<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In January 2014, the first ever comprehensive winter census of the Whitetailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla along the Danube River was conducted, using mostly point and transect counts. Altogether, 550-700 eagles were counted. The upper range of the estimate may in fact be more realistic because 615 km of the Danube were not surveyed. Birds were observed in every country along the Danube. Hotspots of occurrences were (1) the Central Danube floodplains - the area encompassing the lower Hungarian section (Danube- Drava National Park), Kopački rit Nature Park (Croatia), and the Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve (Serbia); and (2) the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. According to the Action Plan for the conservation of the White-tailed Eagle along the Danube, future winter counts should be made regularly, and lower variation in the resulting eagle numbers achieved by a higher degree of synchronization between individual countries. This study reinforces the importance of protected areas along the Danube as a backbone for the conservation of White-tailed Eagles and biodiversity.</abstract>

Ornis – Ingenieurbüro für Biologie, Dr. G. H. Neckheimstr. 18/3, AT–9560 Feldkirchen, Austria

Institute of Zoology, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, str. Academiei, 1, MD–2028 Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration, str. Portului, no. 34A, RO– 820243, Tulcea, Romania

Department of Environmental Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Mlynska dolina, SK–842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia

Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB/BirdLife Bulgaria), Dimitar Anev 16, BG–5250 Svishtov, Bulgaria

Duna-Drava National Park, Tettye tér 9, HU–7625 Pécs, Hungary

Landratsamt Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, Untere Naturschutzbehörde, Platz der Deutschen Einheit 1, DE–86633 Neuburg a. d. Donau, Germany

Wildlife Management Consulting, str. Molidului no. 37B, RO–500295 Brasov, Romania

Forestry Faculty of Brasov, Wildlife Department, Sirul Beethoven no. 1, RO–500123 Brasov, Romania

Persina Nature Park Directorate, Persin 5, BG–5930 Belene, Bulgaria

Croatian Society for Birds and Nature Protection, Gundulićeva 19a, HR–31000 Osijek, Croatia

MME/Birdlife Hungary, PO box 286, HU–4401 Nyíregyháza, Hungary

Kopacki rit Nature Park Management Office, Titov dvorac 1, HR–31328 Lug, Croatia

BirdLife Österreich, Museumsplatz 1/10/8, AT–1070 Vienna, Austria

Stadt Ingolstadt, Umweltamt, Rathausplatz 9, DE–85049 Ingolstadt, Germany

Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia, Radnička 20a, RS–21000 Novi Sad, Serbia,

Fertő-Hanság National Park Directorate, Rév-Kócsagvár, HU–9435 Sarród, Hungary

Romanian Ornithological Society, Bd. Hristo Botev, nr. 3, ap. 6, RO–030231, Bucharest, Romania

Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia, Radnička 20a, RS–21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

DANUBEPARKS Project Manager, Donau-Auen National Park, Schloss Orth, AT–2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria

The first comprehensive estimate of the winter population of the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla along the Danube/ Prva celostna ocena zimske populacije belorepca Haliaeetus albicilla vzdolž Donave

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In the 11 years between 1999 and 2010, certain groups of birds inhabiting Kozjansko Regional Park underwent a moderate or large decline. Composite indices for indicator species of different habitat types showed an increase of generalist species (composite index 108.3), a moderate decline of forest species (composite index 76.6) and species of extensively managed orchards (composite index 76.4), and a large decline of farmland (composite index 62.8) and grassland species (composite index 8.7). Our study was based on a census using line transects with an inner and outer belt. Randomly distributed line transects with a total length of 60.8 km were surveyed using the same method both in 1999 and 2010. The decline of farmland species mirrors the population trend of this group at the national level. The study area is protected by multiple nature conservation mechanisms. It is protected as a regional park and partly as a Natura 2000 site. These mechanisms, however, do not seem to be functioning here. We believe the large decline of grassland species is a consequence of agricultural policy, which favours a decrease of extensively managed grasslands.</abstract>

Spremembe v avifavni Kozjanskega parka med letoma 1999 in 2010: velik upad števila travniških ptic/ Changes in the avifauna of Kozjansko Park between 1999 and 2010: a large decline in the number of grassland birds

