UBPRC – Ukrainian Birds of Prey Research Centre

Present Status of Ukrainian Birds of Prey

In spite of great ornithologists’ interest, Ukrainian birds of prey still remain a poor studied group. Due to changes in distribution and numbers, status of many raptor species has changed in many regions and is actually unknown. As a consequence, the ornithologists often rely on data from former researches, which now don’t correspond to real situation.

«Blank spots», and as a result, the most designing issues in the present status of Ukrainian birds of prey are:

• Species breeding:
− Osprey (Pandion haliaetus);
− Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus);
− Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga);
− Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos);
− Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni).

• Reliable data about accidental flights:
− Red Kite (Milvus milvus),
− Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus);
− Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca);
− Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula).

It is also still unknown if the following wintering species are resident or not: long-legged Buzzard, Buzzard, Imperial Eagle, Saker, Kestrel, Long-eared Owl and others.
The material, presented by us, is based on the data for the last decade. It shows nowadays status of raptors.

More details concerning to particular regions of Ukraine can be found in the attached file.

Vetrov V.V., Gavrilyuk M.N., Domashevsky S.V., Milobog Yu.V, with some consultations of Prokopenko S.P.

Compilers will be grateful for any information, specifying data on Ukrainian birds of prey status presented in the table, especially if it concerns particular regions. Everyone having such data is requested to send them by e-mail info@raptors.org.ua or by direct authors’ e-mails .