Abstract (eng)
Myriad different factors influence the breeding ecology of secondary hole nesting birds. Examples include, but are not limited to, the presence/influence of humans (urbanisation), the nesting material, availability of food sources and familiarity with the nesting site. In general, bird species diversity decreases in proximity to humans and their settlements, while more generalist species become more dominant. This study investigates the influence of human presence on the breeding ecology and species diversity/dominance of secondary hole nesting birds in three specific localities, using artificial nest boxes. The study locations are three adjacent forests at the Konrad Lorenz Forschungstelle (KLF) in Grünau, Upper Austria. These areas mainly differ in the degree of human presence (i.e., high/low levels) and the type of woodland (i.e., coniferous or mixed). In total, n=154 nest boxes dispersed across the three study areas were the basis of the monitoring project. The influence of humans on the breeding ecology and species diversity/dominance was measured with parameters such as occupation rate, clutch size, date of first laid egg and overall reproductive success. The great tit \emph{(Parus major)} was found to be significantly more prevalent in the nest boxes of the three study areas then the other study species coal tit \emph{(Periparus ater)}, marsh tit \emph{(Poecile palustris)}, blue tit \emph{(Cyanistes ceruleus)}, nuthatches \emph{(Sitta europaea)} and collared flycatchers \emph{(Ficedula albicollis)}. A range of factors, such as their ecological niche and larger body weight, might explain the great tits \emph{(Parus major)} dominance. Additionally, a significant nesting preference for the area with high levels of human presence was found among the study species. This study represents the second instance of the proposed continuous monitoring program of the cavity nesting birds of the Grünau area. The project might supply valuable information to aid in the identification of species that may benefit from conservation efforts, while also delivering the necessary data for the "Höhlenbrüter Monitoring'' project of the Austrian ornithological centre (AOC).