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Apparent survival and dispersal in a recovered Osprey population: effects of age, sex and social status

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Abstract

Dispersal and survival are important determinants of population dynamics and should be monitored in both threatened and recovered populations. We used colour ringing with a capture–mark–recapture approach to estimate the age distribution, survival and dispersal in a recently recovered Baltic Osprey Pandion haliaetus population. The mean age of breeding Ospreys was 5.5 years (5.5 years in males and 5.4 years in females). The mean age of floaters was 3.1 years (3.3 years in males and 2.9 years in females). The re-sighting probability was best modelled as a time-independent function of five age classes separately for both sexes, and it increased with age. In females, the re-sighting probability increased from 0.03 in 1-year-old birds to 0.77 at 5 years and older; in males, it increased from 0.01 to 0.54. The best models for apparent survival included two age classes. Survival was lower for 1-year-old females (0.14) than males (0.27); the survival difference was retained at > 1 year of age (females 0.64 and males 0.74). Apparent survival (0.72) was similar for satellite-tracked adult Ospreys. Floaters were rare; however, their survival (0.70) was similar to that of breeders. Mean natal dispersal distances were significantly longer for females (164 km) than for males (47 km). Breeding dispersal was recorded in 5% of breeders (mean distance, 11.1 km). The relatively high (apparent) mortality in the Baltic population may be partly explained by competition in breeding grounds and threats during migration and wintering. However, permanent emigration may contribute to the low apparent survival.

Zusammenfassung

Überleben und Ausbreitung einer Fischadler-Population nach ihrer Erholung: Auswirkungen von Geschlecht, Alter und sozialem Status

Überleben und Ausbreitung sind wichtige Determinanten der Populationsdynamik und sollten sowohl bei bedrohten als auch bei wiederhergestellten Populationen überwacht werden. Wir verwendeten Farbberingung mit einem Fang-Wiederfang-Ansatz, um die Altersverteilung, das Überleben und die Ausbreitung in einer kurz davor wiederhergestellten baltischen Fischadler (Pandion haliaetus)-Population zu erfassen. Das Durchschnittsalter der brütenden Fischadler betrug 5,5 Jahre (5,5 Jahre bei Männchen und 5,4 Jahre bei Weibchen). Das mittlere Alter der nicht brütenden Tiere („Floaters“) lag bei 3,1 Jahren (3,3 Jahre bei Männchen und 2,9 Jahre bei Weibchen). Die Wahrscheinlichkeit für eine erneute Sichtung wurde am zweckmäßigsten als zeitunabhängige Funktion von fünf Altersklassen getrennt für beide Geschlechter modelliert und stieg mit dem Alter an. Für die Weibchen wuchs diese Wahrscheinlichkeit von 0,03 bei 1-jährigen auf 0,77 bei 5-jährigen und älteren Vögeln; bei den Männchen stieg sie von 0,01 auf 0,54. Die besten Modelle für das Überleben beinhalteten zwei Altersklassen. Die Überlebensrate war bei 1-jährigen Weibchen niedriger (0,14) als bei Männchen (0,27); der Unterschied im Überleben blieb für ein Alter von > 1 Jahr erhalten (Weibchen 0,64 und Männchen 0,74). Die modellierte Überlebensrate (0,72) war bei den über Satellit verfolgten erwachsenen Fischadlern ähnlich. „Floaters “ waren selten; ihre Überlebensrate (0,70) war jedoch ähnlich wie die der Brütenden. Die mittlere Ausbreitungsentfernung nach dem Schlüpfen war bei den Weibchen signifikant größer (164 km) als bei den Männchen (47 km). Die Ausbreitung zum Brüten wurde für 5% der Brütenden ermittelt (mittlere Entfernung: 11,1 km). Die relativ hohe (im Modell) Sterblichkeit in der baltischen Population kann möglicherweise zum Teil mit der Konkurrenz in den Brutgebieten und Gefahren während des Zugs und der Überwinterung erklärt werden. Allerdings kann auch eine ständige Abwanderung zu der (im Modell) niedrigen Überlebensrate beitragen.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analysed during the study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We thank everyone who participated in the monitoring of Ospreys in Estonia and Latvia, and in the ringing and photographing of adult birds. Data for recoveries and re-sightings in other countries were provided by Estonian and Latvian bird ringing centres. Urmas Sellis led the GPS-tracking of Ospreys and made migration data available to the public via an online migration map (http://birdmap.5dvision.ee/). Brett Sandercock gave useful advice during data analysis; Flavio Monti and two anonymous reviewers provided valuable comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript. The monitoring of the Estonian Ospreys was financed by the Estonian Environment Agency and its predecessors. The data analysis and compilation of the paper were supported by the Environmental Investments Centre (project no. 3-2_7/10874-4/2020). The study was in compliance with the current laws of Estonia and Latvia. Permission for visiting nest sites and ringing was issued by the Estonian Environment Agency and Latvian Nature Conservation Agency.

Funding

Monitoring of the Estonian Ospreys was financed by the Estonian Environment Agency and its predecessors. The data analysis and compilation of the paper were supported by the Environmental Investments Centre (project no. 3-2_7/10874-4/2020).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia

    Ülo Väli

  2. Eagle Club, Valgjärve, Estonia

    Ülo Väli & Joosep Tuvi

  3. Latvia’s State Forests, Riga, Latvia

    Aigars Kalvāns

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  1. Ülo Väli
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ÜV designed the study, conducted data analysis and drafted the manuscript; AK and JT collected and compiled the data; all authors revised and finalised the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ülo Väli.

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Communicated by O. Krüger.

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Väli, Ü., Kalvāns, A. & Tuvi, J. Apparent survival and dispersal in a recovered Osprey population: effects of age, sex and social status. J Ornithol 162, 1025–1034 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-021-01908-7

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