The Chornobyl alienated zone always attracts researches with its wild surroundings almost deprived of traces of human activity, and with abundance of various groups of animals and birds. We used a chance to realize our old desire for searching Strigiformes birds in this region, and carried out counts 21 to 25.03.2011.

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For this purpose we applied a well-known method of provoking owls by records of their voices. In forest sites we played voices of the Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owls, Great Grey Owl, in open areas – those of the Eagle Owl. Records of the Tawny Owl we used only occasionally since the species is numerous in forest areas and frequently responses voices of the above-mentioned owl species.

Information on availability of owls in the alienated zone is very poor. Data on the Great Grey Owl is limited by 6 encounters, mainly in the western part of the zone (Gashchak et al. 2006; Domashevsky 2004; pers. comm. A.V. Yastremsky). A Pygmy Owl was observed in twilight at Belorus border by S.P. Gashchak 30.06.2009 (pers. comm.) In addition, there were several records of the Eagle Owl including a fledgling found nearby the atomic station (Gashchak et al. 2006).

We started owl counts when twilight came. Moving by automobile in the forest area we made stops each 600-1000 m and played bird voices. At first we used records of small owls and finished with large ones. In opener territories (river valleys, overgrowing fields) we provoked with voices of the Eagle Owl each 2 km. This way we actively worked until midnight, then took a little rest and renewed counts from 4.00 a.m. to the sunrise. During the daytime we studied bird migration. Night counts covered the distance of approximately 137 km. The overall automobile route travelled in the alienated zone equaled to 860 km.

In the process of counts only 2 owl species were revealed: Tawny and Long-eared Owls. Besides, some small owl flickered in the car headlights in Krasno Village. Once, an owl (Tawny or Long-eared) without giving the voice approached very closely in Kopachi Village. No doubt, these results are more than scanty; they do not reflect real numbers and species composition of owls in this territory. Weather conditions also impaired the result since the last night in a promising region of counts was windy and rainy.
Diurnal migrations were not very active because of wind and some precipitation (rain, and 25.03 snow that turned into rain). Among Falconiformes there were registered: Common Buzzard – 22, Hen Harrier – 5, Sparrowhawk – 3, Goshawk – 2. Local Common Buzzards stayed near their breeding areas. Only 1 Kestrel from the breeding population was registered, all the rest did not arrived yet from their wintering grounds. The White-tailed Eagle was observed 14 times, of them 12 birds in adult plumage. Two Ravens were captured and ringed in the Uzh river valley. Everywhere in morning hours it was heard displaying of Black Grouses which are in a great number there. At night we were entertained by howling of wolves, which are also numerous in the zone, one beast even walked in front of the car at the 20 m distance. Hoofed animals also were frequently seen.

Results of these counts do not mean that such species as the Eagle Owl, Great Grey Owl, Tengmalm’s and Pygmy Owls are absent in the Chornobyl alienated zone. There is a need in further expansion of searching territory and repeated investigations in promising areas.

We are sincerely grateful to the company management of “Baker Tilly Ukraine” for the sponsorship of these field studies.

Sergey Domashevsky, Ukrainian Birds of Prey Research Centre
Igor Chizhevsky, Chornobyl Radioecological Centre”
Sergey Gashchak, State Scientific Research Organization “Chornobyl Centre on Issues of Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste and its Radioecology”

References

Gashchak S.P., Vishnevsky O.O., Zalisky O.O.: Fauna of vertabrates of the Chornobyl alienated zone (Ukraine). – Publishing house of the Chornobyl Cetre on Issues of Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste and its Radioecology”, 100 p. [in Ukrainian]

Domashevsky S.V. 2004.: Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa) in Kyiv Polissia. – Vestnik Zoologii 38 (2): 20. [in Russian]

Generally, we have received few communications, which do not completely reflect the status of monitoring of falcons and owls. The monitoring information was sent by V.Vetrov, S.Domashevksy, Yu.Milobog, V.Novak, A.Salnik, K.Pysmennyi, K.Redinov, P.Panchenko, V.Syzhko, O.Formanyuk.

In 2009 ornithologists did monitoring of some species of birds of prey in several regions of Ukraine:
− Long-legged Buzzard (Vitaly Vetrov та Yury Milobog − controlled 10 pairs, Konstantin Redinov − tracked results of breeding of 10 pairs: Sergey Domashevsky and Maxim Gavrilyuk − controlled 5 pairs);
− White-tailed Eagle (Maxim Gavrilyuk) − controlled 5 breeding sites;
− Imperial Eagle (Yury Milobog, Vitaly Vetrov) controlled 8 breeding sites;
− Short-toed Eagle (Konstantin Pysmennyi) − tracked results of breeding of 7 pairs;
− Saker Falcon (Yury Milobog, Vitaly Vetrov) − tracked results of breeding of 7 pairs;
− Eagle Owl (Vitaly Vetrov) − tracked results of breeding of approximately 50 pairs.

In 2009 monitoring of bird of prey (partly or complete) was carried out on 10 sample sites:
− 7 sites in Mykolaiv Region (Konstantin Redinov);
− 1 site in Letychiv District of Khmelnytskyi Region (Vladimir Novak);
− 1 site in Kryvyi Rih District of Dniepropetrovsk Region (Anatoly Salnik);
− 1 site in Cherkasy District of Cherkasy Region (Maxim Gavrilyuk).

