Dataset Information

Effect of nest age and habitat variables on nest survival in Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) in a fishpond habitat.

ABSTRACT: Background:One important anti-predator strategy adopted by birds involves nest site selection and timing of breeding. Nest-site selection by marsh-nesting birds often involves nest concealment and water depth as key features influencing nest survival. Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) is an obligate ground nester, which sets it apart from other raptors. The aim of the present study was to identify for the first time possible temporal and habitat factors affecting nest survival in Marsh Harrier. Understanding features which affect nest survival are essential for assessing relevant conservation strategies. Methods:To understand the relative contributions of different temporal and habitat variables to brood losses, it is useful to determine the daily survival rate (DSR). We examined 82 Marsh Harrier nests located on fishponds in eastern Poland, where predation is the main cause of nest loss. Six habitat variables were measured for each active nest. DSR was calculated using known-fate models with the RMark package. Results:The best-supported model predicted that DSR decreased with nest age and was positively affected by the water depth and the diameter of reed stems, but not by the height or density of vegetation at the nest site. The distances of nests to the fishpond dyke and to open water received no support in the models. The chances of nest survival were lower if a neighbouring nest had been depredated. This result suggests that the Marsh Harrier is more susceptible to mammalian than avian predation and confirms the high level of predator pressure in fishpond habitats.

SUBMITTER: Zaremba U

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7486826 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Effect of nest age and habitat variables on nest survival in Marsh Harrier (<i>Circus aeruginosus</i>) in a fishpond habitat.

Zaremba Urszula U Kasprzykowski Zbigniew Z Golawski Artur A

PeerJ 20200909

<h4>Background</h4>One important anti-predator strategy adopted by birds involves nest site selection and timing of breeding. Nest-site selection by marsh-nesting birds often involves nest concealment and water depth as key features influencing nest survival. Marsh Harrier <i>(Circus aeruginosus)</i> is an obligate ground nester, which sets it apart from other raptors. The aim of the present study was to identify for the first time possible temporal and habitat factors affecting nest survival in ...[more]

PMID: 32974108

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Project description:Annual movements have been widely described for birds migrating across the Americas and between Eurasia and Africa, yet relatively little information exists for intra-African migrants. Identifying the areas used throughout a species annual cycle by understanding migratory patterns and settlement areas during breeding and non-breeding seasons is essential for conservation initiatives. Here, we describe for the first time, the migratory patterns and settlement areas of an endangered raptor endemic to Southern Africa, the Black Harrier (Circus maurus). From 2008 to 2015, thirteen breeding adult Black Harriers were trapped in south-western South Africa and fitted either with a GPS-GSM or with a PTT tracker device. Adults were monitored for 365 ± 198 days (range: 56-819 days) revealing great individual variability in annual movements. Most Black Harriers performed an unusual West-East migration from their breeding areas, but routes of all migrating individuals covered the entire southern land area of South Africa and Lesotho. The distance travelled averaged 814 ± 324 km, but unlike many other species, migrants travelled faster during post-breeding (i.e. austral summer) (207.8 ± 113.2 km.day-1) than during pre-breeding (i.e. austral winter/spring) migrations (143.8 ± 32.2 km.day-1). Although most marked individuals displayed movements similar to those that bred following pre-breeding migrations, only two of thirteen were confirmed as breeders the year after being tagged. This suggests that individuals may sometimes take a sabbatical year in reproduction, although this requires confirmation. Most tagged birds died on migration or during the non-breeding season. Adults frequently returned to the same non-breeding settlement areas, and often used up to 3 different locations an average of about 200 km apart. On the other hand, there was wide variation in distance between subsequent reproductive events. We discuss the implications of our study for the conservation of Black Harriers and more broadly for intra-African bird migrants.

Dataset Information

Effect of nest age and habitat variables on nest survival in Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) in a fishpond habitat.

Publications

Effect of nest age and habitat variables on nest survival in Marsh Harrier (<i>Circus aeruginosus</i>) in a fishpond habitat.

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