Field evaluation for playback surveys: species-specific detection probabilities and distance estimation errors in a nocturnal bird community

Capsule During playback experiments, the distance from surveyor to call influences chances of detection across nocturnal species in farmland and woodland habitats.Aim To evaluate how affects capability, expressed as probability hearing broadcast calls estimating their distances correctly, a bird community.Methods We conducted field experiment areas within an agricultural landscape winter summer 2020. Vocalizations five (Little Owl Athene noctua, Tawny Strix aluco, Long-eared Asio otus, Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, Water Rail Rallus aquaticus) were at various surveyor, who attempted detect them and, if successful, classify into predefined zones. Binomial GLMMs used estimate function distance, effects habitat season on this relationship.Results The had significant effect both habitats. In woodland, was significantly higher winter, while correctly generally summer. An increase experience improved our mainly terms estimation, for which errors mostly overestimates.Conclusions estimation accuracy varied between species. Most Little detected 200 m radius 100 other For multi-species community-level study, surveys are thus likely be most representative surrounding where is highest, estimates observer inaccurate cases. Field evaluations such should implemented prior actual surveys.