Dagny Krauze-Gryz

Free-Ranging Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris) in Central Poland: Density, Penetration Range and Diet Composition

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the density and diet composition of freeranging dogs in Poland. The study was conducted in a field and forest mosaic in the central part of the country in the years 2005–2011. The density of the free-ranging dogs was assessed during night counts along repeated transect routes. The number of dogs seen and the feasible observation area were recorded to calculate density index for each control. The day and night counts captured data on group composition and penetration range. Diets were studied through scat analyses. The dog density ranged from 2.2–3.1 ind. km-2 depending on the area. Most dogs were observed alone, and 40% formed groups of 2 to 5 dogs. Most groups were recorded close to buildings, but the group organisation changed (especially during the daytime) with increasing distance from the buildings: 35% of dogs in the village were in groups, but 55% of dogs formed groups at a distance of more than 100 m from the buildings. The night proportion of dogs in groups was approximately 50%, regardless of the distance. Their scats contained mostly cereal given by farmers. The prey remains were game species: roe deer (1.3% of occurrences in summer and 12% in winter), brown hare (3–4%), small mammals (5–9.5%) and birds (approx. 1.5%). The study demonstrated that the abundance of dogs in the rural areas of central Poland may play an important role in the ecosystem.

Annual variation in prey composition of domestic cats in rural and urban environment

The threat that domestic cats pose to wildlife has gained increased recognition by researchers and conservationists, and in this study, we investigated the seasonal variability and the effects of environment type (rural vs. urban) on the prey composition of free-ranging house cats in Poland. We analysed the variability in 307 monthly prey samples of different prey items killed by cats and brought to their owners (i.e., prey brought home by cats living in one home in one month) between 2002 and 2007 at 26 rural and urban sites. The variability in prey composition over time was analysed using additive models and canonical correspondence analysis. In total, we recorded 1348 prey items. Rodents were the most common prey in both environments, but shrews and reptiles were killed by cats more often in the rural environment while birds (mainly sparrows and pigeons) were more common in the urban environment. Additionally, prey composition changed seasonally. The pooled number of vertebrates killed by cats was largest in September and lowest in January, and rodents were killed most often in September, shrews and birds in June, and reptiles in April. The seasonal variation in the prey composition of cats was relatively high in the rural environment and more stable in the urban environment. Prey composition seemed to follow temporal and spatial variations in prey availability, thus confirming a facultative feeding strategy in free-ranging house cats.

Mammals in the vicinity of Rogów (central Poland)

Abstract: The aim of the study was the inventory of mammals in the vicinity of Rogow. In the years 2000–2011 most of the standard methods for such explorations were used (i.e. live-trapping, pellet analyses, tracking). Additionally, literature data, as well as unpublished data, were analysed. Another source of information was the collection of mounted mammals of Forest and Wood Museum in Rogow. Altogether, 51 mammals from 7 orders were recorded. This included 7 alien species (muskrat, brown rat, eastern house mouse, rabbit, American mink, raccoon dog, fallow deer). Another two species were anthropogenic predators (domestic cat and dog). Abundance trends analyses were done for the selected species i.e. brown hare, rabbit, common hamster and red deer numbers decreased while beaver, wild boar, red fox and raccoon dog increased. In XXI century only one species from the Polish Red Data Book of Animals was recorded (Leisler’s bat). Another important information was the record of the most northern present locality of common hamster in Poland.

Small mammals of Kampinos National Park and its protection zone, as revealed by analyses of the diet of tawny owls Strix aluco Linnaeus, 1758

Analyses of tawny owl pellets were used to determine the species composition and distribution of small mammals in Kampinos National Park and its protection zone (central Poland). The total material collected from 58 localities contained the remains of 11,235 vertebrates (including 8,335 mammals). The study revealed 29 species of small mammals of the following orders: Soricomorpha – 4, Chiroptera – 9, Rodentia – 14, Lagomorpha – 1 and Carnivora – 1. These included two bat species of special interest (Myotis myotis and Barbastella barbastellus) listed in the 2nd Annex to the Habitats Directive of the European Union. Muscardinus avellanarius, a rodent typical of broad- leaved woodland, appeared to be relatively common and abundant in suitable habitats. Species inhabiting wet habitats, Microtus oeconomus and Neomys fodiens, were found in many localities, whereas Arvicola amphibius was rarer and less abundant. Some important refuges of small mammals were found, mostly in strictly protected areas. Although the studies conducted to date in this area likely reveal a complete list of small species of Soricomorpha and Rodentia, it is possible that 3-5 species of Chiroptera and 2 small species of Carnivora may remain to be identified.

Mammals in the diet of tawny owl Strix aluco in western part of Skierniewice Forest District (central Poland)

Abstract The aim of the study was to describe the species diversity of small mammals in the western part of the Skierniewice Forest District (Central Poland) using tawny owl (Strix aluco) pellets. The landscape itself is a field and forest mosaic with small forest complexes. Four forest complexes with an area between 70 and 750 ha and surrounded by arable lands as well as loosely scattered buildings were chosen to carry out our work in. Owl pellets were collected in the years 2014–2016 and examined for small mammal remains employing standard protocols. Altogether, we identified 963 items belonging to 17 different mammalian prey species. The most numerous was the yellow-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis, which accounted for 33.5% of all identified items. As the second most important group, voles (Microtus spp.) accounted for 12.8% of all identified mammals. Unfortunately, we were unable to find species considered rare in central Poland, i.e. hazel dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius, European water vole, Arvicola amphibius and field vole, Microtus agrestis. In overall, the species composition of small mammal assemblages in the studied area was similar to adjacent regions.

