or upper Severn since 1999 18) Te wll be fascinating to this explosion of Mandarin, seer -rsinto Scotland from 1871 { during the 20th Century ales in the early 1970s is well das, Lovegrove tal. 1994) Jes in 1985 and 1986 (Tyee have dramatically increased 3oosanders frst bred, onthe xis was the second breeding e River Usk was the only « first Gwent Atlas (Tyler et four breeding records from ity in eecent years. Venables it as an uncommon winter served a female with young ‘now upriver from Llangua Since then pairs and broods commonplace in that aca in 2008. Favoured suetches ys and Llangua, berween * Grosmont and lower down Osbaston, Females are often breeding season when they -toaking in alarm. Birds have around Longeown since 2006 rnd a female on a nest in a Ash cree Faxinusexelior by upriver fiom is confluence car Longtown. On 5 May had harched and a seventh The adult female Geosander ay ca tkm downriver, below seklings 10-15 paits of Goosanders reed on the River Monnow Gwent Ornithologiea Sai 11988, 48-63. LR & Wiliams, RA. 2008, Stephanie J. Tyler “7 BIRD REDORT 2009 TREE SPARROWS AT PORTON Ahistory of the breeding Tree Sparrow Passer montanus population at Porton & Redwick Richard Clarke Introduction A small breeding colony of Eurasian Tree Sparrow Paser montanus bas regulatly used nest-boxes at Porton, since the early 1990s; and at Redwick, since 2004, This paper sets outa brief history of che colony; notes the key characteristics ofthe habitat where the colony is founds and sets out the actions taken by the Goldeliff Ringing Group to encourage lice Sparrows to breed elsewhere on the Caldicot Levels Background & summary of breeding AA stall Tree Sparzow colony was fist recorded at Porton in the early 1990s when birds used restores that had been provided a the site ~ an unexpected development as the species had not previously been recorded as breeding there, Numbers increased and by 1993-94 the colony had five known breeding pairs which reared about eight broods. From these, some 20 plli were ringed and the colony produced fledged young annually. 1995 saw at least 18 pull ledge successfully and in 1996 15 fledged “The following year was far less successful and breeding attempts were possibly hampered by poor weather conditions during that year’s breeding, season. Disappointingly, the colony declined’ markedly by the end of the 1950s and the colony was deserted in the years 1998 to 2001, though birds were nevertheless still present in the area. For example, a small pary feeding on hedge fruits was noted in the autumn of 1999, In 2000, in anatemptre-establish the Porcon ‘colony, the Goldeliff Ringing Group decided to introduce additional nest-boxes 2t the ste, wich some 20 then being installed, In the following year (2001) ten nestcboxes were provided at a ‘new location near Redwick, knowa locally asthe Ireland Ground and situated approximately one- and-ahalf kilometres tothe east of Porton, “Tree Sparrows returned to Porton in 2002, when three nest-boxes were occupied and a single bitd edged from a clutch of seven eggs. Although this was not a productive season, the species’ recuim to the nest-box colony was very ‘welcome, Breeding continued at Porton in 2003 (GWENT BIRD RE 1RT 2009 with at least one pair being present and raising young successfully. Two broods each of fous pull edged from two boxes. The close proximity of the used nest-boxes and the timing of the broods suggest that they were from the same pair of birds. In the same year an additional ten new nest-boxes were erected at the Ireland Ground. 2004 wasan excellent year for the species with the number of paits present, nesting attempts and pulli edged increasing significanly on previous years. In all, 28 pull from eight broods edged successfully. The colony having in juse three years recurned to that of its productive peak a decade earlier. The main breeding arca continued to be at Porton, but a pair was also present for the ist time atthe Ireland Ground ‘where «wo broods succesfully Redged. ‘The colony at Porton was heavily predated in 2005, most probably by a weasel. Five nest-boxes ‘were occupied but eggs and young from these were all devoured and only che grisly remains of half-grown birds and eaten eggs were found in bores. Asa consequence no nests were successful ‘There was however better news from the Ireland, Ground where ewo nest-boxes were used and at least one brood fledged succesfully. Tn 2006 there were some ten paits. The Ireland Ground became the main breeding area with a minimum of six pairs and although Porton continued to hold bisds there were possibly just ‘wo paits present. Overall, a minimum of 32 pulli Redged successfily. In the following year there was a drop in the number of pairs present with jus two at the Ireland Ground and a single pairat Porton, From these some ten pull fledged successfullyTREE SPARROWS AT PORTON ‘Table 1: breeding