Vig Károly: Zoological Research in Western Hungary. A history (Szombathely, 2003)
208 Phylum Vertebrata the territory. On September 27, 1998, NÉMETH (1999b and 2000) observed an example of the Alpine swift (Apus melba) on the ridge between the Óház-tető and Pintér-tető peaks in the Kőszeg Hills. This second observation of the species in Hungary was certified by the Nomenclature Committee. Researches in the planned Csörnöc Landscape Conservation Area (SZINETÁR and GYURÁCZ 1993; SZINETÁR 1994a and 1994b; BARBÁCSY 1999) have so far identified 169 bird species there. Contributions to knowledge of the bird-life in the area came in earlier decades from LAJOS MOLNÁR, JÓZSEF CSABA, SÁNDOR FARAGÓ and LÁSZLÓ VARGA. A few bee-eater (Merops apiaster) pairs breed in the sandpits of the Vas Ridge (SZANYI 1992). Seasonal variation in the content and structure of the bird communities in the Csörnöc Valley were studied by JÓZSEF GYURÁCZ and PÉTER BÁNHIDI (1985), who established that no appreciable seasonal variation occurred in species diversity and balance, which could be explained by the high species turnover. The species structure of communities change substantially, but the average number of species in each community and the dispersion of individuals hardly alter. Annual nature-protection study camps are arrange to research into life along the Csörnöc. These have contributed much to knowledge of the flora and fauna there (GYURÁCZ 1997a). PÉTER ILLÉS (1982) gave an account of the bird species feeding near Körmend in a piece of 200-300 sq. m of ploughland without surface run-off. JÓZSEF GYURÁCZ (1995a and 1995b) examined changes in the numbers of 25 bird species in 1992, 27 in 1993 and 22 in 1994, in Dobogó Wood at Körmend. Although the short survey periods restrict the general validity of his findings, they show that populations of most species move around an average figure. ATTILA MESTERHÁZY (1997) studied hole-nesting bird species in Haraszti Wood near Nemesládony. Thirty nest boxes were placed in an old stand, most of which attracted occupants. TIBOR KELEMEN (2001b) studied bird-life in the Felsőcsatár district. Sixty-five of the 105 species observed also bred there. Rare nesters worth mentioning are the black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) and grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea). Two pairs of the strictly protected dipper (Cinclus cinclus) moved in by the River Pinka. LINDA MAGYAR (2001) published a register of bird species observed in the Kőszegszerdahely, Bozsok and Velem district, as part of the Monitoring of Common Birds programme. 89 The population of black redstarts (Phoenicurus ochruros) nesting in the Ság Hill Landscape Conservation Area was ringed and the nests were measured in 1993. The researchers found 32 occupied and 34 nests from the previous year or earlier years. The high number of nests robbed can be blamed on excessive local numbers of beech martens (Marres foina —GÓCZÁN and MIHÓK 1994). A specimen of the white-backed treecreeper (Dendrocopos leucotos) was caught in a net during ringing at Ság Hill on July 23, 1992 (GÓCZÁN 1993). 89 See NAGY, К. 2000. A „Mindennapi Madaraink Monitoringja" állományfelmérő program rövid bemutatása (Short introduction to the census programme 'Monitoring of Common Birds'). Cinege 5:34-7.