It was received information about breeding results in 66 nests of 12 species:
Marsh Harrier − 3 nests,
Goshawk − 2 nests,
Levant Sparrowhawk − 1 nest,
Common Buzzard − 11 nests,
Long-legged Buzzard − 10 nests,
Short-toed Eagle − 5 nests,
White-tailed Eagle − 3 nests,
Red-footed Falcon − 7 гнізд,
Hobby Falcon − 2 nests,
Kestrel − 6 nests,
Little Owl − 3 nests,
Long-eared Owl − 11 nests.

The information on breeding success of birds of prey was submitted from ornithologists:
Domashevsky S., Vetrov V. (24 nests),
Salnik A. (15 nests),
Redinov K. (10 nests),
Pysmennyi K. (5 nests),
Vetrov V. (4 nests),
Novak V. (3 nests),
Syzhko V. (2 nests),
Gavrilyuk M. (1 nest),
Redinov K., Panchenko P., Formanyuk O. (1 nest),

If your materials were not included in this report, please contact us.

Maxim Gavrilyuk

Two visits in the alienated zone of CAPS have been associated with our participation in shooting a documentary movie about nature and self-settled people in the alienated zone. Therefore, materials on birds during these visits were collected along the way, although they gave good results. From 5 to 08.07.2010, this area has been surveyed to determine distribution and numbers of birds of prey.

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We used the methodology of point census. Working in open areas where raptors are well- visible, we did counts with the optics at fixed points for a certain period of time. We recorded flying and hunting birds. Thus, we have partly examined a central section of the Uzh river valley, some of the reclaimed areas, abandoned farmlands and meadows. Birds of prey were also recorded during our movements. It has been also surveyed by vessel the section downstream from Chornobyl through the Pripyat river delta to the confluence with Kyiv Reservoir and in the opposite direction. Taking into account meanders of the river, the distance of the journey by vessel was about 60 km. Within the zone, we investigated the area of Ivankovo Region and only few areas of Polissia Region. We didn’t survey large forest stands of the north-western part of the alinetated zone – Polissia Region.

Despite almost absence of human disturbance in this area, we failed to observe a large number of birds of prey. This fact was rather unexpected for us. Most likely it was reasoned by the processes of succession, which, after the catastrophe at the atomic station, inititiated active changes in hunting territories of many species of birds of prey. Currently, the majority of open areas are heavily overgrown with tree communities, but most adversely affected by the density and height of the grass, which makes it impossible for raptors to hunt. Such processes are particularly well pronounced in the valleys of the rivers and rivulets, on the reclaimed lands. They are favorite hunting areas of raptors. We visited large areas of drained swamps on the left bank of the Pripyat, villages of Krasnoye, Mashevo, which are located closer to Belarus, and for a long time of observation we have almost never met birds of prey. Below there is the information for each species of raptors which we have observed.
Honey Buzzard. It was recorded 8 territorial birds. The Honey Buzzard was met in different kinds of forests, but mostly registered near decidious and mixed forests.
Hen Harrier. Near the village Il’intsy on 9.06 we observed two females hunting 1 km apart from each other. That day we did not manage to reveal their type of stay because of our busy work shedule. Again we visited this territory in the afternoon of 6.07 but did not see the birds, only recorded a male of Montagu’s Harrier.
Montagu’s Harrier. It was recorded one territorial male and a pair of birds.
Marsh Harrier. On 6.06 we went along 60 km of the Pripyat floodplain by vessel (downstream and upstream) and despite of abundance of suitable breeding habitats we saw only one male of the Marsh Harrier. Altogether, in the area of our investigations we recorded 11 territorial birds.
Sparrowhawk. We were lucky to find only one territorial bird. The species is rather hidden that is why rare meetings of them in summer do not allow a reliable estimation of numbers.
Common Buzzard. Though the Common Buzzard is the most numerous species within the territory of Polissia as well, we saw it rather rare. We recorded 12 territorial birds. Supposed, such low numbers are reasoned by high grass in their hunting sites.
Short-toed Eagle. We discovered 5 territorial birds, only one of them on the left bank of the Pripyat. The juvenile Short-toed Eagle sucessfully hunted on the left bank of the Pripyat, two km to the west of the village Krasnoye. Probably, in the alientated zone, up to 15 pairs of these birds may breed.
Lesser Spotted Eagle. We revealed 5 territorial Lesser Spotted Eagles. All the birds were registered near humid areas. One pair had a nest with tracks of droppings under it, indicating on the successful growth of a chick.
White-tailed Eagle. The population of birds breeding in the alienated zone is in a good condition with an increasing trend. Going the Pripyat downstream by vessel we counted 8 birds on 6.06, 4 of them were juvenile. Coming back the same route we noted 6 birds including those counted before. We also saw the White-taled Eagles on a cooling pond, on 8.06 there were 4 juvenile and 1 old individuals. Several times we frightened a young bird off a roof of the buiding located at the pond shore. At the same place, in pond waters, we found a dead body of another young bird, the reason of its death unknown. Visiting areas of the both banks of the Pripyat we often registered the White-tailed Eagles upstream and downstream from Chornobyl.
Hobby Falcon. We have found 6 territorial birds, of them 2 pairs bred on pylons of power line in nests of the Hooded Crow.
Kestrel. This species is worth paying particular attention. No other species in Polissia zone we managed to observe in such a high number as this falcon. Among all species of birds of prey the Kestrel ranks first by its number, taking the lead over the numerous in other regions Common Buzzard. The Kestrel was observed in almost all open areas but important factor for the species is availability of breeding sites. The birds were registered on pylons of power lines, in abandoned villages, river bridges and railroad, in buildings at the atomic station, in the city of Pripyat. The city itself, S.P.Gashchak pers. comm., is inhabited with about 10 pairs of Kestrels. For a short time we revealed there 7 pairs of falcons. Apparently, at present the city is bred by over 10 pairs. On 10.06 we have found the Kestrel nest located at the balcony of 14th store in the sixteen-storeyed block of flats and contained 5 chicks aged 5-6 days. We ringed them 8.07 when they could not fly, but quickly moved along the balcony. Two fledglings we observed 7.07 in the village Il’intsy, one we succeed to catch and mark with a ring. A brood of the Kestrel was observed in the village Hlynka, where birds bred in a niche of the half-destroyed buiding of church. Two broods we recorded on 13.07 at the western outskirts of the city of Pripyat. Totally we met 36 territorial birds. Of them 13 pairs bred in Corvidae nests on pylons of power line, 9 pairs in buildings of abandoned villages, 4 pairds in niches of bridges (a pair on each bridge), 2 pairs in pipes near the cooling pond, in a building of the concrete plant – 1 pair and 7 pairs in many-storeyed blocks of flats of the city of Pripyat. Total numbers of the Kestrel in the alienated zone can reach to 50-60 pairs.

