Wintering redkites in Europe: Czech Republic

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Dear Colleagues,
the traditional red kite roost in the border area of Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria was occupied again in the winter 2012/2013 and checked in co-operation with several CZ, SK and A colleagues.
During the international simultaneous census on 5th January 2013, 21 birds roosted on CZ side and 4 birds on SK side. One week later (12th Jan 2013), the number on CZ side was the same (21 inds). Regarding the age structure, out of these 21 birds, 14 were aged on Jan 12th: 12 adults and 2 juveniles (2nd cy). Autumn maximum varied between 82 and 86 birds in the second half of October 2012, alternately on CZ and A side.
This winter for the first time, second roost established ca 15 km N from the traditional one, too. Here, 18 birds roosted on 6th January so the total for the whole area was 21+4+18 = 43 birds. At this new (2nd) roost, the maximum number was found on 5th December 2012 (23 birds).
No black kites were found wintering this winter. The last observation was on October 19th, 2012 (1 bird in the flock of 40 red kites).
Sincerely
David Horal, Czech Republic

Wintering redkites in Europe: Denmark

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In Denmark we have have 114 wintering red kite.

Best wishes

Gert Hjembæk

Wintering redkites in Europe: Italy

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Dear all,

for the second consecutive year, the CISO has coordinated the national census of wintering Red Kite in Italy.

The first count was made between 6 and 8 December 2012. Total: 1801-1842 individuals.

The second round of surveys was carried out between 4 and 6 January 2013. Total: 1575-1668 individuals.

The apparent decrease in December and January reflects what was observed last year. We can not exclude the possibility that some of the individuals resident in the central and southern regions of the Peninsula are less related to the roost in the month of January, as they are already employed in the defense of the breeding sites.

Some couples were observed in mating already January 8th of this year.

The majority of the population (over 1100 individuals) is concentrated in Basilicata regione (Southern Italy), while about 500-600 individuals are located in central Italy in Abruzzi, Molise and Lazio.

Alarming the dramatic decline in Sicily and Sardinia, where the population seems on the edge of extinction.

On the contrary good news come from Tuscany where, as a result of reintroduction projects, the species has been consolidated with a wintering group  over 60 individuals.

More over 80 volunteers have been partecipated to census activities.

Greetings to all,

Egidio Fulco

Census coordinator

Dr. Egidio Fulco

Studio naturalistico MILVUS
C/da Pantano, 134 - 85010 Pignola (PZ)
tel.: +39.338.1305096
E-mail: info@studiomilvus.it
web: www.studiomilvus.it

Dear All,

during the census in Tuscany which took place on January 5, 2012 we counted 68 red kites and three black kites.

No wintering red kites had been censused before January 2007.

You can find an update on the reintroduction programme at the following page http://www.uva-bits.nl/project/reestablishing-the-red-kite-population-in-tuscany/

Once again we want to thank all the French and Swiss colleagues who are collaborating for the success of this programme, in particular Gilles Faggio and Adrian Aebischer.

Best regards

Guido Ceccolini

www.lifesavetheflyers.it