Nest Record Cards Research Articles

Natural and human-made nesting habitat use by Bank Swallow (<i>Riparia riparia</i>) in Canada

Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) is a Threatened migratory bird in Canada that nests colonially in burrows excavated in both human-made and natural banks. Until the mid-20th century, nest record cards reported 60% of Bank Swallows in Canada nested in human-made habitats. Here we provide an update on the proportion of Bank Swallow nesting colonies in natural and human-made habitats in Canada’s provinces and territories based on data from a variety of sources including breeding bird atlases and eBird. Bank Swallow nesting colonies reported from 2001 to 2017 throughout Canada indicate a reversal in the dominant type of habitat used for nesting, with a 56% probability that nesting occurrences are now found in natural habitats. We discuss possible mechanisms responsible for the apparent reversal and recommend that natural nesting habitat be formally protected and restored where it has been altered, especially where co-benefits include climate change resiliency. With the support of landowners and industry, active colonies in human-made habitats will likely make an important contribution to a resilient Bank Swallow population, the majority of which presently appears to nest in natural habitats across the country.

Nesting associations between vultures and weavers

Records of nesting associations between vultures and weavers are collated and presented, based on literature records, and records from the citizen science databases: PHOtos of Weaver Nests (PHOWN) and southern African Nest Record Cards. 43 records of weaver-vulture nesting associations were found involving at least four vulture species and 14 weaver species. Records of vultures nesting on top of weaver nests are included in this study. Information from records listed in this study seems to confirm the Predator Protection Hypothesis. Vultures may use the large nests of buffalo-weavers and Sociable Weavers as a platform for their own nests. This could provide energetic savings for vultures as well as make these vulture nests less conspicuous from below. Vulture researchers are encouraged to record nesting associations with weavers (and other species), and publish these and/or submit to PHOWN.

A new material for old solutions—the case of plastic string used in Great Grey Shrike nests

Innovative behaviours are defined as new behaviour patterns derived by the modification of pre-existing ones. To date, studies of animal innovation have focussed mainly on foraging activity. In this paper, we focussed on the innovative use of a new material—man-made plastic (polypropylene) string—in nest construction by a solitary nesting, territorial species, the Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor. An analysis of field data collected during the years 1999–2006 during intensive shrike research in Poland, as well as of nest record cards since 1964, suggests that plastic string has been a very popular nest material since the 1980s. Recently, plastic string was used significantly more often by shrikes living in intensive farmland habitats than by those in more natural meadows. We discuss the possible benefits of the use of plastic string, such as strengthening the nest structure and therefore helping to protect eggs and nestlings from inclement weather conditions, such as strong winds. On the other hand, the use of plastic string has a real cost for breeding Great Grey Shrikes because both adult birds and nestlings may get tangled in it.

Has the reduction in nest-site competition from Starlings Sturnus vulgaris been a factor in the recent increase of Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major numbers in Britain?

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

Relationship between breeding activity and rainfall for Swainson's Spurfowl, Pternistis swainsonii, within southern Africa, with specific reference to the Springbok Flats, Limpopo Province, South Africa

We collated the literature available on the breeding activity of the Swainson's Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii and made use of reliable unpublished reports, nest record cards and field observations within the Springbok Flats, Limpopo Province, South Africa to establish breeding seasons and pairing behaviour. The onset of breeding (egg laying) is closely associated with rainfall, with male gonad development, population density and covey size (pairing behaviour), all correlated with rainfall. Peak breeding activity is from January–April in South Africa, February–May in Zimbabwe and March–June in Botswana. Egg laying has been recorded in all months and sporadic egg laying in the winter months is most likely the result of isolated rainfall. Mean clutch size is 5.2 eggs/hen (n = 140) with an incubation period of 23 days and brood hatching success and chick survival of 69.4% over the southern African sub-region. Current hunting seasons within Limpopo Province are in line with the recommended hunting season for this region and should remain unchanged: 15 June–30 September. The success of this phasianid can be attributed to its extended breeding season, high survival rate of hatchlings and the potential of birds to breed within their first year.

