Wintering sites of Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria on the east Adriatic coast

Abstract

Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria was observed during cold winters in different parts of Croatia, along the Adriatic coast, on islands as well as inland. Their origin remains unknown, but they may belong to the population nesting in the Alps or in Dinaric parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. The overwintering along the Adriatic coast was explored during field observations, but also from the literature and museum data. The field investigations were carried out in Istria, North Dalmatia, Paklenica NP, Kornati NP and central Dalmatia, Krka NP. In total, 96 observations were made: 35 specimens from museum collections and literature and 61 during field research. The Wallcreeper was observed in Velika and Mala Paklenica canyons in Paklenica NP during cold winters, but not during milder winters. In the Paklenica NP, the earliest individuals were observed on 10 Oct and the latest on 28 Apr. On the complete east Adriatic coast and in Croatian inland, the earliest record was made on 6 Sep and the latest on 2 May. There are 5-10 individuals overwintering in Paklenica National Park.

The new breeding sites of some continental bird species in the coastal area of the Southern Velebit

“…The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a resident breeding species in the coastal area of Istria and inland Croatia (Rucner 1998, Lukač & Stelko 2016. In the coastal area of south Dalmatia, this species was recorded as a breeding bird only in silver poplar forests in the Neretva river delta (Rucner 1998).…”

“…The Robin is a common breeding bird in the inner and certain coastal areas of Istria (Rucner 1998, Lukač & Stelko 2016. Owing to moist forest stands in Istria, its presence extends to Opatija and Lovran (Kralj 1997, Rucner 1998.…”

“…The Spotted Flycatcher is recorded as the breeding bird of the coastal area of Istria, around Rovinj, and in Savudrija (Rucner 1998, Lukač & Stelko 2016, as well as on the island of Krk and near Vinodol. Sightings were reported in the central part of Dalmatia, along the Čikola river.…”

“…The Blackcap is a common breeding bird across Istria (Rucner 1998, Lukač & Stelko 2016. In the coastal area, its presence was recorded in the Kvarner region and on the islands of Krk, Cres and Rab.…”

“…The Marsh Tit is a common breeding bird in the hilly areas, whereas a smaller number of specimens has been recorded in the coastal area, at higher altitudes of Istria in inland areas; it was further spotted in the Brijuni National Park during winter (Rucner 1998, Lukač & Stelko 2016. In addition, to this, during the breeding season, it was also spotted in the Kvarner region and on the slopes of the northern Velebit, beneath Vratnik and in Gornja Klada (Rucner 1998).…”