Habitat associations and breeding success of the Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Abstract

Capsule: Population trends for Chaffinch on farmland are unlikely to be explained by their preference for non-crop habitats alone. Aims: To investigate the importance of non-cropped habitats for Chaffinch territory distribution, breeding success and foraging habitat selection in Scottish farmland. Methods: Territory distribution, nesting success and foraging behaviour of adults feeding chicks at the nest were recorded and related to habitat composition on two Scottish lowland farms. Results: Higher Chaffinch territory densities were associated with the presence of hedgerows, trees and grass leys, whereas lower densities were found adjacent to winter Barley. Nests were predominantly located in conifer trees and hedgerows. Trees were selected preferentially for foraging. Poor breeding success was detected in nests associated with cereal crops and wider field margins. Farmland in Scotland supported much lower territory densities than in England. Conclusion: Chaffinches rely predominantly on non-cropped habitats for territory establishment, nesting and foraging habitats. Differences in habitat composition between England and Scotland may explain differences in territory densities. However, the Chaffinch's preference for non-crop habitats is unlikely to explain its population trends alone. Immigration from other habitats and/or a decrease in inter-specific competition for resources may also have contributed to the increase in the national farmland Chaffinch population.