Ferruginous Duck Aythya Nyroca Research Articles

Babesa Sewage Treatment Plant as a vital artificial wetland habitat for a multitude of avian species

This study aimed to glean basic ecological aspects on diversity and abundance, temporal variation and guild composition of the birds at Babesa Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). The line transect method was used as the sampling technique from November 2021 to October 2022. A total of 80 species belonging to 58 genera, 29 families, and 11 orders were detected, of which three, namely, River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii, Falcated Duck Mareca falcata, and Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, are ‘Near Threatened’ with the remaining being ‘Least Concern’. The highest species richness was recorded in the winter (6.29), the highest species diversity in the spring (2.73), and the highest evenness in the summer (0.76). There was not any statistically significant difference between non-waterbirds and waterbirds, or between feeding guilds. However, based on a permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA), the bird composition was significantly different among seasons. Subsequently, pairwise comparisons revealed a significant difference between autumn & winter (P = 0.006), autumn & summer (P = 0.006), autumn & spring (P = 0.018), winter & summer (P = 0.006), winter & spring (P = 0.006) as well as spring & summer (P = 0.006). The non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) biplot showed most bird species overlap occurred between autumn and spring as well as summer and spring, respectively. Taken together, the present results suggest that the Babesa STP holds significant potential as a habitat for diverse avian populations and underscores the ecological significance of artificial wetlands. 

Avian Community Composition in and around Mandothi Wetlands, Haryana, India

Comprising an area of approximately 1000 acres, Mandothi wetlands are located in Bahadurgarh tehsil of Jhajjar district of Haryana, India and provide an important wintering ground for migratory birds. From December 2021 to June 2022, fortnightly surveys were made to document the avian community composition of the study area in Mandothi wetlands using point-count and line-transect methods. A total of 124 species belonging to 90 genera, 38 families, and 15 orders were recorded. Passeriformes was the most represented avian order, with 38 species and 15 families. Feeding guild analysis revealed that carnivore was the most dominant feeding guild in the study area. Of the recorded 124 avian species, 73 species were residents, 44 species were winter migrants and 7 species were summer migrants. As per the IUCN Red List 8 species were classified as Near Threatened (Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, Darter Anhinga melanogaster) and 2 species were classified as Vulnerable (Sarus Crane Antigone antigone and River Tern Sterna aurantia). In addition to the present survey, 17 species were also reported from secondary sources, resulting in a checklist of 141 bird species. The occurrence of migratory and species of global conservation priority documents the importance of this wetland as a potential habitat for avifauna in Haryana.

Distribution of breeding waterbirds in relation to wetland characteristics in the Oued Righ valley in the Algerian Sahara

Abstract In the framework of this study 14 breeding species were identified in the wetland complex of the Oued Righ valley in the Algerian Sahara. Six species of breeding Anatidae were reported, two of which are classified as vulnerable and threatened, namely, the ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca and the marbled teal Marmaronetta angustirostris. For shorebirds, we noted reproduction of the pied avocet Recurvirostra avosetta, the black-winged stilt Himantopus Himantopus, and the Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus in most of the wetlands studied. We report for the first time nesting of the slender-billed gull Chroicocephalus genei at Chott Merouane with 72 pairs recorded during the breeding season 2018. This colony was associated with the larger colony of greater flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus composed of 640 pairs. Principal component analysis (PCA), gathering 69.74% of the information, showed a significant correlation between the distribution of different bird species and the main environmental factors, that is, vegetation, water surface area, water depth, and salinity, and a strong correlation between the species of Annatidae and Rallidae, which are associated with less-saline environments rich in vegetation and deep water, with the exception of shelducks, which prefer large surface areas with less-dense vegetation and more holomorphic water. For the shorebirds such as R. avosetta and H. himantopus, there was a clear preference for large wetlands with shallow water and relatively high salinity. A remarkable correlation was also noted for P. roseus, where a strong distribution of breeding populations was observed in areas with the highest salinity levels and a vast surface area.

Abundance and diversity of threatened birds in Nangal Wetland, Punjab, India

Anthropogenic threats to wetland ecosystems, including discharge of industrial effluents, municipal sewerage, land reclamation, erosion and deforestation, have contributed to the rapid declines in populations of many bird species. The present study aimed to document avian diversity, including birds on the IUCN Red List, at Nangal Wetland, Punjab from February 2013 to January 2015. A total of 155 species belonging to 48 families (resident and migratory) under 17 orders were recorded, of which 13 come under various IUCN Red List categories: one ‘Endangered’—Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus; five ‘Vulnerable’—Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Greater-Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, Sarus Crane Grus antigone, Lesser White-Fronted Goose Anser erythropus, and Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus; and seven ‘Near Threatened’—Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii, Indian River Tern Sterna aurantia, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseata, and Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria. The Shannon-Weaver index of diversity was highest during winter (H’= 1.9) followed by autumn (H’= 1.9) then spring (H’= 1.5), and was lowest during summer (H’= 1.4). Though this wetland is highly productive and provides homes to many threatened species, untreated industrial effluents from adjoining areas sometimes create problems. The discharge of pollutants should be stopped through strict enforcement of environmental laws and policies. 

Close to the Madding Crowd: Waterbird Responses to Land Use Conversion in and Around a Mediterranean Urban Wetland

Investigating how Mediterranean wetlands respond to adjacent land use conversion, is an important first step in mitigating the impact of human encroachment and other environmental stressors. We monitored the composition and structure of waterbird assemblages, in a Mediterranean urban marsh, subjected to severe anthropogenic pressures. Remote sensing indicated that in the last two decades Boussedra Pond was subjected to landfill, resulting in a substantial reduction (~ 50 %) of the marsh, while due to a lack of urban planning urban built-up and agriculture areas expanded considerably in its surroundings. This precipitous reduction of the size of this urban pond threatens the diversity of its resident waterbirds which include the globally Endangered (EN) White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala, the Near-Threatened (NT) Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, and many other staging and wintering migratory species. The long-term study suggested that breeding waterbirds species responded differentially to the loss and degradation of the marsh, as highlighted by the apparent resilience of the synanthropic Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and the disappearance of several breeding marsh specialists, such as the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus and the Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. The study also points out the need for both a coordinated cross-sectorial land use planning and an immediate, affordable and sustainable wetland conservation action.

High altitude wetland migratory birds in the Sikkim Himalaya: a future conservation perspective

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca (Güldenstädt, 1770) and Brown-headed Gull Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus (Jerdon, 1840), two high altitude wetland migratory birds, were recorded for the first time from Sikkim, eastern Himalaya.  The importance of conservation of high altitude wetlands of the Sikkim Himalaya is highlighted.

Ecology of Avian Settlements in Lake Tonga (Northern Algeria)

Lake Tonga is an integral reserve within the El-Kala National Park, Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar site. This study consists in determining the diversity and phenology status of waterbirds in this reserve over an entire annual cycle (2017–2018). The census was carried out from fixed observation points. Of the 35 species recorded, wintering birds dominate with 12 species (34 %), followed by breeding sedentary species with 11 species (32 %). The breeding water bird populations are dominated by the common coot Fulica atra, (with a maximum of 6,033 birds) followed by the Anatidae, Herons and Grebes. Lake Tonga is a breeding area for several avian species and a recruitment site for a multitude species bird during the wintering period. Three Anatidae nest at Lake Tonga: the white-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala, the ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca and the mallard Anas platyrhynchos.

Temporal Patterns of Wetland-Associated Bird Assemblages in Altered Wetlands in Turkey

A loss of wetlands, one of the highly sensitive ecosystems, necessitates the monitoring and assessment of wildlife population trends for the continuity and sustainable management of species. The goal of our study was to evaluate temporal changes in wetland-associated bird composition by conducting monthly counts during December 2006 - November 2007 and March 2015 - February 2016 in Efteni Lake, Duzce, Turkey. This lake has been exposed to structural change including shoreline length, area and depth for the last 50 years. Wetland-associated bird richness decreased, and abundance increased during the decade, but this change was not significant except for two species with an increased population, ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca and great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus. Cluster analyses resulted in two groups: the breeding season from April to September, and the non-breeding season from October to March. The most numerous species were observed mostly during the non-breeding season. Some guilds, including diving carnivores, omnivores, shoreline omnivores and herbivores species were more prevalent during the non-breeding season. The insectivores had higher population densities during the breeding season. Thus, wetland-associated bird abundance during the non-breeding season was higher than during the breeding season, although species richness was the opposite. The planned restoration of habitats of Efteni Lake should have a positive impact on birds by creating more space available to them. Our result should help to better understand the impact of habitat changes on waterbird assemblages. Long-term monitoring of Efteni Lake will be useful for the wetland-associated avian community, and for other animal and plant communities.

Check list of waterbirds at Wadi Djedi in Ziban Oasis-Algeria

This pioneering work is the first to document the aquatic avifauna community of the Wadi Djedi in the Ziban region in southeast of Algeria. We present results obtained through the monthly counts of waterbirds conducted from September 2013 to September 2016. On this wetland we recorded 36 species of water birds representing 11 families. The Anatidae family was the most numerous, with 11 species. From among all the species, 18 were wintering species, nine were visitors, eight were sedentary breeding species (including the ruddy shelduck Tadorna furruginea and Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrines) and one species was migratory nesting (the white stork Ciconia ciconia). Two species (the teal marbled Marmaronetta angustirostris and ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca) are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of endangered species.

The breeding ecology of Mallard Anas platyrhynchos at Lake Tonga, north-eastern Algeria

The breeding ecology of Mallard Anas platyrhynchos was investigated at Lake Tonga, north-eastern Algeria, which is at the southern edge of the species’ range in the Western Palearctic. Breeding was mainly carried out in stumps of alder carr (Alnus glutinosa) that border the northern limit of the lake. The breeding season was relatively short, spanning two months. Laying occurred mainly in April but continued until end of May. The average clutch size was 8.4 ± 1.9 eggs (N = 19 clutches) with 10 eggs being the modal clutch. The overall nesting success was 54% (N = 29 clutches), whereas predation accounted for most nest failure (76%). As often happens in arid climates and instable habitats, breeding outcome was significantly and negatively related to egg-laying date with precocious nests conferring better survival to eggs. In contrast, nest predation was positively associated with a deferred laying date. Seven cases of interspecific brood parasitism were recorded, all involving the Mallard and the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, with both species acting as either a host or a parasite. Nests in dense vegetation were more likely to harbour this interspecific interaction.

Distribution and breeding ecology of the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in Algeria

We conducted a survey of the distribution of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca across Algeria and analysed the influence of nest-site characteristics on nesting success at a Ramsar site, Lake Tonga. The species was found to occupy different wetlands (freshwater lakes, brackish marshes and salt lakes) across three major climatic belts (subhumid coastal strip, semi-arid Hauts Plateaux and arid Sahara). Mean clutch size of successful nests was 13.3 ± 6.0 eggs (N = 26) with a hatching rate of 74% for successful clutches. Nesting success was recorded for 44% of nests with clutch desertion (72.7%) accounting for the majority of failed clutches. Egg size of the study population, which breeds at the southern limit of the species’ range, was significantly smaller than that of its northerly counterparts. Clutch size was negatively related to egg size and positively associated with depth of water below the nest, suggesting that older, more experienced or high-quality birds monopolised the safest sites. Successful clutches were significantly associated with tall vegetation, suggesting that when nesting is carried out mainly on offshore floating islets, protection against aerial predators and heat stress determine nesting outcome. Conspecific brood parasitism was significantly and positively associated with deferred egg-laying and smaller egg size, suggesting an age-dependent mechanism.

Sitting ducks: diet of wintering wildfowl in Lake Tonga, northeast Algeria

Dietary studies of five species of Anatidae (Gadwall Anas strepera, Shoveler Anas clypeata, Pochard Aythya ferina, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, and White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala) were carried out at Lake Tonga, northeast Algeria, from December 2011 to March 2012. Diet analysis of all five wintering species indicated a heavy reliance on seeds, which included a wide variety of aquatic plants, such as Myriophyllum spicatum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Sparganium erectum, Scirpus lacustris and Potamogeton pectinatus. Noteworthy is the paucity of ingested macroinvertebrates. Despite dietary overlap, the type, abundance and frequency of food consumed clearly indicated differences in resource use among the ducks. Incidentally, the study also highlighted the high vulnerability of threatened ducks to poaching (harvesting and disturbance) in a protected area. We discuss the implications of these findings for the management and conservation of wintering wildfowl and their North African habitats.

