Supplementum 11/2012

Toming, M.
The Lesser White-fronted Goose and its conservation in Estonia.

Supplementum 12/2012

Mägi, E. & Pehlak, H.
The Ruff and its conservation in Estonia.

Supplementum 10/2006

Männik, R.
The Osprey and its conservation in Estonia.

Supplementum 9/2006

Nellis, R.
The Eagle Owl and its conservation in Estonia.

Supplementum 8/2005

Ülo Väli
11 bird species of conservation concern – habitats and their protection

Abstract

In the current publication, habitats of the Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus, the White Stork Ciconia ciconia, the Goshawk Accipiter gentilis, the Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia, the Corncrake Crex crex, the White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos, the Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, the Woodlark Lullula arborea, the Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva, the Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio, and the Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana are described and the habitat protection measures for these species are suggested.

The first part of the book contains short abstracts about species, and the protection of their habitats. In the second part, more detailed overviews are given, to enable understanding the background of every suggested protection measure. Every species is treated in a separate chapter. In the beginning of every chapter, the current status in Estonia and in Europe and the purpose of the conservation of the species are presented, as well as the short summary about its numbers, distribution and breeding phenology. This will be followed by a detailed overview about studies of species’ habitats, both in landscape and nest site level, performed in Estonian and elsewhere. Also protection measures used in Estonia and in other countries are introduced. Finally, further protection needs and purposes are discussed, and optimal protection measures are suggested. The suggestions are distinguished as general and concrete actions. General actions should be used for protecting the Estonian population of a species by making strategic decisions in a national level. Concrete measures should be used to save a particular nest site. The latter could not be used, of course, in every single nest site of numerous species, but one should consider using them in nature reserves, and these suggestions could act as guidelines for the landowners caring about the nature.

The publication is available only in Estonian without English summaries.

Supplementum 7/2003

Andres Kuresoo
Leho Luigujõe

The Great Snipe and its conservation in Estonia

Abstract

This publication is based on the Estonian national management plan for the Great Snipe Gallinago media between 2002 and 2006. The Great Snipe is defined in the IUCN Red Data Book as a near-threatened species of birds, which is why the international action plan for the species was compiled. This species is thoroughly studied only in few European countries; therefore, the results of studies carried out in Estonia were of great importance in compiling the issue. The western population of the Great Snipe has perished and nowadays the species breeds only in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. In Estonia, approximately 70 persistent breeding sites are recorded, although the number of leks may exceed a hundred. The Estonian population is estimated to comprise 600 to 800 males.

The breeding sites of the Great Snipe are mainly located in larger floodplain meadows. The species favors open or semi-bushy meadows; it survives better on mown or grazed sites. As the management of meadows has barely been profitable in the last dozen years, by now the Estonian population of the Great Snipe is concentrating to protected areas, where the management of meadows is supported by the government. Nowadays, the more numerous and vital populations are located on the wetlands of the Suur-Emajõgi, Kasari and Mustajõgi Rivers in addition to the wetlands of Soomaa. Leks are also known to be located on mires, previously dammed but currently abandoned polder areas and even on clear-cut forest areas. The Great Snipe forages for mainly soil-invertebrates, mostly earthworms. Although data on the reproduction of the Great Snipe are insufficient, the status of its population in Estonia may still be considered to be fair. The main factors of threat are the destruction of lekking and nesting sites, untimely mowing, instability of natural conditions (spring floods, fires) and probably the increasing numbers of predators.

The Great Snipe is under strict protection on the basis of the EU Bird Directive and several conventions. According to the Estonian Red Data Book, the Great Snipe is endangered and legally a category 2-protected species. To protect the Estonian population of the species, its habitat should be maintained, surveys on the condition of the population as well as species introduction improved. Management plan defines for these purposes 16 essential activities. For habitat conservation, larger floodplain meadows should be protected from overgrowth; their destruction by drainage or other means should be avoided. Researchers should arrange surveys on Great Snipe numbers, specify the requirements on its habitat and identify success in applied means of conservation. Raising awareness of Great Snipe introduction has already begun – a profound leaflet on the biology and protection of the species has been issued and one of the best known leks of the Great Snipe at Kärevere is provided with informative boards. In 2006, experts should evaluate the efficiency of outlined means and plan further implications of species conservation.

Supplementum 6/2003

Ülo Väli

The Lesser Spotted Eagle and its conservation in Estonia

Abstract

This publication is based on the management plan for the Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina in 2003-2012. This bird is one of the most numerous eagles in Europe but still classified as a species of conservation concern. 500-600 pairs of Lesser Spotted Eagles breed in Estonia. The nest sites are situated mostly in old spruce-dominated stands, close to forest edge. The eagle prefers to hunt on meadows but flood plains and fields are used, too. Food consists mainly on small mammals while voles are the most important prey group. Reproductive success fluctuates annually. In 1981-2002, the average productivity was 0.62 fledged young per occupied nest.

The most important threat for the Lesser Spotted Eagle in Estonia is the loss of breeding habitats. Disturbance during breeding period and loss of foraging areas are also important factors.

Legally, the Lesser Spotted Eagle belongs to the category of the most strictly protected species in Estonia. This is in accordance with proposals of the EU Action plan for the species. Priorities for future conservation activity are the supervision over the implication of legal conservation tools, monitoring of the population and the awareness-raising. For 2003-2007, seventeen conservation actions are proposed. In habitat protection, including of all necessary habitat protection requirements to the conservation obligations and sending obligations to landowners are the most important actions. The account of the nest sites is held in state-level register, information exchange should be fast and control of nest site protection must be efficient. Numbers and breeding success have to be monitored and results of conservation actions efficiency should be analysed. Spotted eagles and their conservation should be introduced in public training courses and through media. In 2007, the efficiency of management actions will be analysed and the further activity will be planned.

