Tree Pipit Research Articles

Migration and staging patterns of the Red-throated (Anthus cervinus) and Tree Pipits (Anthus trivialis) at the migratory bottleneck of Eilat, Israel

We studied the migration patterns of Red-throated (Anthus cervinus) and Tree Pipits (A. trivialis) ringed during 25 years at Eilat, Israel. The number of migrants was four times greater in spring than in autumn for the Tree Pipit but was similar for the Red-throated Pipit. Stop-over during the migration seasons was also different. Both young and old Red-throated Pipits used Eilat as a stop-over site at similar intensity during both seasons. How-ever, most of the Tree Pipits in autumn were juveniles, but young and old individuals were almost equally abundant in spring. In both species, body-condition index was higher in autumn than in spring and was not related to the age of the birds. This finding illustrates differences in body condition before and after the crossing of the Saharo-Arabian desert belt.

Short-term effects of wildfire on bird assemblages in old pine- and spruce-dominated forests in northern Sweden

Effects of wildfire on forest birds have rarely been studied in Fennoscandia. Hence, birds were surveyed three years after fire at two large areas that were not subjected to salvage logging, in northern Sweden. The 300- and 440-ha burns and surrounding forests were dominated by Scots pine and Norway spruce, respectively. Closed-nest breeders and ground-feeding insectivores were more abundant within the burns than in the surrounding forests, whereas ground- and shrub-breeders were nearly equally abundant in the burns and in unburned forests. Redpoll and Tree Pipit were more common within than outside the burns. Birds feeding on insects in the air and the Redstart were more abundant in burned than in unburned spruce-dominated forest but no such difference was found in pine-dominated forest, suggesting that the short-term effects of wildfire on these birds were stronger in spruce-dominated forest than in pine-dominated forest. A contributing factor might be that crown fire killed most trees in the spruce-dominated burn, but most of the large trees survived the ground fire in the pine-dominated burn.

Correlations between long distance migrants in year-to-year fluctuations of arrival timing

This study investigated the year-to-year fluctuations in arrival timing in the UK of 23 species of summer migrants. Median arrival dates, estimated from BirdTrack survey data from 2002–10, and Cheshire and Wirral first-arrival dates were analysed using Pearson correlations. Highly statistically significant correlations were found for pairings within a group comprising some warblers and the Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, in particular for pairings of species which have similar average arrival dates. In contrast, no significant correlations were observed for pairings involving the earlier-arriving Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus and later-arriving Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata. No significant correlations with any other warbler species were apparent for a third species, Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca, which, unlike the other species, follows an easterly migration path through the Middle East before travelling northwest across Greece, northern Italy and central Europe. It is suggested that these correlations in arrival timing may arise from the within-year similarities in local weather conditions encountered en route by species with similar spring migration strategies. Significant correlations were also identified between some other pairings, for example those of Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica, House Martin Delichon urbicum and Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis with various other species, but were generally lacking for some other species.

Breeding Bird Dynamics in a Primeval Temperate Forest Over Thirty-Five Years: Variation and Stability in the Changing World

The composition and structure of the breeding bird assemblage in the Bialowieza National Park (BNP) were documented in 2005-2009 and compared with the data from the previous 30 years. Mapping censuses were carried out in seven plots located in three forest types: ash-alder riverine, oak-hornbeam, and mixed coniferous forest. We checked whether the bird community composition had remained stable over the 35 years and the extent to which the numeri- cal trends in BNP followed the regional trends. The composition of breeding avifauna and species richness was basical- ly unchanged, except for the strongly increasing Sylvia atricapilla, which became a regular dominant in all habitats. The density gradient across habitats — highest in the riverine, lowest in the coniferous stands - was retained. After a max- imum in 2001, the numbers of birds declined slightly, but densities were still among the highest in 35 years. Numbers of 18 of the 26 commonest species were higher in 2005-2009 than in 1975-2009; only Anthus trivialis, Phylloscopus sibila- trix, Ficedula parva showed negative trends, and Ficedula hypoleuca almost went extinct recently. Some numerical changes were attributable to local habitat changes (increases in Phylloscopus collybita and Sylvia atricapilla, declines in spruce- dependent species). Numbers of only four of 22 species (Dendrocopos major, Erithacus rubecula, S. atricapilla, Parus major) changed concurrently in BNP and the rest of Poland. The apparent lack of a relationship between changes in bird num- bers and the local and regional situation suggests that factors acting on a far larger scale could have been involved. Despite these numerical changes, the breeding bird assemblage of primeval temperate forest stands out as an example of remarkable stability.

