scholarly journals Population assessment and foraging ecology of the rare solitary bee Anthophora retusa at Seaford Head Nature reserve

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia Hennessy ◽  
Dave Goulson ◽  
Francis L. W. Ratnieks
Keyword(s):  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Solitary Bee ◽  
Male Population ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Plant Groups ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Flight Season ◽  
Declining Species ◽  
Sea Cliff

Abstract Anthophora retusa is a rare solitary bee which has declined throughout Britain and other European countries since the 1990s. It is thought to be restricted to five sites in Britain. However, information on these remaining populations is limited. Knowledge on population size, habitat and forage requirements and foraging distance, are important for successful conservation of species. The population of A. retusa at the Seaford Head Nature reserve in East Sussex was surveyed. Transects within the reserve were conducted and population estimates using mark recapture were made for 2018 and 2019. Pollen from foraging females was analysed alongside visual sightings to determine forage requirements. The total population was estimated to be 91 in 2018 (males and females) with an estimated male population of 167 in 2019. The most visited flower species by females was Glechoma hederacea (66% of visits) but flower preference changed throughout the flight season, shifting to Fabaceae species and Iris foetidissima with 16 plant groups identified in pollen samples. Bees were geographically restricted to a small area within the reserve (approximately 30 ha). Although the exact location of nesting sites was not determined with certainty it is thought nests are in the loess deposits at the top of the inaccessible sea cliff face. This project suggests the presence of appropriate nesting sites may be limiting A. retusa distribution as they appear to forage on common plant species. More research is needed on the exact nesting requirements of the species. Implications for Insect Conservation The findings from this paper help contribute to the limited understanding of the ecology of this rare and declining species. By knowing the forage requirements of A. retusa, other areas where it is found can ensure these are present within a short distance of nest sites, hopefully ensuring the survival of individual populations and therefore the species.

scholarly journals Tracking data and retrospective analyses of diet reveal the consequences of loss of marine subsidies for an obligate scavenger, the Andean condor

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1879) ◽  
pp. 20180550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio A. Lambertucci ◽  
Joan Navarro ◽  
José A. Sanchez Zapata ◽  
Keith A. Hobson ◽  
Pablo A. E. Alarcón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Average Distance ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Marine Subsidies ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Foraging Pattern ◽  
Andean Condor

Over the last century, marine mammals have been dramatically reduced in the world's oceans. We examined evidence that this change caused dietary and foraging pattern shifts of the Andean condor ( Vultur gryphus ) in Patagonia. We hypothesized that, after the decrease in marine mammals and the increase in human use of coastlines, condor diet changed to a more terrestrial diet, which in turn influenced their foraging patterns. We evaluated the diet by means of stable isotope analysis ( δ 13 C, δ 15 N and δ 34 S) of current (last decade) and historical (1841–1933) feathers. We further evaluated the movement patterns of 23 condors using satellite tracking of individuals. Condors reduced their use of marine-derived prey in recent compared with historical times from 33 ± 13% to less than 8 ± 3% respectively; however, they still breed close to the coast. The average distance between the coast and nests was 62.5 km, but some nests were located close to the sea (less than 5 km). Therefore, some birds must travel up to 86 km from nesting sites, crossing over the mountain range to find food. The worldwide reduction in marine mammal carcasses, especially whales, may have major consequences on the foraging ecology of scavengers, as well as on the flux of marine inputs within terrestrial ecosystems.

scholarly journals Not just any old pile of dirt: evaluating the use of artificial nesting mounds as conservation tools for freshwater turtles

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Paterson ◽  
Brad D. Steinberg ◽  
Jacqueline D. Litzgus
Keyword(s):  
Hatching Success ◽  
Freshwater Turtle ◽  
Transplant Experiment ◽  
Chelydra Serpentina ◽  
Freshwater Turtles ◽  
Aquatic Habitats ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Gravid Females

AbstractThe viability of freshwater turtle populations is largely dependent on the survivorship of reproducing females but females are frequently killed on roads as they move to nesting sites. Installing artificial nesting mounds may increase recruitment and decrease the risk of mortality for gravid females by enticing them to nest closer to aquatic habitats. We evaluated the effectiveness of artificial nesting mounds installed in Algonquin Park, Canada. Artificial mounds were monitored for 2 years to determine if turtles would select them for nest sites. We also simulated turtle paths from wetlands to nests to determine the probability that females would encounter the new habitat. A transplant experiment with clutches of Chrysemys picta and Chelydra serpentina eggs compared nest success and incubation conditions in the absence of predation between artificial mounds and natural sites. More turtles than expected used the artificial mounds, although mounds comprised a small proportion of the available nesting habitat and the simulations predicted that the probability of females encountering mounds was low. Hatching success was higher in nests transplanted to artificial mounds (93%) than in natural nests (56%), despite no differences in heat units. Greater use than expected, high hatching success, and healthy hatchlings emerging from nests in artificial mounds suggest promise for their use as conservation tools.

