Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-2xdlg Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-23T17:09:44.058Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Patterns of association between birds and invertebrates in the Clyde Estuary

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

D. B. A. Thompson ,
D. J. Curtis  and
J. C. Smyth
D. B. A. Thompson
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Street, Liverpool L69 3BX, England
D. J. Curtis
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Paisley College of Technology, High Street, Paisley PA1 2BE, Scotland
J. C. Smyth
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Paisley College of Technology, High Street, Paisley PA1 2BE, Scotland
Get access

Synopsis

Relationships between feeding ecology, population dynamics and conservation of estuarine shorebirds are becoming better understood mainly as a result of detailed long-term studies of birds in the northwest European estuaries most vulnerable to industrial and agricultural developments. Until five years ago the tidal flats of the Clyde Estuary held internationally and nationally important populations of ducks (Anatinae) and waders (Charadrii). To understand the reasons for changes in bird distribution it is necessary to know more about the factors which determine distribution. In this paper we examine the pattern of association between the Clyde's birds and their prey by evaluating the extent to which the distribution of birds is related to that of benthic invertebrates, heterospecific birds, season and tidal state.

Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that heterospecifics had effects on bird distributions over-riding those of prey. In summer, the significant independent variables explained 41–61% variation in bird density (number km−2) and 33% variation in bird feeding hours (bird-hours km−2); in winter they explained 17–35% and 29–32% respectively. The amount of variation explained was greater during flow than ebb tides, and the number of species for which some of the variation was explained was greater in winter than in summer. Three associations, each consisting of two bird species, are suggested: redshank with lapwing, dunlin with mallard, and shelduck with gulls. We provide explanations for some of the mechanisms underlying the above patterns and indicate areas for more detailed observational and experimental work. The integrity of the avian component of the estuarine ecosystem appears to be dependent on associations and interactions between birds as well as between birds and their prey. The associations are labile, and in many species stem from the effect of tidal movement on prey availability.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 90: The Environment of the Estuary and Firth of Clyde , 1986 , pp. 185 - 201
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1986

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Barnard, C. J. & Thompson, D. B. A. 1985. Gulls and Plovers: The Ecology and Behaviour of Mixedspecies Feeding Groups. London: Croom Helm.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bengtson, S. A. & Svensson, B. 1968. Feeding habits of Calidris alba L. and C. minuta Leisl. (Aves) in relation to the distribution of marine shore invertebrates. Oikos 19, 152.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bolton, M. L. 1984. Effects of laughing gull and shorebird predation on the intertidal fauna of Cape May, New Jersey. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 18, 209–220.Google Scholar
Bryant, D. M. 1979. Effects of prey density and site character on estuary usage by over-wintering waders (Charadrii). Esiuarine Coastal and Marine Science 9, 369–384.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bryant, D. M. & Leng, J. 1975. Feeding distribution and behaviour of shelduck in relation to food supply. Wildfowl 26, 20–30.Google Scholar
Burger, J., Howe, M. A., Hahn, D. C. & Chase, J. 1977. Effects of tide cycles on habitat selection and habitat partitioning by migrating shorebirds. Auk 94, 743–758.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buxton, N. 1981. The importance of food in the determination of the winter flock sites of the shelduck. Wildfowl 32, 79–87.Google Scholar
Connors, P. G., Myers, J. P., Connors, C. S. W. & Pitelka, F. A. 1981. Interhabitat movements by sanderlings in relation to foraging profitability and tidal cycle. Auk 98, 49–64.Google Scholar
Crook, J. H. 1953. An observational study of the gulls in Southampton Water. British Birds 46, 385–397.Google Scholar
