After the floods: helping two Czech river birds recover

Destroyed Kingfisher nesting habitat

The rivers of the Czech Republic have often been celebrated in art and music for their beauty. Yet recent floods, notably those of summer 2002, did not just cause a great deal of trouble for human beings; they also had a negative impact on the natural world. A number of birds that live along rivers found themselves threatened as their traditional nest sites were either washed away or, in some cases, left high and dry as the rivers found a new course. Two species particularly affected were the Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis ispida and the (White-throated) Dipper Cinclus cinclus aquaticus. A Rocha Czech is working in both the north of the country (Nachod and Orlické Hory, East Bohemia) and in the south (Prachatice and Sumava, South Bohemia) to try to assess the status of these species and to see what can be done to help their numbers recover.

The Kingfisher

In Autumn 2002, A Rocha Czech carried out a monitoring programme using volunteers to watch potential Kingfisher nesting sites along six rivers in East Bohemia. A total length of 150 kilometres of river was watched and thirty-two Kingfisher sightings were recorded, although these may only represent sixteen individuals. At the same time, the River Blanice in the Sumava part of the southern study area was also monitored. Here, the river habitat had been devastated in August 2002 by record-breaking floods and many known Kingfisher nesting sites were destroyed. This study recorded twenty-five Kingfisher sightings, although these may only represent the presence of twelve individuals. Pavel Svetlik, the project leader, has now been ringing Kingfishers in the Czech Republic for nearly forty years and has noticed a marked decline in their numbers and nesting sites.

Pavel Svetlik holding Kingfisher

As part of efforts to promote an increase in the Kingfisher population, work began in spring 2003 on making several sites in the surveyed areas more suitable for nesting. In the southern area, suitable areas of riverbank were restored to the vertical profile suitable for nests, anti-predation measures were introduced and then 60 cm deep holes were drilled in the banks with a 4 cm soil auger at about 80 cm above the usual water levels. These holes were angled upwards at approximately 15° above the horizontal to mimic the preferred characteristics of Kingfisher nests.

In the northern area at Dobré, near Nachod, A Rocha Czech is experimenting with an artificial nest site made from concrete blocks designed specifically for the purpose. These blocks are inter-locking and contain a tunnel that terminates in a nesting chamber. This site is located on a stretch of river without natural vertical banks and is in a secure place that can be regularly monitored. It is faced with mud but more work needs to be done to make it blend in with the surroundings.

In both areas, data collection on Kingfishers through monitoring and ringing at all known nest sites continues.

The Dipper

Dipper (Cinclus cinclus)

Typical Dipper habitat

Dippers have been badly affected by the flooding as many suitable nesting sites, particularly those on bridges, have been damaged or destroyed. Poor nest construction, bad choice of nest site and human interference have also contributed to lower numbers. In other countries, supplying suitable nest boxes has increased the breeding success of Dippers and it is hoped that this technique will also work in the two A Rocha Czech study sites in South and East Bohemia. In 2003 most of the work on this species has been in the south with the construction and erection of nest boxes which are mainly being placed under those remaining bridges that seem to be the preferred nesting location for Dippers. Monitoring on this species continues.

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Details of the A Rocha work on the Kingfisher and Dipper can be had from czech@arocha.org.