Karol Kustusch, Andrzej Wuczyński
Ornis Polonica 2023, 64: 288–312
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2023.4.3
Abstract: Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a common phenomenon reported all over the world, and the number of roadkilled animals, including birds, is estimated in millions every year. High road mortality of birds is also commonly reported in Poland, yet the problem is still insufficiently recognized in a wide, national scale. We here provide the first analysis of bird-vehicle collisions (BVC) in Poland based on a nationwide citizen science program Polish Roadkill Observation System (PROS) www.zwierzetanadrodze.pl. The data presented cover the time span of 2001–2022 and concern 6 109 records of 6 402 dead birds. There were recorded at least 133 roadkilled bird species, including 19 species recognized as endangered. Most BVC (45%) were recorded in urban and agricultural areas where species typical for anthropogenic habitats predominated the Feral Pigeon Columba livia forma urbana, Blackbird Turdus merula, House Sparrow Passer domesticus, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica). Prominent seasonality of roadkills was observed: the highest mortality occurred in spring and summer (83.1% records from March–August) with a maximum in May, whereas the lowest mortality was reported in winter (December–February; 5.2%). The bulk of observations referred to single roadkills, yet numerous incidents with two or more (up to 18) roadkilled individuals were recorded (e.g. Brambling Fringilla montifringilla, Rook Corvus frugilegus, Tree Sparrow P. montanus). Majority of roadkills were noted on county and community roads (50%), however, per kilometer of road, the highest number of dead birds was recorded on highways and expressways (0.11 ind./km). This paper provides an up-to date characteristics of BVC in Poland, and indicates a range of relationships linking this phenomenon with bird biology and species habitat requirements. We also point out that along with scientific benefits, PROS data can serve conservation and monitoring purposes, and confirms the potential of data collected through the extensive involvement of citizen scientists.
Keywords: animal mortality, anthropogenic threats, bird protection, citizen science, road ecology, spatio-temporal distribution
