UBPRC – Ukrainian Birds of Prey Research Centre

Results of Ukrainian-Slovac expedition to the north of Ukraine

25.07 − 1.08.2010 it took place the joint expedition of the Ukrainian Birds of Prey Research Centre and Slovak ornithologists, directed at studying raptors in the north of Ukraine.

Our guests was Miroslav Dravecky – coordinator on the Lesser Spotted Eagle in Slovakia, Miroslav Lehocky – expert on birds of prey, staff-worker of the Slovak Paradise National Park, Milan Oleksak – a representative of the Ringing Centre “Drienovec”, located at the territory of the Slovak Karst National Park.

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Photo by M.Dravecky, S.Domashevsky

The Slovak colleagues were interested to observe very rare species for their country – Short-toed Eagle и Booted Eagle. At the present time in Slovakia breeds only one pair of the Short-toed Eagles, living in the eastern part of the country, while the Booted Eagle disappeared on breeding. Therefore we decided to visit Polissia where the Short-toed Eagle is distributed rather widely and, if possible, to come to the south of the forest-steppe zone for our guests to have chance of seeing the Booted Eagle. For Ukrainian ornithologists, this expedition gave the opportunity to monitor already known pairs of birds of prey and receive new data on their distribution.

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Monitoring of raptors in 2009

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.

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Research on the population status of birds of prey in the alienated zone of the Chornobyl Atomic Power Station in summer 2010

During June-July 2010 we have three times traveled to the alienated zone of the Chornobyl Atomic Power Station (CAPS), which noticeably added to our knowledge of raptors in this area. A number of visits had been also taken before, to study wintering fauna of Falconiformes.

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.

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Birds of prey in steppes of Russia

25-30 April 2010 a group of Ukrainian and Russian ornithologists, traveling by car on the route Luhansk (Ukraine) – Orenburg (Ukraine) to participate in the ХІІІ International Ornithological Conference have collected data on distribution and numbers of birds of prey. They are presented below.

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Photo by M.Gavrilyuk, V.Vetrov, E.M.Pisanets, V.Remenny

Experts of different profile traveled by three cross-country vehicles. They were ornithologists V.P.Belik (Rostov-on-Don, Russia), V.V.Vetrov (Luhansk, Ukraine), M.Gavrilyuk (Cherkasy, Ukraine), S.P.Litvinenko (Luhansk), Yu.V.Milobog (Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine), A.B.Chapyhina (Kharkiv, Ukraine); batrachologists E.M.Pisanets, V.Remenny (both from Kyiv, Ukraine); entomologist G.Yevtushenko, botanist N.I.Konoplya (both from Luhansk); student A.Rashelevskaya (Kryvyi Rih). Three of them were doctors and four candidates of science (PhD). In spite of different inerests of the expedition members, a particular attention in the travel was paid to observation of birds of prey.

The travel in the territory of Russia crossed Rostov, Volgograd, Saratov, Samara and Orenburg regions (map). Undoutedly, having passed 2000 km for 6 days, it was hard to collect detail information. Moreover, a part of the valuable time was spent on customs, searching for roads (as a famous writer Gogol’ spoke the roads are one of two main griefs of Russia) and other unforeseen circumstances. However, even in these conditions we managed to get a general image of composition and distribution of birds of prey in steppes of South Russia.
Totally for the period of trip we observed 18 species of Falconiformes and 3 species of Owls. Above all we noticed unequal distribution and numbers of rare species of birds of prey.

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Results of counts of birds of prey in the Zdvyzh

To investigate distribution and numbers of birds of prey in Polissia we have recently completed studies in the Zdvyzh river valley.

The river of Zdvizh is a right tributary of the Teteriv River (the Dnieper Basin). Its source is in Brusyliv district of Zhytomyr region. Further river crosses Makarivka, Borodianka and Ivankiv districts of Kyiv region. The length of the river is 145 km. The valley is trapezoidal, the width equals up to 4 km. The floodplain in the upper reaches is boggy with width up to 1 km. The riverbed is moderately winding, up to 20 m wide. Two reservoirs and a network of ponds have been built to regulate the water flow. The river is canalized for a long distance.

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Works to study birds of prey in the Zdvyzh valley were started in 2006. Investigations were carried out by point counts. The observers spent 1 hour or more at observation points. The distance between points of observation ranged 3 or more km, depending on the possibility of a convenient entrance to them by car. It was worked out 27 points. According to the methodology, all species of birds of prey were registered, the data put on the map with a scale of 1:200000. Thus, we have examined all the river length.
As the river valley is visited for hunting by many species of birds of prey nesting in the nearby forests, such registrations can give interesting results. It was observed 6 species of raptors listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

In total we recorded 13 species of birds of prey in the following numbers (pairs): Honey Buzzard − 4; Black Kite − 2; Common Buzzard − 54; Marsh Harrier− 23; Montagu’s Harrier − 19; Goshawk − 4; Sparrowhawk − 2; Short-toed Eagle − 5−6; Lesser Spotted Eagle − 11; White-tailed Eagle − 1; Common Kestrel − 6; Hobby Falcon − 9.