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The aim of the study done in 2011 and 2012 was to identify the number of breeding bird species, to provide population estimates as well as to evaluate the conservational importance of Škocjan Caves Park for birds. Common bird species were surveyed using the territory mapping method. Rare species and nocturnally active species were surveyed using species-specific methods: observation, the playback method and the line transect method. 81 species were registered, 49 of which bred within the boundaries of the Park. The most abundant breeding species were Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla (260-320 breeding pairs), Robin Erithacus rubecula (250-310 breeding pairs), Blackbird Turdus merula (230-280 breeding pairs), Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (230-280 breeding pairs) and Marsh Tit Poecile palustris (200-240 breeding pairs). Qualifying species for the Special Protected Area (SPA) Kras (SI5000023) also bred within the Park: Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus, Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, Scops Owl Otus scops and Woodlark Lululla arborea. Eagle Owl Bubo bubo was also registered, but breeding attempts during the study period were unsuccessful due to the negative influence of several factors. One of the largest colonies of Alpine Swifts Apus melba, a rare and localized species in Slovenia, is also of conservation concern.</abstract>

Gnezdilke Parka Škocjanske jame (Kras, JZ Slovenija)/ The breeding birds of Škocjan Caves Park (Kras, SW Slovenia)

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Agriculture has a great impact on biodiversity in Europe. Populations of farmland birds are declining due to both intensification and abandonment of agriculture. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of overgrowing on the diversity of birds at Cerknica Polje. Six vegetation types were identified on eight survey plots (15.2-31.6 ha each): Short grass - regularly mown wet meadows; Tall herbs - stands of Common Reed Phragmites australis and Reed Canary Grass Phalaris arundinacea; Sparse bushes - stands of low woody plants; Dense bushes - dense stands of bushes; Meadows with trees - mown meadows with scattered trees; Bushes with trees - hedges, trees and dense stands of bushes. In total, 34 species were registered. The heterogeneity of vegetation types correlated positively with the heterogeneity of bird species. The highest density of breeding territories and species was established in Bushes with trees, the lowest in Short grass. No species were registered in all vegetation types, and only Tree Pipit was recorded in five out of six types. Twelve species were registered in only one vegetation type. Cerknica Polje is an important breeding locality for species with the highest breeding density at the national level (e.g. Corncrake Crex crex, Curlew Numenius arquata, Skylark Alauda arvensis, Whinchat Saxicola rubetra, Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus). These species breed in specific habitats with different stages of succession. A managing plan for the area should therefore combine abandoned plots in different stages of succession and large regularly mown areas. Abandonment of agriculture at Cerknica Polje has led to the emergence of areas with bushes in different succession stages. Efforts should be directed at preserving large complexes of mown wet meadows.</abstract>

Ul. 8 februarja 50, SI–2204 Miklavž, Slovenia

Opekarniška 19, SI–1235 Radomlje, Slovenia

Effects of overgrowing at Cerknica Polje (southern Slovenia) on breeding farmland birds/ Vpliv zaraščanja Cerkniškega polja (južna Slovenija) na gnezdilke kmetijske krajine

Veliko število vodnih ptic in ujed na zadrževalniku Medvedce (SV Slovenija) med vremensko motnjo oktobra leta 2012/ High numbers of waterbirds and raptors at Medvedce Reservoir (NE Slovenia) during a weather disturbance in October 2012

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 42 (2021): Issue 190-191 (December 2021)

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Volume 41 (2020): Issue 186-187 (December 2020)

Volume 41 (2020): Issue 184-185 (November 2020)

Volume 40 (2019): Issue 182-183 (December 2019)

Volume 40 (2019): Issue 180-181 (November 2019)

Volume 39 (2018): Issue 178-179 (December 2018)

Volume 39 (2018): Issue 176-177 (November 2018)

Volume 38 (2017): Issue 174-175 (December 2017)

Volume 38 (2017): Issue 172-173 (November 2017)

Volume 37 (2016): Issue 170-171 (December 2016)

Volume 37 (2016): Issue 168-169 (November 2016)

Volume 36 (2015): Issue 166-167 (December 2015)

Volume 36 (2015): Issue 164-165 (November 2015)

Volume 35 (2014): Issue 162-163 (December 2014)

Volume 35 (2014): Issue 160-161 (November 2014)

Volume 34 (2013): Issue 158-159 (December 2013)

Volume 34 (2013): Issue 156-157 (June 2013)

Volume 33 (2012): Issue 154-155 (December 2012)

Volume 33 (2012): Issue 152-153 (March 2012)

Volume 32 (2012): Issue 150-151 (October 2012)

Volume 32 (2011): Issue 148-149 (June 2011)

Volume 31 (2010): Issue 147 (January 2010)

Volume 31 (2010): Issue 145-146 (September 2010)

Volume 31 (2010): Issue 144 (March 2010)

Volume 30 (2009): Issue 141-143 (January 2009)

Volume 30 (2009): Issue 140 (March 2009)

Acrocephalus

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