There are numerous bird species that are much harder to observe during the day. For example, the Little owl (Athene noctua) is a small owl species, commonly found in rural areas of Romania. Although it remains hidden during the day, it becomes active at night and makes its characteristic call heard, especially during the breeding season.

Monitoring nocturnal species in open habitats allows us to assess these birds during their breeding period.

Since the monitoring is nocturnal, when visibility is reduced, birds can be detected almost exclusively by sound.

This year too, between 20 May and 10 June, with the help of 31 observers, we collected data on 41 species from 29 squares. Participants surveyed a total of 319 points.

At the top of the observed species list, the first place is shared by the Eurasian scops owl (Otus scops) and the Common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos), with 114 individuals recorded for each. They are followed by the Corncrake (Crex crex)  with 56, the Little owl (Athene noctua) with 35 and the Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) 33 individuals recorded.

We would like to thank the observers and volunteers, without whom this programme would not have been possible. We would also like to thank the  representatives of ANANP’s territorial services in Harghita and Covasna.