First breeding detection of the dwarf ear owl in the Seewinkel National Park

First breeding detection of the dwarf ear owl in the Seewinkel National Park

In the National Park Neusiedler See - Seewinkel there was a remarkable success: The first brood of the rare dwarf ear owl (OTUS SCOPS) was demonstrated. This discovery marks a significant progress for the protection of endangered bird species in the region.

The project, which led to this success, started in 2023 together with the ornithologists Leander Khil and Daniel Leopoldsberger. The aim was to create special nesting aids. These help breeding birds that rely on large tree caves because such natural nesting places in the area are very rare. Old trees that offer cavities are hardly available. The nesting aids should close this gap and enable the birds to reproduce.

facility of the nesting aids

The implementation of the project required a lot of commitment. Daniel Leopoldsberger, Benjamin Knes, Lukas Vendler and Leander Khil worked to build numerous nesting aids in the national park. These efforts are particularly important in an area where certain bird species are dependent on the dwindling natural breeding places.

With the expertise of the ornithologists, care was taken to design the nesting aids in such a way that they are ideal for the needs of dwarf ear owl. This type of owl needs specific conditions to be able to breed successfully. The successful detection of the first brood confirms the effectiveness of these protective measures.

The dwarf ear owl is a species that is particularly worth protecting. Such breeding detection not only shows the progress in the nature conservation measures of the national park, but also offers hope for the future preservation of this impressive bird species. The commitment of the ornithologists and the volunteers who participated in this project is an example of successful species and nature conservation.

For more newspaper articles and reporting on nature conservation in the region, See the information here at www.bvz.at .