The woodpecker guild composition in the forests of central Lithuania

Abstract

Most of woodpecker species are and endangered in Europe and Lithuania. The estimation of rare woodpecker species population size has been changed during the last decade significantly: from 4 times (the Medium spotted woodpecker) to 100 times (the White backed woodpecker). The aim of this study is to analyze the species composition and density of woodpecker guilds in the forest of central Lithuania. The census were provided in central part of Lithuania, mainly in mixed deciduous-spruce forests. Totally, census was fulfilled in 35 study plots. The average density of the Great spotted woodpecker was highest (14.66 pair / 100 ha). Other woodpecker species was much rarer: the Black woodpecker (1.80 pair / 100 ha), the Medium spotted woodpecker (1.34 pair / 100 ha), the White-backed woodpecker (1.20 pair / 100 ha) and the Lesser spotted woodpecker (1.17 pair / 100 ha) was more than one pair in 100 ha. Mostly rare woodpeckers were the Three-toed woodpecker (0.46 pair / 100 ha), the Grey woodpecker (0.37 pair / 100 ha) and the Green woodpecker (0.06 pair / 100 ha). The analysis showed that abundance of rare woodpecker species is significantly higher in Natura 2000 sites selected for the Three-toed woodpecker protection, but not for the White-backed woodpecker and the Medium spotted woodpecker. The protected areas (Natura 2000 territory selected for any bird species) significantly favour the populations of the White-backed woodpecker and significant on the Medium spotted woodpecker. The abundance of the White-backed woodpeckers were significantly higher in optimum habitats. The density of woodpeckers are varying from country to country but in general is similar and could be explained by methodological and regional (south-north) reasons.