|
RESPONDENT
|
Vasily Sokolov
|
|
SITE NAME
|
Erkatayakha River, Yamal Peninsula, Russia
|
|
| Contact
details (phone/fax//e-mail//address): |
| (343) 210-3858, add. 104/89028432787 // vsokolov@inbox.ru // Lab. of biocenological processes, Inst. of plant and animal ecology, 8 Marta Str, 202, Ekaterinburg, 620144 Russia |
|
PROJECT DETAILS
|
Project name:
|
|
Population dynamics of birds in tundra of Southern Yamal |
|
Start of survey:
|
End
of survey:
|
Team
size:
|
|
29.05 |
1.10 |
9 |
|
WEATHER CONDITIONS
|
| Season
phenology: |
average |
|
|
Weather conditions: |
| June and July were cold, with abundant precipitation, with exception of mid July when temperature could exceed 30øC during week from 8.07 to 16.07. Storm with north-western wind and permanent very strong rain continued from 29 to 31 July. This resulted in raise of water in rivers at approximately 2.5-3 m (the level of spring flood) and coming of river and lake floodplains under water. A retreat of water was very slow, and it took two weeks for water to stabilize at previous level. August was dry and warm, with only 5 rainy days. September was also relatively warm and dry in the beginning, and snow was melting quickly after two snowfalls in the second half of month. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Date of 50%
snow-cover: |
1-3.06 |
|
| Date of ice-break
on rivers: |
3.06 |
|
| Date of final loss
of snow: |
15-18.06 |
|
BIOTIC CONDITIONS
|
| Rodents abundance evaluation: |
average |
|
Breeding conditions:
|
Reproductive conditions were average in the beginning of season, as catastrophic climatic events (strong snowfalls, rains, storms) were not recorded, but weather was fairly cold and rainy. We did not make special attempts to locate Arctic Fox dens, but hunting animals were seen almost on every excursion. Number of active nests of Rough-legged Buzzards was decreasing during season due to predation by Arctic Foxes or desertion because of food shortage, and none of them survived until fledging. Skuas were not common on breeding, but many birds wandered in groups of 3-5, searching for food. Among them Arctic Skuas made the most notable contribution to the loss of passerine and wader clutches. Numbers of Willow Grouse remained high, which could have decreased to certain extent predation pressure on other birds.
The storm on 29-31 July had strong impact on population of birds, primarily birds of prey and water birds. All nests of Rough-legged Buzzards still active on the study plot (100 sq.km.) and chicks in two nests of Peregrine Falcon died during adverse weather. Broods of geese did not suffer. Breeding conditions for most bird species were unfavourable, given relatively cold and rainy summer, storm in late July and absence of summer reproduction and still low numbers of lemmings. |
|
|
Rodent dynamics:
|
| Slight increase of rodent numbers after the crash in 2000 was more pronounced in voles than in lemmings. Summer reproduction of the latter was not recorded.
|
|
Rodent species recorded:
|
| Latin | Abundance |
|---|
| Dicrostonyx torquatus | rare |
| Microtus middendorffi | common |
| Microtus gregalis | common |
|
|
|
Summary
of fauna studies: |
| Observations were carried out on seasonal changes of bird density. Reproductive success of Rough-legged Buzzard and Peregrine Falcon was accessed. Trapping data were collected for rodents. |
|