Tichodroma 23 (2011)

Original papers

Short communications
Others Abstracts and full-texts

Klimatické podmienky a početnosť fúzatky trstinovej (Panurus biarmicus) v zime na Levických rybníkoch
Climatic conditions and the abundance of the Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus) during winter on Levice fishponds 

Lucia TURČOKOVÁ & Michal BALÁŽ

Katedra zoologie a Ornitologická laboratoř, Přírodovědecká fakulta UP, tř. Svobody 26, 771 46 Olomouc, Česko; lturcokova@gmail.com; Ornitologická stanice Muzea Komenského, Bezručova 10, 750 02 Přerov, Česko; Katedra biológie a ekológie, Pedagogická fakulta KU, Hrabovská cesta 1, 034 01 Ružomberok, Slovensko; michal.balaz@ku.sk

From 1980s, population of Bearded Tit increased dramatically to 150–400 breeding pairs in Slovakia. In this paper, we present observations of wintering flocks of Bearded Tit on Levice fishponds. Size of the wintering flocks reached 2–50 individuals (n = 4 years) and positively depended on mean winter temperatures. As the part of wintering population may set up a new breeding colony in the spring, we presume that Levice fishponds may become the new breeding site of the species in the future.

Príspevok k poznaniu hniezdnej úspešnosti vrchárky modrej (Prunella modularis) vo vysokohorskom prostredí Malej Fatry
Contribution to the knowledge of nest success of the Hedge Sparrow (Prunella modularis) in a sub-alpine zone of the Malá Fatra Mts. (NW Slovakia)

Radovan JAMBOR, Michal BALÁŽ & Ľudovít KOCIAN

Katedra zoológie, Prírodovedecká fakulta UK v Bratislave, Mlynská dolina, 842 15 Bratislava 4, Slovensko; radojambor@gmail.com, kocian@fns.uniba.sk; Katedra biológie, Pedagogická fakulta KU v Ružomberku, Hrabovská cesta 1, 034 01 Ružomberok, Slovensko; michal.balaz@ku.sk

In the years 2009–2011, characterised by markedly wet seasons, we studied some aspects of breeding ecology of the Hedge Sparrow breeding above the tree line in a sub-alpine zone of the Malá Fatra Mountains. Here we reported the rate of nest success of the species and characterised the nest failure causes. We only found 16 occupied nests with clutch or nestlings within the 70 ha model study area during the study period that very strong underestimate of recorded male territories censused by the international standard mapping methods (e.g. 18 territories / 10 active nests in 2011). Taking into consideration the total number of trapped and re-trapped birds, we assume that high proportion of the population is non-breeding. We estimated a nesting success for our sample to be 42.9%, what is comparable number to the estimates from other Passerines species. Breeding of the species in high elevations is limited by the harsh weather condition that is the main factor of nest failures.

Hniezdenie a výskyt krakle belasej (Coracias garrulus) na juhozápadnom Slovensku v rokoch 2007–2011
Breeding and occurrence of the European Roller (Coracias garrulus) in SW Slovakia during 2007–2011

Mirko BOHUŠ

Katedra ekosozológie a fyziotaktiky, Prírodovedecká fakulta UK, Mlynská dolina, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovensko; bohus@fns.uniba.sk

The study refers to breeding and occurrence of European Roller in the last known breeding site in Slovakia close to Komárno town in 2007–2011. Altogether, five breedings were recorded (two in the year 2007, one in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively). All of them were successful. The number of eggs in clutch counted four or five, number of hatched nestlings were four or five, number of fledglings varied between three and five (in total 20). Nest boxes (four times) and natural hollow of Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius (once) excavated in White/Grey Poplar were used for breeding. Repeated breeding in the same nest box was confirmed. One nest-box was used for the fourth time by the same pair in 2007; the other was used in 2008 and 2009, each time by different pair. In 2009, female originating from surrounding of Kunszentmiklós, Hungary (124 km apart) bred at the site. Repeated breeding of the same male (hatched in 2007) was recorded in 2009 and 2010, each time forming pair with different female and in different nest-box. In 2008, case of incest breeding of female with her father, less likely with older brother was recorded. In 2011, no breeding occurred at the site.