Curtis, D. J. 1978. Distribution of invertebrates on the tidal flats. In Nature Conservation Interests in the Clyde Estuary, ed. Smyth, J. C, pp. 15–24. Balloch: Nature Conservancy Council, South West (Scotland) Region.Google Scholar
Curtis, D. J. & Smyth, J. C. 1982. Variations in densities of invertebrate benthos of the Clyde Estuary tidal fiats. Chemistry in Ecology 1, 57–60.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Curtis, D. J. & Thompson, D. B. A. 1985. Spacing and foraging in black-headed gulls Larus ridibundus in an estuary. Ornis Scandinavica 16, 245–252.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Curtis, D. J., Galbraith, C. G., Smyth, J. C. & Thompson, D. B. A. 1985. Seasonal variations in prey selection by estuarine black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus). Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 21, 75–89.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duffy, D. C, Atkins, N. & Schneider, D. C. 1981. Do shorebirds compete on their wintering grounds? Auk 98, 215–229.Google Scholar
Ens, B. J. & Goss-Custard., J. D. 1984. Interference among oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus L.) feeding on mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) on the Exe Estuary. Journal of Animal Ecology 49, 217–236.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Evans, P. R. 1979. Adaptations shown by foraging shorebirds to cyclical variations in the activity and availability of their intertidal invertebrate prey. In Cyclic Phenomena in Marine Plants and Animals, eds. Naylor, E. & Hartnoll, R. G., pp. 357–366. Oxford: Pergamon.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Evans, P. R., Herdson, D. M., Knights, P. J. & Pienkowski, M. W. 1979. Short-term effects of reclamation of part of Seal Sands, Teesmouth, on wintering waders and shelduck. Oecologia 41, 183–206.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Furness, R. W., Galbraith, H., Gibson, I. P. & Metcalfe, N. B. 1986. Recent changes in numbers of waders on the Clyde Estuary and their significance for conservation. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 90B, 171–184.Google Scholar
Gibson, I. 1978. Numbers of birds on the Clyde Estuary. In Nature Conservation Interests in the Clyde Estuary, ed. Smyth, J. C, pp. 1–5. Balloch: Nature Conservancy Council, South West (Scotland) Region.Google Scholar
Goss-Custard, J. D. 1969. The winter feeding ecology of the redshank (Tringa totanus). Ibis 111, 338–356.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goss-Custard, J. D. 1970. Feeding dispersion in some overwintering wading birds. In Social Behaviour of Birds and Mammals, ed. Crook, J. H., pp. 3–36. London: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Goss-Custard, J. D. 1977. The ecology of the Wash. III. Density related behaviour and the possible effects of a loss of feeding grounds on wading birds (Charadrii). Journal of Applied Ecology 14, 721–739.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goss-Custard, J. D. 1980. Competition for food and interference among waders. Ardea 68, 31–52.Google Scholar
Goss-Custard, J. D. 1983. Spatial and seasonal variations in the food supply of waders (Charadrii) wintering in the British Isles. Proceedings of the 3rd Nordic Congress of Ornithology, 85–96.Google Scholar
Goss-Custard, J. D. 1984. Intake rates and food supply in migrating and wintering shorebirds. In Behaviour of Marine Animals, vol.6., eds. Burger, J. & Olla, B. L., pp. 233–270. New York: Plenum.Google Scholar
Goss-Custard, J. D. 1985. Foraging behaviour of wading birds and the carrying capacity of estuaries. In Behavioural Ecology: Ecological Consequences of Adaptive Behaviour, eds. Sibly, R. M. & Smith, R. H., pp. 169–188. Oxford: Blackwell.Google Scholar
Goss-Custard, J. D. & Durell, S. E. A. le V. dit 1984. Feeding ecology, winter mortality and the population dynamics of oystercatchers on the Exe Estuary. In Coastal Waders and Wildfowl in Winter, eds. Evans, P. R, Goss-Custard, J. D. & Hale, W. G., pp. 190–208. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Goss-Custard, J. D., Kay, D. G. & Blindell, R. M. 1977. The density of migratory and overwintering redshank (Tringa totanus L.) in relation to the density of their prey in south-east England. Estuarine Coastal and Marine Science 5, 497–510.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goss-Custard, J. D., Durell, S. E. A. le V. dit & Ens, B. J. 1982a. Individual differences in aggressiveness and food stealing among wintering oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus L. Animal Behaviour 30, 917–928.