Soil particle composition affects the physical characteristics of Sand Martin Riparia riparia holes

The importance of correlations between soil particle composition and the physical characteristics of Sand Martin Riparia riparia breeding holes has received very little attention. I used dry sieve analysis and decantation to examine 14 particle size ranges of samples from 654 breeding holes collected at 106 breeding colonies in the Czech Republic and at three in Great Britain. All five measured physical characteristics (tunnel depth, width and height of the entrance opening, slope of the tunnel and the distance to the bank top) were significantly correlated with measured soil particle size ranges. Tunnel depth, which is one of the most important factors influencing breeding success in this species, increased as the proportion of small particles (<900µm) in the soil increased.     

崖沙燕繁殖期雄鸟的鸣叫行为

2003年3月～2004年4月在南充市郊的嘉陵江边记录了崖沙燕(Riparia riparia)繁殖期雄鸟的呜叫。声谱分析结果表明,崖沙燕繁殖期有8种呜叫(恫吓叫声、屈服叫声、求救叫声、警报叫声以及4种鸣唱声)。通过对其行为的实时观察,确定了每种呜叫的生物学意义。4种叫声是整个繁殖期的主要呜叫,而4种鸣唱声则主要出现在开春以后的集群求偶与筑巢期间。虽其鸣唱声仅有两种类型的短音节,但通过组合可形成含有多达4个或6个音节的鸣唱声。鸣唱声的持续时间分别为3184、1030、1274、1232ms。鸣唱声中的间歇时间分别占持续时间的47％、39％、50％、48％。     

Selection against large size in the Sand Martin Riparia riparia during a dramatic population crash

In 1984 breeding Sand Martins declined to 27% of their 1983 numbers at a large colony in Scotland. A population crash of similar magnitude occurred over much of central Scotland and over Britain as a whole. The decline in numbers was probably attributable to severe drought conditions experienced overwinter in the Sahel zone of Africa. There was a significant reduction in the mean keel-length of Sand Martins captured at the main study colony in 1984 compared with individuals measured in both 1982 and 1983, suggesting that selection for small body-size had occurred during the period of high overwinter mortality.     

Density‐dependent survival and recruitment in a long‐distance Palaearctic migrant,the Sand Martin Riparia riparia

Long‐term studies can provide powerful insights into the relative importance of different demographic and environmental factors determining avian population dynamics. Here we use 23 years of capture–mark–recapture data (1981–2003) to estimate recruitment and survival rates for a Sand Martin Riparia riparia population in Cheshire, NW England. Inter‐annual variation in recruitment and adult survival was positively related to rainfall in the sub‐Saharan wintering grounds, but unrelated to weather conditions on the breeding grounds. After allowing for the effects of African rainfall, both demographic rates were negatively density‐dependent: adult survival was related to the size of the western European Sand Martin population (probably reflecting competition for resources in the shared wintering grounds) while recruitment was related to the size of the local study population in Cheshire (potentially reflecting competition for nesting sites or food). Local population size was more sensitive to variation in adult survival than to variation in recruitment, and an increase in population size after 1995 was driven mainly by the impact of more favourable conditions in the African wintering grounds on survival rates of adults. Overwinter survival in this long‐distance Palaearctic migrant is determined partly by the amount of suitable wetland foraging habitat in the sub‐Saharan wintering grounds (which is limited by the extent of summer rainfall) and partly by the number of birds exploiting that habitat.     

The Influence of Repeated Releases on the Homing Behaviour of Sand Martins (Riparia riparia)

Data on the effect of repeated releases on the homing behaviour of sand martins released four times from the same site (beyond 50 km from the nesting colony) are presented. The results, obtained by two series of releases, show a progressive improvement of both the initial orientation and the homing performances. When the birds released four times from the same site were displaced in a new site, located roughly at the same distance, but in the opposite direction to the former, they do not change directional preferences with respect to the last experimental release; the homing speeds were also not different to those recorded for birds without any release experience. While the learning of orienting cues can not be excluded, the data point out that the habituation to the handling stress and a form of directional training seem to play a major role in determining the observed behaviour. The familiarity with a site does not seem to improve the homing behaviour of sand martins when released from a different one.     

Burrow depth,carbon dioxide and reproductive success in Sand Martins Riparia riparia

Capsule: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations in the burrows of Sand Martins Riparia riparia increase with depth but have no detectable impact on fledging success.

Aims: To investigate whether burrow depth and CO₂ concentrations influence reproductive success in Sand Martins.

