Winter tracking of hazel grouse in Kočevje area

BirdLife Slovenia, as external contractor kept winter records of hazel grouse tracks in march 2015. Inventory took place in preselected transects, following outlined transect using GPS device and map.

Tracking was done using snowshoes or backcountry skis. Listing is limited to period from dusk untill down, time of recording is not relevant.  Every sign of hazel grouse is recorded on each transect (ie. Tracks in snow, excrement, feathers). Every sign is geolocated using GPS device and recorded in record form, which also serves for recording of habitat.

Tracking was harder due to pine needles and other plant litter on snow caused by strong march winds. Tracks of hazel grouse were found on one transect in 6 different locations.