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Artificial feeding is a widely used management tool, but it often attracts nontarget species, including birds, to permanent feeding sites. This study used camera traps to monitor the presence of birds at selected sites used for bear management in Dinaric forest. A large number of bird species (35) were recorded, representing roughly half of all species breeding in the surrounding area. These species were grouped based on monthly and hourly presence, and corresponded to food groups, with most belonging to granivores or scavengers. Some species, such as Pigeons (Columba sp.), Raven (Corvus corax) and Buzzard (Buteo buteo), adapted their presence to the availability of food at the feeding sites, while others were not affected by this. Both Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) and Jays (Garrulus glandarius) frequented the feeding sites, but their temporal presence was influenced by their biology rather than by food availability. The Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) also adapted its presence to food availability, and its presence was closely associated with that of the Jay. This study confirms the temporal differences in the use of feeding sites by birds and mammals, which is likely due to their different biology and past management. This can be used to make wildlife management more efficient and reduce the undesirable effects of artificial feeding.

V Sloveniji je bilo opravljenih le nekaj raziskav habitata rastišč divjega petelina. Taka znanja so pomembna pri določitvi in izvajanju ukrepov za ohranitev oziroma povečanje številčnosti vrste. Namen dela je bil ugotoviti sedanjo aktivnost dvajsetih znanih rastišč divjega petelina na Uršlji gori z bližnjo okolico v primerjavi s prejšnjima popisoma (Adamič, 1986 Čas, 2000) in evidentirati potencialna nova. Prav tako smo želeli ugotoviti, ali so med aktivnimi in opuščenimi rastišči divjega petelina razlike v habitatnih danostih. Popise aktivnosti rastišč smo izvajali po metodi poslušanja pojočih samcev zgodaj zjutraj in beleženja znakov prisotnosti v času rastitve od 1.4. do 20.5. v letih 2019 in 2020. Habitatne značilnosti rastišč smo popisali na treh aktivnih rastiščih in treh opuščenih. Na podlagi dobljenih rezultatov smo ugotovili, da se je število aktivnih rastišč v primerjavi z letoma/če gre samo za ti leti, sicer v letih 1986 in 2000 zelo zmanjšalo (aktivnih le 30 % od vseh znanih). Na rastiščih smo v obeh letih skupno popisali približno trikrat manj aktivnih petelinov, tri neaktivne več ter 2,7-krat manj kokoši kot leta 2000. Iz tega sklepamo, da je na proučevanem območju vrsta ogrožena in lahko v naslednjih nekaj desetletjih izgine z območja, če se bo trend številčnosti še naprej manjšal. Delež opuščenih rastišč je bil večji v gozdovih z nižjo nadmorsko višino (pod 1200 m). Evidentirali nismo nobenega novega rastišča, so se pa centri aktivnih rastišč v primerjavi z zadnjim popisom spremenili v prostoru. Ugotovili smo razlike v habitatnih danostih med obema tipoma rastišč. Za aktivna rastišča je bila značilna velika pokritost tal z zeliščno plastjo (85 %, od tega 24 % jagodičja), več mravljišč, redkejši sklep sestoja (40-60 % zastrte površine), večja vidljivost pri tleh ter večji delež starejših iglastih sestojev v primerjavi z opuščenimi. Vidljivost pri tleh in delež drevesnih vrst glede na naše ugotovitve nista bistveno vplivala na aktivnost rastišč. To this day, there has been very little research regarding the exploration of habitat characteristics of capercaillie leks in Slovenia. This knowledge is crucial for discerning and exercising measures for preserving and increasing species abundance. This study aims to determine the recent activity of 20 known capercaillie leks on Uršlja Gora and its surroundings in comparison with past surveys (Adamič, 1986 Čas, 2000) and to record potential new ones. We also wanted to establish any differences in habitat characteristics between active and abandoned capercaillie leks. We conducted our research with methodical listening of singing males early in the morning and taking note of their presence at the time of their mating season between 1. 4. and 20. 5. in 2019 and 2020. A survey of habitat characteristics was implemented in three active and three abandoned leks. The number of active leks has significantly decreased compared to the surveys in 1986 and 2000 (only 30 % of known leks has remained active). We documented approximately threetimes fewer active males, three times more inactive males and 2,7 times fewerfemales than in 2000. Thereupon, we conclude that the species is endangered in the study area and could disappear in the next few decades if their numbers continue to decrease. The percentage of abandoned leks was higher in forests with lower altitude (below 1200 m). We did not document any new leks, but we discovered that the centres of active leks have shifted compared to the last survey. We also discovered differences in habitat characteristics between both types of leks. Compared to abandoned leks, active leks experienced higher cover of herbaceous layer (85 %, 24 % being berries), a higher number of anthills, low canopy cover (40%60 %), higher ground level visibility and a higher percentage of old conifer stands. Ground-level visibility and percentage of different tree species did not considerably affect leks activity.