Factors Predicting Ramsar Site Occupancy by Threatened Waterfowl: The Case of the Marbled TealMarmaronetta angustirostrisand Ferruginous DuckAythya nyrocain Morocco

Summary. Since 2005, Morocco has designated many Ramsar wetlands, yet little is known about factors determining their occupation by waterbird communities. In this study, we assessed the relationship between the occupation of Moroccan Ramsar wetlands during the breeding season by two globally threatened waterbirds, the marbled teal Marmaronetta angustirostris and the ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca, and geographical, topographical and macrohabitat factors. Habitat-based statistical models showed that the presence of these two threatened waterfowl species at Moroccan wetlands was positively correlated with the number of emergent vegetation species, and negatively correlated with altitude and the distance to the nearest coastline. These results highlighted previous findings regarding the significant and positive relationship between the number of plant taxa and the number of threatened waterbird species at Moroccan wetlands. Further investigations should be conducted at regional (Maghreb region) and internati...

Preliminary assessment of the scope and scale of illegal killing and taking of birds in the Mediterranean

SummaryIllegal killing/taking of birds is a growing concern across the Mediterranean. However, there are few quantitative data on the species and countries involved. We assessed numbers of individual birds of each species killed/taken illegally in each Mediterranean country per year, using a diverse range of data sources and incorporating expert knowledge. We estimated that 11–36 million individuals per year may be killed/taken illegally in the region, many of them on migration. In each of Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Lebanon and Syria, more than two million birds may be killed/taken on average each year. For species such as Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, Common Quail Coturnix coturnix, Eurasian Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs, House Sparrow Passer domesticus and Song Thrush Turdus philomelos, more than one million individuals of each species are estimated to be killed/taken illegally on average every year. Several species of global conservation concern are also reported to be killed/taken illegally in substantial numbers: Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca and Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca. Birds in the Mediterranean are illegally killed/taken primarily for food, sport and for use as cage-birds or decoys. At the 20 worst locations with the highest reported numbers, 7.9 million individuals may be illegally killed/taken per year, representing 34% of the mean estimated annual regional total number of birds illegally killed/taken for all species combined. Our study highlighted the paucity of data on illegal killing/taking of birds. Monitoring schemes which use systematic sampling protocols are needed to generate increasingly robust data on trends in illegal killing/taking over time and help stakeholders prioritise conservation actions to address this international conservation problem. Large numbers of birds are also hunted legally in the region, but specific totals are generally unavailable. Such data, in combination with improved estimates for illegal killing/taking, are needed for robustly assessing the sustainability of exploitation of birds.

SELECTED HEMATOLOGIC AND PLASMA BIOCHEMISTRY ANALYSIS OF FERRUGINOUS DUCKS (AYTHYA NYROCA) IN ISRAEL.

The ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca) is a medium-sized chestnut-colored diving duck that inhabits wetlands of Europe and Asia. In recent years, this species has been declining throughout much of Europe--a decline that is attributed mainly to destruction of natural habitats, and to hunting and pollution. The ferruginous duck is listed as "near threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and as a critically endangered nesting species in Israel. In 2009, a captive-breeding/reintroduction program was established in Israel, aiming to increase the species' population. The objective of this study was to collect data on normal hematology and plasma biochemistry analytes of ferruginous ducks in order to promote the species' conservation. Blood was collected from 49 birds, and 27 analytes were quantified. Compared to most other anseriformes studied, the ferruginous ducks in this study had lower white blood cell counts, which were dominated by heterophils rather than by lymphocytes.

Nesting ecology of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in north-eastern Algeria

The status of waterbirds breeding in protected areas in North Africa needs constant monitoring because of a naturally fluctuating environment and permissive attitudes towards illegal activities likely to negatively affect population dynamics of threatened species. We present the results of a study conducted at a protected site, Lake Tonga, north-eastern Algeria, on a breeding population of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, a Near-Threatened duck subjected to considerable pressure from egg-pilfering and illegal hunting. Two distinct habitats within the lake were used by Ferruginous Duck: an Alder carr (Alnus glutinosa) and floating islets across the lake. The mean clutch size was 9.51±1.84 eggs (N = 51 clutches) with hatching rate of 80.7% for successful clutches. Breeding success was low (37%) with predation (33%) and clutch desertion (17%) accounting for the majority of failed nests. The probabilities of nest failure and nest desertion increased with a delayed onset of egg laying. Predation was not significantly associated with egg laying date and vegetation cover, but late breeders nesting in dense vegetation seemed to suffer less predation. Conspecific brood parasitism was positively associated with nest size, whereas interspecific brood parasitism was marginally associated with water depth. We discuss different hypotheses concerning nest desertion, and argue that illegal hunting and disturbance may best explain why birds desert their nests.

