Sylvia J. Stürzer Orn. Anz 37: 193-201

Habitat selection of the Ural Owl in the NP "Bayerischer Wald"

Examining the dispersal of reintroduced Ural Owls Strix uralensis in the National Park Bayerischer Wald using radiotelemetry in the years 1994 and 1995 and from sightings of this owl-species between 1977 and 1995, numerous data of habitat choice were collected. Altitudinal preference, structure and texture of woodlands of the locations used by the owls are described, as well as some aspects of choice of resting and hunting places.

Christoph Randler Orn. Anz. 37: 203-212

Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis are regularly counted at their roost Pleidelsheimer Baggersee 20 km north of Stuttgart/SW-Germany at least three times per month. There is a continuing steady increase in numbers in contradiction to the numbers of Cormorants overwintering in Baden-Württemberg. The pattern of the seasonal occurrence shows peaks in mid-winter or in spring. The seasonal dynamic varies extremely between typical patterns of overwintering waterfowl and typical migration patterns with peaks in autumn and spring. A maximum of Cormorants in November as it is typical for the latest development in nearly every other area could not be shown in the study area. Some aspects of the daily routine, feedings grounds and dynamics between different roost sites are given.

Hans Utschick Orn. Anz. 37: 221-226

Within the waterfowl community of the Perach river reservoir, population decline and shifts from herbivores and invertebrate feeders to omnivores beginning in 1980 continued due to reservoir maturing effects (see Utschick 1996). Since 1987, only Mallard, Gadwall and Goldeneye increased, now concentrating to the midwinter period. Reflooded old-river-loops lost their importance for the community caused by accelerated tree growth following higher groundwater levels.

Jürgen Siegner Orn. Anz. 37: 213-220

Breeding biology and ring recoveries of Upper Bavarian Kestrels

From 1989 to 1997, 449 broods of Kestrels were monitored and 1669 nestlings ringed. All breeding activity took place in nest boxes attached to buildings. The average clutch size was 5.15 eggs, the average number of hatchlings 4.81 per clutch. Most common are clutches of 5 eggs, as well as 5 nestlings. Among 417 successful nests, one was observed with 8 fledglings. Almost 60 % of recoveries are from tagged birds in their first year. The oldest Kestrel recovered so far was 7 years old. The main migratory route lies in the direction west to south. To date, the remotest recovery ever reported comes from Algeria in February, at a distance of 1475 km.

Manfred Kraus Orn. Anz. 37: 227-230 [Autumn records of American Wigeon in Bavaria]

It must be assumed that the American Wigeon Anas americana found 1990 on a pond in a park and another one amongst Mallards fed by people 1981 were no wild birds.

Two young males, however, one shot Oct 10, 1992 at the fishponds near Höchstadt/Aisch, Middle Franconia (skin in my collection), another observed Aug 27, 1993 at the same locality, are being considered wild birds.