We are sincerely thankful to the Director of the building firm “Remontnik” (Kyiv) A.A. Mikhalko for sponsor support of our works.

Sergey Domashevsky, Igor Chizhevsky

To observe migrations of birds of prey we have chosen three regions in the territory of Polissia in Zhytomyr and Kyiv regions. From 26 to 29.03.2010 investigations were carried out on Slovechansko-Ovrutskyi Ridge, located in Ovruch district of Zhytomyr region. This forest-covered ridge stretched from west to east for about 50 km, the maximum altitude is 316 m above sea level. The observations were done from two points, placed at the height about 260 m above s.l. near the villages Barvinkovo and Pokalev on abandoned agricultural lands. There, the open landscape prevails in the upper Ridge, resembling steppe areas with their gully systems. The southern wind dominated in the days of observation; the wind velocity changed from 3 to 12 m/sec. The bird passage went in eastern, north-eastern and north directions.

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In addition to observations we caught raptors to mark them with rings. The captured birds were measured and weighed. Two Goshawk females, one female of Sparrowhawk and one Corvidae (Raven) have been captured. That was the period when only juvenile Goshawks migrate with mass not exceeding 1200 g. The goshawks differentiated in coloration from those, for instance, captured in the vicinity of Kyiv (these were lighter). Apparently, these birds do not relate to ‘Ukrainian’ breeding population. Unfortunately our observations got into a drop of the migration wave, so with every day there was smaller and smaller number of migratory birds. Similar picture was seen for other species of hovering birds such as White and Black Storks, Common Crane. It was registered the appearance of first migratory birds in the region – Lesser Spotted Eagle (26.03), Osprey (28.03), Short-toed Eagle (29.03). Among local birds of prey we saw only the Common Buzzard, actively displaying, and also the Goshawk.
There were observed 11 raptor species, 90 individuals in a total: Osprey – 1 ind.; Hen Harrier – 9; Marsh Harrier – 3; Sparrowhawk – 16; Goshawk – 3; Rough-legged Buzzard – 14; Common Buzzard – 28; Short-toed Eagle – 1; Lesser Spotted Eagle – 12; White-tailed Eagle – 1 (juvenile); Peregrine Falcon – 2.
Among nocturnal birds of prey we noted a display of Tawny and Long-eared Owls. Playing records with voices of other owl species, breeding in Polissia, didn’t bring any positive results.

From 30 to 31 March we took observations in the floodplain of the Uzh River near the village Maksymovychi (Polissia area of Kyiv region). This river flows along the border of the Chornobyl alienation zone thus being rarely visited by people. In the studied period the river had a high flood, and the floodplain sheltered a multitude of migratory waterbirds. The south-eastern wind dominated in the days of observation. Birds mainly followed north and north-eastern direction of migration. Only Harriers and Merlin were keeping to the river floodplain. Other species crossed it moving to northward direction.
10 birds of prey were counted, 46 individuals in a total: Hen Harrier – 5 birds; Marsh Harrier – 6; Sparrowhawk – 8; Goshawk – 3; Rough-legged Buzzard – 4; Common Buzzard – 13; Short-toed Eagle – 1; Lesser Spotted Eagle – 3; Golden Eagle – 1 (juvenile); Merlin – 2.
Among nocturnal raptors the Tawny Owl has been recorded.
It was observed a displaying pair of the Short-toed Eagle and a conflict of these birds with an individual of their species from a neighbouring pair. Also there were registered local birds of such species as the Goshawk and Common Buzzard.

The investigations in the third area of observation were undertaken from 31.03 to 1.04 near the village of Liubydva (Vyshgorod district of Kyiv region) in the mouth area of the river Zdvyzh, where it falls into the river Teteriv. Because of started rainfalls we had to stop the observations. Among migratory birds we saw only 1 ind.Marsh Harrier and 1 ind. of Hobby Falcon – first migratory birds in the region. By this time it is the earliest observation of this falcon in spring. Of local birds 31 March – copulation of the Buzzard, 1 April – display of the March Harrier, records of the Goshawk, Short-toed Eagle, and Common Kestrel.

We express our sincere thanks to the director of ‘Remontnik’ company Andrey Mikhalko for the sponsor support of the field investigations.

