Habitat selection, diet, arthropod availability and growth of a moorland wader: the ecology of European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria chicks

摘要: Habitat use, diet and food supply of European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria chicks were studied on blanket bog in the South Pennines, UK. The home ranges occupied by until fledging averaged 40 ha; they contained relatively more cotton grass bare peat than was available generally, but less heather grassland. Use Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus Crowberry Empetrum nigrum increased with age, whereas that Eriophorum spp. declined. Dietary composition, as assessed faecal analysis, similar to obtained from crops dead birds. younger chicks, dry weight prey, consisted about 30% each adult larval tipulids, for older 16 days, 70% tipulid larvae. Beetles, spiders caterpillars comprised 5-20% diet, depending age. Older took larger prey. exploitation tipulids correlated positively chicks' use areas, caterpillars, beetles often taken dwarf shrubs, reflecting variation prey abundance. Bare an important foraging habitat, whose associated growth rate young mean size. Both gain survival abundance adults, confirming hypothesis flush hatching is determinant breeding success. are capable considerable movements track availability. This behaviour likely be strategy facilitating utilization a mosaic shrub habitats. Appropriate rotational strip-burning or grazing management could used create maintain such