Supplementum 5/2002

Ene Viht & Tiit Randla

The Capercaillie. Status of the Estonian population and its survival prospects.

Abstract

The publication is based on the Estonian national management plan for the Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in 2002-2011.

The Capercaillie is a species whose numbers are decreasing. Its conservation has an international importance. 1200-2000 pairs of Capercaillie breed in Estonia. In winter, the numbers could reach up to 3200-5300 birds (Lõhmus et. al 1998). For 1990-2000, the number of adult females in spring has been estimated at 1300 birds in Estonia. However, the acceptable minimum number could be 1000 and an optimum 1500 adult females. During last thirty years, 30% of the known leks have been abandoned. If this tendency continues, the Capercaillie will become extinct during the 21th century.

The analysis of threat factors shows that habitat loss and degradation have the most important effect. The second important threat is the high number of natural predators. Disturbance by humans and poaching have comparatively low importance.

The current Estonian legislation is not guaranteeing an effective protection of the species. Therefore, it is important to improve (concretise) the legislation. The protection rules for Capercaillie habitat should be included in legislative acts. As a part of the management plan, the sites of permanent occurrence, ten Specially Protected Areas (SPA-s; a part of the Natura 2000 network) and their protection rules have been proposed. Protection rules are based on habitat demands of the Capercaillie, and factors, which may negatively affect its numbers, have been attempted to avoid. The rules should be reported to landowners, and the implementation of the rules has to be ensured by a contract. The state should use force (to establish a reserve) if a land owner or holder does not agree with the terms of the contract. The conservation activities have to be coordinated and implemented by local environmental services. The leks and SPA-s should be fixed in the national register. The management plan will be updated in 2011. In 2005, the status of population will be re-examined.

According to the management plan, the most important activities in 2002-2005 are (1) implementation of the protection rules in private and state forests as well as in the SPA-s, which includes making contracts (in private lands) and sending conservation obligations (in private and state lands); (2) planning of the ten SPA-s; (3) improvement of legislation.

Supplementum 4/2001

Conservation status of Estonian birds

Estonian Ornithological Society
Bird species of conservation concern in Estonia

Lõhmus, A.
Conservation status and conservation goals in Estonian birds of conservation concern
Abstract:The study specifies goals for bird conservation in Estonia and develops criteria for assessing the implementation of the goals. First, a theoretical overview about the viability of bird populations is given. The conservation status as well as the criteria for assessing and developing the network of protected areas are then analysed separately for (1) breeding birds, and (2) migrants and wintering species.

Lõhmus, A., Kalamees, A., Kuus, A., Kuresoo, A., Leito, A., Leivits, A., Luigujõe, L., Ojaste, I. & Volke, V.
Bird species of conservation concern in the Estonian protected areas and Important Bird Areas
Abstract: The occurrence of 136 bird species of conservation concern in the protected areas and IBAs of Estonia was analysed to find out major gaps and to improve reserve planning. For each species, the work included (1) concentrating data on the species’ occurrence and numbers by sites; (2) presenting summary statistics (numbers of occurrence sites and pairs or individuals, the best sites) for different seasons; (3) formulating conclusions about the coverage of the population by protected areas and IBAs. Altogether 134 protected areas and 53 IBAs were analysed. The mean coverage of breeding birds by protected areas was satisfactory, but differed between species. The mean coverage of staging migrants and winterers was poor. If IBAs are added to protected areas, the situation will improve a lot for migrants and winterers, but only slightly for breeders (mostly waterfowl). For filling the gaps in coverage, there is need to explore the status and distribution of 11 data deficient species, carry out bird inventories in poorly studied protected areas and potential IBAs, and to improve the coverage of forest birds. The general overview is followed by species accounts, which include summary statistics, lists of best sites, conclusions about the coverage of populations and indications of gaps.

Supplementum 3/2000

Ülo Väli & Asko Lõhmus

The Greater Spotted Eagle and its conservation in Estonia

Abstract

The publication is based on the Estonian national management plan for the Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga Pall.) in 2000-2004. We summarise the status, biology and threat factors of the species in Estonia and in the world, and propose a conservation strategy and needed actions for Estonia.

The Greater Spotted Eagle is a globally threatened species with the world population of less than 3,000 pairs. The 20-30 pairs that breed in Estonia are of European importance. The nests in Estonia are situated in old wet deciduous forests, often near waterbodies. In recent years, meadows have been the main feeding habitat, and small mammals have made up 74% of prey numbers. The productivity was good – 0.60 young per breeding territory annually, although the species seems to interbreed regularly with the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina Brehm).

The main threats to the Greater Spotted Eagle in Estonia, as in Europe as a whole, are habitat loss and degradation as well as human disturbance during the breeding season. Requirements for the protection of the eagle’s nest sites are given.

For conservation management twenty-one activities are proposed. For example, the legal status of the species is not in accordance with its extremely strict protection status internationally. Therefore, the Greater Spotted Eagle should be included in the highest protection category also in Estonia. The priority actions for habitat conservation are establishing sanctuaries on nest sites, sending conservation obligations to land-owners and general conservation of old swamp forests. There should be efficient control over the fulfilment of nest site conservation requirements, and account on the sites of conservation concern. As there is still little information on the status of the species and most nest sites remain unknown, searching for new nests as well as monitoring numbers and productivity are essential. A leaflet about spotted eagles and their conservation should be the first step in rising public awareness.