Reed Bunting Emberiza Schoeniclus Research Articles

Negative population trend of the Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus in an important wetland in southeastern Norway

Cover photo: Singing Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus at Årnestangen, Nordre Øyeren nature reserve. Photo: Øyvind Hagen. The Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus is considered the most common of the five species of Emberiza buntings breeding in Norway and is currently listed as a species of Least Concern. However, a complete census of territorial male Reed Buntings conducted in the Nordre Øyeren nature reserve in 2019 showed a decline in the local breeding population of 67% compared to the last counts completed 40 years ago. Censuses were conducted in 1976 and 1981 in the same area and with the same methods. Analyses of citizen science data from the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre also show a similar decreasing trend (-66%) for the Reed Bunting breeding population in Nordre Øyeren from 1976 to 2019. Moreover, image analyses of the census maps show that that the number and density of Reed Bunting territories have decreased locally and probably has done so since early 1980s. Interestingly, a subset of localities within the survey area still have the same territory densities as the 1976 and 1981 censuses. We suggest that changes in habitat, vegetation and farming practice, especially grazing, could be the underlying cause of variation in bird numbers. Our results indicate a negative population trend for the Reed Bunting locally, a tendency that is also observed regionally in the Nordic countries. Taken together, local and regional declines raise concerns about the conservation status of the Reed Bunting in Norway.

New Primers for Sexing Juvenile Buntings and to Assist Ex-Situ Conservation of Endangered Eastern Iberian Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus witherbyi Populations

New Primers for Sexing Juvenile Buntings and to Assist Ex-Situ Conservation of Endangered Eastern Iberian Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus witherbyi Populations

Bird predation on Roseau cane scale as revealed by a web image search and querying a citizen monitoring database

AbstractAn invasion of Roseau cane scale, Nipponaclerda biwakoensis, native to East Asia, is associated with recent widespread dieback of common reed stands in the Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana. A previous study suggested that, in its native range, the combined mortality from Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus and parasitoid wasps may control the abundance of Roseau cane scale. However, there is limited knowledge about which other bird species may prey on Roseau cane scale or the feeding patterns of these birds. Here we used web search and citizen science monitoring data to tabulate bird predation events on Roseau cane scales across sites in Japan and determine which bird species may be the most important predators and when the observed feeding typically occurs. We scanned web entries using both Google image searches and the social networking services including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Additionally, we accessed long‐term field observation records obtained by volunteer monitoring conducted by the members of the Kanagawa Branch of the Wild Bird Society of Japan. By using these citizen science approaches, we detected 16 bird species, mainly Common Reed Bunting but also other migratory and resident species, preying on the Roseau cane scale in reed beds throughout central Japan and most detection occurred during the winter. This study demonstrates that biological information obtained from publicly available data from citizen observers can be useful for exploring ecological patterns of various species including potential predators against invasive species.

Breeding biology of the Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus: an analysis of Polish nest records

ABSTRACT Citizen-science projects have been remarkably valuable in studying biology of many bird species. Here, I present the analysis of the data on various aspects of breeding biology of the Common Reed Bunting which were collected by volunteer citizen scientists in the Polish Nest Record Scheme. Data from each nest were recorded in form of a card which provided the following parameters: nesting habitat, nesting location, nest structure, nest height, breeding phenology and brood survival. Overall, 420 nest cards collected over the period of 53 years (1969–2022) were analysed. Most nests were found in meadows and pastures. Late April and early May were identified as the peak of the breeding season, with the highest number of initiation dates recorded in nest cards. The most frequent clutch size was five, with a mean of 4.71 eggs. Daily survival rate for nests at the egg stage was 0.95, and at the nestling stage 0.99. The results were consistent with the findings of other authors. In conclusion, nest record schemes provide insight into the breeding biology of many bird species on a scale that would not be achievable in systematic studies.

