Total mercury and mercury species (methylmercury-MeHg, inorganic mercury – Hg
2+) were determined in the aquatic ecosystem Záhlinice (Czech Republic). Four tissues (muscle, intestines, liver and ...kidney) of three bird species – cormorant, great crested grebe and Eurasian buzzard, muscle tissues of common carp, grass carp, northern pike, goldfish, common tench, perch and rudd, aquatic plants (reed mace and common reed), sediments and water were analysed. Relative contents of MeHg (of total Hg) were in the range from 71% to 94% and from 15% up to 62% in the muscle and intestines and in liver, respectively, for all birds. Statistically significant differences were found between contents of MeHg in liver tissues of young and adult cormorant populations (
F
4.60
=
56.71,
P
<
10
−5). Relative contents of MeHg in muscle tissues of fishes were in the range from 65.1% to 87.9% of total Hg.
The distribution of the mercury species among the organs of the individual birds is discussed.
•Leeches (Hirudinea) use waterfowl nests as habitat for both reproduction and living.•Hirudinid leeches lay cocoons in the nests when nests aren’t actively used by birds.•Medicinal leeches prefer ...moist peat rather than nests for lay cocoons.•Leech density is greater in the nests of coots having both dry and wet layers.
Some species of leeches migrate into waterfowl nests and use these both as general habitats and to deposit cocoons, but ecological associations between leeches and birds are not well understood. In the present study, characteristics of waterfowl nests both as living area for leeches (Hirudinea) and as reproduction areas for select hirudinid leeches (Hirudo verbana and Haemopis sanguisuga) was investigated in both natural and controlled laboratory conditions. A total of 48 leeches were detected in 23 of the 51 nests surveyed in natural habitats. The leeches were detected more frequently but there were less dense populations in the nests of the great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) (frequency: 57 %, population density: 0.71 ± 0.76 leeches/nest), and leeches were detected less frequently but there were more dense populations in the nests of coots (Fulica atra) (frequency: 36 %, population density: 0.91 ± 1.70 leeches/nest). Although the hirudinid leeches naturally reproduce between June and September, cocoons were only detected in August and September, when the nests were not actively used by the waterfowl and when water depths were less. In laboratory conditions, gravid medicinal leeches prefer moist peat rather than waterfowl nests for cocoon deposition. Results from the present study indicate leeches more frequently use the nests of coots, which have both dry and wet layers, compared to the nests of the great crested grebe, which have only a wet layer. Leeches were also found to be more prevalent in bird nests during spring months, during the reproductive periods of the waterfowl.
The study aimed to recognize whether the activity of a semi-aquatic invasive carnivore – the American mink Neovison vison – is related to the distribution of waterbird colonies. For this reason, we ...monitored mink occurrence in lake reedbeds and the fate of artificial nests imitating those of the great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus. The location of artificial nests in the grebe colony increased the probability of their survival compared to those placed outside the grebe colony. During the study, mink activity increased over time. In general, it was lower in colonies than outside of them, suggesting that the presence of natural nests does not increase the probability of mink occurrence in lake reedbeds. However, mink activity was negatively correlated with the distance from the lake shoreline and differed spatially according to the presence or absence of natural grebe nests. In grebe colonies, the probability of mink occurrence at greater distances from the lake shoreline was higher than outside, which can be explained by optimizing swimming effort while searching for prey. In conclusion, mink activity in colonies was lower than in areas with no waterbird nests, and nest location in a colony decreased predation risk by mink.
The White-Tailed Eagle (WTE) Haliaeetus albicilla is a top avian predator that has rapidly increased in numbers and range in large parts of Europe in recent decades. In Poland, over the past 30 ...years, it has recolonized previously abandoned areas. In 1991, the first breeding pair in a large forest complex, the Augustów Forest (Northeast (NE) Poland), was recorded. In 2022, there were 13 breeding pairs. We analyzed changes in the diet composition of WTE in 2000–2023, divided into three periods: 2000–2005, 2009–2017, and 2018–2023. Throughout the 24 years of study, birds were the most frequently recorded food item, accounting for an average of 58% of food items, followed by fish (34%) and mammals (7%). During the study period, the most numerous food items were the Northern Pike Esox lucius, Coot Fulica atra, Common Bream Abramis brama, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, and storks Ciconia sp. These species together accounted for 52% of food items. We recorded a long-term increasing share of Northern Pike, storks, and Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus. Opposite changes, with declining frequency, were found for Coots and ducks. The share of the Coot, ducks, and Great Crested Grebe, as well as the total share of food connected with lakes in the WTE’s diet, increased along the growing area of lakes in the territory of the WTE. The proportion of fish in the food did not show a relationship with the increase in the area of lakes, while the most frequently eaten fish species changed. Observed changes in food composition appear related to the settlement of the habitat-diverse areas by individual breeding pairs and changes the availability of main food categories.
