2020
letnik
volume
41
41
številka
number
186/187
186/187
strani
pages
69–156
69–156
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Ilustracija na naslovnici / Front page: 
mlakarica / Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
risba / drawing: Janez Plestenjak
Acrocephalus
glasilo Društva za opazovanje in proučevanje ptic Slovenije
Journal of DOPPS - BirdLife Slovenia
ISSN 0351-2851
Impresum / Impressum
69
The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with 
an estimation of its current population
Mlakarica Anas platyrhynhos v Sloveniji: pregled z oceno trenutne populacije
Dejan Bordjan
Oddelek za gozdarstvo in obnovljive gozdne vire, Biotehniška fakulteta Univerze v Ljubljani.
dejan.bordjan@gmail.com
Although the Mallard is one of the most numerous and best-studied 
waterbirds in the world, it received almost no attention in Slovenia. 
It is one of the most frequently observed waterbirds in our country, 
with frequency often reaching 100%. Sites with lower frequency either 
freeze in winter or have a low number of individuals to start with. The 
Mallard is also the most dominant species (17.5% and 89.0%) with 
higher dominance at sites less suitable for waterbirds due to the lack 
of available shoals. Mallards reach their maximum numbers during 
fall migration and winter. Spring migration has no discernible peak 
and has been significant only for Lake Cerknica. On shallow waters, 
the maximum is reached in August and September, a month before 
fall migration begins, indicating local movement to food-rich sites. 
Females make up only 36.7% of the observed Mallards and reach the 
maximum proportion (41.5%) in winter and the lowest in April and 
May (14.7%), when they nest. The breeding season in Slovenia lasts 
from mid-January to early December, with the majority of females 
rearing broods from April to July. Average brood size is 6.2 ± 2.66 
and declines with season, age of young and altitude. It varies between 
habitat types and is highest on Treatment and Coastal Wetlands (7.3) 
and lowest on deep waters such as Reservoirs (5.7) and Lakes (5.6). No 
really high breeding densities were found in Slovenia and were similar 
to those in other countries. Breeding densities are higher on smaller 
Ponds (< 8 ha), on sites with isolated islands and breeding colonies 
of gulls and terns (e.g. Lake Ptuj). Breeding density also decreases 
with elevation. Slovenian breeding population is estimated at 1,473–
3,763 bp and wintering population averages 22,237 (10,376–32,010) 
individuals. Data suggest a decline in the wintering population most 
likely due to warmer winters. The majority of Mallards winter in NE 
Slovenia, where eight of eleven sites have a maximum of more than 
1,000 Mallards. Most Mallards winter on the Drava river with Ptuj 
and Ormož lakes, where the highest numbers of Mallards were also 
recorded (Lake Ptuj: 8,330 ind., Lake Ormož: 5,400 ind.). The highest 
number of individuals during spring migration was recorded on Lake 
Cerknica (4,581) and during autumn migration on Medvedce reservoir 
(3,379). Apart from standing waters, the highest density of wintering 
Mallards is found in urban sections of slow-flowing rivers, probably 
due to higher safety and food availability.
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
10.2478/acro-2020-0006
70
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
72,731 Mallards were hunted between 2001 and 2018, mainly in NE 
Slovenia (28% in the Pomursko hunting management district). The 
number of Mallards hunted is declining in all hunting areas and has 
declined by 64% since 2001 and even more since the 1990s. According 
to hunt data, hunting is by far the most important cause of the Mallard 
mortality in Slovenia (97.4%), followed by predation (1.1%). The Mallard 
mortality in Slovenia is largely unstudied and natural mortality is most 
likely underestimated, not only because it does not include mortality 
in the pre-fledging period, a period with the lowest survival, but also 
because the detectability of natural mortality is considerably lower. In 
contrast to the hunted numbers, there have been only nine recoveries 
of ringed individuals from abroad in the last 100 years, suggesting that 
hunters may not be reporting recoveries to the ringing centre. Apart from 
the 1972–1975 period, when 87% of Mallards were ringed, the intensity 
of ringing of Mallards in Slovenia is low, resulting in only seven Mallards 
recovered abroad. The longest distance of a Mallard ringed in Slovenia 
comes from Ukraine (1,290 km), while the longest distance between 
ringing and recovery sites is 2,075 km from an individual ringed in 
Finland. The only colour morphs documented in Slovenia are Mallards 
with paler feathers, attributed to one of the colour aberrations resulting 
from lower melanin productivity. Only few hybrids and mixed pairings 
with other wild duck species were observed. 
Keywords: Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Slovenia, population, breeding 
biology.
Ključne besede: mlakarica Anas platyrhynchos, Slovenija, populacija, 
gnezditvena biologija
1. Introduction
Waterfowl Anatidae are a diverse and often 
ecologically important group of birds. They contain 
some of the most important hunting species (Cotter 
et al. 1996, Dalby et al. 2013, McDougall  & 
Amundson 2017) and can transmit diseases to 
domestic animals (Slemons et al. 1991). On the 
other hand, they can be a proxy for the state of a 
wetland (Kreakie et al. 2015) and can be used to 
test for the presence of toxins in the environment 
(Lumeij et al. 1989, Plessl et al. 2017). They are an 
important vector for the dispersal of seeds of aquatic 
plants (Kleyheeg et al. 2016, Kleyheeg et al. 
2019) and nutrients (Post et al. 1998), making them 
a relevant part of wetland ecology.
The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos is the most 
widespread and numerous waterfowl species 
across most of the Northern hemisphere and by 
far the most numerous species of dabbling duck 
(Delany  & Scott 2006). It is distributed over 
much of Eurasia and North America with small and 
isolated populations in northern Africa. It has been 
introduced to Australia and New Zealand, but also to 
South Africa and Mauritius (Drilling et al. 2020). 
It is found in almost all wetlands throughout Europe 
(BirdLife International 2020), but reaches 
highest breeding densities in the lowlands of Western 
Europe, especially in the Netherlands (Keller et al. 
2020). 
Owing to its wide distribution, adaptability, and 
large numbers, it is a good candidate for various en-
vironmental studies. Indeed, it is one of the most 
studied waterbirds with many studies on urban 
(Figley  & van Druff 1982, Engel et al. 1988, 
Avilova 2018) and feeding ecology (Jorde et al. 
1983), daily (Shin et al. 2016, Yetter et al. 2018) 
and migratory movements (Krementz et al. 2011, 
71
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
Kang et al. 2014), inter- and intraspecific interactions 
(Marchowski  & Neubauer 2019), toxicology 
(Friend  & Trainer 1974, Plessl et al. 2017), 
virology (Wille et al. 2018), endocrinology (Haase 
1983), physiology (Gatti 2011, Söderquist et al. 
2014), phenology (Grishchenko 1997), population 
dynamics (Janke et al. 2017), population regulation 
(Hill 1984), seed dispersal (Kleyheeg et al. 2019), 
and habitat use (Link et al. 2011). Many aspects of 
breeding have also been studied, such as habitat 
selection (Fan et al. 2017), site fidelity (Clark et al. 
2005), hybridisation (Sheppard 2018), productivity 
(Singer et al. 2016, Garrick et al. 2017), duckling 
survival (Titman  & Lowther 1975, Krapu et 
al. 2006), population recruitment (Kaminski  & 
Gluesing 1987), second (Olsen et al. 2003) and 
replacement broods (Arnold et al. 2010), brood 
size (Zicus et al. 2003), adult survival (Boyer et al. 
2018), brood parasitism (Talent et al. 1981) and 
breeding ecology at the edge of the species’ range 
(Fouzari et al. 2018). It has been used as a model 
species for testing new research methods such as 
census technics with the use of drones, radioteleme-
try and modelling of a disease spread (Stafford & 
Pearse 2007, Pöysä et al. 2018, van Toor et al. 
2018). 
In Slovenia, the Mallard is the most numerous 
waterbird both during winter (Sovinc 1994) 
and breeding periods (Mihelič et al. 2019). It 
was present in Slovenia already in the prehistoric 
times (Janžekovič et al. 2004) and was the most 
numerous waterbird also in the second half of the 
19th and early 20th centuries (Reiser 1925). It was 
especially numerous in winter (Schiavuzzi 1883) 
when it was hunted (Schulz 1890). In Slovenia, no 
studies focusing on the Mallard have been conducted 
so far. It has been only part of broader studies of 
local or regional avifauna (i.e. Tome et al. 2005, 
Bordjan & Božič 2009, Bordjan 2012, Tome et 
al. 2013). It has also been included in the national 
January waterbird census, carried out annually 
since 1997 (Štumberger 1997, Štumberger 
1999, Štumberger 2000, Štumberger 2002a, 
Štumberger 2002b, Božič 2005, Štumberger 
2005, Božič 2006, Božič 2007c, Božič 2008c, 
Božič 2008d, Božič 2008a, Božič 2010, Božič 
2011, Božič 2012, Božič 2013, Božič 2014, 
Božič 2015, Božič 2016, Božič 2017, Božič 
2018, Božič 2019, Božič 2020). In the 40 volumes 
of the Acrocephalus journal (regional ornitholog-
ical journal) there is not a single paper specifically 
devoted to this species, except for few short notes 
on the occurrence of leucistic individual (Kmecl & 
Rižner 1992), forceful copulation attempts by 
several males (Bačani 1999), mixed species pairing 
(Sovinc 2014) and a report on new maximum 
numbers for a monitored site (Bordjan 2012a). 
As breeding distribution was recently published 
(Bordjan 2019), the aim of this paper was to 
summarize the available knowledge on phenology, 
dominance, frequency, breeding estimates, 
densities and trend, brood size and habitat type, 
colour morphs, hybrids and escapees, causes of 
mortality and hunting activity, ringing records and 
non-breeding numbers of the Mallard in Slovenia.
2. Methods
2.1. Data sources
Data from the following available sources were used 
in the analysis: (1) ongoing and former waterbird 
monitoring schemes, listed here with the years of 
monitoring data used: Sečovlje Salina Landscape Park 
(KPSS) 1983–2019 (Škornik 2012, I. Škornik pers. 
comm.), Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve (NRŠZ) 
2001–2019 (B. Mozetič & D. Stanič pers. comm.), 
Medvedce reservoir 2002–2019 (Bordjan & Božič 
2009b, own. data), Ormož Basins Nature Reserve 
2007–2019, Ptuj and Ormož lakes 2009–2019 
(L.  Božič pers. comm.), Požeg reservoir 2011–2019 
(own. data), Rački ribniki 2011–2019 (own. data), 
Lake Cerknica 2007–2011 (Bordjan 2012b, M. 
Cvetko  & A. Škoberne pers. comm., own data), 
Vrbje fishpond 1993–1998 and 2009–2011 (Vogrin 
1996, Vogrin 2004, Gamser  & Novak 2013), 
Gradiško Lake 2012–2013 (own. data), Šaleška lakes 
2014–2015 (Gregori & Šere 2005, Deberšek & 
Bordjan 2016); (2) data from January wintering 
census (IWC) annual reports (Štumberger 
1997, Štumberger 1999, Štumberger 2000, 
Štumberger 2002a, Štumberger 2002b, Božič 
2005, Štumberger 2005, Božič 2006, Božič 
2007c, Božič 2008c, Božič 2008d, Božič 2010, 
Božič 2011, Božič 2012, Božič 2013, Božič 
2014, Božič 2015, Božič 2016, Božič 2017, Božič 
2018, Božič 2019, Božič 2020), as well as data on 
domestic form of Mallards that is collected during 
72
IWC counts since 2011; (3) all published data 
on Mallards from journals (Acrocephalus (ISSN 
0351-2851, Vol. 1–40), Biota (ISSN 1580-4208, 5–9), 
Svet ptic (ISSN 1580-3600, 6–26), Scopolia (ISSN 
0351-0077, 1–98), Falco (ISSN 1318-5411, 9–13/14), 
Annales (ISSN 1408-533X, 0353-8281, 1–29), 
Natura Sloveniae (ISSN 1580-0814, 1–21), Varstvo 
narave (ISSN 0506-4252, 1–31)), monographs 
(Polak 2000, Božič 2003, Gregori & Šere 2005, 
Tome et al. 2005, Škornik 2012, Tome et al. 2013, 
Denac & Kmecl 2014) and various reports (Jančar 
1997, Tome 2000, Mihelič 2005, Božič 2007a, b, 
2008b, Denac  & Smole 2008, Figelj  & Kmecl 
2009, Denac 2010, Denac et al. 2011, Kmecl 2017, 
Tome et al. 2011, Kmecl & Figelj 2011, 2012, 2013, 
2015, 2016, Kmecl et al. 2014, Kmecl & Šumrada 
2018, Kmecl 2019, Kmecl et al. 2019); (4) data 
on the Mallard broods from the online database 
(DOPPS 2022) up to 2019; (5) data on the Mallard 
broods on the Internet, mainly from the online 
forum Foto narava (2022). Photos with known 
location and/or date photographed in Slovenia were 
selected; (6) data on high numbers, breeding density 
and observation of broods directly from observers, 
including data on location, date and size of broods; 
(7) data on the Mallard mortality in Slovenia from 
the online database OSLIS of the Slovenian Forestry 
Institute (GIS 2022), which was developed to present 
official data on hunting and from 10-year hunting 
management plans (ZGS 2012a, b, c, d, f, g, h, i, e, j, 
k, l, m, n, o); (8) data on ringed Mallards and foreign 
or domestic recoveries either published or available 
at Slovenian Ringing Centre (SCOP). For local 
recoveries, this means a period from 2013 to 2018 for 
which data are accessible and available.
Data on monthly spring temperatures were 
gathered from the Slovenian Environment Agency 
(ARSO 2022a).
2.2. Brood age
Each observed brood was classified into one of five 
groups. All observed clutches in nests were placed 
in the first group called “Eggs”. All ducklings 
of known approximate age were placed in an 
appropriate class I, II or III according to Gollop & 
Marshal (1954). Class I includes all broods with 
ducklings aged 1–18 days with no sign of feathers. 
It also includes broods described in data sources as 
“very small,” “less than a week old,” or “only a few 
days old”. Class II includes ducklings 19–45 days 
old with both down and feathers. Class III includes 
fully feathered ducklings aged 46–60 days just 
before independence. Descriptive names for these 
three classes are used throughout the remainder of 
this text: Downy, Partially feathered and Feathered, 
respectively. Broods whose ages were not known or 
could not be classified were referred to as Ducklings. 
All broods with 14 or more ducklings were not used 
in calculating average brood size due to the high 
likelihood of brood parasitism (Cotter et al. 1996, 
Seabrook-Davison 2014, Drilling et al. 2020). 
2.3. Breeding season calculation
The duration of breeding from nest-building 
to independence for an individual brood was 
calculated depending on the observed age class. 
Mallards take an average of 3 (1–6) days from nest 
completion to the start of egg laying. They typically 
lay one egg per day and incubate for an average of 28 
(23–30) days (Drilling et al. 2020). For all broods 
observed outside the nest, an average number of 9 
eggs (Drilling et al. 2020) and an average duration 
of incubation were assumed. Other classes last as 
follows: I. 18 days, II. 27 days, III. 15 days (after 
Gollop  & Marshal 1954). Since the exact age 
of broods was unknown, they were standardized at 
the centre of the corresponding (observed) period. 
A more conservative approach was used for broods 
with the unknown age class. For calculating the 
onset of breeding, Ducklings were treated as Downy, 
since feathered ducklings are rarely recognized as 
ducklings by observers. On the other hand, for the 
end of breeding Ducklings were treated as Partially 
feathered. Simplified formulas are used here to 
calculate the duration of breeding period from nest 
building to fledging for observed broods:
Eggs
Observation date (Obs. date) – (3 days from nest 
building to egg laying + Number of eggs + 14 days 
(half of the average incubation period))
Downy
Obs. date – (3 days + Number of ducklings 
+ 28 days of incubation period + 9 days (half of 
downy period))
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
73
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
Partially feathered
Obs. date – (3 days + Number of ducklings 
+ 28 days + 18 days +13 days (half of Partially 
feathered period))
Feathered
Obs. date – (3 days + Number of ducklings 
+ 28 days + 18 days +27 days + 7days (half of 
feathered period))
Duckling
Obs. date – (3 days + Number of ducklings 
+ 28 days + 9 days (As for Downy))
The end of breeding period was calculated by 
adding the estimated periods for individual classes 
as follows:
Eggs
Obs. date + 7 days (one fourth of the incubation 
period) + 18 days + 27 days +15 days
Downy
Obs. date + 9 days (half of downy period) 
+ 27 days + 15 days
Partially feathered
Obs. date + 14 days (half of Partially feathered 
period) + 15 days
Feathered
Obs. date + 7 days (half of feathered period)
Duckling
Obs. date +14 days + 15 days (As for Partially 
feathered)
Breeding periods calculated from individual 
observations were summed and the proportion of 
all probable breeding attempts was calculated for 
each day.
2.4. Frequency and dominance
Frequency is defined as the percentage of specific 
periods when Mallards were recorded at specific 
monitored sites. Dominance is the percentage 
of Mallards compared to the total number of all 
waterbirds recorded (Bordjan  & Božič 2009b). 
Some studies also include birds of prey (e.g. 
Bordjan 2012b). For such studies, I calculated 
dominance to include only waterbirds according to 
Božič (2020). 
2.5. Phenology
For the presentation of annual dynamics of the 
Mallard individuals, broods and temporal dynamics 
of females, the year was divided into ten-day 
periods according to Bordjan  & Božič (2009a). 
Data from sites with multiple-year monitoring 
were averaged across years for each ten-day period. 
To compare the phenology between study sites 
with markedly different numbers of Mallards, a 
relative abundance was used, i.e., the percentage of 
the annual Mallard total in a single ten-day period. 
The more even the yearly distribution of Mallards, 
the lower the maximum percentage in ten-day 
periods. Phenological periods were used according 
to Bordjan & Božič (2009a). 
2.6. Wetland types
The Ramsar Classification System for Wetland 
Types (Ramsar Convention Secretariat 2010) 
was used as the basis for classifying wetland types in 
the study. For Human-made wetlands category, the 
same classification as in Ramsar (Table 1) was used. 
For Inland wetlands, distinction between rivers 
with an average annual discharge of more than 50 
m3/s, including the Drava, Mura and Sava river 
from Radovljica downstream, the Kolpa, Krka and 
Ljubljanica rivers (ARSO 2022b), and those with 
lower discharge was made. Permanent freshwater 
wetlands and Seasonal/intermittent freshwater 
wetlands were grouped into one category each 
(Table 1). All wetlands on or in the vicinity of 
coast, natural or man-made (e.g., Salt exploitation 
sites), were considered as Marine/Coastal wetlands 
and were not further divided. 
2.7. Breeding population estimate
All available data on breeding densities or 
population size estimates of the Mallard in Slovenia 
were gathered. The former was divided into 
breeding densities and ecological breeding densities, 
separated by Ramsar wetland types (Table 1). For 
74
larger geographical areas (e.g., Ljubljansko barje), 
breeding densities from literature were compared 
with estimated breeding densities calculated using 
different approaches. (1) Where raw data was 
available, i.e. the number of Mallards counted in a 
breeding period (22th Mar – 20th May, Bordjan & 
Božič 2009b), that number was multiplied by the 
average proportion of males in that period (from 
the count). As some females do not breed (e.g., 
approximately 9% of females in New Zealand 
Sheppard 2018), 10% was subtracted from the 
number of pairs calculated. (2) Another approach 
was to estimate the number of breeding pairs 
from ecological densities for each wetland type in 
selected areas (from habitat type). (3). In addition, 
the breeding population for Goričko was estimated 
Table 1: Wetland type classification used in this study. First two columns are from the Ramsar Classification System 
for Wetland Type (RAMSAR CONVENTION SECRETARIAT 2010).
Tabela 1: Uporabljena klasifikacija tipov mokrišč. Prva dva stolpca sta povzeta po Ramsarskem sistemu klasifikacije 
tipov mokrišč (RAMSAR CONVENTION SECRETARIAT 2010).
Wetland type / 
Tip mokrišča Wetland subtype / Podtip mokrišča
Named in this study / 
Poimenovano v tem delu
Human-made 
wetlands / 
Antropogena 
mokrišča
Aquaculture ponds / ribogojnice Aquaculture / ribogojnice
Canals and drainage channels, ditches / kanali, 
izsuševalni kanali in jarki Canals / kanali
Excavations / gramoznice, glinokopi, rudniški bazeni Excavations / izkopi
Ponds (less than 8 ha) / manjši zadrževalniki (< 8 ha) Ponds / ribniki
Wastewater treatment areas / sanitarna močvirja, 
usedalniki ipd. Treatment / čistilne naprave
Water storage areas (more than 8 ha) / rezervoarji, 
akumulacijska jezera Reservoirs / zadrževalniki
Inland wetlands / 
Celinska 
mokrišča
Permanent freshwater marshes/pools / stalna 
sladkovodna močvirja, jezera, manjša od 8 ha Lakes (Pools if smaller than 8ha) / 
jezera (jezerca, če manjša od 8ha)Permanent freshwater lakes / stalna sladkovodna jezera 
(> 8 ha)
Permanent rivers/streams/creeks* / stalne reke/potoki
Large river (more than 50 m3/s) / 
velike reke (več kot 50 m3/s)
Small river (less than 50 m3/s)
male reke (manj kot 50 m3/s)
Seasonal/intermittent freshwater lakes / sezonska/
občasna sladkovodna jezera
Intermittent / presihajoča jezeraSeasonal/intermittent freshwater marshes/pools 
on inorganic soils / sezonska/občasna sladkovodna 
močvirja/mlake
Marine/Coastal 
Wetlands / 
Obalna morkišča
Salt exploitation sites** / soline
Coast / obalaCoastal freshwater lagoons / obalne brakične/slane lagune
Permanent shallow marine waters / trajno plitve morske 
vode
Unknown / 
Neznano Unknown / neznano Unknown / neznano
* Ramsar does not differentiate rivers on the basis of discharge. / Ramsar ne razlikuje rek po njihovem pretoku.
** Ramsar places it as a human-made wetland. / Ramsar jih uvršča med antropogena mokrišča.
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
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Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
Table 2: Slovenian regions (Perko & Oražen adamič 1998) sorted by wetland coverage.
Tabela 2: Slovenske regije (Perko & Oražen adamič 1998) ločene po deležu pokritosti z mokrišči.
More than 2% of region is 
covered by wetlands / Več kot 
2% regije je pokrito z mokrišči
1-2% of region is covered by 
wetlands / 1-2% regije je pokrito z 
mokrišči
less than 1% of region is covered by 
wetlands / Manj kot 1% regije je pokrito z 
mokrišči
Dravska ravan*, Koprska brda*, 
Krška ravan*, Murska raven*, 
Ribniško-Kočevsko podolje, 
Savinjska ravan, Savska ravan, 
Velenjsko and Konjiško 
hribovje, Ljubljansko barje*, 
Dravinjske gorice
Novomeščanska pokrajina, 
Julijske Alpe*, Notranjsko podolje, 
Strojna, Kozjak and Pohorje, 
Slovenske gorice, Goriška Brda, 
Ložniško and Hudinjsko gričevje, 
Voglajnsko and Zgornjesoteljsko 
gričevje, Krško, Senovsko and 
Bizeljsko gričevje, Bela krajina, 
Kambreško and Banjšice, Vipavska 
dolina, Idrijsko hribovje, Brkini 
and dolina Reke*, Posavsko 
hribovje, Srednjesotelsko gričevje*, 
Haloze
Pivško podolje and Vremščica, Dolenjsko 
podolje, Velikolaščanska pokrajina, 
Goričko*, Kamniško-Savinjske Alpe, 
Cerkljansko, Škofjeloško, Polhograjsko 
and Rovtarsko, Velika gora, Stojna and 
Goteniška gora, Zahodne Karavanke, 
Krimsko hribovje and Menešija, Suha 
Krajina and Dobrepolje, Bloke, Vzhodne 
Karavanke, Gorjanci, Raduljsko hribovje, 
Mala gora, Kočevski rog and Poljanska 
gora, Trnovski gozd, Nanos and Hrušica, 
Boč and Macelj, Kras, Javorniki and 
Snežnik, Lendavske gorice, Podgorski 
Kras, Čičarija and Podgrajsko podolje
* Regions partly or completely covered by available data on breeding population of Mallards / Regije, ki so delno ali 
v celoti pokrite z znanimi ocenami populacij mlakarice
from data gathered during the survey of birds in 
Landscape Park (Denac & Kmecl 2014) and data 
from the Slovenian Bird Atlas database (estimate). 
Two approaches were used to calculate the 
Slovenian breeding population of the Mallard. 
(1) All known breeding populations and those 
estimated in this paper using different approaches 
were summarized (Appendix 1) and extrapolated 
to the rest of Slovenia (1,821,350 ha). As there 
are almost no permanent water sources in many 
areas in Slovenia (Perko  & Oražen Adamič 
1998), different geographical regions were divided 
into three categories according to the percentage 
of wetland cover: more than 2%, 1–2% and less 
than 1% of wetland cover (Table 2). (2) Ecological 
densities for different wetland types were used 
(Table 1, Appendix 2) and extrapolated to the area 
size of the corresponding wetland types in Slovenia 
(areas with known population size were excluded) 
and summed with known populations. Some 
wetland types (e.g., torrents, fast-flowing streams…) 
are unsuitable for breeding Mallards and were 
assigned a population size of zero breeding pairs. 
For habitats with lacking corresponding breeding 
density (canals, mire, etc.…), the most similar 
habitat type was used.
2.8. Non-breeding population
For the IWC, Slovenia is divided into eight count 
areas, in turn subdivided into count units (whole 
or large parts of rivers and meaningful geographical 
units such as Dravsko and Ptujsko polje), which are 
further divided into river sections and localities 
(smaller rivers, standing waters and larger areas 
such as Radensko polje) (Božič 2005). For the 
calculation of wintering densities, river sections 
with large dams were considered standing waters 
and presented in a figure as localities. Number 
of individuals during a non-breeding period 
(Appendix 3) is presented based on a maximum for 
a site if it is greater than 100 individuals.
2.9. Statistics
For statistical analysis, the program R (R Core 
Team 2017) was used. To estimate trends from 
IWC data for wintering Mallards in Slovenia, 
annual and seasonal sum of Mallards at 
monitoring sites (wintering, summering, spring 
and autumn migration), breeding population at 
selected sites and number of Mallards hunted, 
package rtrim was used, which estimates species 
76
populations based on frequent (annual) counts at 
a varying collection of sites (Bogaart et al. 2020). 
For estimating wintering population trends, the 
periods 1999–2019 (Drava river) and 2000–2019 
(Entire Slovenia) was used. For breeding 
population trends, monitoring sites with available 
estimated annual breeding population were used. 
For figures, the ggplot2 package (Wickham et 
al. 2020) was applied. For visual comparison 
of average brood size among years, months and 
wetland types, violin plots were created with 
a marker for the median of the data and a box 
indicating the interquartile range, as in a standard 
boxplot. Violin plots show the kernel probability 
density of the data at different values. Nonpara-
metric Spearman’s correlation (coefficient used in 
text rs) was used (1) for analysis of annual trends 
in wintering Mallards on the Drava river and (2) 
for correlation between seasons and brood size. 
Parametric Pearson’s correlation (rp) was used 
(1) for the analysis of the relationship between 
monthly average temperatures, the sum of daily 
average temperatures in February, March and 
April and the annual onset of nesting, (2) between 
breeding density and elevation, (3) brood size and 
elevation. The nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test 
(H) in R was used for (1) comparing brood size 
among different wetland types, (2) age groups and 
years, and (3) for comparing breeding densities 
among different wetland types. For spatial analysis 
and drawing of maps, ArcGis (ESRI 2015) was 
used.
3. Results
3.1. Dominance, frequency and phenology
The Mallard is a year-round species in Slovenia with 
frequency exceeding 70% at all monitored sites 
(Table 3). At eleven sites, the frequency was 100% 
and only in two cases the frequency was lower than 
80%. It is often the most dominant species at a 
given site, with dominance ranging from 17.5% to 
89.0% (Table 3). The average dominance for all sites 
is 46.4% and Mallard represents more than half of 
all waterbirds at seven sites.
In Slovenia, Mallards are most numerous in 
winter and early spring, from late December to 
early March, when numbers begin to decrease 
and reach a low point in late April and early 
May. Numbers increase from May to September 
and then fluctuate until December (Figure 1). 
