Author/Editor		Trontelj, Peter
Title		Der Wachtelkoenig Crex crex in Slowenien: Bestand, Verbreitung, Habitat und Schutz
Translated title		The corncrake Crex crex in Slovenia: status, distribution, habitat and conservation
Type		članek
Source		Vogelwelt
Vol. and No.		Letnik 118, št. 3-4
Publication year		1997
Volume		str. 223-9
Language		ger, eng
Abstract		Literature data give only superficial information about the situation of the Corncrake in Slovenia. Estimates of population size have largely been based on guesses. In 1992 and 1993 a census of calling Corncrakes was carried out throughout Slovenia. In total, 464 birds were counted. Extrapolating from the areas surveyed, the total population is estimated at about 500 calling males. The sites holding Corncrakes are unevenly distributed. 92% of the records came from south central Slovenia from the Dinaric Karst-Polje and Ljubljansko barje. The lowlands and alluvial plains no longer seem to provide suitable habitat. They were occupied only occasionally by single birds. Two distinct habitat types were chosen by Corncrakes: wet, mostly flooded alluvial meadows and alpine meadows (700 to 1440 m a.s.1.). Most of the former are mown only once late in the year whereas the latter are almost exclusively abandoned pastures and formerly mown meadows. In the mountainous habitat, species such as Alectoris graeca, Anthus spinoletta, Monticola saxatilis or Emberiza cia co-occurred with the Corncrake. A strong decline in the breeding range took place during the past decades, but no comparisons of population sizes are possible due to the lack of quantitative data from former years. Neither of the sites currently holding significant numbers of Corncrakes is adequately protected. No measures such as extensification of grassland use or delay of mowing have ben undertaken or are planned so far.
Descriptors		BIRDS POPULATION DENSITY