The Saker population in Ukraine is extremely vulnerable. Major threats are poaching (includes taking out birds for falconry), inadequate food supply, lack of breeding sites. Therefore, we support a reasonable position to return the status «endangered» for the species.

At the Saker International Conference in Hungary, September 2010, there was presented a report by Yu. V. Milobog and V.V. Vetrov on the current state of population of this species in Ukraine and adjacent territories. As a result of more detailed studies conducted in recent years, the number was estimated as 315-345 pairs. The report is available here:

Milobog Y., Vetrov V. Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) in Ukraine and adjacent areas // Conservation of the Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) in Europe – Sharing the results of the life06nat/h/000096 “Conservation of the Falco cherrug in the Carpathian Basin” Project (Bukk National Park Directorate Eger, Hungary, 16-18 September 2010)

Size 40 kB, pdf-file

If you would like to purchase the journal please contact the editor Viktor Belik (strepet@raptors.org.ua), in Ukraine – to Yury Milobog (ym@raptors.org.ua).

Price of the journal is 70 roubles + shipping costs. If you would like to purchase the journal please contact the editor Viktor Belik (strepet@raptors.org.ua), in Ukraine – to Yury Milobog (ym@raptors.org.ua).

Price of the journal is 60 roubles + shipping costs. If you would like to purchase the journal please contact the editor Viktor Belik (strepet@raptors.org.ua), in Ukraine – to Yury Milobog (ym@raptors.org.ua).

Belik, V.P. 2009. Birds of planted forests of the steppe Ciscaucasia: Composition and formation of ornithofauna in arid conditions. – Kryvyi Rih: Mineral. 215 p.

This book represents a text of the dissertation defended in 1986 at Institute of Zoology of Ukrainian Academy of Sciences in Kyiv. Despite a slight declining interest in this subject in the 1980s – after the release of a large series of publications of the Ukrainian and Russian zoologists, dedicated to the study of ornithofauna of steppe planted forests – these studies are still valid until now.

It’s the point that precisely at that period the USSR had accumulated extensive data on faunogenesis of birds, which were repeatedly discussed in the press, but, apparently, not comprehended to an end. Only recently, when it was prepared the information ground, “ploughed” by current global dynamics of the bird ranges, there arose prerequisites for a deeper analysis of the collected data of that period. And a brief overview of the problem, undertaken again in 2003 (Ornithologia (Ornithology), Issue 30, pp. 25-31), has found a very favorable response among specialists. Therefore, it would be useful once again to discuss these issues on particular materials, which are contained in the dissertation.

In addition, it is also important to take a retrospective look at the faunistic situation of the 1970s, characterized by an extremely dry climate with two severe droughts in 1972 and 1975 covering almost the entire territory of North Eurasia. They then led to a massive shrinkage in the stands of artificial forests of the steppe zone, the disappearance of some mesophilous animal species in steppe forests and, on the contrary, invasion of some xerophilous forms from the south.
But already in the late 1970s characteristics of climatic processes in the steppe south have dramatically changed. A pluvial period started in 1979 and continuing until the present time, caused no less dramatic changes in the fauna of the steppe forests. They began manifesting themselves already in the early 1980s, being especially noticeable in the centuries-old plantations of Donskoy and Leninsky (Aleksandrovsky) forestries of Rostov region. Further researches in stands of artificial forests conducted in the south of Rostov region have demonstrated cardinal changes not only in fauna but also in population of birds of the steppe forest plantations (Belik, Zabashta 2001).
So now, unless the climatic trends change again, it is essential to repeat the broad scan survey of ornithofauna of planted forests in the steppe south to collect a specific factual material for clarifying the above-mentioned features of the modern faunogenesis, compare the current state of the ornithofauna with that of the 1970s, and check forecasts made 20 years ago. And the publication of this book may stimulate new researches in this direction.