Nest-Site Fidelity in Griffon Vultures: A Case of Win–Stay/Lose–Shift?

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myriam Freund ◽  
Ofer Bahat ◽  
Uzi Motro
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Gyps Fulvus ◽  
Nest Site Fidelity ◽  
Breeding Attempt ◽  
Shift Strategy

We studied the use of nest-sites by Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) and the breeding success in these sites during 1998–2002 in Gamla Nature Reserve (Israel). Nest-sites in which a breeding attempt succeeded in fledging a young, were more likely to be occupied by nesting vultures in the following breeding season, than nest-sites that experienced a failure. This suggests that Griffon Vultures in Gamla used a Win–Stay/Lose–Shift strategy regarding nest-site fidelity.

Nest-site selection in the Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis) in central New Hampshire

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (12) ◽  
pp. 1172-1177 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L. Goodnow ◽  
L.R. Reitsma
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Ground Structure ◽  
Neotropical Migrant ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Declining Species

Reproductive success in birds is largely influenced by nest-site selection. Nest predators are the greatest source of nest failure for most species of birds. Species that nest on the ground may be particularly adapted to maximally conceal nests to reduce the risk of loss to predators. Little is known about nest-site selection in the Canada Warbler ( Wilsonia canadensis (L., 1766)), a small ground-nesting Neotropical migrant. We predicted higher amounts of vegetative cover at successful nests of Canada Warblers compared with unsuccessful nests because detection by predators would decrease with greater cover. We measured vegetative characteristics (concealment, stem densities, ground cover) around each nest and compared these variables between successful and unsuccessful nests and between actual nests and mock nest sites on and off territories. Greater concealment and higher stem densities were the main features surrounding a successful nest site. Nest sites had significantly greater concealment when compared with both random mock nest sites on and off territories. Thus, concealment is important for this ground nester and achieved primarily through thick cover and strategic nest placement in vertical substrate with an inconspicuous opening to the nest cup. Forests with complex ground structure and thickets of small-stemmed woody plants should be targets of conservation when considering how to manage this declining species.

Breeding and movements of wing-tagged silver gulls (Larus novaehollandiae) at the largest colony in New South Wales

1992 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
GC Smith ◽  
N Carlile ◽  
S Tully
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Return Rate ◽  
Fledging Success ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Double Brooding ◽  
Band Combinations

Wing tags were used in preference to colour/metal band combinations to increase sighting frequency of silver gulls. Wing tags did not affect return rate of breeding adults to the colony compared with banded gulls. Approximately one-third of gulls lost their nests following wing-tagging. There were no instances of double-brooding with fledging success from both attempts. A total of 42% of adults that returned and bred, nested more than once in a season. Up to 4 clutches were produced by pairs within a season. Successful raising of young typically occurred from the first brood of the season. Successful breeders usually nested only once in any one season. In all, 19% of pairs successfully fledged young, but the percentage of young fledged from the number of eggs laid was much lower (5.3%). Nest sites were rarely repeatedly used by the same nesting pair. Individuals moved considerable distances between successive nesting sites within and between seasons. Fidelity to colony was 68% and to mate 22%; these estimates are lower than those from other colonies.

Nest site selection by ants in a flooded Mexican mangrove, with special reference to the epiphytic orchid Myrmecophila christinae

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Dejean ◽  
Sébastien Durou ◽  
Ingrid Olmsted ◽  
Roy R. Snelling ◽  
Jérôme Orivel
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Epiphytic Orchid ◽  
Ant Community ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Red Mangrove ◽  
Nesting Sites

The distribution of the arboreal ant community plus a termite species of the genus Nasutitermes was inventoried on 938 red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle L., trees in a completely flooded mangrove forest of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Colonies sheltered in dry hollow branches of the trees and the pseudobulbs of the epiphytic orchid, Myrmecophila christinae. Two size classes of dry hollow tree branches were categorized in order to test differences in ant distribution. As some trees remained unoccupied by either an ant or a termite colony, we deduced that the competition for nesting sites was low. Differences in the composition of the ant community corresponded to the nature of the shelters (i.e. diameter of the hollow branches or orchid pseudobulbs). The ant fauna was richer in the large dry hollow branches of R. mangle than in the smaller ones, with certain ant species belonging to the subfamilies Ponerinae and Formicinae being significantly more frequent in the large dry hollow branches than in the small ones. Cephalotes and Pseudomyrmex were the most frequent ant genera inhabiting the dry branches of R. mangle, while Dolichoderus bispinosus was the most frequent ant species inhabiting the orchid pseudobulbs. Arboreal Nasutitermes sp. selected mostly the orchid pseudobulbs and thus indirectly interfered with ant nest-site selection. Our results highlight niche differentiation through the selection of nest sites among different types of shelter.

scholarly journals A review of the Santiago Purple Heron Ardea purpurea bournei, with a report of a new colony

1992 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Hazevoet
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Cape Verde ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Nesting Site ◽  
Nesting Sites

