scholarly journals Circadian preferences of birdwatchers in Poland: do “owls” prefer watching night birds, and “larks” prefer daytime ones?

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8673
Author(s):  
Martyna Frątczak ◽  
Tim H. Sparks ◽  
Christoph Randler ◽  
Piotr Tryjanowski

Birdwatching is a very popular and increasing leisure activity, and the study and observation of birds is more popular in the morning due to the greater activity among birds at that time of day. The aim of our study was to find out whether there was a relationship between the circadian preference of observers and their favourite bird species and whether it was influenced by such factors as professional status, age and gender. In an e-mail survey we asked a total of 433 Polish ornithologists (professionals) or birdwatchers (non-professionals) for their morningness–eveningness preferences (four categories) and favourite (open choice) bird species and received 143 responses. The temporal (circadian) preferences of respondents declined from early morning (35.7%) to evening/nighttime (11.4%). Circadian preference categories differed significantly by age, with early morning respondents significantly older. These preference categories did not differ significantly in terms of response time to the survey invitation or in the percentage of their favourite birds that were categorised as daytime birds. A total of 204 species were identified as favourite birds of which 34 species were mentioned by five or more respondents, with only two, the common crane Grus grus and the Eurasian pygmy owl Glaucidium passerinum mentioned by more than 10% of respondents. The white stork Ciconia ciconia was more popular with professionals than non-professionals and the swift Apus apus less popular. A significant gender × circadian preference interaction was detected for the percentage of favourite birds categorised as daytime birds, with fewer daytime birds among early morning female recorders. The presented results are obviously of a correlative nature, but open the door for further, more advanced study and suggest there may be a need to investigate temporal biases when analysing citizen-based data.


2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (7) ◽  
pp. 1233-1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesus M Avilés

In many bird species juvenile inexperience drastically reduces their survival, and parents must provide for them. I tested whether time budget and habitat use in adult wintering Common Cranes (Grus grus) in dehesas (pastoral woodland) of western Spain were affected by the presence of juveniles. Juvenile cranes devote less time to vigilance and spend more time feeding than adults in dehesas. Likewise, juveniles are involved in fewer aggressive encounters than adult cranes. Contrary to expectation, adults accompanied by juveniles devoted the same amount of time to vigilance and feeding and had the same intake rate than adults without juveniles in attendance. However, adult cranes with offspring in attendance were involved in more aggressive encounters than adults without juveniles in attendance when both adult groups were involved in large flocks. In contrast, when adults accompanied by juveniles were in small flocks they were involved in fewer aggressive encounters than adults without juveniles. I also detected a differential use of dehesas by adult cranes that was linked to juvenile presence and explained by the vulnerability of juvenile cranes in intraspecific social relationships. Adults with juveniles in attendance preferred dehesas with livestock where flock sizes were smaller than those in dehesas without livestock, and therefore where they might reduce the number of aggressive encounters with other cranes.



2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Gryz ◽  
Dagny Krauze-Gryz

Abstract The aim of the study was to combine and summarize data on rare species of breeding forest birds found in the area of the Experimental Forest District near the Rogów village (Łódź Province). Our study area comprised 230 km2 of field and forest mosaic, where forests accounted for almost 17% of the area (13 forest complexes of 35-1000 ha). The results are based on the authors’ own field observations from the years 2000- 2015 as well as historical data since 1949 including original research papers, diploma theses, unpublished manuscripts, oral information and analyses of museum collections. The following criteria were used to categorise bird species as rare: (1) species that ceased breeding in the area, (2) taxa that were under strict protection and their abundance was no higher than 6 breeding pairs. In overall, 10 species were classified as rare, of which three do not breed in the area any more: grey heron Ardea cinerea, osprey Pandion haliaetus, European roller Coracias garrulus. However, non-breeding individuals of grey heron and osprey are still recorded in the area (the last cases of breeding pairs were recorded in the 1970s and 1961, respectively), while the European roller went extinct. In recent years, the abundance of another three species was probably stable: European honey buzzard Pernis apivorus, Eurasian hobby Falco subbuteo and nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus. Four species started breeding in the last 30 years: black stork Ciconia nigra, white-tailed eagle Haliaaetus albicilla, common crane Grus grus, stock dove Columba oenas. The trends in the abundance of the investigated species are similar to those observed in the country in overall.



1999 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Castellani ◽  
Andrew J. Young ◽  
James E. Kain ◽  
Michael N. Sawka

This study examined how time of day affects thermoregulation during cold-water immersion (CWI). It was hypothesized that the shivering and vasoconstrictor responses to CWI would differ at 0700 vs. 1500 because of lower initial core temperatures (Tcore) at 0700. Nine men were immersed (20°C, 2 h) at 0700 and 1500 on 2 days. No differences ( P > 0.05) between times were observed for metabolic heat production (M˙, 150 W ⋅ m−2), heat flow (250 W ⋅ m−2), mean skin temperature (T sk, 21°C), and the mean body temperature-change in M˙(ΔM˙) relationship. Rectal temperature (Tre) was higher ( P < 0.05) before (Δ = 0.4°C) and throughout CWI during 1500. The change in Tre was greater ( P < 0.05) at 1500 (−1.4°C) vs. 0700 (−1.2°C), likely because of the higher Tre-T skgradient (0.3°C) at 1500. These data indicate that shivering and vasoconstriction are not affected by time of day. These observations raise the possibility that CWI may increase the risk of hypothermia in the early morning because of a lower initial Tcore.



2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47
Author(s):  
B.E. Bergstrom ◽  
J.H. Foreman ◽  
C.R. Foreman ◽  
A.M. Barger

Sodium bicarbonate and other alkalinising solutions (‘milkshakes’) have been given to horses surreptitiously before exercise to provide exogenous buffering effects. After an initial positive blood test, some accused horse trainers claim that their horses ‘naturally test high’, so some jurisdictions allow a secured quarantine in which the horse is tested multiple times. The objective of this experiment was to determine the intra- and inter-day variability of plasma total CO2 (tCO2) and other plasma strong ions in a group of sedentary horses housed similarly to a quarantine period. The hypothesis was that plasma tCO2 would not remain constant over a multi-day monitoring interval, but would vary measurably during that interval. Eight sedentary (unconditioned) horses were studied for 2 weeks. Horses were acclimated to a climate-controlled indoor environment and an alfalfa-only diet for a minimum of 10 days prior to sampling. Horses were sampled 3 times daily for 5 consecutive days at 7:00, 11:00 and 15:00 h. Blood samples were collected directly into 10 ml heparinised evacuated glass tubes by jugular venipuncture using a double-ended 0.91 mm needle. Samples were chilled until concentrations of plasma tCO2, Na+, K+, and Cl-, were determined within 1-3 h of sampling using an automated serum chemistry analyzer which was calibrated daily using commercial reagents obtained from the manufacturer as well as externally-obtained NIST-traceable calibrating solutions. Mean results documented mild variations in mean plasma tCO2 (range 28.9-31.6 mmol/l), but individual horses’ plasma tCO2 ranged over 4-7 units. Results showed that there was considerable intra- and inter-individual variability in plasma tCO2. Mean pooled tCO2 and measured strong ion difference (SIDm) differed by time-of-day, with both late morning and early afternoon values lower than early morning values (P<0.001). There was a strong positive linear relationship between plasma SIDm and tCO2 (r=0.75, P<0.001).



Biologia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ľudmila Hamarová ◽  
Matej Repel ◽  
Peter Javorský ◽  
Peter Pristaš

AbstractMigratory birds could be important vectors of pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial resistance transmissions over long distances. The common crane (



2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (S1) ◽  
pp. S87-S95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan R. Studnek