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goss-Custard, J. D., Durell, S. E. A. le V. dit, McGrorty, S. & Reading, C. J. 1982b. Use of mussel (Mytilus edulis) beds by oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) according to age and population size. Journal of Animal Ecology 511, 543–554.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goss-Custard, J. D., Clarke, R. T. & Durell, S. E. A. le V. dit 1984. Rates of food intake and aggression of oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) on the most and least preferred mussel (Mytilus edulis) beds. Journal of Animal Ecology 53, 233–245.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Halliday, J. B., Curtis, D. J., Thompson, D. B. A., Bignal, E. M. & Smyth, J. C. 1982. The abundance and feeding distribution of Clyde Estuary shorebirds. Scottish Birds 12, 65–72.Google Scholar
Halliday, J. B. & Smyth, J. C. 1978. Feeding distribution of birds on the Clyde Estuary tidal flats. In Nature Conservation Interests in the Clyde Estuary, ed. Smyth, J. C, pp. 6–14. Balloch: Nature Conservancy Council, South West (Scotland) Region.Google Scholar
Krebs, J. R., Stephens, D. W. & Sutherland, W. J. 1983. Perspectives in optimal foraging. In Perspectives in Ornithology eds. Clarke, G. A. & Brush, A. H., pp. 145–221. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Little, C. & Nix, W. 1976. The burrowing and floating behaviour of the gastropod Hydrobia ulvae. Estuarine Coastal and Marine Science 4, 537.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meire, P. & Kuyken, E. 1984. Relations between the distribution of waders and the intertidal benthic fauna of the Oosterschelde, Netherlands. In Coastal Waders and Wildfowl in Winter, eds. Evans, P. R., Goss-Custard, J. D & Hale, W. G. pp. 57–68. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Metcalfe, N. B. 1984. The effects of mixed species flocking on the vigilance of shorebirds: who do they trust? Animal Behaviour 32, 930–937.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Myers, S. P., Connors, P. G. & Pitelka, F. A. 1980. An experimental analysis of prey availability for sanderlings (Aves: Scolopacidae) feeding on sandy beach crustaceans. Canadian Journal of Zoology 58, 1564–1574.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Newell, R. C. 1962. Behavioural aspects of the ecology of Peringia ( = Hydrobia) ulvae (Pennant) (Gastropoda, Prosobranchia). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 138, 49–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
O'Connor, R. J. & Brown, R. A. 1977. Prey depletion and foraging strategy in the oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus). Oecologia 27, 75.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pienkowski, M. W. 1983. Changes in the foraging pattern of plovers in relation to environmental factors. Animal Behaviour 31, 244–264.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Prater, A. J. 1972. The ecology of Morecambe Bay. III. The food and feeding habits of knot (Calidris canutus L.) in Morecambe Bay. Journal of Applied Ecology 9, 179–194.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Puttick, G. M. 1979. Foraging behaviour and activity budgets of curlew sandpipers. Ardea 67, 111–122.Google Scholar
Puttick, G. M. 1984. Foraging and activity patterns in wintering shorebirds. In Behaviour of Marine Animals, Vol. 6, eds. Burger, J. 203–231. New York: Plenum.Google Scholar
Quammen, M. L. 1984. Predation by shorebirds, fish and crabs on invertebrates in intertidal mudflats: an experimental test. Ecology 65, 529–537.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rands, M. R. W. & Barkham, J. P. 1981. Factors controlling within-flock densities in three species of wading birds. Ornis Scandinavica 12, 28–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saejs, H. L. F. & Baptist, H. J. M. 1980. Coastal engineering and European wintering wetland birds. Biological Conservation 17, 68–83.Google Scholar
Schneider, D. 1978. Equalisation of prey numbers by migratory shorebirds. Nature (London) 271, 353–354.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, P. C. & Evans, P. R. 1973. Studies of shorebirds at Lindisfarne, Northumberland. I. Feeding ecology and behaviour of the bar-tailed godwit. Wildfowl 124, 135–139.Google Scholar
