Scientific publications

Spatial and trophic relations of Tree pipit Anthus trivialis L. were studied in 2004–2010 in open habitats of the Oka River valley within the Ryazan Region. Tree pipit has occupied various types of biotopes, the highest population density is in the meadows in floodplain oak forests – 71.7 pairs/km2. This species prefers areas with trees growing. Tree pipit often inhabits areas with sparse vegetation 51–70 cm high, and a field layer cover of 16–30 %. When foraging, it usually holds to the ground or bases of plants, and pecks food from those substrates. The foraging behavior is typical «gleaning», the intensity of feeding is 21.3 foraging maneuvers a minute. The diet of the nestlings is chiefly small items – Lepidoptera and Orthoptera larvae, Coleoptera imagoes. In open habitats with rare trees or sparse but high shrub patches Tree pipit finds everything they need to maintain their spatial and trophic links. As the area of forests keeps declining throughout this type of habitat may act as refugia for the species.