DOCSLIB.ORG

Ph.D. Og Speciale

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ph.D. Og Speciale UNIVERSITY OF COPENH AGEN FACULTY OR DEPARTMENT Space use strategies of two Palaearctic migrants on the wintering grounds A study of winter territoriality in the Common Chiffchaff and Subalpine Warbler Dina Abdelhafez Ali Mostafa Supervisor: Kasper Thorup Co-Supervisor: Torben Dabelsteen Submitted on: 2 October, 2017 Name of department: Natural History Museum of Denmark Behavioural Ecology - Section of Ecology and Evolution - Department of Biology. University of Copenhagen Author(s): Dina Abdelhafez Ali Mostafa Title and subtitle: Space use strategies of two Palaearctic migrants on the wintering grounds : A study of winter territoriality in the Common Chiffchaff and Subalpine Warbler Topic description: An investigation of the chosen space use strategies and territoriality in two migrant songbirds wintering in the Sahel. Supervisor: Kasper Thorup – Torben Dablesteen Submitted on: 2 October 2017 Grade: Number of study units: 2 3 2 Table of contents PREFACE ............................................................................................................................ 4 SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 7 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................. 9 Why study birds on their winter ground ...................................................................................................................... 10 Sociality as an extension of space use strategies ........................................................................................................... 11 The winter strategies of the two species: what is known so far?................................................................................. 15 The species: .................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) : ........................................................................................................... 15 Subalpine warbler (Sylvia cantillans): ......................................................................................................................... 18 SPACE USE STRATEGIES IN TWO PALAEARCTIC SONGBIRD MIGRANTS IN WINTER: PATTERNS OF TERRITORIALITY, ASSOCIATION AND VOCALISATION IN THE COMMON CHIFFCHAFF AND SUBALPINE WARBLERS WINTERING IN NORTHERN SENEGAL. ................................................................................................... 21 Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Materials and methods ................................................................................................................................................... 22 Study site...................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Radio tracking .............................................................................................................................................................. 22 Playback experiments .................................................................................................................................................. 23 Statistical analyses ....................................................................................................................................................... 24 Response to Playback .................................................................................................................................................. 25 Results .............................................................................................................................................................................. 26 Discussion ........................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................................... 35 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 36 APPENDIX ........................................................................................................................ 43 3 Preface The idea behind this project started with my interest in the field of animal behaviour in general and communication in particular. To start with I was looking for a research topic that related to bioacoustics, which will present the opportunity to learn how to collect acoustic data and analyse it. The other behaviour that I wanted to learn about was animal migration, and ideally communication underway. Because I was very keen on carrying out fieldwork, I approached Professor Kasper Thorup at the National History Museum as his team currently studies migration in songbirds, and we started developing the idea for a thesis research. I also asked Professor Torben Dabelsteen to co- supervise, because