Vtáctvo periodických vlhkých poľných depresií pri Zvolene (stredné Slovensko)
Birds of temporary wet field depressions near Zvolen town (C Slovakia)

Anton KRIŠTÍN, Stanislav ONDRUŠ, Benjamín JARČUŠKA & Peter KAŇUCH

Ústav ekológie lesa SAV, Ľ. Štúra 2, 960 53 Zvolen, Slovensko; kristin@savzv.sk; ŠOP SR, Správa NP Nízke Tatry, Lazovná 10, Banská Bystrica, Slovensko

Temporary wetlands in the fields offer important habitats for migrating waterfowl and all birds. Altogether 150 bird species (ca. 42% of Slovak avifauna) were found in wet field depressions, surrounding hedges and poplar woods (117 ha) near Zvolen town in 2006–2011. There were found only 24 breeding species, most species were permigrants (64) and hospites – species visiting the study site from surrounding areas for foraging and roosting (62). In total 81 species, of them 38 waterfowl and at water living bird species were registered during spring migration in March and April. The species Vanellus vanellus, Gallinago gallinago, Ardea cinerea, Anas platyrhynchos, Anthus pratensis, Emberiza schoeniclus, were characteristic and the most frequent of them then, rare were, e.g. Gallinago media, Grus grus, Limicola falcinellus, Lymnocryptes minimus, Numenius arquata, Tringa stagnatilis. The species Buteo buteo, Columba palumbus and C. oenas, Alauda arvensis, Motacilla alba, Pica pica, Corvus cornix and Sturnus vulgaris were the most frequent from other birds. The most abundant species there were S. vulgaris, V. vanellus and C. palumbus (7.7–22%) during spring migration. Occurrence and phenology of 47 species were commented, too.

Zoskupenia vtákov biotopov v okolí stredného toku Hrona
Bird assemblages of habitats around the middle part of the Hron River

Peter LEŠO & Rudolf KROPIL

Katedra ochrany lesa a poľovníctva, Lesnícka fakulta TU vo Zvolene, T. G. Masaryka 20, 960 53 Zvolen, Slovensko; leso@vsld.tuzvo.sk, kropil@vsld.tuzvo.sk

The aim of the study was to determine qualitative and quantitative structure of the bird assemblages of various habitats adjacent to the Hron River, where the first breeding of Goosander in Slovakia was documented. Strip method was used to census birds in the breeding season 2007, with three standard controls plus one special control using boat. Four habitat types were distinguished: A – water and littoral (24% of the total monitored area); B – riparian forest (26%); C – meadows, fields and shrubs (47%); D – settlements (3%). In total, 69 bird species were recorded within all four habitats (of them, 46 in the habitat B, 33 in the habitat C, 11 in the habitat D and seven in the habitat A). Density reached the highest value in the habitat B (164.9 pairs/10 ha). The values of density ranged from 25.5 (A) to 55.6 (D) pairs/10 ha in three remaining habitats. Negative effects of small hydroelectric plants projected on the river Hron are discussed.

Vodné a na vodu viazané vtáctvo na vodnej nádrži Ružiná (stredné Slovensko) v rokoch 1996–2010
Waterbirds at water reservoir Ružiná (C Slovakia) in 1996–2010

Dušan KERESTÚR, Marian MOJŽIŠ & Anton KRIŠTÍN

Tolstého 17, 984 03 Lučenec, Slovensko; chocatabras@gmail.com; Školská 211, 985 31 Mučín, Slovensko; m.mojzis76@gmail.com; Ústav ekológie lesa SAV, Ľ. Štúra 2, 960 53 Zvolen, Slovensko; kristin@savzv.sk

Altogether 84 waterbird species were registered at water reservoir Ružiná from October 1996 to December 2010. Of them, there were 22 breeding species, (12 regular, six irregular and four rare), only two wintering and 60 permigrants (not breeding). The most abundant species were Anas platyrhynchos (58.4%), Fulica atra (12%), Podiceps cristatus (9.9%) and Anas crecca (4.1%). The most frequent were Ardea cinerea, Fulica atra, Podiceps cristatus, Anas platyrhynchos, Anas crecca, Chroicocephalus ridibundus and Phalacrocorax carbo. Population trends, abundance and phenological data in 32 species are commented.

