Showing papers in "Bird Study in 1978"
TL;DR: This paper investigates the migrations of British breeding Curlews, and of those foreign breedingCurlews which visit Britain and Ireland, and the mortality rates for the species are revised.
Abstract: This paper investigates the migrations of British breeding Curlews, and of those foreign breeding Curlews which visit Britain and Ireland. Mortality rates for the species are also revised.
39 citations
TL;DR: Observations of feeding Grey Herons on the Y than indicate that firstyear birds are less efficient than adults at foraging for food.
Abstract: Observations of feeding Grey Herons on the Y than indicate that firstyear birds are less efficient than adults at foraging for food. Smaller fish (under 150mm in length) are often swallowed alive, and flatfish (the chief prey there) are sometimes caught by being stabbed with one or both mandibles.
34 citations
TL;DR: The early breeding season of the Dipper appears to be an adaptation to a food supply that is most abundant in early spring; and the consistent reuse of the same nest for replacement and true second clutches enables the birds to save time and utilise more efficiently the temporary abundance of food.
Abstract: A BTO nest record cards analysis. The early breeding season of the Dipper appears to be an adaptation to a food supply that is most abundant in early spring; and the consistent reuse of the same nest for replacement and true second clutches enables the birds to save time and utilise more efficiently the temporary abundance of food.
34 citations
TL;DR: Reed and Sedge Warblers have recently been the subjects of much cooperative investigation, and this paper contributes to the enquiry by contrasting the two species and pointing to areas requiring further study.
Abstract: Reed and Sedge Warblers have recently been the subjects of much cooperative investigation Based on the BTO nest record cards, this paper contributes to the enquiry by contrasting the two species and pointing to areas requiring further study
33 citations
TL;DR: The different age classes of great skuas show marked variations in their marine ranges and mortality causes, and it is shown that it may take more than one year for a cohort to recover from the effects of a 'wreck' as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The different age-classes of Great Skuas show marked variations in their marine ranges and mortality causes; and it is shown that it may take more than one year for a cohort to recover from the effects of a ‘wreck’
28 citations
TL;DR: Turnstones wintering on the seaboard of western Europe breed in Greenland and north-east Canada as discussed by the authors, where they pause to replenish fat reserves, but then continue south to African moulting and wintering grounds.
Abstract: Almost all Turnstones wintering on the seaboard of western Europe breed in Greenland and north-east Canada. Turnstones breeding in northern Europe migrate through the North Sea, where they pause to replenish fat reserves, but then continue south to African moulting and wintering grounds.
25 citations
TL;DR: This paper provides the first descriptions of undoubted hybrids of these gulls to be found in Britain, associated with colonies where there has been experimental ‘cross-fostering’ of eggs.
Abstract: This paper provides the first descriptions of undoubted hybrids of these gulls to be found in Britain. These cases are associated with colonies where there has been experimental ‘cross-fostering’ of eggs, and the rarity of hybrids in relation to the scale of these experiments suggests that such birds are at considerable selective disadvantage.
23 citations
TL;DR: The study, of how Hebridean crofting practice influences the biology of breeding waders, reveals how amateur research can identify areas of conservation concern.
Abstract: This paper has been awarded the first Boddy & Sparrow Prize, to be given annually for personal research published in a BTO journal. The study, of how Hebridean crofting practice influences the biology of breeding waders, reveals how amateur research can identify areas of conservation concern.
19 citations
TL;DR: The relationship between the European and African avifaunas was investigated in this article, where the authors focused on the relationships between the two species in terms of diversity and diversity of habitats.
Abstract: (1978). Relationships between the European and African Avifaunas. Bird Study: Vol. 25, No. 3, pp. 134-148.
18 citations
TL;DR: This Scottish study offers comparisons with a previous national Nest Record Card analysis based on mainly English data, which found that in the north, clutches average larger and are laid later, and larger clutches are more successful.
Abstract: This Scottish study offers comparisons with a previous national Nest Record Card analysis based on mainly English data. In the north, clutches average larger and are laid later, and larger clutches are more successful. Within a clutch hatching appears not to be synchronised; and nestling growth rates are not correlated with brood size. The overall breeding success found in Lowland Scotland was 76.3%.
17 citations
TL;DR: The largest increase noted this year was 54% for Chifichaffs on farmland (39% in woodland), while the biggest decline was one of 33% for Little Owls.
Abstract: This paper reports on the 16th year of the Common Birds Census, and details index changes between the years 1976–1977. The largest increase noted this year was 54% for Chifichaffs on farmland (39% in woodland), while the biggest decline was one of 33% for Little Owls.
TL;DR: The importance of predator pressure in controlling Woodpigeon numbers was highlighted in this article, which showed that Wood pigeons achieve higher densities in rural areas than in urban parks, though the reverse can apply in central Europe; and in both situations their numbers tend to be inversely related to the numbers of Carrion/Hooded Crows.
Abstract: This London study emphasises the importance of predator pressure in controlling Woodpigeon numbers. In Britain Wood pigeons achieve higher densities in rural areas than in urban parks, though the reverse can apply in central Europe; and in both situations their numbers tend to be inversely related to the numbers of Carrion/Hooded Crows. which species emerges as one of the more serious predators.
TL;DR: Evidence is presented to show that Grey Herons defend feeding territories, and the associated aggressive behaviour is described.