SummaryThe Santiago Purple Heron Ardea (purpurea) bournei is endemic to the island of Santiago, Cape Verde Islands. In contrast to nominate purpurea, it nests high in the crowns of large trees. During the 1950s and 1960s, the total population was probably c. 75 pairs, mainly at the now defunct heronry at São Domingos. After the disappearance of that colony during the early 1970s, the only known nesting site was at Boa Entrada, Santa Catarina region, comprising less than 10 pairs. In January 1991, a new colony was discovered at Banana, Ribeira Montanha, with c. 20 recently used nests of which 2–3 had large young in January–February. The current population is thought not to exceed c. 20 pairs. Breeding occurs from late August to March. Apart from two old records in April, there are no records from the non-breeding season. Probably the birds disperse into the mountainous interior of the island after breeding and feed on the dry hillsides. The causes of the decline are unclear, but scarcity of suitable nest-sites and deteriorating climatic conditions may be significant. Because of the extremely small population, the birds and their nesting sites must be protected by law and the local people informed about the birds and their need for protection; educational materials are being developed.

Nestling Of House Sparrow Passer Domesticus In Nest Boxes In Zielona Góra Preliminary Report

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-26
Author(s):  
Damian Markulak
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Report ◽  
House Sparrow ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
European Cities ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Nesting Sites

Abstract The population of House Sparrows in most of European cities declined in the end of the XX century (De Laet & Summers-Smith 2007). One of the presumable reasons of this decline is loss of nest sites. The House sparrow is a secondary hole-nester (Anderson 2006) and places its nest in holes of buildings, shrubs and nest boxes. The rate of nest box occupation depends on the location and competition with other species (Anderson T.R. 2006). The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of nest box occupation by House sparrows in Zielona Góra, Western Poland, which can provide information about the availability of nesting sites.

scholarly journals Feral pigeons as a nest competitor for a small seabird

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beneharo Rodríguez ◽  
Airam Rodríguez ◽  
Felipe Siverio ◽  
Juan Manuel Martínez ◽  
Enrique Sacramento ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Nest Density ◽  
Nest Location ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Breeding Failure ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Calonectris Borealis

Abstract Due to their life-history traits, the petrels are particularly sensitive to predation by introduced species. Therefore, many populations have constricted their original breeding distribution range, currently only occupying predator-free sites. In this scenario, interspecific competition for nesting sites can be detrimental for the petrel’ conservation. Here, we evaluate how the presence of introduced mammals (cats Felis catus and rats Rattus spp.) and potential competitors for nest sites (Cory’s shearwaters Calonectris borealis and feral rock pigeons Columba livia) shape the distribution, breeding density, and breeding performance of the Bulwer’s petrel Bulweria bulwerii on Tenerife, the largest and most densely populated of the Canary Islands. We estimated nest density, assessed the role of nest location and nest characteristics on breeding success, and determined causes of breeding failure by exotic predators and competitors. Nest density was higher in predator-free colonies on marine rocks. Cat presence was the best predictor for nest density, while presence or abundance of competitors had no correlation to nest density. Breeding success varied between years and colonies, but was not related to nest characteristics. Of the unequivocally determined causes of breeding failure, pigeon competition for nests was the most frequent (7.3%), followed by rat predation (6.3%). We also compared petrel and pigeon nest cavities and found a considerable overlap in nesting niche. Our study provides insight on an overlooked impact of the invasive rock pigeon: nest competition with small seabirds. We encourage more research on the effects of pigeons on nest density, disease and pathogen transmission, and vegetation changes within petrel colonies.

Pollinating Efficacy of Osmia cornifrons and Osmia lignaria subsp. lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) on Three Brassicaceae Species Grown Under Field Cages

2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 545-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A. Abel ◽  
Richard L. Wilson ◽  
Richard L. Luhman
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Plant Introduction ◽  
Solitary Bee ◽  
Osmia Lignaria ◽  
North Central ◽  
The North ◽  
Brassicaceae Species ◽  
Native Bee ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
North Central Regional

Until 1997, honey bees, Apis mellifera L., were used to pollinate Brassicaceae grown in field cages at the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS), at Ames, IA. At this time, a solitary bee, Osmia cornifrons (Radoszkowski), was first employed to pollinate the crop in field cages; however, a native bee species, Osmia lignaria subsp. lignaria Say, out-competes O. cornifrons in central Iowa for artificial nesting sites erected for rearing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of these two solitary bee species for producing Brassica napus, B. rapa, and Sinapis alba seed in field cages. There was no difference in seed production for the S. alba accession, PI 209022, or the B. rapa accession, PI 278766, between the two species of Osmia. But, the B. rapa accession, PI 392025, and the B. napus accession, PI 469944, produced significantly more seed when pollinated by O. lignaria subsp. lignaria than by O. cornifrons. Because the native bee is easier to rear and maintain, it will be the pollinator of choice for control pollinating collections of Brassicaceae species maintained at NCRPIS. The commercial use of O. lignaria subsp. lignaria or the related subspecies, O. lignaria subsp. propinqua, should be investigated for improving the production of canola and rapeseed.

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