K druhému hniezdeniu trsteniarika škriekavého (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) v jednej hniezdnej sezóne na Slovensku
On the second breeding of the Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) in the same season in Slovakia

Alfréd TRNKA

Katedra biológie, Pedagogická fakulta TU, Priemyselná 4, 918 43 Trnava, Slovensko; atrnka@truni.sk

In Central Europe the Great Reed Warbler breeds usually once a year. Two broods in the same season are scarce and questionable. The second breeding of this species in a stable south-western Slovakia population in 2009–2011 is discussed in this paper. From a total of 112 females monitored during entire breeding season, only three females (2.7%) raised successfully two broods in the same season. These results correspond to the findings in other sites in Central Europe.

Projekt CES na Slovensku v roku 2011
Constant Effort Sites (CES) programme operated in Slovakia in 2011

†Róbert TRNKA

ŠOP SR, Správa CHKO Horná Orava, Bernolákova 408, 029 01 Námestovo, Slovensko

In 2011, the Constant Effort Sites (CES) programme was operated at six localities in Slovakia. Altogether, 3119 individuals of 65 bird species were caught in 717 m of mist-nets. 1262 (40.5%) of them were adults and 1857 (59.5%) juveniles. Reed Warbler, Blackcap, European Robin, Reed Bunting and Sedge Warbler were the most abundant species. The juveniles prevailed over the adults in forest bird species (European Robin, Great Tit, Blackcap), whereas in most marsh birds, namely Acrocephalus species, adults predominated over juveniles. Numbers of birds mist-netted during the breeding period showed a distinct seasonal trend. These results are crucial for the next monitoring.

Neobvyklé hniezdenie výrika lesného (Otus scops) v paneláku na sídlisku v Rimavskej Sobote (J Slovensko)
Unusual breeding of Scops Owl (Otus scops) in a prefab house in Rimavská Sobota (S Slovakia)

František BEDNÁR & Karol ŠOTNÁR

M. R. Štefánika 2/64, 034 01 Ružomberok, Slovensko; info@wnp.sk; Školská 17/12, 972 17 Kanianka, Slovensko; karol_sotnar@post.sk

Successful breeding of the Scops Owl in prefab house of urban environment is described from southern Slovakia. Foraging territory of 6.5 ha was composed by eight to ten floor high prefab houses (28%), park tree vegetation (29%) and grasslands (43%). The tree layer was composed by conifers (60%) and deciduous trees (40%). The earliest arrival of birds in the nesting locality was April 4, 2010. The nest cavity was located in the attic under the roof in the middle of eight floor prefab house, 25 m high and one meter above the nearest window. At least two chicks fledged and their last observation was recorded on August 6, 2010. Foraging behaviour within distribution area was observed.

Sčítanie zimujúcich orliakov morských na slovenskom úseku Dunaja v zimách 2008/2009 až 2010/2011
Census of wintering White-tailed Sea Eagles in Slovak section of the Danube river in winters 2008/2009 – 2010/2011

Mirko BOHUŠ

Katedra ekosozológie a fyziotaktiky, Prírodovedecká fakulta UK, Mlynská dolina, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovensko; bohus@fns.uniba.sk

