Birds Aves during KNNV JNM zomerkamp Velike bloke Cerknica summercamp 1997/1998

This bird report shows a short description of all localities in Slovenia visited, followed by a systematic list of birds and the places they were seen. Eight locations were visited in the beginning of July 1997 by a group trained birders, members of the Dutch youth organisation for nature and environmental studies (JNM). In middle of July 1998 from five locations (three localities were new : Rakov Skocjan, Slivnica and the Iska valley) additional observations were done. This resulted in a list of 114 species, 2 subspecies and maby one new species. The status of the Orphean Warbler is still not certain. For the month July a good result because no migration takes place and the breeding birds don’t sing anymore. Most found species are likely to reproduce in the area they were seen.

Although Slovenia is a rather small country it contains a great variety of birds. It has many differences in climate because it’s situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps. This has also consequences for birdlife; in the northern part of the country, the most southern part of the Alps, contains some alpine species likeYellow-billed or Alpine Chouh (Pyrrhocorax graculus) and Bonelli’s Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli. In southern Slovenia starts the Dinaric Range, a another montane region with species like Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris) and Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus). The central part is at a lower elevation then most of the country (except the coastal range and lowland in NE part of the country (sub-Pannonian region)). The landscape is fairly cultivated; many low productive grasslands alternated with areas of wood (often for production purpose). Compaired to Western Europe, Slovenia stil has a lot of ‘waste-land’, which makes it very attractive for many bird species. Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio), Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca), Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) and similar species are common. Heggemus/ Hedge Accentor (Prunella modularis)

Heggemus/ Hedge Accentor (Prunella modularis)

The poljes are very fascinating. Cerknica polje is the biggest polje. The vast reed fields and grasslands alternated with bushes creates a unique place for special birds like Corn Crake (Crex crex) and Scarlet Rosefinch(Carpodacus erythrinus). Heading in the direction of the sea you are entering a Mediterrane climatezone with species like Sylvia cantillans (Subalpine Warbler) and Yellow-legged Gull (Larus cachinnans michahellis).

From 5 July till 20 July 1997 (JNM) and from 13 July till 27 July 1998 (KNNV) summercamps were organised at Velike Bloke, Inner Carniola. At the camp from the Dutch youth organisation for nature and environmental studies (JNM) a group of several bird watchers checked eight areas in Slovenia. Most area’s are only visited once by the bird group. Some other observations are done by other people than the birders. In 1998 a camp with older people from the Dutch Royal Society of studying nature (KNNV) were also visiting the surroundings of Velike Bloke. During their stay no extensive search was done for birds, only accidently additional observations were done at six localities. The visited locations are mentioned in the section ‘Results & Discussion’.

1 The Bloke plateau Camping site. In 1997 and 1998 three days checked on birds. This explains the richness of birds ! Ooievaar/ White Stork (Ciconia ciconia )

Ooievaar/ White Stork (Ciconia ciconia )

Bloke is a plateau with a lot of meadows and woods. It also contains a brook with swampy banks. Especially singing birds like the

Sylvia atricapilla (Blackcap) and Sylvia curruca (Lesser Whitethroat) were seen here. The invasion of Loxia curvirostra (Crossbill) has been been noticed. At Velike Bloke a Nycticorax nycticorax (Night Heron) was seen. A new species for this area. At the camping site Thor and Maarten saw a Silvia like songbird, probably an Sylvia hortensis (Orphean Warbler). After two years this Orphean Warbler is still in discussion at the commitee for lost rarity birds in Slovenia. Sylvia hortensis is a Mediterranean species living in the Mediterranean makia. But the Bloke area is rather sub alpine. It could have been Barred warbler Sylvia nissoria. Not all the barred warblers have bars on the throat. The bird is also obviously bigger than other common Sylvia species. The alternative Sylvia nissoria is a breeding bird in the area, specially in the Cerknica lake.

On the camping site one could hear early in the morning the Picus canus (Grey-headed Woodpecker). The Lanius collurio (Red-backed Shrike) and Jynx torquilla (Wryneck) could be seen or heard easily on a lot of places. In 1997 most days were dry but the weather in 1998 was less with more rain, especially the start of the camp. On the camping site a rather rare short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) was seen (July 7th 1997). Also the observation of the rare Milvus migrans in both years was special (July 6th 1997). From both species a detailed observer report is present. Roodborst/Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

In 1998 a Hoopoe (Upupa epops) was seen downhill in the valley from the Slivnica. The Hoopoe was also seen suth of the Nanos. The Slivnica contained a lot of Bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula), at least 20 indviduals were heard. Five Nutcrackers (Nucifraga caryocatactes) were seen on the road to the Slivnica and seven on the slope of the Slivnica.