There are large differences in phenology between 
studied sites (Table 4). In the Ormož Basins 
Nature Reserve, Mallards are mostly absent in 
winter. Shallow sites (Medvedce, Rački ribniki, 
Požeg, Ormož Basins Nature Reserve) reach 
maximum numbers during autumn migration, 
while deep reservoirs (Ptuj, Ormož and Gradiško 
lakes) reach maxima during winter. Mallards 
reach their maximum at the end of winter in 
February on Lake Cerknica and in late February 
and early March on Vrbje fishpond. The number 
of Mallards fluctuates on the deep lakes in Šaleška 
valley with a maximum in November and in late 
Table 3: Frequency and dominance of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos at different sites
Tabela 3: Frekvenca in dominanca mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos na posameznih območjih
Location / Lokacija
Frequency [%] / 
Frekvenca [%]
Dominance [%] / 
Dominanca [%] Source / Vir
Lake Bled (June-August) 100.0 89.0 Jančar et al. (2007)
Lake Bohinj (June-August) 100.0 88.0 Jančar et al. (2007)
Lake Bled (June-August) 100.0 81.0 Jančar et al. (2007)
Lake Pernica lower 100.0 84.5 Gregori (1989)
Lake Pernica upper 100.0 74.9 Gregori (1989)
Drava river in Maribor (Apr.-Sept.) 100.0 71.7 Logar & Božič (2014)
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
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Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
Location / Lokacija
Frequency [%] / 
Frekvenca [%]
Dominance [%] / 
Dominanca [%] Source / Vir
Lake Moste (December-January) 100.0 60.0 Jančar et al. (2007)
Lake Bohinj (December-January) 100.0 50.0 Jančar et al. (2007)
Drava river in Maribor 100.0 42.9 Logar (2009)
Lake Ormož 100.0 41.4 L. Božič pers. comm. /  L. Božič osebno
Lake Moste (June-August) 100.0 39.0 Jančar et al. (2007)
Drava river in Maribor (Oct.-March) 100.0 38.6 Logar & Božič (2014)
Šaleška lakes 100.0 29.6 Deberšek & Bordjan (2016)
Medvedce reservoir 2010–2019 100.0 28.7 Own data / lastni podatki
Lake Cerknica 100.0 27.2 Bordjan (2012b)
Lake Ptuj 100.0 19.7 L. Božič pers. comm. /  L. Božič osebno
Sečovlje salina nature park 100.0 4.9* I. Škornik pers. comm. / I. Škornik osebno
Vrbje fishpond 2009–11 97.2 17.5 Gamser & Novak (2013)**
Rački ribniki 95.8 34.0 Own data. / lastni podatki
Lake Radehova 93.0 49.2 Gregori (1989)
Lake Komarnik 93.0 49.0 Gregori (1989)
Vrbje fishpond 1994–95 93.0 22.2 Vogrin (1996)
Požeg reservoir 92.2 50.2 Own data. / lastni podatki
Medvedce reservoir 2002–2009 92.0 31.9 Bordjan & Božič (2009a), Own data. / lastni podatki
Fishponds in Pesnica valley 89.0 74.2 Gregori (1989)
Žovnek reservoir 83.3 58.6 Vogrin (2005)
Lake Gradišče 81.0 65.3 Gregori (1989)
Lake Pristava 78.0 77.4 Gregori (1989)
Ormož Basins Nature Reserve 07–10 72.1 26.7 L. Božič pers. comm. /  L. Božič osebno
Lakes Trboje and Zbilje Present in all months 49.0 Trontelj (1992)
Nature reserve Škocjanski zatok 100.0% in most years
Škornik et al. (1990), D. Stanič 
pers. comm. / D. Stanič osebno
Ljubljana Present year round   Tome et al. (2013)
Ljubljansko barje Present year round   Tome et al. (2005)
* all bird species / vključuje vse vrste ptic
** source includes birds of prey / vir vključuje tudi ujede
Continuation of Table 3 / Nadaljevanje tabele 3
78
December and early January. At most sites, the 
maximum percentage of Mallards in a ten-day 
period compared to the annual total is around 
9%. Medvedce and Šaleška lakes have a lower 
maximum of 6% and 4%, respectively, while Lake 
Cerknica and Ormož Basins Nature Reserve have 
higher maximum of 13.8% and 12%, respectively 
(Table 5).
Females make up 36.7% of the Mallards counted 
at five monitoring sites (Figure 2). The proportion of 
females is lowest during the breeding season (14.7%) 
and highest in winter (43.9%). At the start of the 
breeding season in March, females make up 41.7% 
of the observed Mallards. The greatest percentage 
decline occurs in mid-April, when it drops to 26.1% 
and continues to decline until early May (Figure 2).
Figure 1: The sum of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos in a ten-day period from fifteen monitoring sites in Slovenia 
(Medvedce reservoir, Cerknica, Bled, Bohinj, Moste, Gradiško, Ptuj and Ormož lakes, Ormož Basins Nature Reserve, 
Vrbje fishpond, Rački ribniki, Požeg reservoir, Šaleška lakes, Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve and Sečovlje Salina 
Lanscape park).
Slika 1: Vsota števil mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos v deset dnevnih obdobjih iz petnajstih območij z monitoringom 
vodnih ptic v Sloveniji (Zadrževalnik Medvedce, Cerkniško, Blejsko, Bohinjsko, Moste, Gradiško, Ptujsko ter Ormoško 
jezero, Naravni rezervat Ormoške lagune, Ribnik Vrbje, Rački ribniki, Zadrževalnik Požeg, Šaleška jezera, Naravni 
rezervat Škocjanski zatok in Krajinski park Sečovlje Soline).
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37
I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
N
o.
 o
f i
nd
iv
id
ua
ls
 / 
Št
. o
se
bk
ov
10 - day period / Month / Dekada / Mesec
Table 4: Monthly dominance of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos from eleven sites (Medvedce reservoir, Cerknica, Bled, 
Bohinj, Moste, Gradiško, Ptuj and Ormož lakes, Ormož Basins Nature Reserve, Rački ribniki, Požeg reservoir).
Tabela 4: Mesečna dominance mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos iz enajstih območij z monitoringom vodnih ptic 
(Zadrževalnik Medvedce, Cerkniško, Blejsko, Bohinjsko, Moste, Gradiško, Ptujsko ter Ormoško jezero, Naravni 
rezervat Ormoške lagune, Rački ribniki, Zadrževalnik Požeg).
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Dominance / 
Dominanca 41.6 38.2 18.6 23.9 36.2 31.1 26.1 33.0 29.9 27.0 25.1 35.5
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
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Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
Table 5: The comparison of percentage of annual Mallard Anas platyrhynchos total in separate ten-day periods at 
fifteen monitored sites. Different colours represent different percentages: light grey: less than 2.7% (average for all 
ten-day periods); grey: 2.8 – 5.4% (double the average); dark grey: more than 5.4 %. The number presents the 
highest percentage in a ten-day period for a site.
Table 5: Primerjava deležev letnega seštevka števila mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos v posameznih deset dnevnih 
obdobjih na petnajstih območjih z monitoringom vodnih ptic. Različna barva predstavlja različne deleže: svetlo siva: 
manj kot 2.7% (povprečje vseh deset dnevnih obdobij); siva: 2.8 – 5.4% (dvakratnik povprečja); temno siva: več kot 
5.4 %. Zapisano število predstavlja desetdnevno obdobje z najvišjim deležem za območje.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37
Ormož basins 12.0
Šaleška lakes 5.2
Požeg reservoir 9.2
Rački fishponds 9.1
Medvedce reservoir 6.0
Lake Bohinj 5.7
NRŠZ 4.3
Lake Bled 7.4
Moste reservoir 9.8
Lake Ptuj 6.6
Lake Ormož 6.4
Lake Gradiško 9.8
Sečovlje salina NR 9.4
Vrbje fishpond 8.3
Lake Cerknica 13.8
I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
Figure 2: Yearly average percentage (±SD) of female Mallards Anas platyrhynchos at five monitoring sites (Medvedce 
reservoir, Rački ribniki, Požeg reservoir, Gradiško Lake, Drava river in Maribor). Empty space presents a period between 
the end of June and the end of September when sex is harder to distinguish and data are lacking or unreliable.
Slika 2: Delež (±SD) samic mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos na petih območjih z monitoringom vodnih ptic (Zadrževalnik 
Medvedce, Rački ribniki, Zadrževalnik PožegGradiško jezero, reka Drava v Mariboru). Prazen prostor predstavlja obdobje 
med koncem junija in koncem septembra, v katerem podatki o spolih manjkajo ali so manj zanesljivi.
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
50.0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37
I II III IV V VI / X XI XII
[%
]
10-day period / Month / Dekada / Mesec
80
3.2. Breeding biology
3.2.1. Brood phenology
1741 data on nests or broods with recorded dates 
were gathered during 2001–2019. Two Downy 
broods were sighted in late February on Ptuj 
(D. Bombek pers. comm.) and Ormož (M. Premzl 
pers. comm.) lakes without an exact date or year. 
Estimated start of breeding in these cases is 
mid-January. The earliest clutch with an exact 
date was a nest with eggs found on 28th February. 
The latest nest was found on 3rd June. The number 
of observed broods increased through the end of 
May and remained high through early July, then 
decreased rapidly (Figure 3). 44.7% of all broods 
were observed in June, 28.2% in May, 20.5% in 
July, and substantially fewer in other months 
(Table 6). Only 25 broods (1.5%) were observed 
in August, the last with downy young on 25th 
August. A very late brood with downy young was 
sighted in the coastal region on 17th October in 
Sečovlje salina.
The estimated breeding season of the Mallard in 
Slovenia lasts from mid-January to early December. 
75% or more broods were estimated to be present 
between mid-May and late June, more than half 
between late April and mid-July, and more than 
10% between late March and the second half of 
August (Figure 3).
Mallards start breeding earlier with warmer 
mean temperatures in February (rp = –0.51, df = 15, 
p = 0.0377), but not in March (rp = –0.39, df = 15, 
p = 0.1189) or April (rp = –0.2967, df = 15, p = 0.2475). 
The correlation is also present for the sum of daily 
mean temperatures in February (rp = –0.64, df = 12, 
p = 0.0130), March (rp = –0.54, df = 12, p =0.0466), 
and April (rp = –0.62, df = 12, p = 0.0188).
Figure 3: Calculated proportion of active Mallard Anas platyrhynchos broods on a given day between February and 
September in Slovenia, estimated from observed nests and broods. Different lines represent time periods when a 
certain proportion of Mallard broods were likely present. Red represents a period when more than 76% of all broods 
were likely to have been present.
Slika 3: Izračunan delež aktivnih zarodov mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos za vsak posamezen dan med februarjem 
in septembrom v Sloveniji. Različne črte predstavljajo časovna obdobja, znotraj katerih so določeni deleži zarodov 
mlakarice verjetno prisotni. Rdeča barva predstavlja obdobje, ko je bilo verjetno prisotnih več kot 76% vseh zarodov.
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
90.0
100.0
12 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 1 15 30
II III IV V VI VII VIII IX
[%
]
Date / Month / Datum / Mesec
<10%
11-25%
26-50%
51-75%
76-90%
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3.2.2. Brood size
Altogether, data (including various sources) were 
gathered on 1,394 of broods with known size. Most 
had seven young (206). More than 50% had 5–8 
young (Figure 4). Eighteen broods had 14 or more 
young with a maximum of 29. The average brood 
size was 6.2 ± 2.66. There is a statistically significant 
difference in the average number of young among 
the age classes (Figure 5  & Table 7, H = 13.11, 
df = 4, p = 0.0108). Eggs had the largest clutches 
(7.2 ± 2.52) and Feathered had the smallest broods 
(5.2 ± 2.30, H = 79.09, df = 6, p = 5.502e–15). The 
brood size decreased throughout the season (Figure 
6 & 7) from April (7.9 ± 2.7) to August (4.7 ± 2.3, 
rs: –0.25, p = 2.2e–16). This applies for both Downy 
(rs = –0.28, p = 9.823e–14) and Partially feathered 
(rs –0.18, p-value = 0.00197). 
Table 6: Number of broods and mean brood size of the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos for separate months with 
standard deviation. Number of broods with known size is given in brackets.
Tabela 6: Število in povprečna velikost zarodov mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos prikazana po posameznih mesecih s 
standardno deviacijo. Število legel je prikazano v oklepajih.
Month / Mesec No. of broods / Število zarodov Mean / Povprečje SD
February / februar 3 / /
March / marec 4 (1) 6.0 /
April / april 82 (54) 7.9 2.63
May / maj 487 (381) 7.0 2.66
June / junij 772 (654) 6.0 2.56
July / julij 354 (285) 5.6 2.58
August / august 25 (21) 4.7 2.33
October / oktober 2 (1) 2.0 /
Table 7: Number of broods, mean brood size with standard deviation in different brood age classes of the Mallard 
Anas platyrhynchos.
Tabela 7: Število in povprečna velikost zarodov s standardno deviacijo po posameznih starostnih razredih mladičev 
mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos.
Brood age class / Starostni razred No. of broods / Št. zarodov Mean / Povprečje SD
Eggs / jajca 14 7.2 2.52
Downy / puhasti 690 6.4 2.65
Partially feathered / delno operjeni 285 6.3 2.84
Feathered / operjeni 56 5.2 2.30
Ducklings / mladiči 335 6.2 2.59
Figure 4: Number of nests and broods with certain 
brood sizes for Mallards Anas platyrhynchos (N=1,395) 
Slika 4: Število gnezd in zarodov mlakarice Anas 
platyrhynchos z določeno velikostjo (N=1,395)
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Nu
m
be
r o
f b
ro
od
s 
/ Š
te
vi
lo
 le
ge
l
1395 1173 1284 10621
Brood size / Velikost legla
82
Figure 5: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos brood 
sizes for different age classes presented with boxplots, 
rotated kernel density plots (violin plots) and mean 
(red dots). 
Slika 5: Velikost legel mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos 
v različnih starostnih razredih mladičev predstavljeno 
z grafikonom kvantilov, violinskim grafikonom in 
povprečjem (rdeče pike). 
Figure 7: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos monthly 
brood sizes (N = 1389) in Slovenia presented with 
boxplots, rotated kernel density plots (violin plots) and 
mean (red dots).
Slika 7: Velikost zarodov mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos 
v Sloveniji po mesecih (N = 1389) predstavljeno 
z grafikonom kvantilov, violinskim grafikonom in 
povprečjem (rdeče pike).
Figure 6: Seasonal distribution of brood sizes of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia for different age classes 
with a linear trend line (R2 = 0.001, p < 0.001, t = -0.09) for brood size of all observed broods.
Slika 6: Sezonska razporeditev velikosti zarodov mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos v Sloveniji za različne starostne razrede 
mladičev s prikazom linearnega trenda (R2 = 0.001, p < 0.001, t = -0.09).
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Br
oo
d 
si
ze
 / 
Ve
lik
os
t l
eg
la
01. apr. 01. maj 01. jun. 01. jul.
Down young
Eggs
Feathered young
Partially feathered young
Type
01. avg. 01. sep. 01. okt.
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Br
oo
d 
si
ze
 / 
Ve
lik
os
t l
eg
la
Eggs Downy 
young
Partial feathered 
young
Feathered 
young
Age classes / Starostni razredi
Date / Datum
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Br
oo
d 
si
ze
 / 
Ve
lik
os
t l
eg
la
5 7 84 6
Month / Mesec
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Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
3.2.3. Brood size and wetland type
Most broods were observed on Aquaculture (Table 
8). Although mean brood size ranges from 5.6 to 7.3, 
there is no statistically significant difference among 
wetland types (H = 13.8, df = 10, p = 0.1833). 
There is also no statistically significant difference 
between Human-made, Coast and Inland wetlands 
(H = 3.3, df = 2, p = 0.1953). The largest average 
brood sizes were observed on wetlands currently 
or formerly used as treatment facilities (7.3 ± 2.96) 
and Coastal wetlands (7.2 ± 2.59). The smallest 
ones were observed at Reservoirs (5.7 ± 2.64) and 
Lakes (5.6 ± 2.66, Table 8). Broods with 14 or more 
young were observed at Aquaculture (12), on Large 
rivers (4), Ponds (1) and Reservoirs (1).
Brood size differs between years (H = 48.83, 
df = 18, p = 0.0001). Between 2003 and 2018, only 
one year had an average brood size greater than 
seven (7.5 in 2010) and five had smaller than six 
(min. 5.7 in 2007, Figure 8). 
Figure 8: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos brood sizes in different years (N = 1390) in Slovenia presented with 
boxplots, rotated kernel density plots (violin plots) and mean (red dots).
Slika 8: Velikost zarodov mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos v Sloveniji po posameznih letih (N = 1390) predstavljeno z 
grafikonom kvantilov, violinskim grafikonom in povprečjem (rdeče pike).
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Br
oo
d 
si
ze
 / 
Ve
lik
os
t l
eg
la
Date / Datum
2003 20112007 20152005 20132009 20172004 20122008 20162006 20142010 2018 2019
3.2.4. Brood size and elevation
Broods were observed from the sea level to 900 m 
a.s.l., with an average elevation of 242 m a.s.l. and 
a median of 240 m a.s.l. The majority of broods 
were observed in the 201–300 m a.s.l. elevation 
belt (90.5%). There is a statistically significant 
correlation between brood size and elevation 
(Figure 9, rp = –0.06, df = 1394, p = 0.0369) with 
smaller broods at higher elevations (below 200 m: 
7.3 ± 2.91 young per brood, above 400 m a.s.l.: 
5.8 ± 2.60).
3.2.5. Mallard breeding densities
The average breeding density for different regions 
(size 4.1–880 km2) covering about 10.3% of Slovenia 
is 0.4–0.7 bp/km2 (Appendix 1), with the highest 
breeding densities recorded for lowland areas 
along the Mura river (7.0 bp/km2) and the lowest 
for Triglav National Park (0.01–0.03 bp/km2). 
84
Table 8: Number, average size and standard deviation of the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos brood size for different 
wetland types in Slovenia. Coast combines several types of wetland on the sea coast. 
Table 8: Število, povprečna večlikost in standardna deviacija velikosti legel mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos na različnih 
tipih mokrišč v Sloveniji. Obala združuje različne tipe mokrišč ob slovenski obali. 
Wetland type / Tip mokrišča
No. of broods / 
Št. zarodov
Mean /  
Povprečje SD
Treatment / čistilne naprave 15 7.3 2.9
Coast / obala 87 7.3 2.9
Excavations / izkopi 44 7.0 2.0
Large river / velike reke 97 6.4 2.9
Intermittent / presihajoča jezera 20 6.3 2.8
Small river / male reke 37 6.3 2.6
Canals / kanali 68 6.3 2.5
Aquaculture / ribogonice 1,096 6.2 2.6
Pond / ribniki 73 6.1 2.9
Reservoirs / zadrževalniki 131 5.7 2.5
Lakes / jezera 33 5.6 2.6
Figure 9: Average brood size (± SD) of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos recorded in separate elevational belts (N = 
1380) in Slovenia.
Slika 9: Povprečna velikost zaroda (± SD) mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos v Sloveniji po posameznih višinskih 
pasovih (N = 1380).
(50.4 bp/km2), and Ponds (38.1 bp/km2). On 
wetlands larger than 8  ha, the highest breeding 
density was recorded on Excavations (24.8 bp/km2) 
and Aquaculture (13.5 bp/km2, Appendix 2). 
Breeding densities for all wetland types were similar 
across elevations (rp = 0.03, df = 55, p = 0.9720), but 
differed when smaller wetlands (higher density due 
to smaller size) were excluded (rp = –2.60, df = 34, 
p = 0.0140).
Average ecological breeding densities calculated 
from known localities (size 4 ha  – 29 km2) are 
5.3–8.4 bp/km2 (Appendix 2). Densities differed 
between different wetland types (Figure 10, 
H = 27.372, df = 6, p = 0.0001). The lowest mean 
ecological densities were found for Coastal wetlands 
(2.9 bp/km2) and Lakes (3.5 bp/km2). The highest 
ecological breeding densities at individual sites 
were found in smaller wetlands (< 8 ha), on Pools 
> 501
401–500
301–400
201–300
101–200
< 100
El
ev
at
io
n 
[m
] /
  
Na
dm
or
sk
a 
vi
ši
na
 [m
]
20 10 124 6 8
Brood size / Velikost legla
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
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Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
Figure 10: Breeding density of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos in different wetland types in Slovenia (N = 57).
Slika 10: Gnezditvena gostota mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos na razčnih tipih mokrišč po Sloveniji (N = 57).
3.3. Breeding population estimate
The number of estimated breeding pairs in the 
regions covering 10.3% of Slovenia is 854–1474 
bp. Localities with known breeding populations 
add another 260–442 bp (Appendix 2). Lower 
breeding populations than in the literature were 
estimated for Ljubljana, Ljubljansko barje, Goričko 
and both sections of the Sava river (Table 9). For 
Ljubljana, the low estimate is similar to the estimate 
from the count. For Ljubljansko barje, the estimates 
from the count and wetland types are similar. The 
estimates from the wetland types are usually the 
lowest estimate for a region. For the Drava river, RP 
Kozjansko and NP Triglav the new estimates are 
lower but similar between methods. The number 
of breeding pairs using the corrected estimates for 
areas with known breeding population is 690–918 
bp. The estimated breeding population for Slovenia 
using the first method is 2,736–3,763 bp, and the 
estimated breeding population using the second 
method is 1,473–2,168 bp. The combined estimated 
population for Slovenia is 1,473–3,763 bp.
3.3.1. Breeding population trend
Long-term monitoring of the breeding population 
was conducted at several sites, but data were 
available for only five (Table 10). Although the 
breeding population fluctuates from year to year, 
a moderate increase in the breeding population is 
evident at all sites combined (TRIM, multiplica-
tive overall slope ± SE): 1.0667 ± 0.0276). 
3.3.2. Non-breeding population
More than 1,000 individuals were counted at least 
once at eleven sites (Appendix 3), with the highest 
numbers at Ptuj (8,330 individuals), Ormož (5,400) 
and Cerknica (4,581) lakes. Six sites had more than 
1,000 Mallards counted in more than one season. 
Ten out of eleven sites had this during winter, five 
380
360
340
320
300
280
260
240
220
200
80
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Br
ee
di
ng
 d
en
si
ty
 [b
p/
km
2 ] 
/ G
ne
zd
itv
en
a 
go
st
ot
a 
[b
p/
km
2 ]
Aquaculture Coastal Excavations L. river Lakes Other Ponds Pools Reservoir S. river Seasonal Treatment
Type / Tip
86
Table 9: Locations with estimated breeding populations of the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos acquired from literature 
and compared using different methods described in chapter 2.7. Estimates used for a new national population 
estimate are in bold. 
Tabela 9: Območja z ocenjenimi velikostmi gnezdeče populacije mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos iz literature in 
primerjava z ocenami pridobljenimi na podalagi različnih metod opisanih v poglavju 2.7. Ocene uporabljane za 
izračunu slovenske populacije so odebeljene. 
 
Breeding 
population size 
estimate / Ocena 
velikosti gnezdeče 
populacije
Calculated 
density [bp/
km2] / Izračunana 
gnezditvena 
gostota [gp/km2]  
Location / 
Lokacija Min Max
Area [km2] / 
površina 
[km2]
Min Max Source / Vir
Ljubljana
142 426
211
0.67 2.02 (Tome et al. 2013)
145 145 0.97 0.97 from count / s popisa
49 90 0.23 0.43 from habitat type / s habitatnega tipa
Ljubljansko 
barje
210 258
180
1.17 1.43 (Tome et al. 2005)
161 213 0.89 1.18 without Žabnica pond* /  brez ribnika Žabnica*
110 126 0.59 0.67 from count  / s popisa
87 132 0.48 0.73 from habitat type  / s habitatnega tipa
Drava river 
(Maribor–Ptuj)
54 54
76
0.71 0.71 (Bračko 1997)
68 78 0.89 1.03 from habitat type / s habitatnega tipa
Goričko
150 250
448.3
0.33 0.56 (Denac & Kmecl 2014)
26 40 0.06 0.09 from habitat type  / s habitatnega tipa
36 69 0.08 0.15 estimate
Kozjansko
10 20
198
0.05 0.10 (Jančar & Trebušak 2000)
16 22 0.01 0.01 from habitat type  / s habitatnega tipa
Triglav 
National Park
11 30
880
0.01 0.03 (Jančar 1997)
18 40 0.02 0.05 from habitat type  / s habitatnega tipa
Sava river  
(Litija–
Zidani most)
10 20
2.7
3.70 7.41 (Denac 2010)
7 11 2.59 4.07 from count / s popisa
Sava river 
(Krško–border 
with Croatia)
54 90
33.3
1.62 2.70 (Denac & Smole 2008)
41 71 1.23 2.13 from count / s popisa
*  Žabnica pond is the place where Mallards Anas platyrhynchos were released for hunting and formed large breeding 
population of 50 nesting females in the 1990's (Tome et al. 2005), but not anymore. / Ribnik Žabnica je lokacija, kjer 
je v devetdesetih letih gnezdila velika populacija (50 gnezdečih samic) mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos, vzpostavljena iz 
osebkov spuščenih v naravo za namene lova (Tome et al. 2005).
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
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Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
Table 10: Breeding population size estimate for the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos at five wetlands in Slovenia between 
2002 and 2019.
Tabela 10: Ocena velikosti gnezditvene populacije mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos na petih mokriščih v Sloveniji med 
leti 2002 in 2019.
  20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
20
09
20
10
20
11
20
12
20
13
20
14
20
15
20
16
20
17
20
18
20
19
Medvedce reservoir 17 26 35 16 17 12 8 11 42 23 20 43 46 30 24 39 20 16
Rački ribniki 16 10 1 1 5 7 11 4 10 8 5 6 6 6 11
Požeg reservoir 9 6 1 3 3 5 6 3 2 4 5 5 2 2
Ormož Basins Nature 
Reserve 20 17 17 14 14 27 22
Lake Ptuj 15 15 10 18 22 22 26
during spring migration and six during autumn 
migration. The highest number of Mallards during 
spring migration was counted on Lake Cerknica 
(4,581) and in autumn on Medvedce reservoir 
(3,379). Štajerska is the region with the most sites 
with a maximum of more than 1,000 observed 
Mallards (6), while Dolenska and Gorenjska regions 
have none (Appendix 3). The estimated trend in the 
number of Mallards counted in the phenological 
periods at the monitoring sites is a moderate to 
strong increase, with the exception of winter, where 
the trend is uncertain (Table 11.).
During the 1997–2019 period, IWC counts 
averaged 22,237 (10,376–32,010) Mallards 
(Figure  11). Mallard numbers fluctuated with two 
Table 11: Population trends of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos at monitoring sites in different phenological periods 
between 2003 and 2019 in Slovenia.
Table 11: Populacijski trend mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos na območjih z monitoringom vodnih ptic v različnih 
fenoloških obdobjih v obdobju med 2003 in 2019.
Phenological period / Fenološko obdobje Trend / Trend Trend* / Trend*
All periods / Vsa obdobja Moderate increase / zmerni porast 1.1004 ± 0.0263 
Spring / Pomlad Strong increase / močan porast 1.2095 ± 0.0795
Breeding / Gnezdenje Moderate increase / zmerni porast 1.1129 ± 0.0300
Summer / Poletje Moderate increase / zmerni porast 1.0766 ± 0.0268
Autumn / Jesen Moderate increase / zmerni porast 1.0925 ± 0.0294
Winter / Zima Uncertain / negotov trend 1.2879 ± 0.1823
* multiplicative overall slope ± SE / multiplikativni naklon ± SE
winters over 30,000 and seven winters with fewer 
than 20,000 individuals. On average, almost half 
(41.6% ± 6.40) of all individuals were counted in the 
Drava count area in NE Slovenia. Two other count 
areas (the Mura and Upper Sava) averaged more 
than 10% of Mallards and the top three count areas 
represented 73.2% of all Mallards counted (Table 12). 
In all count areas, more than 1,000 individuals were 
counted in at least three (Kolpa count area) or four 
(Coastland count area) years. Four count areas had 
more than 5,000 Mallards, and only the Drava count 
area had more than 5,000 individuals in all years 
(Table 12). Twelve IWC units had more than 1,000 
Mallards counted in at least one year, and only three 
had more than 3,000 Mallards in a single count. 
88
No
. o
f i
nd
iv
id
ua
ls
 / 
Št
. o
se
bk
ov
35000
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
Year / Leto
19
97
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
20
09
20
10
20
11
20
12
20
13
20
14
20
15
20
16
20
17
20
18
20
19
Figure 11: Number of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos counted during mid-winter counts between 1997 and 2019 (after 
Štumberger 1997, Štumberger 1997, Štumberger 1999, Štumberger 2000, Štumberger 2002a, Štumberger 2002b, 
BOžič 2005, Štumberger 2005, BOžič 2006, BOžič 2007c, BOžič 2008c, BOžič 2008d, BOžič 2010, BOžič 2011, BOžič 
2012, BOžič 2013, BOžič 2014, BOžič 2015, BOžič 2016, BOžič 2017, BOžič 2018, BOžič 2019, BOžič 2020). 
Slika 11: Število preštetih mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos med zimskih štetjem vodnih ptoc med leti 1997 in 2019 (po 
Štumberger 1997, Štumberger 1997, Štumberger 1999, Štumberger 2000, Štumberger 2002a, Štumberger 2002b, 
BOžič 2005, Štumberger 2005, BOžič 2006, BOžič 2007c, BOžič 2008c, BOžič 2008d, BOžič 2010, BOžič 2011, BOžič 
2012, BOžič 2013, BOžič 2014, BOžič 2015, BOžič 2016, BOžič 2017, BOžič 2018, BOžič 2019, BOžič 2020). 
Table 12: Average number of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos in separate IWC count areas in Slovenia with number 
of years with more than 1,000, 3,000 and 5,000 Mallards counted (after Štumberger 1997, Štumberger 1997, 
Štumberger 1999, Štumberger 2000, Štumberger 2002a, Štumberger 2002b, BOžič 2005, Štumberger 2005, BOžič 
2006, BOžič 2007c, BOžič 2008c, BOžič 2008d, BOžič 2010, BOžič 2011, BOžič 2012, BOžič 2013, BOžič 2014, BOžič 
2015, BOžič 2016, BOžič 2017, BOžič 2018, BOžič 2019, BOžič 2020).
Tabela 12: Povprečno število mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos na ločenih števnih območjih v Sloveniji s prikazom 
števila let, ko je število mlakaric presegalo 1,000, 3,000 in 5,000 osebkov (po Štumberger 1997, Štumberger 1997, 
Štumberger 1999, Štumberger 2000, Štumberger 2002a, Štumberger 2002b, BOžič 2005, Štumberger 2005, BOžič 
2006, BOžič 2007c, BOžič 2008c, BOžič 2008d, BOžič 2010, BOžič 2011, BOžič 2012, BOžič 2013, BOžič 2014, BOžič 
2015, BOžič 2016, BOžič 2017, BOžič 2018, BOžič 2019, BOžič 2020)
IWC count area /  
Števno območje IWC
No. of years / 
Št. let
Average / 
Povprečje SD Min Max >1000 >3000 >5000
Mura 22 3,260 1,082 1,004 5,175 22 14 1
Drava 23 8,952 2,321 6,421 14,776 23 23 23
Savinja 22 1,636 485 661 2,564 19 0 0
Upper Sava 22 3,771 964 2,355 5,872 22 16 2
Lower Sava 22 2,085 917 855 5,231 20 2 1
Kolpa 18 626 335 278 1,186 3 0 0
Notranjska & Primorska 23 1,689 770 703 3,311 20 2 0
Coastland 23 834 245 499 1,440 4 0 0
Total 22 22,741 4,082 10,376 32,010      
Remark: Some regions were underrepresented in the first count in 1997 and had substantially lower numbers than in 
subsequent counts and was thus not considered here. / Opomba: Posamezna območja so bila v prvem šteju leta 1997 
glede na kasnejša štetja slabše zastopana, zato tukaj niso vključena.
