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Abstract
Capsule Natal dispersal was rapid and distances were short. Winter ranging and breeding dispersal were limited. Few birds undertook large movements.
Aims To investigate the natal and breeding dispersal of Marsh Tits, including the timing of dispersal movements.
Methods Nestlings, juveniles and adults were ringed and searched for over 4500 ha during summer, autumn–winter, and spring over six years. Dispersal distances were measured as metric distances and multiples of territory widths. Ranging distances were compared with dispersal distances.
Results Median distances of natal dispersal were 2.6 territory widths for males (704.5 m) and 3.1 territory widths for females (1065.0 m). Median distances of breeding dispersal were 0.2 territory widths for males and females (58.6 and 53.1 m respectively). Most natal dispersal was completed soon after independence, with further movement in spring. Breeding dispersal was also detected during these periods. Median ranging distances were short, and some winter floaters were identified.
Conclusion Marsh Tits had short dispersal distances, with most dispersal activity occurring in June. Results suggested that dispersal behaviour was sensitive to habitat fragmentation, resulting in poor settling success outside of the natal wood. Habitat fragmentation may, therefore, be a contributory factor in the decline of the Marsh Tit population in Britain.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Richard K. Broughton is a Visiting Research Fellow at Bournemouth University in the UK. The authors thank Stephen N. Freeman for valuable comments on the manuscript, Geoff Leach, Sarah Caesar, Jane Carpenter and Peter Stronach for fieldwork assistance, and Natural England, the Abbots Ripton and Milton Estates for access to woods. This work was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Notes
a. Males: U = 568.0, P = 0.193, n = 20 in 2004–06 and 46 in 2007–09; females: U = 387.0, P = 0.424, n = 18 in 2004–06 and 28 in 2007–09.
b. Males: U = 1312.0, P = 0.174, n = 30 detected in June and 35 not detected in June; females: U = 641.0, P = 0.513, n = 20 detected in June and 26 not detected in June
