<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> In this work we investigated the historical and present breeding range of the Ortolan Bunting in Slovenia and studied one of its last remaining breeding grounds in the country. Its range has suffered a marked decline in the last few decades, bringing the species on the brink of extinction in Slovenia. Firstly, we gathered all the available data and field records regarding the species in Slovenia and created several distribution maps outlining the status of the Ortolan Bunting in Slovenia. Thus we were able to confirm the drastic reduction in the species range, now confined to only two larger breeding grounds on the Karst (Kras). Field work was then concentrated on studying and monitoring one of the two last known populations of Ortolan Buntings in Slovenia. We paid special attention to the study of the males’ singing territories. Our main discovery was the presence of a lek in the central part of the study area, where several different male Ortolan Buntings shared their song-posts. In 2013 we counted a total of 18 Ortolan Buntings and found 5 nests, whereas in 2014 we counted 16 individuals, with 4 pairs probably breeding there. The number of breeding pairs is thus significantly lower than the total number of males holding territory. In the period from 2005 to 2016, the population of Ortolan Bunting in Slovenia was in steep decline.</abstract>

Breeding range, population size and population trend of the Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana in Slovenia between 1979 and 2016

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> This report by the Slovenian Rarities Committee presents records of rare bird species in Slovenia in 2016, 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 2015. 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. Two new species, Scopoli’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea and Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea, were added to Category A. Other notable observations were the second record of Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes, third and fourth records of Pallid Swift Apus pallidus, fifth to seventh records of Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus and the sixth and seventh records of Gannet Morus bassanus. Twelve records of Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus are an all-time annual high. Among Category E species, the Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus was recorded for the second time. The list of birds recorded in Slovenia (as of 31 Dec 2016) contains 388 species (373 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 2016 – Slovenian Rarities Committee Report

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Results of the survey carried out in the territories of Tawny Owl Strix aluco in Ljubljana urban forests (Tivoli, Rožnik and Šišenski hrib Nature Park and Golovec Hill) were compared with the species territory density in non-urban forest of Mt. Krim. Surveys were performed with the point count method using playback in the springs of 2002 and 2016. The density established at Golovec Hill was 9.3 territories / 10 km2, while in Tivoli, Rožnik and Šišenski hrib Nature Park it reached 10.4 territories / 10 km2, which was higher than at Mt. Krim (4.1-5.8 territories / 10 km2), although densities between sites were not statistically different. Based on our surveys, the estimated population size of the urban Tawny Owl in Ljubljana would consist of 57 to 65 pairs. Our results suggest that the Tawny Owl can adapt well to the living conditions in the city urban forests and indicate the importance of the forest patches in urban areas.</abstract>

Breeding density of the Tawny Owl Strix aluco in urban forests of Ljubljana City (Central Slovenia)

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius is a highly specialised woodpecker inhabiting mature deciduous forests. The presence of large mature oaks Quercus sp. is a very important factor determining the species' presence and distribution. In Slovenia it is more common in the eastern part, where it inhabits mainly lowland flood-plain oak forests. In other parts of the country it is more localised, as is the case in western Slovenia, where small isolated populations were recently discovered. In this paper we present the currently known observations of Middle Spotted Woodpecker in the Karst region (W Slovenia), the results of the first systematic survey and the first documented breeding of the species in this area. The survey was carried out on the 20 of March 2016 in the wooded hills between the villages of Senožeče and Veliko polje. Using playback method we recorded a total of 8 territorial woodpeckers, confirming our initial expectations about the species' abundance in that area. Breeding was also confirmed in the hills of Senožeče, an active nest-hole was found on 23 Apr 2017. On 18 May 2017 at least 3 juveniles successfully left the nest. Middle Spotted Woodpeckers have recently been observed also in other oak woodlands across the Karst and nearby areas, especially outside the breeding season. These areas include Lipica, Bazovica, the Brkini hills and the Gorica Karst. From summer 2016 onwards several observations of Middle Spotted Woodpeckers have been reported from Lipica, involving up to four different individuals. Repeated sightings in this area and the presence of suitable habitat suggest a probable breeding. The increased number of data in western Slovenia during the last decade might be a consequence of more frequent field visits by ornithologists. Moreover, the presence of the Middle Spotted Woodpecker in this part of the country might be linked to the gradual spreading of forests and the maturing of oak stands already present here. In the above-mentioned areas, further investigations and systematic censuses are therefore needed in the coming springs.</abstract>

Review of Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius distribution in the Karst region (W Slovenia), results of the first systematic census and first recorded breeding of the species in the area

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The diet of Tawny Owl Strix aluco was studied in the area of Slovenske gorice - NE Slovenia. The analysis was carried out by examining pellets collected at ten locations in the period from 1984 to 2015. From the pellets, 2,121 prey units were isolated. The predominant prey were mammals (Mammalia, 84.8%), followed by birds (Aves, 8.3%), insects (Insecta, 4.7%), frogs (Anura, 1.6%) and earthworms (Oligochaeta, 0.5%). Four orders of mammals were found: rodents (Rodentia), insectivores (Insectivora), bats (Chiroptera) and carnivores (Carnivora). The most frequent prey in the owls’ diet were voles (Arvicolinae, 46.6%) and mice (Murinae, 28.8%), while the number of shrews (Soricidae) was low (4.5%). The obtained results are in concordance with the conclusions of other studies. In the area of Slovenske gorice, the Tawny Owl is an opportunistic predator of small mammals with an emphasis on voles and mice. Prey frequencies differ significantly among some localities. Variability in proportions of prey species among localities can also be the result of sampling carried out in different seasons and variability in the population dynamics of small mammals among years. Challenges for future research are to describe seasonal variability of the diet and to evaluate interspecific competition within the guild of night predators of small mammals: Tawny Owl, Long-eared Owl Asio otus, and Barn Owl Tyto alba, which are sympatric in this area.</abstract>

Diet of the Tawny Owl Strix aluco in the area of Slovenske gorice (NE Slovenia)

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The Red Kite Milvus milvus breeds alomost exclusively in Europe, its population is in decline. In the past, it was regarded as a rare migrant in Slovenia. In the 1990s it was classified as a possible breeder, extremely rare winter guest with more observations during migration. Between 1977 and January 2017 117 records of 121 individuals were gathered. Most (113) involved single birds on migration. Exceptionally, birds were present for a longer period - a single record of a summering bird is known. Since 1980 the number of birds per year increased from 1 to 1.1, 3 and 9 after 2009. Possible reasons are increased awareness and population increases to the north and northeast of Slovenia. Red Kites were observed throughout the year with the lowest numbers during summer and winter, which surprising, because the species is increasingly common during winter in central Europe. Migration of Red Kites in Slovenia begins in February with a peak in early April and May and between August and mid-November with a peak in early in October. The migration period coincides with arrivals and departures from breeding grounds. Red Kites have been observed all across the country, with more observations at well-watched sites. Birds were observed between sea level and 1740 m a.s.l. with only a handful of observations above 1000 m a.s.l.</abstract>

Occurrence of the Red Kite Milvus milvus in Slovenia

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Between 1982 and 2016, I observed 103 Cuckoos Cuculus canorus in NE Slovenia (3,170 km2). The data were collected randomly, thus only individuals that were seen or ringed are included in the total. Among these, seven females (6.7%) belonged to the rufous morph. The percentage of rufous individuals varies regionally throughout Central Europe.</abstract>

The occurrence of rufous-morph Cuckoo Cuculus canorus females in NE Slovenia

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