summary of Tree Sparrow at Potton & Redwick from 2002 5 | as | “The colony increased to five pairs in 2008 which reated 2 minimum of 24 pulli and in the following year at least three breeding p: were present, two of which reared nine px successfly Habitat & nest sites ‘The habitat in the Porton/Redwick arca where ‘Tee Sparrows breed consists of Belds of rough unimproved grazing pasture with boundaries comprised of reens(water-fled drainage ditches) bordered by hedges, mostly of Hawehom Crataegus monogna and Blackthorn Prunus spinora with some Crack Willow Salie fragilis Fields are close to the sea wall bordering the ‘Sevean estuary and are grazed by sheep. Some arable lad is present in the area. The Ireland Ground, for example, is sandwiched between arable fields, chough arable land is not that close to the Porton sie. Most nest-boxes ate positioned fairly low down in the hedgerows, on Hawthorn, no more than 1.5 co 2.0 metres up. The direction they face varies, although most avoid facing dircctly into the prevailing south-westerly winds. There is no obvious preference shown by ‘Tree Sparrows on the nest-boxes used. Some of the Hawthoans on which nest-boxes are placed are in sparse hedges, where there are many gaps and the tees are bare; this is certainly the case in the fields adjoining Porton House, Abo, in this area one box is located on a fence post and thas been used by Tree Sparrows successfully for several years. On the Irland Ground the boxes used are located on fairly dense Hawthorns which sometimes partially obscures the boxes. ‘What is striking is that those boxes used are tons R= Redick ieend Ground; +» pul edged, bu 28 6 26 | © 6 26 ber unknown cither beside or very close to 2 reen. They ae alo near to the sea wall with ts teen system running parallel behind it, being no more than 200-300 ‘metres away, Field & Anderson (2004) recorded 4 strong, preference by the species for nesesites adjacent to werland habitat. Where boxes have been positioned further inland away from the sea wall, they have not been used, despite them being positioned on hedges bordering reens on similar unimproved pasture, grazed by sheep. ‘There is. insufficient data to draw any firm conclusions but it is suggested that the combination of unimproved pascure that has plenary of weed, atleast in its margins the close ‘proximity of the coast and water-filled teens: and the presence of arable farming, coupled with the provision of nes-boxes, provides a suitable mix {0 support breeding attempts by Tice Sparrows The species is known to nest in colonies, but the density and ultimately the size of these is dictated by the availbilicy of suitable nesting sites. Where there is reliance upon nacural ree cavities, for example, breeding pairs may wel be widely dispersed, though nesting sites in ld buildings might provide a concentration of nesting opportunities and hence a denser colony Although a former stronghold for the Tice Sparrow in Gwent, the Caldicot Levels do not aowadays provide obvious nesting sites. That birds have readily adopted nest-boxes when they have been provided possibly supports the assumption that suitable nesting sis are scarce, creating a limiting fator for che population “There is some evidence to suggest that the Caldicot Levels once aforded a greater aumber of potential nest sites than it does roday. For‘hid, NFP Ap (Then Whiten with mstng mater moth, May (aura) GWENT BIRD REPORT 2009 ‘example, the species has previously nested in the re-growth of pollarded Willows, but the practice of pollarding Willows is not now followed as widely as it once was. Furthermore, any old orchards on the Levels, which would have provided suitable nesting sites, have ether reduced in size or have disappeared altogether. ‘The lose of Elm trees in the 19705 and 1980s would doubtless have also removed nesting sits. Summets-Smith (1995) refers to the species ‘use of thick Hawthorns and both active and abandoned large nests of birds including chat © of Magpie Pica pica and Cation Crow Coreus corone. We have not found any records of Tree © Sparrows having adopted such nesting sites on the Caldicot Levels, but clearly the potential is there. Any reduction in the number of nesting sites would result in an increase in competition for those that remain. This might not be a significant issue when the competition is from Tits (Summers-Smich, 1995), bur that would not be the case where itis from potential predators such as Little Ow Athene noctua or Grey Squireel Sciurus carolinensis, The former bas 2 stronghold fon the Levels and is a known predator of the species (Summers-Smith, 1995) and the latter is a known opportunist that is much more widely encountered on the Levels today than it was a decade ago. Discussion “The Peterstone Wentlooge area and the western end of the Caldicot Levels had a strong population of Tiee Sparcows during the Gwent breeding bird atlas