The Cerknica polje is an area (a valley) which is a temperory lake or marsh that is faster filled by underground rivers than it is emptied by the rivers that take the water away. The vast plain is in winter often under water but in summer it is dry, except an river which runs through the polje. In the reed fields on the banks several Acrocephalus schoenobaenus (Sedge Warbler) and Acrocephalus arundinaceus (Great Reed Warbler) were singing. In the brook also mud with stilts were present. The polje contains, compared with Holland a lot of Carpodacus erythrinus (Scarlet Rosefinch), Coturnix coturnix (Quail), Crex crex (Corncrake) and Saxicola rubetra (Whinchat). The observation of Circus pygargus (Montagu’s Harrier) was the first observation at Cerknica lake of this species in summer. Circus pygargus, Circus cyaneus and Circus aeruginosus are common migration birds on Cerknica lake. Specially on winter and on the spring and autumn. The summer observations are scare and the most interesting due to the possibility of breeding. Till now there is no prove of breeding of any Circus in the Cerknica polje.

Between the bridges several birds were seen, the only important one was a Tachybaptus ruficollis (Little Grebe). Although the environment was special in geological matter, no special birds were noticed.

The Sneznik (it means ‘eternal snow’) is the highest mountain of Slovenia outside the Alps. As every mountain different vegetation-layers (Pinus mugo) were present. On this mountain a Corvus corax (Raven), a Falco peregrinus (Peregrine) and an Anthus spinoletta spinoletta (Water Pipit) was seen. In 1998 a Golden Eagle one flew by. In both years the weather was sunny.

Zilverreigers/ Great White Egret (Egretta alba)

This mountainrange is close to the Italian border. Its altitude and its locations contributes to the different habitats. In the coniferous wood a Parus lugubris (Sombre Tit) was seen. Interesting, because there is not many data available on this species. It is the third observation of this species in Slovenia. Several groups visited this mountain. The winterguest Great Grey Shrike is uncertain because no observer or photo was found (is mentioned in the Dutch article). The alternative Lesser Grey Shrike is also nearly extinct and no good option.

The (first) day of arrival a small group went to Rakitna. In Raktina are swampy meadows and a swimming lake for recreation. There are hills with coniferous wood and broad-leaved wood with meadows. Two Nucifraga caryocatactes (Nutcracker) were seen, and a minute later one was ‘singing’ in a tree top. That day started with rain but the rest of the day was sunny.

This is a mountainous region with mainly coniferous wood. Common inhabitants of coniferous wood like Parus ater (Coal Tit) and Regulus regulus (Goldcrest) are living here. A lot of traces of Woodpeckers were found. Only the Picoides major (Great Spotted Woodpecker) was seen, flying away. This is one, near Iska, of the better places to watch bears. In 1998 two Golden Eagles were seen. The normal habitats are rocky area’s like Sneznik and Nanos. The Javorniki lies between those two area’s.

This is a steep canyon of 800m. In the canyon the Iska is running. During walking in 1998 through this area a Cinclus cinclus (Dipper) nest was found. The Dipper encounterd us several times close. The area is good for montane plants and dragonflies but in the canyon no exceptional birds were heard or seen.

This area is near an important arterial road to the coast. It is a prairie like area, very dry with low vegetation and a little coniferous wood. The best species seen was the Emberiza cia(Rock Bunting). Nice weather, no rain and lots of sun.

The saltextractions are on the border between Slovenia and Croatia. It consists of shallow bowls with seawater. When the seewater has evaporated the salt remains. In some area’s the salt was still used. When the salt was not gained anymore the bowls were deteriorated, dikes were gone or a brakethrough had taken place. The abandonned houses could be excellent used as a hiding place. A lot of stilts were present like :

In the bushes of the area a lot of Cisticola juncidis (Graswarbler, Zitting Cisticola) were sitting. The weather was extremly good at the coast while the others staying at home had extremly bad weather.

