A bird census in the Imperial Palace for 1972

Abstract

This is the 8th annual report of monthly census in the Imperial Palace from April 1972 to March 1973. The same route of 4.1km was censused from about 9.40-11.30a.m. as in the previous years. The results are tabulated in the same order of species only to add at the end additional species for the year.Tallies were made in two tables, one for wooded area with small ponds, the other with big moats used as duck resort in winter and heron colony in summer. The monthly species records in total area ranged 14-26 (Av. 20.1) and the number of individuals 185-697 (Av. 404.4).Two species Phylloscopus borealis (passage migrant) and Regulus regulus (rare winter visitor to this low plain) were added to the list, making a total of 52 species for 1972 and 85 species so far recorded. As in the previous year the avifauna of the Palace area was stable, although incidental larger flocks of Sturnus cineraceus, Corvus corone and Egretta garzetta were recorded than in 1971. Some observational reconds of the Great tit, Green Pheasant, fruits of trees eaten by birds, dead birds found, etc. were given in respective tables.