Breeding ecology of a small black grouse population in the Bohemian mass (Muehlviertel, Waldviertel, Austria)
2000
Schmalzer, A. (Forschungsgemeinschaft Wilhelminenberg, Rosenburg (Austria))
A small remnant black grouse population exists in the highlands (800-1000m) in the eastern part of the Bohemian Mass in Austria. Since 1990 males in spring were counted and data about breeding biology were collected. Black grouse inhabit a well structured agricultural managed landscape (meadows, hedgerows, shrubs, woodlots) and early successional stages of woods (abondoned land, clearcuts, forest-plantation) and small bogs. The number of territorial males decreased from 27 in 1993 to 5 to 8 cocks in 1999. The number of femals and the number of breeding sites occupied also decreased. Breeding places are located above all on meadows with little shrubs, trees and small woodlots and on sites of early successional stages (wet and dry grassland left abondoned), young afforestations and clearcuts. Intensification of meadows utilization leads to loss of broods caused by early mowing dates (end of May). Destruction of eggs, killing of breeding hens and chicks has been documented. From 1989 to 1999 38 successful broods with chicks have been registered. From these 25 broods with 95 chicks became full-grown until the end of the rearing period. Breeding success (number of youngs in September / hen) was higher in 1989 to 1994 (3,1) than in the period of 1995 to 1999 (1,8). The recent low breeding success may be influenced by habitat deterioration, increased predation pressure, human activities and disturbances in breeding habitats and poor weather during the rearing time. Conservation measures are protection of breeding and rearing habitats and habitat improvements in small areas (e.g. bogs, meadows, woods). Some subsidies from the office of nature conservation of the Lower Austria and Upper Austria governments and the hunting associations have been provided and can be offered to the landowners and farmers in case of late mowing dates in meadows.
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