157 Acrocephalus 26 (126): 157–163, 2005 Slovenija / Slovenia ^rna {torklja Ciconia nigra Black Stork – observation of an adult above Veliki vrh near Zabiče (UTM VL54, S Slovenia) on 12 and 13 Jul 2005 Dne 12.7.2005 sem nad Velikim vrhom jugozahodno od Zabič pod južnim robom Snežniške planote (UTM VL54) opazoval odrasel osebek črne štorklje. Verjetno isti osebek je naslednji dan krožil približno en kilometer severneje. Na približno isti lokaciji sem večjo ptico, ki bi prav tako lahko bila črna štorklja, videl jadrati že julija lansko leto, vendar je takrat zaradi prevelike oddaljenosti nisem uspel zanesljivo določiti. Glede na podatke Ornitološkega atlasa Slovenije [Geister, I. (1995): Ornitološki atlas Slovenije. – DZS, Ljubljana] do sedaj prisotnost črne štorklje v gnezditvenem obdobju na območju Snežniške planote ni bila znana, najbližje znano gnezdišče je bilo odkrito ob Cerkniškem jezeru. Miha Krofel, Zavrh pri Borovnici 2, SI–1353 Borovnica, Slovenija, e–mail: mk_lynx@yahoo.co.uk Srednji detel Dendrocopos medius Middle Spotted Woodpecker – another new breeding locality in SW Slovenia in the valley of Suhorica (UTM VL25, Brkini); one bird was registered on 14 Jun 2005 in Durmast Oak Quercus petraea and European Hornbeam Carpinus betulus forest Dne 14.6.2005 sem popisoval ptice v Brkinih, natančneje v dolini potoka Suhorice pri Suhorju (UTM VL25). Pobočja te ozke doline so dokaj strma, na pretežno flišnati podlagi pa uspeva gozd s prevladujočim gradnom Quercus petraea in belim gabrom Carpinus betulus s posameznimi gosto nasajenimi sestoji smreke Picea abies in zelenega bora Pinus strobus. Zgornji del doline je videti zelo dobro ohranjen. Na popisu tega dne sem registriral vrsto tipičnih gozdnih ptic, posebej velja morda opozoriti na zelo številne močvirske sinice Parus palustris (Poecile palustris) in pojoče sive pastirice Motacilla cinerea ob samem potoku Suhorica. Največja posebnost tega dne pa je bil srednji detel, ki skupaj z veliki detelom Dendrocopos major in črno žolno Dryocopus martius naseljuje omenjeni gradnov gozd. Gre za še eno novo gnezditveno lokaliteto tega na Primorskem izredno redkega gnezdilca [Vrezec, A. (2004): Srednji detel Dendrocopos Iz ornitolo{ke bele`nice From the ornithological notebook medius. – Acrocephalus 25 (121): 95]. Verjetno je vrsta v obsežnih primorskih hrastovih gozdovih bolj razširjena kot si mislimo, čeprav so gostote, ki jih tu dosega precej nižje kot pa v nižinskih poplavnih dobovih gozdovih vzhodne Slovenije [Boži~, L. (2002): Primerjava združb in nekaterih populacijskih parametrov ptic v izbranih tipih nižinskih gozdov. – Dipl. delo, Oddelek za biologijo, BF, Univ. v Ljubljani, Ljubljana]. Al Vrezec, Pražakova 11, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija, e–mail: al.vrezec@nib.si Siva vrana Corvus corone cornix Hooded Crow – Observation of robbing Common Coot Fulica atra nests by two Hooded Crows on water reservoir Medvedce (UTM WM53, SE of Pragersko, NE Slovenia). It could be seen from eggshell remains that the crows successfully stole at least fourteen (14) Common Coot eggs, two Mallard Anas platyrhynchos eggs and two Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis eggs. Med gledanjem in štetjem ptic 5.6.2004 na vodnem zadrževalniku Medvedce (UTM WM53, JV od Pragerskega, SV Slovenija), sem zaslišal razburjeno oglašanje in čofotanje lisk Fulica atra. Ob pogledu proti glasovom sem takoj videl za kaj gre. Dve sivi vrani sta uspešno ukradli jajce, sicer znano početje sivih vran [Cramp, S. (ed.) (1978): Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, Vol. I: Ostrich to Ducks. – Oxford University Press, Oxford], in ga na nasipu zadrževalnika pojedli. Kasneje sem bil pozoren na tem delu nasipa, saj me je zanimalo, če ležijo tam še kakšna jajca. Na dobrih