Colonial breeding in birds provides protection from predators and may be particularly important when birds have to cope with an invasive predator. The probability of nest predation in a colony can ...vary depending on several factors, such as the nest’s location in the colony and the level of aggregation of nests. We studied the nesting success of colonial great crested grebes and monitored the occurrence of the non-native invasive American mink in the colony. From among 92 grebe nests, 54.3% were successful. The daily survival rate (DSR) of grebe nests was positively affected by the increasing distance between the nest and lake shoreline, and negatively affected by the increasing distance between the nest and the five nearest grebe nests. The probability of mink occurrence in the colony increased with consecutive days of the breeding season and decreased with increasing distance from the lake shoreline. The DSR of grebe nests decreased with the increasing probability of mink occurrence along the shoreline distance gradient and the day of the breeding season. The results of the study confirm the impact of the American mink on waterbirds during the breeding season but also indicate that large breeding colonies are partially safe from mink predation, and that nest accessibility and the dilution effect influence the probability of nest survival. Our data suggest that the limited access to safe breeding sites on large lakes that can supply adult grebes and their chicks with food may affect bird productivity and population numbers at the landscape level.
This study uses a triple isotope approach (δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S) to quantify the main food sources for wintering piscivorous waterbirds in the coastal zone of the southeastern Baltic Sea. Significant ...differences of δ15N and δ34S values among pelagic fishes, benthic fishes, and benthopelagic European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus) were detected, while δ13C was similar among these sources. Using different combinations of δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S values in mixing models, we found that common guillemot (Uria aalge) and red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) mostly foraged on pelagic prey (50–70% and 51–56%, respectively), whereas great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) consumed benthic prey (48–53%). European smelt comprised a substantial proportion of the diet of studied birds (19–36%). A stable isotope approach can be recommended as a non-lethal method to study avian diets in the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea.
•Non-lethal isotopic analysis in blood provides information on waterbird winter diet.•Stable sulfur isotope discriminates between pelagic fishes and benthic fishes.•Anadromous smelt is isotopically unique within fish community.•Triple isotope mixing models provide more precise solutions than dual or single isotope models.
The intensively farmed fishponds of the Třeboň Basin in South Bohemia, Czech Republic host a substantial number Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) pairs that nest later than the expected spring ...season and instead in summer, which may be associated with fishpond farming. A two-factor nested ANOVA of Great Crested Grebe egg and clutch characteristics showed no differences between spring (May-June) and summer (July - August) seasonal clutches. High egg total volume in spring nests was significantly related to both decreasing distance between nests and decreasing number of nests on the fishpond. The increase of total egg volume in summer nests was significantly related to the distance to the edge of littoral vegetation. There is no substantial difference between spring and summer egg characteristics, but total egg volume in spring nests is dependent on other characteristics that those in summer nests.
The Australasian crested grebe
Podiceps cristatus australis
, Gould 1844 is restricted to Australia and New Zealand, where it is listed as Threatened and Nationally Vulnerable. For the first time in ...New Zealand, we report on the parasitic helminths infecting three individuals from Lake Wanaka, Otago, using morphological and molecular tools. Seven helminth species were found in the gastrointestinal tract: 2 nematodes (
Contracaecum ovale
and
Baruscapillaria kamanae
n. sp.
), 4 trematodes (
Australapatemon minor, Cryptocotyle micromorpha
n. sp.
,
Tylodelphys darbyi
and
Neopetasiger neocomensis
), and 1 cestode (
Confluaria pseudofurcifera
). Except for
T. darbyi
, all are new records for New Zealand. A change of orthography is proposed for
Neopetasiger neocomensis
and
N. pseudoneocomensis. Cryptocotyle micromorpha
n. sp.
(Opisthorchiidae) is distinguished from similar species by its small size, wholly extracaecal vitellaria and anteriorly looped uterus.
Baruscapillaria kamanae
n. sp.
(Trichuridae) is distinguished from other freshwater species by a combination of vulva and spicule morphology. The helminth parasites found here are mostly the same as those from the grebe in the northern hemisphere, indicating that they have been carried with the host species in its spread to Australasia. However, the parasite fauna may be depauperate due to a diminishing reservoir of intermediate hosts in that geographical migration.
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► The presence of mink affected the distribution of breeding grebes and coots. ► Nesting success was positively associated with the presence of built-up areas. ► Radio-tracked mink ...avoided lake banks in close proximity to human settlements. ► Grebes and coots adapted to the impact of mink by changing their nesting behavior.
A behavioral response is usually the first adaptation of animals to environmental changes such as the introduction of an alien invasive species, and it seems to be the most important factor in reducing the negative impact of new predators on naive prey. This study examined changes in the abundance and behavior of breeding coots (Fulica atra) and great crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus) in response to invasion of the Mazurian Lakeland (NE Poland) by American mink (Neovison vison), first recorded here in 1984. Feral mink densities varied from 1.0 to 14.6 individuals per 10km of shoreline. Mink were responsible for the losses of 17–58% of experimental clutches (artificial nests containing chicken eggs) that were deployed. Mink destroyed more experimental clutches than other predators; the effects of mink predation were similar in reeds and on the bank. Radio-tracking showed that mink avoided lake banks near human settlements. Mink have markedly affected the breeding distribution of both species and caused a greater than 20-fold decline in coot numbers. For coots and grebes breeding distribution and nesting success were positively associated with built-up areas along lake shores and also with whether the birds were breeding in colonies. Increased brood survival of coots and grebes near human settlements is a paradox in the sense that a man-made habitat change has provided refuge from an alien predator.
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