgerows next to SRC than in those adjoining arable or grass. The interior of large SRC plots contained fewer birds than the edge‐zone (&lt; 50 m). In winter, the same resident species occured in SRC as the summer, plus winter migrants such as Snipe Gallinago gallinago and Fieldfare Turdus pilaris. Overall, more individuals and species were recorded in and around SRC than equivalent arable or grassland throughout the year. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava and certain locally occurring farmland specialists may be displaced by SRC plantations. Equivalent census data for energy grasses in the UK are not available. The impact of large regional energy crop developments on birds is not known. We do not know if species commonly recorded in these crops survive and breed well so population effects are unknown. However SRC crops are often weedy and insect rich and hence have potential as foraging habitats in summer and winter. The scope for agri‐environment schemes to include energy crops is discussed.

Biometry of young White Wagtails (Motacilla alba) and Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla flava) caught in the Gulf of Gdańsk region during autumn migration

Biometry of young White Wagtails (Motacilla alba) and Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla flava) caught in the Gulf of Gdańsk region during autumn migration Biometrics of juvenile 760 White Wagtails and 714 Yellow Wagtails migrating through the Gulf of Gdańsk region in autumn were studied between 1990 and 2000. In both species distributions of wing length, body mass and indices of wing shape were unimodal, with only one exception - in the White Wagtail the wing length distribution showed two peaks caused by sexual dimorphism. The mean body mass and reserves of fat in both species were low in comparison to other stopover sites. There were significant differences in mean weight between birds caught in the morning and in the evening. The majority of birds behave as energy minimising migrants and migrate with low fat reserves in small steps.