Methods: We monitored two Sand Martin colonies along the River Lune, Lancashire, UK, to investigate the effect of burrow depth on reproductive success. We also measured CO₂ levels in a sample of burrows to test whether burrow depth predicts CO₂ concentration, and to test for a relationship between CO₂ concentration and breeding success.

Results: Burrow depth was significantly correlated with fledging success, but the correlation was positive in first broods and negative in second broods. The highest CO₂ concentration recorded was 73?650?ppm and the mean concentration across burrows was 31?757?ppm. However, while CO₂ concentrations were positively correlated with burrow depth after controlling for the number and age of nestlings, they were not correlated with reproductive success.

Conclusion: There are reproductive costs associated with deeper burrows in second broods, but these could not be attributed to CO₂ concentrations despite the exceptionally high levels recorded. This study highlights the need for further investigation into gas exchange and the potential impacts of, or adaptations to, CO₂ accumulation in avian burrows.     

Relationship between west African rainfall and the survival of central European Sand Martins Riparia riparia

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Sahelian rainfall on the central European Sand Martin Riparia riparia population for the period 1986–1992. The studied population breeds along the River Tisza in Hungary and is one of the largest in central Europe. The changes in the population size did not show a significant relationship to Sahelian rainfall, but a large decrease in 1991 coincided with the drought in three Sahelian areas. The survival rates of adults had a significant relationship to the rainfall of the southern Sahel but not to the other two studied areas (northern Sahel, central Sudan). The model selection included this relationship and raised the possibility of predicting the adult survival rate in autumn for the following wintering season, using African rainfall data. The analysis showed a significant difference in the survival rates between the sexes, with that of the female being lower. Differences in the changes of the population size and adult survival rate showed the importance of the recruitment of adults, and this may depend mainly on the survival of juveniles.     

Food sources of Sand Martins Riparia riparia during their breeding season: insights from stable-isotope analysis

Capsule Stable-isotope analysis indicated that terrestrial dipteran insects were the main food at a site in northern Japan.     

Sperm length in sand martins Riparia riparia: a comment on Helfenstein et al

How long is a sand martin Riparia riparia spermatozoon? In a recent study, Helfenstein et al. (2008) presented data on the intraspecific variation in sperm length, swimming speed and longevity in this species and some interesting correlations between these variables. However, the reported sperm lengths are remarkably short for the species, which casts doubts about whether sperm total length has actually been measured and how the observed relationships should be interpreted.     

First records of Ixodes lividus from sand martin (Riparia riparia) nests in Lithuania

Ixodes lividus (Koch, 1844) ticks are specific parasites of the sand martin Riparia riparia (L.). The distribution range of I. lividus covers Europe (being absent from the Mediterranean area) and Asia. However, until now there have been no reports on the presence of this tick in Lithuania. A total of 47 nests were collected in three different colonies of sand martins in the central part of Lithuania and 46.8% of them were infested with ticks. In total, 2,770 ticks were found and identified as I. lividus based on morphological characteristics. Larvae were the predominant stage, representing 99.6% of all collected ticks. The taxonomic identification of I. lividus was confirmed by sequence analysis of the tick mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences indicates six genotypes of I. lividus transported by the sand martin in the Baltic region. The detection of genotypes like those reported from other European regions pointed to the importance of avian migratory connections, which are associated with the dispersal of I. lividus and the related tick‐borne pathogens in the Baltic region. This study represents the first record of I. lividus from sand martin nests in Lithuania.     

Use of trace elements in feathers of sand martin Riparia riparia for identifying moulting areas

We investigated whether trace elements in tail feathers of an insectivorous and long-distance migratory bird species could be used to identify moulting areas and hence migratory pathways. We analysed tail feathers from birds of different age and sex collected from a range of different breeding sites across Europe. The site of moult had a large effect on elemental composition of feathers of birds, both at the European and African moulting sites. Analysis of feathers of nestlings with known origin suggested that the elemental composition of feathers depended largely upon the micro-geographical location of the colony. The distance between moulting areas could not explain the level of differences in trace elements. Analysis of feathers grown by the same individuals on the African wintering grounds and in the following breeding season in Europe showed a large difference in composition indicating that moulting site affects elemental composition. Tail feathers moulted in winter in Africa by adults breeding in different European regions differed markedly in elemental composition, indicating that they used different moulting areas. Analysis of tail feathers of the same adult individuals in two consecutive years showed that sand martins in their first and second wintering season grew feathers with largely similar elemental composition, although the amounts of several elements in tail feathers of the older birds was lower. There was no difference between the sexes in the elemental composition of their feathers grown in Africa. Investigation of the trace element composition of feathers could be a useful method for studying similarity among groups of individuals in their use of moulting areas.     