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
89
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
Table 13: Maximal and average number of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos counted in separate IWC count units 
between 2004 and 2019 in Slovenia with number of years with more than 1,000 and 3,000 Mallards (BOžič 2005, 
Štumberger 2005, BOžič 2006, BOžič 2007c, BOžič 2008c, BOžič 2008d, BOžič 2010, BOžič 2011, BOžič 2012, BOžič 
2013, BOžič 2014, BOžič 2015, BOžič 2016, BOžič 2017, BOžič 2018,  BOžič 2019, BOžič 2020).
Tabela 13: Maksimum in povprečno število mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos preštetih na posameznih števnih enotah 
med štetjem vodnih ptic med letoma 2004 in 2019 v Sloveniji s prikazom števila let, ko je posamezna enota imela 
več kot 1,000 ali 3,000 osebkov (BOžič 2005, Štumberger 2005, BOžič 2006, BOžič 2007c, BOžič 2008c, BOžič 
2008d, BOžič 2010, BOžič 2011, BOžič 2012, BOžič 2013, BOžič 2014, BOžič 2015, BOžič 2016, BOžič 2017, BOžič 
2018,  BOžič 2019, BOžič 2020).
IWC unit / Števna enota
No. Of 
years / 
Št. let Max Min
Average / 
Povprečje SD
% of yearly 
wintering 
population / 
% slovenske 
prezimujoče 
populacije >3,000 >1,000
Drava river 16 9,219 2,822 5,894 1,875 25.0 15 16
Mura other 16 3,112 954 1,781 722 7.6 1 15
Dravsko and Ptujsko polje 16 4,152 628 1,758 991 7.5 2 13
Ljubljanica river 16 2,214 427 1,374 515 5.8 0 12
Middle Sava river 16 1,783 472 1,161 377 4.9 0 12
Krka river 16 1,357 552 1,028 236 4.4 0 9
Notranjska 16 2,566 107 975 789 4.1 0 7
Mura river 16 2,137 215 905 464 3.8 0 5
Savinja river 16 1,531 361 896 328 3.8 0 7
Upper Sava river 16 988 532 717 134 3.0 0 0
Ščavnica river 16 1,128 138 624 328 2.6 0 4
Coastal saltpans 16 964 142 612 224 2.6 0 0
Lower Sava 16 1,068 285 603 207 2.6 0 1
Kolpa river 16 894 205 528 212 2.2 0 0
Pesnica river 16 1,010 27 485 308 2.1 0 1
Savinja other 14 986 2 471 338 2.0 0 0
Ledava river 16 722 282 437 133 1.9 0 0
Dravinja river 16 554 152 347 135 1.5 0 0
Meža and Mislinja rivers 14 478 55 293 123 1.2 0 0
Sotla river 13 712 9 286 221 1.2 0 0
Drava river Alps 16 522 148 270 91 1.1 0 0
Sava plain 13 499 117 269 115 1.1 0 0
Kamniška bistrica river 12 434 53 253 126 1.1 0 0
Ljubljansko barje other 13 839 68 241 209 1.0 0 0
90
While the Drava river between Maribor and the 
border has had more than 3,000 Mallards counted 
in 15 of the last 16 years, the other two have had only 
one and two years (Table 13). Out of 38 count units 
(i.e. Božič 2018), 35 had more than 100 Mallards 
and 20 had more than 500 Mallards in at least one 
year (Table 13). Between 2004 and 2019, more than 
25% of Mallards were counted on the Drava river 
and more than 5% on the Mura other, Dravsko and 
Ptujsko polje and on the Ljubljanica river. More than 
half of all Mallards were counted in the five most 
important subareas (Table 13).
In seventeen river sections, 51–130 Mallards 
were counted per river kilometre (Figure 12). 
Of these, eleven are in urban areas (Maribor, 
Celje, Ljubljana and Kranj) and only six on more 
natural river sections. Most sections had at least 
one individual per river kilometre. Additionally, 
four locations had more than 500 individuals, six 
had between 201 and 500 individuals, and 18 had 
between 101 and 200 individuals (Figure 12).
The population of wintering Mallards in 
Slovenia decreased moderately during 2000–2019, 
when more complete data were available (TRIM, 
multiplicative overall slope ± SE: 0.9939 ± 0.0003). 
Considering only the Drava river, the number of 
Mallards decreased significantly during 1999–2019 
(rs = –0.64, df = 20, p = 0.0022).
3.5. Ringing
Up till 2017, 2,774 Mallards were ringed in Slovenia, 
86.9% of them in 1972-1975. Less than 0.5% of our 
ringed Mallards were recovered abroad  (7), most 
of them (3 each) in the Italian Po valley and in 
Austria. One mallard was recovered 1,290 km away 
Figure 12: Average density (river sections) and number (locations) of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos counted during 
January waterbird census in Slovenia between 1998 and 2019.
Slika 12: Povprečna gostota (rečni odseki) in število (lokacije) mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos preštetih med januarskim 
štetjem vodnih ptic v Sloveniji med leti 1998 in 2019.
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
91
in Ukraine and all were recovered within two years 
of ringing. Nine Mallards were ringed abroad and 
recovered in Slovenia. Three each were ringed in 
Finland and the Czech Republic (Figure 13). One 
in Finland was ringed approximately 2,075 km 
and two 1,980 km away. Mallards were ringed or 
recovered in directions NEE–SWW (6 Mallards), 
NNE–SSW (6) and N–S (4). All recovered 
Mallards, foreign and domestic, were recovered 
through hunting. 
Eight local recoveries were gathered from the 
period with available data (Table 14). All were 
recovered at the locality of ringing, 6 to 1,498 days 
after ringing. Most were ringed in August and 
then recovered in September. One individual was 
confirmed wintering at a site.
3.6. Mortality causes
According to the 10-year hunting management 
plans for all hunting management areas (ZGS 
2012a-o), non-hunting causes of mortality account 
for only 2.6% of total mortality, with 2.1–4.9% 
before and 0.5–1.1 after 2005 (Table 15). The 
majority of non-hunting mortality was caused by 
predators (41.2%) and traffic (14.2%). A significant 
percentage of mortality, especially in certain 
years (e.g. 2002), was due to disease. After 2005, 
only traffic-related mortality remained similar in 
number (average 17.4) to pre-2005 (18.8), while 
other causes showed considerably lower numbers 
(pre-2005: 50.4, post-2005: 4.5).
Figure 13: Locations of ringing (beginning of arrow) and recoveries (end of arrow) of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos 
ringed (red) and recovered in Slovenia (black).
Slika 13: Lokacije obročkanj (začetek puščice) in najdb (konec puščice) mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos občočkanih 
(rdeče) in najdenih (črna) v Sloveniji.
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
92
Table 14: Local recoveries of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia between 2013 and 2018 (D. Fekonja pers. 
comm.)
Tabela 14: Lokalne najdbe mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos v Sloveniji med letoma 2013 in 2018 (D. Fekonja osebno)
 
Location 
of ringing / 
Mesto 
obročkanja
Date of 
ringing / 
Datum 
obročkanja
Location of 
recovery / 
Mesto 
najdbe
Date of 
recovery / 
Datum 
najdbe
Days / 
Št. dni
Sex / 
Spol
Age / 
Starost
Ringer / 
Obročko-
valec
Recovery / 
Najditelj
1 Vrhnika 18. 8. 2013 Vrhnika 4. 9. 2013 17 T.Trilar T.Trilar
2 Vrhnika 16. 8. 2010 Vrhnika 22. 7. 2014 1436 F 1y Š. Pavle Š. Pavle
3 Vrhnika 14. 8. 2011 Vrhnika 20. 9. 2015 1498 AD Š. Pavle B. Lapajna
4 Vrhnika 22. 7. 2014 Vrhnika 7. 8. 2017 1112 F AD Š. Pavle T.Trilar
5 Ljubljana 6. 5. 2017 Ljubljana 7. 5. 2018 366 F AD D. Fekonja D. Fekonja
6 Vrhnika 14. 8. 2018 Vrhnika 4. 9. 2018 21 F AD B. Lapajna T.Trilar
7 Lake Bled 12. 9. 2017 Lake Bled 7. 12. 2017, 19. 1. 2018 451 F AD
A. Mulej, 
Ž. Pečar A. Mulej
8 Lake Bled 4. 9. 2018 Lake Bled 10. 9. 2018 6 M AD A. Mulej A. Mulej
Table 15: Recorded Mallard Anas platyrhynchos mortality in Slovenia by cause between 2001 and 2020 (ZGS 
2012a-o, OSLIS 2021).
Table 15: Zabeležena smtrnost mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos v Sloveniji ločena po vzroku med leti 2001 in 2020 
(ZGS 2012a-o, OSLIS 2021).
Recorded causes / Zabeleženi vzroki 2001–2005 2006–2010 2011–2015 2016–2020 All / Vsa leta
Hunting / Lov 28,208 (96.2%)
20,115 
(99.1%)
16,906 
(99.6%)
12,320 
(99.3%)
77,549 
(98.2%)
Other causes / Drugi vzroki 1,103 (3.8%)
176 
(0.9%)
69 
(0.4%)
87 
(0.7%)
1,435 
(1.8%)
Unknown / Neznano 339 34 13 19 405 (0.5%)
Disease / Bolezni 149 4 3 0 156 (0.2%)
Road / Cesta 94 90 47 56 287 (0.4%)
Predation / Plenjenje 488 37 2 7 534 (0.7%)
Dogs / Psi 6 0 0 2 8 (0.0%)
Other / Ostalo 27 11 4 3 45 (0.1%)
All recorded mortality / 
Vsa zabeležena smtrnost 29,311 20,291 16,975 12,407 78,984
3.6.1. Mallard hunting between 2001 and 2018
Between 2001 and 2018, 72,731 Mallards were 
hunted in Slovenia. The highest number hunted 
in one year (2,195) and in all years (20,226) was 
reported for Pomursko hunting management 
district (LUO). The lowest number of hunted 
Mallards was in Triglav LUO (15 in one year, 651 
in all years combined). In seven LUOs, more than 
3,000 Mallards were hunted in the last 17 years 
(Figure 14) and only in one (Pomursko LUO) 
more than 10,000. The four districts with highest 
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
93
numbers represent more than 60% of all Mallards 
hunted. The number of Mallards hunted is highest 
in the eastern part of the country. In the western 
part, only Notranjsko LUO stands out (Figure 14). 
The number of hunted Mallards decreased by about 
64% between 2001 and 2018 (Figure 15, Appendix 
4), and the decrease is significant (TRIM, mul-
tiplicative overall slope ± SE: 0.9467 ± 0.0034, 
moderate decrease p < 0.01). The significant decline 
was observed in all LUOs (Appendix  4). The 
largest decline in hunted Mallards was observed 
in Pomursko LUO (82%) and the smallest in 
Slovensko goriško and Kamniško-Savinjsko LUOs 
(29%, Figure 16). A decline in the number of 
hunted Mallards by more than 50% occurred in 
nine LUOs. 
3.7. Colour morphs, hybrids and domestic forms
The only colour morph documented in Slovenia, 
apart from escapees, are Mallards with paler feathers 
due to one of the colour aberrations resulting from 
lower melanin productivity (van Grouw 2013). 
In the NOAGS database, there are only three 
entries of individuals with such colour aberrations. 
Another ten records from Medvedce and Rački 
ribniki were gathered, referring to at least three 
separate individuals, one male, one female and 
one juvenile. All three individuals were extremely 
pale and therefore had either brown or diluted 
colour aberration. Probably the same aberration 
occurred in two records of pale individuals found 
in the literature. One individual was described as 
“flavinistic” and occurred in two consecutive years 
at Lake Cerknica (Kmecl  & Rižner 1992). The 
other individual was referred to as “leucistic” and 
occurred over a longer period of time on the Drava 
river in Maribor (Logar 2009). Most records of 
aberrant individuals are from domestic origin, 
i.e. 22 records involving at least 61 individuals in 
NOAGS data base. On average, 15 individuals are 
counted each year during IWC with a maximum of 
28 individuals in 2014. 31 records of 39 individuals 
at three monitoring sites at Dravsko polje (Požeg 
Figure 14: The number of hunted Mallards Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia in separate hunting-management districts 
between 2001 and 2018.
Slika 14: Število odlovljenih mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos v Sloveniji po posameznih lovsko upravljavskih območjih 
med letoma 2001 in 2018.
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
94
Figure 16: Map of Slovenia with regional difference in the decline in the number of hunted Mallards Anas 
platyrhynchos between 2001 and 2018.
Figure 16: Zemljevid Slovenije s prikazom razlik v upadu odlovljenega števila mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos med 
posameznimi lovsko upravljavskimi območji med leti 2001 in 2018.
Figure 15: The number (±SD) of hunted Mallards Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia between 2001 and 2018 in all 
hunting management districts (N= 15).
Slika 15: Število (±SD) odlovljenih mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos v Sloveniji med leti 2001 in 2018 za vsa lovsko 
upravljavska območja skupaj (N= 15).
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0N
o.
 o
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ar
ve
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ed
 in
di
vi
du
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s 
/ Š
t. 
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Year / Leto
20032001 20112007 20152005 20132009 201720042002 20122008 20162006 20142010 2018
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
95
and Medvedce reservoirs and Rački ribniki) in 
2011–2019 were also gathered. Most were recorded 
between October and March, with only one record in 
August. They were mostly present in small numbers, 
usually only a single individual. 35 out of 76 cases of 
the Mallard domestic form gathered in the NOAGS 
database and during IWC are single birds, and only 
three records are of 10 or more individuals. In some 
cases, individuals stay for a longer period of time, 
such as at Medvedce reservoir (almost a year) and on 
the Drava river in Maribor (Logar 2009). 
Apart from possible hybrids between domestic 
and wild Mallards or with Muscovy Duck Cairina 
moschata, only two wild hybrids in Slovenia were 
recorded. One was a male that was probably a 
hybrid with a Shoveler Spatula clypeata as parent on 
fishpond Črnelo near Radomlje (own data.). The 
second was a male hybrid with a Gadwall observed 
at Lake Ptuj (L.  Božič pers. comm.). In addition, 
courtship and copulation were observed between a 
Mallard and a Common Teal Anas crecca (Sovinc 
2014) and between a Mallard and a Mandarin 
Duck Aix galericulata (Denac 2004). 
4. Discussion
4.1. Dominance and frequency
The Mallard has a high occurrence frequency, 
often reaching 100%. Frequencies below 100% are 
usually the result of complete freezing of individual 
water bodies, such as at Medvedce before 2009 
(Bordjan  & Božič 2009a) and at Ormož Basins 
Nature Reserve (L.  Božič pers. comm.), or due to 
natural fluctuation of individuals at sites with low 
Mallard numbers (such as Gradiško lake). It is the 
eudominant waterbird at all monitored sites and 
often the most dominant. Interestingly, at some 
large lakes, such as Lake Constance (Werner et 
al. 2018) and Lakes Ptuj and Ormož (L.  Božič 
pers. comm.), the Mallard comes only fourth or 
fifth among waterbirds in the non-breeding season. 
In Slovenia, it is most dominant on deeper water 
bodies (e.g. Bled, Bohinj, Pristava and Gradišče 
lakes). The absence or small surface area of shallows 
probably limits the number of other waterbird 
species (Deberšek & Bordjan 2016, Billerman 
et al. 2020), resulting in high Mallard dominance. 
Mallards, on the other hand, often feed on land 
and rest on water (Drilling et al. 2020) and may 
therefore occupy deeper lakes. Lake Ptuj is deep, but 
has lower dominance due to high numbers of other 
waterbird species in general, but also due to the 
recent significant decrease in the wintering Mallard 
numbers (Božič 2018, L. Božič pers. comm.). 
4.2 Phenology
The Mallard populations reach a peak during 
autumn migration or winter at most monitored 
sites. The latter is characteristic of deep Reservoirs 
(Lakes Ptuj, Ormož and Gradiško) and Coast. 
At sites that frequently freeze over during the 
winter, such as Ormož Basins Nature Reserve 
and Medvedce reservoir, before 2009, Mallards 
are mostly absent during this period. The overall 
phenology of the Mallard in the non-breeding 
season between September and April is similar to 
that on Lake Constance (Werner et al. 2018). 
On average, the maximum in numbers at Lake 
Constance is reached in December (Werner et 
al. 2018), the same as at some sites in Slovenia (e.g. 
Ptuj, Ormož and Gradiško lakes). On the other 
hand, the combined Slovenian data of the last 20 
years shows the maximum in January.
Already in January (Drilling et al. 2020), 
but more frequently in February (Scott  & Rose 
1996), spring migration starts and numbers begin 
to fall. The only site among those monitored with a 
maximum at the beginning of migration was Lake 
Cerknica, probably due to flooding at the end of 
winter at the time of monitoring (Bordjan 2012b). 
As at Lake Constance (Werner et al. 2018), there 
is no obvious peak during spring migration in the 
Slovenian data. The low numbers in late April and 
May can include some late migrants (Drilling et 
al. 2020), but consist mainly of breeding males. 
From mid-May and early June, moult migration 
begins (Scott  & Rose 1996, Drilling et al. 
2020), which partly explains the higher numbers in 
June and July for Slovenian monitoring sites. On the 
other hand, the majority of broods are also present 
at this time. In Slovenia, summer movements 
are more evident from the end of July. Mallards 
have the most prolonged autumn migration of all 
duck species (Drilling et al. 2020), starting in 
September (Scott  & Rose 1996, Grishchenko 
1997), one month later than in Slovenia. One of the 
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
96
reasons could be a local movement to larger waters, 
which explains the increase in numbers at Ormož 
and Ptuj lakes, where the increase in August cannot 
be explained only by local breeders. Shallow waters 
such as the Ormož Basins Nature Reserve, NRŠZ, 
Medvedce reservoir and Rački ribniki also have 
peak numbers in August and September, indicating 
a movement to food-rich sites. Autumn migration 
of northern and eastern populations reach the peak 
in October and November (Scott & Rose 1996) 
and ends in early November or, exceptionally, in 
early December (Grishchenko 1997). In contrast 
to Lake Constance (Werner et al. 2018), in the 
Slovenian monitoring data there is a small decrease 
in numbers in October, most likely due to water 
discharge from Aquacultures in late October (e.g. 
Medvedce reservoir, Bordjan & Božič 2009). 
The earliest documented broods are early 
compared to Mallards in other parts of Europe 
and North America (Figley & van Druff 1982, 
Cramp 1998, Drilling et al. 2020). When the 
influx into breeding grounds starts, usually at 
the end of February (Balmori 2019, Drilling 
et al. 2020), some exceptional females are already 
nesting in Slovenia. In early April, more than 15% 
of breeding females have already started nesting, 
and more than 50% start before the end of April, 
earlier than in Bavaria (Germany) and South Russia 
(Cramp 1998, Drilling et al. 2020). Southern 
populations start nesting earlier than those from 
Northern and Central Europe (Drilling et al. 
2020), so an earlier start would be expected in 
Slovenia. On the other hand, the peak in the 
number of broods overlaps with the time of fledging 
in North Germany (Bräger  & Ludwichowski 
1995). More than half of the females fledge their 
young by mid-July and more than 90% by the 
second half of August. As with Mallards in Bavaria 
and England, the onset of breeding is dependent on 
February temperatures (Cramp 1998). Thus, due 
to the climate change, the onset of breeding will 
probably shift even further forward in the future. 
4.3 Sex ratio and non-breeding females
The sex ratio of Slovenian Mallards between 
December and March is on average lower than 
in Sweden (44.6%), Finland (46.9%) and the 
Netherlands (46.5%, Cramp 1998). A lower 
proportion of females is also observed in other duck 
species (Bordjan  & Božič 2009a, Pöysä et al. 
2019) and could be attributed to higher mortality 
of females, as the sex ratio is not skewed at hatching 
(Donald 2007). The higher mortality of females 
can be attributed to several factors, such as higher 
predation pressure on females (Bellrose et al. 
1961, Donald 2007), higher dispersal tendency 
(Donald 2007), longer migration to the wintering 
grounds (Cramp 1998), higher hunting pressure 
and lead poisoning on wintering grounds of females 
(Pöysä et al. 2019). The lower percentage of females 
during the breeding season is a consequence of 
breeding activities, as females do all the brooding 
(Drilling et al. 2020). The percentage of females 
starts to rebound in late May when most of them 
emerge with young and even more when the young 
fledge. Interestingly, the percentage remains low 
even in October, when breeding has already ended 
and migration begins (Drilling et al. 2020), 
suggesting that either females in our population 
migrate at a higher percentage or that the sex 
of arriving birds is shifted towards males at the 
beginning of migration. 
4.4. Clutch and brood size
The clutch size of Slovenian Mallards is smaller than 
in North America (Figley  & van Druff 1982, 
Cotter et al. 1996, Drilling et al. 2020), most 
of Europe (Cramp 1998) and Algeria (Fouzari et 
al. 2018), which could be due to the small sample 
size and the inclusion of second and replacement 
clutches in our sample. The latter are generally 
smaller (Drilling et al. 2020). In addition, our 
data likely include nests with unfinished clutches. 
On the other hand, average brood size is similar to 
other countries in Europe (Cramp 1998).
Most Mallard mortality occurs at duckling 
age (Hill 1984), mainly as a result of predation 
(Figley  & van Druff 1982, Hill 1984, 
Singer et al. 2016, Fouzari et al. 2018). After 
that the survival probability increases with age 
(Stafford  & Pearse 2007). Since Feathered 
young are already through the most perilous era, 
the average size of that age class may be close to the 
average Mallard productivity in Slovenia. If so, it is 
close to the average productivity reported elsewhere 
(0.83–5.4, Hill 1984, Singer et al. 2016).
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
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Compared to other studies, Slovenian broods 
in the Downy age group contain an uncharacter-
istically high number of broods with fewer than 
4 young (25% compared to 0% in Cramp 1998), 
which may indicate high mortality of young in the 
early stages of breeding (Krapu et al. 2006). As in 
other countries (Bräger & Ludwichowski 1995, 
Zicus et al. 2003), brood size becomes smaller as 
the season progresses. This may be a consequence 
of smaller clutch size and a higher proportion of 
second and replacement broods later in the season 
(Cramp 1998).
Brood size of Slovenian Mallards differs by 
wetland type, confirming the findings of Figley & 
van Druff (1982). Smaller broods in certain 
wetland types may be a consequence of poor 
feeding conditions (e.g. deep Reservoirs, Canals 
with steep banks, intensive Aquaculture, or nu-
trient-poor Excavations) or high breeding density 
(Figley  & van Druff 1982, Arcese  & Smith 
1988, Korpiäkki & Wiehn 1998). The change in 
brood-size with elevation is not universal in birds 
(Krementz  & Handford 1984, Johnson et al. 
2006, Bordjan 2013), but it appears to decrease 
with altitude for Mallard.
4.5. Breeding densities
No really high breeding densities were found in 
Slovenia. Our breeding densities are similar to 
those from nearby Austria in general (Feldner 
et al. 2006) and also for fishponds (Albegger et 
al. 2015). Average breeding densities in prairies in 
several states in the USA and Canada range from 
2.3–36 bp/km2 (Cotter et al. 1996, Drilling 
et al. 2020), 49.4 bp/km2 in urbanised brackish 
water lagoons in New Jersey, and 13.1 bp/km2 
in urban parks (Figley  & van Druff 1982). 
These densities are similar to breeding densities 
on Aquaculture ponds, Treatment areas, and 
Excavations but lower than those on Ponds. 
Mallards reach the highest densities on wetlands 
with islands free of mammalian predators 
(Cotter et al. 1996, Berndt  & Hill 1997, 
Drilling et al. 2020). Apart from Lake Ptuj, 
Ormož Basins Nature Reserve and some coastal 
wetlands, most shallow water bodies in Slovenia 
do not have isolated islands. Predator-free islands 
are most likely one of the main difference between 
the superficially similar lakes Ormož (few pairs) 
and Ptuj (20 pairs). Another reason for lower 
breeding densities is the absence of gull or tern 
breeding colonies on most Slovenian waters. 
Colonies attract a higher number of species and 
also allow a higher number of breeding pairs 
(Bräger  & Ludwichowski 1995). This may 
also be one of the reasons for the high breeding 
density in the Ormož Basins Nature Reserve 
and as another difference between Ormož and 
Ptuj lakes. Mallard is a still and shallow water 
bird limited to water depths of less than 1 m 
for foraging (Cramp 1998). This explains the 
lower breeding densities on lakes, reservoirs and 
rivers. On the other hand, Aquaculture, although 
usually smaller and shallower, have lower breeding 
densities than most Ponds. This could be due to 
the high fish production, which reduces the food 
availability for ducks (Musil 2006). Breeding 
densities are inversely correlated with elevation. 
Mallards are primarily a lowland species (Cramp 
1998) and as such are more abundant at lower 
elevations (Luder et al. 1998, Bordjan 2019), 
probably due to more severe conditions at higher 
elevations (Hodkinson 2005).
4.6. Breeding estimates
The estimated breeding population of Mallards 
on an area representing about 10% of the country 
represents between 25–48% of the total estimated 
Slovenian breeding population, indicating that the 
estimates used in calculation were made on the 
most suitable areas for Mallard. Indeed, only a few 
obviously suitable waters are without the estimate 
(e.g. lower part of the Mura river, Nanoščica, 
Kolpa and Krka rivers, abandoned excavations in 
NE Slovenia, waters in the Ljubljana basin and 
Vipava Valley). As most breeding populations were 
calculated from the number of Mallards counted 
(e.g. Denac & Smole 2008, Denac 2010, Tome et 
al. 2011, Denac & Kmecl 2014), some discrepancy 
between the population estimated in these studies 
and the present one may result from sex ratio, which 
is biased in favour of males (Bordjan  & Božič 
2009a, Logar 2009, this study). Additionally, some 
females (9–13.1%), especially smaller/younger ones, 
do not breed (Sheppard 2018), further increasing 
the disparity. 
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
98
All previous national populations were 
estimated based on expert opinion, and as these 
estimates were often extrapolated from local 
populations from more suitable habitats and did 
not take into account sex ratios and non-breeding 
females, this resulted in an overestimated national 
population. This is reflected in the dynamics of 
past population estimates. Estimates in the 1990s 
and early 2000s were 10–20,000 pairs (Geister 
1995, BirdLife International 2004). In 2014, 
the population estimate was reduced to less than 
half the previous estimate (3,000–9,000 pairs, 
Denac  & Kmecl 2014) and was even smaller in 
2019 (1,500–3,500, Bordjan 2019), without any 
evidence of a decline in the breeding population. 
The estimate from this study is similar to the last 
estimate and reflects the more conservative and 
precise method used. 
4.7. Non-breeding population
Overall, 16,000–32,000 Mallards winter in 
Slovenia, which corresponds to about 0.5% of 
European wintering population and 1.1–2.3% of 
the regional Northern Europe/West Mediterra-
nean population (Wetlands International 
2019, Wetlands International  & BirdLife 
International 2020). The Slovenian population 
has been smaller than Sovinc’s (1994) estimate 
(25,000–50,000 ind.) for the 90’s. In Central 
Europe, winter populations in many places have 
declined to the lowest level since annual surveys 
began (Werner et al. 2018). Although some 
European populations have increased (Guzzon 
et al. 2005), the decline in Slovenia may at least 
partly mirror that on the continent scale (Bairlein 
et al. 2014, BirdLife International 2017, 
Werner et al. 2018). The regional population 
has been increasing from the 1990s, but shows a 
declining trend in the last decade (Wetlands 
International 2019), which is also reflected in 
Slovenian IWC. The major decline probably took 
place before the year 2000, as many sites in Slovenia 
report much lower maximum numbers than in the 
1990s. Warm winters are becoming more frequent 
in Europe (IPCC 2018) and in such winters the 
wintering range of waterbirds tend to shift NE 
(Pavón-Jordán et al. 2019). In Sweden, the 
number of wintering Mallards more than doubled 
between 1971 and 2004 due to higher temperatures 
and lower ice cover (Nilsson 2008), suggesting 
that more individuals stay closer to their breeding 
range. Similarly, the number of wintering Mallards 
in Moscow has been attributed in part to mean 
winter temperatures (Avilova & Eremkin 2019). 
This is important because northern populations 
are mostly migratory, with massive movements 
during severe winter weather (Scott  & Rose 
1996). On Lake Constance, Mallards were most 
numerous in cold winters and least numerous in 
warm winters (Werner et al. 2018). Mallards 
are especially prone to a north–south shift in 
wintering range due to winter temperatures, as the 
shift is more pronounced in shallow-water species 
(Pavón-Jordán et al. 2019). Traditionally, the 
majority of wintering Mallards in Slovenia were 
counted on large unfrozen natural and reservoir 
lakes, and gravel pits (Sovinc 1994). Recently, 
significant numbers of Mallards are also found 
on shallow waters such as Medvedce reservoir, 
where before 2009 the species was present only 
in small numbers and irregularly during winters 
(Bordjan  & Božič 2009a), but now can hold 
almost 2,500 individuals at a time (pers. data). 
The river sections with the highest density 
of Mallards in winter are located in urban areas 
(Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje and Kranj). Although 
the urban sections are generally shorter (1.5 km on 
average compared to 3.9 km for all sections), density 
is still high even if sections are pooled. The number 
of Mallards per kilometre combined for each city is 
still above average and Maribor and Ljubljana still 
hold more than 50 mallards per river kilometre 
(Maribor 58 and Ljubljana 59). This is not surprising, 
as urban areas are free of hunting and often provide 
a lot of antropogenic food (Chace & Walsh 2006, 
Avilova & Eremkin 2019) and have lower predator 
pressure (Minias 2016). Mallards can become well 
tolerant of human presence (Scott & Rose 1996) 
and are often abundant on waters in urban areas 
(Drilling et al. 2020), such as the Drava river in 
Maribor (Logar & Božič 2014). 
4.8. Hybrids and domestic form of Mallards
Releasing captive-bred Mallards for hunting was 
a common practice in the past (Štumberger 
1983a, Ciglič  & Trebar 1998, Tome et al. 
