Monitoring of Breeding Birds Monitoring of Breeding Birds

in Häädemeeste coastal meadow 2000-2004in Häädemeeste coastal meadow 2000-2004

AivoAivo Klein & Mati KoseKlein & Mati Kose

HistoryHistory

• 2000- 2000- beginningbeginning of of regular countsregular counts as a part of Estonian as a part of Estonian Coastal meadow monitoring programCoastal meadow monitoring program

• Total aTotal arearea of monitoring ca 207 hectares of monitoring ca 207 hectares • WWith expansion of management new ith expansion of management new census census areas areas

Rannametsa and Võiste were added Rannametsa and Võiste were added in 2003in 2003 • On On the basis ofthe basis of Häädemeeste and Rannametsa areas, Häädemeeste and Rannametsa areas,

was was formed formed undivided undivided coastal meadow coastal meadow complex of 400 complex of 400 hectares (treated as different census areas)hectares (treated as different census areas)

• 2000 – 2000 – For a first time there was no grazing in coastal For a first time there was no grazing in coastal meadowsmeadows

• 2001 – Subsidies for coastal meadow management2001 – Subsidies for coastal meadow management• 2002 – Beginning of Life project activities2002 – Beginning of Life project activities

MethodsMethods• Mapping bird territories twice during breeding season, according to Mapping bird territories twice during breeding season, according to

the Estonian Coastal meadow monitoring program. the Estonian Coastal meadow monitoring program. • First counts in middle of may, second in beginning of june.First counts in middle of may, second in beginning of june.• From 2004 counts were made three times with first count at the end From 2004 counts were made three times with first count at the end

of aprilof april• Exactly the same mapping routes were used during 2000-2004Exactly the same mapping routes were used during 2000-2004• Territorial birds were marked on fieldmaps, later in Mapinfo program Territorial birds were marked on fieldmaps, later in Mapinfo program

as digital points. as digital points. • Evaluation of management quality and condition of meadows and Evaluation of management quality and condition of meadows and

mapping as Mapinfo polygonsmapping as Mapinfo polygons• Additional information about the condition of meadows and breeding Additional information about the condition of meadows and breeding

birds and breeding success of some species in stationary birds and breeding success of some species in stationary monitoring areas as well as outside was collected during Waterfowl monitoring areas as well as outside was collected during Waterfowl census project april-novembercensus project april-november

ResultsResults

0

10

20

30

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Changes in the numbers of coastal meadow waders in 2000-2004

Lapwing VANVAN Dunlin CALALP Ruff PHIPYG

Redshank TRITOT Snipe GALGAL

• Although numbers of waders in general have decreased sinceAlthough numbers of waders in general have decreased since 2000 overall situation has been stable with most of the species during last two years.2000 overall situation has been stable with most of the species during last two years.

Slightly lower numbers of Lapwing and Redshank in 2004 could be explained with expansion of Slightly lower numbers of Lapwing and Redshank in 2004 could be explained with expansion of Häädemeeste meadow and intensive restoration work in Rannametsa meadow where the Häädemeeste meadow and intensive restoration work in Rannametsa meadow where the numbers of theses species are increased most likely on account of Häädemeeste census area.numbers of theses species are increased most likely on account of Häädemeeste census area.

ResultsResults

0

2

4

6

8

10

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Changes in the numbers of dabbling ducks in 2000-2004

Mallard ANAPLA Gadwall ANASTR Shoveler ANACLY Teal ANACRE

• Most of the species have continiuously decreased, Most of the species have continiuously decreased, numbers being wery low in 2003 when breeding of all the numbers being wery low in 2003 when breeding of all the species were obviously influenced by weather species were obviously influenced by weather conditions. Only the Gadwall follows overall increasing conditions. Only the Gadwall follows overall increasing trend in whole Estoniatrend in whole Estonia

ResultsResults

0

20

40

60

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Changes in the numbers of passerine species in 2000-2004

Skylark ALAARV Meadow Pipit ANTPRA

Yellow Wagtail MOTFLA Whinchat SAXRUB

• From the beginning of management and restoration Passerine From the beginning of management and restoration Passerine species are responsed quickly to changes in meadow quality. species are responsed quickly to changes in meadow quality.

• Relatively high numbers of Whinchat reflects the general condition Relatively high numbers of Whinchat reflects the general condition of coastal meadow, being on average well managed, but becoming of coastal meadow, being on average well managed, but becoming more fragmentedmore fragmented

Comparison between managed and Comparison between managed and unmanaged meadowsunmanaged meadows

Dynamics of breeding Lapwing at restored and unmanaged meadows

0

1

2

3

4

2003 2004

Rannametsa -restored

Võiste -Unmanaged

Dynamics of breeding Redshank at restored and unmanaged meadows

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

2003 2004

Rannametsa -restored

Võiste -unmanaged

Dynamics of breeding Skylark at restored and unmanaged meadows

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

2003 2004

Rannametsa -Restored

Võiste -Unmaanged

Dynamics of breeding Meadow Pipit at restored and unmanaged meadows

0

5

10

15

20

2003 2004

Rannametsa -Restored

Võiste -Unmanaged

Sample of the mapping of the meadow management quality (2003)

- well grazed, uniformly short-grass

- moderately grazed

- least grazed meadow

- other unmanaged habitats

Dynamics of the grazing Dynamics of the grazing qualityquality

Management quality dynamics on the Häädemeeste coastal meadow 2000-2004

39,2

23

45,6

31,9

40,5

71,1

51,9

71,1

103,1

114,3

42,7

97,2

42,7

31,9

22

54

34,9

47,6

40,1

30,2

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

Rannaniidu kogupindala 207 ha.

Well grazed Moderately grazed Least grazed Other habitats

ProblemsProblems• Although situation in coastal Although situation in coastal

meadows has greatly meadows has greatly improved during last five years improved during last five years the coastline is mostly covered the coastline is mostly covered with reed-bed (red in map) with reed-bed (red in map) reducing food source of reducing food source of waders, providing hiding waders, providing hiding places for predators etc.places for predators etc.

• Due to this number of coastal Due to this number of coastal waders and other species waders and other species (terns) is (terns) is continiuosly continiuosly decreasingdecreasing

• With low numbers of cattle it is With low numbers of cattle it is important to concentrate on important to concentrate on most important areas for most important areas for waderswaders

ProblemsProblemsNumber of crows counted on coastal meadow during

Waterfowl census in april- may

0

50

100

150

April May

Magpie PICPIC Hooded Crow CORNIX Raven CORRAX

• Relatively little attention on predatory species foxes, Relatively little attention on predatory species foxes, minks etc. As well on crows, even though nests of minks etc. As well on crows, even though nests of Hooded Crows on the coastal meadows were regularly Hooded Crows on the coastal meadows were regularly destroyed there is still on average some 45-50 crows destroyed there is still on average some 45-50 crows present in most vulnerable period april-may-june present in most vulnerable period april-may-june (counted during Waterfowl census, once in week)(counted during Waterfowl census, once in week)

ThanksThanks