Yordan Spasov Koshev

The project started with purchase of equipment to be use in the project. We bought GPS GARMIN Geko 301, 2 binoculars Olympus 10x50 DPS R, photo films, maps and etc. After Sousliks’ winter hibernation and the end of the migration of the birds of prey, a team of field zoologists mapped the Souslik’s colonies in the area between the rivers Topolnitsa and Luda Yana. In this area more than 30 settlements were visited and some 250 local people - enquired. Initial results of this inquiry show that the Souslik’s population declines progressively during the last 15 years. The density of the birds of prey seems to have decreased too. Probable causes for this negative tendency could be:

-Agricultural intensification and introduction of monocultures, changing the suitable habitats for Souslik.

-Strong decrease of the areas used as pastures by the livestock.

-Destruction of habitats in general (in the region of the Sredna Gora Mountains many Souslik colonies were destroyed after the appearance of mines and pits).

17 actual Souslik colonies and more than 20 abandoned ones were mapped by GPS. Four model colonies (by Tserovo, Zvanichevo, Popintsi and Tsar Assen) were chosen for monitoring twice a month.

Recently two teams, comprising ornithologists and NGO volunteers, observe the model colonies, trying to investigate them and establish potential threats. The monitoring concerns: interactions between predators and Sousliks, research of the predator’s diet, studying the anthropogenic pressure etc.

As a forthcoming activity a reading of lectures and performing educational talks is planned in the region. Brochure about the sousliks/habitat/predators interaction is to be printed soon.

Monitoring

The team observes monthly souslik’s model colonies. We try to estimate the habitat preferences, human impact and predator-pray interactions. The team have registered the following birds of prey: Buzzard (Buteo buteo) – 10 individuals, including 4 breeding pairs, Long-legged buzzard (B. rufinus) – 2 breeding pairs, Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) – 2 individuals, Sparrow hawks (Accipiter nisus), Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and Short–toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus). The predator mammals in model colonies are represented by Pine martens (Matres martes), Stone martens (Martes foina), Western polecats (Mustela putorus), Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), Golden jackals (Canis aureus) and Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris).

•Survey
The team experts analysed the predator’s pellets and scats. The greatest part of the diet included small mammals especially the European souslik. In the spring when the food resources are scarce, the predators feed mainly young sousliks, which appear all together in May and become an easy prey.

•Natural calamity
During the period 4 – 6 August 2005 in the region of rivers Topolnitsa and Luda Yana there were such pelting rainfalls as were never observed before. Several dam lakes and rivers overflowed and many souslik colonies were flooded, including some of our model colonies. The floods are considered to be one of the main causes for European souslik’s mortality.

•Poster publishing
In July the team prepared and published a poster dedicated to the conservation of both the European souslik and the predators feeding on it. One of the main aims of this poster was to explain the principal factors threatening the sousliks in the region and to present to the children this animal and the predators connected with it.

•Coming activities
Some souslik colonies situated in the studied area are expected to be included in the European network of protected areas NATURA 2000. Public lectures representing the project activities and explaining the main factors that threaten the souslik will be carried out.

Read about the activities undertaken and findings of this project in the final report below.