Evidence for seasonal changes in population structure of Reed Buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus) in the Lake Neusiedl Region: a stable-isotope approach

Migrating species and populations are affected by conditions existing across large geographical scales. The degree to which populations mix at stop-over sites and wintering grounds is variable and can involve important fitness consequences. Thus, the link between breeding and wintering grounds and seasonal shifts in population structure are important to understand population demographics, local adaption and diversification patterns. This work aims to infer migration patterns and population connectivity in the Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) community of a Ramsar-designated wetland, Lake Neusiedl, Seewinkel, Austria. Stable isotope markers (hydrogen, δ2H, carbon, δ13C) in feathers were analyzed to assign individuals to a specific breeding or natal area. Based on the geographic assignment, birds were compared with respect to their ecomorphological traits and their habitat selection (large reed bed versus more open habitat at shore of an alkaline lake) during winter to assess potential ecological differences and possibly associated morphological divergence. Stable isotope data revealed that the local Reed Bunting community undergoes seasonal changes in population structure. Three different populations that vary in their δ2H signature and to some extent in morphological characteristics as well as in δ13C values were identified. Indications for differential migration related to age and/or sex were additionally found, since males and females as well as first-year birds and adults showed remarkable differences in their traits and feather isotope values. δ2H values diverged significantly between these groups in both age and sex classes and birds with highest feather δ2H values were considered to represent the local breeding population at Lake Neusiedl and possibly also Reed Buntings from close surroundings. Moreover, this group had the highest δ13C values in first-year individuals as well as in adults. In both sex classes, the assignment of Reed Buntings to different populations was ultimately possible due to differences in bill shape with residents being characterized by more massive bills than individuals belonging to populations visiting the study area only during migration or for wintering. During winter, beak shape and feather δ2H and δ13C values differed significantly between birds caught in the reed stand of Lake Neusiedl and those captured near the salt pan, hence, indicating differential habitat selection among co-occurring populations during winter. These findings suggest that morphological attributes, such as bill shape and size as well as linked adaptations to different food sources play a decisive role for niche segregation among wintering populations. The results provide evidence that different populations mix during migration and during winter at Lake Neusiedl and the extent to which they are specialized to a specific habitat varied.

Yearly variation in the structure and diversity of a non-breeding passerine bird community in a Mediterranean wetland

BackgroundThe dynamics and structure of many bird communities are changing due to the global warming and changes in the land use and management. The Ebro Valley constitutes one of the chief wintering areas for several passerine species in Iberia, and the reed beds spread across this Valley concentrate huge numbers of birds that use them to roost, while the surrounding agricultural areas serve as main foraging habitats. The aims of this work are (1) to quantify how variable a non-breeding passerine bird community associated to a reed bed area in the Ebro Valley is, and, (2) to test for the effect of weather on possible annual fluctuations in species’ proportions at a regional/local scale.MethodsWe used for that ringing data collected at Badina de Escudera lagoon (Navarra) over a 12-year period.ResultsThough, overall, the assemblage did not vary strongly among years (most similarity values were > 0.8), we still found a significant linear effect of year on the proportion of captures of Reed Buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus), i.e., the dominant species detected in our passerine community. The increasing loss of weight of Reed Buntings in the community was due to a progressive decrease in its abundance.ConclusionsThe structure and diversity of passerine community in Badina Escudera was not influenced by meteorological conditions at a local scale, suggesting that local weather would not have an impact on numbers of Reed Buntings in winter.

An Evaluation of Five Agricultural Habitat Types for Openland Birds: Abandoned Farmland Can Have Comparative Values to Undisturbed Wetland

Populations of birds inhabiting wetlands and grasslands are decreasing globally due to farmland expansion and subsequent agricultural intensification. In addition to conserving natural habitats, managing cultivated farmland and abandoned farmland are likely to be important future conservation measures; however, their relative suitability as avian habitat remains understudied. In this study, we evaluated five habitat types (wetland, pasture, cropland, abandoned farmland, and solar power plant) for openland birds in an agricultural landscape in central Hokkaido, northern Japan. Abandoned farmlands had bird species richness and total bird abundance values similar to those of wetlands. These values were generally higher in abandoned farmlands and wetlands than in croplands, pastures, and solar power plants. The per pair reproductive success of Stejneger's Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri and the amount of its prey (arthropods) did not differ among the five habitat types. Three species (Black-browed Reed Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps, Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus, and Japanese Bush Warbler Cettia diphone) arrived earlier in wetlands than in other habitat types. These results suggest that, although protecting the remaining wetlands is of prime importance for the conservation of openland birds in agricultural landscapes, valuing and managing abandoned farmlands would be a promising alternative.

