Determinants of habitat and site use by turnstones and purple sandpipers in N.E. England, and possible effects of the removal of coastal nutrients

Abstract

Purple Sandpipers and Turnstones were studied on the coast of south Northumberland, with regard to the possible effects of reductions in sewage inputs into inshore waters along the Northumberland coast as a result of new European legislation. Multivariate analysis of bird density in relation to 33 habitat variables indicated that Purple Sandpiper distribution was positively correlated with the abundance of intertidal musselbeds, but negatively correlated with raptor density. Turnstone density was positively correlated with several intertidal habitats such as bare and barnacle-covered rock, as well as the amount of detached wrack deposited on the strandline. Analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in particulate organic matter in inshore waters indicated that sewage contributed up to 60% of the total organic matter in the immediate vicinity of outfalls, and hence probably supported increased intertidal invertebrate densities. Purple Sandpiper numbers were unlikely to be limited by food resources, but birds sought to feed in areas that offered the highest food intake rates, in order to reduce the time spent feeding and therefore minimise the risk of predation by raptors. Social status determined where birds could feed, with larger and older birds excluding subordinates to poorer feeding areas. Social status in Turnstones was determined by sex and age. By feeding on the richest intertidal food resources, dominant individuals (males and adults) minimised the time spent foraging on ephemeral deposits of strandline wrack over high water, which carried a greater risk of predation. Dominant individuals of both species were able to carry less stored fat and hence improved their chances of escaping attacks by raptors. While both species are unlikely to decline in numbers as a direct response to lower food densities, subsequent changes in foraging behaviour and distribution could result in greater mortality.