Geographic variation in songs of the Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) at two spatial scales

ABSTRACT. We studied geographic as well as individual variation of songs in five Czech populations of the Tree Pipit (Motacillidae: Anthus trivialis), a passerine bird with a medium-sized syllable repertoire and complex song. We focused on repertoire composition at the level of syllables (the smallest invariant song units) and of structures that are potentially important in recognition among individuals (i.e., bi-syllables, or regular repetitions of two different syllables) and among populations (introductory phrases). We tested the hypotheses that the repertoires reflect local dialects (i.e., different male origins) and that within-site similarities of male repertoires are distance dependent. The populations studied differed significantly in all analyzed characteristics. Male origin explained ∼18% of the variation in individual syllable repertoires. However, no clear within-site geographic structure in repertoire similarity was observed, either between closest neighbors or on larger scales. We observed a...

Species trends, turnover and composition of a woodland bird community in southern Sweden during a period of fifty-seven years

The number of small passerine bird territories was determined annually during 57 years (1953–2009) in a 13 ha broadleaf deciduous wood with several grazed glades, surrounded by crop farmland in southernmost Sweden. Only marginal habitat changes occurred. Both number of species and number of territories increased. Resident species and short-distance migrants tended to increase whereas tropical migrants declined. Many of the changes were similar to trends recorded by the national Breeding Bird Survey, suggesting that they were due to regional population trends. Notable changes were: former dominant Willow Warbler now rare but closely related newcomer Chiffchaff now well established, Garden Warblers replaced by Blackcaps, Tree Pipit strong recent decline, increase of cavity-nesting Great and Blue Tits, locally extinct Yellowhammer recovered. Species turnover between adjacent pair of years was without trend but turnover increased with increasing distance between pair of years predicting complete turnover by about 2190. A comparison with a larger oldgrowth wood nearby indicated no obvious effects of the small size and narrow configuration of the study site on its community.

Predicting West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in Wild Birds in Senegal

West Nile fever epidemiology is complex, and the role of birds in the maintenance, amplification, and dissemination of the West Nile virus (WNV) remains partially unknown. In 2003, a serological study was performed in Senegal, where West Nile infection is considered endemic. The goal was to identify potential reservoirs of WNV among bird species present in the Ferlo area (northern Senegal) and the Senegal River Valley, and to screen the ecological factors possibly related to West Nile infection. Serological data were analyzed using a generalized linear model. Statistical association between ecological factors and the risk of infection were then modeled to derive a species-specific risk. A cross-validation was conducted. The overall observed prevalence rate was 5.5% (n = 422). Thirteen bird species were found positive, from which five were migrating: Lanius senator, Anthus trivialis, Hippolais opaca, Jynx torquilla, and Cercotrichas galactotes. The nesting type in resident birds was positively correlated with the risk of infection (odds ratio [OR] = 11, p = 0.0003); the gregariousness level of birds appeared as a protective factor (OR = 0.3, p = 0.01). The predicted prevalence varied between 1% and 39% for resident species and between 1% and 7% for migrating species. Results of model internal validation were satisfactory at the individual and species level. However, more field and experimental investigations are needed to confirm these preliminary results and help target the future research and surveillance in Senegal.

