Avocetta, vol. 33, n. 1, 2009

Abstracts

La lista CISO-COI degli Uccelli italiani – Parte prima: liste A, B e C: 5-24
Giancarlo Fracasso1, Nicola Baccetti2, Lorenzo Serra2

1 Gruppo Nisoria - c/o Museo naturalistico ed archeologico, Contrà Santa Corona 4, 36100 Vicenza (giancarlo.fracasso@alice.it); 2 ISPRA - Via Ca’ Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO) (nicola.baccetti@isprambiente.it; lorenzo.serra@isprambiente.it)

Abstract – The CISO-COI list of Italian birds – The A, B and C lists. The Italian Ornithological Committee (COI) works within the Italian Centre for Ornithological Studies (CISO) with the specific assignment of compiling and updating the list of Italian birds. Three codes have been attributed to each species belonging to the list of Italian birds: an alphabetic code referred to the origin of the species in the territory (AERC code from A to E) and two codes referred respectively to the status of occurrence and breeding. Codes for the last two categories vary from 1 to 4 and are determined by the frequency of respective records within given time intervals. For the taxonomy, we adhered to the scientific nomenclature and systematic order applied by AERC and BOU for the compilation of the respective lists and following taxonomic recommendations. Some Italian common names have been changed in accordance with the CISO working group committed to review the Italian nomenclature of the birds of the world.

Breeding biology of the Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus in SE Bulgaria, nesting also in quarries: 25-32
Boyan Milchev

University of Forestry, Wildlife Management Department - 10 Kl. Ochridski Blvd., 1765 Sofia, Bulgaria (boyan.m@abv.bg)

Abstract – Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus breeding numbers have not undergone any significant changes in four gorges in SE Bulgaria during the time period 1994-2007. Between 12 and 16 pairs have nested there, which makes one pair per 0.8 - 2.8 km gorge length, with minimum 0.9 km distance between neighbouring nests. In the absence of natural rocks the birds prefer rock quarries to trees. They build their nests on massive rocks (min 15 m length; min 10 m height), predominantly with southern and western exposition (78 %, n = 32). Nests are usually located on rock terraces, without any prominent shelter (87 %, n = 21). The nests vary between 0.5 -1.1 m (mean 0.71, sd 0.18) in diameter and 0.15 - 0.25 m (mean 0.20, sd 0.04) in height (n = 21 nests on rocks). The clutch size has been 2 - 3 eggs (1 - 4; n = 12 nests) and the brood size has ranged between 1 - 3 young, mostly 2 (50 %, n = 16 nests). The pairs nesting in the quarries feed mainly on small and average-sized mammals and lizards from the open areas, the voles Microtus spp. and European souslik Spermophilus citellus constituting 41 % of the prey. No significant changes have been observed in their diet throughout years, but differences between different nests are significant (χ²[32] = 67.58, P < 0.001). In five locations they bred jointly with the Eagle Owl Bubo bubo, with a distance of 60 - 650 m from their nests. The Eagle Owl seems not to challenge the breeding of the Long-legged Buzzard in quarries and natural rocks.

Agro-biodiversity evaluation in Sicilian farmlands entered into agri-environment scheme agreements: 33-42
Bruno Massa1 & Maurizio Siracusa2

1 Stazione d’Inanellamento, c/o Dipartimento SENFIMIZO dell’Università di Palermo - Viale delle Scienze 13, 90128 Palermo (Italy) (zoolappl@unipa.it) 2 Dipartimento di Biologia Animale “M. La Greca” - Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania (Italy)

Abstract – To test if the application of Rural Development Regulation 1257/1999 played a possible role in maintaining or increasing biodiversity, monitoring of the avifauna has been carried out in 2004-2005. On the whole, 836 point counts were carried out, 418 in spring and 418 in winter, evenly shared between 16 farmlands entered into F2 and F4 agri-environmental measures, and an equal number of “not enhanced” farmlands, which represented test-farms and control-farms, respectively. Between bird frequencies within test-farms and control-farms statistical differences have been dected; farms entered into agri-environmental measures showed, on average, higher values of species, frequency of occurrence and “priority” species than controls, stressing a general issue: within enhanced farmlands bird communities are richer in species and priority species number. A remarkable species turnover between spring and winter communities has been observed. This may be due to farmland management which eventually influenced in some way the presence of more ecologically exigent species, through the seasons.

