vol 5 no 2. 2000
 

Chmielewski S., Wilniewicz P., Tabor J. 2000. AVIFAUNA OF THE UPPER AND MIDDLE PILICA RIVER IN THE BREEDING PERIOD. Kulon 5: 117-136.

Sławomir Chmielewski, ul. Rynek 12, PL-05-640 Mogielnica, sch6@wp.pl 

Abstract. In 1994-1996, the avifauna of the upper and middle Pilica river was surveyed. The observations covered an area of 111 km2 and 156 km of the river length. Based on the literature data from the mid-1800s, 175 species were present, including 143 considered as breeding, 4 probably breeding, and 8 nesting at the valley edges. In 1994-1996, 136 species were considered as breeding or probably breeding, including 39 water and wading non-Passeriformes. Among the breeding species, marsh harrier, black-tailed godwit, common sandpiper, kingfisher, and scarlet grosbeak nested in markedly higher numbers than other species. The rarer breeding species included little bittern, gadwall, shoveler, montagu's harrier, spotted crake, little crake, corncrake, and gray-headed woodpecker. The non-breeding rarer species included purple heron, red-breasted merganser, and whiskered tern. Also large concentrations of ruffs are worth mentioning.


Furmanek M. 2000. Avifauna of the Vistula river near Solec in the annual cycles of 1993-1999. Kulon 5: 137-181.

Michał Furmanek, Poręba 70, PL-27-300 Lipsko, mifur@interia.pl 

Abstract. In 1993-1999, 187 counts of birds were made on the Vistula between Solec and Jarętowskie Pole (Mazowieckie province, Lipsko commune). The section under study was 8 km long, but each time only a 6-km section was surveyed (Solec-Boiska). All species seen on the water and within a 50-100 m wide belt of the ajoining land were recorded. A special attention was paid to water birds and waders (Non-Passeriformes). 
203 bird species were noted, including 88 water birds and waders. Figures 2-10 show changes in numbers of 9 species. Many of the species recorded were observed in central Poland on rare occasions. They include little egret, flamingo, Bewick's swan, shelduck, long-tailed duck, stone curlew, knot, sanderling, broad-billed sandpiper, bar-tailed godwit, marsh sandpiper, red-necked phalarope, turnstone, and Mediterranean gull. Large concentrations were observed of great white egret (16 individuals), little stint (140 ind.), and curlew sandpiper (63 ind.).
As compared with the results of surveys conducted by Luniak (1971) on the middle Vistula, numbers of 15 species markedly increased, including 14 water birds and waders. The highest increase was noted for cormorant, mute swan, whooper swan, little egret, great white egret, black stork, oystercatcher, yellow-legged gull and herring gull. Also 5 new species appeared, not recorded so far from the Vistula valley. In the breeding season, an increase was observed in 4 species of gulls and terns and in scarlet grosbeak. Five species not recorded by Luniak (1971) were observed:tufted duck, goosander, kestrel, herring gull/yellow-legged gull and stonechat. Five species markedly declined: little bittern, ferruginous duck, bluethroat (not recorded in the present study), rough-legged buzzard (5 observations), and stonecurlew (1 observation).
Numerous flights of birds along the Vistula were observed, providing evidence that this river is an important migration route, especially for cormorant, goosander, osprey, greenshank, lesser black-backed gull, herring/yellow-legged gulls, and white-winged black tern.
The highest numbers of species and the largest concentrations of water birds and waders (600-1300, maximum 1600 individuals along the 6-km route) were recorded in autumn. The dominant species in July were common tern, common sandpiper, and lapwing. In August and September - mallard and lapwing. Later until mid-December, the dominance of mallard was continued (78.3%) with a high proportion of teal and goosander. In winter (late December-mid February), 440-900 water birds and waders were noted per survey, maximum 1500. The dominant species were mallard (75%), goosander, teal, and goldeneye.
During the spring migration, 300-700 birds were observed. The dominant species were mallard and lapwing in March, black-headed gull, and common gull in April, and black-headed gull, common tern, sometimes white-winged black tern in early May.
The most abundant morpho-ecological type was swimming birds. Their proportions largely varied over the year. In the breeding season, birds hunting in flight were most abundant. 
Large fluctuations in number were found for 23 water birds and waders. They were most conspicuous for great white egret, little egret, heron, lapwing, sanderling, curlew sandpiper, and little stint, smaller for whooper swan, grey plover, and spotted redshank. The highest numbers of waders nesting in the Arctic tundra were recorded in 1998,and a lower maximum occurred in 1994. The lowest numbers were recorded in 1993 and 1996.