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
99
2005, ZGS 2012f) and is still common in many 
places in Europe (Söderquist et al. 2014). Today, 
the release of Mallards is part of the hunting 
management plan in Slovenia in only a few LUO’s 
(ZGS 2012a). For example, between 2014 and 2018, 
4,615 Mallards were released for hunting in Special 
purpose state hunting ground LPN Fazan-Beltinci 
(ZGS 2019). Per year, 620–1,180 Mallards were 
released, which corresponds to about 170% of the 
hunted Mallards in this district. In Sweden, such 
surplus individuals affect morphological traits 
(Söderquist et al. 2014) and reproduction of 
wild Mallards (Cramp 1998). So far, the effects 
on Mallards in Slovenia have not been studied. 
Therefore, efforts should be made to study the 
survival of released individuals and escapees, the 
impact and frequency of crossbreeding with wild 
Mallards using ringing (Gunnarsson et al. 2008) 
or telemetry (Stafford & Pearse 2007). 
4.9. Causes of mortality
Hunting accounts for much of the observed 
Mallard mortality in Slovenia (ZGS 2012h). 
Similar findings have been made for Finnish 
and Swedish Mallards, where ringing was used 
to estimate causes of adult Mallard mortality 
(Gunnarsson et al. 2008). On the other hand, 
survival in the pre-fledging period is the lowest of 
all age groups (Hill 1984, Stafford  & Pearse 
2007) and it is the most influential factor of 
population growth (Sheppard 2018), so hunting 
mortality is inferior to natural causes at least in 
the first 100 days of life (Bergan & Smith 1993). 
As in other studies (Gunnarsson et al. 2008), 
predation was the most important natural cause 
of Mallard mortality in Slovenia. Natural causes 
of mortality are likely to be grossly underesti-
mated, as Mallard mortality in Slovenia is largely 
unstudied and the detection probability of natural 
compared to hunting mortality is considerably 
lower (Naef-Daenzer et al. 2017). Moreover, the 
hunting season starts in September (ZGS 2012a) 
well after the most vulnerable period for Mallard 
mortality (Stafford  & Pearse 2007). More 
efforts should be made to study natural Mallard 
mortality in Slovenia, especially as hunting could 
be an additive mortality (Burnham & Anderson 
1984). In addition to studying the extent and causes 
of Mallard mortality, other important mortality 
factors such as water pollution (Choules et al. 
1978), lead poisoning from ammunition (Pain et 
al. 2019) and climate change (Guillemain et al. 
2013) should also be studied in Slovenia. 
4.10. Hunting
As expected, more Mallards are hunted in areas with 
higher breeding densities and higher numbers of 
wintering Mallards (e.g. NE Slovenia). High number 
of Mallards are also hunted in the Notranjska 
district, which has a lower overall Mallard density 
(Bordjan 2019), but with larger Mallard concentra-
tions of on Lake Cerknica and Ljubljansko barje. The 
lowest hunting numbers are found in districts with 
extensive forest cover, predominant high mountains 
and the absence of surface waters.
The decline in hunted Mallards in most parts 
of Slovenia over the last 13 years is probably a 
continued trend from a longer period. In the late 
1980s and early 1990s, 7,900–12,600 Mallards 
were hunted per year (Sovinc 1994), almost 
three times as many as today. The decline may be 
the result of lower number of wintering Mallards, 
lower interest in smaller game (ZGS 2012a), higher 
availability of big game in some parts of Slovenia 
(Adamič  & Jerina 2010), or a consequence of 
decreasing number of hunters in recent years (more 
than 2% decrease between 2012 and 2018, (LZS 
2014, LZS 2019). One of the suggested reasons is the 
ban on raising and releasing Mallards for hunting 
(ZGS 2012f), but this is probably less important 
as the number of Mallards hunted is also lower 
in Pomursko LUO, where releases still take place. 
Moreover, some traditional areas for duck hunting 
are now covered by nature reserves where hunting is 
not allowed e.g. Ormož Basins Nature Reserve and 
Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve, (Štumberger 
1983b, Štumberger 1986, B. Lipej pers. comm.). 
Hunting has an influence on various aspects of 
waterbirds life, e.g. movement, energy consumption 
and displacement from preferred feeding sites 
(Madsen & Fox 1995). In many places in Slovenia, 
there is a high proportion of other waterbirds 
compared to Mallards (Bordjan & Božič 2009b, 
Bordjan 2012b). Thus, the effect of Mallard 
hunting also extends to other waterbirds, including 
those with unfavourable conservation status. The 
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
100
effects of hunting on waterbirds can be mitigated by 
the establishment of no-hunting reserves (Evans & 
Day 2002) as they greatly increase the numbers of 
Mallards as well as other waterbird species (Guzzon 
et al. 2005). To reduce the negative impacts of 
Mallard hunting, I propose the expansion of 
no-hunting zones to all areas important to breeding, 
migrating, or wintering waterbirds. In addition for 
sites to be designated as IBAs for waterbirds (Denac 
et al. 2011), criteria for establishing a no-hunting 
area could include high Mallards populations, 
i.e., more than 500 regularly present individuals 
during winter or at least 500 individuals counted 
during fall migration, and a high proportion of 
other waterbirds relative to Mallards. According to 
this study, four sites meet the winter criterion and 
another eight sites meet the migration criterion. 
All sites are covered by the Natura 2000 network 
(Denac et al. 2011), and some (e.g. the Škocjanski 
zatok and Ormoške lagune nature reserves, the 
Sečoveljske soline Landscape, Park Rački ribniki 
and Lake Ptuj) are already hunting-free areas. 
Of the others, the need for establishment of a 
no-hunting reserve is most critical at Lake Cerknica 
and Medvedce reservoir. Both host large numbers of 
Mallards as well as other waterbirds (Bordjan  & 
Božič 2009a, Bordjan 2012b) and duck hunting 
is present in both areas and is recognised to have a 
negative impact on waterbirds (Trontelj 1993, 
Bordjan et al. 2013). Lake Cerknica also represents 
an isolated area of suitable habitat for waterbirds 
in the wider region and thus is short on places for 
waterbirds to retreat to from hunting.
4.11. Ringing
A relatively small number of Mallards are ringed 
annually in Slovenia. As the most numerous 
waterbird species, it is neglected by ringers in 
Slovenia and falls far behind other waterbirds 
such as Mute Swan Cygnus olor, White Stork 
Ciconia ciconia, Little Ringed Plover Charadrius 
dubius, Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, 
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus, 
Common Tern Sterna hirundo and also Water 
Rail Rallus aquaticus (Vrezec  & Fekonja 2016, 
Vrezec  & Fekonja 2017, Vrezec  & Fekonja 
2018). The high effort in the 1970s resulted in all 
our foreign recoveries. On the other hand, the low 
number of recoveries (seven in almost 100 years) 
of birds ringed outside Slovenia is surprising, 
considering how many Mallards were hunted in 
Slovenia (almost 100,000 individuals in 20 years). 
One possibility is that hunters do not report ringed 
birds. If this is the case, this is a major loss of ringing 
data and should be addressed in the future by the 
Slovenian Bird Ringing Centre.
The small number of available foreign 
recoveries suggests that migratory movements, 
timing and direction are similar to Mallards in 
Croatia, most of which belongs to the same flyway 
(Kralj et al. 2013), and to those in Germany, 
which belongs to two separate flyways (Bairlein 
et al. 2014). All birds were recovered within the 
Northern Europe/West Mediterranean population 
boundaries (Scott  & Rose 1996, Wetlands 
International  & BirdLife International 
2020). Birds ringed within Slovenia move shorter 
distances than foreign birds recovered in Slovenia. 
This is similar to Croatia (Kralj et al. 2013) and 
can be explained by shorter migration distances of 
southern populations compared to more northern 
ones (Cramp 1998, Drilling et al. 2020). Our 
few local recoveries suggest site fidelity, especially 
for the non-breeding season. Although the data is 
limited, it may suggest that at least some individuals 
are resident (e.g. Mallard ringed in early fall on 
Lake Bled and recovered in winter).
5. Povzetek
Namen prispevka je zapolniti vrzel v znanju te 
sicer zelo razširjene in številčne vrste v Sloveniji. 
Mlakarica je ena najpogosteje opazovanih vrst 
vodnih ptic pri nas, ki na območju rednih 
monitoringov pogosto doseže frekvenco pojavljanja 
100 %. Mlakarica je tudi najbolj dominantna 
vrsta vodne ptice pri nas z razponom dominance 
17,5–89,0 %. Samice dosegajo samo 36,7 % vseh 
opazovanih mlakaric z najvišjim deležem (41,5 %) 
pozimi in najnižjim v začetku gnezdenja (14,7 %), 
ko so samice na gnezdih. Mlakarica je najštevilčnej-
ša med jesensko selitvijo in pozimi. V Sloveniji 
zabeležena gnezditvena sezona traja večji del leta, 
od sredine januarja pa vse do začetka decembra. 
Glavnina samic spelje svoje v povprečju 6,2 ± 2,66 
veliko leglo med aprilom in julijem. Velikost legla 
upada s časom, starostjo mladičev in nadmorsko 
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
101
višino in je najvišja na bazenih za odpadne vode ter 
na obalnih mokriščih (7,3), najnižja pa na globokih 
zadrževalnikih (5,7) in jezerih (5,6). Zares visokih 
gostot gnezdečih parov v Sloveniji nismo zabeležili 
in gostote so bile podobne povprečnim gostotam 
mlakarice po svetu. V Sloveniji ocenjeno gnezdi 
1473–3763 parov in prezimuje v povprečju 22.237 
(10.376–32.010) osebkov mlakaric. Velika večina 
mlakaric prezimuje v SV Sloveniji, največ na reki 
Dravi na Ptujskem (do 8330 os.) in Ormoškem 
jezeru (do 5400 os.). Največ mlakaric prezimuje 
na stoječih vodnih telesih, na rekah pa na urbanih 
odsekih, kjer se zadržujejo v večjem številu zaradi 
krmljenja in varnosti. Slovenska zimska populacija 
mlakarice je v upadu, verjetno zaradi vse toplejših 
zim. Najvišje število mlakaric na selitvi je bilo 
zabeleženo spomladi na Cerkniškem jezeru (4581) 
in jeseni na zadrževalniku Medvedce (3379).
V obdobju med 2001 in 2018 je bilo ustreljenih 
72.731 mlakaric, večina v SV Sloveniji (28 % v 
Pomurskem lovsko-upravljavskem območju). Število 
letno ustreljenih mlakaric upada v vseh lovsko-
-upravljavskih območjih in je upadlo za 64 % od 
leta 2001. V lovskih evidencah je najpomembnej-
ši vzrok smrtnosti mlakaric lov, ki dosega 97,4 % 
vse zabeležene smrtnosti. Med drugo zabeleženo 
smrtnostjo je najpomembnejše plenjenje, ki dosega 
1,1 % smrtnosti. Ker je pri mlakarici največja 
zabeležena smrtnost pri mladičih, ki niso zajeti v 
uradne lovske statistike, ter ker je zaznavnost naravne 
smrtnosti občutno nižja od lova, je zelo verjetno 
naravna smrtnost vrste pri nas močno podcenjena. 
Kljub dolgi tradiciji obročkanja in velikemu 
številu ulovljenih mlakaric imamo zelo malo 
ponovnih najdb obročkanih mlakaric, v zadnjih 
100 letih le devet tujih najdb. Slednje nakazuje 
na možnost, da lovci ne poročajo o najdbah 
Slovenskemu centru za obročkanje ptic. Z izjemo 
obdobja 1972–1975, ko je bilo obročkanih 
87 % vseh mlakaric, je intenzivnost obročkanja 
mlakarice pri nas zelo nizka. Rezultat je samo 
sedem najdb naših mlakaric na tujem. Največja 
razdalja na tujem najdene mlakarice je iz Ukrajine 
(1290 km), medtem ko je izvor najdaljše tuje najdbe 
pri nas je iz Finske (2075 km).
V Sloveniji so bile zabeležene samo barvne 
oblike s svetlejšim perjem, ki so posledica tvorbe 
premalo melanina. Prav tako redki pri nas so 
križanci in mešani pari z drugimi vrstami rac.
Acknowledgements:
This study would have been greatly impoverished 
without the selfless data sharing. For sharing 
unpublished monitoring data, I thank B. Mozetič 
and D. Stanič (both DOPPS) for data from NRŠZ, 
I. Škornik (KPSS) for data from KPSS, and L. Božič 
(DOPPS) for data from Ptuj and Ormož lakes and 
Ormož Basins Nature Reserve. I thank T. Jančar 
(Notranjska Regional Park) for providing raw data 
for Gorenjska lakes. I thank B. Blažič (DOPPS), B. 
Mozetič, I. Škornik, L. Božič, M. Gamser (DOPPS) 
and M. Vogrin for providing additional breeding 
estimates for several water bodies with unpublished 
data. A. Vidmar, B. Koren, B. Stanič, D. Fekonja, 
I. Škornik, L. Božič, and M. Gamser also provided 
additional data on broods.
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poročilo. – Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo, Ljubljana.
Tome D., Sovinc A.  & Trontelj P. (2005): Ptice 
Ljubljanskega barja. DOPPS, Ljubljana.
Tome D., Vrezec A.  & Bordjan D. (2013): Ptice 
Ljubljane in okolice.  – Mestna občina Ljubljana, 
Oddelek za varstvo okolja, Ljubljana.
Trontelj P. (1993): O naravovarstvenem konceptu 
Cerkniškega jezera s poudarkom na varstvu ptic.  – 
Acrocephalus 14 (56/57): 63–71.
Trontelj P. (1992): Prispevek k poznavanju avifavne 
Zbiljskega in Trbojskega akumulacijskega jezera na 
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Trontelj P. & Vogrin M. (1993): Ptice Jovsov in predlogi 
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van Grouw H. (2013): What colour is that bird? The 
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van Toor M. L., Avril A., Wu G., Holan S. H.  & 
Waldenström J. (2018): As the Duck Flies—
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Vogrin M. (2004): Bird assemblage of Vrbje pond 
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Vogrin M. (1990): Dolgorepa raca Anas acuta.  – 
Acrocephalus 11 (45): 66.
Vogrin M. (2005): Fenologija vodnih ptic na 
Žovneškem jezeru (Spodnja Savinjska dolina osrednja 
Slovenija). – Acrocephalus 26 (126): 151–155.
Vogrin M. (1996): Ornitofavna ribnika Vrbje v 
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Vogrin M. (1994a): Ornitološko zanimive lokalitete: 
Stavbarjeva gramoznica v Hočah. – Acrocephalus 15 
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Vogrin M. (1994b): Rački in Turnovi ribniki.  – 
Acrocephalus 15 (65/66): 144–145.
Vogrin M. & Miklič A. (2004): Ptice gnezdilke na golf 
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Acrocephalus 18 (80/81): 43.
Vrezec A. (2004): Čapljica Ixobrychus minutus.  – 
Acrocephalus 25 (121): 95.
Vrezec A. (1999): Sokol selec Falco peregrinus.  – 
Acrocephalus 20 (93): 58.
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Acrocephalus 38 (174/175): 171–202.
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Sempach.
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Wetlands International  & BirdLife Interna-
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ZGS. (2012b): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za II. Gorenjsko 
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Kočevsko-Belokranjsko lovsko upravljavsko območje 
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ZGS. (2012d): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za IV. 
Notranjsko lovsko upravljavsko območje (2011–
2020).
ZGS. (2012e): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za IX. Savinjsko 
Kozjansko lovsko upravljavsko območje (2011–
2020).
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
109
ZGS. (2012f): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za V. Primorsko 
lovsko upravljavsko območje (2011–2020).
ZGS. (2012g): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za VI. Pohorsko 
lovsko upravljavsko območje (2011–2020).
ZGS. (2012h): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za VII. 
Posavsko lovsko upravljavsko območje (2011–2020).
ZGS. (2012i): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za VIII. 
Pomursko lovsko upravljavsko območje (2011–2020).
ZGS. (2012j): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za X. Slovensko 
goriško lovsko upravljavsko območje (2011–2020).
ZGS. (2012k): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za XI. 
Triglavsko lovsko upravljavsko območje (2011–
2020).
ZGS. (2012l): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za XII. 
Zahodno visoko kraško lovsko upravljavsko območje 
(2011–2020).
ZGS. (2012m): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za XIII. 
Zasavsko lovsko upravljavsko območje (2011–2020).
ZGS. (2012n): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za XIV. 
Kamniško-Savinjsko lovsko upravljavsko območje 
(2011–2020).
ZGS. (2012o): Lovsko upravljavski načrt za XV. Ptujsko-
Ormoško lovsko upravljavsko območje (2011–2020).
Zicus M. C., Fieberg J.  & Rave D. P. (2003): Does 
mallard clutch size vary with landscape composition: 
a different view.  – The Wilson Bulletin 115 (4): 
409–413.
 
Prispelo / Arrived: 23. 1. 2020
Sprejeto / Accepted: 20. 5. 2022
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
110
Regional and linear (2 km transects) breeding densities of the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia.
Regionalne in linijske (2 km transekti) gnezditvene gostote mlakarice Anas platyrhynchos v Sloveniji.
Breeding density [bp/km2] / 
regionalana gnezditvena 
gostota [gp/km2]
Breeding 
population 
size estimate / 
Ocena 
gnezditvene 
gostote
Calculated 
density 
[bp/km2] / 
Izračunana 
gostota 
[gp/km2]
Location / Lokacija Min Max
Area [km2] / 
Površina [km2] Min Max Source / Vir
Ljubljana 142 426 211.0 0.67 2.02 Tome et al. (2013)
Ljubljansko barje 210 258 180.0 1.17 1.43 Tome et al. (2005)
Drava river between Maribor 
and Ptuj 54 54 76.0 0.71 0.71 Bračko (1997)
Goričko 150 250 448.2 0.33 0.56 Denac & Kmecl (2014)
Landscape park Škocjanske jame 1 2 4.1 0.24 0.48 Figelj & Kmecl (2014)
Kozjansko 10 20 198.0 0.05 0.10 Jančar & Trebušak (2000)
Triglav National Park 11 30 880.0 0.01 0.03 Jančar (1997)
Upper Reka river valley 2 5 17.0 0.12 0.29 Polak (2000)
Dragonja valley between 
Dragonja and Župančiči 6 7 5.3 1.14 1.33
Sovinc (1998), Gregorič & 
Sovinc (2016)
Jovsi 5 5 4.6 1.09 1.09 Trontelj & Vogrin (1993)
Sava river between Krško and 
Croatia 54 90 33.3 1.62 2.70 Denac & Smole (2008)
Tivoli, Rožnik in Šišenski hrib 2 2 4.6 0.44 0.44 Mihelič (2005)
Mura, Šentilj-Veržej 207 325 36.8 5.63 8.83 Božič (2007a)
Average 854 1,474 2,098.9 0.41 0.70
Linear density [bp/km] / 
linearna gnezditvrna gostota
Slovenian Farmland bird indeks       2.06 2.06
Božič (2007b, 2008b), 
Figelj & Kmecl (2009, 
2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 
2016), Kmecl et al. (2014), 
Kmecl (2017, 2019), 
Kmecl & Šumrada (2018)
Dinaric region       4.45 4.45
Pannonian region       1.15 1.15
Mediterranean region       2.29 2.29
Alpine region       1.76 1.76
Wet meadows       7.62 7.62
Mosaic farmland       1.37 1.37
Mediterranean mosaic       3.34 3.34
Intensively used farmland       1.51 1.51
IBA       3.47 3.47
non-IBA       1.96 1.96
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
DODATEK 1 / APPENDIX 1
111
Ecological breeding densities of the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia.
Ekološke gnezditvene gostote mlakrice Anas platyrhynchos v Sloveniji.
   
Breeding 
population 
size 
estimate / 
Ocena 
gnezditvene 
populacije  
Calculated 
density 
[bp / km2] / 
Izračunana 
gnezditvena 
gostota 
[gp / km2]  
Wetland type /  
Tip mokrišča Location / Lokacija Min Max
Area [ha] / 
Površina 
[ha] Min Max Source / Vir
Aquaculture 
ponds / ribogojnice   19 69 269 7.07 25.69  
Water reservoir 
Medvedce 8 46 160 5.00 28.75
Bordjan & 
Božič (2009a), 
Own data
Rački fishponds 4 16 36 11.14 44.57 Own data
Fishpond Vrbje 1996 2 3 14 14.81 22.22 (Vogrin 1996)
Fishpond Vrbje 2013 2 3 55 3.66 5.48 Gamser & Novak (2013)
Turnovi fishponds 3 6 5 66.67 133.33 Own data
Excavation / izkopi   24 37 120 19.99 30.81  
Gravel pits along the 
Lower Sava river 9 15 49 18.33 30.55
Denac & Smole 
(2008)
Stavbarjeva gramoznica 
Hoče 2 2 16 12.58 12.58 Vogrin (1994a)
Hotinja vas 3 5 6 46.88 78.13 Own data.
Koseški bajer 2 2 4 50.00 50.00 Mihelič (2005)
Gravel pit Stari grad 2 5 14 13.90 34.75 Denac & Smole (2008)
Gravel pit Vrbina 6 8 30 19.80 26.40 Denac & Smole (2008)
Coast / obala   15 30 730 2.05 4.11  
Sečovlje salina 10 20 650 1.54 3.08 Škornik (2012)
Brackish lagoon 
(NRŠZ) 5 10 80 6.23 12.45
B. Mozetič 
pers. comm.
Lakes / jezera   11 52 693 1.59 7.50  
Lake Bled 2 12 145 1.38 8.28 Jančar et al. (2007)
Lake Bohinj 1 24 318 0.31 7.55 Jančar et al. (2007)
Šaleška lakes 8 16 230 3.48 6.96 Deberšek & Bordjan (2016)
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
DODATEK 2 / APPENDIX 2
112
   
Breeding 
population 
size 
estimate / 
Ocena 
gnezditvene 
populacije  
Calculated 
density 
[bp / km2] / 
Izračunana 
gnezditvena 
gostota 
[gp / km2]  
Wetland type /  
Tip mokrišča Location / Lokacija Min Max
Area [ha] / 
Površina 
[ha] Min Max Source / Vir
Pools / jezerca   4 7 11 38.10 66.67  
Oxbow lake Prilipe 1 2 4 22.73 45.45 Denac & Smole (2008)
Petišovsko jezero 3 5 6 49.18 81.97 Bračko (1994a)
Ponds / ribniki   34 55 65 52.47 84.87  
Hraše fishponds 5 5 3 161.29 161.29 B. Blažič pers. comm.
Hodoško jezero 5 5 5 96.15 96.15 Vrezec (2004)
Ljutomerski ribniki 3 5 12 25.13 41.88 Bračko (1994b)
Proseniško fishpond 1 1 2 <1 263.16 526.32 M. Gamser pers. comm.
Proseniško fishpond 2 1 2 2 48.39 96.78 M. Gamser pers. comm.
Proseniško fishpond 3 0 1 <1 0.00 250.13 M. Gamser pers. comm.
Proseniško fishpond 4 1 5 5 18.24 91.21 M. Gamser pers. comm.
Proseniško fishpond 5 1 2 1 71.19 142.38 M. Gamser pers. comm.
Proseniško fishpond 6 5 6 8 65.33 78.39 M. Gamser pers. comm.
Proseniško fishpond 7 1 1 2 60.95 60.95 M. Gamser pers. comm.
Proseniško fishpond 8 1 2 4 23.97 47.95 M. Gamser pers. comm.
Fishpond Črnelo 1 2 2 47.62 95.24 Own data.
Fishponds in Prevoje 1 2 3 31.29 62.58 Own data.
Accumulation on Rača 
river 1 2 1 71.19 142.38 Own data.
Fishpond Lokve 3 5 6 50.41 84.01 NOAGS
Fishpond Rogaška 
slatina 1 3 1 76.28 228.84 NOAGS
Jezerce (NRŠZ) 3 5 7 40.54 67.57 B. Mozetič pers. comm.
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
Nadaljevanje dodatka 2 / Continuation of Appendix 2
113
   
Breeding 
population 
size 
estimate / 
Ocena 
gnezditvene 
populacije  
Calculated 
density 
[bp / km2] / 
Izračunana 
gnezditvena 
gostota 
[gp / km2]  
Wetland type /  
Tip mokrišča Location / Lokacija Min Max
Area [ha] / 
Površina 
[ha] Min Max Source / Vir
River / reke   128 185 1,546 8.28 11.97  
Sava river between 
Krško and Croatia 45 75 245 18.36 30.60
Denac & Smole 
(2008)
Drava river between 
Maribor and Ptuj 54 54 454 11.90 11.90 Bračko (1997)
Drava river in Maribor 9 9 155 5.81 5.81 Logar & Božič (2014)
Mura river 7 15 384 1.82 3.91 Božič (2007a)
Sava river between 
Litija and Zidani most* 10 20 270 3.70 7.41
Figelj & Kmecl 
(2014)
Landscape park 
Škocjan cave 1 2 6 16.95 33.90 Denac (2010)
Kamniška bistrica river 
from Kamnik to Domžale 2 10 32 6.18 30.92 Own data.
Seasonal/
intermittent 
freshwater wetlands / 
presihajoča jezera
  276 364 5516 5.00 6.60  
Marsh (NRŠZ) 7 10 35 20.00 28.57 B. Mozetič pers. comm.
Volčeke meadows 4 4 91 4.39 4.39 Štumberger (1994)
Floodplain forest along 
Mura river (Šentilj-
Gornja Radgona)
80 120 450 17.78 26.67 Božič (2007a)
Mixture Flodplain 
forest/farmland along  
Mura river (Šentilj-
Gornja Radgona)
5 10 180 2.78 5.56 Božič (2007a)
Flodplain forest along 
Mura river  (Gornja 
Radgona-Veržej)
80 110 1340 5.97 8.21 Božič (2007a)
Mixture Flodplain 
forest/farmland along 
Mura river (Gornja 
Radgona-Veržej)
10 20 520 1.92 3.85 Božič (2007a)
Cerknica lake 90 90 2,900 3.10 3.10 Bordjan (2012b)
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
Nadaljevanje dodatka 2 / Continuation of Appendix 2
114
   
Breeding 
population 
size 
estimate / 
Ocena 
gnezditvene 
populacije  
Calculated 
density 
[bp / km2] / 
Izračunana 
gnezditvena 
gostota 
[gp / km2]  
Wetland type /  
Tip mokrišča Location / Lokacija Min Max
Area [ha] / 
Površina 
[ha] Min Max Source / Vir
Water storage 
areas / 
zadrževalniki
  44 60 829 5.31 7.24  
Lake Zbilje 10 10 57 17.54 17.54 Trontelj (1992)
Lake Trboje 5 5 65 7.69 7.69 Trontelj (1992)
Lake Ptuj 10 15 350 2.86 4.29 L. Božič pers. comm.
Lake HE Moste 1 1 56 1.79 1.79 Jančar et al. (2007)
Žovnek reservoir 1 3 49 2.04 6.12 Vogrin (2005)
Požeg Reservoir 2 6 74 2.70 8.11 Own data.
Lake Slivnica 6 6 62 9.60 9.60 M. Vogrin pers. comm.
Lake Gradišče 4 7 27 15.04 26.32 Own data.
Lake Šmartinsko 5 7 89 5.64 7.90 M. Gamser pers. comm.
Other / drugo              
East Teharsko lake 1 3 20 4.90 14.71 M. Gamser pers. comm.
West Teharsko lake 2 4 23 8.77 17.54 M. Gamser pers. comm.
Ormož Basins Nature 
Reserve 10 30 35 28.99 86.96
L. Božič pers. 
comm.
Golf course Ptuj 2 2 55 3.64 3.64 Vogrin & Miklič (2004)
Farmland along Mura 
river (Šentilj-Gornja 
Radgona)
5 10 480 1.04 2.08 Božič (2007a)
Farmland along Mura 
river (Gornja Radgona-
Veržej)
10 20 560 1.79 3.57 Božič (2007a)
Overall ecological 
density / Skupna 
ekološka gostota
  585 928 10,951 5.34 8.47
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
Nadaljevanje dodatka 2 / Continuation of Appendix 2
115
Highest recorded numbers of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos for separate locations and regions.  
Abbreviations: R – random, M – monitoring, C – census.
Najvišja zabeležena števila mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos na posameznih lokacijah in območjih.  
Okrajšave: R – naključni podatek, M – monitoring, C – popis.
    M
ax
Sp
ri
ng
 / 
Po
m
la
d
A
ut
um
n 
/ 
Je
se
n
W
in
te
r /
 
Z
im
a
Ty
pe
 o
f d
at
a /
 
T
ip
 p
od
at
ka
Source / Vir
Dolenjska
Rudniško Lake 343 33 343 R Štumberger (1983b), NOAGS
Kolpa (Metlika-Rosalnice) 453 453 M IWC
Kolpa (Pobrežje-krasinec) 490 490 M  
HE Krško 562 254 203 562 R NOAGS
Gorenjska
HE Moste 330 275 330 224 M Jančar et al. (2007), NOAGS
Lake Bohinj 145 145 139 138 M Jančar (1994, 1997), Jančar et al. (2007)
Lake Gradiško 125 65 64 125 M Own data.