Eco-ethology of the wintering ferruginous duckAythya nyroca(Anatidae) in Garaet Hadj Tahar (Guerbes-Sanhadja, Northeast of Algeria)

The ecology (phenology and diurnal eco-ethology) of the ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca was studied during three seasons of its wintering (2010/2011, 2011/2012, and 2012/2013) in Garaet Hadj Tahar (a Ramsar site since 2001 with an area of 120 ha, complex of Guerbes-Sanhadja, Skikda, Northeast of Algeria). The maximum number of ferruginous ducks recorded there in December 2012 was 605 individuals. This figure includes the total number of these birds in two populations living at the site: the first one is a nesting sedentary population consisting of about 20 pairs, and the second one, more numerous, frequents the center of this wetland only in wintering seasons. The study of the rhythm of diurnal activities showed that sleeping is the dominant activity of ferruginous ducks accounting for 42.5% of their time budget. It is followed by activities of swimming (20.6%), feeding (19.3%), cleaning (9.3%), and finally, flying (7.7%). Parading constitutes a very small proportion of the time-activity budget of ducks an...

Numbers of wintering waterbirds in the Czech Republic: long-term and spatial-scale approaches to assess population size

Capsule Two nationwide monitoring schemes, the International Waterbird Census (IWC) and Atlas of Wintering Birds (AWB), provide comparable estimates of national population sizes of wintering waterbirds. Differences between these estimates for several species can be explained by differences in their migratory strategy.Aims We tested whether species-specific variables, i.e. the total numbers, distribution and migration strategy affected the accuracy of wintering population estimates provided by two different monitoring schemes, the IWC and AWB.Methods Estimates of the numbers of 81 waterbird species are compared, using data from IWC (mid-January) and AWB (December, January and February) in the Czech Republic between 1982 and 1985. Log-linear Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate missing IWC data from long-term IWC data series (1966–2013) using Trends and Indices for Monitoring data software. A series of generalized linear models was estimated to analyse the effect of species-specific variables on the presence of overlap between IWC and AWB national population estimates.Results The range of numbers recorded by IWC data overlap the range of AWB numbers in 22 of the 53 investigated species recorded by both monitoring schemes. Numbers of most other species based on the IWC counts were lower when compared with those generated from AWB data and included several widespread species, e.g. White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla and White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus. In contrast, population size estimates based on IWC counts were higher than those generated from AWB estimates for one species, the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca. The differences between IWC and AWB estimates were significantly higher in late-departing and early-arriving migrants. There was no effect of species distribution and population size.Conclusions Based on a single-country data sample, we support the relevance of the IWC Census methodology to produce estimates of wintering waterbird numbers and to calculate 1% thresholds for waterbird species, which we use to indicate nationally important wetland sites for future conservation and protection in the Czech Republic.

Habitat characteristics assessmen of the wetlands with breeding Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca and Pochard A. ferina in Bulgaria / Ocena habitatnih značilnosti mokrišč z gnezdečimi kostanjevkami Aythya nyroca in sivkami A. ferina v Bolgariji

