Gratifying return of the stone kit in the Vöcklabruck district

Gratifying return of the stone kit in the Vöcklabruck district

In the Inn- und Hausruckviertel there are gratifying news for nature lovers: The small stone cäauze, which have only been sporadically sighted in recent years, show a remarkable return. We owe this positive development to the measures of the nature conservation association, which nesting aids have created especially for this way of owls. It should be emphasized that these nesting boxes were produced in the Lebenshilfe Werkstätte Regau, which shows how environmental protection and social responsibility can go hand in hand.

The Steinauz, a charming owl species, found his way back to the eastern Innviertel for the first time after a long absence. At that time, as part of a species protection project, "open towers, open villages", named in certain orchards, which serve as a natural habitat for these owls, were installed in certain orchards. This initiative aimed to help the Steinkauz to spread to new areas and to stabilize the population.

gratifying breeding success and population expansion

Since the start of the project, the Steinauuz population has shown an impressive recovery. In 2021, two successful broods in tree caves could already be recorded. The following year, 2022, there were four areas with a total of at least ten young birds. This trend was also continued in 2023: four occupied territories could be determined that have produced seven young birds. Unfortunately, there were less success in two areas due to losses caused by collisions with vehicles.

For 2024, one can look forward to a further increasing number: A total of nine -occupied areas with at least 26 young birds were registered this year, with the majority of the broods taking place in artificial nesting aids. In order to learn more about the life of these birds, the young birds, whenever possible, are scientifically marked, measured and weighed.

The responsible persons of the nature conservation association, under the direction of Franz Stoll, have built and supervise more than 50 specially manufactured nesting aids in suitable habitats since 2020. In August 2024, numerous new nesting aids were again provided and installed in promising areas. These successes give hope that the stone owl will not only stay in our region, but also spread further.

It is important to mention that observations of stone ceaes are continuously recorded. Interested citizens can enter their sightings on the reporting platform of the Nature Conservation Association www.naturaucht.at and thus make a valuable contribution to species protection.