Issue 2018-1

Ornis Polonica 2018, 59: 1–16

Autumn migration of birds of prey in the Polish part of the Carpathians

Tomasz Wilk, Rafał Bobrek, Aleksandra Pępkowska-Król

Abstract: Birds of prey were studied in 2011–2013 in the Polish part of the Carpathian Mountains. A total of 488 counts were made at 28 observation points. In total 7061 migrating individuals were recorded, with a mean value of 14.4 ind./point/day, though maximum daily counts were sometimes much higher, exceeding 100 ind./point. The mean total number of birds migrating at one point during the entire migration season (a total volume of migration calculated) was 1494 ind. (SD=843). The most intensive migration was recorded in the western part of the region, and locally also in the eastern one. Two most numerous species were the Common Buzzard Buteo buteo (64.1% of assemblage) and the Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus (13.7%).The threshold of 3% share was exceeded by the Lesser Spotted Eagle Clanga pomarina, Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus and Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus. Main migration waves were recorded in September and October, with the highest peak between 10 and 30 October. Birds were migrating individually (74.0% of observations) or in small groups of 2–5 ind. (23.4%). Most individuals were heading south (40.8%) or south-west (27.1%). The results of the study reveal a regular migration of Accipitriformes and Falconiformes through the Polish part of the Carpathians. The intensity of migration is low or moderate comparing to the Polish coast, but in a few localities it reaches high values, exceeding 3 000 ind./season. The mountain elevations in the Polish Carpathians are too low to significantly canalize migration paths, but possibly at a local scale birds are adjusting their passage routes to local mountains topography.

Key words: migration, Accipitriformes and Falconiformes, Carpathians, Poland

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Ornis Polonica 2018, 59: 17–55

Breeding avifauna of the SPA the Middle Warta Valley – current situation and changes in 1975–2015

Aleksander Winiecki, Sławomir Mielczarek

Abstract: The paper describes birds breeding in the SPA Middle Warta Valley (Dolina Środkowej Warty PLB300002) in recent years, as well as changes in avifauna across last 40 years. The study area (ok. 570 km2) is unforested, temporarily flooded river valley covered mostly by meadows and pastures, and riparian forests in its western part. During the last 40 years numerous species disappeared from the study area or their numbers significantly declined, including the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, Pintail Anas acuta, Eurasian Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus, Ruff Calidris pugnax, Great Snipe Gallinago media, Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus, European Roller Coracias garrulus, Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola and many waterbirds, mainly waders, terns and gulls, ducks, harriers. Among few species that appeared in the valley and significantly changed their numbers are the Greylag Goose Anser anser, Goldeneye Bucephala clangula, Common Merganser Mergus merganser, Common Crane Grus grus, White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus and Whiskered Tern Ch. hybrida. At present the area hosts breeding populations of several species, important at a national scale, including Pintail, Shoveler A. clypeata, Garganey A. querquedula, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Greylag Goose, Common Redshank Tringa totanus, Black Tern Ch. niger, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Hoopoe Upupa epops and Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius. Important habitat changes that have gradually occurred during the last 40 years, negative for the breeding birds, are the result of global trends but also changing local habitat management. They include: regulation works, creation of enbankments and polders, changes in the frequency of floods after building of the dam reservoir „Jeziorsko”. Another problem is related to the cessation of grazing by cows and house geese, and predation of American Minks Neovison vison, Common Foxes Vulpes vulpes and Carrion Crows Corvus cornix. The authors present proposals of methods of future monitoring of the area, as well as methods of protection of birds and their habitats, included in the project of Action Plan for this area.

Key words: waterbirs, the Warta River, long-term population trends in avifauna, Special Protection Area for Birds NATURA 2000

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Ornis Polonica 2018, 59: 56–70

The impact of drones on birds and their application in ornithological research and conservation

Adam Zbyryt

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Ornis Polonica 2018, 59: 71–77

Update of the taxonomy of the Polish bird checklist according to the IOC

Tadeusz Stawarczyk

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Ornis Polonica 2018, 59: 78–81

The first record of the Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus in Poland

Błażej Nowak

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Ornis Polonica 2018, 59: 81–87

Sarcocystosis in a male of the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Marian Flis, Eugeniusz R. Grela

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