AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Merlins Falco columbarius using crow nests in Kielder Forest, Northumberland

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1992
Authors:Little, B, Davidson, M
Journal:Bird Study
Volume:39
Issue:1
Date Published:1992
ISBN Number:0006-3657
Keywords:Aesalon, Aesalon columbarius, Corvidae, Corvus, Corvus corone, Falco, Falco columbarius, Falconidae
Abstract:Since 1961 the Northumbria Ringing Group has monitored a population of Merlins breeding in Kielder Forest, Northumberland. Prior to 1979 Merlins bred at traditionally used sites mostly on the ground in Heather. In 1979 the first nest was located in a crows nest along the moorland edge of a young Sitka Spruce plantation. This nesting habit has increased, and by 1990 over 50% of the population were breeding in crows' nests in conifers. This switch in the type of nest sites has coincided with large areas of forest reaching an age suitable for crows to nest in. Merlins breeding in conifer forests had similar clutch sizes to those using traditional ground nests, but in conifer sites, brood sizes were 70% larger. Throughout the course of this study (1978?90) the Merlin population increased by 71% to 24 pairs in 1990. A low point was reached in 1982/83 when only 10?11 pairs bred, after this tree-nesting increased and so did the population.Since 1961 the Northumbria Ringing Group has monitored a population of Merlins breeding in Kielder Forest, Northumberland. Prior to 1979 Merlins bred at traditionally used sites mostly on the ground in Heather. In 1979 the first nest was located in a crows nest along the moorland edge of a young Sitka Spruce plantation. This nesting habit has increased, and by 1990 over 50% of the population were breeding in crows' nests in conifers. This switch in the type of nest sites has coincided with large areas of forest reaching an age suitable for crows to nest in. Merlins breeding in conifer forests had similar clutch sizes to those using traditional ground nests, but in conifer sites, brood sizes were 70% larger. Throughout the course of this study (1978?90) the Merlin population increased by 71% to 24 pairs in 1990. A low point was reached in 1982/83 when only 10?11 pairs bred, after this tree-nesting increased and so did the population.
URL:http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00063659209477093
Short Title:Bird Study
Taxonomic name: 
Corvidae (Birds), Corvus (Birds), Corvus corone (Birds), Corvus Corone (Birds), Falco (Birds), Falco columbarius (Birds), Falco columbarius (Birds), Falconidae (Birds)
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith