Avocetta, vol. 32, n. 1-2, 2008
Abstracts
Goshawks
Accipiter gentilis
nest-tree and stand preferences in the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli forest,
north-eastern Greece: 5-11
Olga Alexandrou1, Christos Vlachos2, Dimitrios Bakaloudis3
1School of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - P.O. Box 241, 540 06 Thessaloniki, Greece (oalexand@for.auth.gr); 2School of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - P.O. Box 241, 540 06 Thessaloniki, Greece; 3Department of Forestry & Management of Natural Environment, TEI of Kavala - 661 00 Drama, Greece
Abstract – Goshawk Accipiter gentilis preferences in terms of nest tree and nest stand (0.2 ha circle centred at nest tree) were studied at 23 nests in north-eastern Greece. Nest-tree and nest-stand characteristics were compared to those measured at paired, randomly selected plots. Goshawks usually nested in Calabrian pines Pinus brutia that were always dominant in the canopy. Trees at nest stands were taller, had greater diameter at breast height and were older than trees at random plots. The total tree density in goshawk nest-stands was lower, but the total tree basal area was greater compared to random plots. Goshawk nests were found at gentle and north-facing slopes in mature stands with high canopy closure. The importance of mature forest is emphasised for the maintenance of a stable goshawk population in the area.
Spring raptor migration along the Adriatic coast (Italy): a comparative study
over three sites: 13-20
Guido Premuda1, Marco Gustin2, Massimo Pandolfi3, Laurent Sonet4,
Michele Cento2
1Via G.P. Da Palestrina 20, 40141 Bologna (guidopremuda@tiscali.it); 2LIPU, Settore Conservazione - Via Trento 49, 43100 Parma; 3Università degli Studi di Urbino, Laboratorio di Zoologia - Via M. Oddi 21, 61029 Urbino; 4Parco Naturale Monte San Bartolo - Viale Varsavia, s.n.c., 61100 Pesaro
Abstract – Daily observations were carried out from 23 April to 7 May 2005 over three sites along the Adriatic coast: Mount Conero, Mount San Bartolo (Marche region) and the Po Delta (Emilia-Romagna region), where 1849, 658 and 337 raptors were counted respectively. In addition, two watch-points in the Mount Conero area were both monitored from 20 April to 20 May 2004, in order to determine the percentage of the migrating raptors starting to cross the Adriatic Sea. Marsh harrier, honey buzzard and red-footed falcon (the latter in Conero and S. Bartolo sites) were the most frequently observed migrating raptors species. The low correlation among the different migration peaks over the three sites seems to show that raptors perform coasting behaviour only partially during spring migration along the part of the Adriatic coast studied. Furthermore, the importance of the Mount Conero as geomorphologic reference sites seems confirmed, since a fraction of the migrating raptors apparently cross the Adriatic Sea towards the Balkans. Nevertheless, further researches are needed at the Mount Conero in order to better quantify the risk of re-counting.
Comparative analysis of the breeding avifauna of Italian cities: 21-30
Maurizio Fraissinet1, Domenico Fulgione2
1Associazione Studi Ornitologici Italia Meridionale, ASOIM - C.p. 253, 80046 San Giorgio a Cremano (NA)(mfraissinet@tiscali.it); 2Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Università di Napoli Federico II - Via Cinthia, complesso di MonteSant’Angelo, 80126 Napoli
Abstract – We carried out a large-scale analysis on quantitative and qualitative composition of the bird communities living in Italian urban ecosystems, comparing them with the avifaunas of regional areas. The comparison between these two territorial levels makes it possible to identify the effects of urbanization in different biogeographical and ecological contexts. Particularly, we have analysed the variation of some diversity indexes, biogeographical and chorological categories according to latitudinal gradient. In contrast with the expected biogeographical peninsular effect, the decreasing in species richness for Italian cities is significantly less steep than that observed for their corresponding not urbanized areas. Moreover, Palearctic-Oriental species clearly prevail in cities, regardless of latitude. In the cities small Passerine species are more abundant than in the surrounding areas. The diversity found in the cities, relative to biogeographical categories, may be imputable to the typical ecological diversity of the urban ecosystems. This probable also is the reason of the small size of birds found in the cities and of the differences with surrounding areas.
Spring migration of Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchos
through western Mediterranean islands:
Illa
de l’Aire and Columbrets: 31-36
Carles Barriocanal1,2, David Robson2
1Grup de Recerca en Medi Ambient i Tecnologies de la Informació Geogràfica, Universitat de Girona - Plaça Ferrater Mora 1, 17071 Girona, Spain (carles.barriocanal@udg.edu); 2Institut Català d’Ornitologia, Museu de Ciències Naturals - Passeig Picasso s/n, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Abstract – Spring migration of Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos over the western Mediterranean has been studied using observations collected at a ringing station on the islands of Illa de l’Aire (Balearics) and Columbrets (60 km. off mainland of Levante region) in Spain. During the years 1994-2003, birds were caught, and measured, between 16th April and 15th May. The mean arrival date was three days later in second-year than in adults on Illa de l’Aire and two days on Columbrets. At the two stations long-winged individuals passed before short-winged birds, both in the case of second-year and adults. Adults were heavier than second-year and significant differences were found in body mass along the season, i.e. heavier individuals passed before lighter ones. Important differences were found on fat scores being the mean in Columbrets significatively lower than on Illa de l’Aire. Our observations suggest that those Nightingales stopping over at Columbrets islands are not really overseas migrants, as they have a coastline migration strategy despite passing over islands located 60 km offshore.
Feeding and foraging behaviour of the Laughing Dove
Streptopelia senegalensis
in
Lucknow, India: 37-40
Abhijit Mazumdar1,2, Prabhat Kumar1,3
1Department of Zoology, Lucknow University - Lucknow, India; 23-B Murlinagar - Cantt Road, Lucknow-226001, UP, India (abhijit.mazumdar@rediffmail.com) 3319 Shakti Nagar, Lucknow, UP, India
Abstract – The Laughing dove is a resident species and is found all across India. They occur abundantly in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. We conducted a gut content analysis and observed their foraging behaviour on the farmlands located on the city outskirts and at granaries and storehouses in the city and on its outskirts between July, 2005 and June, 2006. Among gut contents we were able to identify and quantify grains of wheat, millet and rice along with seeds of sunflower, grass and 10 species of weeds. Among animal matter were ants, termites, spiders and dipteran larvae. Their foraging behaviour matched well with their gut contents and we made 1200 observations on plant matter and 80 observations on animal matter. During nesting period they foraged individually for shorter durations. Presence of roosting sites increased foraging activities.
Strategie di foraggiamento del Chiurlo maggiore
Numenius
arquata
e differenze di successo alimentare tra sessi in un sito di
svernamento dell’Italia centrale: 41-46
Marco Trotta
Via di Santa Felicola 99, 00134 Roma (marcotrot@gmail.com)
Abstract – Foraging strategies of the Curlew Numenius arquata and differences in feeding success between sexes at wintering site in theCentral of Italy.
The foraging strategies and the difference of feeding success between sexes of the Curlew Numenius arquata were studied in a coastal region of Lazio (Pontine Lakes) in the period 1997-2001 (november to march). This species has been found in different habitats, however the data for this paper was collected in meadow-pastureland habitats. The pecking was the action used more often, the technique of digging and, to a lesser extent, of jabbing, were more efficient, particularly for the capturing of earthworms. The Curlew had a feeding success (prey/minute) on average of 1.41. The females obtained a little more feeding success. Since the bill of the female is considerably longer, this allows them to penetrate more the ground than males, capturing more prey. Whether feeding as single individuals or in small flocks, the foraging success was the same. The larger flocks have been observed in autumn and it appears that when they arrive, they chose areas with high food availability and, once exploited, they move to lesser-quality foraging areas.
Distribuzione, consistenza ed evoluzione delle popolazioni di
basettino
Panurus biarmicus
nidificanti in
Italia nel periodo 1980-2006: 47-53
Pierandrea Brichetti1, Nunzio Grattini2
1CISO - Via V. Veneto 30, I-25029 Verolavecchia (BS) (pbrichetti@alice.it); 2Via P. Gobetti 29, I-46020 Pegognaga (MN) (cristatus@virgilio.it)
Abstract – Panurus biarmicus breeding population distribution, consistence, and trend in Italy. In Italy the bearded parrotbill Panurus biarmicus nests mainly in the eastern part of the Po Valley, with some localized populations near the lakes of Tuscany (Chiusi, Montepulciano, Massaciuccoli) and of Umbria (Colfiorito and Trasimeno); the southern limit of its breeding range is around the coastal wetlands in Apulia (Lago Salso). At present, 85% of the population is concentrated in three regions (Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Emilia Romagna), the remaining 15% being in Lombardy, Tuscany, Umbria and Apulia. After an expansion that began in the ’70s, in the late ’90s this species has experienced a decline both in the breeding range and in the number of individuals; these phenomena got worse in the early 2000. In the period 2003-2006 the breeding population in Italy was estimated at 590-840 pairs, whereas in the mid ’80s it had been estimated at 4,000-10,000 pairs (although we think these latter figures were too high). The negative trend could be accounted for, at least locally, the loss of suitable habitat (i.e. the burning of reedbeds in late winter, changes in water levels, and, lately, by the heavy presence of Myocastor coypus, which causes changes in the extent and structure of reedbeds). Further studies are needed to better define the causes of the sharp decline of Bearded Parrotbill in Italy.
