Breeding population trends and recent changes in the nesting behaviour of the White Stork Ciconia ciconia L., 1758 in Navarre, north of Spain

The white stork Ciconia ciconia is one of the most emblematic birds in rural habitats of Europe. Its populations showed a drastic decline during the 20th century, followed by a rapid recovery in the last decades. The population increase has led to a relaxation in the specie’s monitoring effort, the last Spanish national official census having been conducted more than 15 years ago. In order to update this knowledge, this study shows the results of a breeding population census conducted in Navarre during the spring of 2018, describing the preferences in nest location, and comparing the current breeding population size with that described in the literature published since 1960. Our results show a breeding population of 739 pairs, which is the highest value ever recorded. However, this increase in the number of pairs has not been associated with a significant expansion of the specie’s distribution area, which is still limited to the southern half of Navarre. The only relevant colonisation would be the 5 pairs established in the Pamplona district. Most pairs (86.3%) nested in colonies, with an average size of 9.2 nests. Most of the nests were located in trees (49.0%), followed by buildings (28.8%), cut trees (10.0%), pylons (6.9%) and other types of structures (antennas, chimneys, artificial nests, cranes..., 5.3%). A comparison of the current situation with previous censuses shows that there has been an annual population growth rate of 6.6%, with an important change in nesting habits, both in the percentage of pairs that nest in colonies and in the substrate selected to build the nest. The possible causes that could explain these changes and the conservation implications for the species are discussed.

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Population dynamics of the White Stork Ciconia ciconia in Slovenia between 1999 and 2010

Acrocephalus ◽

10.2478/v10100-010-0007-4 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 31 (145-146) ◽

pp. 101-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Damijan Denac

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Breeding Success ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Breeding Population ◽

White Stork ◽

Breeding Period ◽

Ciconia Ciconia ◽

White Storks ◽

Breeding Grounds ◽

Unfavourable Weather

Population dynamics of the White StorkCiconia ciconiain Slovenia between 1999 and 2010Between 1999 and 2010, an annual census of the White StorkCiconia ciconiabreeding population was carried out in Slovenia using standardised methods. The Stork's population was concentrated in the NE and SE parts of Slovenia. In the 1999-2010 period, the breeding range of its population in Slovenia expanded in NW direction (the Savska ravan region), in SW direction (the Notranjsko podolje and Pivško podolje regions), but the species also colonized a part between Central and SE Slovenia (Dolenjsko podolje). Between 193 and 240 pairs were breeding during the study period, 209 pairs on average (HPa). The largest number of breeding pairs was recorded in 2004, the smallest in 2005. During the study period, breeding pairs (HPa) occupied 350 discrete nests in total. Average number of breeding pairs that raised juveniles (HPm) was 161. The highest fecundity was recorded in 2004, when 534 juveniles (JZG) fledged, the lowest in 2006, with only 219 fledged juveniles. On average, 414 juveniles fledged per year. The breeding pairs' (JZa) average breeding success in these 12 years was 2.02, the highest in 2000 (2.41), the lowest in 2006 (1.09). Average breeding success for the successful breeding pairs (JZm) was 2.57. The highest was in 2007 (2.94), the lowest in 2006 (2.07). The largest number of breeding pairs in 2004 and 2008 can be explained by the favourable fecundity in the population in 2000 and 2004, as juveniles become sexually mature at the age of 3-5 years, and at that age they generally return to the breeding grounds for the first time. The lowest number of breeding pairs and poor breeding success in 2005 and 2006 was caused by late arrival of White Storks to the breeding grounds and by unfavourable weather conditions during the breeding period. The pattern of nests placement did not change generally during the last 12 years. The largest proportion of nests was positioned on various kinds of poles (81%) and on chimneys (18%). In total, 27 area surveyors and 239 assistants helped in census realisation.

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Results of the White Stork's counts (Ciconia ciconia L.) in National Nature Park "Pyriatynskyi" and surrounding area

Bulletin of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Series Biology ◽

10.17721/1728_2748.2020.81.11-17 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 81 (2) ◽

pp. 11-17

Author(s):

V. Kazannyk ◽

O. Martiusheva ◽

N. Mylenko

Keyword(s):

Breeding Success ◽

Nest Site ◽

Average Density ◽

Nest Site Selection ◽

White Stork ◽

Surrounding Area ◽

Artificial Nests ◽

Ciconia Ciconia ◽

Nature Park ◽

The Mean

The monitoring of population state of White Stork (Ciconia ciconia L.) in the National Nature Park "Pyriatynskyi" and surrounding area was carried out in 2014–2019. The number of nests in the area was counted and the nest site selection were investigated. A breeding success analysis was also conducted. There were from 86 to 102 nests occupied by storks observed for a six-year study period. The mean number of fledglings in relation to all nest occupying breeding pairs (JZa) was 2,43 ± 0,04 (n = 570), and in relation to breeding pairs with nestlings (JZm) was 2,75 ± 0,04 (n = 502). The percentage of unsuccessful pairs was 10,07 % (%HPo). In different years, breeding success (the proportion of successful pairs with fledglings) ranged from 78,43 % in 2017 to 98,94 % in 2015. The majority of pairs fledged 2 (34,93 %) or 3 (36,92 %) young, that makes 71,85% of broods for total. Broods of 5 nestlings, which is the maximum value for the study area, are rare and registered not every year. Only 4,44% of the total number of such nests was identified for six years. During 2015–2016 storks hatched a smaller number of nestlings, but far more successfully fledged them than in the previous year 2014 and subsequent 2018–2019 years. The year 2017 became the most unfavorable for stork breeding in the region of the park – birds raised the smallest number of fledglings, and the proportion of unsuccessful pairs was the largest for the years of observation. All found nests of a White Stork are located singly within the boundaries of settlements. The preferred nest site is on poles (69,29 % of the total nest number), other types of placement are less common (trees, buildings of various types, water towers and artificial nests). 10 or more nests of storks were recorded in the villages Deimanivka, Povstyn, Antonivka, Usivka and Kaplyntsi located in the floodplain of the Udai river. The average density of nests per settlement was 1,7 ± 0,3 km2.

