Tichodroma (Dec 2018)
Monitoring populácie jariabka hôrneho (Tetrastes bonasia) pomocou akustickej identifikácie kohútov / Monitoring the population of Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) using acoustic identification of cocks
Abstract
This research points to the possibility of identifying Hazel Grouse cocks (Tetrastes bonasia) on the basic of the unique characteristics of their song. The method was used to monitor the grouse population in the northern part of the Protected landscape area Horna Orava during the years 2015–2017. The Hazel Grouse cocks were provoked to singing by imitation of the cock’s and hen’s voice using the lure whistle. The reacting individuals were recorded by hand using dictaphone. Subsequent visual comparison of vocal graphic illustration enabled us to identify 21 cocks from 269 songs in 149 recordings. Each recorded cock composed his song from 6 to 10 elements, whose number and specific arrangement formed together an individual acoustic signature that allows the recognition of individual cocks. Thanks to this method, seven cocks could be monitored during each season (spring–autumn) and even during the individual years of mapping process.