Data in this report was sampled by experienced voluntary observers from stationary points yearly in last Saturday of January, since 9:00 till 14:00. Points were distributed along Danube banks and dikes of Gabčíkovo hydro power plant storage lake and head- and tailwater canal in pattern providing optimal range of vision from each point. On January 26, 2009, in Danube river section (river km 1865–1770), storage lake and tailwater canal of Gabčíkovo hydroelectric power project (GHPP) were recorded 44 individuals of White-tailed Sea Eagle (from that 9 adults and 21 subadults/juveniles). On January 30, 2010, in Danube river section (rkm 1865–1733), storage lake and tailwater canal of GHPP were recorded 31 individuals (from that 12 adults and 14 subadults/juveniles). On January 29, 2011, in Danube river section (rkm 1879–1708), storage lake and head- and tailwater canal of GHPP were recorded 11 individuals (from that three adults and five subadults/juveniles). Data obtained in 2011 were heavily influenced by thick fog (occurring in 17 points from 38), hence results from this census are highly underestimated. Sites with the highest abundance of wintering population are river sections of Danube river at rkm 1821–1835, 1811–1818 and 1803–1808 and storage lake of GHHP.

Ornitocenózy pásových porastov drevín poľnohospodárskej krajiny v Chránenom vtáčom území Dolné Považie
Bird assemblages of belt-shaped patches of wood stands in agricultural landscape of the Special Protected Area Dolné Považie

Mirko BOHUŠ

Katedra ekosozológie a fyziotaktiky, Prírodovedecká fakulta UK, Mlynská dolina, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovensko; bohus@fns.uniba.sk

In Podunajská nížina lowland, a typical intensively managed agricultural landscape, wood stands are relatively scarce. Most frequent are belt-shaped stands, located mainly in filled-up relicts of river branches or/and edging linear landscape elements like lanes, ditches or canals. These wood stands are colonised by various species of birds and in otherwise deforested landscape offer conditions for arboreal/forest species. In the 2009, the bird assemblages were studied, using belt transect method, in 12 woody stands differing in area, width, length and cover of tall trees, pollarded willows, shrub and herbaceous layer and proportion of open water. Total species richness of all sites combined was 41 species with maximum of 23 species in the widest and four species in one of the two narrowest stands. Maximum density was detected in one of the narrowest stands (214.3 pairs/ 10 ha), minimum density in one of the widest stands (28.6 pairs/ 10 ha). The most common and abundant species was Luscinia megarhynchos (18.6±13.3 pairs/ 10 ha). Other species found in all stands were Passer montanus and Fringilla coelebs. It was found that the composition of assemblages was influenced by stand width and cover of herbaceous layer. Local extinction of Upupa epops, Coracias garrulus and Phoenicurus phoenicurus was confirmed. As a curiosity, common breeding of Passer montanus in missletoe (Viscum alba) bushes, growing on aged poplars (solitaries or in lines), was found in four stands.

K výskytu a hniezdeniu rybára riečneho (Sterna hirundo) na severovýchodnom Slovensku
On occurrence and breeding of Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) in NE Slovakia

Benjamín JARČUŠKA

Ústav ekológie lesa SAV, Ľ. Štúra 2, 960 53 Zvolen, Slovensko; benjamin.jarcuska@gmail.com

Breeding of Common Tern (probably six pairs) was observed in gravel-deposit-quarry lake Andrejovka in June 2011. It should be the only known existing breeding site of the species in NE Slovakia.

Hniezdenie šabliarky modronohej (Recurvirostra avosetta) v roku 2010 na JZ Slovensku
Breeding of Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) in 2010 in SW Slovakia

Vladimír SLOBODNÍK, Mirko BOHUŠ, Jozef LENGYEL & Roman SLOBODNÍK

ŠOP SR, Správa CHKO Ponitrie, Dlhá 3, 971 01 Prievidza, Slovensko; vladimir.slobodnik@sopsr.sk; Katedra ekosozológie a fyziotaktiky Prírodovedecká fakulta UK, Mlynská dolina, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovensko; bohus@fns.uniba.sk; Nitriansky Hrádok, Za kostolom 2, 942 01 Šurany, Slovensko; jozef.lengyel@gmail.com; Katedra ekológie a environmentalistiky, Fakulta prírodných vied UKF, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 74 Nitra, Slovensko; roman.slobodnik@ukf.sk

During the season in 2010, with extremely high precipitations, we observed breeding of at least seven pairs of Avocet in districts Komárno and Nové Zámky in south-west Slovakia. Altogether, eight young leaved four nests.