The Roosting Times of the House Martin and Sand Martin

A quantitative, year-round habitat assessment has demonstrated the importance of gorse to insectivorous passerines on heathland.     

Body condition changes of sand martins (Riparia riparia) during breeding, and a comparison with fledgling condition

The body condition of adult sand martins during the breeding season and a sample of fledglings was investigated by carcass analysis and by examination of live birds in the field. Fat scoring of live individuals was a reliable predictor of an individual's lipid content in most instances. Body mass changes during breeding were related to changes in the size of birds' lipid reserves, pectoral muscle mass, body water, and to development of the reproductive system. In both males and females, reserve lipid declined between the onset of breeding and nestling rearing. Pre-breeding males had significantly greater pectoral muscle masses than did nestling rearing females. The potential significance of protein in pectoral muscles as an energy reserve during breeding was small compared with lipid reserves. By comparing potential energy reserves in body lipid and protein with daily energy expenditure, it was calculated that neither incubating nor nestling rearing adults could survive a day of normal activity without feeding. The selective premium on adults optimizing their use of time and energy for self-maintenance behaviour during breeding is therefore likely to be great.     

Distribution Peculiarities of the Sand (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Riparia riparia</Emphasis> Linnaeus 1758) Martin and the Pale Sand (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Riparia diluta</Emphasis> Sharpe et Wyatt 1893) Martin (Passeriformes,Hirundinidae) in the Sympatry Zone in Southern Central Siberia

The relationships between the sand martin (Riparia riparia Linnaeus 1758) and the pale sand martin (Riparia diluta Sharpe et Wyatt 1893) in sympatric conditions in southern Central Siberia are discussed. New data on the distribution patterns of these two closely related martin species in the study area, the location of the breeding colonies, and nesting in mixed-species colonies are presented. Information on the morphology and habitat preferences of R. riparia and R. diluta, including conesting species, is provided. In the sympatry zone in southern Central Siberia, the pale sand martin is shown to be more abundant, with mixed colonies of R. riparia and R. diluta also being found. Both species studied differ significantly in the morphometric characters. When looking for the location of a breeding colony, R. riparia and R. diluta display different habitat requirements.     

Importance of Hydrologic and Landscape Heterogeneity for Restoring Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Colonies along the Sacramento River, California

Human activities have degraded riparian systems in numerous ways, including homogenization of the floodplain landscape and minimization of extreme flows. We analyzed the effects of changes in these and other factors for extinction–colonization dynamics of a threatened Bank Swallow population along the upper Sacramento River, California, U.S.A. We monitored Bank Swallow distributions along a 160‐km stretch of the river from 1986–1992 and 1996–2003 and tested whether site extinctions and colonizations corresponded with changes in maximum river discharge, surrounding land cover, estimated colony size, temperature, and precipitation. Colonization probabilities increased with maximum discharge. Extinction probabilities decreased with proximity to the nearest grassland, decreased with colony size, and increased with maximum discharge. To explore the implications for restoration, we incorporated the statistically estimated effects of distance to grassland and maximum discharge into simple metapopulation models. Under current conditions, the Bank Swallow metapopulation appears to be in continued decline, although stable or increasing numbers cannot be ruled out with the existing data. Maximum likelihood parameters from these regression models suggest that the Sacramento River metapopulation could be restored to 45 colonies through moderate amounts of grassland restoration, large increases in discharge, or direct restoration of nesting habitat by removing approximately 10% of existing bank protection (riprap) from suitable areas. Our results highlight the importance of grassland restoration, mixed benefits of restoring high spring discharge, and the importance of within‐colony dynamics as areas for future research.     

四川南充崖沙燕的洞巢生物学

20 0 3年 2～ 6月 ,通过观察法对崖沙燕福建亚种的洞巢进行了考察。崖沙燕巢多筑于水边沙质硬土悬壁的沙土与黄壤交错的沙土层 ,且主要选择在沙土顶部与黄壤交界的部位啄洞营巢 ,喜利用旧巢洞。巢洞呈椭圆形、坑道状 ,多单洞道 ,洞末端扩大成椭球形巢室 ,具巢的洞深 ( 64 3 8± 1 1 73 )cm(n =5 0 )。巢室内外温度差异大 ,而巢室内昼夜温度稳定。繁殖力高、体型大的个体占据中心区深洞繁殖 ,巢多呈半圆状。窝卵数 ( 3 89± 0 92 )枚 (n =3 6) ;多数巢内有一枚卵未孵出 ( 63 3 %) ,孵化率 83 0 4%。