RESULTS OF THE OWLS’ (STRIGIFORMES, STRIGIDAE) COUNTS IN NATIONAL NATURE PARK "PYRIATYNSKYI" AND SURROUNDING AREA
doi.org/10.17721/1728.2748.2024.99.21-26
Keywords:
owls, counts, territorial distribution, number, vocalization, National Nature Park "Pyriatynskyi"Abstract
Background. The paper examines the distribution, number, voice activity of three species of owls from the Strigidae family typical for the National Nature Park "Pyriatynskyi": Tawny Owl (Strix aluco), Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) and Little Owl (Athene noctua) according to the results annual accounts for an eight-year period.
Methods. The research was carried out according to the methodology, which included listening to the unprovoked vocalization of owls, and in its absence, the use of vocal provocation of birds in the evening twilight/darkness, followed by the registration of vocal signals or visual observation and counting of absolute numbers. Accounting was carried out in 35 localities during 2017-2024 at the beginning of the nesting period of owls.
Results. The most numerous species in the park is the Tawny Owl, the share of individuals among other species was on average 74,9%, the total number is at least 51-53 pairs. Less numerous is the Little Owl, the share is 16%, the number is 19 pairs. The smallest number was recorded for the Long-eared Owl (7,3%), but the number is estimated at 20 pairs; this species is not registered annually. The average effectiveness of the records at the observation points is 67,2% of the places where owls were detected against 32,8% of the points without birds. Most often, owls responded to vocal provocations – 69,9% of cases of meetings with birds. Independent vocalization was noted in 25,6% of encounters.
Conclusions. Bird activity is highly dependent on weather conditions: owls were most active in years when the weather was relatively warm and without significant precipitation and wind. In frosty and snowy periods of winter, some owl individuals may die from exhaustion. It was effective to involve volunteers in accounting work.
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