DP Baixo Sabor: Reservoir Filling and Exploitation Phases - Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) Surveys - [2015-2020]

Playback surveys were carried out at 37 count points, located in high ground near areas of favourable habitat for the Eagle Owl. The calling stations were located along the lower Sabor river valley, and its main tributaries in the area affected by the AHBS, and in upstream areas in the Sabor, Angueira and Maçãs rivers, from the river mouth up to 42 km. Each sampling point was visited ± 3 hours around sunset, corresponding to the period of greatest daily vocal activity of the Eagle Owl. In each point, a period of spontaneous listening of vocal activity was performed ("SCP", 8 minutes), followed by the playback of the Eagle Owl call (3 minutes) and for a final period of listening to the potential response of the focal, and other species ("PPP", 10 minutes). The spontaneous calls identification was made in field by experienced observers.