Results of researches of some rare species of raptors in the Nechkinsky National Park, Russia

This report presents the selected results of rare birds of prey studies in the Nechkinsky National Park (Udmurt Republic, Russia) 20 years after the first studies undertaken here by I.V. Karyakin in 1991–1996. The main efforts were directed to the study of the White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). At the same time, the identification of other rare species was made. The studies were carried out during short visits to the territory in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021. In the national park (NP), within the previously known breeding areas, 3 new nests were identified. They were 0.9–1.6 km displaced from the locations of the old nests found 20 years ago. A new breeding territory was found in the adjacent area near the border of the NP. Despite the incomplete study of the area, it is assumed to be 8-9 breeding areas in the national park, and 2–3 areas directly along its borders. The number of breeding pairs of eagles in comparison with the first half of the 1990s, according to the author, remains stable, and population increase, as happened on the Lower Kama in Tatarstan, has not been observed here. Eagles nest on large, old-growth pines and larch trees, with a distance of 130–530 m deep into the forest from the outer edge. The distance to the Kama River is 0.68 km on average (0.13–1.3 km, n=4). The minimum distance between the nearest neighbors in the Kama valley, unregulated by the reservoir, is currently 3.6 km, the average (n=3) – 3.9 km. Eagles breed occasionally on and off. No reproduction was recorded for 2–3 years. The period of egg laying extends for a month from the beginning of March to the beginning of April. The death of young birds on 6-10 kV power lines was revealed, as a result, the owners were obliged to equip the power lines with bird protection devices. White-Tailed Eagle nestlings were ringed with colored rings. Two repeated observations were obtained from the lower reaches of Kama. The Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) continues to inhabit the National Park, which is confirmed by the meetings of adult birds. There has been two-three times population of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in comparison with the first half of the 1990s. Breeding of this falcon was found on 2 territories with a distance of 16.5 km between them.

Body size is associated with yearling breeding and extra-pair mating in the Island Scrub-Jay

Large body size is an important determinant of individual fitness in many animal species, especially in island systems where habitat saturation may result in strong intraspecific competition for mates and breeding territories. Here we show that large body size is associated with benefits to yearling breeding and extra-pair mating in the Island Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma insularis), endemic to Santa Cruz Island, California. This species is ~20% larger than its mainland congener, consistent with the island syndrome, indicating that body size may be a trait under selection. From 2009 to 2013, we quantified the reproductive success of a marked population of Island Scrub-Jays, tracked which yearlings acquired a breeding territory and bred, and measured the occurrence of extra-pair paternity. Two potential contributors to fitness were positively related to body size. Larger yearling males were more likely to breed, possibly due to greater behavioral dominance during aggressive encounters. Larger males were also less likely to lose paternity to extra-pair males and, anecdotally, extra-pair males were larger than the social male cuckolded. This study provides evidence that larger males may have a fitness advantage over smaller males by breeding earlier and avoiding paternity loss, but estimates of lifetime reproductive success are ultimately needed for Island Scrub-Jays and other long-lived species.

Distribution and number of the Eagle Owl in the Republic of Kalmykia, Russia

In this paper we make an estimation of the number of the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) in the Republic of Kalmykia by means of using the suitable habitat model in QGIS using data acquired by the Earth remote sensing. The research was carried out in May – July 2020. The distribution of breeding pairs, reproductive success, and diet were studied. 36 eagle-owl’s home ranges are identified, 26 of them were occupied in 2020, and nests were found in 22 breeding territories. The density of breeding territory is 1.29 pairs per 100 km² or 17.5 pairs per 100 km of the linear biotopes on average. The brood size varied from 3 to 5 nestlings, average 3.36±0,67 nestlings per occupied nest and 2.9±1,22 nestlings per successful nest. The current number of the Kalmyk eagle owl population is estimated in a range of 242-293, 266 pairs on average, including 165 pairs (151–181) on the Ergeny hills and 23 pairs (21–25) in the Kuma Manych depression. The breeding grouping of Chernye Zemli is estimated at 70–87 pairs, 78 pairs on average. A decrease in the population level caused by the habitat loss started from the second half of the 20th century is estimated at 52 %.

Movements of Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca fledglings: evidence of a post-fledging home range away from the natal site prior to first migration

Dispersal to efficiently locate future breeding areas in young animals has important consequences for survival, life history and future breeding success, and therefore population dynamics and evolution. Long-distance migrant birds that have little time immediately pre-breeding may use the post-fledging period to locate their future breeding territory. We radio-tracked 37 juvenile Cyprus Wheatears, Oenanthe cypriaca, a long-distance migrant passerine, to investigate movements for 10 weeks post-fledging. We measured how distance from the nest and distance of consecutive movements changed with age. We tested whether distance from the nest stopped increasing and consecutive movement distance became similar to pre-dispersal distances, consistent with a fledgling adopting a post-fledgling home range that could reflect scoping out a future local breeding territory. Fledglings had a very high survival rate. Directed movements away from the natal territory started at about 18 days until about 45 days when individuals adopted a more fixed location on average about 600 m (range 0–1500) from their natal site, and further movements were at a scale equivalent to movements within an adult-sized breeding territory. Our results suggest dispersal followed by settlement in a fixed home range prior to first migration that could function to identify the breeding site location for the following year.