Breeding ecology of Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur in Britain during the period 1941–2000: an analysis of BTO nest record cards

Capsule No trends over time were detected in any aspect of Turtle Dove breeding ecology and only slight regional variation, based on individual nesting attempts recorded. Aim To present information on the breeding ecology of Turtle Doves and identify any temporal or regional trends that may have contributed to the decline of the species. Methods Information on nesting habitat, type of bush used, nest height, clutch size, brood size and nest outcome was extracted from 1925 Turtle Dove nest record cards from 1941 to 2000, and examined for temporal and regional trends. Results The majority of Turtle Doves nest in thorny trees within scrub habitats, where mean nest height was 2.27 ± 0.02 m. Mean first-egg date was 18 May ± 1 day (annual range 28 April to 26 May). Mean clutch size was 1.84 ± 0.01 (annual range 1.65–1.93), producing a mean brood size of 1.82 ± 0.01 (range 1.50–2.00). Based on the recorded fate of individual nests, 41.3 ± 1.4% were successful, 44.9 ± 1.7% were predated and the rest (13.9 ± 1.4%) were lost to other causes. Nest survival rate averaged 0.577 ± 0.019 during the 14-day incubation period and 0.771 ± 0.019 during the 15-day nestling period giving an overall rate during the entire nesting period of 0.445 ± 0.018. Although there was some significant variation in these parameters between time periods and regions, there were no significant linear trends during the period 1941–2000. Conclusion The population decline experienced by Turtle Doves breeding in Britain is not due to lower success of individual nesting attempts. If breeding productivity has played a role in the decline, it must be through a reduction in the average number of nesting attempts per pair.

Changes in the breeding biology of the Welcome Swallow (Hirundo tahitica) in New Zealand since colonisation

The Welcome Swallow was first recorded breeding in New Zealand in 1958, but is now common and widespread. Using nest record cards collected throughout New Zealand between 1962 and 1996 we investigated whether measures of breeding success showed temporal trends consistent with the effects of density dependence due to increased population densities. Controlling for potentially confounding factors, we found that: (i) breeding has occurred earlier in more recent years, (ii) nests in more recent years were more likely to produce fledglings, and (iii) there are no temporal trends in clutch size or the probability of at least one offspring failing to fledge. These results suggest that population densities have not yet reached the threshold at which density dependence limits breeding success. Earlier laying in more recent years is compatible with a response to global warming. As predicted for multiple-brooded species, clutch size exhibited a mid-season peak, the timing of which is consistent with the decline in the second half of the season being due to reduced foraging time. There was no evidence for a latitudinal gradient in clutch size within New Zealand.

Brood parasitism and egg matching in the Red‐chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius in southern Africa

Host usage and relative rates of egg matching were investigated in the Red‐chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius in southern Africa, using nest record cards and museum collections. Eighteen host species were found to be parasitized at varying degrees of intensity (0.14–12.5%). The most commonly recorded parasitized host, the Cape Robin Cossypha caffra, had a relatively low rate of parasitism (2.46%). The host species experiencing the most recorded pressure from parasitism was the Bearded Robin Erythropygia quadrivirgata, with 12.5% parasitism. Human perception of cuckoo/host egg matching was assessed for parasitized clutches of host species in museum egg collections. Eggs of three different cuckoo egg morphs were scored as matching those of the host species on a 1–5 scale. Perfect/good matching was recorded for eggs found in Chorister Cossypha dichroa, Heuglin's Cossypha heuglini and Natal Robins’Cossypha natalensis clutches. Poor and very poor matching was evident for cuckoo eggs found in four host species’ clutches: the Cape Robin, Stonechat Saxicola torquata, Cape Rockthrush Monticola rupestris and Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina. Available evidence suggests that the Red‐chested Cuckoo parasitizes hosts in a particular environment (low vegetation and trees). Good to intermediate matching was recorded with only 47% of host eggs, and with only 28.5% of Cape Robin clutches. A relatively high degree of host specificity, however, is suggested by the nest record card data, which indicate that species with large numbers of records are not those with the highest rates of parasitism.