of his expertise in animal behaviour in general and bioacoustic in particular, and he kindly agreed to. Bird song and calls during the breeding season are well studied for a myriad of species, but little is known about the occurrence and function of the former once breeding is accomplished. The original design of this study was to collect recordings of spontaneous winter song in a chosen songbird species and attempt to correlate it to a function, and to supplement that with playback experiments to investigate the birds’ reaction to conspecifics’ song. As breeding season singing is established to serve the function of attracting a mate and establishing/maintaining a territory, the hypothesis was that winter song should serve the latter purpose due to the absence of breeding during winter for migrants, and that this territory would be only used for foraging, as opposed to the breeding season territory that is also used for nesting and raising the young. In 2011, Kasper has collected some tracking data on four songbird species at the Djoudj National Park in Northern Senegal, where many migrant species that breed in Eurasia spend the northern winter season. We found conflicting reports of winter song in the Common Chiffchaff in the literature, and similarly for the closely related species Willow Warbler, and decided to focus on the former since a recent study investigated the behaviour in Willow Warblers in 2014. I performed some preliminary analyses using the tracking data for 2 of those species to detect the existing patterns of space use – territoriality or otherwise – and to find out if any flocking patterns existed for the Chiffchaffs. The results did not support either territoriality or flocking for the Chiffchaffs, but showed evidence for territoriality in Subalpine Warblers. Therefore the second species we chose as was Subalpine Warbler, as a species exhibiting territoriality in winter, its behaviour offers a clear point of comparison for the species of main interest. Due to scheduling difficulties, the field work ended up taking place during the end of the northern winter season, right during the departure of Chiffchaffs from the study site in Northern 4 Senegal. During the period of fieldwork, the numbers of Subalpine Warblers were sufficient for the purposes of the study. On site, pilot trials showed that Chiffchaffs did not sing spontaneously, nor did they respond vocally to playback of conspecifics’ song. Accordingly, the focus was shifted to documenting the behavioural responses during the playback session. The playback data was then used along with the tracking data from 2011 to construct a multi faceted picture of the two species’ use of their environment, showing home range sizes, flocking/association patterns for Chiffchaffs only – since a territorial species like Subalpine Warblers will not associate- and responses to conspecifics’ song. This report consists of two parts; the first part is an introduction where I try to present the basic concepts and current knowledge in areas relevant to the study. Concepts like migration and types of space use strategies are presented, followed by a look at the ecology of the two migrants of interest on their wintering range. I will therefore present a summary of what is currently known of the two species’ ecology on their breeding and non breeding ranges for contrast The second part of the report is the manuscript that present the investigation carried out in Senegal. First, I present the investigation of association patterns and home range sizes and their overlap for individuals of the two species using tracking data collected during January 2012 at Djoudj National Park in the north of Senegal. The second part investigates the territorial behaviour of the two species using playback experiments to quantify the presence and degree of aggression triggered by conspecifics song; these experiments were carried out at the same site during February/March 2017. The results are then compared to previous studies
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Birds of Bharatpur – Check List
