Subspecies-specific features of molt in the common chiffchaff (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phylloscopus collybita</Emphasis> L.) from Europe and Western Siberia

The patterns of molt in the chiffchaffs of the nominotypical subspecies from central Europe and eastern European subspecies from the Ladoga region are compared with that of the Siberian subspecies from the lower Ob region. The onset dates of postjuvenile molt in the Siberian subspecies are controlled endogenously, while in the nominative and, probably, eastern European subspecies they are under photoperiodic control. The molt of chiffchaffs from central Europe is no less complete than in birds from the Ladoga region and more complete than in Siberian birds. The individual duration of molt is the shortest in Siberian birds and the longest in central European birds, being intermediate in birds from the Ladoga region. Differences in the pattern of postnuptial molt between chiffchaffs from the Ladoga and Ob regions concern its duration and completeness. The completeness of molt proved to be reduced in half of examined birds from the Ladoga region and in some birds from the Ob region. The duration of complete molt in birds from the Ob region is smaller (40 days vs. 60 days in birds from the Ladoga region) at a longer daylight period, which is evidence for a higher rate of feather growth. The completeness and timing of prenuptial molt do not differ between the subspecies.     

Variation of male nuptial plumage in the willow ptarmigan <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lagopus lagopus</Emphasis> L.

In male willow ptarmigans, the relationship between qualitative differences between birds belonging to different intrapopulation groups and some individual features of male nuptial plumage has been revealed by studying banded birds. Thus, males that have changed their nesting site differ from those returning to the former site and bigamous males differ from monogamous in the number and size of dark spots amid the white plumage. The influence of the time of the onset of spring on the development of nuptial plumage is considered.     

Seasonal replacement of populations and abundance dynamics of European robins, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erithacus rubecula</Emphasis> (L.), in the Highland Crimea

Complete seasonal replacement of European robin populations takes place in the Crimea: local birds of the subspecies E. r. valens depart from the peninsula to be replaced by birds of the nominative subspecies E. r. rubecula, which arrive for wintering. The overall population dynamics of the European robin in the Highland Crimea are determined by seasonal changes in the abundance of local birds, fluctuations in the abundance of birds from northern populations, or variation in the ratio between these groups of birds during their staying together in the Crimea during the periods of seasonal migrations.     

武汉沉湖湿地水鸟群落特征及其与富营养化关系研究

富营养化是水中氮、磷等营养物质大量积累引起的水质污染现象,直接导致水体群落结构的改变,这一定程度上引起了以水生生物为食的水鸟的群落特征的变化。为找寻水鸟群落特征与富营养化两者的关系,2010年1月~2013年1月3年内按春夏秋冬4季对武汉沉湖湿地自然地保护区水鸟进行了调查,沉湖和张家大湖的水鸟多样性有明显的周年变化规律,多样性指数冬季最高,最高值分别为12.19和9.89;春夏季最低,最低值分别为7.53和2.45;对比分析了两个子湖,沉湖湖区与张家大湖湖区富营养化指数TLI分别为64和78,沉湖水鸟种类、数量和多样性指数皆高于张家大湖,湖泊富营养化会影响水鸟多样性。     

Reproductive Parameters of Adult Birds and Morphophysiological Characteristics of Chicks in the Pied Flycatcher (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficedula hypoleuca</Emphasis> Pall.) in Technogenically Polluted Habitats

Effects of toxic emissions (heavy metals and sulfur dioxide) on reproductive parameters of adult pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca Pall.) and morphophysiological characteristics of their progeny have been studied in the vicinity of the Middle Ural Copper-Smelting Plant. In polluted areas, the fecundity of adult birds is lower, mortality among the progeny is higher, and changes in the physiological parameters of birds are observed. The effects of toxic load are better manifested in nestlings than in adult birds. They include an increase in the liver index, the reduction of hemoglobin concentration, and an increase in the proportion of immature erythrocytes in the peripheral blood. The proportion of anemic birds also increases. The weakening of nestlings facilitates their infestation by the larvae of parasitic flies. Changes in the differential blood count of nestlings reflect the combined impact of toxic pollutants and parasites.     

Effect of selected environmental factors on hunting methods and hunting success in the lesser spotted eagle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aquila pomarina</Emphasis> in North-Eastern Poland

Hunting methods and hunting success and their associations with some environmental factors were studied in Lesser Spotted Eagle. Birds hunted mostly by patrol-flights (73.6%), secondary by perchhunting (23.8%). In the morning-noon period birds hunted using patrol flights more frequently than in the afternoon, while in the afternoon they more often used perch-hunting. Average hunting success reached 24% (n = 37), but it was much greater on freshly mown meadows.     

