<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

During investigations of an inundated opencast sulphur mine (an open, deep water habitat with a relatively small littoral area) only five species of breeding water birds were recorded. The density of breeding great crested grebes <italic>Podiceps cristatus</italic> was relatively high (c. 1.0-1.1 pairs 10 ha-1 of water, and 1.6-1.8 pairs ha-1 of the macrophyte area) although fish density was very low. High water transparency probably compensated for low prey density, because potential prey could be readily detected. Most of the fish were small and occurred in the upper layers of the water column (they could not live below 10 m where the water was anoxic), so were readily available and easily caught by the grebes.
</abstract>

During investigations of an inundated opencast sulphur mine (an open, deep water habitat with a relatively small littoral area) only five species of breeding water birds were recorded. The density of breeding great crested grebes Podiceps cristatus was relatively high (c. 1.0-1.1 pairs 10 ha-1 of water, and 1.6-1.8 pairs ha-1 of the macrophyte area) although fish density was very low. High water transparency probably compensated for low prey density, because potential prey could be readily detected. Most of the fish were small and occurred in the upper layers of the water column (they could not live below 10 m where the water was anoxic), so were readily available and easily caught by the grebes.

Can poor foraging habitat (an inundated opencast sulphur mine) be attractive to the great crested grebe (<italic>Podiceps cristatus</italic>)?

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

Can poor foraging habitat (an inundated opencast sulphur mine) be attractive to the great crested grebe ()?

During investigations of an inundated opencast sulphur mine (an open, deep water habitat with a relatively small littoral area) only five species of breeding...

Can poor foraging habitat (an inundated opencast sulphur mine) be attractive to the great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus)?

Publicado en línea: 30 sept 2009

Páginas: 135 - 139

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10009-009-0036-2

Palabras clave
water birds, reservoir, water transparency, fish availability, fish density

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