    BIRDS OF BHARATPUR – CHECK LIST Family PHASIANIDAE: Pheasants, Partridges, Quail Check List BLACK FRANCOLIN GREY FRANCOLIN COMMON QUAIL RAIN QUAIL JUNGLE BUSH QUAIL YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTON QUAIL BARRED BUTTON QUAIL PAINTED SPURFOWL INDIAN PEAFOWL Family ANATIDAE: Ducks, Geese, Swans GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE GREYLAG GOOSE BAR-HEADED GOOSE LWSSER WHISTLING-DUCK RUDDY SHELDUCK COMMON SHELDUCK COMB DUCK COTTON PYGMY GOOSE MARBLED DUCK GADWALL FALCATED DUCK EURASIAN WIGEON MALLARD SPOT-BILLED DUCK COMMON TEAL GARGANEY NORTHERN PINTAIL NORTHERN SHOVELER RED-CRESTED POCHARD COMMON POCHARD FERRUGINOUS POCHARD TUFTED DUCK BAIKAL TEAL GREATER SCAUP BAER’S POCHARD Family PICIDAE: Woodpeckers EURASIAN WRYNECK BROWN-CAPPED PYGMY WOODPECKER YELLOW-CROWNED WOODPECKER BLACK-RUMPED FLAMBACK Family CAPITONIDAE: Barbets BROWN-HEADED BARBET COPPERSMITH BARBET Family UPUPIDAE: Hoopoes COMMON HOOPOE Family BUCEROTIDAE: Hornbills INDAIN GREY HORNBILL Family CORACIIDAE: Rollers or Blue Jays EUROPEAN ROLLER INDIAN ROLLER Family ALCEDINIDAE: Kingfisher COMMON KINGFISHER STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER PIED KINGFISHER Family MEROPIDAE: Bee-eaters GREEN BEE-EATER BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER BLUE-TAILED BEE-EATER Family CUCULIDAE: Cuckoos, Crow-pheasants PIED CUCKOO CHESTNUT-WINGED CUCKOO COMMON HAWK CUCKOO INDIAN CUCKOO EURASIAN CUCKOO GREY-BELLIED CUCKOO PLAINTIVE CUCKOO DRONGO CUCKOO ASIAN KOEL SIRKEER MALKOHA GREATER COUCAL LESSER COUCAL Family PSITTACIDAS: Parrots ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET PLUM-HEADED PARKEET Family APODIDAE:
    [Show full text]
  • Wallcreeper and the Camargue
    Wallcreeper and The Camargue Naturetrek Tour Report 19 – 23 November 2018 Firecrest Western Swamphen Stripeless Tree Frog Spoonbill Report compiled by Matt Collis Images courtesy of Neil McMahon Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Tour Report Wallcreepers and The Camargue Tour participants: Matt Collis & Neil McMahon (leaders) with 16 Naturetrek clients Summary A short birding trip to the very special Camargue district of southern France provides an excellent opportunity to experience good views of typical waterbirds of the west Mediterranean. Utilising a family-run hotel on the outskirts of the ancient city of Arles as our base, the itinerary provided an easy opportunity to look for flamingoes, herons and wading birds using the shallow waters and reed-fringed lagoons as a breeding area or a suitable stop-over for migrants. The mountainous areas attract different and more localized species and we located special birds such as Wallcreeper, Rock Sparrow and Booted Eagle, together with a selection of other stunning species that call the Camargue home. Day 1 Monday 19th November Arriving in the early evening, leaders Neil and Matt met 15 of the 16 clients at Marseille airport, before collecting the minibuses and beginning the journey to the hotel. French protests and road blocks meant the route was more cross country but after just over an hour or so we arrived at our destination, Hotel des Granges. We were greeted by Bruno and Marie-Jo, our wonderful hosts and owners of this classically French Hotel, and a lone Black Redstart, the first bird for our trip, sat roosting over the entrance porch.
    [Show full text]
  • Willow Warbler Phylloscopus Trochilus in Punchakkari, Southern Kerala: a Definitive Record for the Indian Subcontinent
    10 Indian BIRDS VOL. 17 NO. 1 (PUBL. 29 MARCH 2021) Correspondence The Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus in Punchakkari, southern Kerala: A definitive record for the Indian Subcontinent The Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus is a strongly migratory Both: George Nirmal Old World leaf warbler that breeds in the Eurasian Palearctic. Post-breeding, it undertakes an over-land migration, between August and October; all populations winter in Africa. There are 10. three subspecies - the nominate breeds in much of Europe; acredula breeds in Fenno-Scandinavia, Russia east to Siberia; 9, 10. Willow Warbler foraging on the wires of the vegetable garden. Note flesh coloured legs, and yakutensis which breeds in the Russian Far East(Shirihai & pale base to lower mandible, long wings and tail, and yellowish on face and vent. 0931 h, 14 Svensson 2018; Clement 2020). November 2020. We report two individuals of Willow Warblers, in November 2020, from the Punchakkari wetlands (8.44°N, 76.98°E), suggested a ‘Chiffchaff’ from these photographs, and PJ took adjoining Vellayani Lake, which lies south-westwards of up the discussion with the eBird Kerala Media Editors group. Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala, southern India. The area The lack of dark feet and legs quickly eliminated the Common is a large swamp that, historically, was under multi-crop rice Chiffchaff, and when higher resolution photographs were cultivation till about 25 years ago. Barring small pockets of scrutinised, it quickly became clear that Willow Warbler was the paddy fields, most of the land is being converted for growing top suggestion in Merlin, scoring higher than Common Chiffchaff, vegetables.
