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The Wroughton's free-tailed bat (Otomops wroughtoni) is classified as Data Deficient under IUCN Red List due to inadequate information on its distribution, population, and ecology. The species was previously recorded from Belgaum district of Karnataka and from East Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills districts of Meghalaya and from Cambodia, represented by a single specimen. Through our study on Chiroptera taxa across 19 Community Reserves between October 2021 and January 2022 using physical search, mist netting and acoustic study we have identified a new colony of O. wroughtoni from the Mikadogre village in South Garo Hills District of Meghalaya, which extends the current distribution to 135 km from the nearest known distribution site. Interestingly, unlike other known roosts of O. wroughtoni which are in large caves with high roofs and deep crevices or cupolas, this roost was in the open limestone cliff located next to a stream. In addition to this, we have also documented the breeding colony of the species from a previously known site at Pynurkba. This new finding emphasises that there are more potential roosts across the Northeast region of India with similar habitats and altitudes waiting to be identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The harbour seal Phoca vitulina is a ubiquitous pinniped species found throughout coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere. Harbour seal impacts on ecosystem dynamics may be significant due to their high abundance and food web position. Two subspecies exist in North America, P. v. richardii in the Pacific Ocean and P. v. vitulina in the Atlantic. Strong natal philopatry of harbour seals can result in fine‐scale genetic structure and isolation by distance. Management of harbour seals is expected to benefit from improved resolution of seal population structure and dynamics. Here, we use genotyping‐by‐sequencing to genotype 146 harbour seals from the eastern Pacific Ocean (i.e. British Columbia (BC), Oregon and California) and the western Atlantic Ocean (i.e. Québec, Newfoundland and Labrador). Using 12,742 identified variants, we confirm the recently identified elevated genetic diversity in the eastern Pacific relative to the western Atlantic and greatest differentiation between the subspecies. Further, we demonstrate that this is independent of reference genome bias or other potential technical artefacts. Coast‐specific analyses with 8933 and 3828 variants in Pacific and Atlantic subspecies, respectively, identify divergence between BC and Oregon–California, and between Québec and Newfoundland–Labrador. Unexpected PCA outlier clusters were observed in two populations due to cryptic relatedness of individuals; subsequently, closely related samples were removed. Admixture analysis indicates an isolation‐by‐distance signature where Oregon seals contained some of the BC signature, whereas California did not. Additional sampling is needed in the central and north coast of BC to determine whether a discrete separation of populations exists within the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence of hybridization, the interbreeding of species, is poorly-understood but believed to be comparatively prevalent in avian communities. In the Outer Islands of Seychelles, at St François Atoll, a Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) was first observed to have formed a pair with a Black-naped Tern in 2009. Subsequently, in 2015 conservation staff recorded an adult with intermediate characteristics, presumed to be a hybrid of the mixed-pair seen previously. The suspected hybrid proved fertile, backcrossing with the Black-naped Tern colony and producing offspring of its own. The resultant juvenile had red legs, exhibiting intermediate morphology. Presented here is an assembly of field observations and photographic evidence collected over 15 years which document mixed pairs; displaying defensive nest behavior, mate-feeding, incubating eggs, copulating and parenting chicks. Findings strongly indicate hybridization has taken place, which constitutes only the second example of such an event with this species combination worldwide. We also uncovered evidence for backcrossing, possibly compromising the genetic integrity of the Black-naped Tern colony which is of increased conservation value due to the relative scarcity of the mathewsi sub species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian openbill stork (Anastomus oscitans) colonies and also the numbers were enormous before some decades in some villages beside Keleghai River bank. However, there has been a significant decline in both the colonies and their populations. This present study investigates the rapid decline in the number of breeding colonies and birds, exploring the reasons behind this phenomenon. To address these inquiries, the study collects perceptions from various stakeholders through extensive field observations and interviews. Expeditions are conducted to comprehend the prevailing situation and associated circumstances. Qualitative observations reveal that human intervention, both direct and indirect, is limiting the development of stork colonies. Data analysis indicates that 37.5% of respondents attribute the contraction of bird colonies to changes in land use, while 26.3% point to the extermination of larger trees along the colony periphery. Additionally, 18.05% of opinions implicate the heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers in the wetland, 6.94% cite local climate change, and 11.11% cite other reasons. To validate the gathered information, the study employed temporal land use land cover (LULC) classification techniques. Random point pattern analysis from Google Image of 2023 is also utilized to reinforce the survey results. It enhances understanding of the spatio-temporal relationship. Subsequently, the study presents the correlation matrix to elucidate the relationship between stork colonies and contributing factors. It provides a clear insight into the underlying situations. Finally, a comparative analysis of the surveyed and spatial analysis information is conducted to detect and validate the perception of stakeholders. Based on these observations, the study formulates conservation measures for the bird habitat and their colonies