sto metrih nasipa sem ta dan, in še v nekaj naslednjih obiskih Medvedc našel ostanke štirinajstih (14) liskinih jajc, dveh jajc race mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos in dveh jajc malega ponirka Tachybaptus ruficollis. Zanimivo je, da na ostalem delu nasipa ni bilo najti ostankov jajc. Na mestu, kjer so bila najdena jajca, se vodna površina najbolj približa gozdu zunaj zadrževalnika in mladovju črne jelše Alnus glutinosa ter vrb Salix sp. znotraj zadrževalnika. Glede na večjo količino najdenih ostankov jajc, imajo plenilci gnezd na Medvedcih opazen vpliv na število uspešno speljanih mladičev vodnih ptic. Še posebej so na udaru vrste z izpostavljenimi gnezdom, kot je npr. liska. Zanimivo bi bilo ugotoviti v kolikšni meri bližina gozda vpliva na število speljanih mladičev. Dejan Bordjan, Ulica 8. februarja 50, SI–2204 Milklavž, Slovenija, e–mail: dejanonih@email.si 158 Hrva{ka / Croatia ^rnovrati ponirek Podiceps nigricollis Black-necked Grebe – on 18 Apr 2004, a flock of 28 Black-necked Grebes was observed in one of the bays north of Novi Vinodolski (UTM VK89, N Croatian Adriatic coast). The grebes were hunting actively. On the following day, a group of 34 Black-necked Grebes was seen near Senj. Dne 18.4.2004 sva prikolesarila do naselja Novi Vinodolski (UTM VK89). V enem izmed zalivov pred naseljem sva na vodi opazila skupino 28 črnovratih ponirkov, ki so aktivno lovili. Naslednji dan sva za mestom Senj opazila skupino 34 črnovratih ponirkov. Ni bilo moč ugotoviti, ali gre za isto skupino ali pa za povsem nove osebke. Črnovrati ponirki redno prezimujejo na hrvaški obali in so tam opazovani tudi v aprilu, vendar so večinoma v precej manjših jatah, ki štejejo do pet osebkov [Rucner, D. (1998): Ptice hrvatske obale Jadrana. – Hrvatski prirodoslovni muzej, Ministrstvo razvitka i obnove, Zagreb]. Blizu jate črnovratih ponirkov se je potapljal rdečegrli slapnik Gavia stellata. Dejan Bordjan, Ulica 8. februarja 50, SI–2204 Milklavž, Slovenija, e–mail: dejanonih@email.si Jernej Polajnar, Ka{ova 15d, SI–3212 Vojnik, Slovenija, e–mail: j@biologija.org Black Stork Ciconia nigra Črna štorklja – en osebek opažen na strehi hleva sredi vasi Lekenik (UTM WL94, osrednja Hrvaška) On 30 Aug 2005, I noticed a Black Stork standing on a stable roof in the village of Lekenik (UTM WL94, central Croatia), situated along the main road between Sisak and Zagreb. Although Black Stork is not uncommon in the area of Turopolje, I was surprised to see it in the middle of a village, in a manner typical of the White Stork Ciconia ciconia. Željko Vasilik, S.Bereka 11, HR–44202 Topolovac, Croatia, e–mail: zeljko.vasilik@ina.hr ^ebelar Merops apiaster Bee-eater – two abandoned nest-sites (both in earth pits) found in August 2005 near Starigrad (UTM XH28, S Dalmatia), where a flock of 15 birds was observed Letošnji poletni dopust sem v začetku avgusta preživel na otoku Hvaru v Starigradu in Jelsi (J Dalmacija). V bližnji okolici Starigrada sem našel dve gnezdišči čebelarjev, ki sem jih tudi vsak dan videval. Prvo gnezdišče sem našel ob cesti Iz ornitolo{ke bele`nice / From the ornithological notebook med Starim gradom in Vrbosko (UTM XH28), na desni strani gledano proti Vrboski. Gnezdišče, ki je oddaljeno kak kilometer od križišča za Vrbosko, od ceste pa samo 10 m, je velika 4 m globoka jama, ki je nastala z izkopom peščene zemlje. Čebelarji so si tu napravili 10 lukenj. To jamo zdaj zasipavajo z različnim odpadnim gradbenim materialom in v letu ali dveh bo dokončno zasuta. Drugo gnezdišče čebelarjev sem našel ca. 100 m od ceste Starigrad – Vrisnik, in sicer pri odcepu za vas Dol. To je pravzaprav manjši hribček iz peščene zemlje, z ene strani odkopan z bagrom, tako da je nastala nekaj metrov visoka stena, v njej pa kakšnih 10 čebelarjevih lukenj. To gnezdišče bo izginilo, ko bodo dokončno odkopali in odpeljali vso zemljino. Obe gnezdišči sta bili prazni. Na območju med Jelso in Dolom sem opazoval dve jati čebelarjev s približno 15 osebki. Aleksander Pritekelj, Ulica Ivanke Kožuh 6, SI–1210 Ljubljana–Šentvid, Slovenia, e–mail: aleksander.pritekelj@mobitel.si Rde~a lastovka Hirundo daurica Red-rumped Swallow – 1 observed on 22 Jul 2004 at Novaljsko polje near the Church of Sv. Anton (UTM VK93, island Pag) Dne 22.7.2004 sem opazoval ptiče pri cerkvici Sv. Antuna na Novaljskem polju (UTM VK93). Polje leži kilometer severno od mesteca Novalja na SZ delu otoka Pag na Hrvaškem. Pri cerkvici je manjši bajer velikosti ca. 20 x 20 m, kamor si pogosto prihajajo gasit žejo številne vrste ptic. Posebej veliko je bilo lastovk, ki so pile kar v letu. Večinoma so bile kmečke lastovke, nekaj pa je bilo tudi mestnih. Tik pred sončnim zahodom, ob 20.05 h, se je h gladini spustila tudi rdeča lastovka. Na otoku Pagu sem dopustoval 5 let, med letoma 2000 in 2004, vendar je to doslej moje edino opazovanje redeče lastovke na Pagu. Tomaž Jan~ar, DOPPS – BirdLife Slovenia, p.p. 2990, SI–1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia, e–mail: tomaz.jancar@dopps–drustvo.si Repalj{~ica Saxicola rubetra Whinchat – large numbers of migrating Whinchats on Korčula island (S Dalmatia) at the end of April 2004 observed; 4 individuals seen near the village of Blato (UTM XH45) on 24 Apr, 76 on 25 Apr along some 6 km long road between the Tri žale camp and Račišće (XH66), 40 individuals on 26 Apr between the town of Korčula and Prižna (XH75) bay, 13 on 27 Apr between the hilltop Zeč and the village Čara (XH55), and 8 on 30 Apr in olive Olea europaea stands around Vela luka (XH45), and additional 37 between Soline and Donje blato (XH75). Na biološkem taboru na Korčuli v južni Dalmaciji smo v 159 okviru skupine za ptice zasledili večjo selitev repaljščic. Dne 24.4.2004 smo zabeležili štiri osebke v okolici naselja Blato v osrednjem delu Korčule (UTM XH45); 25.4. smo na 6 km dolgi poti med našim kampom Tri žale in naseljem Račišće (XH66) našteli 76 osebkov; 26.4. smo jih zasledili 40 med mestom Korčulo in uvalo Prižna (XH75), večino na močvirnih travnikih Donje blato; 27.4. smo med vrhom hriba Zeč in naseljem Čara (XH55) našteli 13 repaljščic; 28.4. jih je bilo 8 v nasadih oljke Olea europaea v okolici Vele luke (XH45); 30.4. smo jih 37 našteli med mestom Korčulo, naseljem Soline in Donjim blatom (XH75). Gre za kvantitativne podatke s selitve o sicer pogosti in številčni selivki hrvaške obale [Rucner, D. (1998): Ptice hrvatske obale Jadrana. – Hrvatski prirodoslovni muzej, Ministrstvo razvitka I obnove, Zagreb]. Dejan Bordjan, Ulica 8. februarja 50, SI–2204 Milklavž, Slovenija, e–mail: dejanonih@email.si Rumenoglavi kralji~ek Regulus regulus & Gril~ek Serinus serinus Goldcrest and Serin – resting for some minutes on a sailing boat on the open sea; when the Goldcrest landed on it on 15 Oct 2005, the boat was about 9 km away from the nearest land (UTM VK24, north of Unije island), and about 2 km when the female Serin decided to take a rest on it (UTM VK35, north of Unije island), on 16 Oct 2005 Podajam poročilo treh sošolcev, ki so se dne 15.10.2005 odpravili na dvodnevno jadranje po Kvarnerju. Ob 8 h zjutraj so odpluli iz Verude proti Unijam. Vreme je bilo pretežno jasno, morje mirno. Približno ob 12 h je na jadrnico priletel rumenoglavi kraljiček (glej sliko). Posedal je po jadrnici in celo priletel v kabino. To je trajalo kakih pet minut. Nato je odletel, a se po približno dveh minutah vrnil in si spet privoščil nekajminutni počitek na jadrnici. Nato je odletel in se ni več vrnil. Jadrnica je bila v tem trenutku oddaljena Acrocephalus 26 (126): 157–163, 2005 kakih 13 km od Kamenjaka, prav