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Understanding the role of land-use patterns in determining the distribution of nocturnal birds has important implications for the conservation of these species and for land management. One important step for effective conservation is to develop statistical models to assess how the probability of birds’ presence can be influenced by land-use types in order to support decision making in conservation planning at the landscape or regional scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of extent and configuration of land-use types in determining the distribution of some nocturnal birds of prey (Strigiformes) and the European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeusin agricultural landscapes. We surveyed six nocturnal birds (Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops, Little Owl Athene noctua, Barn Owl Tyto alba, Long-eared Owl Asio otus, Tawny Owl Strix alucoand European Nightjar) in 123 listening stations located in nine protected areas of southern Tuscany, Central Italy. Nocturnal birds were present in 97 % of the stations, where variables relative to the extent and configuration of land-use types were measured. The probability of Tawny Owl presence increased with increasing forest cover, the probability of Little Owl presence increased with increasing amount of arable land, whilst the probability of Eurasian Scops Owl and Long-eared Owl presence increased with increasing amount of open areas. The model of European Nightjar showed that the probability of presence increased with increasing amount of forest edge and scrubs. Our results suggest that heterogeneous agricultural landscapes may favour the coexistence of several nocturnal birds, since the different species are each associated with different land-use types.Understanding the role of land-use patterns in determining the distribution of nocturnal birds has important implications for the conservation of these species and for land management. One important step for effective conservation is to develop statistical models to assess how the probability of birds’ presence can be influenced by land-use types in order to support decision making in conservation planning at the landscape or regional scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of extent and configuration of land-use types in determining the distribution of some nocturnal birds of prey (Strigiformes) and the European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeusin agricultural landscapes. We surveyed six nocturnal birds (Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops, Little Owl Athene noctua, Barn Owl Tyto alba, Long-eared Owl Asio otus, Tawny Owl Strix alucoand European Nightjar) in 123 listening stations located in nine protected areas of southern Tuscany, Central Italy. Nocturnal birds were present in 97 % of the stations, where variables relative to the extent and configuration of land-use types were measured. The probability of Tawny Owl presence increased with increasing forest cover, the probability of Little Owl presence increased with increasing amount of arable land, whilst the probability of Eurasian Scops Owl and Long-eared Owl presence increased with increasing amount of open areas. The model of European Nightjar showed that the probability of presence increased with increasing amount of forest edge and scrubs. Our results suggest that heterogeneous agricultural landscapes may favour the coexistence of several nocturnal birds, since the different species are each associated with different land-use types.

Abstract: We investigated wolfCanis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 food habits in central Italy by examining stomach and/or intestine contents of 59 individuals. Road accident and illegal kills were main causes of the wolves’ death. Ungulates represented the bulk of the diet (55% in frequency), and among them wild boar was the most important prey, followed by domestic Caprinae. Food items of domestic origin accounted for about 1/3 of all the diet. Diet composition did not vary between stomachs and intestines in spite of the higher degree of digestion of the intestines’ contents. The frequent detection of numerous larvae of Diptera and/or necrophagous Coleoptera, let suppose the consumption of already dead animals, and suggests a general underestimate of the wolf’s scavenging behaviour in previous studies based on scat analyses.

About 2000 breeding pairs of Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliaë) nest in Edmonson Point (Wood Bay, 74°21' S, 165°10' E). The penguin colony is located on a raised terrace, divided into 13 discrete small units or colonies separated by unoccupied areas, where South polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) nest. Colony layout, breeding chronology, breeding success, diet, and foraging areas were studied for five consecutive austral summers. Satellite transmitters, time-depth recorders, and electronic tagging were used for monitoring feeding behaviour and nest attendance. An Automated Penguin Monitoring System was installed which records weight, identity, and direction of penguins as they move between the sea and their breeding colony. So far, the results of this study are documentation on colony trends, breeding biology, and differences in foraging strategies at different stages of the reproductive period and during different study seasons.

The feeding ecology of the barn owl, Tyto alba, was studied in a Mediterranean hilly area of central Italy. Two hundred and fourteen pellets, from five different sites, were collected, dried, and dissected. Data were analysed on seasonal and annual base. Barn owl predation on small mammals was compared with the food habits of two sympatric carnivores, the red fox and the stone marten. Barn owls fed mainly on mammals whereas birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects were occasionally taken. Apodemus mice were the most frequent (34.16%) prey among mammals. Shrews were eaten only by the barn owl (30.23%), but did not occur in the carnivore diets. In conclusion the results confirmed the barn owl as an ecological specialist of small mammals, on which it seems to prey unselectively, whereas the red fox and the stone marten do not appear to prey on shrews.