The use of winter bird crops by farmland birds in lowland England

Winter food for farmland birds can be enhanced by planting seed-rich ‘winter bird crops’ (WBCs), the content of which is highly variable. Data from three winters (October to March in 1998/1999, 1999/2000 and 2000/2001) were used to assess the value of different WBCs for lowland farmland birds in England, based on around 100 plots per winter. Densities of gamebirds, insectivorous and seed-eating passerines were generally higher on WBCs than on conventional crops, stubbles or grassland (except for skylark (Alauda arvensis) and rook (Corvus frugilegus). Kale supported high densities of the widest range of bird species (including insectivorous and seed-eating species), quinoa was used by finches and tree sparrows (Passer montanus), and (unharvested) seeding cereals supported high densities of buntings. Sunflowers, phacelia and buckwheat supported low densities of most bird species. The differences between WBCs were more marked in late winter, owing to better seed retention by kale and quinoa compared with other crops. A combination of kale, quinoa and seeding cereals will support the highest densities of the greatest variety of bird species, but WBC content can also be varied to suit circumstance or species. This study demonstrates the value of WBCs for a wide range of birds, and discusses this with respect to existing ‘agri-environment schemes’, highlighting the need for similar options in pastoral landscapes where seed resources are particularly rare.     

牡丹江市夏季4种雀形目鸟体内汞和砷的残留量测定

2006年夏季,在牡丹江市工业区和绿化区内,采用样线法和样方法采集[树]麻雀(Passer montanus)、白鶺鴒(Motacilla alba)、大苇莺(Acrocephalus arundinaceus)、红尾伯劳(Lanius cristatus)4种雀形目鸟共24只,并用原子荧光光谱法测定了其心脏、胸肌、肝脏和初级飞羽内汞和砷两种元素的残留量。研究表明,4种雀形目鸟中,汞和砷的残留量最高的组织均为初级飞羽,且不同物种间存在种间差异。工业区和绿化区之间4种鸟体内汞和砷的残留量大多存在显著(p<0.05)或极为显著(p<0.01)的差异,且工业区比绿化区略高。     

雀形目38种鸟类线粒体cytb的引物设计及PCR优化

通过设计雀形目鸟类线粒体细胞色素b的通用引物并对其PCR反应体系进行优化，确定了雀形目38种鸟由基因组DNA扩增线粒体细胞色素b基因全序列的最佳反应条件。在10μl最佳反应体系中，dNTP浓度为100pM，引物浓度10μM，退火温度范围为51-55℃，模板量在50～150ng之间，扩增反应效果最好。在上述最佳反应体系和条件下获得的目的条带清晰、明亮，可应用于雀形目鸟类分子系统学研究。     

Bird song diversity influences young people's appreciation of urban landscapes

Increased losses of green areas in cities reduce people's experience of flora and fauna. Earlier studies have shown that biodiversity has benefits for urban inhabitants but the influence of animal sounds on people's experience of green space is poorly known. A sample of young urban people (N = 227) rated their reactions – positive or negative – to three bird song combinations: House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), 7 spp. i.e. Willow Warbler, Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), Great Tit (Parus major), European Robin (Erithacus rubecula), Common Blackbird (Turdus merula), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), three urban settings (residential areas with varying amount of greenery) and nine combinations of song and setting. Bird song was generally considered positive and singing by several species was more highly rated than singing by a single species. On average, urban settings combined with bird song were more highly appreciated than the settings alone and even more so where there was singing by several species rather than just one. We conclude that our data support the idea that bird song contributes to positive values associated with urban green space. Urban planners should consider preserving a variety of habitats in cities for hosting a diversity of birds and thereby boost conservation of songbird diversity and recreational experiences for urban people.