Energy crops affecting farmland birds in Central Europe: insights from a miscanthus-dominated landscape

The expansion of energy crops such as miscanthus Miscanthus x giganteus has changed the habitat of European farmland birds. However, most studies on the subject are based in Western Europe. We surveyed the avian community in a sample bioenergy landscape in Poland to investigate the pattern of use of the crop by birds in Central Europe. During a year-long survey, 80 species were noted, with 32 sighted in miscanthus. The number of bird sightings was negatively correlated with the area covered by miscanthus in study plots. In contrast to results from Western Europe, most woodland-generalist bird species tended to avoid miscanthus. Farmland species (e.g. the corn bunting Miliaria calandra; the tree sparrow Passer montanus; the starling Sturnus vulgaris; the yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella) were less frequently sighted in the crop than in other habitats. Only a few species were sighted more often in miscanthus than in other habitats, e.g. the marsh warbler Acrocephalus palustris; the reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus; the whinchat Saxicola rubetra. The potential impact of expanded miscanthus cropping on bird communities in Central and Eastern Europe may diverge from predictions derived from studies based in Western Europe due to differing habitat preferences and bird densities between the regions. For a majority of farmland species, the crop may constitute only a suboptimal, supplementary habitat, with only a few birds potentially adapting to the exploitation of bioenergy plantations.

Long-term effects of rotational wetland mowing on breeding birds: evidence from a 30-year experiment

Wetlands are amongst the richest, yet most threatened types of habitats on Earth. One major threat is the modification of water regime for human activities, which disrupts normal ecosystem equilibrium. In lacustrine wetlands, reduced flooding allows shrubs to take over, ultimately leading to a shift towards woody communities. To counter this, wetland managers have initiated a variety of measures, including mowing, burning, and pasturing. Because of the short time frames of previous studies on the subject, little is known on their potential negative side effects on the ecosystem. Here, we evaluate the long-term effect of mowing on breeding populations of the five most abundant species in our central European study area (the reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus, the common reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus, Savi’s warbler Locustella luscinioides, the water rail Rallus aquaticus, and the bearded reedling Panurus biarmicus). This study, of an unprecedented time scale (30 years), shows that rotational mowing has no long-term detrimental effects on birds. However, optimal mowing regime for the birds might often be less frequent than what is usually applied. We recommend that mowing be spaced every 3 years at least, and ideally every 6 years or more. We discuss additional measures that could be implemented to complement mowing. Because of the widespread distribution of the target habitat and species, our study provides readily applicable information for wetland managers in Europe and worldwide.

Diet Analysis of Wetland Passerine Nestlings Using Neck Collars or Faecal Sampling Produces Similar Results

Two methods are commonly used to study the diet of nestling passerines: the neck collar method and faecal sampling. Most studies apply either method, however, few methodological studies comparing both methods exist and are mainly limited to farmland birds. Furthermore, existing methodological studies only include high-level taxonomic diet categories. Here, we compared both methods using two wetland species, the Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus and the Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, and included family level as a lower taxonomic prey level. We found no differences between the two methods in the dietary composition of high-level taxonomic categories (mainly orders) and only small differences in some orders at the family level. Hence, we recommend using the less invasive and easily accessible faecal sampling method rather than the use of neck collars in diet composition studies.

Stable isotopes reveal differences in diet among reed bunting subspecies that vary in bill size

Reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus subspecies vary considerably in bill size and shape and seem to be at an early stage of speciation, in which bill might be indirectly causing reproductive isolation. Hence, we evaluated whether bill size, as well as age and sex, are associated with foraging niche in three west European subspecies of reed bunting: the thin-billed schoeniclus, the intermediate-billed lusitanica and the thick-billed witherbyi. Blood sampling was undertaken at three sites in southwest Europe during the winter (when these subspecies co-occur), and stable isotope analyses (carbon and nitrogen) were performed to assess their foraging niches. Stable isotope analyses of potential food items confirmed uniform baseline isotopic composition among sites. schoeniclus showed a significantly broader isotopic niche than lusitanica and witherbyi, which seemed otherwise similar despite the fact that witherbyi is more divergent in bill traits. Stable isotope ratios were consistent with the latter two subspecies feeding on C3-plant-feeding insects, whereas schoeniclus diet also included C4 plant material. Despite its lower sexual dimorphism, sex and age differences were found only in schoeniclus, but these differences vary between locations in a complex manner. Our results suggest that bill size and shape differentiated between northern, migratory and southern, resident subspecies as a consequence of natural selection through competition during the winter, which is now reflected in isotopic niche divergence between subspecies. The potential roles of sexual selection, reed thickness and summer temperature on the difference in bill size (and greater sexual dimorphism) between lusitanica and witherbyi are discussed.