in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crab Plover Dromas ardeola is endemic to the subtropical and tropical coastlines of the Indian Ocean. It breeds along the eastern coasts of Africa, the Persian Gulf, and southern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula; occurs also in the western Madagascar and most islands northwards to Seychelles. It is a winter visitor to Pakistan, Gujarat, and peninsular India, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, northern Sri Lanka, Maldives, and a vagrant to Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to assess the breeding records of the Crab Plover in Point Calimere. After some preliminary surveys and interactions with local birders, between June and August 2023, boat surveys and foot surveys were carried out in the Great Vedaryanam Swamp (GVS) and nearby islets to document the presence of Crab Plover and locate its nests. The presence of five nests of D. ardeola was recorded in Manaaran Theevu islet near Siruthalaikkadu of GVS. This observation marks the first documentation of breeding of Crab Plover in the Indian subcontinent. In the context of species conservation within the peninsular Indian region, there is a need for comprehensive and continuous monitoring of breeding sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishes of the family Pomacentridae present a wide diversity of mating systems, ranging from polygyny to promiscuity and from individual territorial defense to the establishment of reproductive colonies of males. The damselfish species Abudefduf troschelii has a reproductive colony mating system, in which males temporarily aggregate in reproductive areas to court and attract females. Males defend an individual territory where they receive eggs and perform paternal care behaviors for their offspring. The present study evaluated the advantages of the colonial mating system in A. troschelii. During an entire reproductive period, in a breeding colony within a rocky reef, we located, marked, geo-referenced, and measured the distances between the territories of all males. We quantified the variance among males in their patterns of paternal care investment, eggs acquired, hatching success, reproductive success, body size, and changes in body coloration. We found that males spatially distributed their nests in groups or independently (i.e., solitary nests). Nesting groups are formed by larger males that show intense nuptial coloration during the entire receptivity period. They are located centrally to the colony and consist of three to six males whose territories overlap. In contrast, small solitary males that fail to acquire or maintain nuptial coloration during the receptivity period establish their nests peripherally to the colony, away from the territories of other males. Our results highlight that the reproductive benefits of colonial nesting are unequal for males, as the spatial distribution of nests within the colony determines the reproductive success of males. Group nesting confers the highest reproductive benefits to males regarding eggs obtained, hatching success, and relative fitness and also enables males to reduce their parental investment in brood care behaviors. The preference of females for oviposition could be associated with greater intrasexual competitiveness, defense ability, body condition, or experience of groupnesting males located at the center of the colony or because their progeny will have a lower probability of predation than they would in solitary nests males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishes of the family Pomacentridae present a wide diversity of mating systems, ranging from polygyny to promiscuity and from individual territorial defense to the establishment of reproductive colonies of males. The damselfish species Abudefduf troschelii has a reproductive colony mating system, in which males temporarily aggregate in reproductive areas to court and attract females. Males defend an individual territory where they receive eggs and perform paternal care behaviors for their offspring. The present study evaluated the advantages of the colonial mating system in A. troschelii. During an entire reproductive period, in a breeding colony within a rocky reef, we located, marked, geo-referenced, and measured the distances between the territories of all males. We quantified the variance among males in their patterns of paternal care investment, eggs acquired, hatching success, reproductive success, body size, and changes in body coloration. We found that males spatially distributed their nests in groups or independently (i.e., solitary nests). Nesting groups are formed by larger males that show intense nuptial coloration during the entire receptivity period. They are located centrally to the colony and consist of three to six males whose territories overlap. In contrast, small solitary males that fail to acquire or maintain nuptial coloration during the receptivity period establish their nests peripherally to the colony, away from the territories of other males. Our results highlight that the reproductive benefits of colonial nesting are unequal for males, as the spatial distribution of nests within the colony determines the reproductive success of males. Group nesting confers the highest reproductive benefits to males regarding eggs obtained, hatching success, and relative fitness and also enables males to reduce their parental investment in brood care behaviors. The preference of females for oviposition could be associated with greater intrasexual competitiveness, defense ability, body condition, or experience of group-nesting males located at the center of the colony or because their progeny will have a lower probability of predation than they would in solitary nests males.

The Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola has a large and fragmented breeding distribution in the Palearctic. In Italy it is an uncommon migrant breeder and the breeding sites are very patchily distributed and irregularly used, with most frequent occurrences in the N Adriatic, N Apulia, Campania, Sardinia and Sicily. We report a new breeding site for the species along the northern Adriatic coastline in the Marano and Grado Lagoon (Friuli Venezia Giulia region, NE Italy), which represents the first breeding evidence for the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.