Smyth, J. C., Curtis, D. J., Gibson, I. & Wilkinson, M. 1974. Intertidal organisms of an industrialised estuary. Marine Pollution Bulletin 5, 188–191.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smyth, J. C., Curtis, D. J., Halliday, J. B., Stobie, R. E. F. & Gray, H. 1977. Birds and invertebrates of the Clyde Estuary tidal flats. Western Naturalist 6, 73–102.Google Scholar
Southwood, T. R. E. 1978. Ecological Methods. London: Chapman and Hall.Google Scholar
Sutherland, W. J. 1982a. Spatial variation in the predation of cockles by oystercatchers at Traeth Melynog, Anglesey. II. The pattern of mortality. Journal of Animal Ecology 51, 491–500.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sutherland, W. J. 1982b. Spatial variation in the predation of cockles by oystercatchers at Traeth Melynog, Anglesey. I. The cockle population. Journal of Animal Ecology 51, 481—490.Google Scholar
Sutherland, W. J. 1983. Aggregation and the ‘ideal free’ distribution. Journal of Animal Ecology 52, 821–828.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sutherland, W. J. & Koene, P. 1982. Field estimates of the strength of interference between oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus). Oecologia 55, 108–109.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sweeney, J. J. 1984. Aspects of the Non-breeding Ecology of the Curlew (Numenius arquata L.) in the Inner Clyde Area. Grad. I. Biol. Thesis, Paisley College, U.K.Google Scholar
Tharme, A. P. 1985. The Feeding Dispersion in Dunlin (Calidris alpina) and Redshank (Tringa totanus) in the Non-breeding Season. B.Sc. Thesis, Leeds University, U.K.Google Scholar
Thompson, D. B. A. 1981. The feeding behaviour of wintering shelduck on the Clyde Estuary. Wildfowl 32, 88–98.Google Scholar
Thompson, D. B. A. 1982. The abundance and distribution of intertidal invertebrates and an estimation of their selection by shelduck. Wildfowl 33, 151–158.Google Scholar
Thompson, D. B. A. 1983. Prey assessment by plovers (Charadriidae): net rate of energy intake and vulnerability to kleptoparasites. Animal Behaviour 31, 1226–1236.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thompson, D. B. A. 1984. Foraging Economics in Flocks of Lapwings, Golden Plovers and Gulls. Ph.D. Thesis, Nottingham University. U.K.Google Scholar
Thompson, D. B. A. 1986a. Adaptations for survival in winter. In Waders: their Breeding, Haunts and Watchers by D. & M. Nethersole-Thompson. Calton: Poyser, in press.Google Scholar
Thompson, D. B. A. 1986b. Economics of kleptoparasitism: optimal foraging, host and prey selection by gulls. Animal Behaviour 34, in press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thompson, D. B. A. & Barnard, C. J. 1984. Prey selection by plovers: optimal foraging in mixed species groups. Animal Behaviour 32, 554–563.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thompson, D. B. A. & Thompson, M. L. P. 1985. Early warning and mixed species association: the ‘plover's page’ revisited. Ibis 127, 559–562.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thompson, P. S. 1981. Aspects of the Feeding Ecology of the Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) wintering on the Clyde Estuary. B.Sc. Thesis, Paisley College, U.K.Google Scholar
Townshend, D. J., Dugan, P. J. & Pienkowski, M. W. 1984. The unsociable plover: use of intertidal areas by grey plovers. In Coastal Waders and Wildfowl in Winter, eds. Evans, P. R., Goss-Custard, J. D. & Hale, W. G., pp. 140–159. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Vader, W. J. M. 1963. A preliminary investigation into the reactions of the infauna of the tidal flats to tidal fluctuations in water level. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 2, 189–222.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van der Have, T. M., Nicboer, E. & Boere, G. C. 1984. Age-related distribution of dunlin in the Dutch Wadden Sea. In Coastal Waders and Wildfowl in Winter, eds. Evans, P. R., Goss-Custard, J. D. & Hale, W. G., pp. 160–176. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Van Impe, J. 1985. Estuarine pollution as a probable cause of increase in estuarine birds. Marine Pollution Bulletin 16, 271–276.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wanink, J. & Zwarts, L. 1985. Does an optimally foraging oystercatcher obey the functional response? Oecologia 67, 98–106.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zwarts, L. & Drent, R. H. 1981. Prey depletion and regulation of predator density: oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) feeding on mussels (Mytilus edulis). In Feeding and Survival Strategies of Estuarine Organisms, eds. Jones, N. V. & Wolff, W. J., pp. 193–216. New York: Plenum.CrossRefGoogle Scholar