<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Several bird species utilize artificial structures for communal roosting. Between 26 May and 28 Jun 2012, the selection of buoys and times of departure by Mediterranean Shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii were studied at three communal roosts within shellfish farms in the Bays of Sv. Jernej (Debeli rtič), Strunjan and Piran (Sečovlje). A total of 3,110 buoys were counted and categorized into two groups according to their shape (horizontal and vertical) and colours. The black horizontally floating buoys were of two types (barrelshaped and oval). The Shags chose to utilize the horizontally floating buoys only, most often black and white in colour. Owing to their poorer stability and smaller standing surface, the vertically floating buoys are clearly unsuitable for them. The highest share of Shags with regard to the number of buoys of separate types was registered on black barrel-shaped buoys. As the percentage of occupied buoys was similar at all roost sites (36-39%), it was deduced that Shags distribute evenly among roosts, regardless of the number of individuals present in the Slovenian sea. At the larger roost at Debeli rtič, the percentage of adult individuals (73.5%) was greater than at Strunjan (42.5%). This could be due to the competition for better places, given that competitively stronger individuals select safer larger roosts. Between 5.42 and 9.00 hrs, 53.3% and 69.1% of Shags departed from the roost sites at Debeli rtič and Strunjan, respectively, with the majority of departures recorded between 7.50 and 8.30 hrs. They left their roosts mostly individually (48.7%) or in pairs (23.3%), at Debeli rtič predominantly in the SW (58.9%) and W (16.9%) directions, and at Strunjan in the NE (42.3%) and N (38.5%) directions.</abstract>

Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo, Večna pot 111, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija

Na griču 3, SI–3202 Ljubečna, Slovenija

Jurjevica 61, SI–1310 Ribnica, Slovenija

Velika Pirešica 27k, SI–3310 Žalec, Slovenija

Mala Slevica 2, SI–1315 Velike Lašče, Slovenija

Roost-Site Characteristics of the Mediterranean Shag Phalacrocorax Aristotelis Desmarestii Along the Slovenian Coast

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> This treatise investigates the poorly studied bird fauna of Mitidja Plain (Northern Algeria), with particular notes on the occurrence and expansion of new and alien species. Direct observations, supported by ornithological surveys carried out by Progressive Frequential Sampling (PFS), a version of a point count method, have allowed us to identify 125 bird species. These represent 31% of all species known from Algeria. The species recorded belong to 14 orders, 39 families and 37 genera. According to their biogeographic origins, 36 are Mediterranean, 32 Palearctic, 24 Holarctic, 17 European and 16 of European-Turkestani origin. The Mitidja Plain holds 60 resident-breeder species (48% of all registered species) and is a transit zone for many migratory species (summer and winter migrants constituting 20% and 14% of the total, respectively) and occasional visitors (RA = 12%). Among recently expanding species (introduced or local), the Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto and Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus, sampled by the spot-mapping method, experienced a very rapid population growth. The first observations of the former were made in 1996 in Algiers. Its numbers experienced a steep increase after 2002, starting from 5.75 pairs/10 ha to reach up to 31.5 pairs/10 ha in 2006. The same applies for the Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri, surveyed by direct-count at roosting sites. This species has been able to increase and reproduce since its first introduction into the wild in 1996. The increase in study species populations, especially the Rose-ringed Parakeet, may derive from good weather conditions that favoured the species through providing better feeding conditions, thus high reproduction outcomes.</abstract>

Department of Biology, Agro-veterinary and Biological Faculty, Saad Dahlab University, DZ–09000 Blida, Algeria

Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences, University of Tebessa, DZ–12002 Tebessa, Algeria

Department of Agricultural and Forestry Zoology, National High School of Agronomy – El Harrach, DZ–16200 Algiers, Algeria

Departement Ecologie et Gestion de la Biodiversite, UMS 0305 CP 51, 57 rue Cuvier, FR–75005 Paris, France

Bird Species Diversity of the Mitidja Plain (Northern Algeria) with Emphasis on the Dynamics of Invasive and Expanding Species

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The altitudinal distribution, breeding density and population size of Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus was studied in Kopaonik National Park (central Serbia) during the 2011 and 2012 breeding seasons. The size of the study area was 24 km2. The <bold>s</bold>urvey method applied was a line transect in combination with stop points and playback of territorial male call. During the two-year research project, 37 territories were located. In Kopaonik National Park, Tengmalm’s Owl males inhabit Norway Spruce Picea abies, mixed Norway Spruce-Silver Fir Abies alba and Norway Spruce-European Beech Fagus sylvatica forests in the altitudinal belt stretching between 1,367 and 1,689 m a.s.l. The breeding density in the studied area was 8.3 territories/10 km2 in 2011 and 7.1 territories/10 km2 in 2012. Total population estimate of Tengmalm’s Owl in Kopaonik National Park is substantially higher than previously assumed, its 42-49 breeding territories making it currently the most important breeding site in Serbia.</abstract>

Serbian Owl Conservation Centre, Momčila Tapavice 12/835, RS–21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

Serbian Owl Conservation Centre, Momčila Tapavice 12/835, RS-21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

Public Enterprise “National Park Kopaonik“, Suvo Rudište, RS–36354 Kopaonik, Serbia

Population of Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius Funereus in Kopaonik National Park (Central Serbia)

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> In 2008, the IUCN uplisted the Curlew to near-threatened (NT) on its Red List. The bird’s population in Slovenia is localised and small, thus making it very important to be surveyed every year. Using the point count method, we recorded 9-12 breeding pairs in 2011 and 9-10 pairs in 2012 at Ljubljansko barje. Most of them were distributed in the eastern part of the area between the village of Lipe and the river Iščica, whereas only two occupied territories were discovered in 2011 and one in 2012 in the western part of the area. In a ten-year period, the area underwent agricultural intensification, with lowland non-intensive meadows declining by 50%. As a minimal requirement, meadows within the extent of the Curlew’s current distribution at Ljubljansko barje should be non-intensively managed (late first cut, no fertilizing or sowing of grass mixtures) and all other human activities prohibited from the beginning of March till the end of June (dog walking and training, ballooning, aircraft modelling). Based on the results of 2011 survey, Ljubljansko barje was designated an IBA for breeding Eurasian Curlews under the IBA criteria A1 and C1.</abstract>

The Curlew Numenius arquata population size and distribution at Ljubljansko barje in 2011 and 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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