Ancient oak wood-pasture as a habitat for the endangered tree pipit Anthus trivialis

Ancient wood-pastures are facing a major decline in several European countries. These habitats are of great importance for biodiversity because of their special semi-natural character that increases landscape variability and connectivity. In this paper we examine the habitat preferences of the tree pipit Anthus trivialis in an ancient oak wood-pasture, the Breite Natural Reserve, central Romania, with the aim of identifying the most significant habitat variables correlated with the presence of this species. In this way, we aim to highlight the need for conservation management of both the species and this particular habitat type, which are both declining across Europe. We found that the number of oaks with a diameter at breast height (d.b.h) > 1.27 m (equating to a circumference of 4 m) was the only variable with significant positive effect on the presence of the tree pipit. Shrub cover had significant negative effect on presence. Tree canopy cover, the clumping tendency of trees and distance from forest had no effect on the presence of this species in the study area. Our results show that the habitat requirements for the maintenance of the tree pipit impose the same active management needs as those for the maintenance of the ancient wood-pasture character of the Breite Natural Reserve, namely the control against hornbeam invasion and ensured viability of new oak sapling generations.

Reproductive success of Tree PipitsAnthus trivialisin relation to habitat selection in conifer plantations

Aspects of the reproductive success of Tree PipitsAnthus trivialiswere examined in relation to broad‐scale habitat and nest‐site selection in Thetford Forest, a coniferous plantation forest in eastern England. Three habitat classes were defined corresponding to previously reported densities of Tree Pipits: clearfell and recently planted stands (habitat class A: low density), stands 2–5 years old (B: high density) and stands 6 years or older (C: low density). The preference for 2–5‐year‐old stands indicated by higher densities was supported by the timing of territory settlement. Tree Pipits also showed distinct preferences for nest‐site characteristics that were relatively consistent across habitat classes and throughout the breeding season. At the ‘habitat scale’, results were consistent with the predictions of the ideal despotic distribution model. First clutches were laid significantly earlier in the preferred habitat class B. Overall nesting success (i.e. the proportion of nests producing fledglings), but not clutch size, also varied between habitats, being greater in habitat classes B and C than in habitat class A. The variation in overall nesting success between habitats was primarily driven by low nest survival rates during the laying/incubation period in clearfell and recently planted stands. Nest survival rates during the nestling period were lower in the preferred 2–5‐year‐old (and older) stands and declined over the course of the study. Preferences for nest‐site characteristics (at least for those that were measured) provided no apparent benefit to nest survival rates. Overall nesting success thus appeared to be determined at the habitat scale, perhaps because the broad differences in cover between habitats affected the likelihood of nest predation (the main cause of nest failure). It is suggested that the very low nesting success experienced by Tree Pipits in clearfell and new stands may be one factor in the species’ relative avoidance of this habitat and preference for 2–5‐year‐old stands.

Breeding numbers and stand type preferences of Redstarts Phoenicurus phoenicurus and Tree Pipits Anthus trivialis in a Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris wood

Capsule Old‐growth stands within an ancient native pinewood in Scotland provide an important habitat for both species. Aims To obtain estimates of densities and total numbers of male Redstarts and Tree Pipits in a native pinewood, and to describe forest stand type preferences. Methods Singing males were recorded along transects in Abernethy Forest, comprising ancient native pinewood and Scots Pine plantations, to estimate densities and numbers (by distance sampling), and to assess stand type selection (using Manly and Jacobs’ indices). A check was made to ensure that singing was sustained throughout the survey period. Results The density and total numbers for Redstarts were 7.6 males per km2 (95% CL 5.8–10.1) and 290 males (95% CL 220–380). For Tree Pipits, there were 7.3 males per km2 (5.5–9.8) and 275 males (210–370). Higher densities occurred in the stands of preferred old‐growth woodland: 15.1 Redstart males per km2 (95% CL 10.7–21.3) and 15.6 Tree Pipit males per km2 (95% CL 10.6–22.9). Redstarts selected stands of high crown trees, mature open and old open woodland and bog pines. Tree Pipits selected stands of high crown trees and old open woodland. Conclusion The old‐growth stands of Scots Pine were preferred by Redstarts and Tree Pipits. This study supports the current management to protect and expand such stands within Abernethy Forest, but more old‐growth woodland is required elsewhere in Scotland.

