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WINTER FEEDING ECOLOGY OF WIGEON ANAS PENELOPE AT THE OUSE WASHES, ENGLAND
Author(s) -
Känel Angela
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
ibis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1474-919X
pISSN - 0019-1019
DOI - 10.1111/j.1474-919x.1981.tb04048.x
Subject(s) - anas , grazing , morning , population , pasture , habitat , snow , environmental science , ecology , grassland , flood myth , zoology , geography , biology , meteorology , botany , demography , archaeology , sociology
Summary Investigations on the feeding ecology of Wigeon were carried out in winter 1978–79 at the species' most important inland wintering habitat in Britain. The study area included 287 ha of grassland, about one‐sixth of the Washes, which is grazed by cattle and sheep until late autumn. In winter the area is partly or fully flooded. The number of Wigeon increased to 11 200 in January but cold weather in February, with snow and frozen flood water, forced the birds to leave, only 600 staying in the reserve. In March up to 4000 birds were again present. The distribution of the population within the refuge depends on whether the habitat is dry pasture with only a few ponds, partly flooded, fully flooded or covered with snow and frozen flood water. Under dry or slightly wet conditions 98% of the Wigeon were grazing (October to January), while under partly flooded conditions (February and March) 42%, fed on water. With increasing water depth, upending was used by 13%, while 45% of the population moved to the barrier banks, grazing there in March. The feeding method can change within a few hours with increasing water depth. The diurnal activity pattern varies during the wintering period. A lower percentage of morning feeding occurred after flights back from feeding outside the refuge and under frozen conditions. The feeding activity was higher at mid‐day with a slight decrease towards dusk. The average diurnal feeding activity was 71% (October to April), with a maximum of 90% in November. Wigeon feed diurnally and nocturnally. During a 24 h period in March they were foraging for 15 h 40 min; by day 81% of the time was spent feeding, while at night only 48%. Standing crop measurements showed that the biomass of green vegetation declined significantly outside enclosures due to Wigeon usage. Pasture land should be grazed at different intensities by cattle and sheep before the arrival of the ducks. Inland reserves should include such pasture together with some standing water where the birds are undisturbed. The use of inland pastures can compensate for the loss of coastal habitats.