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Breeding in colonies is a defining characteristic of many waterbird species and several behavioural and habitat traits determine nest-site selection. Although there is relatively extensive literature on the topic, information on the within-colony distribution of nests lacks for mixed colonies, especially for ardeid-cormorant associations and in regions such as Central America. Here, geospatial data on vegetation associated with a mixed colony, established in a small alluvial forest northwest of El Salvador and collected from June to November 2015 was assessed to identify some behavioural and habitat features that could influence nest-site selection. Four ardeid species (Ardea alba, Egretta thula, Bubulcus ibis, and Nycticorax nycticorax) and one cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) conformed the colony, where the last was the outstanding species. The total area of the colony was 2.14 ha (14% of La Barra forest) with high nest densities (584.58 nests/ha). Spatial analyses indicate that some species prefer to occupy trees/shrubs close to other trees/shrubs with conspecific or similarly sized species. A remarkable height-strata distribution was found, with large-sized species in the canopy, and small-sized species in the lower strata. The resulting estimates of the generalized linear models applied suggest that the within-colony nest-site selection is determined by the combination of higher heights of the tree/shrub used for nesting, nearest distance to a food source, fewer species sharing the same tree/shrub and an increasing effect of the interaction of the latter two factors. Finally, the temporal evolution of La Barra's colony shows that the increasing number of Neotropical Cormorants (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) could be shaping and threatening the colony's species structure and possibly the vegetation as well. Conservation measures should be implemented to manage the population of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petrels are particularly sensitive to predation by introduced species. Many populations have reduced their breeding ranges, currently mainly occupying predator-free sites. Breeding range reduction leads to interspecific competition for nesting sites, which can be detrimental to petrels. Here, we evaluate how the presence of introduced mammals (cats Felis catus and rats Rattus spp.) and potential competitors for nest sites (Cory's shearwaters Calonectris borealis and feral rock pigeons Columba livia) shape the distribution, breeding density, and breeding performance of Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii on Tenerife, the largest and most densely human populated of the Canary Islands. We estimated nest density, assessed the role of nest location and physical characteristics of nests on breeding success, and determined causes of breeding failure by introduced predators and competitors. Nest density was higher in predator-free colonies on marine rocks. Cat presence was the best predictor of nest density, but it was not correlated with either presence or abundance of competitors. Breeding success varied between years and colonies but was not related to nest characteristics. Pigeon competition for nests was the most frequent cause of breeding failure (7.3%), followed by rat predation (6.3%). We also compared petrel and pigeon nest cavities and found considerable overlap in the physical size of nest sites. Our study provides insights into an overlooked impact of the invasive rock pigeon: nest competition with small seabirds. We encourage more research on the effects of pigeons on nest density, as well as disease and pathogen transmission, and vegetation changes within seabird colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many birds species breed in colonies. One of the species in the Corvidae family nesting in groups is the Rook (Corvus frugilegus). The construction of the nest is costly for birds and needs high energy expenditure. Therefore, birds should optimize the time of nest building in relation to environmental, especially weather, conditions. Furthermore, birds should adapt their breeding phenology, including the date of starting the construction of nests for climate change. We observed the dynamics of increasing numbers of nests in a colony of Rooks in relation to air temperature, wind, rainfall, snowfall and day-length (indirect indicator of photoperiodism). Observations were carried out during three breeding seasons (2015–2017) in a large rookery in a big city in north-eastern Poland. The increase in the number of nests was correlated only with day length and no effect of climatic factors on the number of nests in the colony was observed. Number of nests varied significantly between successive years of research. In the case of the Rook (predictable breeders), the photoperiod seems to be the most important factor influencing breeding behavior, especially nest construction. In the last three decades, increasing temperature and time of spring phases have advanced and have influenced changes in the phenology of the availability of food resources. Simultaneously, a rapid decline in the numbers of breeding pairs of the Rook in Poland has been observed, especially in the last three decades. Conservative attachment to the length of the day, which is the main factor responsible for the development of the breeding colony, makes the Rook appear to be a species with low plasticity in the face of rapid climate changes. Thus, we suggest that may indirectly influence the decrease in the breeding population of the Rook.

Seabirds are declining worldwide, and predation by introduced and endemic species is one threat that affects many of them. Leach's Storm Petrel Hydrobates leucorhous (hereafter LHSP) populations are declining in a number of locations for reasons that are likely multicausal, and perhaps local or regional, but relative contributions of individual causes are poorly understood. To help understand causes, we quantified predation at two Nova Scotian LHSP breeding colonies that differ in predator management: no management occurs on Bon Portage (BP) Island, whereas management is used on Country Island (CI). Transects were monitored for evidence of predation approximately biweekly on BP and CI in 2018 and 2019, during May-October on BP and May-July on CI. We did not have data on predator densities, but in both colonies, predatory density would have been very location-specific. Evidence such as LHSP carcasses, feather piles, dug up nest burrows, and gull and owl pellets was removed or destroyed during each visit. Predation of eggs and nestlings was scarcely detected. Similarly, adult predation on CI was seldom detected. We estimated that 4 000 individuals were depredated on BP in each year of this study. Approximately 42% of predation events were ascribed to gulls and 10% to owls; 48% of remains could not confidently be ascribed to a particular predator. We do not know how general these rates will be because of differences among colonies in predator communities. In any case, LHSP are listed as "Vulnerable" globally, and although up to a 5% annual loss of adults may be sustainable for a healthy population, such losses may exacerbate population declines if other factors are additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is used commonly as a contraceptive in women and female non‐human primates, its effects on social behavior remain unclear. This study examined whether MPA treatment and introduction of new adult males during the breeding season influence the social behaviors of group‐housed adult female rhesus macaques. Methods: Subjects were 12 MPA‐treated and 12 matched case‐control females. Aggressive, affiliative, and sexual behaviors were measured. Results: MPA‐treated females showed less affiliative and sexual behavior compared to matched controls during the breeding season. MPA treatment was associated with decreased aggression emitted toward and received from females during the breeding season. Conclusion: MPA treatment is associated with differences in social behavior of female rhesus macaques during the breeding season, when normal hormonal cycles are attenuated by the treatment, but there is no indication that MPA‐treated females bring an additional risk for more aggression during the male introduction and breeding season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gull–billed tern breeds in temporary lakes in Castilla–La Mancha in Central Spain but depends on surrounding land habitats to feed its chicks. It is therefore vital to know the type of environments it selects to capture prey to feed nestlings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of habitats for hunting by adult gull–billed tern. Of 66 lakes monitored between 1996 and 2016, we found the gull–billed tern used 12 for breeding. Each lake was used during this period for 1–14 breeding seasons. We selected circular areas around the three wetlands where the species bred in 2013 and 2014. Within these circles, we sampled a total of 60 random points and recorded 125 gull–billed tern contacts (including between 1 and 39 birds). We estimated the same environmental variables at contact and random points, including land use and the distance to the nearest wetland, the nearest colony and to several types of anthropic uses (paved roads, houses, and cities). To evaluate habitat selection we calculated the Manly selection index for soil use variables, and fitted linear mixed models to evaluate differences in the distance variables. Land uses selected for foraging by the gull–billed tern were mainly cereal crops, whereas vineyards were avoided. The birds foraged on average up to 2 km from the colonies and tended to avoid proximity of towns and paved roads, suggesting that the species is sensitive to human disturbance. Vineyards are the main land use in this region and the intensity is increasing. Our results suggest vineyards should be limited in areas around these wetlands so that gull–billed terns may forage in their preferred sites.

The Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer is a large wading bird that occurs extensively throughout sub-Saharan Africa in savanna and wetland habitats. Despite its widespread occurrence in southern Africa, the number of known breeding localities and the numbers of nests are limited. We report on large, dispersed nesting colonies in the greater Gorongosa landscape in central Mozambique. We counted the number of active Marabou nests in Gorongosa National Park and adjoining areas by conducting annual aerial (helicopter) surveys between 2016 and 2019. The Muaredzi colony within Gorongosa National Park has been expanding annually from 82 active nests in 2016 up to 258 nests in 2019. Similarly, the Mussicadzi colony has increased from five nests in 2016 to 81 nests in 2019. A total of 373 active nests were recorded in 2019 in Gorongosa National Park. Since 2017, a small number of additional nests were also observed in the Coutada 11 and Coutada 12 hunting areas, adjacent to Gorongosa. The total count for the greater Gorongosa landscape was 380 active nests in 2019. This represents the first formal record of what appears to be the single largest breeding assembly of Marabou Storks south of the Zambezi and Cunene Rivers. The observation of a significant number of active Marabou nests in the greater Gorongosa landscape has important conservation implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The largest population of Humboldt Penguins resides in a fertile archipelago of the north-central coast of Chile, formed by eight islands in proximity to upwelling centers of the Humboldt Current System. However, five of these islands lack legal protection. Here, we report the results of breeding Humboldt Penguins tracked while foraging from Tilgo Island. The average and maximum foraging radii around the colony were 22 km and 43 km, respectively. Our data indicate that trip ranges overlap areas proposed for industrial projects. Because Humboldt Penguins are sentinels of local ecosystem health, this underscores the value of expanding conservation zones in this unique marine location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat loss and impoverishment are the main factors causing the decline in populations of water bird species. To acquire the knowledge necessary for their conservation, an understanding of how they use their breeding habitats is crucial. With this in mind, the sympatric tern species White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus and Black Tern Chlidonias niger were studied in the Kulunda steppe of Altai Krai in southern Russia. Although both species occurred in the same area, they differed in their use of nesting habitats. Black Tern located its colonies mostly in emergent vegetation, whereas White-winged Tern did so more often in patches of sedge. In order to define nest site selectivity, models containing seven habitat predictors were developed on the basis of Akaike's information criterion. The best model for Black Tern showed that it chose a larger area of water bodies close to the colonies than around unoccupied sites. For White-winged Tern, the distances from the colony to the nearest woodland and to the nearest settlements were greater. These habitat factors may be primarily related to the different feeding preferences of the two species and in the case of White-winged Tern may be connected with the risk of nest loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over a period of 205 years, there have been carried out dozens of censuses of nests and nesting bird individuals, summerings and non-nesting bird individuals, winterings and wintering bird individuals, the determinations of migration routes in the Caspian region and across the Caspian Sea, in Central and Southern Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Russia. Until the early XXI century, the main flamingo nesting sites were located in the Caspian region and along the Caspian Sea within the Russian Empire / USSR / Commonwealth of Independent States. It was found that such a geographical distribution of flamingo nesting sites was established until 1930 by the relative stability of the global climate conditions in northern Eurasia that have caused the stand of water level in the Caspian Sea. During this period, in the northern part of the Asian population the monitoring of the flamingo had the form of collecting mainly qualitative information. Amongst these are the determination of the locations of breeding sites, summerings and winterings; the bird's abundance was characterised mainly using the epithets. The next period (from 1931 to 1977) was caused by the development of anthropogenic influences and by changes of global climatic conditions in northern Eurasia, which have caused a decrease in the water level in the Caspian Sea. Environmental effects of the hydrological regime changes were the most significant in the shallow north-eastern part of the Caspian Sea. The breeding sites and the summerings (that were located there) had changed dislocation. Sometimes such a dislocation was observed over a wide area, up to the complete loss of breeding sites and summerings. During this period, the observations had the character of quantative information collecting and clarification of qualitative data: determination of new locations of breeding sites, duration of their existence, location of summerings and winterings, sizes of flocks and groupings, and disappearance reasons of the flamingo from former habitats. The persistent reduction of the Caspian Sea area, as well as the drying up of several sea gulfs, had caused the emergence of permanent breeding colonies on the lakes of Central Kazakhstan (Lake Shalkartenize, Lake Tengiz). The decrease in the level of continental waterbodies in Central Kazakhstan had caused an increase of their nesting and feeding properties: formed shoals became the sites of feeding and breeding of flamingos. Significant annual and long-term fluctuations of the water level in the lakes had become the reason of the periodic disappearance of flamingo colonies on certain lakes and their emergence of those on other lakes. During 1978–2015 the monitoring of flamingos in the northern part of the range of the Asian population were aimed at obtaining qualitative and quantitative indicators of nesting sites, summerings and winterings in conditions of increasing of the Caspian Sea level, the fluctuations of the water content in Central Kazakhstan, the refinement of migration dates, the spring and autumn migration routes. The placement of the major part of flamingos on the water bodies of Central Kazakhstan by the end of the XX century has contributed to the final formation of the flight route, which had connected these habitats with areas previously populated along the Caspian Sea. In the early XXI century the permanent reproductive centre in the northern part of the Asian flamingo population remained the breeding colony on Lake Tengiz. Available data have formed the necessary information base for further quantitative and qualitative assessment of the northern part of the Asian population over three time periods caused by the state of the Caspian Sea, waterbodies of the Caspian region and Central Kazakhstan, each of which had specific characteristics that determine the placement of nesting colonies, summerings, winterings, routes of seasonal and inter-seasonal migrations in the northern part of the range of flamingos and beyond.