Composizione e struttura della comunità ornitica nidificante in
una faggeta della Basilicata: 55-60
Egidio Fulco1, Guido Tellini Florenzano2
1Studio naturalistico MILVUS - Via delle Gardenie 15, 85042 Lagonegro (PZ) (egidiofulco@yahoo.it); 2DREAM Italia - Via dei Guazzi 31, 52014 Poppi (AR) (tellini@dream-italia.it)
Abstract – Structure and composition of the breeding-bird community of a beech forest in Basilicata (Southern Italy). In 2006 the breeding bird community in a beechwood located in the Mt. Sirino (Val d’Agri-Lagonegrese National Park, Basilicata) was investigated by point-count method (N=87). The sampling completeness was tested via permutational methods. In comparison with other beech-forests of Central and Southern Italy, the Mt. Sirino bird community showed high richness and diversity values. Two species (Middle spotted Woodpecker and Collared Flycatcher) are included in the Red List of Italian Birds and in annex I of 79/409/CEE Directive. Low densities of bark-feeding birds may depend on poor wood-management, or on the recent impact of tourism.
I passeri
Passer
spp.: da “problematici” a specie di
interesse conservazionistico: 61-68
Marco Dinetti
Ecologia Urbana - Viale Petrarca 103, 57124 Livorno, Italy (robin.marco@tiscalinet.it - www.ecologia-urbana.com)
Abstract – The Sparrows Passer spp.: from “pest species” to species of conservation concern. The House Sparrow Passer domesticus is closely linked to human settlements, and it is probably the most widespread passerine worldwide. However, in the last few years this species has been declining throughout Europe, particularly in urbanized areas, so that this species is now considered of conservation concern (SPEC-3). The situation is complex and differ amongst town and between urban and rural environment. In Italy the Italian Sparrow Passer italiae occupies the same ecological niche, whereas in Sicily and Sardinia lives the Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis. The estimate for the breeding population of the Italian Sparrow ranges from about 5 to 10 million pairs, the one for the urban population in the Italian peninsula from about 750,000 to 900,000 pairs, with a density from about 58 to 160 pairs per square kilometer. The available data from national monitoring show a decrease in the population indices between 2000 and 2005: Italian Sparrow -27.1%, Spanish Sparrow -38.5%, Tree Sparrow Passer montanus -10.1%. For the last ten years, data show a decrease in the urban populations of the Italian Sparrow till 50%, and this confirms the situation reported for the House Sparrow elsewhere in Europe. We discuss the possible causes of the decline that have been suggested so far both for Italy and for Europe: in rural areas mainly agricultural intensification; whilst in towns there are more potential reasons: food shortage (particularly insects to raise nestlings) in relation to reduction of green areas and to air pollution, reduced availability of suitable breeding sites, increased predation, competition for food with Feral Pigeons Columba livia forma domestica and other species, road mortality, window collisions, etc. The decline of common species should be of concern for conservation science. We suggest a monitoring programme with standardized census methods (territory mapping with plotting on 1:2000 scale maps, quantitative urban bird atlas, line-transect lasting 30 minutes) be used by ornithologists, birdwatchers and citizen scientists. Sparrows are an umbrella species with a strong appeal to the public, and are good indicators of the quality of the urban environment, the habitat in which most of us now live.
Bibliografia selezionata sulla Passera d’Italia
Passer
italiae: 69-72
Pierandrea Brichetti
Centro Italiano Studi Ornitologici - Via V. Veneto 30, I-25029 Verolavecchia (BS)
Abstract – Selected bibliography on the Italian sparrow Passer italiae. 130 scientific papers on the Italian Sparrow Passer italiae are presented in alphabetical order. These selected papers concern only the Italian territory, and span from 1900 to May 2008. Papers on anatomy and physiology are excluded.