    [Show full text]
  • Download PDF # Sylviidae: Chrysomma, Fulvetta, Paradoxornis
    NINOGGSXCNNZ \\ Doc > Sylviidae: Chrysomma, Fulvetta, Paradoxornis, Parisoma, Sylvia, Parrotbill, Old World warbler, Jerdon's Babbler,... Sylviidae: Chrysomma, Fulvetta, Paradoxornis, Parisoma, Sylvia, Parrotbill, Old World warbler, Jerdon's Babbler, Wrentit, Blackcap Filesize: 6.59 MB Reviews Very beneficial to all type of folks. I could comprehended every thing using this created e pdf. I found out this book from my i and dad suggested this book to find out. (Ms. Madaline Nienow) DISCLAIMER | DMCA GPPUH64MHWS0 < eBook \\ Sylviidae: Chrysomma, Fulvetta, Paradoxornis, Parisoma, Sylvia, Parrotbill, Old World warbler, Jerdon's Babbler,... SYLVIIDAE: CHRYSOMMA, FULVETTA, PARADOXORNIS, PARISOMA, SYLVIA, PARROTBILL, OLD WORLD WARBLER, JERDON'S BABBLER, WRENTIT, BLACKCAP To download Sylviidae: Chrysomma, Fulvetta, Paradoxornis, Parisoma, Sylvia, Parrotbill, Old World warbler, Jerdon's Babbler, Wrentit, Blackcap PDF, please access the hyperlink listed below and save the document or have access to additional information that are have conjunction with SYLVIIDAE: CHRYSOMMA, FULVETTA, PARADOXORNIS, PARISOMA, SYLVIA, PARROTBILL, OLD WORLD WARBLER, JERDON'S BABBLER, WRENTIT, BLACKCAP ebook. Books LLC, Wiki Series, 2016. Paperback. Book Condition: New. PRINT ON DEMAND Book; New; Publication Year 2016; Not Signed; Fast Shipping from the UK. No. book. Read Sylviidae: Chrysomma, Fulvetta, Paradoxornis, Parisoma, Sylvia, Parrotbill, Old World warbler, Jerdon's Babbler, Wrentit, Blackcap Online Download PDF Sylviidae: Chrysomma, Fulvetta, Paradoxornis, Parisoma,
    [Show full text]
  • Developing Methods for the Field Survey and Monitoring of Breeding Short-Eared Owls (Asio Flammeus) in the UK: Final Report from Pilot Fieldwork in 2006 and 2007
    BTO Research Report No. 496 Developing methods for the field survey and monitoring of breeding Short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) in the UK: Final report from pilot fieldwork in 2006 and 2007 A report to Scottish Natural Heritage Ref: 14652 Authors John Calladine, Graeme Garner and Chris Wernham February 2008 BTO Scotland School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA Registered Charity No. SC039193 ii CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................v LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................v LIST OF APPENDICES...........................................................................................................vi SUMMARY.............................................................................................................................vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................... viii CRYNODEB............................................................................................................................xii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................................................................................................xvi 1. BACKGROUND AND AIMS...........................................................................................2
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Checklists of the World Country Or Region: Ghana
    Avibase Page 1of 24 Col Location Date Start time Duration Distance Avibase - Bird Checklists of the World 1 Country or region: Ghana 2 Number of species: 773 3 Number of endemics: 0 4 Number of breeding endemics: 0 5 Number of globally threatened species: 26 6 Number of extinct species: 0 7 Number of introduced species: 1 8 Date last reviewed: 2019-11-10 9 10 Recommended citation: Lepage, D. 2021. Checklist of the birds of Ghana. Avibase, the world bird database. Retrieved from .https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?lang=EN&region=gh [26/09/2021]. Make your observations count! Submit your data to ebird.
    [Show full text]
  • Thick-Billed Warbler (Iduna Aedon) at Gambell, Alaska: First Record for North America Gary H
    NOTES THICK-BILLED WARBLER (IDUNA AEDON) AT GAMBELL, ALASKA: FIRST RECORD FOR NORTH AMERICA GARY H. ROSENBERG, 8101 North Wheatfield Dr., Tucson, Arizona 85741; [email protected] PAUL E. LEHMAN, 11192 Portobelo Dr., San Diego, California 92124; [email protected] AARON J. LANG, 40208 Alpenglow Circle, Homer, Alaska 99603; [email protected] VICTOR AND RUBEN STOLL, 899 Miller Rd., Centerville, Tennessee 37033; [email protected] In the evening on 8 September 2017, in the “far boneyard” at Gambell, St. Law- rence Island, Alaska (63.78° N, 171.74° W), Victor and Ruben Stoll flushed a pas- serine they could not immediately identify. The “boneyards” are large pits excavated by the resident Yupik Natives seeking buried ivory and artifacts, a result of several thousand years of sea-mammal hunting from this island’s Northwest Cape. Working these pits turns the soil, which has resulted in the growth of relatively lush vegetation consisting of two species of Artemisia, known locally as “wormwood.” The combina- tion of lush vegetation (reaching 0.5–1 m in height) and deep depressions that offer protection from the wind is attractive to migrant and vagrant landbirds in the otherwise flat, gravelly landscape. Soon thereafter, we, along with Greg Scyphers, Monte Taylor, and other birders then at Gambell, converged at the far boneyard in search of the bird. It was soon relocated and seen on the ground briefly by Lang, who suggested it was a Thick-billed Warbler (Iduna aedon), a bird he was familiar with from southeastern Asia and a species not previously recorded in Alaska or North America.
