Branta Issues > Issue №13 (2010)

Usage of closed shelters by the Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) in the forest-steppe oak forest of the National Natural Park “Gomolshansky Forests” (Kharkov Region, Ukraine)

E. A. Yatsyuk

The paper analyses a pattern of using artificial shelters by the Tawny Owl in October-May in the forest-steppe oak forests in NationalNaturalPark “Gomolshansky Forests”. Within an area of 4,000 hectares there have been installed 56 artificial nest boxes. They were inspected annually during 2002-2009 in spring, and in some years - in autumn and winter. It was found out that intensity of using closed shelters increases with appearance of snow cover and in snowy winters. During the second half of winter birds tend to constantly use of particular shelters and more rarely change them. If snow melts early the timing of incubation start remains within an average long-term range, in case of late melting the incubation begins later. Recommendations on optimal periods to install artificial nests are given.