贵州草海保护区钳嘴鹳种群动态

新分布种对当地生态系统的影响具有不确定性,掌握其种群动态对于制定相应的管理策略具有重要意义。钳嘴鹳(Anastomus oscitans)为我国新分布种,目前已扩散至云南、贵州、广西、四川等省(自治区),但对其种群数量及变化规律尚缺乏了解。2013年1月至2014年12月,采用夜栖地直接计数法对贵州省草海自然保护区钳嘴鹳的种群数量进行了监测。结果表明,1)钳嘴鹳主要在夏季出现,冬季数量较少,表现出明显的季节性差异(P0.001)。2)钳嘴鹳种群数量呈现逐年增加趋势,2013年的度夏期(5~10月份)平均数量为200.6只(SD=94.6,n=24),最高数量为427只;2014年的度夏期平均数量增长到356.0只(SD=180.3,n=25),最高数量为602只。3)钳嘴鹳为树上夜栖物种,调查中共发现5处夜栖地,其中位于保护区东南部的簸箕湾是主要夜栖地,在2013、2014年的统计中,该地钳嘴鹳分别占总数量的56.46%和63.53%。由于钳嘴鹳的游荡性较强,建议在其主要分布区开展同步监测,从而整体掌握其种群变化和分布情况。     

海南原鸡繁殖期夜栖地的选择

原鸡Gallus gallus在繁殖期的日常活动趋向于以夜栖地为中心,因此夜栖地的研究对原鸡的繁殖和保育具有重要意义.2008年2～5月在海南大田自然保护区,采用野外观察和样方调查相结合的方法,对原鸡的夜栖地利用进行了研究,共记录到15个夜栖地.结果表明: 1) 原鸡在繁殖期多结成2～6只(3.3±1.5, n=13)的繁殖群,在同一棵树或邻近几棵树上集群夜栖; 2) 落叶季雨林和灌丛草地是原鸡繁殖期夜栖的主要植被类型; 3)原鸡多以小刺竹Bambusa bambos作为夜栖树,占53.3%,其次是厚皮树Lannea coromandelica,占20.0%; 4)原鸡倾向于选择灌木生长茂密、地面草本稀疏的生境作为夜栖地,并栖息在胸径均值为8.4 cm±3.5 cm的乔木或灌木的枝条上,栖枝均高为4.4 m±0.8 m; 5)主成分分析表明,影响原鸡夜栖地选择的主要因子依次为:栖树高、栖枝高度、栖树胸径、栖枝层盖度、草本层盖度、栖枝下方盖度和栖枝上方盖度.据此分析认为:繁殖期原鸡警惕性高,夜栖地多选择易于隐蔽和转移的生境.     

大兴安岭北坡黑嘴松鸡越冬期种群密度及夜栖地利用

为了更深入地了解黑嘴松鸡的种群密度及其夜栖地利用情况,以期为后续的黑嘴松鸡保护管理提供科学的理论参考,2017—2018年1—2月采用样线法、定点观察法、样方法、因子测量法、因子分析法、GPS定位等方法,对大兴安岭北坡越冬期黑嘴松鸡的种群密度及夜栖地特征进行了调查分析。分析结果表明:(1)大兴安岭北坡越冬期,黑嘴松鸡种群密度为(1.18—8.06)只/km~2,即每平方千米分布有黑嘴松鸡1—8只;(2)黑嘴松鸡夜栖卧迹长为(52.64±9.28) cm、宽为(26.55±6.91) cm、高为(17.11±3.78) cm;(3)黑嘴松鸡夜栖地利用包括2个尺度3个选择,即大生境尺度内夜栖生境类型选择和小生境尺度内夜栖区选择、夜栖微生境选择;(4)夜栖生境类型对以兴安落叶松为优势树种的针阔混交林具有绝对的选择性(100%);夜栖区对林缘雪地和林中乔木树下的偏好利用较高(75.00%);夜栖微生境选择通过隐蔽因子、应急逃逸因子、温度因子来判定,隐蔽因子包括乔木密度和干扰区距离,选择具有高密度乔木的、远离人为干扰区(约为4.5 km)的区域;应急逃逸因子包括海拔、卧迹头端开阔度、乔木距离,选择高海拔的、卧迹头端具有开阔度的、贴近乔木(小于1 m)的位置;温度因子包括卧迹雪深、卧迹头端方位角,选择保温效果显著的、适合体尺指标的背风点(东南出口)。     