Lake Zbilje 220 220 50 70 M Trontelj (1992), NOAGS
Lake Bled 687 551 687 641 M Kozinc (1992), Jančar et al. (2007), NOAGS
Lake Trboje 600 35 600 M Trontelj (1992)
Notranjska
Pivka lakes 150 35 150 40 C Tome (2000), NOAGS
Lake Cerknica 4,581 4,581 2,500 2,500 M
Gregori (1979), Kmecl & 
Rižner (1993), Bordjan 
(2012a, 2012b,)
Central 
Slovenia
Ljubljansko barje 800 100 800 300 C Tome et al. (2005)
Ljubljanica (Ljubljana, 
Fužine) 547 547 M IWC
Ljubljanica (Ljubljansko 
barje, from 2 km before 
railway bridge to the bridge)
561 561 M IWC
Ljubljana and surroundings 1,739 1,739 C Tome et al. (2011)
Prekmurje
Mura at Murska šuma 500 500 C Kolenko (2001)
Gravel pit Nograd 
Dobrovnik 1,230 1,230 M IWC
Gravel pit Babinci 549 549 M IWC
Gravel pit Zgornje Krapje 1,069 1,069 M IWC
Gravel pit Murska Sobota 850 850 M IWC
Gravel pit Ivanci 588 588 M IWC
Lake Ledava 501 77 501 186 R NOAGS
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
DODATEK 3 / APPENDIX 3
116
    M
ax
Sp
ri
ng
 / 
Po
m
la
d
A
ut
um
n 
/ 
Je
se
n
W
in
te
r /
 
Z
im
a
Ty
pe
 o
f d
at
a /
 
T
ip
 p
od
at
ka
Source / Vir
Primorska
Škocjanski zatok Nature 
Reserve 501 345 501 328 M D.Stanič pers comm.
Most na Soči reservoir 238 238 M IWC
Sečovelje salina 2,600 1,500 894 2,600 M
(Vrezec (1999), Polak 
(2000), Škornik (2012), I. 
Škornik pers. Comm.
Štajerska
Žovnek  reservoir 464 250 464 150 M
Koprivšek (1993b, 1994), 
Kmecl & Rižner (1995), 
Vogrin (2005), NOAGS
Lake Ormož 5,400 3,005 1,132 5,400 M Bibič (1988), Bračko (1992), L. Božič pers. comm.
Lake Gajševci 941 941 M IWC
Lake Ptuj 8,330 1,796 2,145 8,330 M Bibič (1988), Vrezec (1997), L. Božič pers. comm.
Vrbje fishpond 294 151 294 124 M
Koprivšek (1993a), Vogrin 
(1996), Gamser & Novak 
(2013)
Komarnik fishpond 450 450 M IWC
Lake Pernica 1,052 300 209 1,052 C Bibič (1988), Bračko (1994c), NOAGS
Medvedce reservoir 3,379 2,137 3,379 2,800 M Bordjan & Božič (2009a), Own data.
Požeg reservoir 3,000 428 1,131 3,000 M Vogrin (1994b), Bordjan (2003), Own data.
Rački ribniki 1,696 350 1,696 784 M Vogrin (1990), Own data
Lake Vonarje 427 427 239 R (Podhraški (1997, 2001, 2011)
Gravel pit Kunguta 323 323 R NOAGS
Lake Pristava 137 137 C Bibič (1988)
Lake Radehova 150 150 R NOAGS
Šaleška lakes 165 137 165 132 M Deberšek & Bordjan (2016)
Lake Slivnica 271 271 C NOAGS
Ormož Basins Nature 
Reserve 663 138 663 499 M L. Božič pers. comm.
Drava river in Maribor 1,303 488 466 780 M Logar & Božič (2014)
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
Nadaljevanje dodatka 3 / Continuation of Appendix 3
117
The number of hunted Mallards Anas platyrhynchos and trends in separate hunting-management districts (LUO) 
between 2006 and 2018. All trends are statistically significant.
Število odlovljenih mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos in izračunan trend po posameznih lovsko upravljavskih območjih 
med leti 2006 in 2018. Vsi trendi so statistično značilni.
Name of the LUO / Ime lovsko upravljavskega 
območja Min
Year / 
Leto Max
Year / 
Leto
All years / 
Vsa leta R p
Gorenjsko 149 2017 304 2004 4,274 -0.89 <0.001
Kamniško-Savinjsko 50 2017 140 2001 1,647 -0.51 0.032
Kočevsko-Belokranjsko 16 2015 185 2003 2,004 -0.65 0.003
Notranjsko 337 2016 762 2002 9,331 -0.77 <0.001
Novomeško 69 2017 211 2004 2,733 -0.84 <0.001
Pohorsko 72 2018 162 2001 1,801 -0.58 0.012
Pomursko 428 2014 2,195 2001 20,226 -0.92 <0.001
Posavsko 125 2017 577 2004 4,577 -0.84 <0.001
Primorsko 52 2018 131 2003 1,357 -0.76 <0.001
Ptujsko-Ormoško 253 2015 965 2001 8,742 -0.87 <0.001
Savinjsko-Kozjansko 123 2018 375 2004 4,424 -0.93 <0.001
Slovensko goriško 247 2014 428 2001 5,958 -0.76 <0.001
Triglavsko 15 2018 60 2005 651 -0.87 <0.001
Zahodno visoko kraško 70 2017 273 2002 2,600 -0.86 <0.001
Zasavsko 87 2010 201 2003 2,406 -0.82 <0.001
All LUOs / Vsa lovsko upravljavska območja 2,421 2017 6,492 2001 72,731 -0.95 <0.001
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 69–118, 2020
DODATEK 4 / APPENDIX 4
118
The maximum number of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos counted in winter on several water bodies in two time 
periods. Sources for the first period are SOvinc (1994) and Polak (2000), and BOžič (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) 
for the second period.
Največje število mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos preštetih pozimi na izbranih vodnih telesih v dveh ločenih obdobjih. Viri 
so za prvo obdobje SOvinc (1994) in Polak (2000), ter BOžič (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) drugo obdobje.
  In 1980‘s and 1990‘s / v 80’ in 90’ letih 2015–2019
Požeg reservoir 1,300 37
Šaleška lakes 3,000 400
Sečovlje salina 2,600 1,222
Drava river below Maribor 15,000–30,000 7,302
Lake Ptuj 8,150 1,890
Lake Ormož 5,150 1,765
Lake Pernica 2,500 53
D. Bordjan: The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Slovenia: a review with an estimation of its current population
DODATEK 5 / APPENDIX 5
119
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 119–121, 2020
10.2478/acro-2020-0007
First confirmed breeding 
of the Mediterranean Shag 
Gulosus aristotelis 
desmarestii in Romania after 
60 years of its absence
Prvo potrjeno gnezdenje 
sredozemskega vranjeka Gulosus 
aristotelis desmarestii v Romuniji 
v zadnjih 60-ih letih
Emil Todorov
Romanian Ornithological Society, Bd. 
Calusei entrance nr. 12, Bucharest, Romania, 
e-mail: emil.todorov@sor.ro  
Introduction
The European Shag (Gulosus aristotelis) is a colonial 
seabird that breeds in the Western Palearctic. The 
species can be found along the entire Atlantic 
coast of Europe as far north as Finland and Iceland 
and as far south as the coast of Morocco. It ranges 
through the entire Mediterranean, nesting on 
parts of the coastline of most European and North 
African countries, as well as parts of the Black Sea 
coast (del Hoyo  et al.  1992). The species is listed 
as Least Concern (LC), with its global population 
estimated at 230,000–240,000 individuals, while 
the European population is estimated at 153,000–
157,000 mature individuals. The overall trend is 
decreasing (BirdLife International 2019). Three 
subspecies are recognized, G. a. aristotelis (Linnaeus, 
1761) – Iceland and Scandinavia to southern coasts 
of Iberian Peninsula, G. a. desmarestii (Payraudeau, 
1826)  – Mediterranean and Black Sea, and 
G.  a.  riggenbachi  (E. J. O. Hartert, 1923)  – coast 
of Morocco. The shags are essentially marine birds, 
especially along rocky coastlines or island groups 
(Snow and Perrins 1998). This paper presents the 
first confirmed breeding of the European Shag in 
Romania after 60 years of its absence. 
Materials and methods
The site of the present study is the Constanta 
harbour situated on the Western Black Sea coast, 
south-eastern Romania. It covers 3,926  ha of 
which 1,313  ha is land and the rest, 2,613  ha is 
water. The two breakwaters located northwards 
and southwards shelter the port, creating safety 
conditions for port activities. The Port of Constanta 
is the largest on the Black Sea and the 17th largest 
in Europe (Wikipedia contributors 2019).
Since 2013, the Constanta harbour has been 
one of the sites covered by the Romanian Ornitho-
logical Society during the International Waterbird 
Census carried out in mid-January. In this 
particular time, all inland wetlands are generally 
already frozen and many waterbirds, especially 
ducks, grebes, swans, coots, gulls and cormorants 
find favourable shelters and foraging grounds in 
the harbour bays. The harbour area is covered by 
13 fixed count points from which the birds are 
counted. The observations are done with the help 
of binoculars 10x42 or 10x50 and spotting scopes 
20–50x. The time spent at each fixed observation 
points differs due to the abundance of the 
waterbirds present, but don’t last more than 20 min 
per point. Apart from the harbour infrastructure 
facilities located on the mainland, one semi-sub-
mersible platform is situated in the southern part of 
Figure 1: The semi-submersible platform is situated 
in the southern part of the Constanta harbour where 
the small colony of Mediterranean Shag was found, 
19. 3. 2019 (photo: Emil Todorov)
Slika 1: 19. 3. 2019 je bila najdena manjša kolonija 
sredozemskih vranjekov na polpotopni ploščadi, 
ki se nahaja v južnem delu pristanišča Konstanta 
(foto: Emil Todorov)
120
the harbour area 1,700 m offshore and 550 m away 
from the southward breakwater (Figure 1). Around 
the platform at a distance between 100 to 700 m in 
the southern direction, 4 floating navigation buoys 
are situated that are regularly utilized by the Great 
Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) as breeding 
sites. The southward area of the Constanta harbour 
was visited 5 times from January to June 2019 and 
the observations were made from fixed observation 
point located at the southward breakwater dike (N 
44.088555, E 28.677497) at a distance of 1,200 m. 
Results
First observations of the Mediterranean Shag in 
the study area were made in mid-January 2019. 
A  total of 13 individuals, adults and immatures 
were registered, resting on anchored navigation 
buoys, flying over or foraging in the harbour waters. 
Another visit was performed on 26 February, 
when 10 adult cormorants were observed, showing 
behaviour of pair formation. On 17 March, three 
well visible nest with Mediterranean Shags sitting 
in incubating position were observed, located on 
the south-western column of the platform approx-
imately 18 m above the water level. Apart from 
the shag’s nests found on the platform, another 26 
occupied nest belonging to the Great Cormorant 
(Phalacrocorax carbo) were recorded on 4 floating 
buoys nearby. On 23 April, 5 nests occupied by 
Mediterranean Shags were registered. Successful 
breeding was confirmed on 11 May when in 3 
out of 5 nests, chicks were observed. Due to the 
long distance, the exact number of chicks per nest 
was impossible to determine, but an estimation 
between 1–2 chicks per nest was the most likely 
breeding succes.  
Discussion 
The very first observation of the European Shag in 
Romania was made on 14 July 1959 on the Black 
Sea coast in offshore zone of the city of Constanta 
(Cătuneanu et al. 1978). Along the 240 km 
Romanian coastline there are no rocky coastlines, 
the preferred breeding habitats for the shags. The 
only suitable breeding area within the territorial 
waters of Romania is Snake Island (nowadays 
Ukrainian territory) located offshore the Danube 
Delta, 35 km away from the Romanian border, 
where breeding was confirmed (Linția 1955). 
The low-slope rocky island covers 17 ha and was a 
former Romanian territory before its accession to 
the former Soviet Union in 1948. In the recent or-
nithological history of Romania, the first confirmed 
observation of the species with photos was made on 
12 September 2012 near Vama Veche at the border 
with Bulgaria (Daróczi pers. comm.). Afterwards, 
the species became much more regular, but still 
rare with small numbers of up to 20 individuals 
mainly along the southern Romanian Black Sea 
coast. The nearest breeding colony of the species is 
located in Bulgarian territory near Cape Kaliakra, 
50 km away from the Romanian border, estimated 
at 180–250 breeding pairs (Iankov 2007). 
Another possible breeding site within Romanian 
waters might be on the Evangelia shipwreck 
(Wikipedia contributors 2019), 15 km south 
from the semi-submersible platform. The deck of 
the shipwreck has been a well-known breeding 
area of the Great Cormorant since 2012 when 
63 breeding pairs were registered (Romanian 
Ornithological Society 2019). The presence 
of adult Mediterranean Shags in breeding plumage 
was registered on the shipwreck’s deck in June 2017 
(Lajos pers. comm.), but without clear signs of 
breeding activity. In April 2019, up to 3 pairs were 
Figure 2: Nests of Mediterranean Shags situated 
on the semi-submersible platform, 23. 4. 2019 
(photo: Emil Todorov)
Slika 2: Gnezda sredozemskih vranjekov na polpotopni 
ploščadi, 23. 4. 2019 (foto: Emil Todorov)
E. Todorov: First confirmed breeding of the Mediterranean Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii in Romania after 60 years 
of its absence
121
registered and copulations observed (Stanciu pers. 
comm.). Although these are encouraging signs of 
breeding, nests were not registered, probably due 
to the fact that the shags chose to nest inside the 
shipwreck. 
The newly established small colony represents 
the first confirmed breeding of the Mediterranean 
Shag in Romania after 60 years of its absence and the 
first established on an artificial breeding structure. 
In 2013, another newly established colony was 
found along the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea 
coast on a small rocky island (Mladenov 2014), 
which clearly indicates that the species’ population 
along the Western Black Sea coast is increasing and 
occupying new habitats. 
Acknowledgments
The author is grateful to the referees for their 
constructive inputs on this manuscript. 
Povzetek
240 kilometrov dolga črnomorska obala v Romuniji 
nima skalnatih pečin, ki so primarno gnezdišče 
sredozemskega vranjeka. 23. aprila 2019 je bilo 
v južnem delu pristanišča Konstanca najdenih 
pet gnezd sredozemskih vranjekov Phalacrocorax 
aristotelis desmarestii. Gnezda so se nahajala 
približno 18 metrov visoko na jugozahodnem 
stebru polpotopne ploščadi, zasidrane 1700 m od 
kopnega. To je prvo potrjeno gnezdenje te vrste v 
Romuniji po več kot 60 letih njene odsotnosti.
References
BirdLife International (2019): Species factsheet: 
Gulosus  aristotelis.  – [http://datazone.birdlife.org/
species/factsheet/22696894], 17/03/2019.
Cătuneanu I. I., Gál I. K., Munteanu D., Pașcovschi 
S., Vespremeanu E. (1978):  Fauna Republicii 
Socialiste România. Vol. XV: Aves (Păsări). Fascicula 
1: Gaviiformes, Podicipediformes, Procellariiformes, 
Pelecaniformes.  –  Editura Academiei Republicii 
Socialiste România, București.
Constanza Port (2018): Prezentare port.  – [https://
w w w. p o r t o f c o n s t a nt z a . c o m /p n /r o/ h o m e] , 
18/3/2019.
del Hoyo J., Elliot, A., Sargatal J. (1992): Handbook 
of the Birds of the World, Vol. 1: Ostrich to Ducks. – 
Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.
Iankov P. (ed.). (2007): Atlas of breeding birds in 
Bulgaria, Bulgarian Society for the Protection of 
Birds, Conservation Series, Book 10. – BSPB, Sofia.
Linția D. (1955): Pasările din R.P.H„ Vol. II, III., Ed. 
Acad. R.P.R., Bucureşti.
Mladenov V., Meshkova G., Rusev D., Yordanov S. 
(2014): Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis. – Acrocephalus 
35 (160/161): 91–103.
Snow D., Perrins C. M., Gillmor R. (1998): The birds 
of the western Palearctic. – Oxford University Press, 
Oxford.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2019): MV E 
Evangelia.  – [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.
php?title=MV_E_Evangelia&oldid=894242039], 
3/6/2019.
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Romania.  – [https://pasaridinromania.sor.ro/web], 
04/12/2019.
Prispelo / Arrived: 5. 12. 2019
Sprejeto / Accepted: 7. 3. 2023
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 119–121, 2020

123
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 123–139, 2020
10.2478/acro-2020-0008
Redke vrste ptic v Sloveniji 
v letu 2019 – Poročilo 
Nacionalne komisije za 
redkosti
Rare birds in Slovenia in 2019 – 
Slovenian Rarities Committee's Report
Mitja Denac1, Dejan Bordjan 2, Luka Božič3, 
Jurij Hanžel4, Milan Vogrin5
1 Mala Slevica 2, SI – 1315 Velike Lašče, Slovenija, 
e-mail: mitja.denac@gmail.com 
2 Oddelek za gozdarstvo in obnovljive gozdne vire, 
Biotehniška fakulteta, Univerza v Ljubljani, Večna 
pot 83, SI – 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija, e-mail: dejan.
bordjan@gmail.com 
3 DOPPS – Društvo za proučevanje in opazovanje 
ptic Slovenije, Kamenškova 18, SI – 2000 Maribor, 
Slovenija, e-mail: luka.bozic@dopps.si
4 Židovska ulica 1, SI – 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija, 
e-mail: jurij.hanzel@gmail.com 
5 Zgornja Hajdina 83c, SI – 2288 Hajdina, Slovenija, 
e-mail: milan.vogrin@guest.arnes.si
Poročilo Nacionalne komisije za redkosti (KRED) 
obravnava opazovanja redkih vrst ptic med 1. 1. in 
31. 12. 2019, z dodanimi datumi za leto 2020, če je 
bil osebek, prvič opazovan v letu 2019, opazovan tudi 
leta 2020 (npr. prezimovanja). Pri nekaterih vrstah 
so dodane dopolnitve za prejšnja leta. Komisija je 
delovala v naslednji sestavi (po abecednem vrstnem 
redu): Dejan Bordjan, Luka Božič, Mitja Denac 
(predsednik), Jurij Hanžel, Milan Vogrin.
Komisija obravnava vrste, ki so bile kot redke 
označene v Seznamu ugotovljenih vrst ptic Slovenije 
s pregledom redkih vrst in v zadnjem poročilu 
KRED (Hanžel & Šere 2011, Denac et al. 2019), 
ne glede na prej veljavni kriterij o redkosti, da je 
vrsta redka, če je po letu 1950 znanih manj kot 10 
opazovanj. Seznam obravnavanih vrst in podvrst je 
dostopen na spletu (DOPPS 2020).
Razvrstitev v kategorije, način navajanja 
kraja opazovanj in način navajanja virov sledijo 
smernicam v Seznamu (Hanžel  & Šere 2011). 
Upoštevana so taksonomska priporočila Medna-
rodnega ornitološkega kongresa (International 
Ornithological Congress – IOC World Bird List), 
in sicer je bila za namene tekočega poročila upora-
bljena verzija 9.2 (Gill & Donsker 2019). Številki 
poleg imena vrste v oklepaju pomenita število 
opazovanj med 1. 1. 1950 in 31. 12. 2018 ter število 
osebkov, opazovanih v tem časovnem obdobju. 
Takšen način podajanja opazovanj je standardizi-
ran po priporočilih Združenja evropskih komisij za 
redkosti (AERC – Association of European Rarities 
Committees) (AERC 2017). Nekatere redke vrste 
obravnava KRED šele od 1. 1. 2013 dalje in zanje 
podatki pred tem datumom niso zbrani, zato ta 
opazovanja niso oštevilčena. Opazovanja regional-
nih redkosti so predstavljena ločeno od opazovanj 
nacionalnih redkosti.
V letu 2019 zbujajo pozornost v kategoriji A 
naslednja opazovanja: drugo opazovanje kraljičice 
Phylloscopus proregulus, četrto opazovanje 
rdečevrate Branta ruficollis in belolične gosi Branta 
leucopsis, ponovno opazovanje pojočih pritlikavih 
tukalic Porzana pusilla (četrti podatek za Slovenijo), 
šesto opazovanje male gosi Anser erythropus, sedmo 
opazovanje ostrogleža Calcarius lapponicus in osmo 
opazovanje ploskokljunega liskonožca Phalaropus 
fulicarius. V kategoriji E je bila opazovana novi 
vrsta  – orjaški jezerec Haliaeetus pelagicus. Do 
vključno 31. 12. 2019 je bilo v Sloveniji ugotovljenih 
390 vrst ptic (376 v kategoriji A, 5 v kategoriji B in 
9 izključno v kategoriji C; štiri vrste so umeščene 
v kategoriji A in C hkrati). V kategoriji D je 7 
vrst, v kategoriji E pa 41, med katerimi sta dve 
umeščeni v kategorijo E*. Vrste iz kategorij D in E 
niso del seznama ugotovljenih vrst ptic Slovenije. 
Razlaga posameznih kategorij in podkategorij je 
podana v Seznamu ugotovljenih vrst ptic Slovenije 
(Hanžel  & Šere 2011) ter na spletu (DOPPS 
2020).
V Dodatku 1 so predstavljene dokumentarne 
fotografije opazovanj redkih vrst ptic iz leta 2019, ki 
še niso bile objavljene v slovenskih tiskanih virih z 
navedenim datumom, krajem in številom osebkov. 
Potrjena opazovanja iz kategorije A / 
Accepted Category A records
Rdečevrata gos Branta ruficollis (3, 4) 
(4) 17.–23. 11. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce, 
do 3 os (D.  Bordjan, A.  & E. Vrezec, M. 
Gamser pisno)
124
Belolična gos Branta leucopsis (3, 3) 
(4) 16. 11. 2019–2. 2. 2020, zadrževalnik 
Medvedce, 1 os. (D.  Bordjan, L. Božič, M. 
Vogrin, A. & E. Vrezec, M. Denac pisno)
Mala gos Anser erythropus (5, 5) 
(6) 18. 12. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce, 1 ad. 
(Denac 2019a)
Labod pevec Cygnus cygnus (14, 29) 
(15) 30. 4. 2019, Hraše, 1 os. (D. Bordjan pisno)
Črna raca Melanitta nigra 
– 7. 12. 2019, morje pred Piranom, 7 os. (Denac 
2019b)
Zimska raca Clangula hyemalis 
– 24. 12. 2019, Rački ribniki, 1 os. (M. Vogrin 
pisno)
Pritlikava tukalica Porzana pusilla (3, 7) 
(4) 7.–8. 5. 2019, med Osredki in Martinjakom, 
Cerkniško jezero, 3 ad. (M.  Gamser, B. 
Blažič pisno)
Dular Charadrius morinellus (20, 43) 
(21) 1. 4. 2019, Ratitovec, 1 ad. (V. Kržišnik pisno)
(22) 25. 8. 2019, Slavnik, 1 juv. (B.  Rakar, A. 
Marsič pisno)
Ploskokljunec Calidris falcinellus (14, 31) 
(15) 16.–17. 5. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce, do 5 
ad. (B. Blažič, T. Pršin, M. Denac pisno)
(16) 25.–26. 8. 2019, Sečoveljske soline, 1 juv. obr. 
(T. Mihelič, A. Božič pisno)
(17) 29. 8. 2019, Škocjanski zatok, 1 juv. (Stanič & 
Cernich 2019)
Čoketa Gallinago media (17, 17) 
(18) 24. 3. 2019, Koritno, Bled, 1 os. (A. Mulej pisno) 
(19) 12. 4. 2019, Iški morost, Ljubljansko barje, 1 
ad. (B. Blažič pisno)
Ozkokljuni liskonožec Phalaropus lobatus (17, 30) 
(18) 22. 4.–2. 5. 2019, Sečoveljske soline – muzej, 1 
os. (D. Bordjan, A. Božič pisno)
Ploskokljuni liskonožec Phalaropus fulicarius (7, 7) 
(8) 11. 4. 2019, Blejsko jezero, 1 ad. (B. Blažič pisno)
Črnonoga čigra Gelochelidon nilotica (24, 32) 
(24) 25. 7. 2018, Škocjanski zatok, 2 ad. 
(D. Bosch & A. Božič pisno)
(25) 31. 5. 2019, Brežiško jezero, 2 ad. (G. Bernard 
pisno)
(26) 14. 6. 2019, Ključi, Cerkniško jezero, 1 ad. 
(B. Blažič, T. Pršin pisno)
Sredozemski viharnik Puffinus yelkouan 
– 27. 10. 2018, morje pred Piranom, 5 os. 
(D.  Bosch, A. Božič, B. Blažič, T. Pršin 
pisno)
– 30. 10. 2018, morje pred Piranom, 6 os. 
(D. Bosch, A. Božič, D. Lepage pisno)
– 3. 11. 2019, morje pred Piranom, 4 os. 
(D. Bosch, A. Božič pisno)
Plevica Plegadis falcinellus 
– 23.–24. 4. 2019, Škocjanski zatok, do 16 os. 
(D. Stanič, D. Bosch pisno)
– 24. 7. 2019, Škocjanski zatok, 1 os. (D. Stanič 
pisno)
– 26. 7. 2019, Brežiško jezero, 1 os. 
(D. Klenovšek pisno)
Kraljevi orel Aquila heliaca (16, 16) 
(17) 17. 2. 2019, Spodnja Hajdina, 1 2cy (S. Hren 
pisno)
(18) 19. 5. 2019, Šentrupert, 1 2cy, podatek s 
telemetrijo (Bird telemetry 2019) 
Stepski lunj Circus macrourus (60, 62) 
(61) 31. 3. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce, 1 ♀,(D. 
Bordjan pisno)
(62) 12. 4. 2019, Šmarca pri Kamniku, 1  ♂ 
(D. Bordjan pisno)
(63) 14. 4. 2019, Podova, 1 ♂ (D. Bordjan pisno)
(64) 27. 4. 2019, Zgornji Brnik, 1 ♂,(J. Habicht, J. 
Florjančič pisno)
(65) 2. 11. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce, 1  ♀ 
(J. Leskošek, T. Basle, N. Kocjan pisno)
Koconoga kanja Buteo lagopus 
– 10. 10. 2019, Ig, Ljubljansko barje, 1 juv. 
(Denac 2019c)
Močvirska uharica Asio flammeus (43, 74) 
(44) 5. 1. 2019, Ig, Ljubljansko barje, 1 os. (Denac 
2019d)
M. Denac, D. Bordjan, L. Božič, J. Hanžel, M. Vogrin: Redke vrste ptic v Sloveniji v letu 2019 – Poročilo Nacionalne komisije 
za redkosti
125
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 123–139, 2020
(45) 8. 2. 2019, Medvedce, 1 os. (D. Bordjan pisno)
(46) 20. 2.–5. 3. 2019, Ig, Ljubljansko barje, do 7 
os. (Denac 2019d)
(47) 19. 9. 2019, Veliki Oltar, Julijske Alpe, 1 os. 
(Denac & Poljanec 2019)
(48) 2. 12. 2019, Poljče, 1 os. – kadaver (A. Mulej 
pisno)
Južna postovka Falco naumanni (11, 29) 
(12) 20. 5. 2019, Ustje, Ajdovsko polje, 1 2cy ♂ 
(D. Bordjan pisno)
Rjavoglavi srakoper Lanius senator 
– 1. 5. 2019, Laze pri Gorenjem jezeru, 
Cerkniško jezero, 1 os. (Stanič 2019a)
– 19. 5. 2019, Sečoveljske soline, 1 os. (A. Božič 
pisno)
– 4. 6. 2019, Podraga, Vipavska dolina, 1 os. 
(K. Denac pisno)
Mušja listnica Phylloscopus inornatus (20, 20)
(21) 9. 10. 2019, Cerovo, 1 obr. (J. Bricelj pisno)
(22) 19. 10. 2019, Vrhnika, 1 obr. (R. Tekavčič pisno)
Kraljičica Phylloscopus proregulus (1, 1) 
(2) 27.–30. 3. 2019, Osp, 1 os. (Stanič 2019b)
Plevelna trstnica Acrocephalus agricola (10, 10) 
(10) 10. 8. 2018, Vrhnika, 1 ad. obr. (B. Lapanja 
pisno)1
(11) 31. 8. 2019, med Dolenjim Jezerom in Otokom, 
Cerkniško jezero, 1 1cy obr. (R. Tekavčič pisno)
Bledi vrtnik Iduna pallida (15, 16) 
(15) 12. 7. 2017, Fontanigge, Sečoveljske soline, 1 
os. (I. Škornik, A. Božič pisno)
Rožnati škorec Pastor roseus (44, 427) 
(45) 23. 5. 2019, Bevke, Ljubljansko barje, 1 ad. 
(V. Antešič pisno)
Travniški vrabec Passer hispaniolensis (16, 249) 
(17) 14. 7. 2019, Gradišče pri Vipavi, Vipavska 
dolina, 1 ♂ (Stanič 2019c)
1 Podatek je bil objavljen že v prejšnjem poročilu 
Komisije (Denac et al. 2019), vendar je bil napačno 
oštevilčen, zato so v tem poročilu objavljeni vsi 
podatki iz let 2018 in 2019. 
Severni brezovček Acanthis flammea 
– 15. 11. 2017, Pragersko, 6 os. (D.  Bordjan 
pisno)
Konopeljščica Carduelis citrinella (23, 32) 
(24) 13.–16. 6. 2019, Vogel, Julijske Alpe, do 3 os. 
(Lunczer 2020)2
(25) 14. 10. 2019, Karavanke, 1 2cy obr. 
(D. Grohar pisno)
Ostroglež Calcarius lapponicus (6, 6) 
(7) 30. 11. 2019, Stržen, Ljubljansko barje, 1 os. 
(Denac 2019e)
Snežni strnad Plectrophenax nivalis 
– 10. 11. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce, 1  ♀ 
(D. Bordjan pisno)
– 26. 12. 2019–20. 2. 2020, Slavnik, 1 os. 
(T.  Puzić, R. Kraševec, M. Mlakar 
Medved, J.  & L. Poljanec, M. Denac, D. 
Stanič, S. Cernich, M. Gamser pisno)
Črnoglavi strnad Emberiza melanocephala
– 18. 5. 2019, Dolenja blata, Cerkniško jezero, 
1 ♂ (D. Bordjan, A. Božič, D. Bosch pisno)
– 22. 5. 2019, Ajdovsko polje, Vipavska dolina, 
1 ♂ (Cernich & Stanič 2019)
– 2. 6. 2019, Zgornja Slivnica, 1 ♀ (N. Pišec pisno)
Regionalne redkosti / Regional rarities
Beloliska Melanitta fusca 
– 20.–26. 1. 2019, Brežiško jezero, 1 os. 
(G. Bernard, M. Denac, D. Kapš pisno)
Zlatouhi ponirek Podiceps auritus 
– 26. 1. 2019, Brežiško jezero, 3 os. (M. Denac, 
D. Kapš pisno)
Plamenec Phoenicopterus roseus 
– 17. 8. 2013, Strunjanske soline, 6 os. 
