Abstract The red-footed falcon and Eurasian falcon represent two syntopical falcon species. While the Eurasian falcon is considered a common and numerous species in Slovakia, the red-footed falcon population has undergone a considerable decline during the past few decades. Nowadays it nests in a single locality in Slovakia, the Sysľovské polia Special Protection Area, which forms the northern and fragmented border of the species distribution area in Europe. By analysing prey remains from 9 nests (from 1998, 2001, 2013, 2014 and 2016), we identified 433 prey items belonging to 35 taxa and 9 orders. Every year, invertebrates made up the major part of the diet spectrum, in which Calosoma auropunctatum, Tettigonia viridissima, Zabrus tenebrioides, Anisoplia aegetum and Rhizotrogus sp. were the most frequent species of prey. Of the vertebrates, Microtus arvalis was the most hunted prey species. By supplementary analysis of 21 photos, we extended our knowledge on the diet by other 6 taxa. The peak of the M. arvalis population growth in 2014 did not manifest itself in the red-footed falcon diet composition. In 1998, 2014 and 2016 we also studied the diet of a syntopical species, the Eurasian kestrel. By analysing prey remains in 22 nests, we identified 1,151 prey items belonging to 37 taxa and 7 orders. In 1998 and 2014 vertebrates predominated, especially the common vole, however in 2016 invertebrates prevailed. This fact could be a reaction to the M. arvalis population peak in 2014 and its decline in 2016. These results suggest that this variability in the foraging behaviour of the Eurasian kestrel, an opportunistic predator, during the hunting of invertebrates increases the diet similarity and overlapping of the food niche of both studied falcon species.

Abstract Telemetric studies have provided ample information on threatened raptors, but still little is known about space use and dispersal of common species. Here I describe the home range and breeding dispersal of a GPS-tracked adult male common buzzard, studied in south-eastern Estonia in 2014–16. This buzzard’s home range covered 8.3 km2 (kernel 95% estimate) with the core range being 2.1 km2 (kernel 50%). The home range increased in the course of the breeding season but decreased again before migration. Surprisingly, the nests in the two successive breeding years were located in the opposite margins of the home range, 1.7 km from each other.

Abstract The diet of the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) was studied in Wadi Al Makhrour, Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories in 2015 with fresh and several year old pellets. Three species of arthropods, one reptile species, at least four bird species, and six species of mammals were recovered from the studied pellets. Black rat (Rattus rattus) was the most common prey (37.0%), followed by the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) (29.4%) and birds (21.8%). Comparison of recent and older pellets showed change in diet composition. Recent pellets contained more Rattus rattus compared to older ones. Older pellets included more naturally-occurring species such as Meriones tristrami, Microtus guentheri, and Rousettus aegyptiacus, which were absent in newer pellets.

Abstract In 2011–201 4 monitoring of the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina) breeding population was conducted in eight special protection areas in Slovakia. From a total of 272 successful breeding attempts by 1 49 breeding pairs during 4 breeding seasons 277 young birds were fledged. The average reproductive success ratio was thus 0.51 juv./pair present, 0.69 juv./breeding pair and 1 .37 juv./1 00 km2. In the surveyed period a total of 1 51 protection zones were established around the nests in 11 9 breeding territories, which provided protection for 1 7% of the breeding population of the lesser spotted eagle in Slovakia. By testing the effectiveness of protection zones it was determined that in nests with an established protection zone the probability of successful raising of young is higher in comparison with nests without such a zone. The probability that breeding will be successful in the nests of breeding pairs without a protection zone was 48.1% (95% confidence intervals (CIs): 37.4–59.0%), and in nests with a protection zone 64.8% (95% CIs: 59.8–69.6%). Among the five most frequent nest tree species used by A. pomarina in Slovakia for breeding are Picea abies 61 × (28.4%), Pinus sylvestris 45× (20.9%), Quercus sp. 36× (1 6.7%), Fagus sylvatica 25× (11 .6%) and Abies alba 1 8× (8.4%). Among the rarer nest tree species used are Larix decidua 1 2× (5.6%) and Alnus glutinosa 3× (1 .4%), while a further 11 species of nest trees did not achieve even 1%. The highest number of nest trees (n = 21 5), i.e. 34 nests (1 5.8%), was found in the altitude range of 401–450 m a.s.l. and 29 nests (1 3.5%) at 351–400 m a.s.l. Other altitude zones were all below the 1 0% mark. A total of 54% of nests found (11 6 nests) are located in the altitude zone of 301–600 m a.s.l., and 71 nests (33%) in the zone 600–900 m a.s.l. The lowest situated nest was at an altitude of 1 50 m and the highest at 950 m; the average was 595.01 m a.s.l. The highest number of nests (n = 209) were located on trees in a range 1 5.1–20.0 m above the ground (n = 92, 44%), while the lowest nest found was at a height of 5 m and the highest at 30 m above the ground.