period between 1981-1985 but this, in common with other strongholds in the county, had declined by the time of the 2nd atlas period 1998-2003 — there being an overall 84% decline in distribution (Venables et al 2008). ‘This dramatic drop in numbers mirrored that recorded nationally across the UK. ‘The Porton/Redwick cotoriy has fluctuated in size greatly year-on-year, up until the present, ‘When occupied, the colony has held anything between 1-10 pairs. Birds of Monmouthshire (Ingram & Salmon, 1937) noted thatthe species vwas a very local resident being found in small colonies of 3-10 pairs including at cwo localities GWENT BIRD REPORT 2009 TREE SPARROWS AT PORTON con the coastal levels. Over 70 years lates, this description still holds good, with the Porton/ Redwick colony showing no indication thar i¢ will expand beyond 10 breeding pairs, despite the provision of ample breeding sites in the form of nest-boxes. ‘The reasons behind the colony's fluctuations in size is far from clear, although the impact of poor weather conditions and heavy predation have been noted to have had an impact in some years, An explanation for other years is not ‘evident, but what i clear is that there can be no certainty of predicting the qumber of pars that vill be present from one year to another ‘A pair of Tree Spartows can produce up to three broods of young in a season. At Porton, ‘wo broods is not unusual but to date there is no record ofa pair producing three. Second broods ate generally reared in a different nest-box to the fist, though the new site is always close by. Given that nests are built at approximately the same time this might cause some confusion ‘when trying to establish the exact number of pairs being present. It would be easy to assume that a higher number were present than might actually be the cas ifthe number of nests alone were the measure used, ‘Comprehensive data about nesting aetempes since the colony was first established is not available, but data relating to 25 broods berween 2004 and 2009 docs offer some insights into breeding. Mean brood size (of eggs hatched) varies from 3.2 in 2006 to 4.5 in 2009 with a mean brood size over the petiod of 3.56. ‘Although it would be unwise to draw any firm conclusions from such a small sample, there is 2 suggestion that che percentage of birds fledging. from nesting attempts is possibly below the rnocm. As such, this casts some doubt upon the sustainability of this population over the long- term, “The presence of Tre Sparrows in the Porton! Redtwick area may be easily overlooked. In fact, were it not for the original provision of nest- boxes at Porton, they could well have gone undetected. Even when the colony has been at its height, birds have remained rather secretive and are rarely seen, even during times when they are known to be feeding young. aLTREE SPARROWS AT PORTON ‘There are a few recent records of small parties of Tice Sparrows being seen in the area ‘outside of the breeding season, but chey are fat from common and it remains unclear where birds from this colony spend their time during the winter months; or indeed where paits go when they are not breeding at Porton/Redwick. Unfortunately, despite 130 birds having been ringed by the Group between 1995 and 2009, there have been no subsequent ringing recoveries and therefore this technique has not thrown any light on post-breeding dispersal of juveniles or any other movements. ‘Measures to encourage Tree Sparrows On the assumption that natural nest sites ae fairly scarce on the Caldicot Levels and in an attempt to encourage Tree Sparrows to breed elsewhere nest-boxes have been provided by the Group ar locations away from Porton and Redwick. Some 12,nest-boxes were placed at Uskinouth following Tree Sparrows being seen there in the spring of 1996-97. During the life of these bores no Tree Sparrows used them, Nest boxes have subsequently been provided by the Countryside Council for Wales at Uskmouth and other locations on the Newport Wetlands Reserve, but aguin none have been used by Tiee Spacrow. Elsewhere boxes have been erected at Whitson (25), Magor Pill (30) and Mather (20) where Tree Sparrows had previously been recorded. A farther 10 boxes were erected at Llanwern, Despite the provision of these boxes no Tree Sparrows have used them to date. However, a considerable lapse in time-span between the provision of nest-boxes and their occupancy by ‘Tree Sparrows is not unusual. This was noced by ‘Summers Smith (1995) and was apparent in the take-up of the nest-boxes provided atthe Irland Ground, Redwick. It remains co be seen whether new nes-boxes, provided as part of this project, will encourage more Tre Spartows to nest in the fuarure, Inaddition ro the provision of nes-boxes the Group also established winter fecding stations ac Porton and at Whitson. These were ‘over two winters (2005-06 & 2006-07) but, disappointingly, only