    [Show full text]
  • Based on Nuclear and Mitochondrial Sequence Data
    MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 29 (2003) 126–138 www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev Phylogeny of Passerida (Aves: Passeriformes) based on nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data Per G.P. Ericsona,* and Ulf S. Johanssona,b a Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Frescativagen 44, P.O. Box 50007, SE-10405 Stockholm, Sweden b Department of Zoology, University of Stockholm, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden Received 18 September 2002; revised 23 January 2003 Abstract Passerida is a monophyletic group of oscine passerines that includes almost 3500 species (about 36%) of all bird species in the world. The current understanding of higher-level relationships within Passerida is based on DNA–DNA hybridizations [C.G. Sibley, J.E. Ahlquist, Phylogeny and Classification of Birds, 1990, Yale University Press, New Haven, CT]. Our results are based on analyses of 3130 aligned nucleotide sequence data obtained from 48 ingroup and 13 outgroup genera. Three nuclear genes were sequenced: c-myc (498–510 bp), RAG-1 (930 bp), and myoglobin (693–722 bp), as well one mitochondrial gene; cytochrome b (879 bp). The data were analysed by parsimony, maximum-likelihood, and Bayesian inference. The African rockfowl and rock- jumper are found to constitute the deepest branch within Passerida, but relationships among the other taxa are poorly resolved— only four major clades receive statistical support. One clade corresponds to Passeroidea of [C.G. Sibley, B.L. Monroe, Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World, 1990, Yale University Press, New Haven, CT] and includes, e.g., flowerpeckers, sunbirds, accentors, weavers, estrilds, wagtails, finches, and sparrows.
    [Show full text]
  • The Canary Islands
    The Canary Islands Naturetrek Tour Report 6 - 13 March 2009 Indian Red Admiral – Vanessa indica vulcania Canary Islands Cranesbill – Geranium canariense Fuerteventura Sea Daisy – Nauplius sericeus Aeonium urbicum - Tenerife Euphorbia handiensis - Fuerteventura Report compiled by Tony Clarke with images by kind courtesy of Ken Bailey Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Tour Report The Canary Islands Tour Leader: Tony Clarke (tour leader and naturalist) Tour Participants: Phil Haywood Hazel Haywood Peter Barrett Charles Wade Ken Bailey Day 1 Friday 6th March The arrival time of the group meant that we had enough time to do some birding in the afternoon and so we drove up from the airport, through Vilaflor to the Zona Recreativa de Las Lajas. This is probably the most well known location on Tenerife as it is where most people see their first Blue Chaffinches and we were not to be disappointed. Also at this location we saw the only Great Spotted Woodpecker of the tour plus a few Canaries, a Tenerife Kinglet and a few African Blue Tits. After departing from Las Lajas we continued climbing and entered the Las Cañadas National Park which is a spectacular drive through volcanic scenery. On the drive we encountered quite a few endemic plants including Pinus canariensis and Spartocytisus supranubius that were common and easily recognized and Echium wildpretii, Pterocephalus lasiospermus, Descurainia bourgaeana and Argyranthemum teneriffae which were rather unimpressive as they were not yet flowering but we were compensated by the fabulous views across the ancient caldera.