Abstract The International Conference on the Conservation of the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) was held on September 25-27, 2014 in Lesanka Gesthouse at Košická Belá, Slovakia. It was organised by Raptor Protection of Slovakia (RPS) in cooperation with Východoslovenská energetika Holding a.s. The conference dealt with (i) delivering further inputs for updating the European Action Plan for the species, (ii) sharing information on biology and ecology of the species, and (iii) exchange of experience with best practice and innovative species conservation measures. A total of 59 participants from 1 4 countries attended the conference. The agenda included 17 presentations and 7 posters. Some of the contributions are published in Slovak Raptor Journal volume 9 (2015) as full papers, and a further 23 contributions are published as abstracts. The conference also included two field trips during which participants had the opportunity to observe the installation of console barriers on poles of 22 kV power lines, and typical habitats of the lesser spotted eagle. The conference was organized within the framework of the project LIFE09NAT/SK/000396 Conservation of Aquila pomarina in Slovakia, implemented by Raptor Protection of Slovakia, Východoslovenská energetika Holding a.s., Stredoslovenská energetika, a.s. and Stredoslovenská energetika-Distribúcia, a.s. The project was cofinanced by EU-LIFE and the Ministry for Environment of the Slovak Republic.

Abstract In the years 2009-2012 a total of 316 individuals were marked in a colour ringing programme of the population ofA. pomarina in Slovakia. From this a total of 39 inds. were ringed with yellow readable plastic rings with a two-place alphanumeric code (all young in a nest) and 277 inds. (273 young and 4 adult inds.) with light-blue rings. For the entire period of the programme of marking the A. pomarina population in Slovakia in the years 2000-2012 a total of 952 inds. were ringed, 933 of which were young birds in nest and 19 adult individuals. In the period 2009-2012 48 records were obtained from observations of 35 individuals of different age categories (31 individuals from one to 11 years old, three of unknown age and one young individual about one month after fledging the nest). The age categories of immature individuals were determined, and six were found to be one-year-old individuals (12.5%) in the second calendar year of life after their first return from wintering grounds, six were two-year-old eagles (12.5%) and five were three-year-old eagles (10.4%) which spent breeding periods in Europe at a relatively small distance from their place of hatching. Adult individuals were found to be in their current breeding grounds at distances of 8-249 km from their hatching place. In the period 2000-2012 three individuals were recorded 3× and four individuals 2×. The results confirm breeding site fidelity in adults, but also the fidelity of immature individuals to their hatching place, and the return of one-year-old individuals from their wintering grounds to the vicinity of their hatching place immediately in the first year of life (that is, in the second calendar year).

Abstract Between 1 977 and 201 3 nesting of 72 different pairs of imperial eagle was recorded in Slovakia. The nesting population in Slovakia is concentrated in two subpopulations with the nesting area distant about 200 km. In Eastern Slovakia nesting of 42 pairs was recorded whilst in Western Slovakia 30 pairs were nesting. Authors present results of 37 years period of survey focused on distribution and trend of nesting population, as well as habitat preferences of the species. The paper compares results from Western and Eastern Slovakia. From Western Slovakia further data are evaluated, such as threats negatively influencing the population, period of hatching and other aspects of nesting biology. During the survey period the number of known nesting pairs in Slovakia has increased from five in 1 977 to 53 in 201 3. In total, 908 nesting events have been recorded during this period with 642 successful nesting events and 1 ,080 fledglings. In Western Slovakia the pairs prefer foothills, whilst in Eastern Slovakia most of the pairs nest in lowlands. Strong anthropic pressure is significantly influencing the distribution and size of the population as well as the habitat preferences of the species.

Abstract Since 2005 a breeding pair of A. pomarina has been observed near the village of Drienovec, Košice-Environs district, eastern Slovakia. Since 2009 occupied nests have been found each year with the subject pair. In the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 this pair successfully reared one young A. pomarina, but in 2012 they reared two B. buteo young during the nesting period in natural conditions and without the intervention of human beings. This is the first such documented case in the entire breeding grounds ofA. pomarina.

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Bibliography on birds of prey and owls in Slovakia. Part 4. Order Strigiformes, generaTyto, Otus, Bubo, Strix, Surnia, Glaucidium, Athene, Aegolius&AsioThe aim of the bibliography is to provide a list of publications on raptors and owls of Slovakia as well as papers of Slovak authors on these birds. The first three parts focused on genera from orders Accipitrifromes and Falconiformes is followed now by the fourth part focused on genera from Strigiformes order. In total 392 citations are listed - 242 (61.7%) scientific and research articles, 59 (15.1%) popular articles, 21 (5.4%) qualification papers, 45 (11.5%) conference abstracts and 25 (6.4%) reports or other papers. The register of species, objective index and the author register enable better overview.