Save the Little Owl

Description

In the 1930s and 1940s, the little owl was the most abundant owl in the Czech Republic. Its population numbered tens of thousands of breeding pairs. However, the development of the economy has brought changes that are deadly for these little owls. Intensification of agriculture, use of poisons and pesticides, loss of low grassy areas, removal of old trees, increase in car traffic and others. The number of little owl s in the Czech Republic has been falling sharply in recent decades. Today, the little owl is on the list of critically endangered protected species, and only a few dozen breeding pairs are monitored in the Czech Republic. Our project focuses on the protection of this endangered species. Our activities mainly include: construction and security of nesting sites, management of roadsides, monitoring, removal of anthropogenic traps or education of the public and farmers in the area of owl protection. The aim of the project is to start the implementation of the approved Action Plan for Little Owl (Athene noctua) in the Czech Republic (AOPK CR 2020) and to fulfill its medium-term goals, ie. to reverse the declining trend in abundance of the species in Czechia.

Summary of project results

Due to its critically low population in the Czech Republic, the Little Owl (Athene noctua) is classified as critically endangered under current legislation, similar to the rest of Central Europe. In response to this severe threat to the species, in 2020, the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic approved the "Action Plan for the Little Owl (Athene noctua) in the Czech Republic", including the necessary measures to halt further population decline. The Little Owl is thus the first and so far the only bird species in the Czech Republic for which a rescue programme has been announced. Rapid implementation was necessary for the fulfilment of the sub-objectives of the rescue programme, which was possible thanks to the Save the Little Owl project led by experts in the field. The dramatic decline of the Czech population of the Little Owl, an owl formerly inhabiting almost every village and with total numbers reaching tens of thousands of pairs, is primarily due to extensive changes in the cultural landscape leading to a loss of mosaic structure with reduced food availability. Similarly, the current trend of modernisation of farms or the complete elimination of livestock production, to which the Little Owl is often tied in the Czech landscape, contributes to its endangerment. Other factors include the influence of weather (long winters with snow cover), lack of safe nesting sites, predation (mainly by marten and cats), deaths in technical traps (e.g. chimneys, pipes and water tanks), collisions with cars or poisoning by rodent poisons. The main objective of our project was to initiate the implementation of the approved Action Plan and to reverse the declining population trend of this species. The project focused on the necessary partial measures responding to the threat factors that ensure the long-term survival of a viable population of the Little Owl in the Czech Republic, i.e. a stable, non-declining population of 100-200 pairs in our territory and naturally reproducing. Every year, we have secured all known territories of the Little Owl (about 70 territories) and their immediate surroundings from anthropogenic traps. They involved securing risky water tanks, chimneys and gutters or handling inappropriately placed objects (hollow objects such as pipes and tubes were placed horizontally).  During the visits to the objects, we also informed their owners about the risk of traps and their appropriate security.

This activity aims to reduce the number of dead Little Owls in technical traps, which causes up to 30 % of all Little Owl deaths in the country. We carry out detailed spring monitoring each year, showing the country''s total numbers and thorough distribution of the Little Owl. During monitoring, we focused on areas of likely occurrence determined from historical data and recent observations from ornithologists and the general public. These were the areas of Central Bohemia, Ústí nad Labem, Plzeň, Kralovehradecky, Zlín and South Moravia regions. In 2024, we also included the Vysočina region. Thanks to the obtained data, we could subsequently check the occupied territories, secure them from technical traps, provide nest boxes, and carry out nesting checks by marking chicks. We informed road managers about the importance of not cutting road verges during the nesting season to avoid collisions between cars and Little Owl. We provided managers orientation maps with protection zones drawn 350 m from all known Little Owl breeding sites. This limited the risk of collisions between birds and cars. We wrote expert opinions or commented on administrative proceedings relating to the wild population of the Little Owl and the protection of territories, as well as to the Little Owl in human care in matters involving planned repatriations. In doing so, we have protected some nesting sites from development, the application of Stutox poison against voles or the improper release of individuals from human care. We have carried out overfeeding of Little Owls on known breeding sites. In 2023, we have overfed seven nesting sites; in 2024, we have already overfed 15 nesting sites, including with the help of farmers. The activity has encouraged nesting pairs to obtain sufficient food during nesting, even in adverse weather conditions or the absence of prey on the site. Feeding can increase the chances of survival of the chicks and keep the parents in good condition. We have conducted research that has revealed new findings about the species, its habitat and farmer attitudes. The results have helped to increase understanding and will inform future conservation efforts for the Little Owl. 

We funded and managed conservation efforts with farmers at four sites near Little Owl breeding grounds. This included installing 110 crutches for raptors and owls, planting 11 trees and 600 shrubs, and establishing 2.2 hectares of alfalfa cover with mosaic mowing. Farmers eagerly participated, benefiting the Little Owl, other birds, and insects. We installed 50 safe nest boxes, some protected against predators, increasing nesting success and population numbers. A sociological survey of 15 farmers revealed their views on conservation, the Little Owl, subsidies, and voles. This informed better communication and problem-solving strategies. We created a habitat suitability map for the Little Owl based on long-term data, aiding future repatriation efforts.

We evaluated prey availability in four Little Owl hunting habitats (corridor, ruderal, meadow, field) by collecting data on small mammals and beetles during autumn and spring. This information helps create food-rich habitats. We also monitored genetic variation and gene flow among Little Owl subpopulations in the Czech Republic and Central Europe, informing conservation decisions and repatriations.

The project aims to stabilise a viable population of at least 100 breeding pairs of the Little Owl that can reproduce naturally. We have achieved this goal. The population has remained almost the same number of individuals for three years without a downward trend. It should be added that population growth is a longer-term goal that cannot be met during the three-year project, given the low survival of juveniles (approximately 10%). The population is still fragile and may be affected by other (less controllable) factors such as extreme weather, disease, higher genetic relatedness, etc. It is, therefore, essential to continue protecting the Little Owl and its long-term activities. We are still aware of the need to intensify activities and address repatriations that could strengthen the existing population. We also believe in the ongoing education and planned change in agricultural policy, as well as the improving attitude of farmers, which would be the best tool to spread the Little Owl back into the Czech landscape.