Breeding ecology of the Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta in AghGol wetland, Hamedan Province, Iran: 43-47
Ahmad Barati1, Vahid Nouri S.2

1 Department of Environmental Sciences, Malayer University - P.O. Box 65155-1398, Hamedan, Iran (abarati@malayeru.ac.ir) 2 Department of the Environment, Hamedan Provincial Office, Iran

Abstract – The breeding ecology of the Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta was studied during the 2008 breeding season in AghGol wetland, Hamedan province, western Iran. The breeding parameters, i.e. laying date, clutch size, brood size, nest site characteristics, breeding success and nestling body mass at hatching were taken into consideration. Egg laying occurred from 10 May to 9 June. Mean clutch size was 3.13 ± 0.74 (sd) eggs and the mean distance between nests was 2.74 ± 1.01 meters. Nesting occurred in places with vegetation cover of about 40% and at a mean distance of 7.24 ± 2.31 m to water edge. Nests often were built among vegetation, but some occurred on dry mud (25%). Hatching success was 23% and mean net productivity was 0.33 ± 0.19 chicks per nest. The mass of hatchlings was 21.5 ± 3.2 g at the first day. Whole nest failure from human predation and sheep grazing was responsible for most egg losses. About 75% of the nests failed, being destroyed before hatching. Some conservation measures for this breeding colony are discussed.

Plasma levels of Androgen, Progesterone and gonadal development of breeders and helpers in the Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus: 49-55
Bhavna Bharucha*, Geeta Padate

Division of Avian Biology, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The M. S. University of Baroda - Vadodara, Gujarat, India. *(cyprea_bb@yahoo.com)

Abstract – We examined the proximate causes of delayed breeding and helping (allo-parental) behaviour by measuring plasma testosterone and progesterone concentrations in female breeders, male breeders, and helpers in co-operatively breeding Jungle Babblers. No significant difference was noted in the body and gonadal weight of breeders and helpers females. Also testosterone levels in the blood plasma did not change significantly between breeding duo and helpers. This could be related to the fact that the reproductive activities (maintaining the territory, defending the nest etc.) are performed by all members of the flock. The progesterone levels and the size of oviduct were comparatively higher in breeding than in non-breeding females. In helper females, the level of this hormone was intermediate. This result suggests that helpers share all breeding activities (including parental, allo-parental behaviour) but subdued oviducal development prevents them from egg formation and egg laying.

L’alimentazione della garzetta Egretta garzetta e dell’airone bianco maggiore Ardea alba nella Valle Canal Novo di Marano Lagunare (Udine): 57-86
Nicoletta Privileggi1, Andrea Colla2, Glauco Vicario3

1 Via Ananian 5/1 - 34141 Trieste (privileggi@miramare.it) 2 Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Trieste, Sezione Entomologica - Piazza Hortis 4, 34123 Trieste (collaa@comune.trieste.it) 3 Riserve naturali regionali Valle Canal Novo e Foci dello Stella - Marano Lagunare (UD), ufficio riserve (rnmarano@libero.it)