Abstract: Evidence is presented to show that Grey Herons defend feeding territories, and the associated aggressive behaviour is described. Adults are more successful than immature birds in territorial conflicts.
TL;DR: An analysis of ringing recoveries for Blackbirds since 1909 has shown a change in their seasonal distribution, fewer birds being found dead in winter and proportionally more birds being killed by traffic and cats in the breeding season.
Abstract: An analysis of ringing recoveries for Blackbirds since 1909 has shown a change in their seasonal distribution, fewer birds being found dead in winter. Proportionally more birds are now killed by traffic and cats in the breeding season. June-July is a critical period for juvenile Blackbirds, particularly if these months are relatively dry.
TL;DR: The British Rook population increased steadily up to the 1950s or (in some areas) to the early 1960s, but declined seriously thereafter as mentioned in this paper, and reached 907,717 nests in the United Kingdom in 1975.
Abstract: Comparisons of national Rook censuses in 1944–46 and 1975, and various local surveys between these dates, showed that the British Rook population increased steadily up to the 1950s or (in some areas) to the early 1960s, but declined seriously thereafter. In 1975, 94% coverage of the United Kingdom produced counts totalling 907,717 nests.
TL;DR: A survey of numerical data from regional sources suggests that the British wintering population of Purple Sandpipers is between 14,500 and 23,000 birds, mainly concentrated in the north-east.
Abstract: A survey of numerical data from regional sources suggests that the British wintering population of Purple Sandpipers is between 14,500 and 23,000 birds, mainly concentrated in the north-east.
TL;DR: Large numbers of Ringed Plovers pass through Morecambe Bay in spring, believed bound for Greenland, but in autumn, when numbers are smaller, two separate stocks are involved: a moulting population drawn from temperate Europe, and birds of arctic origins which pause to put on weight but do not moult there.
Abstract: Large numbers of Ringed Plovers pass through Morecambe Bay in spring, believed bound for Greenland. In autumn, when numbers are smaller, two separate stocks are involved: a moulting population drawn from temperate Europe (some of which overwinter), and birds of arctic origins which pause to put on weight but do not moult there.
TL;DR: In a fen bird reserve it was found that the coppicing of willows doubled the density of breeding birds to a remarkable 1,490 pairs/km2.
Abstract: In a fen bird reserve it was found that the coppicing of willows doubled the density of breeding birds to a remarkable 1,490 pairs/km2. Thus coppicing has become an integral part of this reserve's management.
TL;DR: This paper reported only the second moulting concentration of Shelducks to be found in Britain and only the third in western Europe, and there may be a link with an overall increase in Shelduck numbers.
Abstract: This paper reports only the second moulting concentration of Shelducks to be found in Britain, and only the third in western Europe. There may be a link with an overall increase in Shelduck numbers.
TL;DR: Some 780–950 pairs of Ringed Plovers and 310–375 pairs of Dunlins breed in these three Outer Hebridean islands, representing significant proportions of their British breeding populations.
Abstract: Some 780–950 pairs of Ringed Plovers and 310–375 pairs of Dunlins breed in these three Outer Hebridean islands, representing significant proportions of their British breeding populations. Habitat preferences are discussed.
TL;DR: The localised nature of British wintering flocks enables them to be counted with a fair degree of accuracy as mentioned in this paper, and the average winter population is estimated at 10,300 birds; at least 27% of these are in Lancashire, whereas no other county holds more than 8% of the national midwinter total.
Abstract: The localised nature of British wintering flocks enables them to be counted with a fair degree of accuracy. Our average winter population is estimated at 10,300 birds; at least 27% of these are in Lancashire, whereas no other county holds more than 8% of the national midwinter total.
TL;DR: A quantitative, year-round habitat assessment has demonstrated the importance of gorse to insectivorous passerines on heathland.
Abstract: A quantitative, year-round habitat assessment has demonstrated the importance of gorse to insectivorous passerines on heathland.
TL;DR: The wide range of habitats present at Gibraltar Point includes excellent examples of saltmarsh and sea buckthorn scrub, and is reflected in a most interesting and diverse bird community Changes in the bird life between two mapping censuses, nine years apart, including a large scale decrease of the Whitethroat and increases of Wren, Linnet and Redpoll, are discussed as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The wide range of habitats present at Gibraltar Point includes excellent examples of saltmarsh and sea buckthorn scrub, and is reflected in a most interesting and diverse bird community Changes in the bird life between two mapping censuses, nine years apart, including a large scale decrease of the Whitethroat and increases of Wren, Linnet and Redpoll, are discussed
TL;DR: This study of primary moult in the Lapwing, using conventional methodology, shows that the duration is considerably longer than was estimated previously by a novel technique based on the collection of discarded primaries from roost sites.
Abstract: This study of primary moult in the Lapwing, using conventional methodology, shows that the duration is considerably longer than was estimated previously by a novel technique based on the collection of discarded primaries from roost sites.
TL;DR: This paper of a year-round description of the bird-life of an upland reserve in Wales shows that numerical fluctuations can be correlated with national trends.
Abstract: This paper oflers a year-round description of the bird-life of an upland reserve in Wales. Breeding species are discussed according to habitat preferences; in several instances numerical fluctuations can be correlated with national trends.