The abundance of farmland birds within arable fields in relation to seed density

Published source details Hart J.D., Murray A.W.A., Milsom T.P., Parrott D., Allcock J., Watola G.V., Bishop J.D., Robertson P.A., Holland J.M., Bowyer A., Birkett T. & Begbie M. (2002) The abundance of farmland birds within arable fields in relation to seed density. Aspects of Applied Biology, 67, 221-228.
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Summary

Timing of reproduction is dependent on food supply in many species. Therefore, it is possible that providing supplementary food may allow animals to reproduce earlier and, therefore, potentially increase reproductive success. This study investigates whether providing great tits Parus major in mixed oak-hazel woodland in southern Sweden can induce early laying.

The study site is a 24 ha mixed oak-hazel woodland. In 1972, the eastern third of the wood was used as an experimental area, in 1973, it was the eastern quarter.

In the experimental areas, feeding trays were established and supplied with 20-35 g of mealworms from 11^th-27^th April 1972 and between 10^th April and 14^th May 1973. A total of 33 trays were used in 1972 and 32 in 1973, resulting in a density of 2 trays/territory in 1972 and 1.5 trays/territory in 1973.

The timing of first laying was monitored tor 119 nest boxes over the two years.

Female tits in fed areas began laying eggs significantly earlier than great tits in adjacent control (unfed) areas. The difference was significant irrespective of whether all females, one year-old females or older females were examined (average laying date of 1^st-5^th May for fed areas, n = 44 nests vs. 6^th-11^th May for controls, n = 75 pairs).

The authors note that other species including nuthatches Sitta europea and chaffinches Fringilla coelebs also took food from the trays.

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