Sergey Domashevsky, Yury Demidenko

A question of accurate definition of distribution and numbers of the Spotted Eagle in Ukraine is still open. Till mid-1990s this Eagle has bred in most regions of Ukraine (Zubarovsky 1977). Researches of last decades proved existence of the Spotted Eagle only in the north-west of Ukraine, namely in Rivne and Volyn region (Dombrovsky 2007). Owing to our colleagues from Byelorus, after their special counts, it was found out that majority of Belorussian Spotted Eagles inhabits Prypyatskoye Polissia in the areas neighboring to Ukraine. A part of this breeding group also inhabits the area of Ukraine. At present there are no reliable data proving breeding of this species in other regions.

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The Spotted Eagle looks much alike a related and more numerous species of the Lesser Spotted Eagle which often causes misidentification by ornithologists.
In Ukraine the Spotted Eagle is sometimes observed on migration. Rough estimation of the bird numbers within Ukraine shows only 10 to 20 pairs. Surely, comprehensive investigation of its prospective breeding places in the near future can give a more precise picture of the Spotted Eagle population. This is the aim why we undertook expedition to the north of Chernihiv region.
This species of Eagle prefers breeding and hunting on wet areas without or with minimum of human activity. Also it avoids the areas with settlements located nearby.
When defining the expedition route we gave preference to big melioration systems situated within vast woodlands. That is why we investigated two areas of such a type in Ripky district, also in this district we searched two old, abandoned and large peateries on Zamglay Bog. Also we preferred to investigate the floodplain in the middle course of the Snov River. They were the parts of the floodplain situated along the border with Russia which we consider to be the most promising to meet the Spotted Eagle.

The expedition took place from 25.06 to 8.07.2009 in districts of Ripky, Gorodnyay, Shchors, Semenivka, Korop, Novgorod-Siversky and Koryukivka district by a car ‘Niva’. The counts of birds of prey were taken according to the method of Dombrovsky and co-authors (2000, 2001) taking into account our own experience (Domashevsky 2004). In our case census points were 2 to 5 km apart depending both on landscape and surrounding vegetation, and also on possibility to reach a convenient position with good viewing. Duration of stay at census points was from 1.5 to 3 hours. For observations we use binoculars with 10-15×50 magnification and a telescope with a changeable magnification 20-60×100. Points and places of bird registrations were mapped. In case if viewing was not enough for a qualitative observation we climbed on a solitary tree in the floodplain and took counts from there.
In the floodplain of the Snov River Counts we began counting birds of prey downstream from the city of Shchors (Smyach Village). Then our route went upstream to the place of inflow of the Revna River. A total of 44 km of the floodplain was investigated with 13 census points fixed.
After that it was investigated the floodplain of the Revna River from its mouth to the place of inflow of the Rvanets River. A total of the investigated floodplain was 20 km with five census points. As for the Rvanets River it was investigated 8 km of its floodplain with 2 census points. In all, we set up a total of 28 census points where we spent many hours of observations. Also birds of prey were counted when riding by car. The total length of the automobile route was about 2,000 km.
It should be mentioned that in some areas a picture shown on a topographic map was not equally corresponded to real. Most areas of the floodplain of Revna and Rvanets rivers were rather dry. Main part of the floodplain and near-floodplain forests of the Snov River turned out to be young and not quite suitable for inhabitance of the Spotted Eagle. Old areas of woodland occurred only as small inclusions because of mass and uncontrolled cutting of mature forest. In some places forest roads got ruined, so participants of the expedition reached to open spaces across barely passable boggy forests. Such heavy-going areas were located in rarely visitable regions bordering Russia. “Pleasure” of the expedition participants was added by extremely hot weather and abundance of blood-sucking insects. During hot daylight hours they were botflies attacked the car and its passengers and hampered to work with optics at census points, in the evening it was turn of blackflies and mosquitoes.

Unfortunately, during the expedition we did not record the Spotted Eagle anywhere. We thoroughly investigated the remotest depths of the Snov floodplain, were sitting on tree-tops for hours suffering from heat and botflies. But we have to state the fact that this Eagle is absent in areas of our investigation. Having chosen the most interesting and promising areas for its inhabitance we got a negative result. More likely this species did not breed there anymore or its occurrence in the region is only supposed. Also V.N.Grishchenko had not seen this bird in the floodplain though went by rafting a part of areas where we took our investigations (Grishchenko et al., 2000). Maybe we were not lucky this time. The last time we recorded this species in abreeding period in Chernigiv region was on Bondarevskoye Bog in 2007, when we saw a hybrid pair of Spotted Eagle and a Lesser Spotted Eagle (Domashevsky 2008).
However we’ve got a pleasant surprise in the course of expedition. At last we solved a question of a type of stay for such a rare breeding species as the Hen Harrier in several districts of North Ukraine. In Ripky district on a partly overgrown meadows we observed 2 males of this species. One of birds carried a prey to boggy meadow areas. Also a female carried her prey to the same direction. We didn’t manage to find the nest because of shortage of time. Other two territorial birds were recorded in Shchors district in the floodplain of the Snov River at the border with Russia. So, this is the first registration of the Hen Harrier with evidence of breeding in Ukraine for the last several decades.

In spite of fault with the Spotted Eagle we have collected an extensive material on distribution and numbers of other species including rare ones. We recorded a total of 12 species of raptors during the expedition.

On 44 km of the floodplain of the Snov River we have counted: Honey Buzzard – 11 territorial pairs; Black Kite – 3; Hen Harrier – 2; Montagu’s Harrier – 6 territorial males + 3-4 territorial pairs; Marsh Harrier – 30 pairs; Goshawk-3; Sparrowhawk-2; Common Buzzard – 38; Short-toed Eagle – 3; Lesser Spotted Eagle – 6 pairs (one of them evidently bred in Russia); Hobby Falcon – 2.

On 20 km of the floodplain of the Revna River it was counted: Honey Buzzard – 1 pair; Montagu’s Harrier – 1; Marsh Harrier -1; Common Buzzard – 9; Lesser Spotted Eagle – 2; Hobby Falcon -1.

On 8 km of the floodplain of the Rvanets River it was counted: Montagu’s Harrier – 1 pair; Marsh Harrier -2; Common Buzzard – 4; Short-toed Eagle -1.

Total numbers of birds of prey for the expedition period were as follows (pairs): Honey Buzzard – 16; Black Kite – 8; Hen Harrier – 3-4; Montagu’s Harrier – 18-19; Marsh Harrier – 48; Goshawk – 5; Sparrowhawk – 2; Common Buzzard – 91; Short-toed Eagle – 8; Lesser Spotted Eagle – 12; Hobby falcon – 7-8 pairs; Kestrel -1.

Sergey Domashevsky (Ukrainian Birds of Prey Research Centre), Alexandr Fedun (Chernihiv State Pedagogical University named after T.G.Shevchenko), Sergey Gladkevich (Centre of Creative Photography)

Zubarovsky, V.M. 1977. Fauna of Ukraine. Birds. Volume 5, Issue 2, Kyiv: Naukova Dumka, 332 p. [in Ukrainian]

Gryshchenko, V.M. et al. 2000. Toward ornithofauna of the the Snov River Floodplain (Chernihiv region). Berkut 9 (1-2): 9-11. [in Ukrainian]

Domashevsky, S.V. 2004. Experience of census of birds of prey in forest habitats. In: Census of birds: approach, methods, results. Proceedings of 2nd international scientific-practical conference. – Zhytomir, pp.46-47. [in Russian]

Domashevsky, S. V. 2008. Birds of prey and owls in the “Mezhrechensky” Regional Landscape Park. In: Latest studies on Birds of Prey and Owls. Proceedings of the 3d International Scientific Conference “Birds of Prey of Ukraine”, Kryvyi Rih, 24-25 October 2008. (eds. M.N.Gavrilyuk, G.V. Fesenko). – Kryvyi Rih, p. 106-117 [in Russian]

Dombrovsky, V.Ch., Tishechkin, A.K., Zhuravlyov, D.V., Dmirtryonok, M.G., Pinchuk, P.V. 2000. Finds of the Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) in Central Polesie. Subbuteo 3 (1): 3-13. [in Russian]

Dombrovsky, V.Ch., Zhuravlyov, D.V., Demongin, L. 2001. Rare species of birds of prey of Belorussian Polesje. Subbuteo. 4 (1): 11-24. [in Russian]

Dombrovsky, V.Ch. 2007. Toward breeding of Spotted Eagle in Western and South Ukraine. Berkut 16 (2): 205-212.

The participants of the expeditions were Vitaly Vetrov, Sergey Domashevsky and Elena Vetrova. In the first place they investigated the power lines adjoined the sites with good food resource (colonies of small sousliks, rooks, gulls and other species of birds) and with absence of territorial pairs of ravens (main suppliers of nests for falcons) or human disturbance factor.

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Territories of Kherson region, Zaporizhzhya region and Crimean Autonomous Republic were studied by car ‘Niva’. The route crossed both virgin steppes and agricultural landscapes. The points interested for the project were fixed with GPS. A total of 49 points, prospective for further setting up of nest boxes, were identified.
Steppes and agrocoenoses of the Central and North Crimea, south areas of Kherson region and Zaporizhzhya region were rather thoroughly investigated. In a total, the expedition covered over 2,500 km.

In spite we had to escape frequent rains, especially intensively followed us on the Crimean Peninsula (fortunately, in the steppe you can see everything from one skyline to another), spring landscapes of the flowering steppe enjoyed us and gave no reason for melancholy. We intensively study the points which interested us, at the same time counting birds of prey and searching for their nests.

