<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> From October 201 0 until December 201 4 the LIFE09 NAT/HU/000384 project was implemented in four Special Protected Areas in Slovakia. The recent project was complementary to a previous LIFE project implemented between 2006 and 201 0. Both projects supported regular monitoring of the population of saker falcon and new approaches to conservation of the species. The LIFE09 project helped to increase knowledge about the prey composition and the behaviour of the species. The population was strongly affected in 201 3 by extremely bad weather conditions (1 .79 fledglings/breeding attempt). Although the total number of saker falcon pairs in Slovakia is thought to be higher, 31 pairs were breeding in 201 4. By analysis of the diet (2991 individuals), 47 prey species were identified, from which birds were predominant (80%). More than half of the diet consisted of feral pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) (59%)</abstract>

The saker falcon (Falco cherrug) population, diet and nest boxes in Slovakia: LIFE-project report 2011–2014

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Bird conservation on electricity transmission lines has a 40-year history in Hungary. It started with the saker conservation program. The initial small-scale activities were considerably enlarged through the LIFE projects. In the first project, 301 nest boxes for sakers of a new type made of aluminium were installed on pylons of high-voltage transmission lines. In 201 3 nearly 70% of saker pairs nested in these new boxes. An estimated 1 00 000 different birds used to be killed annually on the transmission line pylons in Hungary. During the two LIFE projects about 1 4 300 pylons were made bird-safe using improved technology and materials. Nearly 800 new bird-safe crossarms of pylons are being installed in the second project, which is expected to completely eradicate the danger</abstract>

FENCON Ltd., Erkel u. 6/a, 2092 Budakeszi, Hungary

MME/BirdLife Hungary, Költö u. 21 , 1 021 Budapest, Hungary

Agria Ökoszisztéma Kft. Rózsa Károly u. 1 2/b. 2/5, 3300 Eger, Hungary

Bird conservation on electric-power lines in Hungary: Nest boxes for saker falcon and avian protection against electrocutions. Projects' report

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> During the period 2008-2011 nine juvenile saker falcon females from SW Slovakia were tracked with satellite telemetry. The movement of four of those females tagged with satellite tracking devices was analysed in 2011 (two juveniles for 6 months, one for 5 months and one for 3 months). The analysis of the collision risk with wind turbines also used telemetry data from previous years (2008-2009) - five birds tracked from abandoning their nest to abandoning their post-fledging areas (i.e. 45, 48, 37, 11 3 and 1 34 days). The juveniles visited 1 3 different countries during their post-fledging dispersal and migration. Maximum distance from the nest varied between 1 53 and 2094 km. For two birds the cause of death was recorded: one female was electrocuted and other female was probably also electrocuted. We also evaluated two factors of potential wind turbine threat: a) the distance ofGPS locations from the nearest wind turbines in the vicinity of post-fledging areas, b) numbers ofwind turbines in post-fledging areas. Assessment of the collision risk with wind turbines showed low risk for the tracked individuals. Two of four tracked birds were at medium risk (2-5 km) from wind turbines. The highest risk for the young falcons comes from wind turbines in neighbouring countries, where they are constructed near borders</abstract>

Movement of satellite-tracked juvenile saker falcons (Falco cherrug) in SW Slovakia

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Conservation of European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) has been supported by the LIFE - Nature project “Conservation of Falco cherrug in NE Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia” during the period 201 0-201 4. The project activities were usually focused on EGS reintroduction programmmes with the aim of ensuring the food base for selected species of birds in areas where EGS were the primary historical prey and have become extinct. Reintroduction programmes were carried out at two sites in Slovakia: Piesocná (Moravský Svätý Ján) and Pod Okrúhlou skalou (Tisovec). Together 1 74 individuals were released at Pod Okrúhlou skalou and 284 individuals at the Piesocná target site. Monitoring of both repatriated colonies focused on the natality and distribution area. At both target sites successful hibernation and reproduction have been confirmed. The repatriation date was strongly influenced by weather conditions, especially during the rainy season. It was necessary to cut the grass several times per season, in order to ensure appropriate conditions for individuals’ survival. It was also necessary to protect the individuals against predators. House cats tend to hunt squirrels, which can be considered as the most serious threat at the Piesocná site. Squirrels at the Pod Okrúhlou skalou site were overly attacked by foxes. Intensive care (especially appropriate management of sites and additional feeding) ensured good stability of colonies, their survival and increase</abstract>

Conservation of European ground squirrel (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Slovakia: Results of current reintroduction programme