Woodland reserves within an urban agglomeration as important refuges for small mammals

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the species richness (S, Chao- 1 index) and diversity (Shannon-Wiener H’ index, diversity profiles) of small mammal assemblages in woodland reserves in an urban agglomeration and to compare the similarity of assemblages (with the use of Ward’s method) in terms of proportions of small mammals connected to the habitats of different level of naturalness. The work was conducted from 2004-2015 at 9 woodland reserves in Warsaw (Poland). On the basis of the analysis of pellets of tawny owls Strix aluco, 2792 individuals were identified (24 species). Reserves supported from 7 to 16 of the small mammal species, the highest overall number of species estimated (Chao-1) was 19. Species present in every reserve were Apodemus flavicollis, A. agrarius, Rattus norvegicus, Sorex araneus and Talpa europaea. Least frequent were Microtus agrestis and M. subterraneus. Seven species of bats were detected. Species diversity was lower in the biggest forest complexes, where forest rodents dominated small mammal assemblage. The heterogeneity of habitats within reserve and in the surroundings, in combination with limited human-interference, resulted in an increase in the species diversity. Overall, the reserves under study were an important refuge for small mammals within the Warsaw agglomeration. However, safeguarding of adjacent areas against excessive anthropogenic change is needed and ecological corridors that link different areas need to be retained.

Density of red squirrels and their use of non-native tree species in the Rogów arboretum.

Abstract The aim of the study was to compare the densities of red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in the arboretum and a neighbouring forest and to investigate which tree species the squirrels used. The study was conducted in the area of the Rogów Arboretum (53.76 ha) and the so-called Zimna Woda and Wilczy Dół forest complexes (altogether 536 ha), all being part of an Experimental Forest Station in Rogów. The density of squirrels in the arboretum and the neighbouring forest was estimated and compared by means of snow tracks on transect routes. Changes in the abundance of squirrels throughout one year as well as their behaviour were determined on the basis of direct observations along transects running through the arboretum. More than half of the area of the arboretum was searched in order to record feeding signs of squirrels. Additionally, trees with bark stripping were recorded. The density of snow tracks was higher in the arboretum (0.19 tracks/100 m/24 h) than in the neighbouring forest (0.09 tracks/100 m/24 h). The largest number of observations of red squirrels along transects was made between February and April, in July and August and in October and November. In about half of the cases, squirrels were feeding on one of six non-native tree species (most often on cones of Macedonian pine, Pinus peuce). Feeding signs were found on 39 plots (17%) and 16 different tree species. The most numerous feeding signs were found on plots with Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and also on plots with the western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Swiss pine (Pinus cembra), mountain silverbell (Halesia monticola) as well as shagbark (Carya ovata) and shellbark hickories (C. laciniosa). On eight plots, trees with signs of bark stripping were found, most commonly on Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera). Its soft bark was probably used to build dreys. In the area of the arboretum, the natural food sources (seeds of native trees) are supplemented with numerous non-native tree species, which seeds are also consumed by squirrels. The highly abundant and diverse food sources promote a higher density of the red squirrel in the area of the arboretum. Additionally, when tree seeds are scarce in the neighbouring forest, squirrels migrate into the arboretum.

Rare species of birds nesting in the area of the Rogów Forest District in the years 1949–2015

Abstract The aim of the study was to combine and summarize data on rare species of breeding forest birds found in the area of the Experimental Forest District near the Rogów village (Łódź Province). Our study area comprised 230 km2 of field and forest mosaic, where forests accounted for almost 17% of the area (13 forest complexes of 35-1000 ha). The results are based on the authors’ own field observations from the years 2000- 2015 as well as historical data since 1949 including original research papers, diploma theses, unpublished manuscripts, oral information and analyses of museum collections. The following criteria were used to categorise bird species as rare: (1) species that ceased breeding in the area, (2) taxa that were under strict protection and their abundance was no higher than 6 breeding pairs. In overall, 10 species were classified as rare, of which three do not breed in the area any more: grey heron Ardea cinerea, osprey Pandion haliaetus, European roller Coracias garrulus. However, non-breeding individuals of grey heron and osprey are still recorded in the area (the last cases of breeding pairs were recorded in the 1970s and 1961, respectively), while the European roller went extinct. In recent years, the abundance of another three species was probably stable: European honey buzzard Pernis apivorus, Eurasian hobby Falco subbuteo and nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus. Four species started breeding in the last 30 years: black stork Ciconia nigra, white-tailed eagle Haliaaetus albicilla, common crane Grus grus, stock dove Columba oenas. The trends in the abundance of the investigated species are similar to those observed in the country in overall.

Plumage colour polymorphism among central Poland's tawny owls Strix aluco Linnaeus, 1758

The results of research that was performed in central Poland in 2006–2011 on colour morphs in tawny owl (Strix aluco) are presented. Specifically, the work soughts to determine which of the two main colour morphs (rufous or grey) is most prevalent in the study area. The results revealed similar proportions of both morphs in the study population: of 107 tawny owls that were observed, 51.4% were rufous and 46.7% were grey; two birds (1.9%) represented a transitional form. Straipsnyje analizuojami naminės pelėdos (Strix aluco) plunksnų spalvinių morfų tyrimų rezultatai. 2006–2011 metais vidurio Lenkijoje buvo nustatinėjama, kuri is pagrindinių dviejų spalvinių morfų (rusvoji ar pilkoji) yra dominuojanti. Is 107 stebėtų pelėdų, 51,4% buvo rusvos, 46,7% buvo pilkos, du pauksciai (1,9%) priklausė tarpinei spalvinei formai.