Abstract – Food of the Little Egret Egretta garzetta and of the Great Egret Ardea alba in the Valle Canal Novo (Marano Lagoon, Udine, Italy). The pellets of the great egret Ardea alba and the little egret Egretta garzetta collected in the Marano Lagoon (Udine, Italy) have been studied during a two year period, 2002 and 2004. 654 pellets, collected monthly at the roosts, have been analysed to gather information about the diet of these birds. This study shows an abundant and almost constant presence of remains of invertebrates, expecially insects and other arthropods. Many of them have been identified up to generic, and sometimes to specific level with the help of materials preserved on the Museo di Storia Naturale di Trieste. The great egrets capture mainly micromammals and insects, but also fishes and Polichaeta, instead of the little egrets that feed with a great variety of prey, insects, fishes, Polychaeta, crustaceans, molluscs, arachnids and micromammals. Some pellets made just by macroinvertebrates testify that the great egrets like best these kind of prey, when they are plentiful. The larvae and the adults of big dragonflies, Notonecta and also ground insects, digger insects like Gryllotalpa and cicada’s larvae represent an important component of the diet of the little egrets and contribute also to the diet of the great egrets. The more consistent chitinous fragments were still in a good condition but, because of their resistance to digestive processes, we can suppose a capture by amphibians or fishes plundered in their turn by the birds studied. This study gives detailed informations about the number of the taxa of entomological and ichthiological interest and consequently about environmental diversity.

Gli uccelli acquatici svernanti nella laguna di Venezia nel periodo 1993-2007: analisi delle dinamiche temporali e spaziali: 87-99
Francesco Scarton, Mauro Bon

Associazione Faunisti Veneti, c/o Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia - S. Croce, 1730 - 30135 Venezia (scarton@selc.it).

Abstract – Waterbirds wintering in the lagoon of Venice (Italy), 1993 - 2007, trends and spatial distribution.  The waterbirds wintering in the lagoon of Venice increased from 74,462 birds (1993) to 201,717 (2007), counted during mean winter counts that encompassed the whole lagoon (about 55,000 ha in surface area). The peak value was attained in 2005 (214,640 birds), and the 2003-2007 mean was 195,672 birds, which makes the lagoon of Venice the most important wintering area in Italy and one of the most important in the whole Mediterranean. Ducks were the majority, recently 53% of the total waterbirds; gulls (17%), waders (14%) and coots (13%) were the other most important groups. Over the last five years, about 80% of the birds were counted inside fish farms, which span over 9,500 ha, and 20% in the open lagoon, with negligible percentages along the littoral strip. Inside fish farms, where hunting occurs, density as high as 48 birds/ha was reached during daytime. Over the whole lagoon, waders reached a density of 4.5 birds/ha of tidal flats (dunlin 3.8/ha; curlew 0.3/ha; avocet 0.2/ha). From 1993 to 2007 and also from 1998 to 2007, most species showed stable or increasing trends, with only eight species, grebes and Red-breasted Merganser in particular, decreasing. Ducks showed a spectacular increase, with more than 100,000 birds gained in 15 years; most of these were Teals (+ 44,433 birds) and Mallards (+ 38,492 birds). Similar trends, even if less pronounced, were observed for three other northern Adriatic wetlands. On the other hand, in the rest of the Mediterranean many species did not show trends comparable to those observed in the Venice lagoon.

Gregarismo e siti di alimentazione di Paridae e Aegithalidae svernanti nella pianura dell’Oltrepò Pavese: 101-108
Flavio Ferlini

Via Cantore 3, I-27040 Castelletto di Branduzzo (PV) (flavio.ferlini@unipv.it)

Abstract – Gregarious behaviour and feeding sites of Paridae and Aegithalidae wintering in Oltrepò Pavese plan.  I have collected data on foraging niches of Great Tit Parus major, Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus and Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus in a deciduous woodland area in Oltrepò Pavese (Lombardy, N Italy) in winter 2006-2007. All species showed a high propensity to flock. The mean flock size was 6.1 birds. Unlike Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit and Blue Tit were more abundant in monospecific flocks than in heterospecific ones. The groups containing Blue Tits were less compact than others. The space distribution of the three species during feeding differs significantly. In monospecific groups Great Tit showed a strong tendency to forage mainly on the ground. Blue Tit and Long-tailed Tit have always privileged the trees as feeding substrate.