Miazga M., Roguszka A., Gustaw W., Siek R., Turski M. 2000. OCCURRENCE OF THE BUZZARD Buteo buteo AND GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis IN AGRICULTURALLANDSCAPE OF LUBLIN SURROUNDINGS IN 1994. Kulon 5: 183-193.

Michał Miazga, ul. Strzelecka 28, PL-20-805 Lublin

Abstract. Numbers of buzzards and goshawks were estimated on a representative 398 km2 fragment of the Lublin Tableland. Forests accounted for 14.5% of the study area, of which 29,6% were privately owned. Meadows covered about 1%. The densities of buzzards were 16.6 pairs/10 km2 of total area and 11.5 pairs/10 km2 of forest area. Their densities in private forests were 1.5 times those in state forests. Nests were found in four tree species aged 15-200 years. The smallest forest occupied by this species covered 5 ha. One nest was located beyond the forest in a single birch. The densities of goshawks were 6.5 pairs/10 km2 of total area and 4.5 pairs/10 km2 of forest area. Their densities in private forests were 1.5 times those in state forests. The distribution of the buzzard and goshawk nests did not depend on the distance from the forest edge.


Kociniak M., Kołudzki Z., Wężyk M. 2000. Amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals of the river Gać valley. Kulon 5: 193-205.

Marcin Kociniak, ul. Mickiewicza 86, PL-97-300 Piotrków Tryb.

Abstract. In 1998, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals were surveyed in the valley of the Gać river (a tributary of Pilica), with special emphasis on birds. Almost along the whole its course (21 km), this river runs across forests dominated by alder swamps. Small water bodies are on the river (Fig.) that are important habitats for the fauna. In total, 60 surveys were made, including 8 at night. The data from earlier years, collected by other observers are also analysed in this paper. The following numbers of species were noted: 9 amphibians, 4 reptiles, 110 birds (97 species of breeding and probably breeding birds), and 26 mammals. The Gać valley is considered to be locally important to avifauna. The species recorded include Ciconia nigra (1 pair), Bucephala clangula (1 pair), and Tringa ochropus (4 pairs). Also amphibians have suitable breeding conditions. The most valuable fragments of the valley are proposed for legal protection, and the inclusion of the river Gać to the Spała Landscape Park is also postulated.


Gwardjan M., Piwko P., Staroń K. 2000. Cerambycid beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) new to the Świętokrzyskie Mountains. Kulon 5: 207-208.

Mariusz Gwardjan, ul. Lecha 9 m. 29, PL-25-622 Kielce, e-mail gwardjan@poczta.onet.pl 

Abstract. In 1994-1999, six species of cerambycids new to the Świętokrzyskie Mts were recorded: Nivelia sanguinosa (Gyllenhal, 1827) - UTM DB 85, Monochamus sartor (Fabricius, 1787) - DB 75, Mesosa curculionoides (Linnaeus, 1761) - DB 52, Pogonocherus decoratus (Fairmaire, 1855) - DB 73, Pogonocherus fasciculatus (de Geer, 1775) - Stenostola dubia (Laicharting, 1784) - EB 03 and DB 63.


Wilniewczyc P., Jantarski M. 2000. Successive record of the European pond tortoise Emys orbicularis from the Ponidzie region. Kulon 5: 209-210.

Piotr Wilniewczyc, ul. Paderewskiego 15/3, PL-25-017 Kielce, pwi43@wp.pl

Abstract. A single individual of the European pond tortoise was observed on fish ponds at Górki on 21 April and 6 August 1999.


Gwardjan M. 2000. An observation of the parti-coloured bat
Vespertilio murinus in Kielce
. Kulon 5: 211-
212.

Mariusz Gwardjan, ul. Lecha 9 m. 29, PL-25-622 Kielce, gwardjan@poczta.onet.pl 

Abstract. On 20 January, a male parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus was captured in a 14-storey building located in the centre of Kielce (50052'N, 20048'E). The bat was active. This is a successive observation of this species in a tall building during the autumn-winter period in Poland.