Do Ural owls ( Strix uralensis) suffer from the lack of nest sites in managed forests?

Abstract

Nest site availability, preferences and quality for Ural owls ( Strix uralensis) were studied in managed forests and a large nature reserve in Estonia. The owl's density was relatively higher in the reserve. Ural owls bred in tree cavities and stick nests, but preferred the cavities. Suitable cavities were very rare compared to stick nests, and most cavities were found in the reserve. Pairs having no suitable cavities in their territories started to breed less frequently, but no difference was detected in young produced per breeding attempt between cavity nests and stick nests. Used cavities and stick nests as well as unused stick nests were situated in similar stands and landscapes, but nest tree and nest characteristics of cavity nests were distinct. The study shows that in managed forests the lack of large snags and tree cavities may limit the numbers of Ural owls, which accept these structures for breeding more readily than stick nests. Retention of large cavity-forming trees in forestry operations may be an effective conservation strategy for this species.