Birds of prey and owls of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (Ukraine). - S.V. Domashevsky, S.P. Gaschak, I.V. Chizhevsky. - Berkut. 21 (1-2). 2012. - P. 64-81.
Results of own studies in 2008–2012 and literature data are summarized in the article. Totally 23 species of diurnal birds of prey (one more assumed) and 8 species of owls were recorded. Osprey is a rare vagrant and seasonal migrant only. Honey Buzzard – up to 20 breeding pairs are supposed. Black Kite is a rare vagrant. Hen Harrier was recorded once in the nesting season, the breeding is possible. Pallid Harrier is a very rare migrant. Montagu’s Harrier – up to 10 breeding pairs. Marsh Harrier – up to 20–25 breeding pairs. Goshawk – up to 15–25 breeding pairs. Sparrowhawk is a not numerous breeding species, the number was not valuated. Rough-legged Buzzard is a not numerous wintering species. Buzzard is a common species, up to 60–80 breeding pairs. Short-toed Eagle – up to 15 nesting pairs. Booted Eagle has not been discovered, but possible at migrations. Spotted Eagle – a hybrid breeding pair was recorded in 2012, rare at migrations. Lesser Spotted Eagle – up to 20 breeding pairs. Imperial Eagle is an occasional visitor recorded in 2012. Golden Eagle is a rare wintering species. White-tailed Eagle – more than 10 breeding pairs, gathering up to 60 birds was recorded in winter. Saker – rare breeding species in the past, and a rare visitor now. Peregrine is a rare migrant. Hobby – up to 15 breeding pairs. Merlin is a rare migrant. Red-footed Falcon was a rare breeding bird in the past, and rare on migrations now. Kestrel – up to 65–70 breeding pairs. Eagle Owl – up to 10–15 breeding pairs. Long-eared Owl is a not numerous breeding species. Short-eared Owl is a rare breeding species. Tengmalm’s Owl – the status needs clarification, possible breeding. Little Owl is a rare breeding species. Pygmy Owl – the status needs clarification, possible breeding. Tawny Owl is a common breeding species, the population level was not evaluated. Great Grey Owl is a rare breeding species. Present state of fauna of Falconiformes and Strigiformes in the Exclusion Zone is characterized by several tendencies. The absence of human disturbance and abundance of favorable habitats promote gradual population growth of White-tailed Eagle, Spotted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Kestrel, Eagle Owl and Great Grey Owl. However, gradual replacement of meadows complexes by wood ones makes unfavorable influence on number of harriers and buzzards. At the same time, distribution pattern and abundance of many forest species are still poor studied. Nevertheless, it is already obvious now that the Exclusion Zone as a huge reservation of wildlife is undoubtedly valuable for conservation of the rare and vulnerable species, therefore it needs increasing its protection status. [Russian].
Key words: distribution, number, breeding, habitat, migration, conservation.
Address: S.V. Domashevsky, Ukrainian Birds of Prey Research Centre; Zhukov str., 22/42, Kyiv, 02166, Ukraine; e-mail: domashevsky@gmail.com.