A 2006-2008-as gyűrűfűi Biodiverzitás Napok ornitológiai eredményei (Aves)

Between 2006-2008, an investigation was carried out by the local group of Birdlife Hungary on the surrounding Gyűrűfű in the framework of the Hungarian Biodiversity Days. In 1 km2 area, in different habitats altogether 68 species were supervised. The characteristic groups of birds were associated with mature forests and bushy area (eg. Columba oenas, Merops apiaster, Dendrocopus medius, Anthus trivialis, Sylvus n isoria, Oriolus oriolus, Lanius collurio, Loxia curvirostra). The most interesting species is Milvus milvus.

Structure and Complexity of Perched and Flight Songs of the Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)

We analysed 2166 songs of 90 males of the tree pipit (Anthus trivialis; Passeriformes: Motacillidae) from five Czech localities to evaluate variation in song characteristics, the song structure and syntax rules, and differences between songs performed in flight and from perches. We measured temporal and spectral song characteristics; structure analysis was based on the identification of individual syllable units. There was a high among-population variation in the repertoire, suggesting substantial differences in local dialects. Flight and perched songs significantly differed in most analysed quantitative characteristics. While both types of songs are apparently used in territorial defence, trill elements within flight songs may also indicate male quality to potential mates. Characteristic bi-syllable repeats within songs were often unique for individual males and may function in individual recognition. Features of tree pipit songs make it a good species for studying song variation and function in birds with complex repertoires.

Influences of restock age and habitat patchiness on Tree Pipits Anthus trivialis breeding in Breckland pine plantations

The British Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis population has shown a marked decline in recent decades, together with a range contraction that has been most apparent in central and southeast England. In East Anglia, the species is now largely restricted to heathland and, in particular, the conifer plantations established on light soils in these areas. Here I evaluate how Tree Pipits are influenced by the age of pine restock and the patchiness of habitat in Thetford Forest in the Breckland area of Norfolk and Suffolk, eastern England. Both the probability of occurrence and the densities of territory‐holding Tree Pipits varied according to the age of coupes of restock – densities peaking in restock 1–6 years old – and were also significantly higher in coupes (a stand comprising one or more forest subcompartments planted in the same year, usually with the same tree crop) in the largest, most central forest block than in smaller, isolated blocks peripheral to this. Within coupes, the distribution and thus densities of Tree Pipits were limited by the availability of songposts. Few songflights finished on the ground or in flight and displaying birds only perched on restock once trees were at least 3 years old (0.8 m high) – thus, territories were only established away from bordering or retained mature trees once restock had reached this age. Pairing success was reduced among males with territories of less than 1 ha, as found in the highest densities in restock, but was unrelated to the proportion of songflights that individuals finished on perches. Thus, although the availability of songposts limited the distribution of the species, it did not appear to affect individual breeding success. The study highlights the importance of pine plantations for the species in lowland England, but also the benefits of large blocks of habitat and targeted forest management, for instance, the retention of mature trees in coupes of restock for Pipits to use as songposts.

