Grassland bird species in mountain pastures Zaprikraj and Zapleč in the southern Julian Alps, Slovenia

Grassland birds were surveyed in two mountain pastures (Zaprikraj and Zapleč) in the southern part of the Julian Alps, Slovenia. The survey was carried out during the mornings between 26 and 30 June 2005. Due to the incomplete survey (only one visit, no nocturnal or targeted surveys and late season survey), the surveyed birds’ breeding density is only a rough estimate. 167 pairs belonging to 12 species were counted, with Tree (average density of 1.64 p/10 ha) and Water Pipit (average density of 1.60 p / 10 ha) being the most abundant. Both were observed in all altitudinal belts. The highest density in individual altitudinal belt was calculated for Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio (3.78 p/10 ha) and Water Pipit (3.61 p/10 ha). In well preserved grasslands in the study area, most species reached high breeding densities compared to other parts of Slovenia and all were recorded higher than during the 1992 survey, although still mostly within limits of the elevations elsewhere in Slovenia. Breeding density of Skylark Alauda arvensis decreased with the elevation. Whinchat Saxicola rubetra, Skylark and Red-backed Shrike used significantly gentler slopes, while Pipits showed no preference for particular slopes.

Dräktvariation hos skärpiplärka Anthus petrosus littoralis och vattenpiplärka Anthus spinoletta i vinterdräkt

Plumage variation in nine neutral (i. e. not concerning colour hues) characters was studied from October through February in 77 Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus littoralis and 47 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta in southern Sweden. The Rock Pipit generally showed more variation than the Water Pipit. Several characters were overlapping between the species, while especially streaking on the underparts significantly distinguished between them. The most reliable differences concerned the width and sharpness of the streaks on the lower breast, and on the anterior and, especially, rear flanks, the Water Pipit having considerably thinner and more clearcut streaks than Rock Pipit.