Prehľad krúžkovania vtákov na Slovensku v roku 2010
Bird-ringing results in Slovakia in 2010

Vladimír SLOBODNÍK & Roman SLOBODNÍK

ŠOP SR, Správa CHKO Ponitrie, Dlhá 3, 971 01 Prievidza, Slovensko; vladimir.slobodnik@sopsr.sk; Katedra ekológie a environmentalistiky, Fakulta prírodných vied UKF, Tr. Andreja Hlinku 1, 949 74 Nitra, Slovensko; roman.slobodnik@ukf.sk

In 2010, 71 members of Slovak Ornithological Society/BirdLife Slovakia ringed altogether 41016 birds, of them 2954 were nestlings (7.2%). The most numerous ringed species were Parus major (3663 individuals), Sylvia atricapilla (3362 ind.), Erithacus rubecula (2555 ind.), Carduelis spinus (2529 ind.), Cyanistes caeruleus (2482 ind.) and Phylloscopus collybita (2322 ind.). The ringed birds belonged to 181 species. The most frequently ringed young are discussed. Results of 15 individuals re-trapped in Slovakia and ringed abroad as well as 12 individuals ringed in Slovakia and re-trapped abroad are given.

11. správa Faunistickej komisie Slovenskej ornitologickej spoločnosti/BirdLife Slovensko
The 11th report of the Rarities Committee of the Slovak Ornithological Society/BirdLife Slovakia

Vladimír ŠRANK

Zoologická záhrada Bojnice, 972 01 Bojnice, Slovensko; vladimir.srank@gmail.com

In 2010 the Rarities Committee of the Slovak Ornithological Society/Birdlife Slovakia discussed in total 16 announcements from which 16 were accepted. In the category A (new species for Slovakia) was accepted one observation: Prunella atrogularis. In the category B (new nidificants for Slovakia ) was accepted one observation: Anas crecca. In the category C (any occurrence and nesting of the species must by reported) were accepted 14 observations of the following species: Alopochen aegyptiaca, Aquila nipalensis, Branta ruficollis, Bubulcus ibis, Circus macrourus, Cygnus columbianus, Emberiza hortulana, Mergus merganser, Montifringilla nivalis, Motacilla citreola, Pelecanus crispus, Stercorarius longicaudus, Stercorarius pomarinus (two observations).

Gustáv Murícius Reuss a jeho súpis vtákov okolia Revúcej z rokov 1853 a 1854
Gustáv Maurícius Reuss and his list of birds of the surroundings of the Revúca town from 1853 and 1854

Marcel UHRIN & Jiří MLÍKOVSKÝ

Katedra zoológie, Ústav biologických a ekologických vied, Prírodovedecká fakulta, Univerzita P. J. Šafárika, Moyzesova 11, 040 01 Košice, Slovensko; marcel.uhrin@upjs.sk; Zoologické oddělení, Národní muzeum, Václavské náměstí 68, 115 79 Praha 1, Česko; jiri_mlikovsky@nm.cz

Gustáv Mauricius Reuss (1818–1861), a Slovak polymath who lived in Revúca, central Slovakia, wrote in 1853–1854 a list of birds of the surroundings of the town of Revúca, but the manuscript has never been published. We restudied the manuscript and interpreted Reuss’s list of 118 bird “species” from the point of view of current ornithology and linguistics. The following records are significant from the faunistic point of view: Barn Owl (Tyto alba) and Little Owl (Athene noctua) as common breeders at Revúca, and White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) as a non-breeding spring visitor.

