Gillings, S., Fuller, R.J. & Sutherland, W.J. (in press) Diurnal studies do not predict nocturnal habitat choice and site selection of Eurasian Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria and Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus . Auk

Abstract

Many species such as shorebirds feed both during the day and night yet little is known about how this affects behaviour and habitat preferences. Eurasian Golden Plovers and Northern Lapwings on arable farmland were more widely dispersed at night: nocturnal flocks were smaller, typically monospecific, and occurred in many more fields than diurnal mixed-species flocks. Diurnal numbers of Eurasian Golden Plovers could not be used to predict nocturnal numbers, indicating differing ranging behaviour between day and night. For both species, nocturnal feeding was recorded on almost all nights, irrespective of moon phase. Northern Lapwing nocturnal feeding activity decreased with increasing cloud cover and decreasing ground temperature but no clear relationships were detected between Eurasian Golden Plover nocturnal feeding activity and environmental variables. Habitat selection differed between day and night, and between species at night. Diurnal studies of habitat choice and site selection may misrepresent the full requirements of such species.

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