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> This study investigated the effects of the first generation anticoagulant rodenticide chlorophacinone and the second generation rodenticide bromadiolone on the population and breeding performances of barn owls at oil palm plantations. Three treatment plots were established: one baited with chlorophacinone, one with bromadiolone, and the third kept rodenticide-free. Four rat-baiting campaigns which coincided with barn owl breeding season were carried in the rodenticide-treated plots. The occupancy rate of nest boxes, clutch size, brood size and fledging rates of the barn owls in each plot were monitored weekly throughout the study. Freshly regurgitated pellets from barn owls were collected from all occupied nest boxes at weekly intervals during the development of nestlings in each breeding season. The results show that the occupancy rate of the nest boxes was significantly higher in the rodenticide-free area compared with both rodenticide-treated areas. Similarly, the breeding performances, such as clutch size, brood size and fledging success, were higher in the rodenticide-free area compared with the rodenticide-treated areas. Results of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that 20.56% (mean residue: 1 .335 ± 0.073 lg/g) and 28.89% (mean residue: 0.777 ± 0.032 lg/g) of the collected regurgitated pellet samples from the rodenticide-treated areas contained bromadiolone and chlorophacinone residue, respectively. The mean brood size and fledging success of the barn owls showed a strong negative correlation with the mean concentration of rodenticide residues present in the regurgitated pellets and with the percentages of pellets detected having such residues (R2 k 0.44, P &lt; 0.05). Similarly, the mean clutch size of barn owls was negatively correlated with the mean concentration of rodenticide residues and with the percentages of pellets detected with these residues. However, the correlation was not significantly different (R2 k 0.34, P > 0.05). In general, the higher the amount of residues detected, the lower the breeding performance parameters measured in this study</abstract>

Department of Plant Protection, Faculty ofAgriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Crop Protection Division, Felda Agricultural Services Sdn Bhd, Tun Razak Agriculture Research Centre, 27000, Pahang, Malaysia

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11 800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia

Sub-lethal effects of the anticoagulant rodenticides bromadiolone and chlorophacinone on breeding performances of the barn owl (Tyto alba) in oil palm plantations

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Knowing the winter behaviour is essential for deciding on conservation strategies for threatened migratory species such as the greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga). Fidelity and inter-annual variation in winter home range of an Estonian greater spotted eagle were studied during the first four years of its life by means ofGPS satellite telemetry in south-eastern Spain. Results show the eagle exploited a small area (1 2.7 km2, 95% kernel) with high inter-annual fidelity during all winter stages. The A. clanga preferred marshes and water bodies and avoided irrigated crops and urban areas. Waterfowl hunting did not show any effect on the spatial pattern of the eagle’s behaviour, although water level management in reservoirs could influence their use by the A. clanga. Our study highlights that the wintering home range may be limited to a small suitable habitat patch where human activities, especially water reservoir management, should be regulated</abstract>

Ecology Area, Department ofApplied Biology, University Miguel Hernández, Avda Universidad S/N. E- 03202 Elche, Spain

Eagle Club, Hauka, 63406 Valgjärve vald, Estonia

Department of Zoology, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Riia 1 81 , 51 01 4 Tartu, Estonia

Winter ranging behaviour of a greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga) in southeast Spain during four consecutive years

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 18 (2024): Issue 1 (March 2024)

Volume 17 (2023): Issue 1 (June 2023)

Volume 16 (2022): Issue 1 (December 2022)

Volume 15 (2021): Issue 1 (December 2021)

Volume 14 (2020): Issue 1 (December 2020)

Volume 13 (2019): Issue 1 (December 2019)

Volume 12 (2018): Issue 1 (December 2018)

Volume 11 (2017): Issue 1 (December 2017)

Volume 10 (2016): Issue 1 (December 2016)

Volume 9 (2015): Issue 1 (January 2015) Special Issue Title: International Conference on the Conservation of the Lesser Spotted Eagle, Košická Belá, Slovakia, 2014

Volume 8 (2014): Issue 2014 (January 2014) Proceedings from VII. International Conference on the Conservation of the Eastern Imperial Eagle, Bratislava, Slovakia, 2013

Volume 8 (2014): Issue 2 (December 2014)

Volume 7 (2013): Issue 2013 (January 2013)

Volume 6 (2012): Issue 2012 (January 2012)

Volume 5 (2011): Issue 2011 (January 2011)

Volume 4 (2010): Issue 2010 (January 2010)

Volume 3 (2009): Issue 2009 (January 2009)

Volume 2 (2008): Issue 2008 (January 2008)

Volume 1 (2007): Issue 2007 (January 2007)

Raptor Journal

 Journal for science, research and conservation on birds of prey and owls. Raptor Journal (formerly known as Slovak Raptor Journal) is issued generally annually and publishes original papers, reviews, short notes and other articles focusing on birds of prey and owls. All articles are published in English.   Why read  The readers can find information about all aspects of the life of raptors and owls – habitat requirements and selection, foraging ecology and diet preferences, breeding biology and nest success, postbreeding movements and migration, threats and protection, population statuses and trends etc.   Why submit   The journal has no article publication charges.  No regional limitation – journal published papers from Europe, Asia and both Americas in last years.  Fair and fast peer review.  All accepted manuscripts are published as “online first” before completing the issue.  All published articles are visible and accessible in full version.   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 