Number of Red-footed Falcons nesting in forest belts was striking. In the place they are common inhabitants of Corvidae nests, especially rookery. In this period these small falcons still had incomplete clutches, therefore they sat near nests or sort out their relationships with neighbours. In one concentration of hunting Red-footed Falcons we counted at least 100 individuals. In Corvidae nests located both on trees and poles of power lines we observed quite a lot of Kestrel pairs. Clay cliffs of Sivash sheltered even small colonies of these birds 10 to 20 pairs, inhabited ledges and niches of cliffs in the neighborhood with the Little Owls and Rollers. It is interesting that some pairs already had fledglings (two cases), but mostly small chicks and clutches occurred. We found nests of Hobby Falcons in forest belts, in Corvidae nests, on poles of power lines. As for other raptors, Marsh Harriers were observed the most frequently, though a part of them obviously did not breed (vagrant individuals). There were only two records of Montagu’s Harrier (late migrant and immature bird). There were found 4 nests of Long-legged Buzzard, three of them we managed to investigate. The nests contained 3, 4 and 3 chicks respectively, which we ringed. Also there were discovered 2 unoccupied nests of Long-legged Buzzard, which were easily distinguished by presence of anthropogenic garbage in their construction (cellophane, rags, paper). We also discovered 14 territorial birds of this species, unknown before. The Common Buzzard was more frequently recorded in Zaporizhzhya region, several meetings were in the north of Kherson region.
We checked the known nest of the Imperial Eagle, built by birds in a forest belt. After fire all trees have shriveled, and a construction of birds was easily seen from a distance. Adult birds kept at a new nest, the old construction had disappeared. In a tray we found remains of a small hare and a souslik. The grass trampled under the nest tree and broken twigs were clear evidence that lately the nest had been visited by someone. Later, a local birdwatcher said to us that there were 3 chicks in the nest on the other day.
One of the most prominent events of the expedition was a meeting of feeding scavengers. Between the villages of Gvardeiskoye and Novy Sad over 50 Black and Griffon Vultures were feeding on a large dump of entrails of domestic animals, about the same quantity were hovering above the place. Some birds were flying away with food toward the mountains and it was uneasy to count all of them. In the end, about 110 Griffon Vultures and 25 Black Vultures were counted at the place. This is one of the largest concentrations of scavengers known in the Crimea for the current century. Here we also have met the Black Kite – the only record during this expedition. The White-tailed Eagle was also observed once – a young bird at North Sivash.
Our main hero, the Saker Falcon, did not avoid us either. We have found 7 nests not known before and met 2 pairs. In one of the days we discovered at once 5 occupied nests of this falcon. One pair already led good-flying chicks, other birds had completely or partly feathered chicks, the rest had birds in the first or second downy plumage. The Saker’s diet contained sousliks, small murine rodents, Calandra Larks, Mediterranean Gulls, Slender-billed Gulls and small waders. Under nests of some pairs we found up to 15 pairs of gull wings. The closest nests of falcons were only 1.5 km apart.
Of nocturnal birds of prey the most common species was the Long-eared Owl. Broods and females, incubating repeated (or even the second?) clutches were easily discovered in forest belts. The Little Owl was frequently observed. These birds kept near the human buildings, also many Little Owls we saw on clay cliffs of Sivash. This breeding season in comparison with the previous ones was rich in records of the Short-eared Owl. However, the Scops Owls were rather scanty.

We have recorded a total of:

Red-footed Falcon – at least 754 pairs;
Common Kestrel – at least 444 pairs;
Hobby Falcon – 10 pairs;
Marsh Harrier – 61 individuals;
Montagu’s Harrier – 2 individuals;
Common Buzzard – 10 pairs;
Long-legged Buzzard – 4 occupied nests, 2 – unoccupied nests and 14 territorial birds;
White-tailed Eagle – 1 individuals;
Black Kite – 1 individuals;
Griffon Vulture – 110 individuals;
Black Vulture – 25 individuals;
Imperial Eagle – 1 pairs;
Saker Falcon – 8 occupied nests and 2 pairs;
Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Little Owl, Scops Owl.

136 bird species have been registered in overall.

There were also recorded species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (1994): White Pelican, Glossy Ibis, Ruddy Shelduck, Long-legged Buzzard, Imperial Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Black Vulture, Saker Falcon, Common Crane and Demoiselle Crane, Great Bustard, Stone Curlew, Kentish Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Oystercatcher, Collared Pratincole, Great Black-headed Gull, Caspian Tern and Black-headed Bunting.

Sergey Domashevsky, Vitaly Vetrov

The third cycle of counts of large birds of prey during winter 2008-2009 was carried out 17-20.02.2009. Snowfalls, started on the threshold of counts, have returned leaving winter. The ground was covered with fresh snow, but on the rivers Pripyat and Uzh big ice-holes were formed. Therefore, the wintering birds were dispersed. The renewed frosts equaled to – 6 °C at night, in the afternoon the temperature kept within 0… +1°C.

On February, 17th we surveyed the left bank of the Pripyat going along the route of the last census. On ponds of river Nesvich, where in January White-tailed Eagles had concentrated, only 3 juveniles were noticed. The ice-hole at the sluice strongly increased, and we did not observe any signs of fish suffocation in this season. One young White-tailed Eagle was met at the village of Staroselye. Further we surveyed the left bank of Pripyat upstream till the Belarus border (Mosany village). There we did not register any White-tailed Eagle. Survey of areas of the Kyiv Reservoir at villages of Ladyzhichi and Teremtsy also did not brought desirable results. Carrying out of counts was negatively affected by snow going during the daylight, so visibility sometimes worsened to 800 m.
On February, 18th because of abundant snowfalls which did not allow to carry out high-grade researches, we were forced to refuse visits for counts.
On February, 19th it was wonderful windless and sunny weather. We surveyed areas of an upper reaches of the Kyiv Reservoir from Domantov Island. So we moved ahead to the Pripyat mouth and finished a route near the mouth of Uzh River. That day 7 young White-tailed Eagles were counted. At the nest of White-tailed Eagles, found in December near the village of Otashev, we did not see any signs of presence of adult birds. It was still under a snow layer. It was unknown why birds did not start repairing the nest. They probably abandoned it or would appear at the nest later.
On February, 20th we spent a part of day at the Uzh mouth. There were some meetings of young birds, number of the counted birds equaled to 2-3 individuals.

