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Point–count method for estimating rock ptarmigan spring density in the Pyrenean chain

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Abstract

This paper describes a census technique that gives estimates of rock ptarmigan cocks’ number per unit area during the breeding season. This method originated from the need for an effective technique for estimating bird densities in mountainous and inaccessible zones like the Pyrenean chain. The bird census was carried out using a point–count method, which is recommended for uneven areas. To maximize sampling efficiency, we established sampling points at <500-m distances, in order to detect a maximum of calling birds within the sample areas. Birds localized at distances >250 m were excluded. We postulate that all birds are recorded in a 250-m radius around the observer. We carried out counts of calling rock ptarmigan cocks in the border between the Principality of Andorra and Ariège Department, France, from April to June during three consecutive years (2005–2007). The estimated spring density of 10.4 cocks per 100 ha was higher than densities reported in literature, in other parts of the Pyrénées and the Alps. Our study provides a useful reference for future monitoring of this species in its mountainous distribution range.

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Acknowledgements

This study was entirely financed by the Andorran Government and the Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs de l’Ariège (the hunting federation of Ariège, France). We are grateful to Dr. Philippe Mourguiart for his statistical assistance and for valuable comments on this manuscript. We would like to thank Landry Riba, Jordi Sola and Jose-Maria Sanchez from the Andorran Government. We are enormously grateful to all those who have accompanied us throughout this experience and, in particular, Thomas Razat, Jean Bouilleau, Régis Didier, Gaèl Aleix Mata and Nicolas Archer for her patience in translating our texts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs de l’Ariège, Le Couloumié, Labarre, 09000, Foix, France

    Evelyn Marty

  2. Asociación para la Conservación del Urogallo (ACU), Casa Cintet, Poblet d’Encamp, Principality of Andorra

    Marc Mossoll-Torres

Authors
  1. Evelyn Marty
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  2. Marc Mossoll-Torres
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Correspondence to Evelyn Marty.

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Communicated by C. Gortázar

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Marty, E., Mossoll-Torres, M. Point–count method for estimating rock ptarmigan spring density in the Pyrenean chain. Eur J Wildl Res 58, 357–363 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-011-0541-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-011-0541-y

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