Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 35(2) 1992

Issue:

VOL 35(2) 1992

Keywords:

Acrocephalus scirpaceus, breeding, ethology, ecology, SW Poland

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Breeding ethology and ecology of the Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus (Hermann, 1804) at Milicz, SW Poland

• Marta BOROWIEC

Abstract:

The settling pattern, territorial behaviour, pair formation, breeding site selection, nest building and breeding success of birds were studied in a population of individually marked Reed Warblers in 1980-1982 in the nature reserve “Stawy Milickie” (Milicz Fish Ponds), SW Poland. The intense territorial behaviour of males was limited to the period from the establishing of their territory to the arrival of a female. The nest site was selected by the female, which did not pay much attention to the original territory boundaries fixed by the male; 36% of nests of the first brood were located beyond the initial boundaries of the male territories. Several pairs often preferred the same part of the reedbed, and loose aggregations of nests were common. Nest losses were high (67%) and in 95% due to predators. As a result, the production of young was very low despite many repeated attempts at nesting. After the loss of the first nest, 76% of the females renested. Unsuccessful females were never observed in next years, whereas unsuccessful males returned.