<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Between September 2014 and August 2015, 32 systematic surveys of waterbirds were carried out in 10-day periods in the area of Šaleška Lakes. The main objectives of the surveys were to establish the birds’species structure and abundance as well as to assess the area’s significance for their breeding, migration and overwintering. A total of 8927 individuals belonging to 53 species were recorded. Most species were observed at the end of March (27), whereas the highest number of individuals were registered in early January (535). The lowest number of individuals were counted in May (73). Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus, Mute Swan Cygnus olor and Grey Heron Ardea cinerea were observed during all counts. An additional 10 species were registered in at least 50% of the 10-day periods. The highest number of individuals (2891) and species (34) were counted at Lake Šoštanj, the highest number of individuals (295) and species (21) in a single 10-day survey period at Lake Gaberke. Most nestlings and nesting species were recorded at Lake Velenje. The majority of species occurred on all lakes within the research area, while some of them frequented certain lakes only exceptionally. The lowest numbers of birds were observed in central parts of all major waterbodies, particularly at Lake Velenje. Distribution of waterbirds at Šaleška Lakes is greatly influenced by the presence and distribution of people along them, as well as by the depth and riparian vegetation of the lakes and number of suitable roosting places. The number of breeding species is higher than in the 1994-2003 period. Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus, Kingfisher Alcedo atthis and Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus are new breeders for the area. The most abundant breeder is the Mallard with up to 16 pairs. The area’s breeders of the greatest conservation concern are the Little Bittern, Great Reed Warbler and Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus, with the latter boasting the greatest share of the national breeding population (5%) in the area. Generally, most species occur during the migration season, although none of them in the numbers of conservation concern. Among the 33 waterbird species observed during the International Waterbird Censuses, five were recorded in all 18 years. Pochard Aythya ferina and Coot Fulica atra are of the greatest conservation concern, whereas the greatest share of the national population is reached by the Coot and Great Crested Grebe. In spite of the fact that the numbers of overwintering waterbirds in Slovenia are increasing, their numbers are declining at Šaleška Lakes. Among the 13 species recorded during more than ten International Waterbird Counts in the area researched, eight species are experiencing negative trends.</abstract>

Annual dynamics, nature-conservancy evaluation and an overview of data on the occurrence of waterbirds at Šaleška Lakes (N Slovenia)

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> We examined ringing recovery data of the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni in order to analyse its migration patterns and philopatry rates in Eastern Europe. In addition, we extracted counts of migrating birds from online databases and studied the use of the flyway as well as the phenology of both spring and autumn migrations through Greece. Birds appeared to migrate in the same mean direction in spring and autumn through the Italian and Balkan Peninsulas. During spring, movements took place on a broad front from March until mid- May with a peak in mid-April; in autumn, birds migrated through Greece on a narrower front from early August to early October, with most of individuals passing through Greece in mid-September. Finally, philopatry rates were higher for adults, while juvenile birds dispersed more often and at longer distances, up to 974 km away. Our results on migration patterns generally agree with those in other studies, but we found some evidence of long-distance premigratory movements towards mainland Greece that could also shape the narrower front migration in autumn. In addition, long distance dispersal movements of juveniles in southeastern Europe, where Lesser Kestrel populations show a fragmented distribution, could facilitate gene flow between populations, thus avoiding the negative effects of mating with genetically similar individuals.</abstract>

Molecular Ecology and Conservation Genetics Lab, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina,

MEDRAPTORS (Mediterranean Raptor Migration Network), via Mario Fioretti 18, 00152 Rome,

Antikythira Bird Observatory, Hellenic Ornithological Society / BirdLife Greece, Themistokleous 80, GR-10681 Athens,

The Migration of the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni in Eastern Europe - A Ringing Recovery and Direct Observation Approach

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Between 1995 and 2015 the number of records of Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus in Slovenia increased drastically, especially after 2007, but the species occurred regularly every year since 2002. Before that, the Short-eared Owl was regarded as a very rare migrant in Slovenia. Most of the observations were from wintering and migration periods, and the most important areas for the species in Slovenia were Ljubljansko barje, Lake Cerknica, surroundings of the water reservoir Medvedce and coastal wetlands. In 2008 and 2013 the Short-eared Owl occurred in large numbers, and these years were regarded as irruptive. Flocks of 2 to 8 birds were observed. At Ljubljansko barje, increased numbers of observed Short-eared Owls coincided with a large population of small mammals (species of the genus Apodemus and Microtus) and poor snow cover in 2008, and at least three communal roost sites were found that year. In the irruptive year 2013 there was a greater number of Short-eared Owls observed at the Medvedce water reservoir. On the plain at Lesce near the village of Smokuč an injured second year female was found at the end of March 2008 with a developing brood patch in its initial stage. It is likely that the female attempted to nest, which confirms the status of the species as occasional breeder in Slovenia. The last confirmed breeding in Slovenia was recorded in 1936 at Ljubljansko barje. In addition to local conditions (population of small mammals, snow cover) the frequency of occurrence of the Short-eared Owl in Slovenia is also affected by the population of development in the Boreal region and changes in migratory characteristics of the species in Europe. Therefore, an increase of the number of Short-eared Owls in Slovenia is expected in the future, as well as breeding attempts by this nomadic owl in seasons with high populations of small mammals and green winters, of course, if appropriate meadow habitat is still preserved.</abstract>