The breeding biology of the Water Rail Rallus aquaticus in Britain and Ireland

The Water Rail Rallus aquaticus is a little studied bird thought to be in decline throughout Britain and Ireland. Particular uncertainty surrounds the breeding biology because nests are difficult to locate. In this paper the 80 nest record cards (1946–96) held by the British Trust for Ornithology were analysed to describe the breeding biology in detail. Many of the cards consisted of a few observations only and rarely contained complete data on hatching and fledging success. Water Rail had a protracted breeding season (March–June) and laid large and variable clutches (mode 8 eggs, range 5–13). There was circumstantial and actual evidence for two broods per season. Clutch size increased with altitude and tended to be smaller early and late in the breeding season.

Breeding biology of the Woodcock Scolopax rusticola in Britain

A total of 449 nest record cards collected by the British Trust for Ornithology during 1945–89 was used to examine timing of nesting and brood production of the Woodcock. Daily chick mortality rates were estimated from recaptures of 26 Woodcock broods during an intensive study in 1988–92. Clutches were initiated between March and July, with a mode at the end of March. On average, egg laying commenced earlier in England (median first-egg date 8 April) than in Scotland (20 April) and there were negative relationships between first-egg dates and mean March air temperatures, both between years and regionally within years. Nest survival during egg laying and incubation was 41 ± 1% and the mean number of clutches hatched per female alive in March was 0.89 (95% CL 0.47–1.58). Chick survival until fledging was estimated as 56 ± 8%, resulting in a mean annual production of 1.80 ± 0.72 fledged young per female alive at the start of the breeding season. A small second peak in the distribution of first-egg dates in mid-May indicates that in some years females may attempt to rear second broods.

The distribution, numbers and breeding ecology of TwiteAcanthis flavirostrisin the south Pennines of England

This study used the results of a systematic upland bird survey conducted in 1990 and the information held on BTO nest record cards to study the distribution, numbers and breeding ecology of Twite Acanthis flavirostris in the south Pennines of England. The survey estimated the size of the population as between 200 and 400 pairs. The distribution of records obtained during the survey is mapped. In the breeding season, Twite show an association with relatively low-altitude sites at the moorland edge, especially where the length of reservoir or river shore tends to be large and the sward height exceeds 5 cm. They apparently avoid areas dominated by Juncus¸ spp. flush vegetation. We compare information available on BTO nest record cards for south Pennines Twite with those from Scotland. Breeding performance for Twite nesting in heather-dominated habitats was better than for those nesting on either grassdominated or other moorland habitat. Twite brood-size in the south Pennines has declined in recent years and ...

Breeding biology of the Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisin Britain and Ireland

Almost 1500 Nest Record Cards for the Little Grebe collected by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), between 1938 and 1988, were analysed in order to understand better its breeding biology. The numbers of cards per year decreased following severe winters, suggesting the species' susceptibility to hard weather. The date of laying of the first egg extended from February to September, with a mode in early May. Modal clutch size was 4 (range 1-8), and modal brood size 3, but there were problems in observing broods reliably due to the species' secretive behaviour. Fifty-three per cent of nests whose outcome was known were successful; 35% of nest failures were due to flooding. Nests on ponds and lakes were significantly more successful than those on rivers and streams; laying dates varied significantly between wetland types, with nests on canals earliest and those on rivers latest. Nests on rivers, subject to fluctuating water levels, experienced significantly higher rates of failure through flooding than t...

THE ROLE OF LARGE-SCALE DATA COLLECTION PROJECTS IN THE STUDY OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN BIRDS

Summary Underhill, L.G., Oatley, T.B. & Harrison, J.A. 1991. The role of large-scale data collection projects in the study of southern African birds. Ostrich 62:124-148. The major ornithological data collections in southern Africa (checklists, migration enquiry, atlas projects, censuses, bird ringing and recoveries, biometric data, nest record cards, moult cards and beached birds) are described. For each project, current volumes of data are tabulated. The Southern African Bird Atlas Project database contained 5,0 million records in December 1990. 1,25 million birds of 810 species had been ringed with South African Bird Ringing Unit rings by June 1989, resulting in 22 000 recoveries. There were more than 100 recoveries for 27 species. The nest record card scheme of the Southern African Ornithological Society had 117 000 cards on file in February 1990, representing 696 species, with more than 1 000 cards for 18 species. There were 4 040 cards of 380 species in the moult record scheme. African Seabird Group ...

