An ecological and molecular study of the European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) and its allies

This thesis covers two broad areas of investigation; the conservation ecology of the European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) nesting in lowland pine plantations in Eastern and Southern England and the application of phylogenetic methods to the Caprimulgidae. The nightjar has become a popular study organism with many studies involving the use of mist netting and attachment of GPS tags. However the effects of such close contact and potentially high degree of disturbance has not been studied systematically. The ecological work aimed to determine the effects of capture, instrumentation and blood sampling on breeding nightjars and also habitat selection for nesting and the importance of disturbance induced predation using artificial nests. Mist netting, telemetry and blood sampling had no effect on breeding success and no measurable long terms effects on philopatry or survival. Mist netting resulted in 0.75% mortality. Radio tagging caused short term reduction in activity and minor feather wear. Blood sampling caused temporary weight loss in bled chicks. We recommend that feathers are used instead of blood for DNA analysis. Telemetry showed that song territories (territory used primarily for nesting) of mated and unmated males were similar and nightjars shared airspace above territories so census workers should factor this into surveys. Male nightjars established territories on clearfell, plantations less than 10 years old and heathland but avoided plantations when the canopy has closed. Territory size varied by habitat (mean range 4.6ha to 9.3ha) but all territories had a compactness ratio (circularity) greater than 0.64 (where 1 = perfect circle). Nightjars located their nests adjacent to soft edges (broad transition of vegetation of similar height) and chose vegetation of intermediate density requiring a balance between nest concealment and vigilance. Artificial nests were created on habitat used by nightjars and baited with quail and plasticine eggs. Depredation was similar to nightjar nests however predation of nightjar and quail nests was mainly avian, whereas plasticine eggs were predated by mammals. These findings recommend future studies should avoid using plasticine eggs and use cameras to record predation events. Depredation was higher on clearfells and lowest in 4-9 year plantations and heathlands. Success of artificial nests on bracken dominated clearfells and