The breeding numbers of seabirds, including Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo, Japanese Cormorant, Phalacrocorax capillatus, Black-tailed gull, Larus crassirostris, and Slaty-backed gull, Larus schistisagus along the coastline from Cape Soya to Shari Town was censused. Confirmed were 462 nests of Great Cormorant on the nearshore bank at 4 sites, 312 nests of Japanese Cormorant at 7 sites, only one nest of Black-tailed Gull, except for the Menashidomari colony, and 1,523 nests of Slaty-backed Gull at 19 sites of which 84.5% were found on the nearshore bank. Breeding number of Slaty-backed Gulls increased between 2014 and 2019 at 4 sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breeding ecology of the Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo, was surveyed by using color marking and trail cameras at a cormorant breeding colony in Horonobe, northern Hokkaido from 20152019. In May 2015 cormorants abandoned their nests, although the process from courtship to incubation was recorded by trail cameras. Hence color marking was not conducted. In April 2016, cormorants also abandoned nests, and one raccoon, Procyon lotor, was photographed only at night when cormorants appeared at the colony. No cormorants were confirmed at the breeding colony from 2017 to 2019. Nesting abandonment in 2015 and 2016 probably occurred as a result of disturbance by raccoons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterbird species face numerous threats and many are declining globally, but knowledge of distribution, abundance, and trend remains poor for many species. Five species of marsh-nesting colonial waterbirds are poorly monitored in Canada, and especially so in the core of their range in the Canadian Prairie Provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba). We summarized published and unpublished data on abundance and distribution of breeding colonies of Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis), Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan), Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri), and Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. We also examined the degree of overlap in nesting phenology (egg dates) and summarized survey methods that have been used to monitor the species during the breeding season—information that may be useful for the development of a multispecies monitoring program. For all species, the largest number of records of breeding colonies occurred in Alberta, with records declining eastward through Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We identified a number of breeding colonies occurring outside of currently defined species ranges, especially for the poorly studied Forster's Tern. Of 137 waterbodies hosting a colony of at least one species over the past 10 yr, 57 (41.6%) hosted colonies of at least 2 species, and 3 (2.2%) hosted colonies of all 5 species. Species tended to be reasonably synchronous in their breeding phenology, but Franklin's Gulls and Black-crowned Night-Herons tended to initiate nesting slightly earlier than the other species. We conclude that a multispecies survey timed in late May or early June to count nests and/or incubating adults, using either ground-based or aerial surveys, would likely be the most appropriate for monitoring all species jointly in the Prairie Provinces. The approach we take to compiling data from multiple sources on species occurrence and breeding phenology may be applicable to others wishing to examine the feasibility of a multispecies monitoring plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North America's northernmost, sizable colony of Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia) is located on the Copper River Delta of south-central Alaska, USA. The colony was monitored in June during 2008-2016 and in July during 2009-2013. This 9-year period coincided with reduction of Caspian Tern nesting habitat at East Sand Island in the Columbia River estuary, Oregon, USA, one of the world's largest Caspian Tern breeding colonies. The number of active nests on the Copper River Delta more than doubled during the early study period from 209 in 2008 to 423 in 2013. However, there was a steady decline in the number of nests during 2014 (281) to 2015 (115) and the colony failed in 2016. These declines were likely due to warm sea surface temperature anomalies across the northeastern Pacific Ocean in those years. Based on resightings of banded individuals, colony connectivity was documented between the Copper River Delta and other colonies, ranging from southeast Alaska (215 km) to central California, USA (> 3,000 km). The East Sand Island colony was the most important source of immigrants to the Copper River Delta. While the Copper River Delta now serves as important natural breeding habitat for Caspian Terns, increased flooding and severe storms associated with climate change will likely limit colony size and productivity in the long-term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, microplastics, including polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), adhering to the feathers of all tracked black-tailed gull individuals were studied. PE was detected in the highest number of feathers (n = 26, 35.6 %), followed by PP (n = 21, 28.8 %), PET and other microplastics (n = 16, 21.9 %), and PS (n = 10, 13.7 %). Furthermore, plastic particles of size 50–100 μm were the most common (n = 33, 45.1 %), followed by ≤50 (n = 21, 28.8 %), 100–150 (n = 11, 15.1 %), ≥200 (n = 7, 9.6 %), and 150–200 μm (n = 1, 1.4 %). Microplastic levels did not differ considerably between the Dokdo and Ulleungdo populations. As black-tailed gulls spend >95 % of their time in coastal areas, coastal pollution caused by oil spills and increasing microplastic levels could lead to physical problems, such as the adherence of oil and microplastics onto feathers. • Microplastics in black-tailed gull feathers were detected for the first time. • Microplastic types and sizes vary based on gull breeding sites. • Polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics are highly prevalent in gull feathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Antarctic petrel ( Thalassoica antarctica ) has been identified as a key species for monitoring the status and health of the Southern Ocean and Antarctic ecosystems. Breeding colonies of the Antarctic petrel are often found on isolated nunataks far from inhabited stations, some up to hundreds of kilometers from the shoreline. It is difficult therefore to monitor and census known colonies, and it is believed that undiscovered breeding locations remain to be found. We developed an algorithm that can detect Antarctic petrel colonies and used it to complete a continent-wide survey using Landsat-8 Operational Line Imager (OLI) imagery in Antarctica up to the southernmost extent of Landsat's orbital view at 82.68°S. Our survey successfully identified 8 known Antarctic petrel colonies