(L. Kastelic pisno)
– 16. 7. 2015, Strunjanske soline, 1 os. 
(L. Kastelic pisno)
2 Ptice so bile opazovane pri gradnji gnezda, zato lahko 
upravičeno domnevamo, da so se na območju zadrževale 
dalj časa, kot je bilo potrjeno s strani opazovalcev.
126
– 10. 4. 2016, Strunjanske soline, 1 os. 
(L. Kastelic pisno)
– 30. 8.–27. 12. 2019, Škocjanski zatok, do 2 os. 
(Stanič 2019d)
– 17.–18. 11. 2019, Trebnje, 2 os. (Govedič  & 
Bizjak Govedič 2019)
Progastorepi kljunač Limosa lapponica 
– 6. 8. 2019, Brežiško jezero, 1 ad.  ♀ 
(D. Klenovšek pisno)
Kamenjar Arenaria interpres
– 7. 5. 2019, Škocjanski zatok, 1 os. (Stanič 
2019e)
Veliki prodnik Calidris canutus
– 2.–3. 9. 2019, Ormoško jezero, 1 juv. (M. Denac, 
M. Mlakar Medved, M. Gamser pisno)
– 3.–4. 9. 2019, Zabovci, Ptujsko jezero, 1 juv. 
(L. Božič, M. Gamser pisno)
Peščenec Calidris alba
– 25. 9. 2017, letališče Lesce, 1 juv. (B. Kozinc, 
B. Blažič, T. Pršin, A. Mulej, T. Pušenjak, J. 
Hribovšek pisno)
Srebrni galeb Larus argentatus 
– 2. 1. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce, 1 ad. 
(D. Bordjan pisno)
– 8. 2. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce, 1 2cy 
(D. Bordjan pisno)
Rjavi galeb Larus fuscus
– 5. 4. 2018, morje pred Sečoveljskimi solinami, 
1 ad. (D. Bosch, A. Božič pisno)
Kaspijska čigra Hydroprogne caspia
– 4. 4. 2018, Škocjanski zatok, 2 ad. (D. Bosch 
pisno)
– 6. 4. 2019, Škocjanski zatok, 1 ad. (D. Bosch 
pisno)
– 29. 4. 2019, Dolenje Jezero, Cerkniško jezero, 
1 ad. (J. Habicht pisno)
– 21. 5. 2019, Škocjanski zatok, 1 ad. (D. Stanič 
pisno)
Kričava čigra Thalasseus sandvicensis
– 7.–8. 6. 2019, Ranca, Ptujsko jezero, 2 ad. 
(L. Božič pisno)
– 24. 6. 2019, Turnišče, Ptujsko jezero, 3 ad. 
(L. Božič pisno)
Mala čigra Sternula albifrons
– 2.–6. 7. 2019, Ormoško jezero, 1 ad. 
(D. Bordjan, L. Božič pisno)
Kravja čaplja Bubulcus ibis 
– 5.–7. 4. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce, 4 os. 
(D. Bordjan, M. Gamser pisno)
– 11. 5. 2019, Dolenje jezero, Cerkniško jezero, 
1 ad. (B. Blažič, T. Pršin pisno)
– 25. 8.–6. 9. 2019, Ormoško jezero in Lagune, 
1 os. (J. Hanžel, M. Denac pisno)
– 8. 11. 2019, Predoslje, Kranj, 1 os. (T. Trebar 
pisno)
Beloglavi jastreb Gyps fulvus 
– 23. 6. 2018, Brana, Kamniško-Savinjske Alpe, 
21 os. (L., J. Poljanec, M. Denac, G. Golob 
pisno)
Kačar Circaetus gallicus
– 27. 4. 2018, mejni prehod Metlika, 1 os. 
(D. Bordjan pisno)
– 18. 5. 2019, Ormož, 1 os. (J. Novak pisno)
Črnočeli srakoper Lanius minor
– 19. 5. 2019, Sečoveljske soline, 1 ad. (A. Božič 
pisno)
Vrtni strnad Emberiza hortulana
– 20. 4. 2019, Dolgo Brdo pri Mlinšah, 1  ♂ 
(M. Sešlar pisno)
Potrjena opazovanja iz kategorije C / 
Accepted Category C records
Nilska gos Alopochen aegyptiaca (10, 16)
(11) 3. 12. 2019, Škocjanski zatok, 1 os. (D. Stanič, 
B. Rakar, B. Lipej pisno)
Mandarinka Aix galericulata
– 3. 5. 2019, Ptujsko jezero, 1 ♀ (J.  Habicht 
pisno)
– 7. 12. 2019, Ptujsko jezero, 1 ♂ (M.  Sešlar 
pisno)
M. Denac, D. Bordjan, L. Božič, J. Hanžel, M. Vogrin: Redke vrste ptic v Sloveniji v letu 2019 – Poročilo Nacionalne komisije 
za redkosti
127
Belolična trdorepka Oxyura jamaicensis (3, 3)
(4) 11. 12. 2019–6. 4. 2020, Ormoško jezero, 1 ♀ 
(L. Božič, J. Hanžel, D. Bombek pisno)
Rjavi jastreb Aegypius monachus (1, 1)
(2) 9. 6. 2019, Golac – Ajdovščina – Gorica, 
1 2cy, podatek s telemetrijo (Vulture 
Conservation Fundation 2019)3
(3) 11. 10. 2019, Log pod Mangartom – Postojna – 
Zabiče, 1 2cy, podatek s telemetrijo (Vulture 
Conservation Fundation 2019)3
Potrjena opazovanja iz kategorije D / 
Accepted Category D records
Belolična gos (3, 3)
(4) 7. 6. 2019, Ptujsko jezero, 1 os. (T.  Basle 
pisno)
Potrjena opazovanja iz kategorije E / 
Accepted Category E records
Virginijski kolin Colinus virginianus (10, 20)
(10) 28. 6. 2018, letališče Črnotiče, 1 os. (D. Bosch 
pisno)
(11) 21. 4. 2019, Petrinjski kras, 1 ♂ (D. Bordjan 
pisno)
(12) 10.–17. 5. 2019, med Črnotičami in Petrinjami, 
do 3 os. (D. Bosch, A. Božič pisno)
(13) 24. 5. 2019, letališče Črnotiče, 1 os. (D. Bosch 
pisno)
(14) 8. 6. 2019, Movraški Kuk, 2 os. (D.  Bosch 
pisno)
(15) 5. 10. 2019, Petrinjski kras, 9 os. (D. Bordjan 
pisno)
Črni labod Cygnus atratus (5, 6)
(6) 10. 3. 2019, Ihan, ob Kamniški Bistrici, 2 os. 
(D. & L. Bordjan pisno)
(7) 2. 6. 2019, Žovneško jezero, 6 os. (J. Leskošek 
pisno)
(8) 15. 6.–4. 7. 2019, Rački ribniki, 4 os. 
(D. Bordjan, M. Gamser pisno)
Klavžar Geronticus eremita (18, 27)
3 Isti osebek, ki je med opazovanjema zapustil Slovenijo.
(19) 4. 1. 2019, Podraga, 1 1cy ♀ (P. Krečič pisno)
(20) 17. 12. 2019, Ilirska Bistrica, 2 os. 
(A. Osterman pisno)
Orjaški jezerec Haliaeetus pelagicus (0, 0)
(1) 26. 1.–24. 2. 2019, Ormoško in Ptujsko jezero, 
1 ad. (L.  Božič, T. Basle, M. Zabavnik, P. 
Oberc pisno)
Zavrnjeni podatki / Rejected records
 – Rjava komatna tekica Glareola pratincola, 25. 
4. 2019, Cerkniško jezero, 1 os. Obrazložitev: 
Na podlagi priložene dokumentacije Komisija 
ni mogla izključiti možnosti, da je šlo za črno 
komatno tekico G. nordmanni, zato je opazovanje 
sprejela kot komatno tekico Glareola sp.
 – Veliki klinkač Clanga clanga, 15. 10. 2019, 
Ormoške lagune, 1 ad. Obrazložitev: Na podlagi 
priložene dokumentacije Komisija ni mogla 
zatrdno sklepati, da je šlo res za velikega klinkača, 
zato je opazovanje sprejela kot klinkača Clanga sp. 
 – Veliki klinkač Clanga clanga, 8. 11. 2019, 
Petrinjski kras, 1 ad. Obrazložitev: Na podlagi 
priložene dokumentacije Komisija ni mogla 
zatrdno sklepati, da je šlo res za velikega klinkača, 
zato je opazovanje sprejela kot klinkača Clanga sp. 
 – Stepski lunj Circus macrourus, 14. 4. 2019, med 
Hrašami in Zapogami, 1 2cy ♂. Obrazložitev: 
Na podlagi priložene dokumentacije Komisija 
ni mogla izključiti možnosti, da je šlo za 
mladega samca pepelastega lunja C. cyaneus. 
 – Plevelna trstnica Acrocephalus agricola, 30. 9. 
2019, Vrhnika, 1 1cy obr. Obrazložitev: Na 
podlagi priložene dokumentacije je Komisija 
ob posvetu s Stephenom Menziejem trstnico 
določila kot močvirsko A. palustris. 
Zahvala
Člani Komisije se zahvaljujemo vsem opazovalcem, 
ki so nam posredovali svoje podatke ter soglašali z 
objavo fotografij v Dodatku 1, za mnenje o plevelni 
trstnici pa se najlepše zahvaljujemo tudi Stephenu 
Menzieju. 
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 123–139, 2020
128
Summary
This report by the Slovenian Rarities Committee 
presents records of rare bird species in Slovenia in 2019, 
with some additional observations for previous years. 
The numbers in brackets refer to the number of records 
(first number) and number of individuals observed 
(second number) between 1 Jan 1950 and 31 Dec 
2018. Since 1 Jan 2013, submission to the Committee 
has been required for 37 additional species, 21 of 
which are regional rarities. Records of this species 
are not numbered, since the Committee does not 
possess all the records from previous years. In 2019, 
no new species for Slovenia were observed, although 
some notable observations were collected, including 
second record of Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus 
proregulus, fourth record of Red-breasted Branta 
ruficollis and Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis, at least 
three singing individuals of Baillon’s Crake Porzana 
pusilla (fourth record for Slovenia), sixth record 
of Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus, 
seventh record of Lapland Longspur Calcarius 
lapponicus and eighth record of Red Phalarope 
Phalaropus fulicarius. Additionally, Steller’s Sea Eagle 
Haliaeetus pelagicus was a new species in Category 
E. The list of birds recorded in Slovenia (as of 31 Dec 
2019) contains 390 species (376 in Category A, 5 in 
Category B, 9 exclusively in Category C; 4 species are 
both in Categories A and C). Category D contains 7 
species, while Category E contains 41, two of which 
are classified into Subcategory E*. These two categories 
(D and E) are not part of the list.
Literatura
AERC (2017): Guidelines for rarities committees. – 
[http://www.aerc.eu/guidelines.html], 1/12/2019.
Bird Telemetry (2019): Eastern Imperial Eagle, 
ind. KITE44. – [http://www.birdtelemetry.cz/en/
maps/?druh=eastern-imperial-eagle&od=01.09.2018
&do=24.10.2019&jedinec=kite44], 16/12/2019. 
Cernich S., Stanič D. (2019): Črnoglavi strnad Emberiza 
melanocephala. – Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 72. 
Denac M. (2019a): Mala gos Anser erythropus. – 
Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 61.
Denac M. (2019b): Črna raca Melanitta nigra. – 
Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 61–62. 
Denac M. (2019c): Koconoga kanja Buteo lagopus. – 
Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 65–66.
Denac M. (2019d): Močvirska uharica Asio flammeus. – 
Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 67. 
Denac M. (2019e): Ostroglež Calcarius lapponicus. – 
Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 71. 
Denac M., Hanžel J., Bordjan D., Božič L., Vogrin 
M. (2019): Redke vrste ptic v Sloveniji v letu 2018 
– Poročilo Nacionalne komisije za redkosti. – 
Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 45–60. 
Denac M. & Poljanec J. (2019): Močvirska uharica Asio 
flammeus. – Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 67–68.
DOPPS (2020): Seznam ptic slovenije. – [https://www.
ptice.si/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/rare_species_
and_subspecies_2020.xlsx], 16/12/2019.
Gill F., Donsker D. (eds.) (2019): IOC World Bird 
List (v 9.2). – [https://www.worldbirdnames.org/], 
1/12/2019.
Govedič M., Bizjak G. T. (2019): Plamenec Phoenicopterus 
roseus. – Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 63–64. 
Hanžel J., Šere D. (2011): Seznam ugotovljenih ptic 
Slovenije s pregledom redkih vrst. – Acrocephalus 32 
(150/151): 143–203.
Lunczer C. (2020): Erkundung der Vogelwelt in den 
Julischen Alpen: Bericht über die 55. Jahrestagung 
der Monticola in Ribčev Laz / Slowenien (11. bis 16. 
Juni 2019). – Monticola 112 (2020): 22–39. 
Stanič D. (2019a): Rjavoglavi srakoper Lanius senator. – 
Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 70. 
Stanič D. (2019b): Kraljičica Phylloscopus proregulus. – 
Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 69.
Stanič D. (2019c): Travniški vrabec Passer hispaniolensis. 
– Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 71. 
Stanič D. (2019d): Plamenec Phoenicopterus roseus. – 
Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 62–63. 
Stanič D. (2019e): Kamenjar Arenaria interpres  & 
škrlatec Carpodacus erythrinus. – Acrocephalus 40 
(182/183): 66. 
Stanič D., Cernich S. (2019): Ploskokljunec Calidris 
falcinellus. – Acrocephalus 40 (182/183): 66. 
Vulture Conservation Fundation (2019): Riga – 
born and raised in Riga zoo. – [https://www.4vultures.
org/our-work/monitoring/cinereous-vulture-online-
maps/?fbclid=IwAR1jmIrd-lyPxXLURPwDx6EK
c5TPlt6VqX233TIwRIMtZDY0N85aE6J8bVM], 
11/12/2019.
Prispelo / Arrived: 23. 9. 2021
Sprejeto / Accepted: 17. 11. 2022
M. Denac, D. Bordjan, L. Božič, J. Hanžel, M. Vogrin: Redke vrste ptic v Sloveniji v letu 2019 – Poročilo Nacionalne komisije 
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129
DODATEK 1 / APPENDIX 1
Slike 1–6 / Figures 1–6: (1) rdečevrata gos Branta ruficollis, 17. 11. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce (foto: A. Vrezec); 
(2) belolična gos Branta leucopsis, 16. 11. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce (foto: A. Vrezec); (3) labod pevec 
Cygnus cygnus, 30. 4. 2019, Hraše (foto: D. Bordjan); (4) zimska raca Clangula hyemalis, 24. 12. 2019, Rački 
ribniki (foto: M. Vogrin); (5) dular Charadrius morinellus, 1. 4. 2019, Ratitovec (foto: V. Kržišnik); (6) dular Charadrius 
morinellus, 25. 8. 2019, Slavnik (foto: B. Rakar)
(1)
(3)
(5)
(2)
(4)
(6)
Dokumentarne fotografije opazovanj iz leta 2019, ki doslej še niso bile objavljene v slovenskih tiskanih virih z 
navedenim krajem, datumom in številom osebkov. 
Documentary photos from 2019, so far not published in Slovenian printed sources with site name, date and number 
of individuals given. 
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 123–139, 2020
130
Slike 7–12 / Figures 7–12: (7) ploskokljunec Calidris falcinellus, 17. 5. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce 
(foto: M. Denac); (8) ploskokljunec Calidris falcinellus, 26. 8. 2019, Sečoveljske soline (foto: A. Božič); (9–10) čoketa 
Gallinago media, 24. 3. 2019, Koritno (foto: A. Mulej); (11) ozkokljuni liskonožec Phalaropus lobatus, 22. 4. 2019, 
Sečoveljske soline (foto: A. Božič); (12) ploskokljuni liskonožec Phalaropus fulicarius, 11. 4. 2019, Blejsko jezero 
(foto: B. Blažič)
(7)
(9)
(11)
(8)
(10)
(12)
Nadaljevanje dodatka 1 / Continuation of Appendix 1
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za redkosti
131
Slike 13–18 / Figures 13–18: (13) ploskokljuni liskonožec Phalaropus fulicarius, 11. 4. 2019, Blejsko jezero 
(foto: B. Blažič); (14) črnonoga čigra Gelochelidon nilotica, 25. 7. 2018, Škocjanski zatok (foto: A. Božič); 
(15) črnonoga čigra Gelochelidon nilotica, 31. 5. 2019, Brežiško jezero (foto: G. Bernard); (16) sredozemski viharnik 
Puffinus yelkouan, 30. 10. 2018, Piran (foto: A. Božič); (17) plevica Plegadis falcinellus, 23. 4. 2019, Škocjanski 
zatok (foto: D. Stanič); (18) plevica Plegadis falcinellus, 24. 7. 2019, Škocjanski zatok (foto: D. Stanič) 
Nadaljevanje dodatka 1 / Continuation of Appendix 1
(13)
(15)
(17)
(14)
(16)
(18)
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Slike 19–24 / Figures 19–24: (19) plevica Plegadis falcinellus, 26. 7. 2019, Brežiško jezero (foto: D. Klenovšek); 
(20) kraljevi orel Aquila heliaca, 17. 2. 2019, Spodnja Hajdina (foto: S. Hren); (21) stepski lunj Circus macrourus, 
14. 4. 2019, Podova (foto: D. Bordjan); (22) stepski lunj Circus macrourus, 27. 4. 2019, Zgornji Brnik 
(foto: J. Habicht); (23) močvirska uharica Asio flammeus, 5. 1. 2019, Ig (foto: M. Mlakar Medved); (24) močvirska 
uharica Asio flammeus, 20. 2. 2019, Ig (foto: M. Denac)
Nadaljevanje dodatka 1 / Continuation of Appendix 1
(19)
(21)
(23)
(20)
(22)
(24)
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133
Slike 25–30 / Figures 25–30: (25) močvirska uharica Asio flammeus, 2. 12. 2019, Poljče (foto: A. Mulej); 
(26) rjavoglavi srakoper Lanius senator, 19. 5. 2019, Sečoveljske soline (foto: A. Božič); (27) mušja listnica 
Phylloscopus inornatus, 9. 10. 2019, Cerovo (foto: J. Bricelj); (28) mušja listnica Phylloscopus inornatus, 
19. 10. 2019, Vrhnika (foto: R. Tekavčič); (29) rožnati škorec, Pastor roseus, 23. 5. 2019, Bevke (foto: V. Antešič); 
(30) severni brezovček Acanthis flammea, 15. 11. 2017, Pragersko (foto: D. Bordjan)
Nadaljevanje dodatka 1 / Continuation of Appendix 1
(25)
(27)
(29)
(26)
(28)
(30)
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Slike 31–36 / Figures 31–36: (31) severni brezovček Acanthis flammea, 15. 11. 2017, Pragersko (foto: D. Bordjan); 
(32) konopeljščica Carduelis citrinella, 16. 6. 2019, Vogel (foto: M. Denac); (33) konopeljščica Carduelis citrinella, 
14. 10. 2019, Karavanke (foto: D. Grohar); (34) snežni strnad Plectrophenax nivalis, 26. 12. 2019, Slavnik (foto: T. 
Puzić); (35) snežni strnad Plectrophenax nivalis, 1. 1. 2020, Slavnik (foto: M. Denac); (36) črnoglavi strnad 
Emberiza melanocephala, 18. 5. 2019, Dolenja blata, Cerkniško jezero (foto: A. Božič)
Nadaljevanje dodatka 1 / Continuation of Appendix 1
(31)
(33)
(35)
(32)
(34)
(36)
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Slike 37–42 / Figures 37–42: (37) črnoglavi strnad Emberiza melanocephala, 2. 6. 2019, Zgornja Slivnica 
(foto: N. Pišec); (38) beloliska Melanitta fusca, 20. 1. 2019, Brežiško jezero (foto: G. Bernard); (39) zlatouhi ponirek 
Podiceps auritus, 26. 1. 2019, Brežiško jezero (foto: M. Denac); (40) plamenec Phoenicopterus roseus, 17. 8. 2013, 
Strunjanske soline (foto: L. Kastelic); (41) plamenec Phoenicopterus roseus, 16. 7. 2015, Strunjanske soline 
(foto: L. Kastelic); (42) plamenec Phoenicopterus roseus, 10. 4. 2016, Strunjanske soline (foto: L. Kastelic)
Nadaljevanje dodatka 1 / Continuation of Appendix 1
(37)
(39)
(41)
(38)
(40)
(42)
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136
Slike 43–48 / Figures 43–48: (43) progastorepi kljunač Limosa lapponica, 6. 8. 2019, Brežiško jezero 
(foto: D. Klenovšek); (44) veliki prodnik Calidris canutus, 3. 9. 2019, Ormoško jezero (foto: M. Denac); 
(45) peščenec Calidris alba, 25. 9. 2017, letališče Lesce (foto: B. Kozinc); (46) rjavi galeb Larus fuscus, 5. 4. 2018, 
Sečoveljske soline (foto: A. Božič); (47) kaspijska čigra Hydroprogne caspia, 4. 4. 2018, Škocjanski zatok 
(foto: D. Bosch); (48) kaspijska čigra Hydroprogne caspia, 6. 4. 2019, Škocjanski zatok (foto: D. Bosch)
Nadaljevanje dodatka 1 / Continuation of Appendix 1
(43)
(45)
(47)
(44)
(46)
(48)
M. Denac, D. Bordjan, L. Božič, J. Hanžel, M. Vogrin: Redke vrste ptic v Sloveniji v letu 2019 – Poročilo Nacionalne komisije 
za redkosti
137
Slike 49–54 / Figures 49–54: (49) kaspijska čigra Hydroprogne caspia, 29. 4. 2019, Dolenje jezero, Cerkniško 
jezero (foto: J. Habicht); (50) kaspijska čigra Hydroprogne caspia, 21. 5. 2019, Škocjanski zatok (foto: D. Stanič); 
(51) kričava čigra Thalasseus sandvicensis, 24. 6. 2019, Turnišče, Ptujsko jezero (foto: L. Božič); (52) kravja čaplja 
Bubulcus ibis, 5. 4. 2019, zadrževalnik Medvedce (foto: D. Bordjan); (53) kravja čaplja Bubulcus ibis, 11. 5. 2019, 
Dolenje jezero, Cerkniško jezero; (54) kravja čaplja Bubulcus ibis, 25. 8. 2019, Ormoško jezero (foto: J. Hanžel)
(49)
(51)
(53)
(50)
(52)
(54)
Nadaljevanje dodatka 1 / Continuation of Appendix 1
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 123–139, 2020
138
Slike 55–60 / Figures 55–60: (55) beloglavi jastreb Gyps fulvus, 23. 6. 2018, Brana, Kamniško-Savinjske Alpe 
(foto: M. Denac); (56) kačar Circaetus gallicus, 8. 5. 2019, Ormož (foto: J. Novak); (57) črnočeli srakoper Lanius 
minor, 19. 5. 2019, Sečoveljske soline (foto: A. Božič); (58) vrtni strnad Emberiza hortulana, 20. 4. 2019, Dolgo 
Brdo pri Mlinšah (foto: M. Sešlar); (59) belolična trdorepka Oxyura jamaicensis, 6. 1. 2020, Ormoško jezero 
(foto: L. Božič); (60) belolična gos Branta leucopsis, 7. 6. 2019, Ptujsko jezero (foto: T. Basle) 
(55)
(57)
(59)
(56)
(58)
(60)
Nadaljevanje dodatka 1 / Continuation of Appendix 1
M. Denac, D. Bordjan, L. Božič, J. Hanžel, M. Vogrin: Redke vrste ptic v Sloveniji v letu 2019 – Poročilo Nacionalne komisije 
za redkosti
139
Slike 61–66 / Figures 61–66: (61) črni labod Cygnus atratus, 10. 3. 2019, Ihan (foto: D. Bordjan); 
(62) mandarinka Aix galericulata, 3. 5. 2019, Ptujsko jezero (foto: J. Habicht); (63) mandarinka Aix galericulata, 
7. 12. 2019, Ptujsko jezero (foto: M. Sešlar); (64) klavžar Geronticus eremita, 4. 1. 2019, Podraga (foto: P. Krečič); 
(65) klavžar Geronticus eremita, 17. 12. 2019, Ilirska Bistrica (foto: A. Osterman); (66) orjaški jezerec Haliaeetus 
pelagicus, 6. 2. 2019, Ormoško jezero (foto: L. Božič)
(61)
(63)
(65)
(62)
(64)
(66)
Nadaljevanje dodatka 1 / Continuation of Appendix 1
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 123–139, 2020

141
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 141–144, 2020
10.2478/acro-2020-0009
Regular field observations 
are worth it: a new species 
to the avifauna of Sombor 
(NW Serbia)
Redna terenska opazovanja so vredna 
truda: nove vrste za avifavno Somborja 
(SZ Srbija)
Thomas Oliver Mérő1,2, Dejan Đapić2 & 
Antun Žuljević2
1 Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological 
Research, 4026 Debrecen, Bem tér 18/c, Hungary, 
e-mail: thomas.oliver.mero@gmail.com
2 Nature Protection and Study Society - NATURA, 
Milana Rakića 20, 25000 Sombor, Serbia, e-mail: 
antun.zuljevic@gmail.com
Introduction
Numerous monographs, books and atlases 
published on the subject of urban birds suggest 
that attention given to bird observation and 
monitoring in human inhabited settlements is 
increasing worldwide (e.g. Wichmann et al. 2009, 
Woodward et al. 2017). The constant monitoring 
of birds helps us understanding how environmen-
tal changes (both, climate related and human 
induced), may affect their presence and absence, 
variation in species composition, species richness 
and abundance (Marzluff 2001, Murgui  & 
Hedblom 2017). The book “Birds of Sombor” was 
published in 2010, in which the authors report on 
observations and presence of 152 bird species (59 
breeding species, and 93 guest species), recorded 
between 1977 and 2010 (Mérő  & Žuljević 
2010). Later, till 2012, the authors recorded nine 
new species for the town of Sombor, resulting in 
161 bird species in total for Sombor (Mérő  & 
Žuljević 2012a, 2012b). The aim of the present 
short study is to present new recordings of 
bird species for Sombor and to emphasise the 
importance of regular bird observations in human 
settlements.
Material and methods
Sombor (N 45.79 ,̊ E 19.09 ;̊ NW Serbia) is a typical 
lowland town, with the temperate continental 
climate, average annual precipitation 590 mm and 
average annual temperature 10.7 ˚C (Tomić 1996). 
The town is covering an area of 3,000 ha, and has 
a population of 50,000 citizens. Numerous trees 
are planted along the avenues, in parks, in gardens 
and yards (Vojnović 2001). While the avenues 
contain mainly deciduous trees, the parks and house 
gardens contain mixed tree stands of coniferous 
and deciduous trees. The town’s wetlands such as 
canals and ponds contain reed vegetation. For more 
detailed information on the study area see Mérő & 
Žuljević (2010, 2014).
The species new to the town of Sombor were 
recorded  at the following locations: a part of the 
Mostonga watercourse in the western periphery of 
the town (N 45.750°, E 19.108°); the orchard and old 
abandoned brickyard in the town’s northern periphery 
(N 45.786°, E 19.102°); the pond Bager (N  45.788°, 
E  19.098°); the part of the Veliki bački canal, 
Tromeđa (N 45.740°, E 19.112°); the Veliki bački 
canal, Švraka (N 45.761°, E 19.065°); the Omladinski 
Park (N 45.756°, E 19.100°); the northern detour of 
the town (N 45.792°, E 19.108°); and the vicinity of 
the battery factory (N 45.768°, E  19.152°).
The new species were registered during our 
regular observations and ringing tours in the town 
during all seasons between 2013 and 2020. Field 
work was usually applied during the morning hours, 
when we recorded every species observed and heard at 
the study locality. In the autumn, winter and spring, 
fieldwork was conducted with a weekly intensity. In 
August and September, this intensity was slightly 
decreased, with fieldworks carried out approximate-
ly every 10 days. Ringing was applied near feeders 
or in shrub, woodland and reed habitats when bird 
playback sounds were used as a lure. To identify the 
birds, their age and/or sexes, the guides by Svensson 
(1992), Sangster et al. (2002), Svensson et al. 
(2009), and Baker (2016) were used.
Results
In the period between 2013 and 2020 we recorded 21 
new bird species for the town of Sombor (Table 1).
142
T. O. Mérő, D. Đapić, A, Žuljević: Regular field observations are worth it: a new species to the avifauna of Sombor (NW Serbia)
Table 1: New bird species recorded in the town of Sombor between 2013 and 2020.
Tabela 1: Nove vrste ptic, zabeležene v mestu Sombor med letoma 2013 in 2020.
Location / 
Lokaliteta Species / Vrsta
Date of observation 
or marking / Datum 
opazovanja ali obročkanja Comments /Komentarji
Mostonga water 
course in western 
periphery / 
Struga reke 
Mostonga na 
zahodnem 
obrobju mesta
Eurasian Wigeon
Anas penelope
31. 12. 2015 and 1. 1. 2016 Nine individuals swimming. / Devet 
osebkov plava.
7. 1. 2017 Twelve individuals swimming. / 
Dvanajst osebkov plava.
9. 1. 2017 Two individuals swimming. / Dva 
osebka plavata.
Northern Pintail
Anas acuta
22. 1. 2017 One male and one female 
swimming. / Samec in samica 
plavata.
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareola
7. 7. 2018, 21. 7. 2018, 
26. 7. 2018
One feeding individual at sections 
after vegetation removal. / En osebek 
med prehranjevanjem po košnji 
vegetacije.
Orchard and 
abandoned 
brickyard 
in northern 
periphery / 
Sadovnjak 
in opuščena 
opekarna 
na severnem 
obrobju mesta
Collared Flycatcher
Ficedula albicollis
20. 4. 2013 One adult male on branch. / Odrasel 
osebek na veji.