toliko od Unij (UTM VK24). Od čeri Galjola, kjer je svetilnik, je bila oddaljena cca 9 km. Ko so ob 6.10 h zjutraj naslednjega dne odpluli iz Unij proti Kamenjaku, je pihal močan severozahodni veter, ki pa se je umiril šele približno ob 10 h. Nekako pol ure kasneje je priletel na jadrnico še en droban ptiček, in sicer samica grilčka. Na barki je posedal po ograji ter po približno desetih minutah odletel. Tedaj je bila jadrnica oddaljena od čeri Galjol približno 2 km, od Unij pa 7 km (UTM VK35). Prijatelj, ki jadra že kakih dvajset let, ni še nikoli doživel česa takega. Predvsem ga je presenetilo, kako daleč od najbližjega kopnega sta na jadrnici pristali omenjeni ptici. Zahvala: Zahvaljujem se Daretu Šeretu pri potrditvi moje domneve, da gre pri drugi ptici za grilčka. Blaž Šegula, Lepi pot 4, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, e–mail: blaz.segula@kis–h2.si Krivokljun Loxia curvirostra Crossbill – a flock of 6 individuals, males and females, observed on 12 Nov 2005 on the coast in the town of Punat (UTM VL70, Krk island, Kvarner Bay) Čeprav krivokljun gnezdi v višjih gozdnatih območjih priobalne Hrvaške [Kralj, J. (1997): Ornitofauna Hrvatske tijekom posljednjih dvjesto godina. – Larus 46: 1–112], pa je na sami obali redek, a reden gost [Rucner, D. (1998): Ptice hrvatske obale Jadrana. – Hrvatski prirodoslovni muzej, Ministarstvo razvitka i obnove, Zagreb]. Dne 12.11.2005 sva manjšo jato šestih osebkov, v kateri so bili tako samci kot samice, opazovala v kraju Punat na otoku Krku (UTM VL70) tik ob morju. Ptice so se v jati, ki je preletela obalo in prek morja poletela proti otočku Košljun, značilno oglašale. Rucner (1998) navaja pojavljanje krivokljuna le na otokih Brač, Dugi otok, Ugljan in Mali Lošinj, tako da gre pri najinem opazovanju verjetno za novo preletno oziroma prezimovalno lokaliteto. Al Vrezec, Pražakova 11, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija, e–mail: al.vrezec@nib.si Petra Vrh, Gri~ C. IX/1, SI–1310 Ribnica, Slovenija, e–mail: petravrh@yahoo.com 160 ^rna gora (Srbija in ^rna gora) / Montenegro (Serbia and Montenegro) Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus Kodrasti pelikan – dne 14.10.2005 opazovano do tedaj največje število na Ulcinjskih solinah (41º55’N, 19º18’E; JV Črna gora), skupaj 96 osebkov On 14 Oct 2005, I had the luck to observe the so far highest number of Dalmatian Pelicans at the Ulcinj saltpans (41º55’N, 19º18’E; SE Montenegro); 6 were observed in Kneta basins no. 4 during their rest on dry land, and 90 in Jezera I. basin. The birds were tame and could be observed from a distance of approx. 50 metres. The Ulcinj saltpans are the largest wintering site of Dalmatian Pelican in Montenegro. Till now, the largest number of Dalmatian Pelicans, i.e. 56 individuals, were observed in November 2003. [Savelji}, D. & Rubini}, B. (2005): The Presence of Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus on Ulcinj saltpans (Montenegro). – Acrocephalus 26 (124): 291–294]. The nearest nest-site is Lake Skadar [Savelji}, D., Rubini~, B., Schneider–Jacoby, M. & Vizi, O. (2004): Breeding of Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus on Skadar Lake. – Acrocephalus 25 (122): 111–118]. The hunting is currently prohibited in the saltpans, which is the reason why the observation distance (which used to be 200 metres) has been greatly reduced. Darko Savelji}, P.O. Box 2, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro, e–mail: dasav@cg.yu Žalobna sinica Parus lugubris Sombre Tit – during the spring student biological camp in Montenegro in 2005, Sombre Tits were observed on three occasions, for the first time on 24 Apr near Pržno village north of St. Stefan (UTM CM27), when one individual was registered together with three Blue Tits Parus caeruleus