Are ecological differences of irruptive bird species from typical migrants real? (The example of the long-tailed tit <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegithalos c. caudatus</Emphasis>)

Using the long-tailed tit (Aegithalos c. caudatus) as an example of the so-called irruptive species, the ecophysiological characteristics (body mass, fat reserves) and migration speed during autumn period were analyzed. The mean body mass and the median fat score did not depend on the number of migrating individuals. There was no evidence of the so-called stress in birds, participating in migration: migrants had even higher fat reserves than residents, while no significant difference in the body mass was recorded. The increase in fat reserves in the long-tailed tit during migration period was similar to the seasonal changes in energy reserves known for typical migrants. This makes it possible for late-migrating individuals to maintain higher total speed of migration compared to early-migrating ones. Basing on the obtained data, we conclude that the ecophysiological characteristics of the long-tailed tits migrating in autumn are similar to those of regular migrants.     

Specific features of annual cycles in long-distance migrant birds living at the range boundary: the example of the wood warbler, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phylloscopus sibilatrix</Emphasis>, in the taiga zone of northwestern Russia

Annual cycle phenomena taking place in the nesting part of the range, such as dates of migration and breeding and molting pattern, have been studied in the wood warbler in northwestern Russia, at the boundary of its nesting range. The results provide evidence that the annual cycle of long-distance migrant birds living at the boundary of their nesting range has certain specific features.     

Bioaccumulation of polonium 210Po in marine birds

The aim of this work was to determine the 210Po content in marine birds which permanently or temporally live in the Polish part of the Baltic Sea. We chose 11 species of sea birds: three species permanently residing at southern Baltic Sea, four species of wintering birds and three species of migrating birds. The results show that the polonium is non-uniformly distributed in the marine birds. The highest activities of 210Po were observed in feathers, muscles and liver and the lowest in skin and skeleton. Species of birds that eat crustaceans, molluscs, fish and plants (long-tailed duck Clangula hyemalis, white-winged scoter Melanitta fusca) accumulated more polonium than species that eat mainly fish (great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, common guillemot Uria aalge) or plants (tufted duck Aythya fuligula). Moreover, about 63% of the 210Po that was located in feathers of razorbil (Alca torda) and long-tailed duck (C. hyemalis) was apparently adsorbed, suggesting an external source such as the air. It means that the adsorption of 210Po on the feather surface may be an important transfer from air to water.     

The phenomenon of spatial distribution of the citrine wagtail (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Motacilla citreola</Emphasis>) in the North of Western Siberia and its ecological interpretation

In the nominotypical subspecies of the citrine wagtail, M. c. citreola Pall., the density of nesting pairs in the northern part of its range in the central Yamal Peninsula reaches a peak in the moss-lichen tundra subzone, while similar biotopes (moist herb-moss willow scrub) are also present in the forest-tundra and shrub tundras. It is suggested that one of the causes of such an unusual distribution is that the birds feed on tipulid larvae, which dominate by biomass among invertebrates in moist moss-lichen tundras. The species is capable of successful existence in the northern Subarctic because of the brevity of its post-nesting period, determined by the endogenous control of the age at the onset of postjuvenal molt, rapid molting during the polar day, partial postnuptial molt, and early development of the migratory state, which provides for early departure.     

武汉市金银湖水鸟多样性及其与水环境关系的初步研究

2007年11月～2009年3月对金银湖越冬期和迁徙期水鸟进行了调查研究，共计水鸟34种，隶属于8目11科，其中冬候鸟21种，夏候鸟6种，留鸟5种，旅鸟2种；古北种21种，东洋种2种，广布种11种；列入国家重点保护Ⅱ级鸟类和中国濒危动物红皮书名录的有白琵鹭（Platalea leucorodia）1种，省级保护鸟类10种。按食性分，主食鱼虾类水鸟种数占优势，而主食水生植物类水鸟生物量较大。水质测试结果表明金银湖为劣Ⅴ类水体。通过分析不同季节以及栖息地环境改变前后水鸟多样性指数的变化，认为重建湿生植被和通过调节水位改变滩涂与水域的面积可提高水鸟多样性。武汉城市湖泊与远郊湖泊的水鸟多样性及环境条件的比较结果显示：水鸟多样性与水体污染程度呈负相关，与水域面积呈明显正相关，因此应严禁湿地的过度开发和蚕食湿地的行为，同时改善湖泊水质迫在眉睫。     

Effect of rise in spring air temperature on the arrival dates and reproductive success of the Song Thrush, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Turdus philomelos</Emphasis> (C.L. Brehm, 1831) in the forest–steppe of the Russian Plain

The effect of rise in spring air temperature on the breeding phenology and reproductive success of the Song Thrush in the Voronezh Nature Reserve have been studied over the periods of 1987 to 1990 and 2008 to 2012. The results show that relatively high air temperatures provide for earlier arrival of the birds from wintering grounds, earlier and more synchronous breeding of the majority of nesting pairs, and an increase in clutch size and proportion of pairs producing two broods per season. Predation pressure on bird nests decreases under such conditions, which markedly improves reproductive success. Climate warming is conducive to increasing breeding productivity of the Song Thrush population as a whole.     