Recent changes in bird populations in British broadleaved woodland

This paper presents estimated national and regional changes in numbers of breeding woodland birds in predominantly broadleaved woodland in Britain between the mid 1980s and 2003–04, derived from the Repeat Woodland Bird Survey (RWBS). A total of 405 sites across Britain for which historical data on bird populations were available were re‐surveyed by BTO and RSPB fieldworkers during the RWBS. Changes were estimated separately for sites surveyed by the RSPB (n = 252) and BTO (n = 153) because of differences between the two groups in the field methods used in the original surveys. Changes between the 1960s and 1970s and 2003–04 were also estimated with the BTO data set only. The BTO and RSPB sites provide geographically complementary coverage of Britain and together provide much more widespread coverage than did the Common Bird Census (CBC), the former national monitoring scheme. Nationally, between the 1980s and 2003–04, six species declined significantly and three increased significantly based on the RSPB data, whereas eight declined and 13 increased according to the BTO data, with good correspondence between the changes recorded by the two data sets (only seven of 34 species showing trends differing in direction). Eight species showed large national declines (> 25%) according to both data sets: Garden Warbler Sylvia borin, Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor, Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata, Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis, Willow Tit Poecile montanus, Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus and Wood Warbler P. sibilatrix. Eleven species showed large national increases (> 25%) in both data sets: Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus, Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita, Coal Tit Periparus ater, Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major, Great Tit Parus major, Green Woodpecker Picus viridis, Goldcrest Regulus regulus, European Robin Erithacus rubecula, Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familaris and Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes. Analysis of the longer‐term changes using the BTO data set showed significant declines between the 1960s and 2003–04 in seven species and increases in 12 species. The large declines detected by the national monitoring schemes (CBC/BBS) for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Redpoll, Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Willow Tit, Willow Warbler and Wood Warbler were all confirmed by the RWBS but the declines of the Common Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula, Marsh Tit Poecile palustris and Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus were not clearly supported. The declines detected by the RWBS for Garden Warbler, Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca and Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus were not evident from the national monitoring schemes. Most of the increases detected by the monitoring schemes were confirmed by the RWBS. However, the large increases detected by the RWBS for Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Great Tit and Eurasian Treecreeper were unexpected. All long‐distance migrants have declined whilst medium‐distance migrants (Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff) have increased. Also, rare and specialist woodland species have fared less well than common and generalist species.

Stand selection by birds in Scots pinewoods in Scotland: the need for more old‐growth pinewood

A study at Abernethy Forest, Scotland, examined stand selection by some of the birds of conservation concern that inhabit pinewoods. Abernethy Forest was ideally suited for the study because all four main stand types of forest development (stand initiation, stem exclusion, understorey reinitiation and old‐growth) were represented. Capercaillies Tetrao urogallus(both males and females) and crossbills Loxiaspp. preferred old‐growth pinewood in winter, and Redstarts Phoenicurus phoenicurusand Tree Pipits Anthus trivialispreferred old‐growth in summer. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major selected snags in old‐growth to excavate nest and roost sites. In winter, Crested Tits Parus cristatus had a weak selection for old‐growth stands and Bullfinches Pyrrhula pyrrhulapreferred stands at initiation. Possible reasons for these preferences are put forward. Although the area of conifer woodland in Scotland is 888 000 ha, it largely comprises North American species destined to be cut before reaching old‐growth. Old‐growth pinewood in Scotland is largely confined to the fragments of ancient native pinewood, amounting to only 16 000 ha. To conserve some pinewood birds of conservation concern, a mechanism to allow more Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris woods to reach and remain in an old‐growth state needs to be pursued.

Breeding bird communities in the upland margins (ffridd) of Wales in the mid-1980s

Capsule The bird communities in the Welsh marginal uplands were frequently distinct from those of adjacent habitats and consisted of heterogeneous mixtures of species strongly influenced by vegetation composition and land-use. Aims To provide a unique description of the influence of vegetation, altitude and regional position on the bird communities of upland margins and to create a baseline against which future changes in these communities may be assessed. Methods Survey data collected at 120 sites in 1985–87 were used to identify broad relationships between habitat and bird communities. This was complemented by habitat descriptions made at exact locations occupied by individual birds. Results Bird communities in Bracken-dominated sites, especially those with relatively high numbers of scattered trees and bushes, held more species than sites dominated by grassland and other moorland vegetation. Relationships between species and habitat were broadly consistent at both the scale of whole sites and the scale of patches occupied by individual birds. Abundance of scattered trees and bushes was important for a diverse range of passerines; extent of Gorse Ulex spp. scrub was important for several species. Geographical location and topography appeared to have secondary effects on bird communities relative to those of vegetation composition. Conclusions The Welsh marginal uplands hold diverse bird communities, strongly affected by local vegetation composition and usually different from those of adjacent moorland, woodland and farmland. Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis, Whinchat Saxicola rubetra, Linnet Carduelis cannabina and Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella were among the species likely to be more abundant in the upland margins than in adjacent habitats. There is a need to assess whether these communities have changed since the mid-1980s, especially in relation to high sheep grazing pressure. However, agricultural abandonment of marginal areas may occur in the future which could eventually reduce habitat availability for several bird species and reduce avian diversity in the Welsh uplands.

