The return rate of adult male wood warblers phylloscopus sibilatrix to a peripheral breeding area

Abstract

Delamere Forest in Cheshire is on the fringe of the Wood Warbler’s breeding range and is over 12 km from other regular breeding sites. During 1981 to 1993 from one to eight males held territory in any year, but no more than one female was found annually and breeding success was poor. All territorial males were ringed, and at least eight out of 29 (28%) returned in a subsequent year, although others moved to breeding sites elsewhere. The return rate is far higher than that recorded in other studies of Wood Warblers, showing that the poor breeding success and peripheral nature of the area does not deter males from returning to the site. © 1994 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.