Hobby nest-site selection and productivity in relation to intensive agriculture and forestry

A hobby (Falco subbuteo) population of 12-18 breeding pairs was studied int ensively for 6 years in the seasonal flood plain of the Po River in norther n Italy. The 62-km(2) study area is managed as an intensive agroforestry sy stem. We examined factors affecting hobby nest-site selection and productiv ity, and propose conservation guidelines integrating current agroforestry p ractices with the hobby's habitat requirements. Ninety-six percent of hobby nests were located within commercial poplar (Populus sp.) plantations. All nests used by hobbies had been originally built by hooded crows (Corvus co rone cornix). Nests were on taller, more mature trees than randomly selecte d crow nests, were situated farther away from the nearest dirt road, and ha d a larger extent of mature poplar plantations within 800 m of the nest tha n randomly selected crow nests. Crow nests used by hobbies were further fro m each other than randomly selected crow nests. Clutch size was positively related to habitat diversity and the extent of fallow in the area surroundi ng the nest. The probability of successfully raising young was positively r elated to the area of cultivation around the nest, and negatively affected by proximity to the nearest dirt road. Our proposals to integrate hobby con servation within current agroforestry practices include the maintenance of mature plantations equally dispersed throughout the landscape, increasing t he availability of mature woodland, fallow, and wetlands, and informing-edu cating foresters on methods to, and importance of minimizing disturbance to wildlife, specifically nesting birds.