Thor Veen & Maarten de Groot ‘Birds’ [Dutch] In : Hans Inberg (ed) ‘Slovenia summercamp Velike Bloke 1997’ Jeugdbond voor Natuur-en milieustudie, 1997, Groningen

Birds
Location	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Number of species (total 127, incl. 2 subspecies and not accepted)	60	6	46	23	14	13	9	17	12	20	16

1. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)			x	X
2. Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)	x
3. Great White Egret (Egretta alba)			x
4. White Stork (Ciconia ciconia )			X
5. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)	X		X	X
6. Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)	x		x
7. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)	x		x
8. Black Kite (Milvus migrans)	X
9. Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus)			x
10. Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)			x
11. Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)	x		X			x
12. Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)				X				x
13. Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivornus)	x		X				x
14. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)	X		X	X		x			X
15. Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)	x
16. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)	x
17. Hobby (Falco subbuteo)	X		X			x
18. Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus)					x
19. Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)	X		x	X
20. Corn Crake (Crex crex)			X
21. Coot (Fulica atra)			x
22. Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)											x
23. Great Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)											x
24. Kentish Plover (C. alexandrinus)											x
25. Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)											x
26. Spotted Redshank(T. erythropus)											x
27. Common Greenshank (T. nebularia)											x
28. Wood Sandpiper (T. glareola)			x
29. Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)	X										x
30. Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)			X
31. Black-headed Gull (L. ridibundus)	x		x								x
32. Yellow-legged Gull(L. cachinnans michahellis)											x
33. Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)											x
34. Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)		X		X				x
35. Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)	X		x
36. European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) In Sempas	x
37. Common Swift (Apus apus)	X		X
38. Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)	x
39. Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus)	X		X
40. Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major)	X							x		x
41. Sky Lark (Alauda arvensis)	X		X
42. Wood Lark (Lullula arborea)	x									x
43. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)	X		X	X					X	x	x
44. House Martin (Delichon urbica)	X		X	X					X	x	x
45. Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)					x
46. Tree Pipit (A. trivialis)	x				X
47. Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)	X		X	X	x				X	x	x
48 Grey Wagtail (M. cinerea)				X	x
49. Yellow Wagtail (M.flava cinereocapilla)			X
50. Dipper (Cinclus cinclus)									X
51. Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)	x		X	X				x
52. Hedge Accentor (Prunella modularis)			X		x			x
53. Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris)					x

Birds (continued)
Location	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
54.Robin (Erithacus rubecula)	X		X	X	X			x	X
55. Rufous Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos)	X
56. Black Redstar (Phoenicurus ochruros)	X		X		x
57. Winchat (Saxicola rubetra)	X		X
58. Common Stonechat (S. torquata)	x		X							x
59. Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus)					x
60. Blackbird (T. merula)	X		x					x	X	x
61. Fieldflare (T. pilaris)	X		X
62. Song Thrush (T. philomelos)	X		X		X			x
63. Mistle Thrush(T. viscivorus)	x
64. Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)											x
65. Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)			X
66. Great reed Warbler (A. arundinaceus)			x
67. Reed Warbler (A. scirpaceus)			x
68. Marsh Warbler (A. palustris)			X
69. Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)			x
70. Lesser White throat (S. curruca)	x				x
71. Common Whitethroat (S. communis)	x		X
72. Blackcap (S. atricapilla)	X		X	X	X			x	X	x
73. (Orphean Warbler (S. hortensis))	?
74. Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix)	x
75. Willow Warbler (P. trochilus)						x			X
76. Chiffchaff (P. collybita)	X		X	X	x			x		x
77. Goldcrest(Regulus regulus)	x			X			x	x	X
78. Firecrest (R. ignicapillus)	x		x		x		x
79. Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)	x
80. Crested Tit (P. cristatus)	x
81. Great Tit (P. major)	X	X	x	X				x	X
82. Coal Tit (P. ater)	X	X	X	X	x	x		x
83. Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)	x		X						X
84. European Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)	X	X	X	X				x
85. Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla)								x
86. Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)	X	X	X	X		x	x		X	x
87. Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)			X
88. Eurasian Jay(Garrulus glandarius)	X	X	X	X						x
89. Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes)	X	X		X			x
90. Magpie (Pica pica)	X		x							x
91. Eurasian Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)	x		x
92. Common Raven(Corvus corax)	x		X		X	x				x
93. Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)	X		X			X	x
94. Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)			x
95. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)	X		X							x	x
96. Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)	X		X	X			x	x		x
97. Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)	x									x
98. European serin (Serinus serinus)	X		x		x						x
99. Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris)	X		x			x	x			x
100. Goldfinch (C. carduelis)	X		x			x	x
101. Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)	X	X			X
102. Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)			x
103. Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)	x				x			x
104. Corn Bunting (Miliaria calandra)	X									x
105. Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)	X	X	x
106. Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia)										x
107. Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)	X
108. Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis )	X
109. Golden Eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos)					X			X
110. Marsh Tit (Parus palustris)	X
111. Linnet (Carduelis cannabina)		X	X		X
112. Hoopoe (Upupa epops) South West Nanos		X				X

Birds in Notranjska

JNM in 1997, KNNV in 1998