Data on the locations and behavior of breeding birds obtained by mapping (registrations made during census visits) along a fixed route (permanent transect) in temperate old-growth broad-leaved and mixed spruce-deciduous forests in the Kaluga Region (Ugra National Park)

Study Extent

7994 bird registrations at the first encounter with the bird, including 2763 registrations of simultaneously singing males; additionally, 5454 repeated records of the same individuals whose movements were tracked. The dataset provides the most detailed presentation of primary information (coming from mapping visits) on the registrations of common bird species breeding in temperate old-growth broad-leaved (nemoral) forest in the permannet sample plot in European Russia. It is of interest for understanding the spatial structure of local populations and the dynamics of singing activity during the breeding season, as well as for monitoring and comparing populations. The dataset will be supplemented in the near future with a compatible set of vegetation relevés made along the same permanent transect.

Sampling

The fixed route (permanent transect) was established across a continuous forest area, from the floodplain of the river Gryazna to the watershed. The route was marked with the numbered stakes located every 25 m. The geographic coordinates of the stakes were determined using a GPS navigator. Regular bird counts were conducted along the route using an improved version of the territory mapping method (Tomiałojc 1980; Verner 1985; Priednieks et al. 1986). A plane table mounted horizontally on a tripod was used for mapping. A strip of millimetre paper with stake numbers marked on it was attached to the plane table. The strip was shifted gradually by the observer as the route was traversed. The tripod was set up at each stake point, and the plane table was oriented. Birds were counted during 5 minutes from points located 50 m apart. The majority of bird species were recorded within a radius of 100 m from the stake. The counts were conducted on days without precipitation and strong winds. The counting started in the first or second hour after sunrise. Birds were only mapped on the first half of the route on one morning and on the second half on the next morning with good weather. The mapping visits were made regularly at intervals of 4-6 days. At every next complete (two mornings) visit, the observer changed the direction of movement to the opposite. For each visit, the date, start and end time, geographic coordinates, distance travelled, weather conditions, etc. were recorded. For each bird detected during the visit, the position on the map (relative coordinates: X, Y), species, sex, age, and behaviour (singing, courtship, non-singing, with food, with nest material, etc.) were recorded. Also, mostly for singing males, the coordinates of observed movements and of simultaneously observed individuals of each species were noted. All conflicts between birds were also recorded. In addition to census visits, nest searching, observing nesting behaviour and conflicts, as well as selective mapping (mostly for uncommon or inconspicuous species), were conducted within 100 m on each side of the route.

Method steps

1. The data from the counts (mapping visits) and additional (selective) observations were digitised and entered into the database KALUGA 2020_2021_7994reg_72sp.mdb. This database allows materials to be presented in the form of digital raster maps (raster grid cells of sizes 25 × 25, 50 × 50, and 100 × 100 m) for any of the variables evaluated (species, time period, sex, age, behaviour, etc.). The author is willing to provide the database to interested specialists. The original data from KALUGA 2020_2021_7994reg_72sp.mdb. were transferred to the GBIF dataset. Breeding densities, bird phenology data, and nesting information, as well as more detailed descriptions of the transect and data collection methods, are given (in Russian) in Cherenkov & Rogulenko (2022).

1. Aves
   rank: class

Russia, Kaluga Region, Kozelsk District