湖北省珍稀濒危保护水禽物种多样性及种群数量

使用直接计数法和专项调查法于1996年5月～2003年7月对湖北省珍稀濒危保护水禽物种多样性和种群数量进行了研究。结果表明：湖北省珍稀濒危保护水禽有45种,隶属于6目9科24属;记录到34种,其中有黄嘴白鹭和小苇鳽2个新记录种。按区系型分,古北界种类占优势,有35种,东洋种8种,广布种2种;按季节型分,冬候鸟为主体,有30种,夏候鸟8种,旅鸟5种,留鸟2种;按生活型分,涉禽23种,游禽22种,种类几乎相等。种群数量为41.1796万只。在45种珍稀水禽中,IUC红皮书水禽23种,8 247只;中国红皮书水禽22种,3 615只;CITES濒危水禽23种,40.631 6万只;国家重点保护水禽24种,3 838只。角等11种水禽未发现,可能已绝迹或极度濒危。按水禽1 %地理种群数量的标准,洪湖、沉湖、龙感湖、梁子湖、网湖等湿地可以确定为国际重要湿地。     

Site Tenacity in the Willow Ptarmigan (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lagopus lagopus</Emphasis> L.) in the Northern Yamal Peninsula

The return of willow ptarmigans to the sites in which they nested the previous year has been studied using color banding. No factors influencing the return index have been revealed, except for its dependence in males on the time when spring begins in a given year. In northernYamal, in contrast to the temperate zone, some surviving birds fail to return to their former nesting sites. Polymorphism of individuals with respect to territorial behavioral strategy is proposed for L. lagopus populations at the northern boundary of the species range.__________Translated from Ekologiya, No. 3, 2005, pp. 215–221.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Tarasov.     

长江上游向家坝库区鸟类多样性研究及生境价值评估

2011年利用样线法对长江上游向家坝库区夏、秋季鸟类进行了实地考察，共记录110种鸟类，隶属15目39科。通过5个调查点、2个对照点不同生境鸟类的多样性研究发现：（1）夏、秋季库区不同生境鸟类的Shannon Wiener 指数较低，几乎均未超过1.5，鸟类物种多样性相对贫乏；（2）库区各生境鸟类Pielou指数均超过了0.75，说明库区环境虽以人工植被为主，但并不单调；（3）阶地疏林灌丛、竹林与常绿落叶阔叶混交林的鸟类相似性差异最小〖JP2〗，而二者与芦苇、荩草丛滩地的差异最大，库区鸟类在不同生境中的分布存在着显著不同。在上述研究的基础上，从物种多样性和河流景观保护的角度，对库区鸟类的不同生境类型进行多要素综合分析，结果显示: 山地森林生境的物种多样性相对丰富，生态价值最高，而河滩和阶地疏林灌丛、竹林生境具备一定的景观特色,也有相当的生态价值     

鄱阳湖越冬鸟类种群动态与保护研究

目前为止缺少对鄱阳湖全湖冬候鸟的种群动态和群落方面的研究分析，拟通过对鄱阳湖冬候鸟群落多样性和种群动态的分析，为该地区冬候鸟及其栖息地保护提出建设性建议。2010～2012年冬季，通过采用直接计数法和样线法调查鄱阳湖湿地冬季碟形湖内的越冬鸟类群落结构。总共记录到越冬鸟类88种，另有29种属于文献报道但本次调查中未发现的种类。总共117种鸟类分别属于目、鹈形目、鹳形目、雁形目、鹤形目、鸻行目和佛法僧目。在鄱阳湖，种类和数量分布最多的是冬候鸟，达到78种。小天鹅、鸿雁、豆雁、白额雁、绿翅鸭和斑嘴鸭是鄱阳湖湿地越冬鸟类中的绝对优势种，鸟类个体数量最多的冬季蝶形湖泊主要包括鄱阳湖自然保护区的蚌湖、大湖池、沙湖和大汊湖，都昌县的黄金嘴，南矶山湿地自然保护区的白沙湖，余干县的林充湖和南湖，以及鄱阳县的珠湖。各种越冬鸟类在鄱阳湖湿地的种群数量分布差异主要是与各碟形湖水位的高低和食物的分布密切相关。只有在冬季开始后，使碟形湖洼地的水位逐渐降低，越冬鸟类才能够更有效的利用湖泊中的食物     

