Data from: Regulation of body reserves in a hunted wader: implications for cold-weather shooting restrictions

1.Severe winter weather can reduce avian energetic reserves. At such times, reducing disturbance, and therefore energy expenditure, through science-based policy is crucial to mitigating negative impacts on survival. 2.We examined through allometric equations the energy reserves of Eurasian woodcock Scolopax rusticola, a popular quarry species across most of Europe, in relation to time of winter, location and temperature. We used data from 221 dissected birds, shot in Britain in two winters (2013/14, 2014/15), and 1689 live birds captured during six consecutive winters (2010/11-2015/16). 3.Woodcock are able to store large amounts of energy as fat in mid-winter and increase energy reserves as night air temperature drops to below 0°C, provided the ground thaws during the day. 4.In the event of cold weather in Britain, the mean potential flight distance of woodcock, based on mobilisable energy estimates of shot birds, is 860 km. If they do not move away, woodcock could withstand frozen conditions without feeding for a mean of six days. 5.Synthesis and applications. To reduce the effects of cold weather on Eurasian woodcock Scolopax rusticola, shooting should be restricted before energy reserves are depleted. Current policies vary across Europe, but our results suggest that restrictions should come into force sooner, after four days of continually frozen ground at inland sites. Restrictions should cover large regions and remain in operation for seven days after the end of the cold spell.

1. 严酷的冬季天气会降低鸟类的能量储备。在此类情境下，通过基于科学的政策减少干扰、进而降低能量消耗，对于缓解其对生存的负面影响至关重要。2. 本研究通过异速生长方程（allometric equations），针对欧亚丘鹬（Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola）——一种在欧洲多数地区广受欢迎的猎用鸟类——的能量储备展开分析，探讨其与冬季时段、采样地点以及气温之间的关联。研究使用了221只于2013/14和2014/15两个冬季在英国被射杀的解剖鸟类样本，以及2010/11至2015/16连续六个冬季期间捕获的1689只活体鸟类数据。3. 若日间地面能够解冻，欧亚丘鹬可在隆冬时节储存大量脂肪作为能量储备，并在夜间气温降至0℃以下时提升自身能量储备。4. 在英国遭遇寒冷天气时，基于射杀个体的可动员能量估算，欧亚丘鹬的平均潜在飞行距离可达860公里。若不进行迁徙，它们可在不进食的情况下耐受冰冻环境平均达6天。5. 综合与应用。为缓解寒冷天气对欧亚丘鹬的影响，应在其能量储备耗尽前限制狩猎行为。目前欧洲各地的狩猎政策存在差异，但本研究结果显示，在内陆地区连续出现冰冻地面四天后，就应当实施狩猎限制。限制措施应覆盖大范围区域，并在寒冷天气结束后持续生效七日。