再引入黑颈长尾雉夜栖行为与夜栖地选择

2003年4月～2005年3月,通过野外观察、无线电遥测和样方调查,对广西岑王老山自然保护区再引入黑颈长尾雉的夜柄行为和夜柄地进行了研究.共观察记录到10个夜栖地,黑颈长尾雉夜间主要在树上栖息,偶尔在地上柄息,在针叶林为独栖(1只/树),在阔叶林独柄或者2～3只/树.黑颈长尾雉夜柄地选择受到柄树的高度、大小,灌术、乔木、草本层的盖度,水源距离及栖枝高度等因素的影响.黑颈长尾雉夜栖地的栖树具有一定的高度(雌:4.96±1.39 m,雄:5.52±1.95 m)和胸围大小(雌:21.4±8.29 cm,雄:23.50±8.39 cm);乔木层(78.00%±8.23%)和灌木层(44.50%±29.67%)盖度较大,草本层盖度较低的环境作为夜栖地;与水源具有一定的距离(348.50±308.30)m;夜栖地的坡度(44.80.±14.73.)和栖枝的高度(2.40±0.74 m).     

四川雉鹑的冬季夜栖地选择

四川雉鹑(Tetraophasis szechenyii)是中国特有物种,国家Ⅰ级重点保护野生动物,对其冬季夜栖地选择的了解,有助于理解物种的生存策略,为物种保护提供参考。利用徒步跟踪和无线电遥测的方法,我们于2006年9月到2007年4月在四川省雅江县帕姆岭进行了野外研究。采用卡方检验、配对样本t检验和二元逻辑斯缔回归等方法对数据进行分析。结果发现:(1)四川雉鹑利用鳞皮冷杉(Abies squamata)和大果红杉(Larix potaninii var.macrocarpa)两种树夜栖,卡方检验分析发现四川雉鹑对这两树种没有明显的选择偏好(χ2=0.745,df=1,P=0.388);(2)夜栖树的胸径为(25.8±1.3)cm,夜栖枝条离地高度为(6.3±0.3)m,直径为(3.3±0.1)cm;(3)与对照样地相比,夜栖地生境一般靠近林缘,乔木的平均胸径大、林下盖度小、倒木数量多,夜栖树胸径大、最近乔木胸径大和最近乔木距离远;(4)逻辑斯缔回归分析表明:夜栖树第一枝距地面高为冬季四川雉鹑夜栖地选择的关键因子;倒木数量、平均乔木胸径、最近林缘距离为次关键因子,该模型对夜栖地的预测正确率为80.9%。冬季四川雉鹑选择夜栖地是安全、能量和地点转移三个因素综合作用的结果,在不同的环境下,同一物种对环境会有不同的适应策略。     

鸟类夜栖地选择研究进展

夜栖地可以为鸟类提供安全、舒适、温暖的夜间栖息场所。昼行性鸟类夜间视觉能力较差,对夜栖环境中潜在的威胁感知程度较低,导致其夜栖时常常处于被动和危险的环境中。鸟类通过选择适宜的夜栖地,进而达到充分利用夜栖地空间资源的目的。本文从鸟类夜栖地选择的行为适应性以及保温性、食物因子和安全性(隐蔽性)等3个影响因素,对国内外鸟类夜栖地选择相关研究进行综述,为今后该领域的研究提供更多思路。     

陕西黄龙山林区褐马鸡春季夜栖地选择

2006年4～6月,在陕西黄龙山林区,对褐马鸡(Crossoptilon mantchuricum)春季夜栖地的选择进行了研究.共记录到22个夜栖地,以夜栖树为中心做一个10 m×10 m样方,测定夜栖地海拔、坡向、坡度、坡位、地貌特征、夜栖树高度和胸径、乔木层盖度、乔木的数量、灌木层盖度、草本盖度、水源距离、人为干扰距离、林缘距离、栖枝高度和栖位上盖度等参数;通过9条样带测定54个随机样方,除栖枝高度和栖位上盖度外,指标相同.结果表明,褐马鸡春季夜栖地多偏向以坡度较大、山坡和山脊、接近水源、远离林边、人为干扰距离较远、乔木盖度和密度较大、栖树胸径较大、灌木层盖度和草本层盖度较小为主要特征的地方.主成分分析表明,前5个特征值的累积贡献率达到72.746%,可以较好地反映褐马鸡春季夜栖地生境特征.根据载荷系数绝对值大小,将褐马鸡春季夜栖地生境选择影响因子分别命名为地形和林下植被因子、气象因子、稳定性因子和水因子.影响褐马鸡夜栖地选择的关键因素是安全、舒适和栖息地转换的方便程度.     