in old Downy Oaks Quercus pubescens; for the second time on 27 Apr when a pair was spotted in the village of Marovići on the edge of a forest containing old Downy Oaks, and for the third time on 29 Apr, when a pair was seen in old Downy Oaks growing on Tuđemili slope above the village bearing the same name Med spomladanskim biološkim taborom v Črni gori smo imeli možnost nekajkrat opazovati žalobno sinico. Dne 24.4.2005 smo tik za vasjo Pržno severno od Sv. Stefana (UTM CM27) opazovali en osebek skupaj s tremi plavčki Parus caeruleus. Vsi štirje osebki so se nemirno premikali po krošnjah starih puhastih hrastov Quercus pubescens. Dne 27.4.2005 smo opazovali par žalobnih sinic na robu gozda Iz ornitolo{ke bele`nice / From the ornithological notebook pri vasi Marovići. Tokrat sta se sinici prehranjevali in peli po grmovju in mladih drevesih, vendar je bil gozd starega puhastega hrasta oddaljen manj kot deset metrov. Naše tretje in zadnje srečanje je bilo 29.4.2005 na pobočju Tuđemili nad istoimensko vasjo. Tudi tokrat smo videli par in prav tako v sestoju starega puhastega hrasta. Dejan Bordjan, Ulica 8. februarja 50, SI–2204 Milklavž, Slovenija, e–mail: dejanonih@email.si Rock Bunting Emberiza cia Skalni strnad – dne 12.8.2005 najdeno zelo pozno gnezdo s tremi jajci na območju planine Krivošije (UTM CN01) During our trip to Krivošije and Orijen in NW Montenegro on 12 Aug 2005, an active Rock Bunting’s nest (see photo) was found on NE slope of Mt. Kabao (1466 m a.s.l.; UTM CN01). The nest was situated on a rocky cliff about a metre above the road edge and hidden by sparse grasses. In the nest, three eggs were found. We observed a female incubating the eggs, but flew away on our arrival. Approximately two hours later, when we returned there, the female was again in the nest. Rock Buntings must be abundant breeding birds in the region, but the date of active nesting is unusually late. No singing males were seen or heard at the time of our visit. The reasons for such late breeding could lie either in a replacement second brood or in extremely cold and long winter. The nest was situated at an altitude of approximately 1200 metres a.s.l., and the bottoms of caves in the region were still covered with snow. Slavko Polak, Notranjski muzej Postojna, Ljubljanska 10, SI–6230 Postojna, Slovenia, e–mail: slavko.polak@guest.arnes.si Peter Trontelj, Oddelek za biologijo, Biotehni{ka Fakulteta, pp. 2995, SI–1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia, e–mail: peter.trontelj@bf.uni–lj.si 161 Bolgarija / Bulgaria Knot Calidris canutus Veliki prodnik – dva osebka opazovana na poplavljenem travniku ob Donavi, zahodno od mesta Belene (UTM LG43, S Bolgarija); eden izmed redkih podatkov za spomladansko seltev velikega prodnika v notranjosti Bolgarije On 20 May 2005, two Knots were observed in a flooded meadow along the Danube course to the west of the town Belene in an area called “Hissarluka”, N Bulgaria. One of the birds was in full summer plumage, the second in intermediate plumage (between winter and summer plumage). Together with the Knots, we also saw three Little Stints Calidris minuta. During April – May 2005, Danube had extremely high water levels, thus flooding many areas and supplying ideal conditions for many waders and other water birds. Knot is a very rare species in Bulgaria observed during migration and wintering. Until 1996, only six observations of the species made in the country were published, all of them on the Black Sea coast [Nankinov, D., Simeonov, S., Michev, T. & Ivanov, B. (1997): Fauna na Balgaria, Aves, part 2, vol. 24 – Bulgarian Academy of Science, Sofia (in Bulgarian)]. Recently, there were also several observations along the Black Sea coast [Nankinov, D. (2005): Migration of Knot (Calidris canutus