containing 86% of the known population of Antarctic petrels. The survey also identified what appears to be a significant population of breeding birds in areas not known to host breeding Antarctic petrel colonies. Our survey suggests that the breeding population at Mt. Biscoe (66°13′S 51°21′E), currently reported to be in the 1000s, may actually be on the order of 400,000 breeding pairs, which would make it the largest known Antarctic petrel breeding colony in the world. The algorithm represents a first-ever attempt to apply satellite remote sensing to assess the distribution and abundance of the Antarctic petrel on a continent-wide basis. As such, we note several algorithm shortcomings and identify research topics for algorithm improvement. Even with these caveats, our algorithm for identifying Antarctic petrel colonies with Landsat imagery demonstrates the feasibility of monitoring their populations using satellite remote sensing and identifies breeding locations, including Mt. Biscoe, that should be considered high priorities for validation with directed field surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Otomops wroughtoni is an extremely rare molossid bat, known so far by a single breeding colony in southwestern India and two single individuals recorded in Meghalaya and Cambodia. We report here the discovery of three new roosts located in large karstic caves of the Jaintia Hills, in southeastern Meghalaya. Visual counts indicate that at least 90 individuals occupied these new roosts in February 2014, which doubles the known world population of this species. The new populations of Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bats from the Jaintia Hills have considerable value for the conservation of this elusive species. Although these bats are protected under national laws, their cave roosts and hunting habitats are subjected to severe and ongoing degradation. A protection plan that would include more extensive surveys and a strict conservation of these caves should be implemented rapidly to mitigate these threats.

A new locality of rye sedge Carex secalina, a critically endangered species was discovered on an island of Lake Kusowo, in the vicinity of Bydgoszcz (Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province), in June 2015. The species was found in a breeding colony of black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus. The population size was estimated at least at 30 individuals and all of them produced generative shoots. This locality of C. secalina is the northernmost in Poland and the only ascertained, apart from Inowrocław Plain. Colonization of the island by C. secalina was caused, probably, by zoochory as a result of accidental bringing of propagules by gulls, together with nesting material from outside the colony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ivory gull Pagophila eburnea is an Arctic seabird species whose distribution is tightly coupled to the availability of sea ice. During the last decades, strong declines have been reported for breeding colonies in Canada and Greenland, which are usually located on nunataks or remote coastal islands. Here, we report the observation of a colony of ivory gulls breeding on a gravel-covered iceberg 70 km off Northeast Greenland in August 2014. It concerned approximately 60 adults, including two ringed individuals, and many chicks. This represents an unusual breeding site for the species, to be compared with a few cases of colonies on gravel-covered sea ice. Breeding on an offshore iceberg may be advantageous since it provides ultimate protection from predators. Furthermore, the proximity to the productive North East Water polynya may have been attractive to these gulls. As a consequence of this and previous observations, colony surveys should not solely focus on inland and coastal breeding habitats, but should be extended towards the ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine litter can affect the survival of the breeding population in seabird colonies. In this study, five 5 m × 5 m quadrats were installed at a Black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris) breeding colony on Nan Island to collect marine litter and regurgitated pellets, from which the types, sizes, and quantities of marine litter were identified. Global positioning system (GPS) devices were attached to five adult gulls to investigate their major foraging habitats during the breeding period. Eighty-two pieces of marine litter were found, of which 74.4 % were related to fishing; all pellets contained fishing-related marine litter. Over half of the foraging habitats included fishing areas (ports and fish farms). This study is the first to quantitatively demonstrate the exposure of breeding colonies of Black-tailed gulls, the most dominant Korean seabird, to marine litter pollution during the breeding period; the birds forage predominantly in fishing areas close to their breeding colonies during this period. [Display omitted] • This study is the first record of marine litter pollution in breeding colony of the Black-tailed gull in South Korea. • Total 82 marine litters found at the breeding colony, 74.4 % of which were fishing items. • Several pellets contained marine litters were also observed in the breeding site. • Major foraging and resting sites are fishing areas close to the breeding colony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations into small mammals within the territory of a breeding colony of great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), carried out in 2011-2014 near Juodkrantė (West Lithuania), demonstrated the colony's impact on the dominant rodent, yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis). The age and sex structure of the sampled mice (n = 432), along with body weight, body condition index, and residuals from the linear regression, were used to analyse data from five zones of the colony and the surrounding forest. We found that in the most active zones of the cormorant colony, the age structure of the population was tilted towards a prevalence of juveniles, while sex structure was towards a prevalence of males (P < 0.0001). Despite males being significantly longer in body and heavier, body condition index was the same in both sexes. The effect of the zone of the colony was confirmed for body weight and its residuals; body length and body condition index (main effects ANOVA) were negative in the zones where cormorants were nesting actively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examined how nest location, nest density and species identity affect agonistic interactions among Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) and Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) nesting at a colony site in central Minnesota, USA. Double-crested Cormorant and Great Blue Heron nests were observed to estimate frequency of agonistic behavior and identify species-level patterns of interaction.