In total, during February counts we covered by car the distance of 370 km, and 13-14 juveniles of White-tailed Eagles were counted.
We assume that small number of the White-tailed Eagles, observed in this season, was connected with movement of adult individuals to breeding grounds and appearance of open patches of water on the rivers and the Kyiv Reservoir, and possibly the part of White-tailed Eagles had moved in that direction. An indirect proof of our assumption is absence of any adult birds met by us.
As we wrote earlier, the number of wintering White-tailed Eagles also could be reduced because of stopped work of the Chornobyl Atomic Power Station that entailed freezing of a cooling pond where the considerable quantity of waterfowl earlier wintered and was a lot of fish. According to G.M.Panov (2004), in the area at villages Krasnoye and Zimovishche in the winter 1998-1999 during a period of fish suffocation stayed about 30 White-tailed Eagles. Similar data are available for the same area in winter 1998, where according to data of the game-keeper service 40 birds were recorded (Gashchak, 2002).
In winter 1998, in a frontier Belarus area (Polissia Radiation Reserve) number of wintering White-tailed Eagles was estimated as 40-60 birds (Dombrovsky, Pareiko, 1999).

According to results of the work carried by us in December – February, 52-53 White-tailed Eagles were counted. Of them, 14 were in adult plumage, 35-36 in juvenile plumage, and the age of 3 birds was not identified. Taking into account not completely surveyed area of the alienated zone of CAPS, it is possible to assume presence of 45-55 White-tailed Eagles at the winter season in this territory.
The total length of census routes was 1,280 km.
During counts we did never observe other wintering large bird of prey – the Golden Eagle. Cases of its registration in this area in a winter season are available. According to our Belarus colleagues (Dombrovsky, Pareiko, 1999), number of the Golden Eagle in the area of Polissia Radiation Reserve (Braginsky, Hoyniksky districts) was estimated as 5-10 birds in the winter 1998.
We are sincerely thankful to the Director of the building firm “Remontnik” (Kyiv) A.A. Mikhalko for sponsor support of our works. Also we thank S.P.Gashchak for assistance in organization issues in the alienated zone.

Sergey Domashevsky, Ukrainian Birds of Prey Research Centre
Igor Chizhevsky, Chornobyl Radioecological Centre

The second cycle of counts of birds of prey in the alienated zone of Chornobyl Atomic Power Station (CAPS) was carried out from 20 to 22.01.2009. The length of automobile counts was about 380 km within the zone.

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Snow cover was 15-40 cm thick. In the first day of works, 20th January, the weather was windless and sunny. A plot in the Pripyat-Dnieper interfluve was chosen for a visit, recommended by S.P. Gashchak (Chornobyl Centre on Problems of Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste and Radioecology). Unfortunately, during our last visit into CAPS zone this region had remained unsearched because of difficulties arisen with a permission to get there. That was a reason of underestimation of birds. Having gone by car along the Pripyat upstream, we turned to the north-west. On open areas we recorded 3 White-tailed Eagles. A concentration of White-tailed Eagles was revealed near the village of Gorodchan in Chornobyl district on ice-covered ponds of the Nesvich River, which separates borders of Ukraine and Byelorus (Braginsky district of Gomel region). Birds sat there on ice and trees. Several White-tailed Eagles were recorded also in the village of Chapaevka. In a total, 16 birds were registered there. One of the reasons of the bird concentration was two small unfrozen patches of water near closed sluices. On ice and walkways there were many tracks of birds. Some blood spots of the fish eaten by predators were discovered. In water, there were well seen backs of several fish species, gathered near the source of oxygen. On our way back, we observed 2 other individuals of White-tailed Eagles, and another bird was registered in the Pripyat floodplain. Overall, 22 White-tailed Eagles were counted during the day, 6 of them in adult plumage.

On the 21st January, the weather has significantly worsened. The wind was up to 12m/sec, sun appeared for a short time only in the second part of the day. We surveyed the left bank of the Pripyat mouth (villages of Ladyzhychi, Teremtsy). To improve visibility we went on ice, and climbed trees on islands. Only one White-tailed Eagle was observed there. Another bird was met near the village of Paryshev. We visited a cooling pond of CAPS, covered with ice. One more bird was counted near the village of Lelev. In a total, 4 birds were recorded, 1 of them identified as a juvenile.

On the 22nd January the weather was similar. We repeated the route of December counts and surveyed mouths of the rivers Uzh and Pripyat and a part of Kyiv Reservoir to the village of Strakholesye. The area of open water equaled to near 2 ha. Waterfowl was not observed. One adult White-tailed Eagle was near the glade. Another adult bird rested on a power line near the village of Ivanovka.

Thus, 28 White-tailed Eagles were counted in a total. Of them, 17 birds were juveniles, 8 adults, for 3 birds their age was not identified.
Also according to words of game-keeper’s service of one of the hunting lands located near the village of Fedorovka (a border of the alienated zone, the Uzh River floodplain) on wolf’s baits, made of carcasses of home animals in mid-January, they recorded a concentration of White-tailed Eagles consisted of up to 10 birds.

We are sincerely thankful to the Director of the building firm “Remontnik” (Kyiv) A.A. Mikhalko for sponsor support of our works.

Sergey Domashevsky, Ukrainian Birds of Prey Research Centre
Igor Chizhevsky, Chornobyl Radioecological Centre

The 30 Kilometer Chornobyl’s alienation zone is poorly studied and at the same time one of the most interesting area. Participants of the expedition from 23th December to 26th December 2008 by car ‘Niva’ conducted counts of wintering large birds of prey in the zone.

During studies, snow cover was about 6-8 cm. Night temperature fell to -5˚C. Frequent snowfalls worsened visibility in open areas, causing underestimation of raptors. The counts were taking during all daylight period. There were studied areas of the Pripyat river channel from the city of Pripyat to the river mouth. Besides, we visited several points in the lower reaches of Uzh River till the place of its inflow in the Pripyat River, some points in the Uzh floodplain 40 km upstream, a part of Kyiv Reservoir near the village of Strakholesye, bordering on the alienated zone.
For counts, there were binoculars with 15 x 50 magnification and a telescope with variable zoom 20×60. Totally, about 530 km was covered by counts.

