We studied willow ptarmigan in a montane panorama in Lierne municipality in central Norway. In the course of the examine we captured and marked a complete of 272 willow ptarmigan from 2015 to 2021. To seize the birds, we approached them from snowmobiles in the course of the winter evening, dazzled them with spotlights after which captured them with dip-nets. We then outfitted the captured birds with a VHF transmitter with roughly 30 months battery life, and monitored them by use of VHF triangulation by foot, skis, or snowmobile, and infrequently by plane. This technique enabled us to trace the survival of particular person birds all through the examine interval.
By following these birds over seven years and monitoring their survival in relation to variation in snow patterns throughout spring and autumn, we discovered that snow patterns have an effect on the survival of this frequent northern mountain species. When winter arrived early, the mortality danger for yearlings elevated within the following spring, suggesting {that a} robust autumn has carry-over results into the next seasons. Additional, spring mortality was larger for each adults and yearlings when there was a lot snow within the spring. By demonstrating how modifications in snow patterns can have an effect on the mortality danger of this alpine species, our examine provides elevated perception into species-specific sensitivity to climatic change.
Classes:
