Těžebna písku Spytihněv
Vertebrate populations and species
The population of vertebrate is relatively diverse. This is possible due to the character of the pit tip where forest-like vegetation cover takes turns with surfaces almost without any vegetation.
Sand Lizard
Reptiles are represented through two species: Sand Lizard and Slow Worm. Field research documented 39 bird species with habitats in woods, shrubs and fields. The fact that black redstart and common redstart are both represented is also notable. Mammals are represented through three species – Brown Hare, Roe Deer and the overpopulated Wild Boar.
Slow Worm
Eurasian Sparrowhawk is present, which is important in terms of species conservation. It is a small bird of prey from the Accipitridae family, and it is highly endangered and therefore subject to strict protection. The female is notably bigger than the male, weighing up to twice of the male’s bodyweight. The male grows to 29–34cm in length with a wingspan of 58–65cm; the female is 35–41cm long with a wingspan of 67–80cm. The male has a slate-grey back and wings; red cheeks and chest, and white belly with rusty-red stripes. The female’s belly has taupe stripes, and usually lacks the red cheeks and chest colouring.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk – Author: Meneer Zjeroen – http://www.flickr.com
98% of its food are other birds; occasionally the sparrowhawk feeds on mammals, reptiles and insects. Its hunting range is 2–5km on average. Eurasian Sprarrowhawk was considered a pest to small birds and as such was pursued. Its population further dwindled as a result of large-scale application of DDT insecticide in the second half of the 20th century. DDT makes the eggshell weaker, so eggs could not carry the weight of the nesting birds.
