Ornis Polonica 2024, 65: 79–92
Catchment-scale habitat selection in stream-dwelling bird species: the Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea and White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus in the Beskid Żywiecki Mts (S Poland)
Michał Ciach, Katarzyna Bul
Abstract: The Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea and White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus are closely associated with running waters and inhabit fast-flowing streams. However, catchment-scale habitat preferences of these stream-dwelling species remain poorly recognised. The aim of this study was to assess species breeding habitat selection with respect to topography and habitat type in the Beskid Żywiecki Mts (S Poland). Habitat characteristics increasing the probability of occurrence of the Grey Wagtail were increasing altitude, north-westerly aspect, gentler slope and decreasing distance from roads; for the White-throated Dipper they were gentler slope, decreasing distances from both roads and built-up areas, and northerly aspects. While Dippers preferred watercourses crossing open habitats (meadows, farmland and early-successional forest stages) and avoided those flowing through coniferous and mixed stands, Grey Wagtails showed no clear preference for forest type. The apparent preference for man-made structures may be artefactual, as infrastructure is often concentrated in valleys. Both species favoured reaches where the stream gradient is gentler; such sites, with local accumulations of water, provide habitat for aquatic invertebrates that form their main food source. Because hydro-engineering works and forest management can alter watercourse character and quality (oxygenation and acidification), preserving naturally flowing streams is vital for the conservation of these birds.
Keywords: species distribution, water-related birds, topography, mountains, the Carpathians