AbstractObjectivesThe objective of this paper is to identify factors associated with compensation for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basics and Paramedics and assess whether these associations have changed over the period 1999-2008.MethodsData obtained from the Longitudinal EMT Attributes and Demographic Study (LEADS) surveys, a mail survey of a random, stratified sample of nationally certified EMT-Basics and Paramedics, were analyzed. For the 1999-2003 period, analyses included all respondents providing Emergency Medical Services (EMS). With the addition of a survey in 2004 about volunteers, it was possible to exclude volunteers from these analyses.ResultsOver 60% of EMT-Basics reported being either compensated or noncompensated volunteers in the 2004-2008 period. This was substantially and significantly greater than the proportion of EMT-Paramedic volunteers (<25%). The EMT-Paramedics earned significantly more than EMT-Basics, with differentials of $11,000-$18,000 over the course of the study. The major source of earnings disparity was type of organization: respondents employed by fire-based EMS agencies reported significantly higher earnings than other respondents, at both the EMT-Basic and EMT-Paramedic levels. Males also earned significantly more than females, with annual earnings differentials ranging from $7,000 to $15,000.ConclusionsThere are a number of factors associated with compensation disparities within the EMS profession. These include type of service (ie, fire-based vs. other types of agencies) and gender. The reasons for these disparities warrant further investigation.StudnekJR. Compensation of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basics and Paramedics. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(Suppl. 1):s87–s95.



2021 ◽  
pp. e20210033
Author(s):  
Margaret V. Root Kustritz ◽  
Hannah J. Bakke ◽  
Aaron Rendahl

Chronotype describes what time of day people are most productive, with the specific terminology of larks (productive early in the day) and night owls (productive late in the day). Society, including education, schedules work at times that generally favor larks. The goals of this study were to (a) define our student population regarding mind-set and chronotype, (b) examine the relationship between chronotype and mind-set score, and (c) examine the relationship between lark score and examination score with examinations offered at varying times of day. The null hypotheses were that there would be no relationships between these variables. If the hypotheses were not proven, this information would be used to educate students about personal management to optimize academic success and to help the college determine if scheduling or other variations in examination implementation could be altered to permit students to demonstrate best their knowledge and skills. There were 184 participants from the classes of 2020–2022. Overall, there were few definite night owls or larks, with 55% of participants categorized as neither. Overall, 78% of students had either a strong growth mind-set or a growth mind-set with some fixed ideas. No meaningful association between chronotype and mind-set score was observed. There was neither a significant main effect for chronotype nor a significant interaction with start time for examinations. Scheduling of examinations in the early morning did not negatively impact student performance based on chronotype in this study.



1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (6) ◽  
pp. E1040-E1049 ◽  
Author(s):  
André J. Scheen ◽  
Orfeu M. Buxton ◽  
Maria Jison ◽  
Olivier Van Reeth ◽  
Rachel Leproult ◽  
...  

To study the effects of time of day on neuroendocrine and metabolic responses to exercise, body temperature, plasma glucose, insulin secretion rates (ISR), and plasma cortisol, growth hormone (GH) and thyrotropin (TSH) were measured in young men, both at bed rest and during a 3-h exercise period (40–60% maximal O2uptake). Exercise was performed at three times of day characterized by marked differences in cortisol levels, i.e., early morning ( n = 5), afternoon ( n = 8), and around midnight ( n = 9). The subjects were kept awake and fasted, but they received a constant glucose infusion to avoid hypoglycemia. Exercise-induced elevations of temperature were higher in the early morning than at other times of day. The exercise-induced glucose decrease was ∼50% greater around midnight, when cortisol was minimal and not stimulated by exercise, than in the afternoon or early morning ( P < 0.05). This effect of time of day appeared unrelated to decreases in ISR or increases in temperature and GH. Robust TSH increases occurred in all exercise periods and were maximal at night. The results demonstrate the existence of circadian variations in neuroendocrine and metabolic responses to exercise.



1992 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise A. Segura

Using the theoretical perspective originally developed by West and Zimmerman (1987)—wherein gender is viewed as a dynamic, interactional accomplishment rather than a categorical status, this article explores how both gender and race-ethnicity are reinforced and affirmed among 152 selected Chicana white-collar workers in a major public university. Based on results from a 1989–1990 mail survey and in-depth interviews with 35 randomly-selected respondents, I find that the tasks performed in the workplace, sex-and-race/ethnic discrimination and harassment, and the female-associated tasks Chicanas continue to do at home, all intensify their accomplishment of gender as well as reinforce occupational segregation by gender and gender-race/ethnicity. Moreover, Chicanas' attachment to family is linked ideologically to the survival of the Chicano culture, rendering their accomplishment of gender an overt act of racial-ethnic and cultural politics. This particular finding may well be a neglected truth in many women's lives.



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