Dynamics of phenotypic traits and intrapopulation processes in great tit (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Parus major</Emphasis> L.) populations of the Middle Ural

Variability of the length of the white area on the outermost quill feathers of the great tit from two cities in the Middle Ural has been investigated. Dynamics of the average length of the white area in the birds from the city of Asbest reproduced the dynamics observed in the city of Yekaterinburg with a one-year lag in the females and a two-year lag in the males. Phenotypic changes in the great tit population did not occur simultaneously in the whole population, but rather moved along the living range with a certain velocity (50–60 km/year for the females and 25–30 km/year for the males). The results obtained are discussed in view of the concepts of population biology.     

西洞庭湖湿地鸟类群落组成、多样性及保护对策

采用固定样带法和样点法对湖南西洞庭湖自然保护区的鸟类群落进行了研究,共纪录到217种,隶属16目46科117属,其中冬候鸟113种、旅鸟1种、留鸟60种、夏候鸟43种,分别占5207%、046%、2765%、1982%;古北界种类102种 (占4700 %),东洋界种类 67种 (占3088%),广布型种类 48种 (占2212 %);国家Ⅰ级保护种类4种,国家Ⅱ级保护种类29种。鸟类群落多样性指数和均匀性指数分别为4886 5和0594 9。并分析其湿地鸟类的重要性和稀缺性,提出了相应的保护措施。     

Second generation anticoagulant rodenticides in predatory birds: Probabilistic characterisation of toxic liver concentrations and implications for predatory bird populations in Canada

Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are widely used to control rodent pests but exposure and poisonings occur in non-target species, such as birds of prey. Liver residues are often analysed to detect exposure in birds found dead but their use to assess toxicity of SGARs is problematic. We analysed published data on hepatic rodenticide residues and associated symptoms of anticoagulant poisoning from 270 birds of prey using logistic regression to estimate the probability of toxicosis associated with different liver SGAR residues. We also evaluated exposure to SGARs on a national level in Canada by analysing 196 livers from great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) and red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) found dead at locations across the country. Analysis of a broader sample of raptor species from Quebec also helped define the taxonomic breadth of contamination. Calculated probability curves suggest significant species differences in sensitivity to SGARs and significant likelihood of toxicosis below previously suggested concentrations of concern (<0.1mg/kg). Analysis of birds from Quebec showed that a broad range of raptor species are exposed to SGARs, indicating that generalised terrestrial food chains could be contaminated in the vicinity of the sampled areas. Of the two species for which we had samples from across Canada, great horned owls are exposed to SGARs to a greater extent than red-tailed hawks and the liver residue levels were also higher. Using our probability estimates of effect, we estimate that a minimum of 11% of the sampled great horned owl population is at risk of being directly killed by SGARs. This is the first time the potential mortality impact of SGARs on a raptor population has been estimated.     

堑秋湖渔业模式对鄱阳湖南矶湿地越冬候鸟种群数量的影响和保育对策

鄱阳湖是我国最大的淡水湖、国际重要湿地。“堑秋湖”是当地老百姓根据鄱阳湖夏涨秋落的规律，在湖底低洼处堑壕沟、围矮堤，以便在秋季退水时截留更多的鱼和水，最后将鱼类资源一网打尽的渔业方式；也是长江流域中下游湖区以及鄱阳湖流域老百姓利用季节性浅水蝶形湖泊中渔业资源最主要的捕鱼和管理方式。采用PRA方法对江西鄱阳湖南矶湿地国家级自然保护区“堑秋湖”历史及现状进行问卷调查，采用样线样点结合方法对越冬候鸟种群数量进行调查分析。研究表明：鄱阳湖南矶湿地国家级自然保护区拥有蝶形湖泊26个，均已承包给个人管理并存在养鱼虾蟹等行为，为典型的“堑秋湖”渔业模式；不同月份越冬候鸟数量变化呈“M”型，不同样线候鸟数量差异较大，而候鸟种类在月份和样线方面差异不大；“堑秋湖”渔业模式对鄱阳湖越冬候鸟的种群数量、分布及栖息地生态功能的发挥存在明显正负面影响。对于建立经济社会可持续发展的“堑秋湖”经营模式进行了探讨，提出了有利于越冬候鸟栖息的保育对策