Estimating the Abundance and Habitat Selection of Conservation Priority Marsh-Dwelling Passerines with a Double-Observer Approach

Monitoring bird populations is essential for the proper management of natural areas, since birds serve as indicator species to assess the conservation status of ecosystems. Therefore, it is important to estimate population sizes using methods of the highest possible accuracy and reliability. In this study, the populations of three marsh-dwelling passerines were sampled in the Tablas de Daimiel National Park (central Spain) during the breeding season, using a double independent observer technique. Data analysis was performed using a hierarchical Bayesian model with covariates that can simultaneously determine the population size and detectability, as well as factors that significantly affect both parameters. The presence of the two most threatened species, the reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus witherbyi and the moustached warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon, was significantly and positively related to the coverage of fen sedge Cladium mariscus, an indicator species for waters of high quality and low fluctuation in depth. The bearded parrotbill Panurus biarmicus was the most generalist species with no positive association with any of the studied variables. The moustached warbler was more readily detectable until the beginning of May and early in the morning.

The effectiveness of endozoochory in three avian seed predators

The role of granivorous birds as agents of seed dispersal has been little explored and is poorly understood. We assessed the ability of three species of birds from a Central European agricultural landscape to disperse seeds of dry-fruited plants. We hypothesised that Grey Partridge Perdix perdix is a better seed disperser than either of two species of buntings—Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella and Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus—in terms of the number of intact seeds recovered from their droppings. Partridge droppings contained the highest number of intact seeds. Surprisingly, however, the number of intact seeds per 1 g of droppings was the highest in Reed Bunting, smaller in Grey Partridge and the smallest in Yellowhammer. Our findings suggest that the passage of intact seeds of dry-fruited plants through the digestive tract of seed-eating birds is most likely an effect of limited digestion, resulting from the intake of a large volume of seeds, a small part of which remains undigested. This effect could be magnified by the inclusion in the diet of some items of different digestibility (invertebrates or leaves). We suggest that non-standard dispersal of seeds with no adaptations to endozoochory by birds is a far more frequent and as yet under-appreciated phenomenon, which has potential ecological implications for the colonisation of new habitats/islands by plants. The ultimate elucidation of this process is extremely difficult and would require large sets of faeces to be examined.

Nest survival in the Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus in fragmented wetland habitats: the effect of nest-site selection

Nest survival in fragmented wetlands is usually affected by micro-habitat variables. The main aim of the study was to investigate the factors affecting Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus nest survival in wetland habitats within a mosaic Central European land-scape. In total, we monitored 95 nests on five separate fishponds in South Bohemia, Czech Republic during a six-year study between 2002 and 2007. In order to determine the effects on nest survival of nest site characteristic, the first egg laying date and nest age, we estimated daily survival rate (DSR) and built models using program MARK. DSR was significantly higher in nests located in Reed Canary Grass Phalaris arundinacea and tall vegetation Cattail Typha latifolia and Common Reed Phragmites australis than in sedges Carex spp. Surprisingly, expanding Reed Canary Grass was occupied later in the breeding season and likely less preferred vegetation type than sedges. Structure of sedge tussocks changed due to eutrophication and likely lost its suitability as quality microhabitat of the nest site. Furthermore, we found mild support that DSR increased with the distance from the nearest tree and that the lowest DSR was between 19th and 20th day of the nesting cycle, close after the hatching of the nestlings which can attract potential predators. These findings could indicate the importance of birds as predators on Reed Bunting nests. Nest site selection appears to be a display of anti-predator strategy in the Reed Bunting.

Similar, yet different: male Reed Buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus) show high individual differences in song composition, rates of syllable sharing and use

Male birds sing to find a mate or to defend a territory. Their songs are known to be highly species-specific, but males may additionally show high levels of song individuality. Differences in song features have been shown to code for male quality and/or motivational states. Quantifying differences and similarities in the singing of males may broaden the general understanding of avian song and pairing systems. Here, we investigated the song of an Eastern German population of Reed Buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus), a species with a medium-sized song repertoire and extraordinary high extra-pair young rates (up to 55 %). Using a computed template-recognition algorithm, we analysed songs of 11 males focussing on individual variation in song composition and use. To determine the degree of song sharing among males, we compared two different measurements of song similarity (DICE coefficient and coefficient of compositional similarity; CCS). We found that males sing highly individual with respect to most analysed parameters. On average, males shared 62 % of their syllable type repertoire with at least one other male. However, taking song use into account, the overall degree of song sharing was low to moderate for both similarity measures, and average DICE values were higher than the CCS values. Additionally, we found that the closer the male territories were to each other, the higher the proportion of song sharing tended to be. We discuss the implications of our findings for the function of song in the Reed Bunting.

