Dispersal, ranging and settling behaviour of Marsh TitsPoecile palustrisin a fragmented landscape in lowland England

Capsule: Natal dispersal was rapid and distances were short. Winter ranging and breeding dispersal limited. Few birds undertook large movements. : To investigate the natal and breeding dispersal of Marsh Tits, including the timing of dispersal . : Nestlings, juveniles and adults were ringed and searched for over 4500 ha during summer, –winter, and spring over six years. Dispersal distances were measured as metric distances and of territory widths. Ranging distances were compared with dispersal distances. : Median distances of natal dispersal were 2.6 territory widths for males (704.5 m) and 3.1 widths for females (1065.0 m). Median distances of breeding dispersal were 0.2 territory widths males and females (58.6 and 53.1 m respectively). Most natal dispersal was completed soon after , with further movement in spring. Breeding dispersal was also detected during these . Median ranging distances were short, and some winter floaters were identified. : Marsh Tits had short dispersal distances, with most dispersal activity occurring in June. suggested that dispersal behaviour was sensitive to habitat fragmentation, resulting in poor settling outside of the natal wood. Habitat fragmentation may, therefore, be a contributory factor in the of the Marsh Tit population in Britain.