The book represents a brief history of studying the birds of planted forests of the steppe zone, describes forest-growing conditions of the steppe Ciscaucasia and gives characteristics of all investigated stands of artificial forests. Next, there are lists of all bird species observed in these forests and brief sketches of breeding dendrophils, including 10 species of birds of prey. A major part of the work is a detailed analysis of all the biotic and abiotic factors determining the composition of the ornithofauna of artificial forests, and analysis of characteristics of development of fauna and bird population in planted forests of the steppe Ciscaucasia, as well as general discussion of the genesis of the avifauna of artificial plantations of the steppe zone.
The publication is of interest not only for ornithologists experts, but also for birdwatchers, students and teachers in schools and universities, as well as for foresters practitioners, for whom birds are the main helpers in the fight against pests of the steppe forest plantations.

The book can be ordered in Kryvyi Rih from Yury Milobog (ym@raptors.org.ua) or in Rostov-on-Don from Viktor Belik (strepet@raptors.org.ua). The price of the book is 20 UAH + shipping costs.

V.P. Belik, specially for the UBPRC website

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (1994) as a vulnerable species, and has the status of ‘Least Concern’ in the Red List of IUCN/Birdlife (2004). In the new edition of the Red Data Book (in print) it is referred as ‘rare’.

The second half of the 20^th century was characterized with a catastrophic decrease of species numbers in all parts of the range especially in the Mediterranean area. As a result in 1980s the Peregrine population in Ukraine reached its minimum equaling to about 15-20 pairs. However already since 1980s the population showed a restoration trend in the Crimea. In the end of the 20^th century and in the beginning of the 21^st century the increase rate of numbers was rather high (as for such a rare species). This process attracted attention of ornithologists from Ukraine and recently three groups of specialists have published 3 papers, which we present below to download. All of them mutually complete each other and allow to receive quite a full image of the current status of the Peregrine Falcon in Ukraine. The numbers of breeding birds in the Crimea were estimated by V.N. Kucherenko and S.Yu.Kostin (2003) as 50-55 pairs, M.M.Beskaravainy and A.N.Tsvelykh (2009) – about 70 pairs, V.V.Vetrov, S.P.Prokopenko and Yu.V.Milobog (2009) about 105–110 pairs and additive 10-15 pairs in the Carpathians.

Thus, the Peregrine Falcon still remains a rare bird in Ukraine requiring all the protection. Today the Carpathian population of the peregrine is the least known. Any find of a nest is of undoubted interest. Also there are poor data on breeding of the Peregrine Falcon in cities all over Ukraine; such cases of breeding are informed from time to time but they are not proved. And, at last, since 1960s any case of the Peregrine Falcon’s nesting on a tree has not been known.

According to results of the conference the proceedings were published: Zoological science in modern society. Proceedings of the all-Ukrainian Scientific Conference dedicated to 175-years anniversary of foundation of the Department of Zoology of Kyiv National University named after T.G.Shevchenko (15-18 September 2009, Kyiv-Kaniv). Kyiv: Fitosociotsentr, 2009. 532 p. [in Ukrainian]. The proceedings include three publications on birds of prey:

Thus, the new list was approved by the order of Ministry of Environmental Protection of Ukrain No 313 of 17.06.2009 “About approval of lists of animal species which are included in the Red Data Book of Ukriane (animal world) and animal species which are excluded from the Red Data Book of Ukraine (animal world)”, registered in Ministry of Justice of Ukraine with No 627/16643 of 13 July 2009.
In general, numbers of species in the Red Data Book increased from 67 (in the second edition) to 86 (in the third edition). At this no one species was excluyded comparing with the previous edition. As for birds of prey their number was added by 4 species. They are Black Kite, Montagu’s Harrier, Short-eared Owl and Scops Owl.
I have to disappoint future readers of the Red Data Book of Ukraine. Similar to previous editions there will be only one page dedicated for each species so it will be rather short information.
Below there is the list of animals which are to be included to the Red Data Book of Ukraine (Falconiformes and Owls):

The complete list of animals which will be included to the Red Data Book of Ukraine can be seen at website of Ministry of Environmental Protection of Ukraine.

Maxim Gavrilyuk

Modern Study of Birds of Prey and Owls. Materials of ІІІ International Scientific Conference «Birds of prey and Owls of Ukraine», Kryvyi Rih, 24–25 October 2008 / Gavrilyuk M.N., Fesenko H.V. (eds.). – Kryvyi Rih, 2008. – 412 p.

The book includes reports and posters submitted on scientific conference held in Kryvyi Rih on October 2008 and contains data of last study in broad range of questions of ecology, protection and use of birds of prey and owls distributed mainly in Eastern Europe. Materials of the book can be interested by professional ornithologists, environmental workers and amateurs in pedigreed pigeons breeding and falconry.

If you are not an author of one of articles included in the book, it costs for you 25 UAH. The book can be bought in Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Bogdan Hmelnitsky str, 15 – to apply to Hennadiy Fesenko.

If you want to receive the book by post, contact please Yurij Milobog ym@raptors.org.ua. For additional information just send a message to info@raptors.org.ua.

Contents:

1. Abuladze, А. V. Bonelli’s Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus (Vieill.) in Georgia and adjacent areas. 5−10.
2. Abuladze, А. V. Edisherashvili, G.V. Results of winter birds-of-prey census in Georgia in February 2006. 11–18.
3. Andryushchenko, Yu. A., Popenko, V. M. New data on birds of prey and owls in the steppe Crimea. 19−24.
4. Belik, V. P., Vetrov, V. V., Milobog, Yu. V., Malovichko, L. V. Breeding of the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca Sav.) in the steppe Stavropolie. 25−27.
5. Belik, V. P., Milobog, Yu. V., Vetrov, V. V, Guguieva, E. V. Materials for estimating numbers of the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina C.L. Brehm) on Krasnodar Territory and Adyghei. 28−32.
6. Bokotey, A. A., Dziubenko, N. V. Location and numbers dynamics of birds of prey in Lviv. 33−38.
7. Buchko, V. V., Cheremnykh, N. M. Trophic links of the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo (L.) in Halytsky National Natural Park. 39−44.
8. Veselsky, M. F., Kratiuk, O. L. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos (L.) in Zhytomyr region. 45−50.
9. Vetrov, V. V., Milobog, Yu. V. Distribution of the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca Sav.) in the steppe area of Ukraine. 51−54.
10. Vetrov, V. V., Remizov, A.Yu., Shkrabaliuk, A. P. About breeding of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba (Scop.) in the Crimea. 55−57.
11. Vintchevski, D. E. Selective consumption of different parts of small prey by Montagu’s Harriers (Circus pygargus (L.) in Western Belarus. 58−64.
12. Vintchevski, D. E., Koks B., Trierweiler C., Visser E. Satellite tracking of Montagu’s Harriers (Circus pygargus (L.) origing from Western Belarus: preliminary data. 65−72.
13. Havrylenko, V. S., Listopadsky, M. А. Birds of prey in natural and transformed ecosystems of the Biosphere Reserve “Askania-Nova”. 73−78.
14. Gavrilyuk, M. N., Gryshchenko, V. M. Breeding productivity of the White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla (L.) in Ukraine in 1988-2008. 79−85.
15. Galushin, V. M., Kostin, A. B. Birds of prey and tolerant ornithology. 86−90.
16. Herasymchuk, O. O. About fauna of birds of prey on sludge pits and technogenic pools of Kryvbas (Kryvyi Rih area). 91−94.
17. Gorban, I. M., Dzyziuk, O. I. Birds of prey of the “Maidan” hunting area (Lviv region). 95−98.
18. Gryshchenko, V. N. Birds of prey in the Kaniv Reserve and neighbouring areas. 99−105.
19. Domashevsky, S. V. Birds of prey and owls in the “Mezhrechensky” Regional Landscape Park. 106−117.
20. Domashevsky, S. V., Vetrov, V. V. A new record of the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus (L.) in the Crimea. 118.
