Adam Zbyryt, Edyta Kapowicz, Oliwier Myka, Michał Polakowski
Ornis Polonica 2017, 58: 274–282
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2017.4.2
Abstract: The owls Strigiformes are relatively poorly studied in cities of Poland. In 2015 the owl survey was conducted within the administrative boundaries of Białystok city. The results were compared with historical records, mostly from the 1990s. In total, 28 territories of 3 species of owls were recorded during the study. The Tawny Owl Strix aluco was the most common species (21 territories), showing preferences for parks and forests rather than built-up areas (69% vs 31%). The density of Tawny Owl in the whole area of the city was 2.1 territory/10 km2, per forest area – 5.2 territory/10 km2, per built-up area – 1.0 territory/10 km2. The average age of forests inhabited by the Tawny Owl was 77 years (range: 55–99; SD=14), and most of the forests (86%) were pine stands. Moreover, 6 territories of Long-Eared Owl Asio otus (0.6 territories/10 km2) and a single territory of Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum (breeding was not confirmed) were recorded. The results show an increase in the Tawny Owl and Long-Eared Owl populations in Białystok, but also population extinction of Little Owl Athene noctua and Barn Owl Tyto alba. The densities of territories of Tawny Owl and Long-eared Owl found in this study are similar to those found in other cities in Poland.
Keywords: Long-eared Owl, owls in cities, Tawny Owl, urbanization
