| Rodents abundance evaluation: |
low
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Breeding conditions:
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American Minks was recorded on Kharlov Island for the first time in 2005, and their litter contained at least two cubs. Birds of prey included non-breeding Northern Goshawk, White-tailed Sea Eagle and Gyrfalcon, and two territorial pairs of Peregrine Falcons on one of the islands. Breeding skuas included Great Skua and Arctic Skua, and numbers of both species increased slightly. Size of complete clutch was 1.84ñ0.04 (lim 1-2, n=96) and hatching success 63.1% in the Arctic Skua. Dead Short-eared Owl was found on Bolshoi Litsky Island. Herring Gulls decreased their numbers on the archipelago, Common Gulls occurred in similar numbers to the previous season, while numbers of Great Black-backed Gulls and Kittiwakes increased considerably. Arctic Terns did not make breeding attempts. Mean clutch size was 2.50ñ0.22 (Lim 1-3, n=10) and hatching success 56.5% in Common Gulls, while complete clutches of Kittiwakes contained on average 1.84ñ0.04 (lim 1-3, n=89) eggs, brood size was 1.51ñ0.01 (lim 1-3 n=1663) chicks before fledging and breeding success was 29.8% (in a sample of ) 84 nests on survey plots.
A nest of Red-throated Diver was found on Kharolov Island, as well as 4 pairs of Rock Ptarmigans, including 2 with broods of 6 and 10 juveniles.
Numbers of Thick-billed and Common murres increased slightly on Kharlov Island, while numbers of Common Puffins decreased dramatically. Numbers of Gannets increased from 30 nesting pairs in 2004 to 145 pairs. Numbers of Great Cormorants decreased on Veshnyak Island, but colony was established on Maly Litsky Island. Mean clutch size was 2.61ñ0.12 (lim 1-3, n=23) before hatching, mean brood size was 2.17ñ0.12 (lim 1-4, n=40). Shags increased in numbers on Veshnyak Island, but decreased on Maly Litsky Island, probably due to invasion of Great Cormorants to their colony site. Mean brood size was 2.49ñ0.06 (lim 2-3, n=63) in Shag.
We were not able to get data on dynamics of numbers of Common Eiders. Mean clutch size was 3.74ñ0.05 (lim 1-6, n=454) and 6% of counted nests were depredated (but 75% on Kharlov Island). Nesting of Barnacle Goose was recorded for the first time in the region, and a brood of 4 downy chicks was observed on Maly Zelenets Island. Numbers of Bean Geese did not change compared with the previous year, while a single nest of Pintail was found and no breeding of Long-tailed Ducks was observed. Whooper Swan, Teal and Common Merganser were also recorded as non-breeders.
Breeding waders included Turnstone and Oystercatcher, while Red-necked Phalarop did not nest. Displaying Temminck's Stint was observed on Bolshoi Litsky Island. Greater Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Dunlin, Purple Sandpiper and Bar-tailed Godwit were observed on migration.
Breeding passerines of the archipelago included Meadow Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Water Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Hooded Crow, Raven, Willow Warbler, Wheatear, Bluethroat, Redwing, Common Redpol and Snow Bunting. Nesting of Song Thrush was recorded for the first time in the region. We recorded a male House Sparrow and migrating Waxwings.
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Summary
of fauna studies: |
| Data were collected on numbers of most breeding bird species of the archipelago, with a special focus on ecology and breeding biology of birds in colonies, Arctic Skua and passerines. We expect to publish information about very rare birds and birds found breeding for the first time (Song Thrush, Red-throated Diver, Peregrine Falcon, Barnacle Goose).
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