Otomops wroughtioni is an extremely rare molossid bat, known so far by a single breeding colony in southwestern India and two single individuals recorded in Meghalaya and Cambodia. We report here the discovery of three new roosts located in large karstic caves of the Jainta Hills, in southeastern Meghalaya. Visual counts indicate that at least 90 individuals occupied these new roosts in February 2014, which doubles the known world population of this species. The new populations of Wroughtion's Free-tailed Bats from the Jainta Hills have considerable value for the conservation of this elusive species. Although these bats are protected under national laws, their cave roosts and huntng habitats are subjected to severe and ongoing degradation. A protection plan that would include more extensive surveys and a strict conservation of these caves should be implemented rapidly to mitgate these threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bird Island in Algoa Bay supports a breeding colony of South African (Cape) fur seals, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus (n = 1000–3000) on Black Rocks which is the easternmost extreme of their breeding range and so it is likely to be the most environmentally marginal of the existing fur seal colonies. Conditions on Bird Island for seal pups are not as benign as they might first appear, particularly with regard to air temperatures. Climatic conditions on Bird Island were recorded in 1993–1995 and are compared to the conditions at Port Elizabeth Airport 63 km W-SW from the Bird Islands. Daily maximum and minimum temperatures, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and rainfall were compared to concurrent Port Elizabeth data. Wind speeds and directions and sea swell heights at Bird Island were also recorded. Air temperatures ranged from 9°C to 33°C, SSTs ranged from 12°C to 23°C, total annual rainfall was ≈ 600 mm and there were typically relatively strong winds (13–15 knots/7–8 m s− 1) predominantly W-SW and E-NE. Intermittent periods of calm hot weather during summer pupping season would lead to potentially lethal hyperthermia (heat stroke). In 1993–1995, about 50% of summer days were potentially lethal to seal pups in the open by hyperthermia if the wind speed is near zero. Eddying of the Agulhas Current and strong winds leads to irregular favourable small-scale upwelling events, but incursions of warm water in hot still weather occurred in January–March 1993 and November–December 1993 and likely lead to starvation of some pups as well as endangering seal pups by hyperthermia. Detailed climate data are usually not available for seal colony sites, but we found good correlations between the offshore Bird Islands and climate data collected from the nearest permanent weather station (Port Elizabeth Airport) making it possible to infer long-term changes in conditions on Bird Island based upon Port Elizabeth data. We show that modest (2°C) increases in average summer temperatures would greatly increase the number of potentially lethal hot days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In spite of the general concerns about introduction of exotic species there are contrary arguments that introduced species could increase local biodiversity and provide ecosystem services. The assertion that native spoonbills Platalea leucorodia are attracted by breeding, introduced sacred ibises Threskiornis aethiopicus, and thus that the spoonbill colonies will be more stable, has been developed as an argument against the proposed eradication of the sacred ibis in western France. We analysed the possible interaction between these two species using information from a 5-year nest survey (2002–2006) in a large swamp in western France. We found that: (1) The spoonbills began to breed significantly earlier than ibises, by 15–25 days. (2) In an analysis using a grid of 80-m squares no site-fidelity effect was observed from one year to the next, both species preferentially using previously unused cells from which the other species was absent and cells occupied by their own species. (3) Spoonbills had a significantly greater dispersion than ibises. (4) The spoonbills almost always settled (90.3%) near a spoonbill nest. These results do not suggest any regular positive attraction of the spoonbills towards the ibises and consequently do not support the proposal that ibises attract spoonbills and play a role in the conservation of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which determined the Black Noddies population and examined their abiotic and biotic nesting preferences on one tree island Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Noddies nested on windy portions of the island and selected core, mid-height of plants as the nesting position on the leeward side. The study found that there was no difference in Black Noddy nesting preferences between Pisonia grandis and Argusia argentea. Monitoring of seabird populations on islands in the southern GBR is recommended.