2. 8. 2014, 17. 8. 2014, 
28. 8. 2014
Three juvenile individuals ringed. / 
Trije mladostni osebki obročkani.
20. 8. 2015 One juvenile ringed. / En mladosten 
osebek obročkan.
Eurasian Curlew
Numenius arquata
27. 9. 2014 One individual in flight. / En osebek 
v letu.
Thrush Nightingale
Luscinia luscinia
18. 8. 2014 One individual ringed. / En osebek 
obročkan.
13. 8. 2015, 14. 8. 2015 On each day one individual ringed. / 
Vsak dan obročkan en osebek.
 17. 8. 2017 One individual ringed. / En osebek 
obročkan.
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naevia
11. 5. 2016 One singing male in taller weeds. / 
Pojoč samec v visoki travi.
Redshank
Tringa totanus
9. 9. 2016 One individual in flight. / En osebek 
v letu.
Redpoll
Carduelis flammea
15. 11. 2017 One adult ringed. / En osebek 
obročkan.
Lesser Redpoll
Carduelis cabaret
19. 11. 2017 One juvenile ringed. / En mladosten 
osebek obročkan.
Ruff
Calidris pugnax
28. 7. 2018 One individual feeding in the 
shallow pool created by heavy 
summer shower. / En osebek se je 
prehranjeval v luži, ki je bila posledica 
močne poletne plohe.
Eastern Imperial Eagle
Aquila heliaca
17. 1. 2019 One young in flight. / En mladosten 
osebek v letu.
143
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 141–144, 2020
Location / 
Lokaliteta Species / Vrsta
Date of observation 
or marking / Datum 
opazovanja ali obročkanja Comments /Komentarji
Bager pond / 
Ribnik Bager
Bluethroat
Luscinia svecica
6. 4. 2013 One adult male ringed. / Odrasel 
samec obročkan.
Long-legged Buzzard
Buteo rufinus
16. 4. 2013 One individual sitting on the 
branch. / Odrasel osebek sedi na veji.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscus
21. 4. 2013, 29. 8. 2013 On each dates one individual in low 
flight. / Vsak dan en osebek v nizkem 
letu.
Eurasian Curlew 29. 4. 2013 One individual in flight. / En osebek 
v letu.
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodia
22. 8. 2013 One individual in flight. / En osebek 
v letu.
Thrush Nightingale 23. 8. 2013 One juvenile ringed. / En mladosten 
osebek obročkan.
Great Snipe
Gallinago media
11. 4. 2017 One individual feeding at the border-
line of fresh mud and water in the 
previously burned reed-bed. / En 
osebek se prehranjuje na robu vode/
blata požganega trstišča.
Veliki bački 
canal, Tromeđa / 
Veliki Bački 
kanal, Tromedja
Black Tern
Chlidonias niger
6. 7. 2018, 21. 7. 2018 One individual in low flight, foraging 
route above water. / En osebek se 
prehranjuje nizko nad vodo.
Veliki bački 
canal, Švraka / 
Veliki Bački 
kanal, Švraka
Montagu’s Harrier
Circus pygargus
29. 4. 2014, 28. 4. 2018 On both dates one adult male 
hovering low above the ground. / 
Vsak dan en odrasel samec lebdi lizko 
nad tlemi.
Pallid Harrier
Circus macrourus
14. 4. 2020 One adult male hovering low above 
the ground. / Odrasel samed lebdi 
nizko nad tlemi.
Omladinski 
Park / 
Omladinski park
Collared Flycatcher 18. 4. 2015 One adult male. / Odrasel samec.
The northern 
detour of the 
town / Severna 
mestna obvoznica 
Eurasian Curlew 7. 1. 2016 One individual in flight. / En osebek 
v letu.
The vicinity 
of the battery 
factory / Bližina 
tovarne baterij
European Roller
Coracias garrulus
17. 5. 2020 One individual in the vicinity 
of nesting box. On July 14, 2020 
we ringed three European Roller 
nestlings, that fledged successfully. / 
En osebek v bližini gnezdilnice. 14. 
julija 2020 smo obročkali 3 mladiče, 
ki so se uspešno speljali.
Continuation of Table 1 / Nadaljevanje tabele 1
144
Discussion and conclusions
The 21 new species increased the avifauna of 
Sombor to 182 species. This is partly due to the 
regular fieldwork conducted by the authors, but 
also due to the changes in the urban environment 
that can influence species composition, i.e. resulting 
in the new species structure on the study sites. For 
example, from the mid2010s, the bank vegetation 
of the Mostonga watercourse was regularly removed 
during late summer, resulting in a wider shallow 
water surface and muddy banks attracting waterfowl 
and shorebirds during autumn and winter. The 
regular and long-term avian monitoring of habitats 
and landscapes can help understand the changes in 
the species composition, abundance and breeding of 
birds. Therefore, we encourage ornithologists and 
conservationists to record bird data of their local 
area as frequently as possible in order to broaden the 
knowledge of local and regional bird communities. 
For example, Mérő  & Žuljević (2015/2016) 
reported on several new breeding species for Sombor 
(e.g. Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, Kestrel Falco 
tinnunculus) and, on the other hand, on the absence 
of breeding due to the changes in the environment 
(e.g. Ciconia ciconia, Mérő & Žuljević 2021). The 
changes in bird species and abundance in habitats 
and landscapes can serve as indicators, guiding 
us in applying appropriate habitat management 
measurements (Mérő et al. 2015). Adequate habitat 
management can help many species to persist in the 
varying human modified landscapes.
Acknowledgements
Fieldwork was supported by the Nature Protection 
and Study Society  – NATURA, Sombor, Serbia. 
T.O.M. was supported by the grant from the 
National Research, Development and Innovation 
Office of Hungary (NKFIH-OTKA PD 128002).
Povzetek
Avtorji nadgrajujejo preteklo delo opisa avifavne 
Somborja (Mérő & Žuljević 2010, 2012a, 2012b). 
Med leti 2013 in 2020 so z rednim terenskimi 
opazovanji v okolici Somborja zabeležili 21 novih 
vrst. Skupno število vrst v avifavni Somborja do 
vključno leta 2020 se je tako povzpelo na 182.
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Prispelo / Arrived: 26. 1. 2021
Sprejeto / Accepted: 28. 12. 2022
T. O. Mérő, D. Đapić, A, Žuljević: Regular field observations are worth it: a new species to the avifauna of Sombor (NW Serbia)
145
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 145–155, 2020
Slovenija / Slovenia
Duplinska kozarka Tadorna tadorna
Shelduck – a flock of 65 individuals observed on 29 
Nov 2020 at Medvedce reservoir (UTM WM53, NE 
Slovenia) and a flock of 77 observed on 2 Dec 2020 
at HPP Brežice reservoir (UTM WL48, E Slovenia); 
new record number of individuals for both areas
Duplinske kozarke se med junijem in oktobrom v velikem 
številu zbirajo na golitvenih območjih na baltskih obalah 
(Carboneras & Kirwan 2020) in takrat so pri nas manj 
številčne (Škornik 2012). Po golitvi se vrnejo proti jugu 
(Sovinc 1994). V obdobju te vrnitve med oktobrom 
in decembrom so duplinske kozarke na več območjih 
v Sloveniji dosegle svoj maksimum. Tako je bilo 16. 11. 
2019 opazovanih 97 na Cerkniškem jezeru in 78 osebkov 
na Ljubljanskem barju, 30. 11. 2019 29 na Planinskem 
polju, 23. 11. 2016 19 na Komarniku ter 28. 10. 2011 12 
na Ledavskem jezeru (Atlas ptic 2020a). V letu 2020 
sva avtorja zabeležila maksimum v številu duplinskih 
kozark na še dveh območjih. Na zadrževalniku Medvedce 
je bilo 29. 11. 2020 preštetih 65 duplinskih kozark, na 
akumulaciji HE Brežice pa 2. 12. 2020 77. Za razliko 
od prej omenjenih območij so bile duplinske  kozarke v 
večjem številu opazovane spomladi na Velenjskih jezerih 
(42 osebkov) in na Obali, kjer je bilo doslej zabeleženih 
tudi največ osebkov (Atlas ptic 2020a).
Dejan Bordjan, Oddelek za gozdarstvo, Biotehniška fakulteta Univerze 
v Ljubljani, Večna pot 83, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija, 
e–mail: dejan.bordjan@gmail.com
Dušan Klenovšek, Cesta 4. julija 66, SI-8270 Krško, 
dusanklenovsek62@gmail.com
Kostanjevka Aythya nyroca
Ferruginous Duck  – an adult male observed on 
20 Dec 2020, at Tivoli Pond in Tivoli, Rožnik and 
Šiška Hill Landscape Park, Ljubljana (UTM VL69, 
C Slovenia); rare observation for the area
Dne 20. 12. 2020 sem med opazovanjem ptic v 
ljubljanskem Tivoliju na tamkajšnjem ribniku opazoval 
kostanjevko. Nekaj časa je plavala po vodni gladini in se 
hranila, nato pa se je začela čistiti. Poleg nje  je bilo tam 
tudi okoli 10 zelenonogih tukalic Gallinula chloropus 
in več mlakaric Anas platyrhynchos. Kostanjevko lahko 
zamenjamo s samico čopaste črnice, vendar se od nje loči 
po belem podrepnem perju, ki ga lahko vidimo na sliki. 
Kljub rednim opazovanjem v jesensko-zimskem času 
2020/21 v Tivoliju kostanjevke kasneje nisem več opazil. 
Vrsta je na rdečem seznamu ogroženih vrst IUCN 
uvrščena v kategorijo NT (near threatened), njene 
populacije pa upadajo (BirdLife International 2021).
Matic Prevec, Linhartova 42, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija, 
e–mail: matic@prevec.si
Iz ornitološke beležnice
From the ornithological notebook
Slika 1 / Figure 1: Kostanjevka / Ferruginous Duck 
Aythya nyroca, Tivoli, Ljubljana, 20. 12. 2020 
(foto: M. Prevec)
Strmoglavec Morus bassanus
Gannet – one 2cy and one adult individual observed 
passing from E to W at sea off Piran (UTM UL84, 
SW Slovenia) on 5 Aug 2020; only 10th observation 
for Slovenia, but one of six collected in 2020
Dne 5. avgusta 2020 sva se avtorja okrog 12.30 ure 
povzpela na obzidje Piranske cerkve, od koder sva imela 
namen nekaj časa opazovati ptice na morju. Dan je 
bil jasen, vendar precej vetroven, saj je zaradi prehoda 
vremenske motnje pihala burja s sunki do 60 km/h. 
Po približno 40 minutah opazovanja (ob 13.10) sva 
146
zagledala dve večji ptici, ki sta se nad morjem bližali iz 
smeri Strunjana. Ena je bil mlad rumenonogi galeb Larus 
michahellis, druga pa je letela nekoliko drugače in tudi 
ostrejše in ožje peruti je imela. Naenkrat sta se obe ptici 
vratolomno spustili kakih 20 m proti morski gladini 
in tik nad morjem kakih 100 m stran od obzidja brez 
zamahov izjemno hitro obleteli Rt Madona. Med tem sva 
si nenavadno ptico ogledala tudi skozi teleskop in hitro 
ugotovila, da imava opravka z drugoletnim strmoglavcem. 
Opazovanje je trajalo le nekaj sekund. Slabo uro kasneje 
sva tik nad seboj (nad kopnim, ne morjem) spet zagledala 
strmoglavca, tokrat odraslega, ki je ležerno zavil nad Piran 
in odletel v smeri Punta Salvatore. Zaradi tehničnih težav 
s fotoaparati odlične fotografske priložnosti žal nisva 
mogla izkoristiti. Po prvem opazovanju strmoglavca v 
Sloveniji, ki je bilo 18. 11. 2006 (Hanžel 2008), se jih 
je pri nas do danes zvrstilo že kar nekaj, vsega skupaj 
osem do konca leta 2018 (Denac et al. 2019). Leta 2019 
strmoglavec v Sloveniji ni bil opazovan, leta 2020 pa je 
bilo zbranih največ opazovanj do sedaj v enem letu – kar 
šest (A. Božič pisno, D. Bordjan & J. Leskošek pisno, 
D. Bosch 2020, D. Stanič & S. Cernich pisno). Velika 
večina slovenskih opazovanj je iz poletnih mesecev, v 
glavnem junija ter avgusta, kar se tudi časovno ujema z 
običajnim pojavljanjem strmoglavca v sosednji Furlaniji – 
Julijski krajini (Hanžel 2008). Zanimivo je morda le 
dejstvo, da je bilo pri nas opaženih že kar nekaj odraslih 
osebkov, medtem ko naj bi bili ti v omenjeni pokrajini, 
kjer je bil strmoglavec sicer opažen bistveno večkrat, 
zelo redki. Opazovanje je kot 10. za Slovenijo potrdila 
Komisija za redkosti.
Mitja Denac, Mala Slevica 2, SI–1315 Velike Lašče, Slovenija, 
e–mail: mitja.denac@gmail.com 
Matija Mlakar Medved, Ulica Hermana Potočnika 17, SI–1000 
Ljubljana, Slovenija, 
e–mail: matko.mlakar@gmail.com
primerne temperature. Ob pregledu vseh ribnikov sem 
naštel kar 13 čapljic Ixobrychus minutus, od tega je bilo 
7 mladičev. Veliko se jih je hranilo po vodnem orešku, 
zato jih ni bilo težko opaziti. Isti dan sem tam opazoval 
še žličarko Platalea leucordia, 7 kvakačev Nycticorax 
nycticorax, ribjega orla Pandion haliaetus, 6 malih tukalic 
Zapornia parva, 5 črnih škarnikov Milvus migrans, 10 
pritlikavih kormoranov Microcarbo pygmaeus in rjavo 
čapljo Ardea purpurea.
Jure Novak, Velika Pirešica 27k, SI–3310 Žalec, 
e–mail: jurenovak15@yahoo.com
Sokol plenilec Falco cherrug
Saker Falcon – one bird observed on 10 Nov 2020 
between the villages of Sestrže and Šikole (UTM 
WM53, NE Slovenia); a very rare visitor in Slovenia
Dne 10. 11. 2020 sem bil na svojem rednem obhodu 
Račkih ribnikov in Medvedc. Med vračanjem iz slednjih 
je cesto nenadoma preletel ogromen rjav sokol. V hipu mi 
je misli prešinil sokol plenilec, a prepričan seveda nisem 
bil. Ves vzhičen in živčen sem dokaj varno ustavil avto, 
pograbil daljnogled in hitro pregledal okoliške njive. Na 
srečo sem ga opazil že na prvi njivi pred seboj in presrečno 
ugotovil, da gre res za sokola plenilca Falco cherrug. Na 
hitro sem naredil par posnetkov, potem pa je spet izginil. 
Ker sem vedel, da za razgledišča prav rad uporablja 
daljnovode, sem hitro pregledal vse najbližje v okolici in 
ga na enem izmed njih ponovno opazil. Ogledoval sem si 
ga vsaj eno uro, dokler ni postalo pretemno. Med časom 
mojega opazovanja se je zabaval s škorci Sturnus vulgaris 
in dvema kanjama Buteo buteo, ampak vse skupaj bolj 
Slika 2 / Figure 2: Sokol plenilec / Saker Falcon Falco 
cherrug, Šikole, 10. 11. 2020 (foto: J. Novak)
Čapljica Ixobrychus minutus
Little Bittern – 6 adults and 7 juveniles recorded 
on 20 Aug 2020 at Rače fishponds (UTM WM54, 
NE Slovenia)
Pozno poletni čas je obdobje, ko se na račkih ribnikih 
pojavlja kar nekaj zanimivih vrst ptic. Med mnogimi 
obiski sem ugotovil, da so bile čapljice letos tam  zares 
gnezditveno uspešne, saj ga ni bilo obiska ko jih ne bi 
opazil vsaj 5, po navadi je to bilo kar iz avta. Tako sem 
se dne 20. 8. 2020 v zgodnjih jutranjih urah zadrževal 
na račkih ribnikih. Bil je tipičen poletni dan in temu 
Iz ornitološke beležnice / From the ornithological notebook
147
za hec. Zanimivo je bilo videti, kako ponižno so nanj 
reagirale veliko manj okretne kanje.
Jure Novak, Velika Pirešica 27k, SI–3310 Žalec, 
e–mail: jurenovak15@yahoo.com
Dular Charadrius morinellus
Dotterel – one individual recorded migrating over 
Mt. Rakova špica (2545 m. a. s. l.) in the Julian Alps 
(UTM VM04, NW Slovenia) on 8 Sep 2020; the 
highest observation in Slovenia so far and one of the 
very few above 2,000 m. a. s. l., although the species 
is known to migrate over high mountain ranges
Ko sva se 8. septembra 2020 avtorja prebudila v Bivaku IV 
na Rušju, naju je zunaj pričakalo neprijetno presenečenje v 
obliki visoke oblačnosti, ki je pokrila vrhove okrog bivaka. 
Kljub temu sva že zgodaj začela s hojo in kmalu dosegla 
Zadnji dolek, kjer sva se končno dvignila nad oblake – meja 
je bila tistega dne na ca. 2350 m n. v. Ob 7.45 sva tik pod 
vrhom Rakove špice (2545 m n. v. ) zaslišala nenavadno 
oglašanje, v katerem sva hitro prepoznala enega izmed 
deževnikov. Hitro sva ga tudi zagledala, kako je krožil 
visoko nad nama ter se neprestano oglašal, nato pa odletel 
proti Razorju. Oba sva takoj pomislila na dularja, kar pa 
sva potrdila šele kako uro kasneje, ko sva na spletni strani 
xeno-canto.org preverila posnetke oglašanja. Začetek 
septembra je najboljši čas za opazovanje dularja na selitvi 
pri nas, večina jesenskih podatkov pa je iz hribovitih 
delov Slovenije, navadno večjih travnatih planot na 
izpostavljenih grebenih ali vrhovih. Spomladanska 
opazovanja so v večji meri iz nižin, najverjetneje zaradi 
neugodnih snežnih razmer ter porazdelitve opazovalcev. 
Čeprav je dular izrazito gorska (ter tundrska) ptica, pa je 
le malo slovenskih podatkov iz pravega visokogorja. Nad 
2000 m. n. v. je bil dular opazovan le dvakrat na Peci 
(Jehart 2011, Jež 1988), na Velikem vrhu (Dleskovška 
planota) (Cerar 2007), Lanževici (Hanžel 2013), 
Vrhu nad Peski ter Stolu v Karavankah (Hanžel 2016), 
vseh Slovenskih opazovanj pa je do konca leta 2020 29. 
Najino opazovanje na lokaciji, ki je vsaj dobrih 300 m višja 
od vseh prej omenjenih, je zato še posebej zanimivo, saj 
dokumentira selitev dularja čez najvišje predele slovenskih 
Alp, kjer doslej še ni bil opazovan. Opazovanje je potrdila 
Nacionalna komisija za redkosti.
Mitja Denac, Mala Slevica 2, SI–1315 Velike Lašče, Slovenija, 
e–mail: mitja.denac@gmail.com
Luka Poljanec, Dvor 12, SI–1210 Ljubljana – Šentvid, Slovenija, 
e–mail: luk.poljanec@gmail.com
Spremenljivi prodnik Calidris alpina
Dunlin  – three individuals observed on two 
occasions near Ig and Škofljica, Ljubljansko barje 
(UTM VL69, C Slovenia) on 28 Sep and 16 Oct 
2020; rare observations for the locality, suggesting 
that the species may occur there more often than 
previously thought during flood periods
Jeseni 2020 sem se na Ljubljanskem barju s 
spremenljivim prodnikom srečal dvakrat. Prvič sem 28. 
septembra opazoval mladosten osebek, ki je letal nad 
manjšo zaplato vode v bližini Iga (pri Železnem mostu) 
in se ves čas oglašal. Osebek se je na rob vode tudi usedel, 
vendar ga je skoraj nemudoma preplašil pes. Drugič 
sem na spremenljivega prodnika naletel v obdobju 
nekoliko močnejših poplav na istem območju, tokrat 
16. oktobra. Najprej sem na njivah severovzhodno 
od Iga opazoval odrasel osebek, ki se je golil v zimsko 
perje. Ta se je najprej zadrževal v skupini togotnikov 
Calidris pugnax, nato pa je večji del dneva počival na 
poplavljenem travniku skupaj z večjo skupino kozic 
Gallinago gallinago. Kasneje istega dne sem na njivah 
jugozahodno od Škofljice v luži ponovno zagledal 
spremenljivega prodnika, ki pa je bil popolnoma 
pregoljen v zimsko perje in očitno drug osebek, kot sem 
ga opazoval pred tem. Ker ni bil posebej plašen, sem 
napravil tudi nekaj boljših fotografij (slika 3). Čeprav 
se spremenljivi prodnik v Sloveniji redno pojavlja na 
selitvi, pa je objavljenih opazovanj z Ljubljanskega barja 
zelo malo (Denac 2016, Tome et al. 2005). Opisani 
opazovanji ter nekateri podatki iz jeseni 2017 ter 
pomladi 2018 (M. Mlakar Medved pisno) nakazujejo, 
Slika 3 / Figure 3: Spremenljivi prodnik / Dunlin Calidris 
alpina, Škofljica, Ljubljansko barje, 16. 10. 2020 
(foto: M. Denac)
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 145–155, 2020
148
Iz ornitološke beležnice / From the ornithological notebook
da se vrsta v obdobjih poplav na Barju morda pojavlja 
pogosteje, kot je znano sedaj, in je bila v preteklosti 
spregledana.
Mitja Denac, Mala Slevica 2, SI–1315 Velike Lašče, Slovenija, 
e–mail: mitja.denac@gmail.com
Ribji galeb Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus
Pallas’s Gull  – one 1cy individual moulting into 
1st winter plumage observed between 16 and 19 
Sep 2020 at Lake Ormož (UTM WM93, NE 
Slovenia); only seventh record for Slovenia
Precej stabilno in vroče vreme je zaznamovalo obdobje 
med 12. in 18. septembrom 2020, ko je bilo Ormoško 
jezero izpraznjeno. Opazovanje ptic je zato postalo po 
deseti uri precej oteženo zaradi močnega migotanja 
vročega zraka nad blatnimi in vodnimi površinami, zato 
sem okrog devete ure zjutraj dne 16. septembra teleskop 
preusmeril iz oddaljenih plitvin s pobrežniki na manjši 
prodnat otok, ki se je ustvaril sredi glavne struge reke 
Drave. Na njem se je zadrževala jata sedmih spremenljivih 
prodnikov Calidris alpina in dveh komatnih deževnikov 
Charadrius hiaticula ter skupina večjih galebov, ki sem 
se jo namenil pregledati. Med 13 rumenonogimi galebi 
Larus michahellis je mojo pozornost pritegnil nekoliko 
večji galeb z zelo dolgim in močnim kljunom ter plosko 
glavo, ki je sedel približno sredi jate (slika 4). Galeb 
ni bil odrasel, nad in pod očesom pa je imel majhni, 
ledvičasti beli lisi, ki sta dajali njegovemu »obrazu« 
precej nenavaden videz, popolnoma drugačnega od 
rumenonogih galebov. Hitro sem ugotovil, da opazujem 
ribjega galeba in o tem sem obvestil Luko Božiča, Tilna 
Basleta in Dominika Bombeka, ki so bili istočasno v 
Ormoških lagunah in so si galeba čez nekaj minut tudi 
ogledali, kasneje tistega dne pa ga je opazoval tudi Alen 
Ploj. Skupaj smo tudi zaključili, da je opazovani galeb 
prvoletni, ki se goli iz juvenilnega v prvo zimsko perje. 
Galeb se je na jezeru zadrževal še vsaj do 20. septembra 
(R. Lobnik pisno). Opisano opazovanje, ki ga je potrdila 
Nacionalna Komisija za redkosti, je sedmo opazovanje 
ribjega galeba v Sloveniji in prvo po letu 2014. Vsa 
opazovanja so iz severovzhodne Slovenije, v večini 
primerov pa so se ribji galebi pri nas zadrževali več časa 
(tudi več mesecev) in se skupaj z drugimi galebi klatili 
naokrog ter bili posledično opazovani na več lokacijah 
(Božič 1997, Hanžel 2013, 2015, Štumberger 2000).
Mitja Denac, Mala Slevica 2, SI–1315 Velike Lašče, Slovenija, 
e–mail: mitja.denac@gmail.com
Kukavica Cuculus canorus in hribski 
škrjanec Lullula arborea
Cuckoo  & Woodlark  – an adult Woodlark 
feeding a young Cuckoo observed on 20 Jun 2020 
on the Karst plateau near Črnotiče (UTM VL14, 
SE Slovenia)
Kraška planota nad Črnotičami, med Črnim Kalom 
in Podgorjem, je imenitna lokacija za opazovanje ptic. 
Med sprehodom po travniku sva z Maksom opazila 
hribskega škrjanca s hrano v kljunu. Zanimalo naju 
je, kje bi ptica lahko imela gnezdo, zato sva ga začela 
podrobneje opazovati ter spremljati njegova premikanja. 
Slika 4 / Figure 4: Ribji galeb / Pallas's Gull 
Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus, Ormoško jezero, 16. 9. 2020 
(foto: M. Denac)
Slika 5 / Figure 5: Hribski škrjanec / Woodlark Lullula 
arborea, Černotiče, 20. 6. 2020 (foto: M. Sešlar)
149
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 145–155, 2020
Na najino veliko presenečenje sva opazila, da ptica sledi 
kukavičjemu mladiču. Mladič je bil že dovolj velik, da 
je lahko letel kratke razdalje med drevesi in grmovjem. 
Odrasel hribski škrjanec mu je zvesto sledil ter mu 
prinašal hrano. Prav tako je mladič zelo intenzivno prosil 
za hrano s klicanjem. Žal nama fotografije hranjenja ni 
uspelo narediti, saj se je mladič kukavice spretno skrival 
v notranjosti dreves in grmov. 
Tjaša Zagoršek, e-mail: tzagorsek@gmail.com 
Maks Sešlar, e-mail: seslar.maks@gmai.com 
Veliki skovik Otus scops
Scops Owl – one individual, presumably a female, 
aggressively attacked Edible Dormouse Glis glis 
close to Scops Owl nest at Studenčice (UTM 
VM33, NW Slovenia); Dormouse was successfully 
driven away from the Scops Owl nest
Strategija agresivne starševske obrambe gnezd pred 
plenilci je znana pri nekaterih vrstah iz družine pravih 
sov Strigidae, kot so kozača Strix uralensis (Kontiainen 
et al. 2009), lesna sova Strix aluco (Wallin 1986) in 
mala uharica Asio otus (Galleoti et al. 2000). Pri 
velikem skoviku Otus scops obramba gnezd pred plenilci 
ni bila zabeležena. Konec julija 2019 sem v nočnem času 
v bližini vasi Studenčice opazoval gnezdilnico, v kateri 
je gnezdil veliki skovik. Na drevesu, na katerem se je bila 
gnezdilnica z mladiči, sem opazil polha Glis glis. Ko se 
je ta začel približevati gnezdilnici, ga je veliki skovik 
agresivno naskočil. Napadal ga je s ponavljajočimi udarci 
in ga hitro uspešno pregnal z drevesa. Pri tem se je oglašal 
z značilnim zvokom tleskanja s kljunom, ki ga poznamo 
pri agresivnem vedenju nekaterih samic sov (Heinrich 
1993, lastni podatki). Znano je, da polh lahko upleni 
jajca ali mladiče ptic (Adamík & Král 2008, Juškaitis 
2006). Za gnezdilnicami in naravnimi dupli pa med 
polhi in pticami prihaja tudi do kompeticije za gnezdišča 
(Gatter & Schütt 1999).
Aljaž Mulej, Na Trati 2, SI–4248 Lesce, Slovenija, e−mail: aljaz.
mulej@gmail.com
Slika 6 / Figure 6: Mlada kukavica / young 
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus, Černotiče, 20. 6. 2020 
(foto: M. Sešlar)
Planinski hudournik Tachymarptis 
melba
Alpine Swift – territorial behaviour of a small flock 
observed on 9 Sep 2020 in front of a cliff of Velika 
Martuljška Ponca, Julian Alps (UTM VM04, NW 
Slovenia); possible new breeding site for the species
Dne 9. 9. 2020 sem med vzponom proti zatrepu Velike 
Dnine v Julijskih Alpah opazil manjšo jato planinskih 
hudournikov. V krogih so neutrudno preletavali 
območje in se vselej, ko so bili najbližje specifični 
skalni steni (gre za previsno rumeno/rdečo steno z 
JZ ekspozicijo v Veliki Martuljški Ponci), intenzivno 
oglašali. Takemu vedenju sem bil priča več ur. To 
vedenje sem doslej opazoval npr. na znanih kolonijah na 
Kraškem robu, zato opisano opazovanje kljub poznemu 
datumu povezujem z zelo verjetnim gnezdenjem na tej 
lokaliteti. Domnevnost trditve je podkrepilo mnenje 
strokovnjaka za to vrsto Cristopha Meierja, ki pravi, 
da ima planinski hudournik širok časovni razpon 
gnezdenja, ki ga prilagaja ugodnemu stanju v naravi. 
Ker gre v tem primeru hkrati za visokogorsko območje 
in za planinskega hudournika eno višjih geografskih 
širin njegove razširjenosti, je utemeljeno pričakovati 
kasnejši začetek gnezdenja.  Nadalje, ko mladiči zletijo 
iz gnezda, je znano, da se vračajo na prenočevanje v 
ali v neposredno bližino kolonije (Meier et al. 2020, 
C. Meier osebno). Morebitnih pristankov v steno 
nisem mogel potrditi, delno zaradi oddaljenosti in 
pomanjkanja optične opreme, predvsem pa zaradi težav 
pri iskanju in sledenju silhuet na modrem nebu in slušni 
deorientaciji, ki jo povzročajo odmevi v Veliki Dnini. 
Na podlagi okoliščin opazovanja pa  verjamem, da so 
zjutraj hudourniki zleteli iz skalovja, ki obdaja Veliko 
Dnino. Da nekje na tem območju obstaja kolonija, sem 
sumil že prej, zaradi stalnih opazovanj vrste z okoliških 
vrhov. Razlika je ta, da jih poprej nikdar nisem slišal. 