Short communications

Song thrush Turdus philomelos winter diet in Mediterranean habitats: a case study in Greece: 109-111
Nikolaos Paralikidis, Nikolaos Papageorgiou, Apostolos Tsiompanoudis* and Vasilios Kontsiotis

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Forestry and Natural Environment, Laboratory of Wildlife – 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece. * (atsiompa@for.auth.gr)

Abstract – Dieta invernale del tordo bottaccio Turdus philomelos in habitat mediterraneo: un caso di studio in Grecia. Il lavoro riguarda l’alimentazione del tordo bottaccio in ambiente mediterraneo, basandosi su dati raccolti in Grecia. La forte diversità floristica degli ambienti fornisce grandi opportunità alimentari per i numerosi tordi che giungono a metà autunno e svernano in Grecia. In questo periodo i tordi sono generalmente frugivori, mostrando forte preferenza per i frutti coltivati. Le informazioni sulla dieta sono state raccolte in due aree di studio in Grecia centrale. Durante la stagione venatoria i tordi sembrano preferire effettivamente i frutti, ma si nutrono anche di insetti Le olive sono la principale risorsa trofica del tordo bottaccio durante l’inverno. I nostri risultati mostrano la capacità del tordo di adattarsi ad habitat antropogeni.

First winter observation of the Pallid harrier Circus macrourus in the Marche region, central Italy: 112-113
Federico Morelli1,2, Angelo Giuliani2,3, Yanina Benedetti4

1 Dipartimento di Scienze dell’Uomo, dell’Ambiente e della Natura, Università degli Studi di Urbino “Carlo Bo” - Campus Scientifico Sogesta, 61029 Urbino (federico.morelli@uniurb.it) 2 Osservatorio Faunistico Regionale, Marche, Provincia di Pesaro Urbino - Via Gramsci 1, 61900 Pesaro 3 Osservatorio Epidemiologico Fauna Selvatica, Urbino (PU) A.S.U.R Z.T. n° 2 Urbino - Servizi Veterinari 4 Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Sezione di Biochimica Clinica, Università degli Studi di Urbino “Carlo Bo” - Via Ubaldini 7, 61029 Urbino

Abstract – Vengono riportate due osservazioni invernali di albanella pallida nelle Marche (31 gennaio e 25 febbraio 2009), riguardanti entrambe maschi adulti, osservati in ambienti agricoli. Si tratta delle prime osservazioni invernali della specie per questa regione, e tra quelle a più elevata latitudine note per l’Italia. Gli autori inquadrano le osservazioni nel contesto corologico dello svernamento della specie, a scala nazionale e globale.

Primi dati della comunità ornitica nidificante in tre foreste regionali del Parco Naturale dell’Aveto (Genova): 114-116
Luca Baghino

LIPU Liguria - Salita delle Battistine 14, I-16125 Genova (info@lipugenova.org)

Abstract – First data on the bird community living in three Regional Forests of the Aveto Natural Park (East Ligurian Apennines). During the 2007 breeding season, a sampling scheme us- ing a point-count method in the Zatta, Lame and Penna regional forests, has resulted in 482 birds belonging to 26 species.Abies forests give lower numbers in species richness, whilst higher values of both richness and diversity are recorded along the ridge meadows. Factors influencing bird community probably respond mainly to tree structure (strong proximity between individual trees, paucity of natural gaps and scrub vegetation), but north exposition of these mountain forests seems also play a role.

 Columns

Commissione Ornitologica Italiana (COI) - Report 22: 117-122
A cura di Ottavio Janni & Giancarlo Fracasso
1 Via Monte Muto 29, 81016 Piedimonte Matese (CE) 2 CISO, Via San Rocco 18, I-36057 Arcugnano (VI)

Resoconto Ornitologico Italiano - Anno 20078: 123-136
A cura di Maurizio Sighele & Ottavio Janni
1 Associazione EBN Italia, Via Lungolorì 5a, I-37127 Verona, maudoc@ebnitalia.it 2 Via Monte Muto 29, I-81016 Piedimonte Matese (CE), ottavioj@tin.it

Recensioni: 137-141

News - Ornitho.it.: 142-146
A cura di Roberto Lardelli
1 Stazione ornitologica Svizzera/Ticino - FbM  Via Cantonale - 6573 Magadino (Svizzera)