Realm: Terrestrial
Climate: Temperate
Biome: Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests
Central latitude: 52.716667
Central longitude: 24.266660
Duration: 40 years, from 1975 to 2014

10048 records

86 distinct species

Across the time series Erithacus rubecula is the most frequently occurring species

Methods

Census method An improved version of the mapping technique (a combined mapping method) for censusing all breeding birds was applied (Tomia?oj? 1980). This method helped to detect density values close to the absolute (Tomia?oj? 1980, Verner 1985) and yield comparable results for different bird species. The accuracy of the method was checked by comparing the results of the census work with the data on bird numbers of intensively observed species (from studies involving individual marking of birds; Weso?owski 1983, 1985, Weso?owski 1987, Piotrowska & Weso?owski 1989, own unpublished data). Most species were registered with a less than 10% field error, but in the case of some other, e.g. Turdus philomelos, Coccothraustes coccothraustes, Ficedula albicollis and probably Regulus regulus, the breeding numbers could be underestimated by 20-33%, particularly, when densities are high (Tomia?oj? 1980, 2004, Tomia?oj? & Lontkowski 1989, Walankiewicz et al. 1997). Hence, some arithmetical corrections would be necessary for careful calculations of the community parameters. Yet, in order to avoid confusion, the data in the tables contain no such corrections.Every year, at least ten visits (sometimes 11-12 to compensate for adverse weather conditions or early onset of spring) were made between (5) 10 April and 25 June to each plot. The observations began before sunrise and proceeded along marked transects 100 m apart on the plots, leaving the transect for minor detours when necessary. Each time a different route across the plot was chosen. Only plot K, the richest in bird species, was subdivided into two parts of c.16 ha each and censused simultaneously by two observers, or by one observer on two consecutive mornings. In order to achieve a high inter-plot comparability, all plots were visited on a rotational basis by all 6-7 observers. Usually, one of the ten visits was performed in the evening for mapping bird species active at dusk. In order to record all singing individuals during the short-lasting activity period of birds in the evening, each (24-30 ha) plot was censused simultaneously by two to four observers. All fieldwork was conducted by experienced fieldworkers and new participants were admitted only after a period of apprenticeship (i.e. after making sure that they were able to gather field data of adequate quality).Data processing All records from field maps were assembled on individual species maps (scale 1:1000) for further evaluation. To assure maximum consistency of the evaluation rules, all estimates of cluster/territory numbers on species maps were checked by at least three experienced people. The final estimate was arrived at after negotiating the (usually minor) differences. When processing the data, it was taken into account that a higher number of double-registrations of the same individuals resulted from our relatively slow progress through the plot. While drawing the "paper territories" around the clusters of records, we relied mainly on the presence/absence of contemporary records which helped to avoid an apparent tendency in mobile individuals/species to form double clusters in the place of a single large territory. As a rule, three records were required as a minimum to draw a cluster, with a few exceptions in the case of late arriving, inconspicuous species (e.g. Muscicapa striata, Locustella fluviatilis), and unsuitable weather conditions during valid visits; in such cases only two records of high territorial significance were assumed to indicate the territory. Numerous located nests (especially for Sturnus vulgaris), and behavioural cues demonstrating presence of active nests (carrying nest material or food, alarm calls), were also helpful in deciding on the number of recognised clusters/territories. The territories of polygynous or bachelor males were treated as equivalent to those of monogamous pairs. Compared with the other papers, our species richness estimates may be somewhat higher, because they also included territories of large/rare bird species which were found to occur only partly within the plot boundaries (marked with “0.1” signs in the tables). Unit of abundance = IndCountInt, Unit of biomass = Weight

Citation(s)

Tomiałojć, L. & Wesołowski, T. (1994) Die Stabilität der Vogelgemeinschaft in einem Urwald der gemässigten Zone: Ergebnisse einer 15jährigen Studie aus dem Nationalpark von Białowieża (Polen). Beob, 91, 73-110.
Tomiałojć, L. & Wesołowski, T. (1996) Structure of a primaeval forest bird community during 1970s and 1990s (Białowieża National Park, Poland). Acta Ornithologica, 31, 133-154.
Tomiałojć, L., Wesołowski, T. & Walankiewicz, W. (1984) Breeding bird community of a primaeval temperate forest (Białowieża National Park, Poland). Acta ornithologica, 20, 241-310.
Wesołowski, T., Mitrus, C., Czeszczewik, D. & Rowiński, P. (2010) Breeding bird dynamics in a primeval temperate forest over thirty-five years: variation and stability in the changing world. Acta Ornithologica, 45, 209-232.
Wesołowski, T., Tomiałojć, L., Mitrus, C., Rowinski, P. & Czeszczewik, D. (2002) The breeding bird community of a primaeval temperate forest (Bialowieza National Park, Poland) at the end of the 20th century. Acta ornithologica, 37, 27-45.
Wesołowski, T., Rowiński, P., Mitrus, C. & Czeszczewik, D. (2006) Breeding bird community of a primeval temperate forest (Białowieża National Park, Poland) at the beginning of the 21st century. Acta Ornithologica, 41, 55-70.
Wesołowski, T., Czeszczewik, D., Hebda, G., Maziarz, M., Mitrus, C. & Rowiński, P. (2015) 40 years of breeding bird community dynamics in a primeval temperate forest (Białowieża National Park, Poland). Acta Ornithologica, 50, 95-120.