Density dynamics, diet composition and productivity of sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus L. population in central Poland

Long-term monitoring of raptor populations can serve as a proxy for the evaluation of whole ecosystem health. The aim of the study was to compare the current abundance of the sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus L. with data from past decades. Additionally, we examined the diet of this species in the breeding season and recorded the number of fledglings. The study area encompassed 105 km2 of field and forest mosaic, located in the vicinity of the Rogów village (51°49'17,98''N, 19°53'54,5''E). Forests covered approximately 24% of the area and formed eight individual complexes ranging in size from 65 ha to 1000 ha. In the years 2011–2017, an average of 20.1 sparrowhawk pairs were recorded resulting in a population density of 19.1 pairs per 100 km2 of total area and 8.2/10 km2 of forested area. This is an increase of 26% compared to the years 2001–2003, when only 16 pairs nested in the same study area. Each successful pair of sparrowhawk produced between one and five fledglings with the average being 3.4. Larch Larix spp. and Scots pine Pinus sylvestris L. dominated as nesting trees accounting for 36.9 and 35.9% of nesting sites respectively. The average age of the nesting trees was 31 years and nests were built at an average height of 11.7 m. The sparrowhawk diet was dominated by birds, which amounted to 81.5% of prey items and over 95% of the consumed biomass. Among the birds identified to the species level, the domestic pigeon Columba livia f. domestica Gm. constituted the biggest share in biomass. Further important prey items were starling Sturnus vulgaris L., with 5.6% of prey items and 9.8% of the total biomass, and hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes (L.), with 6.3% of prey items and 7.6% of the total biomass. Sparrowhawks also consumed significant numbers of thrush Turdus spp. that formed in total over 11% of the total consumed biomass. It would appear that the observed population growth was a result of prohibited persecution and the ban on DDT usage in agriculture

A new record of the nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus in Warsaw

On June 16, 2016, a nightjar was recorded in the south-eastern part of Warsaw. One individual called spontaneously in compartment 4 of the Sobieski Forest,. This was a dune supporting pine forest Pinus sylvestris, with an admixture of silver birch Betula verrucosa and common juniper Juniperus communis. Based on the time and place of the observation, one can assume that this was a breeding species in the area. The species was not recorded in the area of Warsaw, in its nesting habitat, for the last 30 years

Diet composition of long-eard owl Asio otus nesting in the area of Głuchów commune (Central Poland)

The analysed pellet material was collected in the years 2014-2015 in the forest complex Prusy, a part of Rogów Forest District. Diet of owls was dominated by voles Microtus spp., accounting for 76% of prey items. The contribution of Muridae was 13% and the total contribution of rodents was close to 90%. Common shrews, birds and insects supplemented the diet

Mammals in the diet of tawny owl Strix aluco in western part of Skierniewice Forest District (central Poland)

The aim of the study was to describe the species diversity of small mammals in the western part of the Skierniewice Forest District (Central Poland) using tawny owl (Strix aluco) pellets. The landscape itself is a field and forest mosaic with small forest complexes. Four forest complexes with an area between 70 and 750 ha and surrounded by arable lands as well as loosely scattered buildings were chosen to carry out our work in. Owl pellets were collected in the years 2014–2016 and examined for small mammal remains employing standard protocols. Altogether, we identified 963 items belonging to 17 different mammalian prey species. The most numerous was the yellow-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis, which accounted for 33.5% of all identified items. As the second most important group, voles (Microtus spp.) accounted for 12.8% of all identified mammals. Unfortunately, we were unable to find species considered rare in central Poland, i.e. hazel dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius, European water vole, Arvicola amphibius and field vole, Microtus agrestis. In overall, the species composition of small mammal assemblages in the studied area was similar to adjacent regions

Rare species of birds nesting in the area of the Rogow Forest District in the years 1949-2015

The aim of the study was to combine and summarize data on rare species of breeding forest birds found in the area of the Experimental Forest District near the Rogów village (Łódź Province). Our study area comprised 230 km2 of field and forest mosaic, where forests accounted for almost 17% of the area (13 forest complexes of 37–1000 ha). The results are based on the authors’ own field observations from the years 2000–2015 as well as historical data since 1949 including original research papers, diploma theses, unpublished manuscripts, oral information and analyses of museum collections. The following criteria were used to categorize bird species as rare: (1) species that ceased breeding in the area, (2) taxa that were under strict protection and their abundance was no higher than 6 breeding pairs. In overall, 10 species were classified as rare, of which three do not breed in the area any more: grey heron Ardea cinerea, osprey Pandion haliaetus, European roller Coracias garrulus. However, non-breeding individuals of grey heron and osprey are still recorded in the area (the last cases of breeding pairs were recorded in the 1970s and 1961, respectively), while the European roller went extinct. In recent years, the abundance of another three species was probably stable: European honey buzzard Pernis apivorus, Eurasian hobby Falco subbuteo and nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus. Four species started breeding in the last 30 years: black stork Ciconia nigra, white-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, common crane Grus grus, stock dove Columba oenas. The trends in the abundance of the investigated species are similar to those observed in the country in overall