AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Apparent lack of impact of Sparrowhawks on the breeding densities of some woodland songbirds

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1997
Authors:Newton, I, Dale, L, Rothery, P
Journal:Bird Study
Volume:44
Date Published:1997
ISBN Number:0006-3657
Keywords:Accipiter, Accipiter nisus, Accipitridae, Nisus, Sturnidae, Sturnus, Sturnus vulgaris, Turdidae, Turdus, Turdus ericetorum, Turdus philomelos
Abstract:Counts of singing male songbirds on Bookham Common (southeast England), conducted almost every year from 1949 to 1979, covered the periods of Sparrowhawk decline and recovery. We examined these counts for evidence of an influence of Sparrowhawk predation on the breeding densities of their songbird prey. Of 13 species examined, no convincing evidence of Sparrowhawk effects was found. However, most species increased in density over the whole study period and, in four, the rate of increase slowed towards the end of the study. For two of these species (Song Thrush and Starling) it was impossible to tell whether this slowing in population growth was caused by the return of Sparrowhawks or by other factors, such as habitat effects.Counts of singing male songbirds on Bookham Common (southeast England), conducted almost every year from 1949 to 1979, covered the periods of Sparrowhawk decline and recovery. We examined these counts for evidence of an influence of Sparrowhawk predation on the breeding densities of their songbird prey. Of 13 species examined, no convincing evidence of Sparrowhawk effects was found. However, most species increased in density over the whole study period and, in four, the rate of increase slowed towards the end of the study. For two of these species (Song Thrush and Starling) it was impossible to tell whether this slowing in population growth was caused by the return of Sparrowhawks or by other factors, such as habitat effects.
URL:http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00063659709461048
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