四川老君山地区红腹角雉的夜栖行为和夜栖地选择

2005年4–8月和2006年3–8月, 采用无线电遥测、野外追踪及观察等方法对四川老君山自然保护区红腹角雉(Tragopan temminckii)的夜栖行为和夜栖地选择进行了研究, 共记录树栖19例和地栖2例, 未见2只以上同栖1树。栖枝平均直径4.6 cm, 平均高度6.8 m。夜栖个体天黑前0.5–1 h上树, 黎明后0.5 h左右下树。夜栖时间受季节和天气影响: 晴好天气下, 夏季的平均夜栖时间(615.7 ± 15.7 min)较春季和秋季(658.3 ± 5.9 min)短; 夏季中, 晴好天气夜栖平均时间比不良天气(阴霾、大雾、雨天)(661.5 ± 6.8 min)短。夜栖树隶属于2科(壳斗科、木兰科)6种。研究区内红腹角雉最主要的夜栖地是常绿落叶阔叶混交林—竹灌混交林。在夜栖树周围选取样方并测量了反映夜栖地特征的22个变量, 同时分析19个对照样方以进行比较。方差分析和Mann-Whitney U检验显示, 红腹角雉偏好竹灌丛、乔木层盖度较高的陡峭上坡位山地夜栖。主成分分析显示, 植被因子和栖枝方向因子贡献率最大。     

红喉雉鹑繁殖季的夜栖行为与夜栖地选择

红喉雉鹑（Tetraophasisobscurus）是中国特有种,国家一级重点保护野生动物,研究其繁殖季的夜栖地选择,能丰富该物种的基础资料,理解其生存策略,为该物种的保护和深入研究提供科学依据。2021年和2022年的3～7月,采用跟踪观察和系统搜索法,对四川王朗国家级自然保护区繁殖期红喉雉鹑的夜栖行为和夜栖地选择进行了调查,共记录夜栖地样方34个。采用卡方检验、配对样本T检验、Mann-WhitneyU检验和逻辑斯蒂回归模型方法对数据进行分析。红喉雉鹑主要夜栖于方枝柏（Sabina saltuaria）等针叶树,常见1只单独夜栖或2只共同夜栖,未见有集群夜栖;夜栖树通常位于上坡位,距离林缘和最近乔木较近,具有较大的胸径和郁闭度,栖枝距离地面高度6.6 m左右,栖枝长度约1.66m;夜栖地具有较大的坡度和落叶盖度,而灌木盖度较小。安全因素（夜栖树胸径、坡度）和食物因素（落叶盖度）是红喉雉鹑选择夜栖地的最关键因素。     

白腹锦鸡(Chrysolophus amherstiae)的夜栖地选择

2005年4月～2006年9月,结合无线电遥测技术,采用系统搜索法和繁殖期跟踪法对四川石棉县栗子坪自然保护区白腹锦鸡的夜栖地选择进行了研究。共发现24个夜栖地。以夜栖树为中心做r=7.5m大样方,随机在其中做4个1m×1m和4个0.5m×0.5m小样方,测量乔木、灌木和草本植物的各项参数;做128个非活动区对照样方和258个日栖地样方,分别随机选取等量样方与夜栖地样方相比较。结果表明:白腹锦鸡夜栖地多在针阔混交林和针叶林中,栖树以针叶树为主,繁殖期内成对个体同树共栖的栖位距离较近,栖枝雄高雌低。影响白腹锦鸡夜栖地选择的主要因素依次为:地形、栖树、隐蔽条件和遮蔽特征。与对照样方相比,白腹锦鸡夜栖地选择较矮而疏的乔木和少量倒木的环境;与日栖地样方相比,选择较矮、疏和较低盖度灌木草本植物的环境,有一定的空间分离。     

Patterns of roost site selection and use by Southern Ground-Hornbills in north-eastern South Africa

