Spatial and temporal variation in the breeding of Masked Lapwings (Vanellus miles) in Australia

Lynda E. Chambers; Heather Gibbs; Michael A. Weston; Glenn C. Ehmke

doi:10.1071/MU07064

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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Spatial and temporal variation in the breeding of Masked Lapwings (Vanellus miles) in Australia

Lynda E. Chambers ^A ^D , Heather Gibbs ^B , Michael A. Weston ^B ^C and Glenn C. Ehmke ^C

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, Bureau of Meteorology, GPO Box 1289, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia.

^B School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.

^C Research and Conservation Department, Birds Australia, Suite 2-05, Green Building, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Vic. 3052, Australia.

^D Corresponding author. Email: L.Chambers@bom.gov.au

Emu 108(2) 115-124 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU07064
Submitted: 22 October 2007 Accepted: 26 February 2008 Published: 1 May 2008

Abstract

Spatial and temporal variation in the breeding of Masked Lapwings (Vanellus miles) in Australia were examined using data from Birds Australia’s Nest Record Scheme (NRS; 1957–2002), the Atlas of Australian Birds (1998–2006), and climatic data (1952–2006). Breeding in north-western Australia was concentrated in summer, while in other regions the peak of breeding occurred during spring. Breeding success varied between regions and years but was generally highest in Tasmania. Clutch-size (mean 3.57 eggs ± 0.033 s.e., n = 549 clutches) did not vary regionally or temporally. In the north-east, breeding became earlier over time (~1.9 days per year, NRS), while in the south-east, breeding became later (~0.9 days per year); in other regions temporal trends were not evident. Only Tasmania showed a significant temporal change in breeding success (decrease of ~1.5% per year). All regions experienced warming climates, and annual rainfall increased in north-western regions and decreased in eastern regions. There were weak or no relationships between the amount or success of breeding, clutch-size and the climatic variables considered (with the possible exception of Tasmania), suggesting either that data limitations precluded us from detecting subtle effects or that Masked Lapwings have been little influenced or are resilient to changes in climate over most of their range.

Acknowledgements

Thanks go to Birds Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology for providing access to the data used in this study. The NRS is funded by the Vera Moore Foundation (and formerly by the Norman Wettenhall Foundation), and we gratefully acknowledge the support of an Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) Grant via the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, which focuses on the conservation of beach-nesting shorebirds. The Atlas of Australian Birds (post-1998) has been funded by the Australian Government’s NHT and the Marsh Family Trust. Thanks also go to all the volunteers whose observations made this study possible. James O’Connor, Greg Roff, John McBride and two anonymous reviewers improved the manuscript.

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