We analyzed blubber and blood samples for organochlorines (OCs) from 158 Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) at four of their six primary breeding colonies in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Levels of OCs in blubber were lower in adult females compared to juveniles or adult males, evidently owing to the transfer of these lipophilic compounds to pups by pregnant and lactating females. Concentrations of ∑PCBs and p,p′-DDE in blubber generally increased with age until seals were sexually mature and then continued to increase with age in males after puberty. Average levels of PCBs and PCB toxic equivalents (TEQs) in blubber were significantly higher in adult male and juvenile seals at Midway Atoll than the same age class of seals at the other colonies. Unlike concentrations of OCs in blubber, circulating levels of OCs in blood did not vary consistently among age classes of seals or among breeding colonies. Though the concentrations of OCs measured in Hawaiian monk seals were generally equal to or lower than those reported for other pinniped species in the North Pacific Ocean, they were high enough in a few seals to potentially affect their health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Wood Stork ( Mycteria americana) is a colonial wading bird of the tropical and lower subtropical zones. We assessed genetic structure within and among five stork colonies from the Brazilian Pantanal and compared our data with those from North American populations. Samples of 234 individuals were studied using protein electrophoresis to evaluate genetic variability and interpopulation differentiation. Of 22 loci examined, 7 were polymorphic (mean heterozygosity = 0.068). The low Fst value (0.005) indicated little intraspecific variation among breeding colonies. Estimated number of migrants per generation based on private alleles (Nm = 11.3) and on Fst (48.8) suggests high gene flow. Nei's genetic distance values among Pantanal colonies ranged from 0.0001 to 0.0034, demonstrating low genetic divergence among populations. Our data can be explained by supposing high gene flow levels among Pantanal colonies, and between North and South American populations, intermediated by a probable interbreeding population in Central America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many birds species breed in colonies. One of the species in the Corvidae family nesting in groups is the Rook (Corvus frugilegus). The construction of the nest is costly for birds and needs high energy expenditure. Therefore, birds should optimize the time of nest building in relation to environmental, especially weather, conditions. Furthermore, birds should adapt their breeding phenology, including the date of starting the construction of nests for climate change. We observed the dynamics of increasing numbers of nests in a colony of Rooks in relation to air temperature, wind, rainfall, snowfall and day-length (indirect indicator of photoperiodism). Observations were carried out during three breeding seasons (2015–2017) in a large rookery in a big city in north-eastern Poland. The increase in the number of nests was correlated only with day length and no effect of climatic factors on the number of nests in the colony was observed. Number of nests varied significantly between successive years of research. In the case of the Rook (predictable breeders), the photoperiod seems to be the most important factor influencing breeding behavior, especially nest construction. In the last three decades, increasing temperature and time of spring phases have advanced and have influenced changes in the phenology of the availability of food resources. Simultaneously, a rapid decline in the numbers of breeding pairs of the Rook in Poland has been observed, especially in the last three decades. Conservative attachment to the length of the day, which is the main factor responsible for the development of the breeding colony, makes the Rook appear to be a species with low plasticity in the face of rapid climate changes. Thus, we suggest that may indirectly influence the decrease in the breeding population of the Rook. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed data on captive-born and wild-caught females housed under natural conditions in a colony located in northeastern Brazil. No differences in reproductive performance were found between captive-born and wild-caught females. Twins were the most frequent litter size, followed by triplets and singletons. No parity effect was observed, with similar infant survival for nulliparous and multiparous females. No significant departures in sex ratio were detected for births and mortality of the male and female infants. The age of the females at the time of pairing showed a negative correlation with pairing-parturition length, but did not affect infant survival. The prolongation in pairing-parturition interval (PPI) and interbirth interval (IBI) was related to birth seasonality. The births were clustered in the second half of the dry season and the beginning of the wet season (November–March), and the time of pairing and the time of infant birth influenced the PPI and IBI, respectively. The use of outdoor cages, which allowed the animals to be aware of the seasonal variations in photo-period and rainfall seems to be sufficient to time the reproductive activity, even when the animals are maintained on a constant food supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight highly variable microsatellite loci were used to examine the genetic variability and differentiation of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) at two widely spaced British breeding colonies. Samples were collected from adults and pups on the island of North Rona, off the north-west coast of Scotland, and on the Isle of May, situated at the mouth of the Firth of Forth on the east coast. Highly significant differences in allele frequencies between these two sites were found for all eight loci, indicating considerable genetic differentiation. Thus, although grey seals are known to range over very large areas outside the breeding season, site fidelity of adults and philopatry of pups for these breeding colonies must be sufficiently common to have effects, through genetic drift, at the sub-population level. Migration rate was estimated using Wright's fixation index (FST), Slatkin's private alleles model and the new statistic, RST, which is analogous to FST but which takes into account the process of microsatellite mutation. An almost 8-fold discrepancy between the values we obtained provides cautionary evidence that microsatellite loci may contravene one or more of the assumptions on which these methods are based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The population dynamics of long-lived birds are thought to be very sensitive to changes in adult survival. However, where natal philopatry is low, recruitment from the larger metapopulation may have the strongest effect on population growth rate even in long-lived species. Here, we illustrate such a situation where changes in a seabird colony size appeared to be the consequence of changes in recruitment. We studied the population dynamics of a declining colony of Ancient Murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus) at East Limestone Island, British Columbia. During 1990-2010, Ancient Murrelet chicks were trapped at East Limestone Island while departing to sea, using a standard trapping method carried on throughout the departure period. Adult murrelets were trapped while departing from the colony during 1990-2003. Numbers of chicks trapped declined during 1990-1995, probably because of raccoon predation, increased slightly from 1995-2000 and subsequently declined again. Reproductive success was 30% lower during 2000-2003 than in earlier years, mainly because of an increase in desertions. The proportion of nonbreeders among adult birds trapped at night also declined over the study period. Mortality of adult birds, thought to be mainly prebreeders, from predators more than doubled over the same period. Apparent adult survival of breeders remained constant during 1991-2002 once the first year after banding was excluded, but the apparent survival rates in the first year after banding fell and the survival of birds banded as chicks to age three halved over the same period. A matrix model of population dynamics suggested that even during the early part of the study immigration from other breeding areas must have been substantial, supporting earlier observations that natal philopatry in this species is low. The general colony decline after 2000 probably was related to diminished recruitment, as evidenced by the lower proportion of nonbreeders in the trapped sample. Hence the trend is determined by the recruitment decisions of externally reared birds, rather than demographic factors operating on the local breeding population, an unusual situation for a colonial marine bird. Because of the contraction in the colony it may now be subject to a level of predation pressure from which recovery will be impossible without some form of intervention.