Another problem is hikers and climbers who may unintentionally disturb the habitats of the owls during breeding season.
More dangerous are power poles and electrical lines. Annually, about 20 of Bavaria's owls die from becoming entangled in electrical power poles and lines.
The good news is that help is on the way for the Bavarian owls. The Bavarian Bird Protection Association [Landesbund fuer Vogelschutz in Bavarai (LBV)] is developing a conservation method.
To understand what is causing the declining owl population, six owl pairs have been fitted with mini cameras and mini transmitters. The researchers hope that the data they collect will give them information about the hunting habitat, hunting routes, flight patterns, and the eating and nesting behavior of the owls, so they can develop a management plan that will stabilize the owl population.
The project is also supported by the German Federal Environmental Association [Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)].
Germany Successful in Protecting the Species
In the 1950s, it was common knowledge that the owl population in Gremany was being killed off. Back then, there were only 40 owl breeding pairs in the whole country. A comprehensive conservation program with significant legal conditions was implemented that allowed the owl population to slowly recover from impending extinction. According to the German Society for Nature Conservation (NABU), there are now more than 850 breeding owl pairs in Germany.
Listen to the Call "Bubo bubo"
The well-known, loud owl hoot, huhu or schuhu, buhoo or uhju, gave the owl the German name "Uhu." Also the latin name "Bubo Bubo" was derived from the owl's hoot. To hear the owl’s hoot go to http://www.nabu.de/m05/m05_03/03540.html and click on "Uhu." One can also watch the birds through the SWR webcam at http://webcam.pixtura.de/SWR_UHU/
Background
The mission of the German Society for Nature Conservation (NABU) is to bring people who are interested in nature together in the hope that they will become active environmentalists.
NABU states on its Website, "We want our future generations to have an earth that one can live on, that has a diverse population, good air, clean water, a healthy environment, and resources that support life.
NABU had its greatest success with the re-introduction of the owl. The population is stable and NABU continues to monitor losses in breeding birds.