21. Domashevsky, S. V., Vetrov, V. V., Ragyov, D. N., Dixon, A. A case of the Saker (Falco cherrug J.E. Gray) incubating a clutch of the Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus L.). 119.
22. Domashevsky, S. V., Kostiushin, V. A. Breeding of the Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus L.) in the south of Kyiv Polissia. 120−121.
23. Domashevsky, S.V., Kostiushin, V. A., Pismennyi, K. A. A breeding group of the Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus (Cretzschm.) in the south of Kyiv region. 122−124.
24. Dombrovsky, V. Ch., Zhuravlev, D. V. Rare species of birds of prey in strictly protected nature areas of Belarus Polissia bordering with Ukraine. 125−133.
25. Ivanovsky, V. V. Results of long-term experience in attraction of birds of prey to artificial nests. 134−138.
26. Kapeliukh, Ya. I. Birds of prey and owls in the Natural Reserve “Medobory”. 139−145.
27. Kyiko, A. O, Gorban, I. M., Gorban, L. I. Birds of prey (Falconiformes) in the Natural Reserve “Roztochchia”. 146−150.
28. Kinda, V. V. A record of the Levant Sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes (Severtzov) in the Crimea. 151−152.
29. Kitel, D. A., Prokopchuk, V. V. Breeding of the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo (L.) on artificial nesting platforms in the south-west of Belarus. 153−157.
30. Knysh, N. P. Status of population and biology of the Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus (L.) in the forest-steppe area of Sumy region. 158−161.
31. Knysh, N. P., Stativa, A. I., Bugaev, I. A., Savostian, V. M., Kuksa, Yu. V. Spring migration of birds of prey (Falconiformes) in the forest-steppe zone of the North-Eastern Ukraine. 162−167.
32. Kostin, S. Yu. Retrospective analysis of Falconiformes status in the Crimea. 168−182.
33. Koshelev, A. I., Kopylova, T. V., Koshelev, V. A. Birds of prey occupying Corvidae nests in the Northern Priazovie. 183−186.
34. Koshelev, A. I., Koshelev, V. A., Peresadko, L. V., Dubinina, Yu. Yu. Resistance of waterbird colonies to attacks birds of prey. 187−192.
35. Koshelev, A. I., Nikolenko, A. N., Gorshkov, A. A. Birds of prey and owls, pedigreed pigeons and pigeon-breeders in Ukraine: escalation of conflict. 193−198.
36. Koshelev, А. I., Peresadko, L. V., Spenser, I., Spenser, B. Birds of prey of Texas: autumn aspect. 199−201.
37. Кошелев В. А., Koshelev, V. A. Birds of prey in ornithocomplexes of Northern Priazovie. 202−204.
38. Kravchenko, S. H. Data on feeding the Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus (Cretzschm.) in Prysamarie. 205−209.
39. Kuzmenko, Yu. V., Fedun, O. M., Kornienko, T. M. Autumn migration of birds of prey in Chernihiv region. 210–216.
40. Kucherenko, V. N. Birds of prey (Falconiformes) in Western Crimea. 217−222.
41. Malovichko, L. V., Konstantinov, V. M. Influence of the Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus (L.) on breeding success of Waders in the Central Ciscaucasia. 223−228.
42. Malovichko, L. V., Fedosov, V. N., Blokhin, G. I., Safatov, P. V. About birds-of-prey death on the Central Ciscaucasia highways. 229−234.
43. Matviychuk, O. A., Pirkhal, A. B. Numbers and distribution of birds of prey in Vinnytsia region. 235−240.
44. Matsiura, O. V., Matsiura, M. V. Black-Sea-region-meteorological-condition influence on time and intensity of migration of some birds-of-prey species in the Middle East. 241−248.
45. Melnikov, V. N. Falcons (Falco) in the east of the upper Volga region. 249−254.
46. Milobog, Yu. V., Vetrov, V. V. Current status of the Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus (Gm.) in Ukraine. 255−259.
47. Mistriukova, L. M. Peculiarities of Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus (L.) breeding in Bilogrudivskyi Forest of Uman district. 260−262.
48. Mitiay, I. S., Strihunov, V. I. Problems and prospectives of studying egg forms of Falconiformes. 263−273.