Prirodoslovni muzej Slovenije, Prešernova 20, SI-1000 Ljubljana

Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana,

Overview of occurrence of the Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus between 1995 and 2015 in Slovenia and its probable breeding in irruptive year 2008

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> This report by the Slovenian Rarities Committee presents records of rare bird species in Slovenia in 2015, with some addenda for previous years. The numbers in brackets refer to the number of records (first number) and individuals (second number) recorded between 1 Jan 1950 and 31 Dec 2014. Since 1 Jan 2013, submission to the Committee has been required for 37 additional species, 17 of which are regional rarities. Records of these species are not numbered, since records from previous years were not collected by the Committee. One new species, the Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti, was added to category A. Other notable observations were the first record of Parrot Crossbill Loxia pytyopsittacus after 1909, the second record of Baillon’s Crake Zapornia pusilla, the third and fourth records of Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra, the fourth of Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus, the fifth of Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi and the sixth of Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius. Four species were added to category E: Bahama Pintail Anas bahamensis, Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca, Harris’s Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus and Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria. The list of birds recorded in Slovenia (as of 31 Dec 2015) contains 386 species (371 in category A, 6 in category B, 9 exclusively in category C; 4 species are both in categories A and C). Category D contains 6 species, while category E contains 38, two of which are classified into subcategory E*. These two categories are not part of the list.</abstract>

Rare birds in Slovenia in 2015 – Slovenian Rarities Committee’s Report

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Grasslands host a high diversity of plant and animal species. In Serbia, most alkali grasslands are located in the province of Vojvodina. The majority are not subject to conservation. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the proportion of croplands and (1) the number of breeding species and (2) the number of breeding pairs in the alkali grasslands of the upper Mostonga River catchment basin (NW Serbia). The size of the study area was 400 ha. Birds were surveyed along seven parallel transects eight times per breeding season. Lengths of the cross sections of both grasslands and croplands were measured. The proportion of croplands per transect was calculated by dividing the total length of cross sections of croplands by the total length of transect. The relationship between the proportion of croplands and the number of breeding pairs and the number of breeding species, respectively, was studied using simple linear regression. We recorded a total of 171 nesting pairs belonging to 23 species in the alkali grassland investigated, with breeding densities between 2.2 and 10.3 pairs per 10 ha. The number of species per transect ranged between 6 and 11. The most abundant species were Skylark Alauda arvensis, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava and Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra. The numbers of breeding pairs (F6 = 21.761, P &lt; 0.0001) and of breeding species (F6 = 13.758, P = 0.001) were both influenced negatively by the proportion of croplands. These findings highlight the need for coordinated conservation measures on the alkali grasslands of Vojvodina.</abstract>

Nature Protection and Study Society – NATURA, Milana Rakića 20, RS–25000 Sombor,

Department of Tisza Research, Danube Research Institute, Centre for Ecological Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Bem tér 18/c, HU–4026 Debrecen,

The Proportion of Cropland Influences Negatively the Occurrence of Breeding Birds in an Alkali Grassland Habitat in NW Serbia

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> A number of faunistically interesting observations related to the avifauna of the Danube Delta (Romania) are presented. In the spring of 2015, a mass mortality event with a minimum of 118 dead birds occurred in a major Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus colony in the Black Sea lagoons caused by the avian flu virus, strain H5N1. A possible hybrid between Little Egret Egretta garzetta and Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis was observed. The first nesting of Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea in the Danube Delta was documented. Goldeneye Bucephala clangula and Smew Mergus albellus are re-colonising the areas they abandoned in the early 20th century. New data regarding the relocation of Pallas’s Gull Larus ichthyaetus colony in the Danube Delta as a result of hydromorphological changes in the bay, nesting and defence strategies against Caspian Gulls Larus cachinnans are described. Probable nesting of Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola in the Danube Delta was documented in 2014 for the first time.</abstract>

Danube Delta National Institute for Research-Development 165, Babadag RO–828112, Tulcea,

National Environmental Guard, 5, Noiembrie 14, RO–820009 Tulcea,

University of Auckland, 7 Symonds Street, Auckland NZ-1061 Auckland,

Recent Data on the Danube Delta (Romania) Avifauna from the 2014 and 2015 Summer Seasons

AHEAD OF PRINT

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

Volume 42 (2021): Issue 188-189 (December 2021)

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 (2011): Issue 150-151 (December 2011)

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

 Original work on all fields of ornithology, without any geographical limitation, is published in Acrocephalus. However, articles covering the south-eastern European and eastern Mediterranean regions are particularly encouraged. Review articles, original articles, points-of-view, specialist and scientific comments (Editorial, Forum), short communications, short notes ('From the ornithological notebook'), diploma abstracts and book reviews (New books) are considered for publication. Contributions can be published in English or Slovene. Why subscribe and read   excellent source of ornithological information from the region (SE Europe)  high quality, peer reviewed papers  appearing quarterly with up-to-date information   Why submit   fair, transparent and quick peer review  promotion of published articles through various abstracting services  wide exchange of the journal with the ornithological community worldwide  regional readership and idea exchange (SE Europe)  language correction for non-English speaking authors  various article formats are available suitable for different levels of scientific research (review articles, original articles, points-of-view, specialist and scientific comments, short communications, short notes, diploma abstracts and book reviews)   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 