Manfred Kraus und Werner Krauß: Migratory pattern of the Snipes Lymnocryptes and Gallinago in the Frankonian Pond Area 1950 to 2000

Common Snipe: No trend regarding sequence of migration and quantitative ratio 1 to 8 of home passage to departure can be ascertained. The number of migratory birds, however, dropped by 84%. An increasing tendency of overwintering is statistically not evident.

Jack Snipe: Home passage was registered between 15 February and 4 May, more than 50 % occurred in April. Departure took place between 21 August and 21 November with emphasis in October. Few dates in December and January. Neither wintering nor summering could be proven. 36 birds were recorded maximally in the territory on 31 October 1954. The average sum of individuals per date has decreased by 30% since the seventies. Information and observations regarding habitat requirements and behavior are provided.

Great Snipe: A verified occurrence is reported.

Orn. Anz. 41: 15-32

Günther Nitsche & Bernd-Ulrich Rudolph: Changes of breeding bird populations in a moor complex in Upper Bavaria

This paper presents data of the changes of breeding bird populations in a moor complex in Upper Bavaria over the last 50 years, considering mainly the development since 1993. Draining und nutrification of fen meadows and drainage and industrial mining of parts of the peat bogs are the main landscape changes since 1960. In the last years the first steps of regeneration of exploited peat bogs took place. Characteristic birds like Black Grouse, Great Grey Shrike and meadow breeding birds disappeared, birds like Teal or Meadow Pipit profit from the landscape change. A regional pecularity of the study area is the Stonechat, which immigrated in the early 80ies and which now reaches population densities of 1.3-1.5 breeding pairs/10 ha in the extended heathlands of drained bogs. For the first time the Grey-headed Woodpecker is mentionend as a breeding bird of moor woodlands in southern Germany. Waterbirds of wetlands have settled the area since the beginning of rewetting of exploited bogs. Especially Little Grebe, some ducks, Water Rail and Bluethroat reach high numbers. This process has not been finished yet. Perspectives for the future of the moorlands taking into account further rewetting measures are discussed.

Orn. Anz. 41: 33-42

Miriam Hansbauer & Wilfried Langer: Numbers of Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius in the Feilenforst

During spring 2001 a research was conducted about the occurrence of the Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius) in the northern part of the Feilenforst, district of Pfaffenhofen. 21 territories of the woodpecker could be investigated in the 588 ha study area. The study area consists mainly of deciduous wood. In many parts a special form of forestry is used there to keep the original type of woods. An obvious correlation was found between these special areas and the occurrence of the Middle Spotted Woodpecker. He occurs mainly in areas where oaks have an age of 100-150 years. He rather avoids coniferous forests.

Orn. Anz. 41: 43-52

Jürgen Metzner: The development of a local population of the Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos on the Upper Main River after river restoration: The impact of flooding processes

Since 1992, numerous sections of the Main river and its tributary, the Rodach in Upper Franconia (Germany) have been restored by removing large stones which stabilized the banks. Since these measures were taken, areas are only influenced by flooding processes and the river now changes its channel irregularly. The results are a significant enhancement in structural diversity and a highly dynamic occurrence of habitat patches. The re-establish-ment of a primary habitat for Common Sandpiper demonstrates new perspectives for population development of this highly threatened species. In 2001, surveys on Upper Main and Rodach revealed 3 breeding pairs and 4 presumed breeding pairs in restored areas. Altogether 4 restored areas have served as breeding areas within the past three years. Another 4 areas seem highly likely to be breeding areas. In 2001, no successful broods were recorded in regulated river sections, e.g. downstream of bulwarks. In future, the number of suitable habitats for the Common Sandpiper along the Upper Main river may further increase. A challenge in the protection of this species will be the handling of anthropogenic disturbances.

Orn. Anz. 41: 53-58

Christian Gubitz und Heinz Spath: The Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus in the Fichtelgebirge (Northeast Bavaria)

Records confirming breeding Ring Ouzels in the Fichtelgebirge were first published in 1993. In the following years further and more detailed research on the distribution of the ring ouzel was carried out here. According to these records, the ring ouzel has been found breeding or was suspected to breed on all mountain peaks higher than 900 m and occasionally lower. However, the only stable population with a maximum of 7 breeding pairs is on Schneeberg (highest mountain peak in Franconia, Bavaria). The breeding population for the Fichtelgebirge, including scattered occurrences, is estimated at approximately 10 pairs a year. The habitat requirements as well as the few described characteristics in respect to phenology and breeding biology were not more favourable as opposed to other German highlands. There is evidence for the occurrence of second broods and male-only brooding at night. Due to the increase in human sports and spare time activities, the ring ouzel population on the Schneeberg is considered to be potentially endangered.

Short notes

D. Walter: Bienenfresser-Bruten (Merops apiaster) 2000/2001 im Allgäu