Abstract The Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca and Pochard A. ferina are both regular breeders in Bulgaria. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Ferruginous Duck was a widely distributed and abundant breeding species in Bulgaria, while Pochard was first confirmed to breed in the country only in the 1950s. Breeding habitat characteristics of Ferruginous Duck and Pochard were assessed in 2002 during a national census of the former species in 30 and 23 wetlands, respectively, where the species were present. Preferred habitat characteristics were determined based on vegetation cover, water depth, and the presence of mosaic vegetation, bank side vegetation, floating vegetation, shallow or steep banks, shallow mudflats, shallow vegetated areas and woodland along the banks. In 2002, the Ferruginous Duck population in Bulgaria was restricted more to artificial wetlands, like fishponds and micro-reservoirs, while Pochard preferred more natural wetlands, predominantly natural marshes. The altitude of wetlands with Ferruginous Ducks varied markedly, with breeding recorded up to 880 m a.s.l., while Pochard bred at lower altitudes, mostly below 300 m a.s.l. Analysis revealed that Ferruginous Ducks preferred well-vegetated, comparatively shallow wetlands with well-structured mosaic vegetation and a diversity of microhabitats, like shallow mudflats and floating vegetation. The Pochard was found to be more of a generalist in wetland selection, significantly correlated with fewer wetland parameters, and showed preference only for larger, open-water bodies. These results could help explain and give some insight into the reasons for the differences in range size, numbers and distribution of the two species and their respective conservation status in Europe and worldwide. The Pochard, whilst close to the limits of the breeding range in Bulgaria, expands its range in Europe, occupying a variety of wetlands and thus having a favourable status. The Ferruginous Duck is more of a habitat specialist, which limits its distribution and makes it more susceptible to habitat changes. These habitat preferences and the deterioration of the wetland habitats in many parts of its range could probably explain the Ferruginous Duck decreasing population and shrinking breeding range, and thus its current unfavourable conservation status.

Vodne ptice in ujede Cerkniškega polja (južna Slovenija) v letih 2007 in 2008, s pregledom zanimivejših opazovanj do konca leta 2010 / Waterbirds and raptors of Cerknica polje (southern Slovenia) in 2007 and 2008, with an overview of interesting observations till the end of 2010

Between the end of February 2007 and mid-February in 2008, 73 systematic surveys of waterbirds and raptors were carried out during 10-day periods at Cerknica polje (Southern Slovenia). The main objectives of our research were: to ascertain the abundance and temporal dynamics of the species occurring here, to specify their status, to make a comparison with the past period of systematic data gathering in the 1991-1992 period, to present estimates of the breeding, migrating and wintering populations, as well as to make, on these bases, a nature-conservancy evaluation of the area. Other ornithological data, acquired till the end of 2010, were gathered as well. Between the beginning of May and the beginning of September 2007, the water in the area virtually ran dry (it was retained only in the channels of the streams), while the surface itself was partially or fully icebound from mid-November 2007 till the beginning of February 2008. By the end of 2010, a total of 129 waterbird and raptor species were recorded at Cerknica polje, while in the 2007-2008 period 83 were registered. Dynamics of the species occurrence with more than nine observations made in the area is presented in a greater detail in the species overview. The breeding status was held by 27 bird species, while further seven were forage guests that bred in the vicinity of the study area. Most of the species (118) had the status of passage visitor, whereas those with the status of summer visitor (34) and winter visitor (40) were fewer. Among the recorded species, 34 were accidental and 21 rare visitors. There were 16 winter and seven summer residents, while year-round residents were six. In all 10-day periods of the research period, four species were recorded: Mallard Anas plathyrhynchos, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Buzzard Buteo buteo and Kestrel Falco tinnunculus. In more than 90% of 10-day periods, the Great Egret Ardea alba was recorded as well. In the 2007-2008 period, two species were eudominant (Mallard 27.2%, Buzzard 10.1%), whereas another two were dominant (Garganey Anas querquedula 7.4%, Coot Fulica atra 6.4%). Most individuals were registered at the end of March and in early April (up to 1,978 ind.), whereas the greatest numbers of species (48) were recorded in mid-April. Between May and August, the numbers of individuals and species were low owing to the dried up lake. The smallest area of occurrence was occupied by the Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo and a group of ducks of the genera Aythya, Bucephala and Mergellus. Gulls, egrets, herons, waders, harriers Circus sp. and the Red-footed Kestrel Falco vespertinus occurred in the greater part of the research area. 10 breeders fulfilled the criteria of the species of the greatest conservation importance, two of which (Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca and Curlew Numenius arquata) are species of global conservation concern, whereas seven are of conservation concern on a European scale. Among non-breeders, 14 waterbird species and raptors occurred in significant numbers (> 0.1% biogeographical population), five of which occurred at least occasionally with more than 1% of their biographical population. Two species (Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena and Snipe Gallinago gallinago) breed in Slovenia only at Cerknica polje, while further six species have here at least 40% of their Slovenian breeding population