How to improve agri-environment schemes to achieve meadow bird conservation in Europe? A case study in the Saône valley, France

Ongoing meadow bird demographic trends in Europe raise the question of the effectiveness of public policy aiming to halt biodiversity loss. In this study, we attempted to understand the success and failures in one of the first French Agri-Environment Schemes (AES), 20 years after its implementation. After annually postponing grass harvesting to 1 or 15 July in 25 % of a 3,000-ha lowland meadow system, we observed a clear demographic increase in the Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, the Whinchat Saxicola rubetra and the Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava. No positive effects were recorded for the Skylark Alauda arvensis, the Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra and the Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus, possibly as a result of increased competition with Whinchats and Yellow Wagtails, and the Corncrake Crex crex declined sharply despite the implemented measures. The successful results were attributed, for the Curlew to the species’ early nesting and high adult survival, for the Whinchat to the probable support of immigration, and for the Yellow Wagtail to a possible capacity to avoid unfavourable nesting situations. Late breeding and low adult survival may contribute to explain the continuing Corncrake decline. In the study site, late mown AES areas were too small and fragmented to match efficiently the territory aggregations. We recommend to extend AES principles to all the European range of targeted species, even outside the EU, and to develop species-specific spatial strategies.

Phenotypic Divergence among West European Populations of Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus: The Effects of Migratory and Foraging Behaviours

Divergent selection and local adaptation are responsible for many phenotypic differences between populations, potentially leading to speciation through the evolution of reproductive barriers. Here we evaluated the morphometric divergence among west European populations of Reed Bunting in order to determine the extent of local adaptation relative to two important selection pressures often associated with speciation in birds: migration and diet. We show that, as expected by theory, migratory E. s. schoeniclus had longer and more pointed wings and a slightly smaller body mass than the resident subspecies, with the exception of E. s. lusitanica, which despite having rounder wings was the smallest of all subspecies. Tail length, however, did not vary according to the expectation (shorter tails in migrants) probably because it is strongly correlated with wing length and might take longer to evolve. E. s. witherbyi, which feed on insects hiding inside reed stems during the winter, had a very thick, stubby bill. In contrast, northern populations, which feed on seeds, had thinner bills. Despite being much smaller, the southern E. s. lusitanica had a significantly thicker, longer bill than migratory E. s. schoeniclus, whereas birds from the UK population had significantly shorter, thinner bills. Geometric morphometric analyses revealed that the southern subspecies have a more convex culmen than E. s. schoeniclus, and E. s. lusitanica differs from the nominate subspecies in bill shape to a greater extent than in linear bill measurements, especially in males. Birds with a more convex culmen are thought to exert a greater strength at the bill tip, which is in agreement with their feeding technique. Overall, the three subspecies occurring in Western Europe differ in a variety of traits following the patterns predicted from their migratory and foraging behaviours, strongly suggesting that these birds have became locally adapted through natural selection.

Substantial contribution of invertebrates to the diet of a winter seed-eater, the reed buntingEmberiza schoeniclus, wintering in a sewage farm in south-western Poland

We investigated whether the winter diet of a typical seed-eating bird is hard-wired in the context of evolutionary hypothesis for granivory. We examined the diet composition of ‘a small-billed form’ of the reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus wintering in a sewage farm in south-western Poland (Central Europe), where unfrozen wastewater provides various groups of invertebrate prey. The analysis of droppings (N = 151) collected from four different feeding grounds located in reedbeds and grasslands inundated with waste-water showed the substantial contribution of invertebrates in the diet of reed buntings. Across four sample areas, the frequency of invertebrates in faecal samples ranged between 37% to 80%. In total, we identified 194 animal prey, mainly spiders Araneae (53% of all identified invertebrate prey), and several taxa of Coleoptera (43%). Among plant food (N = 8357 identified items), the most numerous were shells of weed seeds, namely Amaranthus sp. (56.8%), Urtica dioica (22.6%), and Chenopodium sp. (19.6%). Our results showed that, during winter, the reed bunting is not an obligatory seed-eater. This species may exploit both animal and plant food; hence, our results indicate that the reed buntings wintering in temperate Europe may feed more opportunistically than was previously assumed. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 108, 429–433.

