Breeding ecology and habitat selection of Merlin Falco columbarius in forested landscapes

Capsule: Long-term trends in Merlin Falco columbarius breeding performance remained stable during a period of extensive afforestation in Ireland, where Merlin predominantly select conifer plantations for nesting. Aims: To determine breeding performance and habitat selection of Merlin in a landscape significantly altered by afforestation. Methods: We compiled data on Merlin to determine long-term trends in breeding performance and to examine habitat selection in a country with one of the fastest rates of afforestation in Europe. Results: Merlin predominantly nested in trees (99.5%; n = 183 pairs), with a strong preference for conifer plantations, which accounted for over 12 times more nests than expected by random selection. Moors and heathland were strongly selected as land-uses adjacent to nest sites. Most nests were located within 10 m of the forest edge, and in forests aged between 31 and 40 years. Merlin showed positive selection for moors and heathland, peat bogs and natural grasslands within breeding territories, and breeding success was positively related to the proportion of these land-uses surrounding nests. Breeding was successful for 74% of nests (n = 300), and mean productivity was 2.1 young per breeding attempt (n = 265) between 1982 and 2014. Breeding parameters remained constant over the 33-year study period, despite an increase of more than 75% in forest cover during this time. Conclusion: Merlin breeding performance showed no long-term effects of increased afforestation. Although Merlin predominantly nested in conifer plantations, the presence of nearby open suitable foraging habitats influenced nest site selection and breeding success. The nesting preference of Merlin makes them vulnerable to disturbance from forest operations, which requires mitigation.