Areas of the Pripyat River were covered by ice almost everywhere, only on some of them were small unfrozen patches of water. Ice moving downstream was observed only at the city of Pripyat. The ice completely covered the river already at the city of Chornobyl. Such a picture was seen along the whole river up to Kyiv Reservoir. After the atomic station had been closed, cooling ponds have been covering by ice in winter already for several years. Former concentrations of waterfowl vanished, and, as a result, numbers of wintering white-tailed eagles declined. In this area we counted only 2 individuals of White-tailed Eagles. Solitary eagles and their pairs were recorded by us only in the Pripyat floodplain. Spot visits to the Uzh floodplain did not bring any positive results. Firstly, river areas not always were well seen through optical devices, secondly, as already mentioned above, frequent snowfalls limited visibility to 300 m, making impossible to provide a comprehensive survey of open areas.

In a total, there were counted 11 White-tailed Eagles, of them 6 adults, 2 young birds, and age of 3 birds was not determined because of bad visibility.
Thus, during the preliminary survey we did not discover any concentrations of large raptors in the alienated zone.
We plan to continue our investigations during next two winter months.

We would like to thank the Director of the firm “Remontnik” (Kyiv) A.A. Mikhalko for the financial support of the counts.

Sergey Domashevsky, Ukrainian Birds of Prey Research Centre
Igor Chizhevsky, Chornobyl Radioecological Centre

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Last SESN studies are connected with identification of different populations of the Saker Falcon using DNA and stable-isotope markers. It will enable to determine of the origin of birds taken from the wild for use in falconry. Furthermore, by comparison with museum specimens, it will enable to determine genetic similarity of current and historical populations of Sakers in Southeast Europe, which will determine possible parental stock for any potential reintroduction project. For this reason feather samples are collected from juvenile birds from the different parts of the species’ breeding distribution range.

The Ukrainian Saker population is the biggest and most important in Europe. There is no genetic information available for the Ukrainian Sakers and our intention is to fill this gap in knowledge.

During 20-28 May 2008 the joint expedition executed studies on the Crimean Peninsula. The participants of the expedition were V. Vetrov, S. Domashevsky, Y. Milobog and V. Strigunov – researchers of the Ukrainian Centre for Research of Birds of Prey (UCRBP) in cooperation with Dimitar Ragyov (Bulgaria) and Andrew Dixon (United Kingdom) – researches of the Southeast European Saker Network (SESN). The aim of the expedition was to collect feathers of Saker’s chicks for further DNA analysis. For investigation there were chosen rocky precipices with already known nesting sites of the Saker or rocks with birds recorded during their breeding season. The study area included foothills and a part of the steppe zone. In addition to collection of samples participants of the expedition also collected material on the Saker’s diet (pellets, feathers of their preys) in nests and under them, and on roost sites of adult birds. All the collected materials will be comprehensively processed in laboratory.

Works on breeding sites of the Saker started from the territory of Bagerovsky Polygon on Kerchensky Peninsula. Having completed the investigation of Kerchensky Peninsula the expedition went to the west. After visiting 8 districts of the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea the expedition was finished on Tarkhankut Peninsula – the westernmost part of the Crimea.

On rocks there were investigated 25 breeding sites of the Saker, in 9 of them inhabited nests were discovered. On power lines 7 breeding sites were studies, of them only 2 was successful. One nest was in an artificial box, constructed on a power line pole by researchers of the Centre within conservation project carried out in 2006 by Ukrainian Union for Protection of Birds.

In the place where the power line was reconstructed and a part of poles was demounted (metal poles were substituted with concrete posts), three pairs of Sakers disappeared, though they successfully bred in 2004.

It was recorded an unusual case of incubation. The Saker female incubated a clutch of the Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in a Raven’s nest (Corvus corax) located on a metal pole of the power line.

In successful nests of the Saker there were registered 31 chicks (including fledglings). Sakers had from 1 to 5 chicks, in average 2.8 chicks per nest (n=9). In investigated nests there were 8 females and 9 males. In two breeding sites two well-flying fledglings were observed – in Opuksky Reserve and Tarkhankut Peninsula, 1 and 5 chicks respectively.

Samples were taken from 17 Saker chicks in nests using climbing equipment for steep rocks.

The age of Saker chicks in nests was from 20 to 45 days.

In the Saker’s diet there were registered: Garganey (Anas querquedula), Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Quail (Coturnix coturnix), Partridge (Perdix perdix), Corncrake (Crex crex), Little Gull (Larus minutus), Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus), Roller (Coracias garrulus), House Martin (Delichon urbica), Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra), Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris), Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus), (Passerinum sp.), great quantity of Little Souslik (Citellus pygmaeus) and small rodents.

Participants of the expedition registered 17 species of birds of prey. Among rare species there were observed: Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) – 11 registrations, three nests were found on rocks and 1 in a tree; Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) – 1 registration; Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) – 4 registrations (3 birds in a transitory plumage); Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) – 1 individual; Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) – 4 registrations; Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) – 20 observations; Peregrine (Falco peregrinus) – 4 registrations. Among nocturnal birds of prey 5 species were recorded: Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), Scops Owl (Otus scops), Little Owl (Athene noctua) and Tawny Owl (Strix aluco).

An interesting meeting of the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) was recorded. An adult bird of Egyptian Vulture was recorded in a group of Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) flying near the city of Bakchisaray.