Effects of agricultural change on nesting LapwingsVanellus vanellusin England and Wales

The impact of agricultural change on the nesting of Lapwings in England and Wales between 1962 and 1985 was analysed using nest-record cards of the BTO. Habitat use changed over the period with a general increase in nesting in upland grass. There was no change in the timing of nesting in grass, although apparently it was earlier than between 1940–61; more later nests were recorded in tillage. Overall clutch size showed no change between 1962–85, but clutches were consistently larger in tillage because of fewer partial losses. Larger clutches were found in emerged tillage crops than newly tilled land, and unimproved compared with improved grassland. There were also regional variations in clutch size in grassland. Brood size at hatching showed a progressive decline through the period because of steadily rising losses to farming. Nests in cereal and bare tilth were by far the most successful, and least successful in bare plough and upland grass. Agriculture (farmwork and the presence of farm animals) caused the loss of 19% of all nests for which a result was known compared w. ith 12% between 1940 and 1961. Robbery by man had declined sharply since 1961, but desertion in grassland had doubled. A rise in nest losses to cultivations in tillage was related to higher March rainfall. Overall nesting performance in upland grass is now very poor because of greatly increased stocking rates. Not only are more nests lost to trampling and grassland cultivations, but increased numbers of cattle also cause more desertions. Nesting performance is much better in tillage, but the loss of spring tilled land to autumn cereals has severely limited good nesting opportunities.

BREEDING AND MOULT OF THE ANTEATING CHAT MYRMECOCICHLA FORMICIVORA

Summary Earle R. A. & Herholdt, J. J. 1988. Breeding and moult of the Anteating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora. Ostrich 59: 155–161. The general breeding biology and moult of the Anteating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora was studied in open grassveld over a two-year period. During the winter (July), groups were significantly smaller than during summer (December) (1,81 ± 0,50 versus 2,85 ± 1,35 birds per group). There was a large turnover of individuals in the study area but the total population stayed the same. The breeding season in the study area lasted from September to February but analysis of nest record cards from a larger area gave a breeding season of August-April. Two types of nests were used: 90,6% were burrows in sand banks or other excavations, but 9,4%were in the mud pellet nests of Greater Striped Swallows Hirundo cucullata (n = 53). Consecutive breeding attempts were never made in the same burrow. Clutches consisted of three, four or five eggs ([Xbar] = 3,73 ± 0,67). Incubation lasted 14–14,...

Periodicity of Breeding Behaviour of Three Species of Fairy-wrens (Malurus spp.)

Breeding seasons, as determined from nest record cards, for the Superb Malurus cyaneus, Variegated M. lamberti and White-winged M. leucopterus Fairy-wrens were compared within a 30-40°S latitude band and across high to low rainfall zones. All species bred mostly in spring and summer but the Superb Fairy-wrens had the most, and the White-winged Fairy-wrens the least, clearly defined breeding season. Superb Fairy-wrens in high rainfall zones bred in spring and summer but in low rainfall zones their breeding was less seasonal and followed good rains. The Variegated Fairy-wrens bred throughout most of the year in the high rainfall zone although few nests were started in autumn and winter. White-winged Fairy-wrens bred in all months of the year in low rainfall zones but there were few nests in autumn and early winter. With progression towards lower rainfall zones, species may respond opportunistically to good rains falling out of season because rainfall directly affects the amount of available food. White-winged Fairy-wrens may have a lower threshold of response to rainfall than Superb. In addition, breeding stimuli may be hierarchically arranged with increasing photoperiod being most important, followed by rainfall and food.