150
Iz ornitološke beležnice / From the ornithological notebook
Preboj pri iskanju omenjene kolonije se je posrečil 
Luki Božiču leta 2016, ko je med vzponom na sosednjo 
Malo Martuljško Ponco zaznal značilno intenzivno 
oglašanje v smeri Velike Dnine, a hudournikov zaradi 
skalnate pregrade ni videl (L. Božič osebno). Tudi 16. 8. 
2020 je iz doline Krnice opazoval vsaj 16 osebkov, ki so 
preletavali vrhove nad Veliko Dnino (L. Božič osebno). 
Glede na število hkrati opazovanih osebkov dne 9. 9. 
2020 menim, da kolonija šteje 10–15 parov. Morda 
gre za šele 3. znano gnezdišče v naših Julijskih Alpah, 
verjetno tudi za največje, zagotovo pa za najvišje ležeče 
(ca. 2350 m n. v.). Pred tem je bila najvišja kolonija 
na 1950 m n. v. pod Mangrtom (Denac 2019), druga 
znana pa v steni nasproti izvira reke Soče.
Matej Gamser, DOP PS – Društvo za opazovanje in proučevanje ptic 
Slovenije, Tržaška 2, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija, 
e–mail: matej.gamser@dopps.si
(ARSO 2020), kar bi lahko nakazovalo, da planinski 
hudournik uporablja podobno strategijo spopadanja z 
neugodnimi razmerami kot hudournik.
Aljaž Mulej, Na Trati 2, SI–4248 Lesce, Slovenija,  
e−mail: aljaz.mulej@gmail.com
Čebelar Merops apiaster 
Bee-eater  – two pairs breeding in an olive grove 
in Aug 2020 at Strunjan Landscape Park (UTM 
UL93, SW Slovenia); first confirmed breeding of 
the species in the area
Dne 3. 6. 2020 je bil na območju Strunjana opažen par 
čebelarjev med gradnjo gnezdilnega rova. Osebka sta 
si za gnezdišče izbrala manjšo flišno steno, visoko le 
1,5 metra, tik ob lokalni cesti. Čeprav je bilo gnezdišče 
po enem tednu opuščeno, so se trije odrasli osebki še 
naprej zadrževali v širši okolici rova. Dne 9. 8. 2020 sem 
pri opazovanju enega osebka, ki je imel hrano v kljunu, 
odkrila novo gnezdišče z več rovi, in sicer v flišnih 
bregovih sosednjega oljčnika, le 130 m stran od lokacije 
prvega opazovanja. Dva para sta si tokrat gnezdi izkopala 
v strmih bregovih oljčnika, na višini enega metra od tal, 
kjer so bila tla večinoma gola oziroma le deloma porasla 
s travo. Poleg dveh aktivnih rovov so bili v okolici tudi 
številni neaktivni rovi, ki nakazujejo na možno gnezditev 
vrste tudi v preteklih letih. Ob pogovoru z lastniki 
oljčnika sem ugotovila, da čebelarje na svoji parceli 
opazujejo že nekaj let. Na omenjenem gnezdišču sem med 
9. 8. 2020 in 14. 8. 2020 opazovala do tri odrasle osebke; 
od teh sta dva nosila hrano v gnezdi, eden pa je ves čas 
»stražil« na najvišji cipresi v bližini gnezdišča. Dne 15. 8. 
Slika 7 / Figure 7: Čebelar / Bee-eater Merops apiaster, 
Strunjan, 9. 8. 2020 (foto: S. Cernich)
Planinski hudournik Tacymarptis 
melba
Alpine Swift  – an unusually large flock of 117 
individuals passing through Soča Valley (UTM 
UM93, NW Slovenia) in Julian Alps on 4 Aug 
2020 during cold front passage, indicating weather 
movements for this species
Na območju Julijskih Alp  je bilo potrjeno gnezdenje 
11 parov planinskih hudournikov v dveh manjših 
kolonijah na območju Mangrta in Trente (Denac 
2019). Dne 4. 8. 2020 sem v popoldanskem času južno 
od vasi Soča opazoval jato 117 planinskih hudournikov. 
Jata je priletela s severovzhoda, nekaj časa nizko letala 
nad sotočjem reke Soče in potoka Lepenjica ter se 
kasneje dvignila višje in odletela po dolini Soče proti 
jugu. Pojavljanje večjih jat iz obdobja konca avgusta je 
znano iz območja Dalmacije (Denac 2004), vendar pa 
je številčnost opazovane jate neobičajna za gnezditveni 
čas na območju Julijskih Alp. Osebki iz alpskih 
populacij v Švici gnezdijo med majem in avgustom in 
se selijo med septembrom in oktobrom (Arn 1960), 
zato je majhna verjetnost, da gre pri tem opazovanju za 
zgodnjo jesensko selitev. Za hudournika Apus apus je 
znano, da v obdobju deževnega vremena nekateri osebki 
zapustijo gnezdišča in se začasno pomaknejo nekaj 
sto kilometrov na območja s stabilnejšim vremenom 
(Svärdson 1951, Offringa 1996). V obdobju 
omenjenega opazovanja planinskih hudournikov v 
dolini reke Soče se je s severa pomikala hladna fronta 
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Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 145–155, 2020
2020 sem opazila šest speljanih mladičev, ki so posedali 
na žici, oddaljeni približno 100 m zračne linije od 
gnezdišča. Starši so mladičem še prinašali hrano. Nekaj 
dni zatem so čebelarji zapustili gnezdišče, saj ob zadnjem 
pregledu, dne 18. 8. 2020, nisem opazila nobenega osebka 
več. Čebelar je na Primorskem redka  gnezdilka z le nekaj 
znanimi lokalitetami, med katerimi sta Sečoveljske soline 
in dolina reke Dragonje (Hudoklin 2019). Najbližje 
Strunjanu gnezdi ravno v Sečoveljskih solinah, kjer se je 
po prvem gnezdenju leta 2005 število parov v letu 2020 
povzpelo na 10 (Škornik 2012, KPSS 2020).
Sara Cernich, Pod Sedovnikom 3, SI–6210 Sežana, Slovenija, 
e–mail: saracernich@hotmail.it
Smrdokavra Upoppa epops
Hoopoe – one individual observed on 1 May 2019 
at Planina Ovčarija (1,660 m.a.s.l.) (UTM VM02, 
NW Slovenia), sitting above twenty lekking male 
Black Grouses Lyrurus tetrix 
Prvega maja je bilo, ko smo z bratom Jonom, sestrico 
Emo in očetom Andražem stegovali vratove izza 
pastirskega stana na Planini Ovčariji, opazovaje 
paritveni ples dvajsetih samcev ruševca (Lyrurus tetrix). 
Neustavljive svate smo poslušali že nekatero uro in jutro 
se je počasi prevešalo v dopoldan, ko prileti in na vrhu 
bližnjega macesna pristane smrdokavra (Upuppa epops). 
Nekajkrat se spreleti nad rastiščem, nato pa kaj kmalu 
zapusti zasneženo macesnovje in odleti proti Bohinju. 
Srečanja smo se silno razveselili, predvsem pa podatek 
priča o neverjetnih selitvenih poteh in postankih 
ptic. Smrdokavra je pri nas redka gnezdilka v nižinski 
kulturni krajini in redna preletnica, v gorah pa se zavoljo 
negostoljubnosti habitata  praviloma ne ustavlja. Izbrskal 
sem še en višinski podatek iz tujine, in sicer s prelaza 
Batteria Alta med Italijo in Francijo 19. 8. 2020, kjer 
je gospod Bianchi opazoval smrdokavro na nadmorski 
višini 2180m. (M. Bianchi pisno).
Luka Poljanec, Dvor 12, SI–1210 Ljubljana-Šentvid, Slovenija, 
e–mail: luk.poljanec@gmail.com
Slika 8 / Figure 8: Smrdokavra / Hoopoe Upuppa 
epops, Planina Ovčarija, 1. 5. 2019 (foto: E. Poljanec)
Belohrbti detel Dendrocopos leucotos
White-backed Woodpecker - one male observed 
feeding on a Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia 
near Zabiče (UTM VL54, Southern Slovenia) on 
23 Jul 2020; with 490 m a.s.l., this is one of the 
lowest records for the species in Slovenia
Dne 23. 7. 2020 sem na bregu Kolaškega potoka pri 
Zabičah pod snežniško planoto na nadmorski višini 
490 m naletel na samca belohrbtega detla podvrste D. 
leucotos lilfordi, ki se je prehranjeval na robiniji Robinia 
pseudoacacia. Gre za relativno nizko najdbo, saj se 
98 % populacije v Sloveniji zadržuje nad 600 m n. v. 
(Denac & Mihelič 2019).  Da nadmorska višina sama 
po sebi verjetno ni omejujoč dejavnik, ampak je na večjih 
višinah več ustreznega habitata z dovolj odmrlimi listavci 
(Denac  & Mihelič 2015), nakazujejo tudi tuje najdbe 
iz nižinskih pragozdov (npr. Wesołowski 1995). Nova 
najdba se od tipične razširjenosti vrste, ki je pri nas 
vezana predvsem na zrele dinarske gozdove (Denac  & 
Mihelič 2019), razlikuje tudi po habitatu, saj je bila 
ptica opažena v precej termofilnem, pretežno listnatem 
gozdu. Gre sicer za gospodarske gozdove, kjer pa sta v 
strmih grapah sečnja in spravilo lesa otežena, tako da 
ostaja kar nekaj odmrle biomase, ki je ključna habitatna 
zahteva te vrste (Denac & Mihelič 2015). Nenavadno 
je bilo tudi prehranjevanje na tujerodni robiniji, ki je 
znana po trdem lesu in zato ni tipična drevesna vrsta, 
na kateri bi se belohrbti detel prehranjeval (T. Mihelič, 
pisno). Čeprav je bil najden precej nižje od drugih najdb 
v okolici, domnevam, da opaženi detel pripada robu 
snežniške populacije, ki tvori jedro razširjenosti vrste 
v Sloveniji (Denac  & Mihelič 2019). Glede na datum 
opažanja je možno, da gre za pognezditveno disperzijo 
(K. Denac, pisno), tako da bi bilo smiselno na območju 
opraviti popis z izzivanjem s posnetkom v času gnezditve.
Miha Krofel, oddelek za gozdarstvo, Biotehniške fakultete, Univerze v 
Ljubljani, Večna pot 83, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija, 
e–mail: miha.krofel@gmail.com
152
Iz ornitološke beležnice / From the ornithological notebook
Slegur Monticola saxatilis
Rock Thrush  – singing male and begging young 
observed on 4 Sep 2020 below Leskovški vrh, east 
of Mt. Krn (UTM UM92, NW Slovenia)
Slegur je gnezdilka zahodnega dela države (Figelj  & 
Figelj 2019) in selivka (Collar  & Bonan 2020). 
Najpogosteje gnezdi na južno izpostavljenih, travnatih 
pobočjih med 600 in 1800 m nad morjem (Figelj  & 
Figelj 2019). Avtorja sva na slegurja naletela pod 
Leskovškim vrhom vzhodno od Krna, kjer je verjetno 
tudi gnezdil. Vrsta je sicer pogosta gnezdilka travnatih 
pobočij v okolici Krna, vendar zaradi poznega datuma (4. 
9. 2020) opazovanja nisva pričakovala. Vrsta se razkropi 
iz gnezditvenih območij že avgusta in se odseli do konca 
septembra (Collar  & Bonan 2020). Kljub temu da se 
vrsta septembra še pojavlja v Evropi, pa so bila v tem času 
pred omenjenim opazovanjem le tri opazovanja te vrste v 
Sloveniji. Vsa tri so iz prve polovice septembra: 3. 9. 2016 s 
Kobariškega stola, 7. 9. 2013 iz okolice Krna ter 13. 9. 2017 
z Nanosa (Atlas ptic 2020b). Opazovanje je zanimivo 
tudi zaradi gnezditvenega vedenja. Samec je večkrat zapel, 
vsaj en rjavo obarvani osebek pa je prosil za hrano.
Dejan Bordjan, Oddelek za gozdarstvo, Biotehniška fakulteta Univerze 
v Ljubljani, Večna pot 83, SI–1000 Ljubljana, 
e–mail: dejan.bordjan@gmail.com
Tilen Basle, DOP PS – Društvo za opazovanje in proučevanje ptic 
Slovenije, Tržaška 2, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija, 
e–mail: tilen.basle@dopps.si
Bičja trstnica Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Sedge Warbler  – one individual found dead on 
top of Mt. Jalovec (2,645 m. a. s. l.) in the Julian 
Alps (UTM UM95, NW Slovenia) on 9 Sep 2020; 
interesting finding in a very unusual habitat
9. september 2020; s prijateljema Jernejem Rotarjem 
in Lucijo Dolinšek smo jo tega dne mahnili proti vrhu 
Jalovca. V opoldanski pripeki zgodnjega kimavca smo 
premagovali še zadnje metre vršnega grebena, ko je Jernej 
med skalovjem ugledal kadaver majhne ptice. Krepko sem 
izbuljil oči od začudenja, ko sem prihitel bliže in v ptici 
prepoznal bičjo trstnico Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, sicer 
prebivalko nižinske, obvodne krajine. Že sam pogled na 
dva tako nasprotna si svetova je bil zanimiv, hkrati pa 
nam najdba ponuja redek vpogled v vsakoletno prečkanje 
naravne pregrade na ptičji selitveni poti – prečkanje Alp. 
Srečanja s selečimi se pevkami so v gorah namreč redka, 
saj se tam zavoljo negostoljubnosti habitata običajno ne 
ustavljajo. V pristanek jih tu in tam prisilijo neugodne 
vremenske razmere, ki so bile verjetno tudi vzrok smrti 
dotične trstnice. Poleg omenjenega obstaja le še en meni 
znani podatek o srečanju z bičjo trstnico na selitvi čez 
slovenske gore, in sicer avgusta 2020 na sedlu Suha v 
Karavankah, ko je bil en osebek ujet in obročkan (Mulej 
pisno). Zanimivi so podatki s švicarskega sedla Col de 
Bretolet (1920 m n. v.), kjer obročkovalci redno spremljajo 
selitev ptic. Bičja trstnica si sodeč po rezultatih poročila za 
leto 2013 redko izbere direktno pot čez Alpe; na jesenski 
selitvi v tem letu je bil denimo obročkan en sam osebek 
(Thoma & Althaus 2013).
Luka Poljanec, Dvor 12, SI–1210 Ljubljana-Šentvid, Slovenija, 
e–mail: luk.poljanec@gmail.com
Slika 9 / Figure 9: Bičja trstnica / Sedge Warbler 
Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, Jalovec, 9. 9. 2020 
(foto: L.Poljanec)
Svilnica  Cettia cetti
Cetti’s Warbler  – 1 individual observed and its 
call recorded on 23 Nov 2020 near Dole pri Lavrici 
(UTM VL69, C Slovenia); rare and late visitor in 
the area
Od druge polovice oktobra dalje se lahko na Ljubljanskem 
barju pretežni del dneva zadržuje megla, nizke jutranje 
temperature pa tako onemogočajo normalen lov in 
obročkanje ptic. 23. novembra 2020 je bilo zjutraj na 
Lavrici (Ljubljansko barje) kar hladno (- 3 ºC), in ko sem 
se peljal iz Hauptmanc proti Grmezu, mi je termometer 
v avtu pokazal zunanjo temperaturo  – 5 ºC. Ta dan je 
vladala toplotna inverzija, saj je bilo v gorah kar nekaj 
stopinj nad ničlo. Moj glavni namen v tem dnevu je bil 
sprehod po Barju, ob tem pa bi poslušal ali opazoval, če se 
153
Acrocephalus 41 (186/187): 145–155, 2020
tam še vedno zadržujejo alpski brezovčki Carduelis cabaret 
na brezah, saj sem jih pred dnevi na tem mestu obročkal 
kar deset. Ker teh brezovčkov ni bilo, sem se ob 11h, ko 
se je že malo ogrelo, odpeljal v Dole pri Lavrici, kjer imam 
svoje lovišče v trstičevju. Ko sem stopil iz avtomobila, se je 
v vodnem kanalu pred menoj oglasila svilnica Cettia cetti. 
Kar verjeti nisem mogel, da se mi tako rekoč pred nosom 
ponuja vrsta, ki je za ta čas na Barju res neobičajna. Ker 
dobro poznam njeno petje in tudi oglašanje, mi je uspelo 
posneti njeno značilno oglašanje na diktafon Olympus 
WS-852 (Šere 2020). V tistem trenutku se mi je svilnica 
tudi pokazala, saj je njen let nad vodo oviral betonski most. 
Sam sem nato v trstičevju postavil dve mreži z namenom, 
da jo ujamem. Ko sem pri mreži predvajal še petje svilnice, 
je takoj priletela tik nad tlemi in se zaletela v mrežo, a se 
ni ujela. Predvajal sem drug posnetek svilnice in vnovič se 
je zaletela v mrežo in se na moje veliko razočaranje  spet 
ni ujela. Nato sem posnetek prestavil na drugo mrežo, 
vendar neuspešno. Odločil sem se, da bom poskusil še 
zvečer, vendar neuspešno. Nadaljeval sem naslednje jutro, 
to je 24. novembra, vendar svilnice nisem ne opazil ne 
slišal. Verjetno je ponoči odletela kam drugam, vendar 
brez mojega obročka, ki bi ob morebitni kasnejši najdbi 
imel »kaj za povedati«. Svilnica je na Ljubljanskem barju 
v jesenskem času zelo redka vrsta, doslej sem jo ujel samo 
nekajkrat in to sredi septembra ali oktobra.
Dare Šere, Langusova 10, SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija, 
e–mail: dare.sere@guest.arnes.si
Trstni strnad Emberiza schoeniclus  
Common Reed Bunting  – an adult male caught 
on 11 Nov 2019 at Lake Pernica (UTM WM 56, 
NE Slovenia); bill depth and pale plumage suggest 
subspecies E. s. intermedia or E. s. ukrainae
Dne 11. 11. 2019 sem v trstišču Perniškega jezera obročkal 
trstne strnade. Okoli poldneva se je v mrežo ujel osebek 
z močnim in dokaj ukrivljenim kljunom, ki je nekoliko 
spominjal na kljun kalina Pyrrhula pyrrhula. Tudi perje 
je imel bolj svetlo in bledo od drugih 82 tega dne ujetih 
strnadov (sliki 10 in 11). Vpogled v priročnik za določanje 
ptic v roki (DEMONGIN 2016) je pokazal, da strnad 
pripada debelokljuni rasi skupine »intermediate« in, kot 
navaja omenjeni priročnik, verjetni podvrsti intermedia 
ali pa glede na svetlo perje ssp. ukrainae, ki je gnezditveno 
razširjena na jugu Belorusije, severu Ukrajine in jugu 
evropske Rusije. Zanj sta značilna močan in ukrivljen 
kljun ter precej svetlejše, rjavo-rumeno (buff) perje 
(DEMONGIN 2016). Biometrični podatki: odrasel 
samec, dolžina peruti 82 mm, višina kljuna 7 mm in teža 
22,9 gramov. Številka obročka AX17706; ptica je bila 
fotografirana in izpuščena. Ker gre  določevalno za dokaj 
zahtevno podvrsto, sem za nasvet in mnenje zaprosil 
kolega Jurija Hanžla, ki je nato povprašal še Stephena 
Menzieja, vodjo RC Falsterbo in člana angleške komisije za 
redkosti ter dobrega poznavalca trstnih strnadov. Menzie 
je mnenja, da gre verjetno za ssp. intermedia. Dodaja še, 
da je pri ssp. ukrainae situacija težavna in podvrsta nima 
značilnega videza in sta si obe dokaj podobni. Nekateri 
vodilni svetovni ornitologi bi podvrsti ukrainae in 
stresemanni, ki poseljujeta vzhodno Evropo, združili 
skupaj s podvrsto intermedia in se tako izognili vsaj eni od 
trenutnih zmešnjav in mnogim nejasnostim okoli podvrst, 
ki veljajo pri trstnih strnadih.   
Franc Bračko, Gregorčičeva 27, SI – 2000, Maribor, Slovenija, e-mail: 
franci.bracko@hotmail.com
Sliki 10 in 11 / Figures 10 & 11: Trstni strnad / 
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus, Pernica, 
11. 11. 2019 (foto: F. Bračko)
154
Iz ornitološke beležnice / From the ornithological notebook
SRBIJA / SERBIA
Lesser kestrel Falco naumanni 
Južna postovka – prelet osebka 15. maja 2019 blizu 
kraja Brza Palanka ob reki Donavi (UTM FQ 12, 
V Srbija); prvo opazovanje vrste v vzhodni Srbiji po 
več kot 70 letih
During a walk along the Danube near Brza Palanka 
on 15 May 2019, we spotted a single Lesser Kestrel 
Falco naumanni (Figure 12) flying over us and 
continuing its course to the west. In the next 10 
minutes we observed, on the same spot, an adult male 
Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes, a Common 
Buzzard Buteo buteo, a Great Egret Ardea alba and 
a territorial pair of Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo. 
The record of Falco naumanni on the Danube in eastern 
Serbia is very significant, considering that the last data 
for eastern Serbia is over 70 years old (Matvejev 1950). 
In Serbia, it is considered an occasional breeder, with 
an estimated breeding population 0–2 pairs (Puzović 
et al. 2015), but without evidence of nesting in recent 
decades. Based on the date of our finding, it can be seen 
as an indication of possible breeding in this area, but 
unfortunately it cannot be confirmed without additional 
research in the breeding period.
Slobodan Marković, Nikole Kopernika 47/5, 18000 Niš, Serbia, 
e-mail: slobodanmar123@gmail.com (corresponding author)
Marko Nikolić, Oraovica bb, 16220 Grdelica, Serbia, e-mail: marko@
bddsp.org.rs
Slika 12 / Figure 12: Južna postovka / Lesser Kestrel 
Falco naumanni, Brza Palanka, 15. 5. 2019 (foto: S. 
Marković)
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Original work from all fields of ornithology, irrespective of its geographic 
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Acrocephalus publishes original articles, review articles, points-of-view, 
editorials (commissioned by the editor), letters, short communications, 
short notes ("From the ornithological notebook'), thesis abstracts and book 
reviews. Contributions can be published in English or Slovene. Manuscripts 
must be written with a solid basis in the English language. For papers with 
an inadequate level of English the editor reserves the right to delay their 
entry in the editorial process pending language editing at the expense of 
the authors.
Submission process:
Manuscripts should be submitted by e-mail to tilen.basle@dopps.si. 
Original articles and review articles are peer-reviewed by two referees 
and further reviewed by the editor and the editorial board. The procedure 
can therefore be expected to last at least three months. The authors 
should modify their work according to the referees' comments and 
explain any non-accepted comments when returning the manuscript. The 
editor decides whether the manuscript should be accepted, rejected or 
additional review is to be made. Points-of-view and short communications 
are reviewed by one referee, while short notes ('From the ornlthological 
notebook') are reviewed by the editor. All manuscripts are proofread for the 
correct use of English and Slovene.
General remarks:
Manuscripts should be edited in Microsoft Word or OpenOffice.org 
(DOC or DOCX format), the font should be Times New Roman, size 
12pt and formatted in single spacing. Send figures separately from the 
manuscript in TIFF or JPG formats with a resolution of at least 300 dpi. 
For vector graphics EPS and CDR are preferred. Send tables and graphs 
in XLS format, each in a separate worksheet of the same XLS document. 
Titles and legends of tables and graphs should be included both in the 
manuscript and the XLS document. English and scientific bird names 
should follow recommendations of the IOC World Bird List [https://www.
worldbirdnames.org/new/ioc-lists/] Slovene bird names should follow 
Jančar et al. (Jančar T., Bračko F., GrošelJp., Mihelič T., ToMe D., Trilar T., 
Vrezec A. (1999): lmenik ptic zahodne Palearktike. - Acrocephalus 20 
(94/96): 97–162].
Format of original articles submitted for publication
The manuscript should be headed by the title, article type, names of 
authors, their affiliation and e-mail addresses. ~ the first author is not the 
corresponding author, this should be indicated.
Abstract: It should present the aims, methods, main results and 
conclusions in no more than 250 words. References and abbreviations 
should not be used in the abstract.
Key words: Give up to 8 keywords separated by commas. Choose them 
carefully, because they serve indexing purposes and enable readers to find 
your paper in online databases.
Main text: The IMRAD structure (Introduction, Methods, Results, 
Discussion) should be followed. Scientific names in italics should be given 
in the title (if appropriate), at the first mention of the species in the abstract 
and at the first mention in the main text.
References should be cited in alphabetical order and, for the same 
author, in chronological order. ~ the author published more than one 
work in the same year, a small letter is added to the year (e. g. ToMe 
1990A). In the text, references are cited as howell (2012) or (howell 
2012), as appropriate. Works written by two authors are cited as 
(BordJan & Bone 2009), those by more than two authors as (BordJan et al. 
2013). Citing unpublished data should be avoided as much as possible, 
these references should only be mentioned in the main text, not in the 
list of references. Citing of papers in preparation is only allowed if they 
are already accepted for publication. References should be cited in the 
following style:
joumal paper: peTkoV N. (2011): Habitat characteristics assessment 
of the wetlands with breeding Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca and 
Pochard A. ferina in Bulgaria. – Acrocephalus 32 (150/151): 127–134.
book: BalMer D. e., GillinGs s., caffrey B. J., swann r. l., downie 
I. s., fuller r. J. (2013): Brd All as 2007–11 : The Breooing and 
Wintering Birds of Britain and Ireland. – BTO Books, Thetford.
chapter in book: diedrich J., flade M., lipsBerGs J. (1997): Pendul ine 
Tit Remiz pendulinus. pp. 656–657. In: haGeMeuer W. J. M., Blair 
M. J. (eds.): The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds. – T & AD 
Poyser, London.
short note: ERNST S. (2013): Pygny Owl Glaucidium passerinum. – 
Acrocephalus 34 (156/157): 131–132.
conference proceedings: Vrezec A. (2007): The Ural Owl (Strix 
uralensis macroura) – status and overview of studies in Slovenia. pp. 
16-31. In: Moller J., scherzinGer w., MoninG c. (eds.): European Ural 
Owl workshop: Bavarian forest national park. – Graphischer Atelier 
H, Prague.
dissertation or thesis: ličina T. (2012): [Predation of eggs in artificial 
ground bird nests in forest in the area of Menina mountain]. BSc 
thesis. – Univerza v Ljubljani, Biotehniska fakulteta, Oddelek za 
biologijo. (in Slovene)
web source: Zois, S. (1790/1800): Aves terrestres Eurorae. - (http://
www.dlib.si/details/URN:NBN:Sl:DOC-YJ3DA9MZJ, 01/05/2014.
legislation: uradni lisT RS (2011 ): Uredba o Načrtu upravljanja 
Krajinskega parka Sečoveljske soline za obdobje 2011–2021. No. 
53/2011.
Titles of works, published in languages other than English or Slovene, 
should only be translated if a translated title is supplied with the original 
work. For example:
MonTaderT M., leonard p. (2011): (Breeding biology of Hazel Grouse
Bonasa bonasia in the South-Eastern French Alps (1st part)]. – Alauda 
79 (1): 1–16. (in French)
Titles, originally in a script other than Latin, should be latinized even 
if the original language is preserved.
Tables should be headed by an informative title and a brief explanatory 
legend, enabling the reader to understand the general meaning without 
referring to the main text. Tables are drawn without vertical lines and 
referred to as, e. g. "Table 1" in the text.
Figures: Titles should be given below the figures. They are referred to as, e.
g. 'Figure 1" in the text.
Format of other sections
Review articles and points-of-view should follow the same general rules as 
original articles, but the titles of sections may be adapted to the content.
Short communications should follow the general rules of original papers, 
but the authors are free to determine its structure.
Forum: The author of the comment is allowed one comment, to which the 
author of the original article can reply in the same issue.
Short notes "From the ornithological notebook": The title is the name of the 
species. A short abstract should give the date of observation, observation 
site with coordinates (UTM, degrees or Gauss-Kroger) and summarize the 
note. In the text, references are cited as snow & perrins (1998) or (snow & 
perrins 1998) as appropriate. Short notes should be submitted in separate 
files, one note per file.
Special abbreviations used in text: English: pers. comm., unpubl., own 
data, in print, in prep.; Slovene: pisno, ustno, neobj., lastni podatki, v 
tisku, v pripravi.
Navodila za avtorje / Instructions for authors
letnik
volume
številka
number
strani
pages
41
41
186/187
186/187
69–156
69–156
Originalni članki / Original articles
 69 The Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in 
Slovenia: a review with an estimation 
of its current population
Mlakarica Anas platyrhynhos v Sloveniji: pregled 
z oceno trenutne populacije
Kratki prispevki / Short communications
 119 First confirmed breeding of the 
Mediterranean Shag Gulosus aristotelis 
desmarestii in Romania after 60 years of 
its absence
Prvo potrjeno gnezdenje sredozemskega vranjeka 
Gulosus aristotelis desmarestii v Romuniji v 
zadnjih 60-ih letih
 123 Redke vrste ptic v Sloveniji v letu 2019 – 
Poročilo Nacionalne komisije 
za redkosti
Rare birds in Slovenia in 2019 – Slovenian 
Rarities Committee's Report
 141 Regular field observations are worth 
it: a new species to the avifauna of 
Sombor (NW Serbia)
Redna terenska opazovanja so vredna truda: 
nove vrste za avifavno Somborja (SZ Srbija)
 145 Iz ornitološke beležnice
From the ornithological notebook
Slovenija / Slovenia: Tadorna tadorna, 
Aythya nyroca, Morus bassanus, 
Ixobrychus minutus, Falco cherrug, 
Charadrius morinellus, Calidris alpina, 
Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus, Cuculus canorus, 
Lullula arborea, Otus scops, Tachymarptis melba. 
Tacymarptis melba, Merops apiaster, 
Dendrocopos leucotos, Monticola saxatilis, 
Acrocephalus schoenobaenus. Cettia cetti, 
Emberiza schoeniclus
Srbija / Serbia: Falco naumanni