Contents

Editorial

Estoppey, F. – A declining Woodcock Scolopax rusticola population in the Jorat forest (Vaud, Western Switzerland). The numbers of contacts with «roding» male Woodcock were recorded in the centre of three territories in the Jorat forest, (Lausanne, canton of Vaud, Switzerland). Between 1982 and 1987 numbers were relatively stable. Between 1988 and 1992 after attaining a high level they dropped dramatically reaching zero in the three roding territories indicating a decline in the overall population of this 3000 ha forest. Listening to the roding in other parts of the Jorat forest indicated that the decline affected the entire area. Between 1992 and 1997 a few contacts were made indicating the occasional presence of a few individuals, perhaps breeding. Possible reasons for the decline are discussed (type of vegetation, availability of food, climatic conditions, hunting, human disturbance). This last reason is probably the most important. The reduction in the Woodcock population is important (64.5%) in all medium altitude forested areas.

Mulhauser, B. – Situation of the Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola during the breeding season in the Canton of Neuchâtel between 1998 and 2000. In order to determine the breeding population of Woodcock in the Canton of Neuchâtel 320 listening points were visited between 1998 and 2000. Of these 97 (30%) provided evidence of the presence of Woodcock. The individuals seen were spread across 27 different roding areas. In addition 5 roding areas identified between 1990 and 1997 were not occupied during the 3 years that were studied. Four of the unoccupied areas were found in the first eastern anticline of the Jura in regions of moderate rainfall (1300 to 1400mm/year) while occupied sites are in more humid areas and receive >1500mm/year. The overall tendency appears to be towards a reduction in numbers of the species in the canton of Neuchâtel in spite of the fact that Woodcock populations vary over a ten-year period. Between 1998 and 2000 simultaneous counts lead to an evaluation of a population of between 33 and 77 breeding males for the entire canton. These results make it clear that the Woodcock is now a threatened or highly threatened species that should be added to the cantonal red book.

Estoppey, F. – Demographics of a breeding population of Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola in western Switzerland from 1989 to 2000. Between 1989 and 2000 a demographic study was made of the breeding population of the Eurasian Woodcock in western Switzerland using random sampling of listening points during the evening roding period. From 1991 to 2000 (from 1989 in the case of the canton of Vaud only), an average of 72 listening points drawn at random were visited each year out of a total of 533 known locations. The average proportion of sites having Woodcock present (T) was 0,245 ± 0,040 (N = 10), while the average number of contacts with riding males per occupied site was 5,1 ± 0,8 (N = 10). No significant reduction in numbers could be detected during the period of the study either of T or N. Nevertheless the values of N were typically lower during the second phase of the study (1996-2000) than during the first phase (1991-1995). The study of the Vaud population over a period of 12 years showed a cyclical variation of both indices with a periodicity of 3 to 5 years. N follows the same cycle as T but lagging by a year. While the reasons for the cycles are not known the lag might be the result of an increase in the number of males (N) after a year of high numbers (high value of T), possibly due to higher recruitment those years.

Posse, B. – Ornithological report for the autumn and winter period of 1999-2000.

Barbalat, A. – Wintering waterfowl in western Switzerland: November 1999, January 2000.

Maumary, L. – Bird news: February, March and April 2001.

Desbiolles, P. – A Sand Martin Riparia riparia breeding colony in a natural site on the bank of the river Broye (canton Fribourg, Switzerland). The colony was discovered on the 3rd of June 2000. 16 fresh holes, all of them in an early stage of excavation, are counted. On 11 June, 27 holes and 20 pairs of Sand Martins are numbered. On 11 July, the number of holes has reached 29; the water level of the river is very high after a heavy rainfall. On 17 July, only 23 holes are found, the others have been flooded. The vegetation hides some of the holes and a part of the bank has been eroded. On 18 July, 19 young birds are recorded at the entrances of the nesting holes (one with 5 young, two with 4, one with 2 and 4 holes with only one young visible). They are close to fledging. This is one of the very rare breeding records in a natural site in Switzerland.

Wacker-Rochat, A. – Annual meeting of the Society Nos Oiseaux, Salquenen, 25 February 2001.

Jacquat, M. S. – «The Night of the Owl» – a very successful public event.