Distribution of Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops in the Ribnica-Kočevje area (SE Slovenia)

In 2020, a census of Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops with playback method was carried out in the Ribnica-Kočevje area. The first census visit was conducted on 16 and 17 May, and the second on 6 and 7 June. At 108 survey points, 29 individuals were recorded during the first census visit and 28 in the second, which we interpreted as 27 and 23 pairs, respectively. The census showed the Scops Owl population in the region is considerably larger than previously thought. Census locations where the Scops Owl was found corresponded to the species’ known habitat, specifically open farmland with traditional orchards, hedgerows and smaller plots of trees around urban and suburban areas. Due to the remoteness of the area and the number of abandoned villages with appropriate habitat that were not surveyed, the possibility of an even higher population number exists. Taking these into consideration, the breeding population was estimated at 30–50 pairs. Given the small number of historical data, it is very likely that Scops Owl has colonised only the Ribnica-Kočevje area in the last 10–20 years. The authors recommend additional surveys with additional survey points included, especially in areas of abandoned villages and their surroundings.