The Smooth Newt Lissotriton vulgaris is a hibernating amphibian, whose winter activity in central and eastern Europe is very rarely observed. We found seven Smooth Newts in late November and early December in eastern Poland in larders of the Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor. The amphibians had probably been caught by the shrike while it was looking for a suitable overwintering site. Increasing numbers of winter records of Smooth Newts may be expected in eastern Europe in connection with climate warming; analysis of the diets of certain avian species may be helpful in this respect.
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7 April 2021
Winter Records of Amphibians as Avian Prey: The Case of the Great Grey Shrike and the Smooth Newt
Martyna Paczuska,
Artur Golawski
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Ornithological Science
Vol. 20 • No. 1
January 2021
Vol. 20 • No. 1
January 2021
Bird larders
Lanius excubitor
Lissotriton vulgaris
phenology
winter activity