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Blunsden, Thomas P. (2020) Does nestbox type significantly alter the ectoparasitic load and breeding success in the nests of secondary-cavity-nesting passerines, at Nagshead, Forest of Dean? Masters thesis, University of Gloucestershire. doi:10.46289/KH10GE82
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Text (Final thesis)
10457_Blunsden,_Thomas_P._(2020)_MSc_by_Research_thesis_Does_nestbox_type_significantly_alter_the_ectoparasitic_load_and_breeding_success_in_the_nests_of_secondary.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License All Rights Reserved. Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
This research aims to find if nestbox type causes a significant difference in the ectoparasite load and breeding success rate in the nests for four co-occurring secondary cavity nesting passerines, breeding in nestboxes at Nagshead Nature Reserve, Forest of Dean. The different nestbox types used in this study are old and new standard wooden nestboxes and deep nestboxes, which are designed to reduced predation. Nests were taken from nestboxes used by Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), Great Tit (Parus major), Nuthatch (Sitta Europaea) and Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) by Nestbox Species Surveyors at the end of the 2019 breeding season, and later dissected to determine ectoparasite abundance and nest composition. Nest data collected by Nestbox Species Surveyors was used to calculate the breeding success rate. Population of woodland birds in 2018 was found to be overall 29% than in 1970. Deforestation and habitat management are causes in the reduction of nesting sites available for woodland bird species. Pine Martens (Martes martes), a known predator to secondary cavity nesting birds, were reintroduced into the Forest of Dean in September 2019. Individuals using nestboxes are at a potential increased risk of predation as nestboxes are accessible to Pine Martens. The abundance of adult Hen Fleas and Blowfly pupae in deep nestboxes was found to be significantly higher compared to the nestbox types. Nuthatch nests were found to have the highest mean abundance of adult Hen Fleas, while Pied Flycatcher nests had the highest mean abundance of Blowfly pupae, compared to the other species. Leaves as a nest material were found to have a significant influence and negative correlation with both ectoparasites mentioned. Breeding success rate in standard new boxes was significantly lower than the other nestbox types, with no significant difference occurring between deep and standard old nestboxes. Breeding success in Nuthatch nests were found to be significantly lower than the other avian study species potential linking the increased abundance of adult Hen Fleas previously found. Leaves were found to be significantly influencing and positively correlating with breeding success. These findings add to the data and knowledge about the difference in ectoparasite load and breeding success between nestbox types and the secondary cavity nest passerines, which use these nestboxes. This study also opens up potential for recommended future studies to be carried out at Nagshead.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) | |||||||||
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus); Great Tit (Parus major); Nuthatch (Sitta Europaea); Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca); Secondary-cavity-nesting passerines; Nest box type; Ectoparasite abundance; Breeding success rate; Nagshead Nature Reserve, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England | |||||||||
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences Q Science > QL Zoology > QL605 Chordates. Vertebrates > QL671-699 Birds |
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| Divisions: | Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Applied Sciences | |||||||||
| Depositing User: | Susan Turner | |||||||||
| Date Deposited: | 14 Dec 2021 14:07 | |||||||||
| Last Modified: | 31 Aug 2023 08:58 | |||||||||
| URI: | https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/10457 |
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