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White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)

10.2173/bow.whisto1.01 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew Elliott ◽

Ernest Garcia ◽

Peter F. D. Boesman

Keyword(s):

White Stork ◽

Ciconia Ciconia

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Description of Haemoproteus ciconiae sp. nov. (Haemoproteidae, Haemosporida) from the white stork Ciconia ciconia, with remarks on insensitivity of established polymerase chain reaction assays to detect this infection

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-016-5007-4 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 115 (7) ◽

pp. 2609-2616 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Gediminas Valkiūnas ◽

Mikas Ilgūnas ◽

Dovilė Bukauskaitė ◽

Tatjana A. Iezhova

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

White Stork ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Ciconia Ciconia ◽

Polymerase Chain

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Biomarkers of oxidative status associated with metal pollution in the blood of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) in Spain

Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry ◽

10.1080/02772248.2015.1051484 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 97 (5) ◽

pp. 588-598 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

I. de la Casa-Resino ◽

D. Hernández-Moreno ◽

A. Castellano ◽

F. Soler Rodríguez ◽

M. Pérez-López

Keyword(s):

Metal Pollution ◽

Oxidative Status ◽

White Stork ◽

Ciconia Ciconia

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Mercury in White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) Chick Feathers from Northeastern Mediterranean Areas in Relation to Age, Brood Size, and Hatching Order

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology ◽

10.1007/s00244-010-9606-2 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 327-336 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Vassilis Goutner ◽

Peter H. Becker ◽

Vasilios Liordos ◽

Efstathios P. Tsachalidis

Keyword(s):

Brood Size ◽

White Stork ◽

Ciconia Ciconia ◽

Hatching Order ◽

Mediterranean Areas

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The first observation of obligate saproxylic chafer larvae inside white stork Ciconia ciconia nest

Journal of Insect Conservation ◽

10.1007/s10841-018-0106-4 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (5-6) ◽

pp. 795-797

Author(s):

Adam Zbyryt ◽

Andrzej Oleksa

Keyword(s):

White Stork ◽

Ciconia Ciconia

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Population dynamics of five riverbed breeding bird species on the lower Drava River, NE Slovenia

Acrocephalus ◽

10.1515/acro-2017-0008 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (174-175) ◽

pp. 85-126

Author(s):

Luka Božič ◽

Damijan Denac

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Bird Species ◽

Breeding Population ◽

Population Increase ◽

General Situation ◽

Breeding Bird ◽

Main River Channel ◽

Extreme Flood ◽

Gravel Bars ◽

Gravel Bar

AbstractIn 2006–2017, annual censuses of breeding bird species regarded as indicators of natural rivers were carried out on the 38.9 km long lowland stretch of the Drava riverbed between Maribor and Zavrč with altered flow regime due to the operating hydropower plants. Gravel bar habitats were surveyed in four years of the study period by combining orthophoto analysis and analysis of field photographs. Effects of gravel bar management were evaluated based at 20 locations. The Little Ringed PloverCharadrius dubiusoccurred on 39.8% of the gravel bars, but most were occupied only in a few years and held just one breeding pair. Low numbers between 2009 and 2012 (< 30 pairs) were followed by a steep population increase from 2014 onwards to a maximum of 66–73 pairs (1.7–1.9 p/km). Such population dynamics was attributed to the lack of large discharges (>500 m3/s) and consequent overgrowing of riverbed in the first part of the study period, while the increase in the second part was due to the creation of extensive shingle areas (from 20,6 ha in 2009/10 to 37,8 ha in 2014) by the extreme flood in early November 2012, subsequent regular occurrence of large discharges outside the breeding seasons and large-scale removals of woody vegetation. Breeding population of Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosremained at a rather similar low level (<20 p) during most of the period studied after an initial decline, and did not reflect changes in the overall surface area of riverbed habitats. Contrary to the general situation, the number of breeding pairs on gravel bars subjected to management increased several-fold. Maximum number of pairs on these bars was reached up to four years after the initiation of management measures, as only then the optimal mosaic of early successional stages interspersed with shingle areas developed at main sites. The species was widespread only on lower part of the Drava. KingfisherAlcedo atthiswas fairly widely distributed along the riverbed, but occurred in rather low densities throughout (c. one pair on 2–3 km of the studied riverbed on average), probably as a result of limited bank erosion and consequent overgrowing/lack of suitable nest sites. The population was estimated as stable with effects of harsh winter conditions on breeding numbers in some years. The majority of nest holes were excavated in eroded river banks along the main river channel (77.8%), followed by similar sites located in mouth areas of small tributaries of the Drava (14.8%). Regular breeding of Sand MartinRiparia ripariasince 2012 (up to 259, mostly at only one location annually) was almost exclusively the result of the annual artificial nest site preparation programme. Fairly large gravel bar-breeding population of White WagtailMotacilla alba, monitored since 2013 and predominantly ground nesting in sparsely vegetated areas, seems unusual considering the prevalent breeding habits of the species at the European scale. Conservation implications and guidelines for future management efforts are discussed.

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