Population Restoration After Removal of Wrens (Troglodytes troglodytes) Breeding in Primaeval Forest

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Abstract
This study was done in the last fragments of primeval temperate European forest preserved in Bialowieza National Park in northeast Poland. Wrens occur here in low densities, up to 4 territories 10 ha-1 in optimal habitats and below 2 territories 10 ha-1 in suboptimal ones. The hypothesis of proximate limitation of numbers by territorial behavior was tested. Removal experiments were carried out in suboptimal habitats, after the end of the spring migration. Removal of territorial males on 2 occasions did not cause any significant change in number of territories within the plot. The plot was repopulated mainly by previously non-territorial males. The replacement birds were physiologically capable of reproduction. A non-breeding element of the population probably exists in most years. The role of territorial behavior as a factor limiting numbers of wrens in primeval forest is confirmed.

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