Colonial wintering of Long-eared owl (Asio otus) in Botoșani County (N-E Romania)

This study explores the phenological aspects and distribution of long-eared owl (Asio otus) colonies in Botoșani county, N-E Romania. The anthropogenic impact was also evaluated and analyzed and the microhabitat where the colonies are located. Data was collected between November 2018 and February 2019. 9 settlements in Botoșani county, including the municipality of Botoșani, were investigated. Data about temperature, the size of the colony, the tree species where the colony is located and anthropogenic impact, were collected. 9 colonies were identified with a total of 340 individuals. Two short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) were identified in one of the colonies. The maximum number (51) of specimens is reached in the months of January and February, and the minimum number (30) in the months of November and December. It has been observed that when the temperatures tend to fall, the size of the colonies register significant growth. The preferred species of trees are gymnosperms (69%), the owls were found on angiosperms as well (31%). The preference for the coniferous species increases along with the drop in temperatures and the increase in rainfall or snowfall, as these types of trees offer better protection against the weather conditions. We noticed that the anthropogenic factor has a significant influence on the colonies of Asio otus, so we wanted to grade it with the help of a scale from 1 to 7. Grade 1 was given in only one locality (Știubieni), grade 2 was registered in 4 points (Dorohoi, Avrămeni, Botoșani, and Roma), grade 3 is found only in Bucecea, Corlăteni registers a grade of 4, while in Dobârceni the registered value is 5, grade 6 is met only in Săveni. Grade 7 represented the stage in which there is a decrease in the population of Asio otus, or the death of individuals for various reasons, a situation that has not been encountered. Halici et Stermin (PDF