Survival and Population Dynamics of Nuthatches Sitta europaea Breeding in Natural Cavities in a Primeval Temperate Forest

Abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. . Wiley and Nordic Society Oikos are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Ornis Scandinavica. . 1991. Survival and population dynamics of Nuthatches Sitta europaea breeding in natural cavities in a primeval temperate forest. -Ornis Scand. 22: 143-154.Data on breeding densities of Nuthatch were collected in three types of mature tree stands in Bialowieza National Park, E Poland, during 1975-90. Detailed observations on breeding and survival were made during 1987-89. The highest densities occurred in swampy stands (max. 4.8 territories per 10 ha), they were 10-47% lower in oak-hornbeam stands, and in coniferous stands densities did not exceed 1.2 territories per 10 ha. Nuthatch numbers reached a low in 1979, then increased over fourfold to a maximum in 1990. In contrast to the situation in Scandinavia, Nuthatch numbers in spring were not significantly correlated with the severity of the preceding winter, though their numbers seemed to be influenced by autumn seed supply and availability of caterpillars in the preceding spring. Yearly survival rates were close to 50%. Winter survival equaled that in spring and summer, and was even higher in the unusually mild winter of 1989/90 which had a rich supply of hornbeam seeds. Egg-laying in BNP commenced between 5 April and 26 April in different years. Clutches usually contained 6-9 eggs. On average two thirds of the nesting attempts resulted in fledged young, though nesting success varied much between plots. Nest losses were among the highest reecorded in European populations. Nests containing young were destroyed two to four times as often as nests with eggs, suggesting that the losses were mainly due to predation.

Breeding Success and Timing of the Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaNesting in Natural Holes and Nest-Boxes in the Białowieża Forest, Poland

“…But in the whole of Białowieża Forest there occurs a long list of nest robbers, which could play an important role in limiting breeding production and even densities the following year (e.g. Walankiewicz 1991, Wesołowski & Stawarczyk 1991, Walankiewicz 2002a, 2002b. Predation pressure on bird broods in Białowieża Forest is much higher than that found in other European forests.…”

“…Among other secondary hole nesters studied in BNP (Walankiewicz 1991, Wesołowski & Stawarczyk 1991, Walankiewicz 2002b, Wesołowski 1998, the Pied and Collared Flycatchers suffered the highest breeding losses due to predation. There is no other European forest where such a high rate of breeding losses of Pied Flycatchers was shown.…”

Breeding Losses in the Collared FlycatcherFicedula albicollisCaused by Nest Predators in the Białowieża National Park (Poland)

“…Heavy predation on broods distinguished bird population of the Białowieża Forest from those of living in humantransformed habitats in Europe (Piotrowska & Wesołowski 1989, Wesołowski 1983, 1985, 1995, Walankiewicz 1991, Wesołowski & Stawarczyk 1991, Tomiałojć 1994.…”

“…Under close to primeval conditions of the Białowieża National Park (BNP), where many potential nest robbers occur, the Collared Flycatcher suffers heavy breeding losses (Walankiewicz 1991, Walankiewicz et al 1997, Jędrzejew-ska & Jędrzejewski 1998. In BNP where predators were thoroughly studied the list of cavity robbers is very long (Tomiałojć et al 1984, Piotrowska & Wesołowski 1989, Wesołowski & Stawarczyk 1991). Yet, the share of different predatory groups in destroying bird broods is usually described only in general statements (e.g.…”

The Breeding Bird Community of a Primaeval Temperate Forest (Białowieża National Park, Poland) at the End of the 20thCentury

“…Meteorological data were derived from the local weather station in Białowieża village, situated in the centre of the Białowieża Forest complex, less than 1 km from S edge of BNP (Wesołowski & Stawarczyk 1991, Wesołowski 2001a, data of T. Wesołowski). In 1995-1999 mean values of weather variables were: annual precipitation 637 mm, annual temperature +7.5°C, July temperature +19.7°C, and January temperature -3.7°C.…”