An efficient survey method for estimating populations of Marsh Tits Poecile palustris, a low-density woodland passerine

ABSTRACT

Capsule: A playback survey comprising two visits to woodland in early spring can reliably detect Marsh Tits Poecile palustris and permit reasonable estimation of the number of territories.

Aims: To assess the efficacy of an efficient survey method for detecting and estimating populations of Marsh Tits.

Methods: Detection probability of colour-marked Marsh Tits, surveyed using playback, was assessed with Cormack–Jolly–Seber models. Reliability of territory estimates was compared between colour-marked and largely or wholly unmarked populations.

Results: Playback surveys over two visits in early spring were highly effective in detecting individual Marsh Tits. Territory estimates were similar for woods in years where less than 20% of the population was marked compared to years when a higher proportion of birds were colour-marked, although territories may be underestimated in larger woods with unmarked populations.

Conclusion: A playback survey comprising two visits in early spring is recommended as an efficient method of surveying Marsh Tit populations and locating individuals. A survey protocol is suggested.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank landowners for access to study sites, particularly Natural England (Monks Wood), Suffolk Wildlife Trust (Bradfield Woods) and the Abbots Ripton Estate. Sarah Caesar, Douglas Hall and Geoff Leach provided logistical support.

ORCID

Richard K. Broughton http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6838-9628

Marta Maziarz http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2921-5713

Paul E. Bellamy http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2234-2119

Additional information

Funding

This work was majority-funded by the Natural Environment Research Council.