Birds of prey monitoring in Estonia, 2014

The working group for birds of prey, part of the Estonian Ornithological Society, continued the monitoring of breeding and reproductive success of birds of prey during 2014. The project aims to monitor the condition of three orders: Accipitriformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes hence inluding all birds of prey and owls. The project has followed roughy the same format since 1988 and has been part of the Estonian National Environmental Monitoring Programme since 1994. The raptors were monitored in 15 plots all over Estonia with two of the most threatened species - Goshawk and Eagle Owl - also monitored outside these areas. In all 526 breeding territories were recorded, belonging to 18 species including 11 species of Accipitriformes, 2 species of Falconiformes and 5 species of Strigiformes.

The abundance of Honey Buzzard and Hobby, both of which depend on insects to a large extent, was lower than in the previous year due to the cold and rainy beginning of the summer, but still exceeded the average. The abundance of Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Montagu’s Harrier and Marsh Harrier, which feed on small rodents, was also lower than last year, but did not fall below the long-term average. The abundance of Lesser Spotted Eagle, Sparrowhawk and Eurasian Pygmy Owl remain around average but the abundance of Hen Harrier continues at very low levels.

 Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum) / Valeri Štšerbatõh

 Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) / Mati Kose

In contrast, the previous warm and snowless winter was truly favourable to Tawny Owl and Ural Owl, occurring here year-round, as both species’ abundance and reproductive success are increasing. Finding three clutches of Great Grey Owl after last winter's high levels of immigration was really noteworthy.

 Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) / Luke Massey

14 breeding territories of Goshawk, unknown up to now and 31 new nests were discovered. Although the number of successful breeders was lower, the number of nestlings per clutch was higher than average.

Suitable areas in nature reserves were checked for Eagle Owls with 15 potentially suitable areas discovered.  in all, 18 breeding areas of this rare owl were found, but only 3 breeding attempts were recorded - fortunately all were successful.

A PRELIMINARY overview of monitoring for Raptors in Estonia. Read here ...