Different habitats may be used for the needs of various aspects of an animal’s life. Southern Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri groups announce their presence within year-round territories by calling at dawn from their overnight roost sites. Knowledge on ground-hornbill roosting habits is limited. Groups roost in large trees, apparently close to where they end up after daily foraging. We investigated patterns of roost site selection and use for four Southern Ground-Hornbill groups in the Associated Private Nature Reserves, north-eastern South Africa, based on data from GPS-satellite transmitters. The number of roost sites used per month averaged 15.4 ± 4.7 across all groups, indicating little evidence of strong preferences for specific sites. This number was least when groups were breeding, decreasing throughout the early wet season (October–December) and was lowest during the late wet season (January–March) when actively breeding groups frequently roosted close to the nest (54–83% of roosts <1 000 m of the nest). As might be expected, the mean monthly number of nights per roost peaked during the breeding season (December–January). Riparian habitats were preferred for roosting during the breeding season, whereas disturbed areas, as well as Combretumand mopane-dominated habitats were preferred during the dry non-breeding season. Adequate large trees not only for nesting, but also for roosting, particularly in riparian habitats, may therefore be an important and potentially limiting factor for the successful reproduction of Southern Ground-Hornbills.     

Roosting behavior of a Neotropical migrant songbird, the northern waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis, during the non-breeding season

Several species of Nearctic-Neotropical migratory songbirds appear to form roosting aggregations while on their wintering grounds but little is understood about the ecology of this behavior. We studied roosting behavior and patterns of roost habitat selection in the northern waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis , during three winter years (2002–2004) in Puerto Rico using radio telemetry. Overall, red mangrove was selected for roosting disproportionately to its availability. Regardless of diurnal habitat used, 87% (n=86) of northern waterthrush selected dense stands of coastal red mangrove for roost sites. Individuals traveled up to 2 km to access roost sites in this habitat on a daily basis. The majority (8 of 14) of individuals roosted alone, while others roosted in loose aggregations near communal roosts of gray kingbirds Tyrannus dominicensis . Patterns of roost site selection did not vary by sex. Individuals showing aggressive response to playback during the day, however, selected roost sites significantly closer to the coast. Several additional migratory and resident bird species also used red mangrove for night-time roosting habitat. Red mangrove may be a critical nocturnal roosting habitat for bird populations that live in proximity to coastal areas in the Neotropics. The benefits of nocturnal roosting behavior as well as why individuals appear to select red mangrove remain poorly understood.     

House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus roosting behaviour during the non-breeding season and possible effects of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis

We studied House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus roosting behaviour during the non-breeding season using radiotracking and direct observations in Ithaca, NY, USA. In contrast to what has been reported in the literature and in contrast to what should be expected from Newton's European studies of cardueline finches, House Finches roost in small groups (mean 3.5; maximum 11) and do not display at roost sites. Seventy-seven per cent of the birds re-used the same tree on successive observations. In winter, birds re-used the same roost tree more often than in the autumn, and birds with mycoplasmal conjunctivitis tended to move more between roost trees than did birds without conjunctivitis. A small number of radiotagged birds that roosted in the same tree were observed together in the daytime more often than by chance, suggesting the existence of social bonds between birds (some same sex) during the non-breeding season. In the autumn the birds often roosted in leafed deciduous trees and closer to their daytime feeding locations than they did in winter. In winter all birds roosted in evergreen trees. It is possible that the reliable and predictable food sources at feeding sites offered by the public might have changed House Finch roosting behaviour.     

Cavity selection for roosting,and roosting ecology of forest-dwelling Australian Owlet-nightjars (Aegotheles cristatus)

Abstract We compared a variety of attributes of tree cavities used for roosting by radio-tagged Australian Owlet-nightjars Aegotheles cristatus with randomly chosen prospective cavities to test which features are important for the species. Owlet-nightjars preferentially roosted in tree cavities closer to the ground, in trees with a significantly greater number of cavities and significantly closer to another tree with a cavity than expected by chance. There was also a significant interaction between cavity height and number of cavities in the tree. Tree size, decay stage and tree species were not statistically important cues used for making site choices. The requirements for Owlet-nightjars differ from those of most other Australian birds that use tree holes and also from most insectivorous bats. Telemetry data indicate that Owlet-nightjars move ～300 m between roost sites every 9 days on average. Individual birds used 2-6 different cavities during the 1–4-month period over which they were followed. The reasons for the relatively low levels of site fidelity are unknown.     