Nest orientation and hatching success in the tree pipit Anthus trivialis

Many open‐nesting bird species orient their nests relative to surrounding vegetation to avoid adverse environmental conditions. In eastern England, tree pipit Anthus trivialis nests predominantly faced east, an orientation that provided shelter from prevailing WSW winds, allowed warming by the morning sun and which, together with relatively high field layer cover, shaded nest contents from the midday sun. Mean orientation moved from south to north through the breeding season as temperatures increased, suggesting that solar radiation was a key influence on nest placement for tree pipits in the study area. Tree pipit nests with eastward orientations experienced better hatching success than those in less‐preferred orientations and it is suggested that this was due to their thermal advantages. In contrast, nest orientation had no influence on nestling survival.

Effects of magnetic manipulations on orientation: comparing diurnal and nocturnal passerine migrants on Capri, Italy in autumn

Orientation cage experiments were performed on Capri in Italy, with a diurnal passerine migrant (Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis), and a nocturnal passerine migrant (Garden Warbler Sylvia borin), to study the use of magnetic compass information during autumn passage migration. The experiments were performed outdoors at sunset in: (1) the local geomagnetic field under natural clear skies, (2) a shifted magnetic field (mN −90°) under clear skies, and (3) a shifted magnetic field (mN −90°) under simulated overcast skies. Day migrating Tree Pipits showed a clear shift in orientation compared to controls (i.e. local geomagnetic field and clear sky conditions) corresponding roughly with the magnetic shift (mN −90°) under clear as well as overcast skies, while the Garden Warbler migrating at night, did not respond to the same magnetic manipulations by shifting their preferred directions in the cages. The mean orientation of Tree Pipits did not differ from the sun’s position during experiments, while it was clearly different in Garden Warblers. Species-specific orientation responses to experimental manipulations in caged compared to freeflying migrants is discussed.

Population changes of some bird species in Scottish and Welsh Atlantic Oakwoods between the 1980s and 2003/4 using data from the repeat Woodland Bird Survey

Summary Atlantic Oakwoods support a unique breeding avifaunal community, characterised by redstarts, wood warblers, pied flycatchers and tree pipits. We have used a sample of data from the national Repeat Woodland Bird Survey to examine population changes in these four species within Atlantic Oakwoods over the last two decades. We used data from 29 woods in Argyll in western Scotland surveyed in 1985, and from 27 woods in Gwynedd in northwest Wales surveyed in 1983 and compare them with data from repeat surveys carried out in 2003 and 2004. In this paper, we report the population changes for these species between these two periods and examine whether changes differed between Scottish and Welsh sites.

Maximally selected two-sample statistics as a new tool for the identification and assessment of habitat factors with an application to breeding-bird communities in oak forests

Near-natural forest management is one of the major principles of modern forestry in central Europe. A measure commonly used for the assessment of logging is the occurrence and density of character species typical for the local biotope. Near-natural forest structures can be designed only when sufficient knowledge about the relationship between species and habitat factors is available. We suggest the use of simple cutpoint regression models for the derivation of statistically valid rules of thumb. The methodology is applied to bird and structure data of ancient and present oak coppices with standards to demonstrate its practical application. The cutpoints are derived from estimates of break points by means of maximally selected two-sample statistics, and their validity is judged by multiple test procedures. Detailed results are presented for character species and their relationships to the environment. We show that, for example, the tree pipit (Anthus trivialis) is missing in stands with more than 40% canopy overstorey, whereas this species can be regularly observed in more open stands. For the tree pipit, the analysis is illustrated by means of a free software package.