Bird ringing and nest recording in Britain and Ireland in 2011

This is the 75th annual report of the British Trust for Ornithology's Ringing Scheme, covering data received and work carried out in 2011. A review of priorities for the Scheme identified the need to increase submission of nest records through the Nest Record Scheme and to extend the network of Retrapping Adults for Survival (RAS) studies. Collection of different demographic parameters from the same site (eg nest records, numbers of breeding pairs, adult survival, etc) can provide a powerful tool to identify reasons for population change. Constant Effort Sites (CES) data showed long-term declines in abundance for four migrants (Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca, Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus and Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and three resident species (Willow Tit Poecile montana, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos and Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus). Robin Erithacus rubecula and Reed Bunting had the lowest survival rates since CES began and survival-rate estimates were also significantly below average for Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus and Wren Troglodytes troglodytes, two small resident species that are particularly vulnerable to cold weather. Abundance of Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus, Great Tit Parus major, Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis and Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula recorded by CES increased. Nine of the 16 resident species covered by CES also had higher-than-average productivity, in particular the highest ever recorded for Dunnock Prunella modularis, Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs and Bullfinch. The number of Constant Effort Sites increased in 2011, with a higher percentage of reedbed habitat covered by the scheme, but fewer dry and wet scrub sites. In 2011 the number of RAS projects increased by 34 to 158. Survival trends were generated for 46 species and the use of colour marks has been promoted to increase the resighting probability of trap-shy species such as House Sparrow Passer domesticus and Starling Sturnus vulgaris, and for species with low recapture probability such as seabirds. As in 2010, the total number of birds ringed in 2011 (1,151,665) was the highest ever. It included 540,696 first-year birds, 383,136 adults (birds in their second calendar year or later) and 27,495 unaged birds. All ringing data for 2011 were computerised. In addition, there were 166,061 recaptures of ringed birds at or near the ringing site. The increased numbers of fully grown birds ringed is probably due to three main factors: high survival of some species, as suggested by CES results, combined with high productivity in 2011 and the increasing number of ringers in the Scheme catching higher numbers of birds. In total 20,702 BTO-ringed birds were recovered (found dead or recaptured away from the ringing site) in 2011, the highest ever as a result of the increased number of birds ringed in the past decade, combined with efforts to increase reports of ringed birds by the public, an increasing number of colour-ringing projects and associated resightings, and a change in the way recoveries are processed. Recoveries of 17 BTO- and 13 foreign-ringed birds that have extended our existing knowledge of movements of a species, are unusual movements, or are a new longevity record are also presented. In 2011 40,845 nest records were submitted (over 70% electronically), the highest total since 1998. Of these, 82% originated from England, 9% from Wales and 8% from Scotland, with the remaining 1% divided equally between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Long-term nest productivity trends (1966–2010) were significant for 36 of the 71 species for which sufficient data were available, and seven of these (Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis, Willow Warbler, Bullfinch, Coal Tit Periparus ater, Treecreeper Certhia familiaris and Chaffinch) showed a significant decline over time. The 2011 breeding season was characterised by an early start compared to the previous five years, possibly due to the warmest April on record.

Habitat preference of endangered Eastern Iberian Reed Buntings Emberiza schoeniclus witherbyi

Capsule Careful management is required to maintain or create habitats with the correct proportions of rush with reeds that are preferred by this subspecies. Aims To determine the habitat requirements of Eastern Iberian (Western Iberian Reed Buntings were not included in the study) Reed Buntings Emberiza schoeniclus witherbyi, a subspecies endemic to a few marshes in France, Spain and Morocco, with a population of 254–360 breeding pairs. Methods Twenty-five wetlands in Spain were surveyed and presence/absence of Iberian Reed Buntings was deteremined together with data on 41 environmental variables. The relationships between the birds and habitat data were investigated using glm. Results Proportion of rush with reeds, proportion of reed–bulrush patches and perimeter length of rush–reed patches, were the variables that primarily explained the present distribution of Eastern Iberian Reed Buntings. Other vegetation classes traditionally associated with the presence of the Eastern Iberian Reed Buntings, such as sedges, were not found to be important in the selected models. Conclusion Conservation planning and management guidelines for this subspecies should focus on encouraging these specific-vegetation parameters. Flood control and grazing are proposed as the best practices that will favour these vegetation variables and avoid simplification of the plant community.