Roosting Requirements of Two Frugivorous Bats (Sturnira lilium and Arbiteus intermedius) in Fragmented Neotropical Forest1

As tropical forest fragmentation accelerates, scientists are concerned with the loss of species, particularly those that play important ecological roles. Because bats play a vital role as the primary seed dispersers in cleared areas, maintaining healthy bat populations is critical to natural forest regeneration. Observations of foraging bats suggest that many Neotropical fruit‐eating species have fairly general habitat requirements and can forage in many different kinds of disturbed vegetation; however, their roosting requirements may be quite different. To test whether or not general foraging requirements are matched by equally broad roosting requirements, we used radiotelemetry to locate roost sites of two common frugivorous bat species (Sturnira lilium and Artibeus intermedius) in a fragmented forest in southeastern Mexico. Sturnira lilium roosted inside tree cavities and selected large‐diameter roost trees in remnant patches of mature forest. Fewer than 2 percent of trees surveyed had a mean diameter equal to or greater than roost trees used by . S. lilium, Artibeus intermedius roosted externally on branches and vines and under palm leaves and selected roost trees of much smaller diameter. Compared to random trees, roost trees chosen by A. intermedius were closer to neighboring taller trees and also closer in height to these trees. Such trees likely provide cryptic roosts beneath multiple overlapping crowns, with sufficient shelter from predators and the elements. While males of A. intermedius generally roosted alone in small trees within secondary forest, females roosted in small groups in larger trees within mature forest and commuted more than three times farther than males to reach their roost sites. Loss of mature forest could impair the ability of frugivorous bats to locate suitable roost sites. This could have a negative impact on bat populations, which in turn could decrease forest regeneration in impacted areas.     

张广才岭藏獾洞穴生境选择

2008年9月至2009年8月,在黑龙江省方正林业局新风林场,用不定宽样线法对藏獾洞穴生境选择进行研究,共记录了55组藏獾洞穴,藏獾洞口平均直径为(27.40±7.15)cm,洞深平均为(84.18±22.04)cm,倾角平均为(26.36±9.10)°,洞口总数=3.02个常用洞数+0.80个不常用洞数+0.56个废弃洞数。相对于对照样方而言,藏獾洞穴更偏爱选择位于郁闭度和植被盖度小,灌木密度大、距离近,乔木距离远,距水源和农田近、人为干扰距离远,坡度较缓的向阳中坡位的生境。资源选择函数模型为:logit(p)=246.980-1.059×植被盖度-0.703×距水源距离-1.403×坡度-45.005×坡向,模型的正确预测率为93.9%。     

Reconsidering the importance of harvested forests for the conservation of tree-dwelling bats

Intensively managed forests are often seen as of low priority to preserve forest bats. The main conservation strategy recommended, i.e. saving unmanaged “habitat islands” from logging to preserve some suitable habitat, detracts conservationists’ attention from ameliorating conditions for bats in harvested sites. We studied the threatened bat Barbastella barbastellus, mostly roosting in snags, in two beech forests: an unmanaged forest—the main maternity site—and a nearby, periodically logged area. We compared roost availability, roost use, capture rates, food availability and movement between these areas. The managed forest had a greater canopy closure, fewer dead trees, a smaller tree diameter and trees bearing fewer cavities than the unmanaged one. These differences helped explain the larger number of bats recorded in the unmanaged forest, where the sex ratio was skewed towards females. Prey availability was similar in both areas. We radiotracked bats to 49 day roosts. Five individuals caught in the managed area roosted in the unmanaged one at 6.7–8.2 km from the capture site. Few bats roosted in the managed forest, but those doing so proved flexible, using live trees and even rock crevices. Therefore, bats utilise areas in the matrix surrounding optimal roosting sites and sometimes roost there, highlighting the conservation potential of harvested forests. Besides leaving unmanaged patches, at least small numbers of dead trees should be retained in logged areas to favour population expansion and landscape connectivity. Our findings also question the validity of adopting presence records as indicators of forest quality on a site scale.     

