Breeding density of the Scops Owl Otus scops in urban settlements on the island of Brač (Central Dalmatia)

Between 19 and 25 Apr, 2003, a Scops Owl Otus scops survey was carried out with the playback method on the island of Brač in Croatia, encompassing 20 human settlements scattered over the entire island. In eight settlements, a total of 24 calling Scops Owl males were recorded. With the exception of a single individual, all owls were registered in the settlements, which is a common characteristic of this owl species in Southern Europe. Given that in a great part of the island the owls were not recorded, either because it was not surveyed or because owls did not respond due to adverse weather conditions, the authors assume that the island's Scops Owl population is greater than that established through their survey. The crude density for the entire island was estimated at 0.06 calling males/km², whereas for the central and western parts of the island, where all individuals were surveyed, it reached 0.18 calling males/km². The ecological densities for all settlements and only for those on central and western parts of the island were 0.9 and 2.0 calling males/10 ha, respectively. The ecological densities for separate settlements ranged between 3.1 and 15.0 calling males/10 ha and are considered among the highest in Europe.