Once one starts, you won’t fall asleep again. Scientists explain the phenomenon of birds singing
Partridges start screaming after dark, thus marking their breeding areas. Scientists used this fact to count the population of field grouse.
The journalists of Czysta Polska in Polsat News went to count partridges. This was made possible by the Łochów Forest District, where the population of these birds is 350. Deputy forester Krzysztof Dzundza explained that it was the result of human efforts to recreate the species.
How are partridges counted?
– Such large concentrations of partridges are in places where we reintroduced the birds. These are the vicinity of the villages of Laski, Marianów and Baczki, where we conduct night surveillance – he explained. He explained that checking the numbers of this species involves listening to the sounds of males.
– This is a method that assumes that if we find birds calling after dark at this time in spring, it means that the territory is occupied by a pair – confirmed Dr. Hab. Paweł Nasiadka from the Institute of Animal Sciences of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences.
It starts with one male screaming first. This provokes others to speak out, leading to a night concert. – By listening, we are able to determine the center of the birds’ territory, which also facilitates the use of protective measures, for example reducing the fox population – noted the scientist.
Counting partridges. Not just by the voice
Multispectral binoculars are also used to count birds. – Thanks to thermal imaging, we can detect birds very easily, especially in the case of high-resolution thermal imaging. If we see a bird, we can quickly switch the binocular settings to digital night vision and at dusk, and even in complete darkness we will be able to easily recognize the species, which is crucial for us at this point – emphasized Michał Budzyński, who also took part in the entire process.
Scientists also explained why during the night count one of the pairs did not join in the screams of their neighbors. – This means that these birds already have a nest and do not want to reveal themselves, or the call from the neighbors was not convincing enough – said Dr. Paweł Nasiadka.
