engleski

Effects of spring temperatures on the fiest egg-laying dates of the nuthatch (Sitta europaea)

I examined long-term changes in the egg-laying dates of thenuthatch (Sitta europaea) from 1982 to 2007 in Hrvatsko Zagorje area (northwestern Croatia) in relation to mean spring temperatura and to potential climate change effects. Negative correlations between egg-laying date and year, and egg-laying date and local temperatures (mean of March-April values) were statistically significant. Based on the linear regression slopes, the models indicate that in 2007, nuthaches laid 6.5 days earlier than in 1982. These results suggest that nuthatch breeding in the Hrvatsko Zagorje area responds to climate fluctuations by shifting the date of clutch initiation.

nuthatch; Sitta europaea; egg-laying dates; spring temperatures

nije evidentirano