Work on the use of gardens and habitat

The nature of the garden habitat, the resources that it contains and its position in relation to surrounding habitats will influence the extent to which it is used by birds and other species. The size of the BTO Garden BirdWatch dataset, together with the range of species covered, allows examination of the role that landscape scale and local scale effects influence garden use. We can, for example, examine garden use in birds in relation to natural seed supplies across the wider landscape, or test the role that particular boundary features play in the permeability of the urban landscape to amphibian and reptile species. We can also look at other factors, such as urban light pollution or the urban heat island effect.

Harrison, T.J.E., Smith, J.A., Martin, G.R., Chamberlain, D.E., Bearhop, S., Robb, G. & Reynolds, S.J. (2010) Does food supplementation really enhance productivity of breeding birds? Oecologia 164: 311-320. abstract

Ockendon, N., Davis, S.E., Toms, M.P. & Mukherjee, S. (2009) Eye size and the time of arrival of birds at garden feeding stations in winter. Journal of Ornithology 150: 903-908. abstract

Ockendon, N., Davis, S.E., Miyar, T. & Toms, M.P. (2009) Urbanization and time of arrival of common birds at feeding stations. Bird Study 56: 405-410. abstract

McKenzie, A.J., Petty, S.J., Toms, M.P. & Furness, R.W. (2007) Importance of Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis and garden bird-feeders for Siskins Carduelis spinus and Coal Tit Periparus aterBird Study 54: 236-247. abstract

Chamberlain, D.E., Cannon, A.R. & Toms, M.P. (2004) Associations of gardens birds with gradients in garden habitat and local habitat. Ecography 27: 589-600. abstract



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