Tomasz Wilk, Rafał Bobrek, Aleksandra Pępkowska-Król
Ornis Polonica 2018, 59: 1–16
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2018.1.0
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.
Keywords: Accipitriformes and Falconiformes, Carpathians, migration, Poland
