THE INFLUENCE OF RECREATIONAL DISTURBANCE ON COMMON SANDPIPERS ACTITIS-HYPOLEUCOS BREEDING BY AN UPLAND RESERVOIR, IN ENGLAND

Common sandpipers Actitis hypoleucos breading around the Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District National Park, England, are disturbed by anglers and other visitors, so that they take flight about 29% more than they would if undisturbed; they frequently are forced to encroach on their neighbours' territories. causing far more fighting than done by nearby riverine birds. They take flight from an approaching human at 27 m, but when guarding their chicks react ('alarm') at 75 m; anglers may stand as close as 25 m apart, emphasising the potential for disturbance. Disturbance from anglers is high at the start of the breeding season, and continues, though slackening, throughout, whereas casual disturbance from other visitors is very erratic. Along the north shore of the reservoir, common sandpipers avoid using the favoured angling beaches, whereas on the south shore they retreat into the conifer plantations. The consequence is a reduction in the size of the breeding Population, but breeding success is unaffected.