Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

About: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is a nonprofit organization based out in Sandy, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Biodiversity. The organization has 670 authors who have published 1425 publications receiving 88006 citations. The organization is also known as: RSPB & Plumage League.

Comparative Demographics of Tropical and Temperate Roseate Terns

Abstract: This paper presents a summary of the four preceding papers and integrates them with previously-published data to compare demographic parameters of Roseate Terns breeding in tropical and temperate regions. Tropical Roseate Terns appear to breed less frequently than temperate birds and raise far fewer chicks to fledging when they do breed. Nevertheless, the three estimates of adult survival rates of tropical populations that were presented in this symposium are lower than those for temperate populations (0.71-0.82 yr-1 vs 0.83-0.90 yr-1). Two estimates of juvenile survival (from fledging to age 1 or 2 years) of tropical birds are slightly higher than comparable estimates for a temperate population, but the differences are not sufficient to offset the lower productivity. Data on ages at first breeding are similar in the two regions. Given their irregular breeding and low productivity, the true survival rates of tropical Roseate Terns must be much higher than those estimated in this symposium. The ad...

Patterns of nest placement in a population of Marsh Tits Poecile palustris

Abstract: The factors influencing nest placement by territorial birds are not fully understood, including the roles played by habitat, conspecific attraction and female experience of a previous nesting location. We used 7 years of Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris) nest-site and territory data, and high-resolution vegetation models derived from remote sensing, to investigate spatial patterns of nest placement with regard to previous female experience and age, conspecific attraction, and habitat in a woodland environment. We found no evidence for an effect of conspecific attraction or previous nest location on nest placement within the territory. However, first-year (FY) females placed nests in a random spatial pattern within their territories, and after first-year (AFY) females predominantly placed nests within the central parts of their territories, away from conspecifics. The core area of each breeding territory was centred on a region of comparatively taller overstorey and less understorey than other parts of the territory. Nest-sites were situated in localised areas of a similar structure, although absolute differences between selected and non-selected areas of the territory were not substantial. Both female age groups nested in areas of the territory where the overstorey contained relatively more Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and Field Maple (Acer campestre), which may have been related to tree height, but there was no selection for English Oak (Quercus robur). We found no significant habitat differences between the territories of FY and AFY females that explained their differing patterns of nest placement.

Measuring the intensity of conflicts in conservation

Abstract: Conflicts between the interests of biodiversity conservation and other human activities pose a major threat to natural ecosystems and human well-being, yet few methods exist to quantify their intensity and model their dynamics. We develop a categorization of conflict intensity based on the curve of conflict, a model originally used to track the escalation and deescalation of armed conflicts. Our categorization assigns six intensity levels reflecting the discourse and actions of stakeholders involved in a given conflict, from coexistence or collaboration to physical violence. Using a range of case studies, we demonstrate the value of our approach in quantifying conflict trends, estimating transition probabilities between conflict stages, and modeling conflict intensity as a function of relevant covariates. By taking an evidence-based approach to quantifying stakeholder behavior, the proposed framework allows for a better understanding of the drivers of conservation conflict development across a diverse range of socioecological scenarios.

Giant Petrels Macronectes Hunting Northern Rockhopper Penguins Eudyptes moseleyi at Sea

Abstract: Adult penguins eaten at sea form a large proportion of the diet of giant petrels Macronectes spp. It is widely assumed that they are scavenged after being killed or injured by more agile predators such as fur seals Arctocephalus spp. We observed non-breeding Northern Giant Petrels M. halli hunting and killing Northern Rockhopper Penguins Eudyptes moseleyi offshore from a penguin colony on Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha. Penguins were killed at an average rate of 0.4 h-1 spent hunting by petrels. The most successful technique was a stabbing vertical lunge as a penguin surfaced or swam close to the surface near a petrel, but some were caught when a petrel dropped onto a group of penguins from the air, or when penguins fell back into the sea after attempting to land. Petrels also tried to sneak up on penguins resting on the surface by swimming towards them while lying flat on the water, but none of these ‘stealth’ attacks was successful. Penguins killed were grasped by the hind-neck and held underwater...