The Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Association (MME) has been organizing a four-day, national survey of forest owl wintering sites since January 28, with the participation of individual observers, families, kindergartens and primary schools.

Forest owls spend their day resting in groups on the trees of villages and towns in agricultural areas in winter. Owls chose inland trees because they are threatened by the proximity of humans to larger birds of prey.

According to the company, until 31 January, birds resting on trees in the inner city will be able to be registered on the MME website. According to their report, the population survey of wintering birds provides much more accurate national data than if it were conducted only by professionals. On the other hand, observing owls that are rarely seen during the year can be an exciting experience for those looking for a natural experience, they wrote.

The association asked the owls not to let the daytime trees enter. If one finds that owls resting with feathers that have been ruined until then begin to pay attention with feathers flattened to their bodies, they should pull back. And if the living owls are still scared and fly away, there’s a good chance they’ll be back at the resting place after a few laps, they added.

A few or a few dozen individuals can usually be seen in each wintering place, but in the “owl capital” of Hungary, in Túrkeve, and in the neighboring Kisújszállás, the total number of wintering owls in the winter can exceed 1,000 in some years.

According to previous surveys, almost 16,000 owls overwinter in Hungary, consuming more than four million small rodents that cause agricultural damage. This rodent control could only be achieved by farmers using toxins that pose a risk to the environment and nature.

Incidentally, owls may be especially needed this year, as it has recently been revealed that mice and rats may breed in Hungary this year due to the mild winter. The MME therefore asked the public in November to help owls spend their days by placing artificial nests and nesting boxes.

(Via MTI)