Monitoring the effect of habitat loss on life-cycle aspects of the Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae in a semi-urban landscape

Long-term monitoring of the Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae in a semi-urban landscape before, during and after large-scale habitat removal identified a positive response in breeding activity in the short-term and a change in prey selectivity. Over the longer term, the loss in habitat had a negative impact on site fidelity. A pair of Masked Owls exhibited high fidelity to a particular breeding territory before and during the removal of large areas of habitat within this territory. Breeding success occurred over two consecutive seasons during the removal of known habitat and other disturbance events at which time the pair and their offspring were observed to exploit disturbed habitat and newly created forest edges in search of prey. Breeding activity was supported by an increased dietary focus on introduced rodents and other mammals displaced during habitat clearing. Fidelity to the breeding territory became more irregular post-disturbance and after two years the territory appeared to be abandoned. This response may suggest that the cumulative loss of habitat for established pairs as a result of urban expansion is likely to adversely affect reproductive success and site fidelity in the longer term.

Rapid adoption of nest boxes by Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) in mesic deciduous forest

Breeding territory selection in Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea (Boddaert, 1783)) is thought to hinge on standing water, with a strong preference for low-lying areas prone to seasonal flooding. However, we have observed this species nesting in much drier areas than previously reported. We recently initiated a study of the Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790)) using wooden nest boxes, and nearly 60% of all nests produced in these boxes during the initial study year were produced by Prothonotary Warblers, despite this species being absent from our field site during the year preceding nest-box availability. Most nests were produced in dense, closed-canopy forest with a thick shrub layer >100 m from any water body. There was no difference in the mean distance from water between nests of the Prothonotary Warbler and those of the Carolina Wren, a habitat generalist that does not nest over water. We then observed a 60% increase in the number of Prothonotary Warbler nests the following year, along with significant increases in breeding productivity. Although they nested on sites that they are not thought to prefer, our observations suggest that Prothonotary Warblers may nest in drier areas than usual if appropriate nest cavities are provided.

Preliminary Study: Application of Spot-mapping Technique for Estimating the Size of Oriental Magpie Robin Cospychus saularis (Aves: Muscicapidae) Territories in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

Breeding territoriality plays a role in determining the reproduction outcome of many passerines species. The spot-mapping was used to estimate the breeding territory size of a territorial male of Oriental Magpie robin (Cospychus saularis) at Dahlia College, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak which is located within Kota Samarahan. It was conducted by mapping the song perching locations established by a marked male. The breeding territory size of the male was estimated to be 0.78 hectares. The data analysis was done using Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) which was constructed by using Google Earth Pro software. Study on breeding territory size of this bird species is crucial to understand more regarding the breeding behaviour of this species. Data on the behavior of this species could be used for future studies of this bird in Borneo.

Collision between a migrating lesser spotted eagle (Clanga pomarina) and an aircraft as detailed by fine-scale GSM-GPS telemetry data

We tracked a breeding adult female lesser spotted eagle (Clanga pomarina) from Germany using GPS technology, and provide details of her collision with a small aircraft at Rzeszów (SE Poland) during April 2016, when she was migrating towards her breeding territory. The ultimate fate of the bird was not established until the tag was found by chance and the data were recovered. Bird strikes are a global problem with sometimes lethal consequences for animals and people. This account highlights the way technology allows us to closely monitor events during bird migration, and document human-raptor interactions. The collision illustrates how food availability might affect bird-strike risk, and indicates that removing animal carcasses from the vicinity of airports could reduce that risk. We discuss the data in relation to risks faced by lesser spotted eagles (and other soaring birds) of collision with aircraft, especially along flyways during migration seasons.

Nesting of Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) on man-made structures in Ukraine

In Ukraine the Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo Linnaeus, 1758) uses a rather wide range of habitats for nesting: islands, trees and shrubs, reedbeds and a variety of man-made structures. In general, the strategy of nesting on man-made structures is uncommon both in Ukraine and Europe, and Cormorantsdo this only in the absence of other sites suitable for nesting. Special research onCormorant colonies on technogenic constructions was carried out during the field expeditions by the Research Institute of Biodiversity of Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems of Ukraine in 2002–2003 and 2012–2016. Besides this, we used retrospective and current data from the literature and Internet resources. Most of the field work was carried out by making surveys by boat and on foot. As a result, we found 8 Cormorant colonies on technogenic constructions in Ukraine: gas platforms in the Sea of Azov (near the village Strilkove, Henichesk district of Kherson region); sunken ships – targets for bombing training near the Arabat Spit (these are also known as «ship islands»); electricity pylons of the high-voltage Enerhodar Dnipro Power Line where it crosses the Kakhovka Reservoir; the dock in Yahorlyk Bayk, used in the past as a target for bombing training bombing; artificial island-platforms on Lake Chernine (Kinburn Peninsula); an artificial island on the Sasyk Lagoon (Odessa region); artificial islands, made as navigation markers on the Kremenchuk and Kiev reservoirs. The study found that in most cases the accompanying species was the CaspianGull (Larus cachinnans Pallas, 1811), which actively destroys the Cormorants’ nests and eats their eggs and chicks. The number of nests in the colonies varied greatly (5–30 nests on the navigation marker islands and ca. 2 000–2 300 on the «ship-islands» and gas platforms). This is due, primarily, to the area of the breeding territory. The research found that fierce territorial competition was observed in most of the colonies both with Caspian Gulls and between Cormorants. In addition, we observed anthropogenic interference in the colonies by fishermen and workers conducting routine maintenance work (as happened in the case of electricity pylons and gas platforms). The benefit of this study is that it is the first research in Ukraine conducted at national level onthis type of nesting by Cormorants. Moreover, the study examines the history of emergence of these nesting territories and population dynamics of the Great Cormorant from the time of initial settlement of the breeding sites till the present.