canutus) over inland areas of Eurasia and Africa. – Journal of Balkan Ecology: 8(2): 137– 142] and even inland, in the Sofia district – at Musachevo, on 21 Oct 1997 (I. Hristov pers. comm.), Ravno pole and Chelopechene (Nankinov 2005). Our observation was the first for the Bulgarian part of the Danube plain and one of the few representing spring migration of the species through Bulgaria. Peter Shurulinkov, Institute of Zoology, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Tsar Osvoboditel, 1, BG–1000 Sofia, Bulgaria, e–mail: shurulinkov@mail.bg Rossen Tsonev, Sofia University, Fac. of Biology, blvd. Dragan Tsankov, 8, BG–1164 Sofia, Bulgaria, e–mail: rossentzonev@mail.bg Parasitic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus Bodičasta govnačka – odrasel osebek opažen 29.9.2003 na zadrževalniku Iskar (UTM GN10; Z Bolgarija) An adult Parasitic Skua was observed on 29 Sep 2003 on the biggest Dam in Bulgaria – Iskar, Sofia district, western Bulgaria (UTM GN10). The bird was a light phase individual. It was observed in flight and on the water at 12.40 – 12.45 h. In Bulgaria, the species is usually observed along the Black Sea coast, more often during the autumn months [Nankinov, D., Simeonov, S., Michev, T. & Ivanov, B. (1997): Fauna na Balgaria, Aves, part 2, vol. 24 – Bulgarian Academy of Science, Sofia (in Bulgarian)]. It was established that part of the Russian-tundra breeding population flies to the south during autumn migration (August – September) and such birds have been observed in Belarus, Ukraine, central Asia and former Czechoslovakia [Ilichev, V.D. & Zubakin, V.A. (eds.) (1988): Birds of USSR. Gulls. – Nauka, Moscow]. The species is also a regular but rare migrant in the neighbouring countries of SE Europe, such as Hungary [Magyar, G., Hadarics, T., Waliczky, Z., Schmidt, A., Nagy, T. & Bankovics, A. (1998): An annotated list of the birds of Hungary. Allomanyadatok, Budapest – Szeged]. Peter Shurulinkov, Institute of Zoology, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Tsar Osvoboditel, 1, BG–1000 Sofia, Bulgaria, e–mail: shurulinkov@mail.bg Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus Ribji galeb – več opažanj na jezeru Mandra (UTM NG39, JV Bolgarija); 8 os. 20.2.2004, 18 os. 24.2.2004, 1 os. 26.2.2004; doslej največje število osebkov za Bolgarijo A group of 8 Great Black-headed Gulls was observed on 20 Feb 2004 at the mouth of Fakijska river in Mandra Lake (IBA BG34), Bourgas district, SE Bulgaria. Seven of the birds were in almost complete summer plumage, but one of them was still in winter plumage. They were resting on the shore in the company of 35 Yellow-legged Gulls Larus cachinnans. The birds were observed between 11.00 and 12.00 h. Four days later, on 24 Feb 2004, the group increased to 18 Great Black-headed Gulls – 12 adults in summer plumage and 6 immature birds. On 26 Feb 2004, only one adult specimen was seen in Mandra Lake. This is probably the biggest flock of this species ever observed in Bulgaria. Great Black-headed Gull is a rare visitor in Bulgaria, observed mostly along the Black Sea coast during winter and migration periods. [Nankinov, D., Simeonov, S., Michev, T. & Ivanov, B. (1997): Fauna na Balgaria, Aves, part 2, vol. 24 – Bulgarian Academy of Science, Sofia; Nankinov, D. (2000) Die Fischmowe Larus ichthyaetus als Gast in Bulgarien. – Orn. Mitt. 52(12): 422–423]. Until now, most of the observations have been single specimens or small groups of 2 – 5 individuals. Peter Shurulinkov, Institute of Zoology, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Tsar Osvoboditel, 1, BG–1000 Sofia, Bulgaria, e–mail: shurulinkov@mail.bg Konstantin Popov, Institute of Zoology, Bulgarian Ornithological Centre, Tsar Osvoboditel, 1, BG–1000 Sofia, Bulgaria Michaela Ilieva, Institute