Ornitologické poznámky z pozostalosti Františka Baláta (Z Slovensko)
Ornithological notes from the inheritance of František Balát (W Slovakia)

Peter RÁC

Lermontovova 4, 811 05 Bratislava, Slovensko

Unpublished faunistical data on birds are compiled from the inheritance of Czechoslovak ornithologist Dr. František Balát (*July 22, 1925 − †April 20, 1992). The data was sampled in western Slovakia in 1946–1991. Breeding of some mentioned species is not known more in Slovakia (Burhinus oedicnemus, Emberiza hortulana, Lanius senator, Monticola saxatilis, Numenius arquata).

Nomenklatorický a taxonomický štatút vtákov opísaných Josephom von Nagyom roku 1859
Nomenclatural and taxonomic status of birds described by Joseph von Nagy in 1859

Jiří MLÍKOVSKÝ

Department of Zoology, National Museum, Václavské náměstí 68, 115 79 Praha 1, Czech Republic; jiri_mlikovsky@nm.cz

Joseph von Nagy (1818–1892) was a district physician and naturalist at Nitra, south-western Slovakia. In 1859 he published a checklist of the birds of the Nitra District, in which he created several new specific names of birds. These names remained overlooked in taxonomic literature. My revision of these names showed that Corvus coracias Nagy is an objective synonym of Coracias garrulus Linnaeus, Turdus sturnus Nagy is an objective synonym of Sturnus vugaris Linnaeus, and Turdus oriolus Nagy is an objective synonym of Oriolus galbula Linaeus = Oriolus oriolus (Linnaeus).

Ferdinand I. Coburg – ornitologické čriepky
Ferdinand I. Coburg – ornithological fragments

Peter URBAN

Katedra biológie a ekológie, Fakulta prírodných vied UMB, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovensko; Peter.Urban@umb.sk

In February 2011 we remembered 150th anniversary when Ferdinand I. Coburg (*1861 – † 1948), former Tsar of Bulgaria, was born. He studied mainly botany, entomology and ornithology. As a Bulgarian tsar, founded the Sofia ZOO (1888) and the National Museum of Natural History in Sofia (1889). From 1889 to 1892 he personally identified and arranged the bird specimens and their collections. He attended also some expeditions (research journeys) in south America, Africa and Europe. He always studied the birds of all sites, he visited. In this paper are summarised his ornithological activities.

Ornitologie: věda pro každého?
Ornithology: a science for everyone?

Tomáš GRIM

Katedra zoologie a Ornitologická laboratoř, Univerzita Palackého, Tř. Svobody 26, 771 46 Olomouc, Česko; tomas.grim@upol.cz

Ornithology has a special place among sciences in that amateurs contribute massively to our knowledge of birds. Indeed, ornithology has been a pioneer of citizen science. However, amateur contribution has both, its pros and cons, the latter including the occasional poorer quality of primary data and published papers. In this essay, I draw attention to the intermittent unsatisfactory quality of ornithological research (both amateur and professional) in Czech and Slovak Republics, try to identify its causes and consequences and suggest possible solutions. I argue that the current state stems from confused terminology, misconceptions of scientific methods and unfamiliarity with rapid recent changes in standards of scientific research, publication practice and quality requirements. Therefore, I discuss (a) historical changes in the meaning of relevant terms (birdwatching, ornithologist, amateur, professional), (b) reasons for current state of Czech and Slovak ornithology (historical isolation during the communist era from foreign “western” science, outdated influential local literature), and (c) particular shortcomings (e.g. amateur authors refusing to follow referee advice on how to correct manuscripts). To improve the amateur contribution and strengthen meaningful cooperation between amateur and professional ornithologists I suggest that amateurs actively self-educate themselves and seek advice from professionals. Importantly, standards of quality and requirements of the refereeing process should be always objective, i.e., independent of the author’s previous work or his/her status as an amateur or a professional. Ornithology is, indeed, a science for everyone who is willing to obey the established rules of scientific work.

Ornithological observations

Chronicle (J. Obuch, J. Korňan, J. Somogyi, J. Matula, P. Hell, R. Trnka)




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