Roost preferences and foraging ranges of the eastern forest bat Vespadelus pumilus under two disturbance histories in northern New South Wales,Australia

Little is known about the habitat requirements of Australian bats; however, this information is needed to make better‐informed decisions when systems are disturbed. This study contrasts the roosting and foraging ecology of the eastern forest bat Vespadelus pumilus (Vespertilionidae), one of Australia’s smallest bats, between two sites of differing disturbance history on the mid‐north coast of New South Wales. Lorne Flora Reserve (182 ha) is primarily old‐growth forest surrounded by regrowth forest and eucalypt plantations, while Swans Crossing is dominated by regrowth and eucalypt plantations established on part of an old dairy farm. A total of 38 bats were tracked during the maternity and mating seasons at the two sites. Roost preferences were determined by comparing trees used as roosts with those randomly available, while foraging bats were triangulated from fixed stations at night. Bats tracked at Lorne Flora Reserve typically roosted in hollows within large, mature trees and showed a strong preference for roosting and foraging (females only) within the Reserve. Lactating females at Swans Crossing roosted in hollows of remnant rainforest trees within a gully and dead eucalypts, while males often roosted in understorey trees (such as Acacia). Dead trees were frequently used as roosts at both sites. Under both disturbance histories, the mean distance of female maternity roosts from creeks was 20 m, indicating that riparian zones provide important roosting habitat for V. pumilus. However, roosts shifted to the mid‐slope prior to winter when bats mate. Retention of mature trees in a variety of topographic locations may allow behavioural adjustments with the seasons. Bats caught in the regrowth forest also foraged there, with foraging ranges averaging just 5.3 ha (n = 10), indicating that regrowth is used by this bat for both foraging and roosting.     

Defence tactics cycle with diel microhabitat choice and body temperature in the desert locust,Schistocerca gregaria

We examined environmental factors influencing plasticity in antipredator defences of adult gregarious desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria, including daily cycles in temperature, light, microhabitat occupied and predator threat. In the Sahara Desert in Mauritania, West Africa, daily temperature fluctuated widely from below locusts’ cold thermal limits for jump‐ and flight‐defence, to above their preferred body temperature. Locusts changed microhabitats throughout the 24‐hr period in synchrony with the daily thermo‐photocycle. They roosted in tall trees and large bushes at night, moved to the ground in the morning, shaded under or in small bushes and annuals at midday, moved back to the ground in the afternoon and then returned to night roosting sites around dusk. Locust antipredator defences varied throughout the 24‐hr period, and these changes were correlated with temperature, photocycle and habitat. Flight escape was associated with daytime, high temperatures and the ground habitat. Dropping escape (= releasing hold of vegetation and dropping to the ground or into vegetation) was associated with cool temperatures and low‐to‐medium sized bushes. Stationary behaviour was associated with the tree microhabitat and height off the ground. Roosting (a primary defence) was associated with cool temperatures at night and early morning, tree habitats and nocturnal ground‐foraging times of endothermic mammals. In summary, we propose that temperature is the key factor in determining both changing microhabitat choice and changing antipredator defence, due to thermal constraints on locust muscle for this ectothermic insect. The thermocycle also influences temporal predator loads, which influence the evolution of locust diel defence strategies. These various environmental factors not only influence one another, they also interact to influence antipredator defence expression in locusts. Overall, our study suggests that plasticity in locust antipredator defences is a complicated matter mediated by the interactions of multiple environmental factors and physiological and ecological constraints and trade‐offs.     

Diel changes in habitat use by dragonflies: Nocturnal roosting site selection by the threatened dragonfly Sympetrum depressiusculum (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Although it is well recognized that insects' habitat use and requirements may change during the season, very little attention has been devoted to diel habitat changes in most insects. In this study, we compared habitat utilization patterns of Sympetrum depressiusculum (Selys, 1841) adult dragonflies between daytime activities and nocturnal roosting. During daytime, we captured and marked adult individuals with fluorescent paint in different habitats. At night, we searched, using UV light, for marked individuals that remained on the habitats. We found that habitat selection for daytime activities and that for nocturnal roosting differed significantly. Adults clearly avoided ponds and their immediate surroundings for nocturnal roosting, whereas this habitat type was frequently utilized for daytime activities. We suggest that nocturnal avoidance of the riparian area is associated with lower temperatures, which adversely affect thermoregulation, and that selection of specific habitats for nocturnal roosting is closely associated with vegetation structure providing stability during windy nights and serving as a suitable shelter. Such habitat properties are found especially on fallow land, a habitat type whose representation in agricultural areas has been gradually decreasing in recent decades.