Movhera Foz-Tua: Terrestrian Birds (count points) – Compensatory Measures Program, Compensatory Measure MC46B (Management of Raptors’ Feeding Habitats) [2021-23]

Study Extent

The data were collected within a 5-km buffer around the two territories of the Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata) in lower valley of the River Tua (Northeast Portugal), up to 45 km from the mouth, in the municipalities of Alijó, Carrazeda de Ansiães, Vila Flor and Mirandela.

Sampling

Sampling was designed to compare the abundances of the target species (and, in general, of the whole local bird community) inside (“intervention” points) and outside (“control” points) the areas were actions of the Compensatory Measure MC46B took place, in the known breeding territories of the Bonelli’s Eagle in the lower Tua valley. A total of 90 sampling points distributed in pairs (one “intervention”, one “control”) were evenly spread between the intervention plot (i.e., deforested areas, feeders/drinkers and artificial shelters) and the respective controls), which are to be surveyed in the long term. All points were sampled in the winter, in the early morning or late afternoon, every two years. Each sampling event had a duration of 10 minutes, in which all birds seen or heard in three bands of 50m around the point (<50 m, 50-100m, >100m) were recorded. Species identification and assessment of age and sex (when possible) were made “in loco”, with the help of appropriate field guides.

Quality Control

All observations were made by qualified technicians

Method steps

1. To be completed

The taxonomic coverage of this dataset spans 1 phylum, 1 class, 7 orders, 29 families, 54 genera and 63 species.

1. Animalia
   rank: kingdom
2. Chordata
   rank: phylum
3. Aves
   rank: class
4. Accipitriformes
   rank: order
5. Bucerotiformes
   rank: order
6. Columbiformes
   rank: order
7. Galliformes
   rank: order
8. Passeriformes
   rank: order
9. Piciformes
   rank: order
10. Suliformes
    rank: order
11. Accipitridae
    rank: family
12. Upupidae
    rank: family
13. Columbidae
    rank: family
14. Phasianidae
    rank: family
15. Aegithalidae
    rank: family
16. Alaudidae
    rank: family
17. Certhiidae
    rank: family
18. Cetiidae
    rank: family
19. Corvidae
    rank: family
20. Emberizidae
    rank: family
21. Estrildidae
    rank: family
22. Fringillidae
    rank: family
23. Hirundinidae
    rank: family
24. Laniidae
    rank: family
25. Motacillidae
    rank: family
26. Muscicapidae
    rank: family
27. Oriolidae
    rank: family
28. Paridae
    rank: family
29. Passeridae
    rank: family
30. Phylloscopidae
    rank: family
31. Prunellidae
    rank: family
32. Regulidae
    rank: family
33. Sittidae
    rank: family
34. Sturnidae
    rank: family
35. Sylviidae
    rank: family
36. Troglodytidae
    rank: family
37. Turdidae
    rank: family
38. Picidae
    rank: family
39. Phalacrocoracidae
    rank: family

The data were collected within a 5-km buffer around the two territories of the Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata) in lower valley of the River Tua (Northeast Portugal), up to 45 km from the mouth, in the municipalities of Alijó, Carrazeda de Ansiães, Vila Flor and Mirandela.