Short communications
Cambiamenti nell’avifauna acquatica svernante nella Riserva
Naturale Regionale Tevere-Farfa (Lazio) tra i periodi 1970-1983 e 1991-2005:
73-75
Massimo Brunelli1, Alberto Sorace2
1 S.R.O.P.U. - Via Aldo Moro, 83 - 00065 Fiano Romano (Roma) (mss.brunelli@tin.it); 2 S.R.O.P.U. - Via Roberto Crippa 60, D/8 - 00125 Roma (sorace@fastwebnet.it)
Abstract – We compared the abundance of some waterbirds in the Natural Regional Reserve Tevere-Farfa (central Italy) between 1970-1983 and 1991-2005 periods. The Reserve includes two main wetlands: a lake area and a river area. The species feeding in the waters of the lake (Anas penelope, Anas acuta, Anas clypeata) decreased in numbers from the first to the second period, likely due to instability of the lakebed and eutrophication processes. However, the decrease of Anas acuta, Anas clypeata also agrees with their negative trends in Europe. The species feeding in the waters of the Farfa river (Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax carbo, Aythya ferina) increased in numbers. The increases of Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax carbo and Larus michahellis can probably be related to the expansion of their breeding populations, in Italy and Europe. The increased number of Aythya ferina and Anas strepera disagrees with the negative trend of their populations in Europe. However, Italian wintering population of the latter species increased in the last years.
Conferma della riproduzione del cuculo dal ciuffo
Clamator
glandarius
in Sicilia: 76-77
Salvatore Grenci1, Maurizio Sarà2
1 Via L. Sturzo, 67 - 92100 Agrigento; 2 Dipartimento di Biologia Animale - Via Archirafi, 18 - 90123 Palermo
Abstract – Great Spotted Cuckoo breeding confirmation in Sicily. During the 2005/2007 spring, evidence of eight new breeding events were recorded in Southern Sicily. These new data add to the first 2004 record. They are not evidence of accidental immigration but possibly signs of a future colonization of the island, that not only has a great number of suitable habitats for the species, but also hosts a large population of the Magpie (Pica pica).
Il corvo imperiale
Corvus
corax
nidifica di nuovo in Umbria: 78-79
Mauro Magrini1, Luigi Armentano2, Carla Gambaro1
1 OIKOS Studio naturalistico - Via del Seminario 9, 06049 Spoleto (PG) (oikos_studio@virgilio.it); 2 Via Toniolo 8, 06083 Bastia Umbra (PG)
Abstract – The Raven Corvus corax became extinct in Umbria (Central Italy) about 1970. Since 2006 the authors found evidence of territorial and breeding activity of Ravens in a mountain area of the region in which the species has certainly been absent in the last decades. Two or three pairs of the species currently live in the area. After 35 years the Raven has to be considered again a breeding species in Umbria.
Prime nidificazioni di sterna comune
Sterna hirundo
in habitat di risaia in Italia: 80-81
Lucio Bordignon1, Franco Carpegna2, Giorgio Chiozzi3
1 Parco Naturale del Monte Fenera, Frazione Fenera Annunziata - 13011 Borgosesia (VC) (luciobordignon@alice.it); 2 Via San Pio V 27 - 10125 Torino (TO) (carpifc@libero.it); 3 Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Corso Venezia 55 - 20121 Milano (MI) (giorgio.chiozzi@comune.milano.it)
Abstract – First records of Common Tern Sterna hirundo breeding in a rice field habitat in Italy. Rice fields (accounting for 150,000,000 ha of cultivated area in the world) are becoming more and more important habitats for the conservation of waterbirds. Four pairs of Common Terns nested on the earth embankments of two rice fields in the Vercelli and Novara provinces. Nesting resulted in failing with the loss of newborn chicks in all cases. We point out the need to watch the expanding phenomenon of waterbirds breeding in rice fields (230,000 ha in Italy) on a national scale.
Columns
Commissione Ornitologica Italiana (COI) - Report 21: 82-86
A cura di Pierandrea Brichetti1,
Giancarlo Fracasso2, Ottavio Janni3
1CISO, Via V. Veneto 30 - 25029
Verolavecchia (BS); 2CISO, Via San Rocco 18 - 36057 Arcugnano (VI); 3Via Monte
Muto 29 - 81016 Piedimonte Matese (CE)
Oltre Avocetta... l’ornitologia italiana su altre riviste: 87-90
A cura di Alberto Sorace1
1 Via Roberto Crippa 60, D/8 - 00125 Roma
(Acilia)
sorace@fastwebnet.it
News: 93-96