single records of possible 82 ‘Tree Sparrows were recorded for each site ‘Consequently this approach has been suspended, for the time being a least. Many of the reens on the Caldicot Levels ate afforded SSSI status and 2s such the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) har approved management prescriptions for their maintenance. Management work undertaken ‘on the reen and hedgerows at Porton during the monitoring period did not appear to have had any negative impact on the local Tie Sparrow population, In fact, the opposite could be said as the open aspect of the remaining hedgerow and the growth of weeds oa the spoil from seen dredging were both potentially beneficial to the species, a least in the short-term, The Group wishes t0 encourage CCW to review its :managemenc prescriptions on the Gwent Levels, to ensure chat they are Tree Spartow-ftinaly. In particular, they should be revised t 1) prevent the felling of Willow trees, as pollarding would be more appropriate; ii) limit hedgerow removal to an absolute iil) include the provision of est boxes for Tice Sparrows, where hedgerows have been thinned, Summary Some interesting conclusions are possible: ~The provision of nes-boxes at Porton and near Redvick on the Caldicot Levels has encouraged ‘Tree Sparcows to breed at both = The number of pais using the nest boxes has varied considerably from year-or ‘year with From one to ten pais in some years ‘and a complete absence of birds between 1998 and 2001, - Nest-boxes that are adjacent to or very near wetland habitat have been che most successful, especially where sites also have nmprved rating pase and snle land nearby. = The provision of food at feeding stations at Whitson and Porton, during the winters of 2005-06 & 2006-07, did not aract regularly visting Tree Sparrows and so this approach has not been continued. GWENT AURD REPORT 2009‘TREE SPARROWS AT PORTO recorded for each sie -vach has been suspended, 5 0m the Caldicot Levels tatus and 2s such the for Wales (CCW) his t presctiptions for their sment work undertaken rows at Porton during the 4 not appear to have had an the local Tice Spartow re opposite could be said the remaining h reeds on the spoil from ‘oth potentially beneficial st in the short-term. The varage CCW to seview its ions on the Gwent Levels, 2 Thee Spacrow-friendly. In ‘nore appropriate; ‘ow removal to an absolute provision of nest boxes here hedgerows have been clusions are possible on of nest-boxes at Porton son the Caldicot Levels has Sparrows co breed at both + of paits using the nest- considerably from year-to- eto ten pairs in some years absence of birds between that are adjacent co or very beat have been the most jally where sites also have ing pasture and arable land sion of food at feeding son and Porton, during the 5-06 & 2006-07, did not Visiting Tiee Sparrows and has not been continued GWENT HIRD REPORT 2008 ‘That the Tiee Sparrow colony has not expanded bpeyond 10 pairs ac any one times disappointing. Furthermore, brood sizes of nesting birds are modest and cast doubt upon the long-term sustainability of the colony. The Goldcliff Ringing Group is continuing to renew and provide additional nest-boxes on the Caldicot Levels, most recenly away from the traditional nesting areas at Porton and Redwick, Such action aloneishowever unlikely to improve the fortunes of this declining species in Gwent and unless there is a concerted and co-ordinated effort by statutory bodies and wildlife organisations alike the continued presence of the Tiee Sparrow in the county 2s breeding species is by no means assured, References ‘Acknowledgements ‘The Goldcliff Ringing Group is most grateful to| Howard Kyree for permitting access his fidds at Porton & Redwick. Thanks to Terry Howell for providing materials for nest-boxes, the Countryside Council for Wales for funding vid the Gwent Tree Sparrow project and to ‘Newport City Council for support as part of actions arising from its Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP). Thanks also to other landowners ‘who have permitted access to their land and all those who have helped with work on the project ‘over the years - in particular, Barry Catlin and ‘Mary McGrath for diligently managing feeding stations at Porton and Whitson in past yeas. ‘Cake, RM, (1997- 2009) Goldlif Ringing Group anual reports Field, RH. & Anderson, G. QA. (2008) Habit use by breeding Tie Spars ser montana, [is (2004), 146 (suppl.2), 60-68 Ingram, CC'S. & Salmon, H. M. (1937) The Binds of Menmaushobire, Cadiff Naturalists Society Summers-Smith J.D. (1995) The Tee Sparrow, Guisborough J. Denis Summers Stith, Venables, W. A. Baker, A D., Clarke, R.M., Jones, Cx Lewis, j. M.S, Tyles S.J, Walker, I. R. de Wiliams, R.A. 2008, The Bins of Gwent. Christopher Helm, London (A. 8¢C. Black) Richard Clarke, Chykembro, 8 Lower Ochruyth, Rica, Newport NP11 6EN IT BIRD REPORT 2009 33