Thus, the Buzzard dominated among birds of prey. It should be noted a sufficiently high number of Montagu’s Harrier and Lesser Spotted Eagle, included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.
Also of interest is a record of one individual of the Long-legged Buzzard at the source of the river (Brusyliv district of Zhytomyr region). The type of stay of this species is unknown.

Sergey Domashevsky, Vasily Kostyushin, Konstantin Pysmennyi

XIII International Ornithological Conference of North Eurasia

This time the border between Europe and Asia gathered more than 200 ornithologists from the CIS countries. Compared with previous similar conferences in Kazan and Stavropol, it was participated by less number of ornithologists, as the meeting was held in the middle of the field season and Orenburg is a rather distant place to reach for most ornithologists. Nevertheless, it is nice to note that this international conference was attended by 13 ornithologists from Ukraine.

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As for the conference structure, each day began with a plenary reports, and then it was held parallel work of several sections. Reports were heard on 15 sections, and, in addition, some reports were presented as posters. It was also a series of round-table discussions. To organize such a large-scale conference is a big job, and we would like to thank all the organizers, and above all a well-known birds of prey expert Anatoly Davygora. Among other positive aspects of the conference organization we would like to mention that all the information was placed at the website of Menzbir Ornithological Society. The original idea was daily broadcasting of the proceedings by students journalists, who prepared wonderful multimedia presentations and demonstrate them in-between sessions. Very convenient for the participants was the organization of daily sightseeing tours. And a special appeal of Orenburg were field trips offered in several variants and enjoyed by many participants.

Below we would like to pay a particular attention to presentations on the birds of prey. Read the rest of this entry »

Monitoring and search for nests of birds of prey in Kyiv region

From 8 to 10 May 2010 to monitor the well-known breeding areas of birds of prey and search for new, there were conducted fieldtrips to the left bank and right bank area of Kyiv Polissia.

One day was devoted to researches in Vyshgorod district, on the right bank of the Desna which is a tributary of the Dnieper. There were also surveyed the neighboring areas of Chernihiv region. It was examined the north-eastern part of the vast swamp Ostrovs’ke, represented by a wet area overgrown with birch trees and willows; conducted observations in the southern part of Vydra marsh and in the floodplain of the floodplain of the Desna.

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A total of 11 species of birds of prey were registered. Among Red Data Book species there were recorded the White-tailed Eagle, a pair of Black Kites, and also previously know 3 pairs of the Lesser Spotted Eagles and a pair of the Shot-toed Eagles. Among other species: the Honey Buzzard – one territorial bird, Marsh Harrier – 1 pair, Common Buzzard – 8 pairs, Sparrowhawk – 3 pairs, Goshawk – 1 pair, Hobby Falcon – 4 pairs, Common Kestrel – 1 pair. During the period of study it was registered a weak migration of birds, observed 1 individual of the Honey Buzzard, 1 of Marsh Harrier, and 1 of Hobby Falcon.

In the right bank area of Polissia on 9 and 10th May we investigated Borodianka and Ivankiv district and Polissia area. There were investigated forest stands, open areas near island forests, some territories of the Teteriv River floodplain, and sites of small river valleys. There were recorded 9 species of birds of prey. We observed the Short-toed Eagle on the previously known territory. New breeding areas were found: the Honey Buzzard – 1 pair, Montagu’s Harrier – 2 males, Marsh Harrier – 9 pairs, Sparrowhawk – 6 pairs, Common Buzzard – 17 pairs, Short-toed Eagle – 1 pair, Lesser Spotted Eagle – 3 pairs, Hobby Falcon – 3 birds. Pairs of Hobby Falcon kept near the raven’s nests. Some nests of Ravens still had chicks going to fledge. Small falcons waited when host leave their nests to occupy them.

Sergey Domashevsky, Vasily Kostyushin, Konstantin Pismennyi

Technique on attracting small birds of prey for breeding on the territory of Regional Landscape Park “Mezhrechenskii”

In spring 2010 we started works to attract birds of prey in artificial nests on the territory of RLP “Mezhrechenskii” located in Kozelets and Chernihiv districts of Chernihiv region.

As nesting platforms we used old wicker baskets, some of which had previously been repaired. Installed baskets are substitutes for natural nests of Corvidae, readily populated by those species of birds of prey, who themselves do not build their nests. Baskets were filled with forest litter with a small admixture of soil. Installed nests were fixed with wire.

Sites for nests installation were selected in the forests near open areas, which are most preferred habitats of Long-eared Owls and two species of small falcons: Hobby Falcon and Kestrel. To do this, we also have mounted nests in the Desna floodplain. For successful occupation of baskets by small falcons we placed them in the top of the crown, for Long-eared Owls location of a nest on the tree was unprincipled.
In future, to attract birds of prey in the park, we plan to increase the number of installed artificial nests for both diurnal and nocturnal raptors.

Sergey Domashevsky

Study of birds of prey migration in the north of Ukraine

In spring of 2010 we continued studies of migration features of raptors in various regions in Ukraine.

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.
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New issue of journal «Strepet» published

The new number of Stepet journal has been published. – 2009. – Vol. 7, Iss. 1-2. The journal includes the following publications on birds of prey:

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).