Marsh Tit Poecile palustris population decline in Britain: the role of foraging behaviour and interspecific competition

Carpenter, Jane E.; Broughton, Richard K. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6838-9628; Carpenter, Benjamin; Gosler, Andrew G.; Hinsley, Shelley A.. 2007 Marsh Tit Poecile palustris population decline in Britain: the role of foraging behaviour and interspecific competition. [Poster] In: Hole using adaptations and constraints. Hole-breeding Passerines Meeting, Bialowieza, Poland, 7-12 Sept 2007. Bialowieza, University of Podlasie, Wroclaw University, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Museum and Institute of Zoology.

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Abstract/Summary

The Marsh Tit, a strict deciduous woodland bird, has undergone a severe long-term decline in Britain of over 50% in the last 25 years. Possible reasons for this decline were investigated at two woodland sites in southern Britain. Winter foraging behaviour of the marsh and Blue Tit was compared, using instantaneous time sampling. The subdominance of the Marsh Tit was demonstrated by its higher within flock vigilance; and the overlap of specific foraging behaviours demonstrated that the two species foraged in similar ways, competing for food resources. However, niche separation was observed; the Marsh Tit spent more time in the understorey, and showed different tree and shrub species usage, thereby reducing this interspecific competition. Declining quality of the understorey in British woodland, e.g. due to deer browsing, is placing pressure on the Marsh Tits niche; and furthermore the Blue Tit population is increasing. For a species which remains on its territory year round, these combined pressures may be important in driving its decline, especially when food resources are minimal in late winter.

Item Type:	Publication - Conference Item (Poster)
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biodiversity > BD01 Conservation and Restoration of Biodiversity
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Pywell
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Abstract available from conference website http://www.hole-breeding-meeting.ap.siedlce.pl/
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	12 Feb 2008 14:04 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/2288

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