Liczebność i rozmieszczenie lelka Caprimulgus europaeus w Lasach Konecko-Przysuskich

This paper presents the data on population size and distribution of the European Nightjar Caprimulgus europeus from surveys carried out in the Konecko-Przysuskie Forest in Central Poland. The data was collecetd in 2016 on two plots (,,Wąsosz” – 42 km2 and ,,Kozłowiec” – 32 km2) within habitats suitable for Nightjars. Each plot was visited at night twice, in the first week of June and July, when males were stimulated by using the playback of territiorial calls. The results of the resarch varied between the plots. In total, the density amounted to 3.5–6.5 territories per 10 km2 of forested area with most (91% and 78% respectively) being located in pine belts. In addition, the average size of optimal habitat (clearcutting area, plantation timber), including one territory, was 3.0–3.4/10 ha, but the smallest ones ranged 1.7–2.4 per 10 ha. The research concludes that intensive clearcut logging provides plenty of suitable habitat for the Nightjar.