of Zoology, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Tsar Osvoboditel, 1, BG–1000 Sofia, Bulgaria, e–mail: Michaela_ilieva@yahoo.com James Day, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, e–mail: jimday7@yahoo.com Acrocephalus 26 (126): 157–163, 2005 162 Stonechat Saxicola torquata Prosnik – dne 30.3.2001 opazovan 1 osebek sibirske podvrste maura pri jezeru Durankulak (UTM PJ23) On 30 Mar 2001, a group of people – the late Maurice Waterhouse (a former RSPB reserve warden for 25 years), Christo Gurdov from the BSPB Varna branch and myself – observed, at around 13.00 h, a male Stonechat of the eastern-Siberian race S. t. maura on the bank of the so-called south-eastern marshland at the south-eastern part of the Durankulak lake complex (IBA BG050, UTM PJ23). The rump of the bird was completely white with just a pinch of ruddy on the chest and large deep white collar almost connecting at the back of the neck. The bird was in a loose group of altogether 6 Stonechats including three females and two males of the nominate race. We observed the bird with binoculars for several minutes from a distance of 20 – 25 m and then the whole group of Stonechats flew in a northerly direction along the bank. Nikolai Petkov, BSPB/BirdLife Bulgaria, PO Box 50, BG–1111 Sofia, Bulgaria, e–mail: nicky.petkov@bspb.org Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala Črnoglavi strnad – več podatkov iz gnezdilne sezone za SZ Bolgarijo (UTM FP73, GN38, FP70, FP42, FP43, FP14, FP15) In this note we share short data of encounters with the Black-headed Bunting in northwestern Bulgaria. Thus contributing to the contemporary state of information on the species distribution [Shurulinkov, P., Nikolov, B., & Tsonev, R. (2001): On the distribution of the Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) in Bulgaria. Bunting studies in Europe. – Bogucki Wyd. Nauk., Poznan]. On 9 Jun 2001, a male bird sang close to the road 2.5 km south- west of the village of Medkovetz (UTM FP73); on 15 May 2003, a male bird sang between Dolna Beshovitza village and the town of Roman (UTM GN38); on 26 Jun 2004, two male birds were heard singing around 3 km south near the village of Gorno Tzerovene (UTM FP70); on 18 May 2005 and 4 Jun 2005, there were two singing males at two separate localities in close proximity to the north-east bank of the Ogosta Dam (UTM FP70); on 18 Jun 2005, 2 males sang 1 km north from the village of Protopopintzi (UTM FP42); on 19 Jun 2005, 1 male sang along the road between the villages of Vurbovchetz and Falkovetz (UTM FP43); on 5 Jun 2005, 1 male sang between the villages Oreshetz and Varbovchetz (UTM FP43); on 11 Jul 2005, 1 male sang about 2 km north-west from the village of Rakovitza (UTM FP14); on 11 Jul 2005, 1 male sang between the Iz ornitolo{ke bele`nice / From the ornithological notebook village of Kiryaevo and the Vrashka Chuka Border Station (UTM FP15). The typical habitats, in which the Black- headed Bunting was recorded in north-western Bulgaria, are desolate agricultural fields in vast plain territories (near arable agricultural land), brushes with high grass, weeds, separate bushes and low trees. The altitude of the regions is about 150 – 300 m a.s.l. Georgi P. Stoyanov, MSc in biology – Centre for Conservation and Support of the Wild Fauna “Durrell”, Golyam Bratan Str No 23, fl. 2, ap. 2., BG–1618 Sofia, Bulgaria, e–mail: g.p.stoyanov@mail.bg; georgips@abv.bg Boris P. Nikolov, Bulgarian Ornithological Centre, Institute of Zoology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., BG–1000 Sofia, Bulgaria, e–mail: bnikolov@poshta.net Iva P. Hristova, Climatech Engineering Ltd., 51 Prof. Kiril Popov Str., BG–1700 Sofia, Bulgaria, e–mail: fotobiota@abv.bg Rosen L. Aleksov, Regional Inspectorate of the