Mortality and Fertility of European Charadrii

Abstract

SUMMARY A review of published data on the mortality and fertility of 23 species of wading birds (Charadrii) breeding in or visiting western Europe. Recoveries of ringed birds are the main source of estimates of mortality. In some cases recaptures of marked birds can also be employed. Apparent mortality in the first year after fledging is usually higher than in later years, though most estimates are probably biased by the preponderance of recoveries due to shooting. Adult mortality‐rates in stable populations vary from about 15·7% (Oystercatcher) to 51·9% (Common Snipe) with most in the range 30–45%. Closely related species tend to have similar mortality‐rates. There is a strong inverse correlation between death‐rate and body‐size, using wing‐length and weight as indices of size. Studies of fertility are scarce and meagre, though. clutch‐sizes are adequately known. Few waders are double‐brooded, though many re‐nest if their first nest is destroyed. In most thriving breeding colonies, 66–96% of the eggs laid hatch. Survival of chicks from hatching to fledging, which is hard to measure, typically averages 40–80%, though success often varies widely from year to year. Intensive long‐term studies of breeding groups make the most effective contribution to knowledge of population dynamics. For the many species for which breeding studies are likely to remain impracticable, studies of population composition in winter or on passage may provide useful substitutes, but only if techniques of sampling and of age‐ and sex‐classification can be improved.

Migration of the Little Ringed PloverCharadrius dubiusbreeding in South Sweden tracked by geolocators

“…The 30% recapture rate is lower than the annual survival rate, which has been estimated to 65-74% (Boyd 1961, Hölzinger 1972), but some individuals may have moved breeding site and therefore gone unnoticed by us. One male (male B) did change its breeding site by 5.7 km between 2009 and 2010, but in 2011, it was breeding again at the same site as in 2009.…”

Revealing the contributions of reproduction and survival to the Europe-wide decline in meadow birds: review and meta-analysis

“…Finally, for population models more data on the proportion of adults that start breeding are badly needed, together with the occurrence of replacement clutches and data on dispersal, immigration and emigration. Neve and Van Noordwijk (1997), (9) Kersten and Brenninkmeijer (1995), (10) Le V.Dit Durell et al (2000), (11) Hulscher (1989), (12) Safriel et al (1984), (13) Harris (1970), (14) Schnakenwinkel (1970), (15) Boyd (1962), (16) Grosskopf (1964), (17) Jungfer (1954) in Boyd (1962) See Table 7. Abbreviations: see Appendix 2…”

“…Literature: (1) Berg (1994), (2) Kipp (1982), (3) Kipp (1982), Ylimaunu et al (1987), Berg (1994); Grant, unpublished data, in Grant et al (1999), (4) Bainbridge and Minton (1978), (5) Speek in Glutz von Blotzheim et al (1984), (6) Boyd (1962) Abbreviations: see Appendix 2…”

“…England Cardiff Bay (2000), Thompson and Hale (1993), (7) Jackson (1988) in Burton (2000), (8) Boyd (1962), (9) Grosskopf (1964), (10) Grosskopf (1959) …”

“…Schroeder et al (2010), (3), (4)Gill et al (2001), (5) Van Noordwijk and Thomson (2008), (6), (7)Beintema and Drost (1986), (8)Glutz von Blotzheim et al (1984), (9)Boyd (1962) …”