    [Show full text]
  • Composition of Bird Species in Huu Lien Nature Reserve, Lang Son Province
    VNU Journal of Science, Earth Sciences 27 (2011) 13-24 Composition of bird species in Huu Lien Nature Reserve, Lang Son province Nguyen Lan Hung Son*, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Le Trung Dung Hanoi National University of Education, 136 Xuan Thuy, Hanoi, Vietnam Received 3 December 2010; received in revised form 17 December 2010 Abstract . The diversity of bird species is of special importance as it can create responsive and adaptive behaviours among the whole animal population in wild environment. For this reason, the frequent making of inventory lists of bird species helps assess and evaluate the current status of forest resources in natural conservation areas which are inherently under human pressures in our country. During the two years (2009 - 2010) of the study conducted in Huu Lien Nature Reserve in Lang Son province, records have been made of 168 bird species belonging to 117 genus, 54 families, 17 orders. Of these, 9 bird species are rare and of high value of genetic preservation. Discussions have been held on the data for classification and arrangement of bird lists. This regional avifauna is characterized as typical of the lime stone mountain ecology in the Northeast of Vietnam along the border with China. The illegal activities of timbering Buretiodendron hsienmu take place at high frequency are making it a threat to the conservation of the diversity of bird species in this area. Keywords: avifauna, lime stone mountain, rare species, timbering. 1. Introduction ∗∗∗ hectares and an buffer zone of another 10.000 hectares. On May 31 st 2006, the Chairman of Huu Lien Nature Reserve was recognized as Lang Son People’s Committee issued the in the Decision numbered 194/CT dated August decision numbered 705/Q Đ-UBND on th 9 1986 by the Council of Ministers.
    [Show full text]
  • Migratory Birds of Ladakh a Brief Long Distance Continental Migration
    WORLD'S MIGRATORY BIRDS DAY 08 MAY, 2021 B R O W N H E A D E D G U L L MIGRATORY BIRDS OF LADAKH A BRIEF LONG DISTANCE CONTINENTAL MIGRATION the Arctic Ocean and the Indian Ocean, and comprises several migration routes of waterbirds. It also touches “West Asian- East African Flyway”. Presence of number of high-altitude wetlands (>2500 m amsl altitude) with thin human population makes Ladakh a suitable habitat for migration and breeding of continental birds, including wetlands of very big size (e.g., Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar, etc.). C O M M O N S A N D P I P E R Ladakh provides a vast habitat for the water birds through its complex Ladakh landscape has significance network of wetlands including two being located at the conjunction of most important wetlands (Tso Moriri, four zoogeographic zones of the world Tso Kar) which have been designated (Palearctic, Oriental, Sino-Japanese and as Ramsar sites. Sahara-Arabian). In India, Ladakh landscape falls in Trans-Himalayan Nearly 89 bird species (long distance biogeographic zone and two provinces migrants) either breed or roost in (Ladakh Mountains, 1A) and (Tibetan Ladakh, and most of them (59) are Plateau, 1B). “Summer Migrants”, those have their breeding grounds here. Trans-Himalayan Ladakh is an integral part of the "Central Asian Flyway" of migratory birds which a large part of the globe (Asia and Europe) between Ladakh also hosts 25 bird species, during their migration along the Central Asian Flyway, as “Passage Migrants” which roost in the region.
    [Show full text]
  • 14Th of November 2019
    Date: 14th of november 2019 Tour: Half day excursion Oostvaardersplassen Guide: Pim Around 8.30 I met Quentin from Vancouver (Canada) at the small trainstation of Almere Centrum. From here we drove to the nature reserve Oostvaardersplassen. Our first stop was at a viewing point. From a distance we saw a large group of Red deer, on farmland we saw a few smaller Roe deer. We saw our first White tailed eagle of the day, his nickname is “flying door”, because his wingspan is about 2.30 meters! At the moment there are about 10-12 of this large birds in the area and we saw this morning half of this population. In The Netherlands there are about 10 breeding pairs, it al started in the Oostvaardersplassen about 13 years ago. We saw many Common buzzard, Common kestrel and a male Eurasian sparrowhaw was showing well closeby. We saw a large group of Barnacle geese and Greylag geese and a mixed group of hundreds of Northern lapwings and European golden plovers. Also a adult Whooper swan was present. Eurasian sparrowhawk – Oostvaardersplassen – Lelystad. “The whooper swan is a large white swan, bigger than a Bewick's swan. It has a long thin neck, which it usually holds erect, and black legs. Its black bill has a large triangular patch of yellow on it”. Source: Rspb.org. The Whooper swans we saw in the reserve today are mainly from Russia and Finland, a pair stays together for the rest of their live On our second stop, also a viewing point, we saw a juvenile White tailed eagle and two adults in a tree.
    [Show full text]