Ministry of Environment and Water – Blagoevgrad, 1 Svoboda Str., BG–2700 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, e–mail: rioskata@yahoo.com Radoslav H. Stanchev, Executive Environmental Agency, 136 Tsar Boris III Blvd., BG–1000 Sofia, Bulgaria, e–mail: radoslav_stanchev@hotmail.com Tur~ija / Turkey Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus Lebduh – odrasel osebek opažen 7.4.2004 v bližini mesta Diyarbakır (UTM 37S 614656 E / 4206350 N, JV Turčija); drugi podatek za območje JV Turčije The species is reported as a vagrant for Turkey [Kirwan, G., Martins, R.P., Eken, G. & Davıdson, P. (1998): A checklist of the birds of Turkey. – Sandgrouse, Supplement 1: 1–32; Kirwan, G., Özen, M., Kurt, B. & Martins, R.P. (2003): Turkey Bird Report 1997 – 2001. – Sandgrouse 25(1): 8– 31]. One adult Black-winged Kite was observed on 7 Apr 2004 on a wooden pylon at 5.55 h (near dawn) close to the Diyarbakır – Alçık Village road, near the Kadı Village, and 15 km away from Diyarbakır city centre (observers: Recep Karakaş, Ahmet Kiliç and Recep Mungan; UTM 37S 614656 E / 4206350 N). Typically, upper part of the bird observed was greyish-white colour with black shoulders and black edged eyes with large head. Also, it had short and square tail. This is the second record for the SE Turkey. The first (also mine) was published in Turkey Bird Report from the region and was seen in flight from Diyarbakır – Bingöl main road’ 50th km, on 28 Mar 1998 (Kirwan et al. 1997). There have been no records published for this species since then. Kirwan et al. (2003) stated that the species has apparently colonised widespread parts of Iraq and mentioned my record with reflection of the same expansion. The two records are close to each other. Recep Karakaş, University of Dicle, Science & Art Faculty, Department of Biology, TR–21280 Diyarbakır, Turkey, e–mail: rkarakas@dicle.edu.tr 163 Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus Južni sokol – 18.9.2004 sva pri naselju Selime na koncu doline Ihlara v osrednji Turčiji opazovala par južnih sokolov; ves čas opazovanja sta krožila ob veliki skalni steni v spremstvu dveh krokarjev Corvus corax On 18 Sep 2004, we observed a pair of Lanner Falcons at the end of Ihlara valley at Selime village in central Turkey. A pair was circling along a huge rock wall at the end of the canyon. All the time while observed, they were chased by two Ravens Corvus corax. Not much is known about the breeding distribution of Lanners, and there are more data for the non-breeding period [Kılıç, D.T., Eken, G. (2004): Türkiye’nin Önemli Kuş Alanları – 2004 Güncellemesi (Important Bird Areas of Turkey – Revision during 2004). – Doğa Derneği, Ankara]. Dejan Bordjan, Ulica 8. februarja 50, SI–2204 Milklavž, Slovenia, e–mail: dejanonih@email.si Ana Vidmar, Polan{kova 8, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, e–mail: ana_vidmar@email.si Roller Corracias garrulus Zlatovranka – razmeroma pozno opazovanje mladostnega osebka zlatovranke 4.10.2004 v zaledju območja IBA Göksu delta v južni Turčiji While driving through the hinterland of an IBA area of Göksu delta in S Turkey on 4 Oct 2004, we spotted a young Roller on a tree. It is known that this bird migrates mainly between August and September [Cramp, S. (ed.) (1978): Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, Vol. I: Ostrich to Ducks. – Oxford University Press, Oxford]. Nearby we caught sight of a male Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus on a power-line, and three cranes Grus grus flew over us. Dejan Bordjan, Ulica 8. februarja 50, SI–2204 Milklavž, Slovenia, e–mail: dejanonih@email.si Ana Vidmar, Polan{kova 8, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, e–mail: ana_vidmar@email.si Acrocephalus 26 (126): 157–163, 2005