49. Moroz, V. A., Halushchenko, S. V., Rusin, M. Yu. Data on numbers of birds of prey in Provalskaia steppe. 274−278.
50. Nadtochy, A. S. New records of the Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus (Cretzschm.) in Kharkiv region. 279−280.
51. Oleinik, D. S., Redinov, K. A., Formaniuk, O. A. About migration of birds of prey across the Kinburn Peninsula in autumn 2006. 281−285.
52. Petrovych, Z. O., Redinov, K. O. Revealing the concentration site of Red-footed Falcons (Falco vespertinus L.) during autumn migration in the North-Western Black Sea area. 286−289.
53. Petrovych, Z. O., Redinov, K. O. Breeding birds of prey on the Kinburn Peninsula. 290−295.
54. Petrovnin, S. V. Use of different types of falconry perches when keeping birds of prey. 296−299.
55. Pilipenko, D. V. Birds of prey of artificial forests in the south of Donetsk region: historical review and current status. 300−306.
56. Pismennyi, K. A. Breeding of the Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus (Gm.) in Kyiv region and problems of its adaptation to human economic activity. 307−311.
57. Polishchuk, I. K. Influence of snow cover on the diet of the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus (L.) in the Biosphere Reserve “Askania-Nova”. 312−318.
58. Ponomarenko, O. L. Comparative analysis of feeding of the Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis (L.) and Buzzard (Buteo buteo (L.) in Prisamarie (Dnipropetrovk region). 319−325.
59. Redinov, K. O., Petrovych, Z. O., Oliynyk, D. S. The Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis (L.) in Mykolayiv region. 326−337.
60. Redinov, K. O., Petrovych, Z. O., Formaniuk, O. O., Panchenko, P. S. Winter records of the Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga Pall.) and Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos (L.) in the North-Western Black Sea area. 338−343.
61. Remizov, A. Yu., Vetrov, V. V. A find of nestlings of the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo (L.) in the Crimea. 344.
62. Seliverstov, N. M. Problems and prospectives of studying egg colouration of birds of prey (Falconifomes). 345−349.
63. Strihunov, V. I. History of Ukrainian Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls. 350−353.
64. Syzhko, V. V. About the status of the Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga Pall.) and the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca Sav.) in Dnipropetrovsk region. 354−358.
65. Fesenko, H. V. Ethic and natural aspects of the conflict between amateur pigeon-breeding and protection of birds of prey and owls. 359−363.
66. Tsvelykh, A. N. Wintering of the Buzzard (Buteo buteo (L.) in Mountainous Crimea. Analysis of colouration morphs and population origin of wintering birds. 364−369.
67. Tsvelykh, A. N. Fauna of birds of prey of Mountainous Crimea in Upper Pleistocene. 370−373.
68. Chaplyhina, A. B. Ecological characteristics of the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus (L.) in urban landscapes (in Kharkiv in particular). 374−377.
69. Shevtsov, A. O. Current status of population of the Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus (Cretzschm.) in Kirovohrad region. 379−384.
70. Shepel, A. I. Some results of studying trophic links of birds of prey (according to meetings in North Eurasia). 385−389.
71. Shergalin, E. E. The history of falconry in the Crimea. 390−394.
72. Yanchuk, I. S. Birds of prey (Falconiformes) in the eastern outskirts of Kryvyi Rih. 395−401.

[in Ukrainian] File size 1.3 МB, – pdf.

The book is a component of the UBPRC initiative to provide regular monitoring for diurnal birds of prey and owls in Ukraine. It includes issues of organization and implementation of the monitoring program. Published in Ukrainian.