Nest-Records of the Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria Australis

Seven hundred and seventy nest-record cards of the Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis were available at the end of the 1980-1 breeding season, about one-quarter being from the Moruya district of New South Wales. They provided details but little new information on habitat, nests and nest sites, except that the birds probably nest high in forest trees more often than was supposed. Laying was at intervals of about 27 hours. Clutch size averaged 2.33 without any detectable differences between years, places or altitudes but increasing from 2.16 before to about 2.5 after October. The incubation period was just under 16 days and the nestling period 10-14 days. Breeding success was about 30%, apparently decreasing from 33% before October to about 20% in November and December; the most frequent clutch size (2) was most frequently successful but clutches of three raised more young per nest than did clutches of two. The breeding season started at the end of July or in early August and stopped quite abruptly at the end of December, with the main peak of laying from mid-September to mid-October. More nests were started before 31 August in Victoria than at Moruya. The analysis was dominated and distorted by the quantity and quality of records from Moruya and few useful comparisons could be made between the results from there and from elsewhere.

Breeding biology and population dynamics of Ringed plovers Charadrius hiaticula in Britain and Greenland: nest‐predation as a possible factor limiting distribution and timing of breeding

The nesting of Ringed plovers was investigated in 1974 at Mestersvig, north‐east Greenland, and in 1974–76 at Lindisfarne, north‐east England. Difficulties in the use of Nest Record Cards for this species (to obtain information from more sites) are discussed. Territory sizes tended to be smaller, and more feeding took place within territories, at Lindisfarne than at Mestersvig. Clutch sizes were similar in different areas. Incubation (mean period about 25 days) was shared fairly equally by the two sexes. Longer incubation shifts at Mestersvig and some areas at Lindisfarne than at other Lindisfarne sites were associated with greater distances between nests and feeding areas. Most egg losses were probably due to predation, and were fewer in the Arctic than in Britain, where nesting success varied greatly in different areas and years, and in relation to timing within a season. Up to five nestings per pair per year were made at Lindisfarne, but only one at Mestersvig.The timing of breeding is discussed, and it is concluded that the date of start of egg‐laying in north‐east Greenland is determined by the timing of snow clearance, while that at Lindisfarne is related to the decreasing probability of egg‐predation later in the season. Because of the high nest losses, the production of young at many temperate sites, including parts of Lindisfarne, was probably inadequate for the population to be self‐supporting. The reasons for the large seasonal, annual and geographical differences are discussed. It is concluded that increasing predation probably determines the southern nesting limits of Ringed plovers, but that this limit may be modified by varying degrees of different types of natural and artificial protection, and extent of habitat suitable for egg camouflage. Increased human usage of nesting beaches probably has an adverse effect on nesting success, but because of the complexity of the number of inter‐related factors affecting the latter, without field experiments it is difficult to predict how this could best be offset by protection measures.

Breeding ecology of British pipits and their Cuckoo parasite

This ecological comparison of the British breeding pipits, based on data extracted from BTO nest record cards, was awarded the 1981 Sparrow and Boddy Prize for research by an amateur ornithologist.

ASPECTS OF THE FEEDING AND BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE GIANT KINGFISHER

Summary Arkell, G. B. F. 1979. Aspects of the feeding and breeding biology of the Giant Kingfisher. Ostrich 50:176-181. Giant Kingfishers Megaceryle maxima were studied during 1972–1975 on the Eerste and Blaauwklip Rivers near Stellenbosch (33 53s; 18 50E), South Africa. Nest record cards of the Southern African Ornithological Society were examined for dimensions of the nest, nest lining, clutch-size and brood-size. The feeding rate of nestlings was determined from observations at the nest. Two adults, comprising a pair of breeding birds, and a fledgling wert equipped with breast-mounted miniature radio transmitter packages to monitor the birds activity and home range. Cape River Crabs Potamon perlatus apparently were the main prey of the kingfishers. A correlation was found between the activity patterns of kingfishers and of crabs, which peaked in the mornings and evenings.