Barn owl occurence in the Kalsbad region and analysis of its pellets

The submitted thesis deals with several topics. First part is aimed at the Barn Owl occurrence in the Karlsbad region and in districts of Sokolov and Cheb in particular. Mapping of the owl occurrences is based on detailed survey of the presumed habitats, e.g. on the investigation of various activity indicators in a studied area. This bird has not been observed in the Sokolov and Cheb districts since 1998. My research demonstrates that Barn Owl is occurring in the Sokolov and Cheb districts again. Next part of the thesis deals with the analysis of the Barn Owl pellets found at the roosting places. In another part, analysis of the diet spectrum of the Barn Owl is submitted. Yet another part presents results of the Barn Owl diet composition based on the pellet analysis. The species of small mammals in Barn Owl pellets were determined according to their skeletal remnants. Analysis of the Barn Owl pellets in the studied area shows that the dominat species in the Barn Owl diet is Common Vole (Microtus arvalis) and subdominant species are the species of the family Shrews (Sorex sp., Crocidura sp., Neomys sp)