| Rodents abundance evaluation: |
low
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Breeding conditions:
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We flew to the island by helicopter on 5 July and worked there for two weeks. It is a long (as the Russian name indicates!), narrow and flat island at the very east of the Barents Sea. The vegetation constitutes more or less humid tundra with prostrate shrubs or marshy wet meadows. We saw only a few willow bushes. There were numerous lakes and short rivers flowing along miniature valleys.
We visited Arctic Fox dens which had been mapped during previous expeditions from the Nenetski Nature Reserve and looked for additional dens. We found 6 large dens, 2 of which were inhabited by families with cubs, and at least 7 smaller dens. Several dens were located in the "valleys", which provided some protection from the frequent strong winds, and two of them were located near to one of the rare willow bushes.
Arctic and Long-tailed skuas were rather numerous, although almost not breeding. A few Pomarine Skuas were observed. We found only a single nest of the Arctic Skua with one egg. Most skuas were flying over the island in small groups searching for food. Towards the end of our stay groups of 20-30 Long-tailed Skuas were gathering and sitting on tundra or on the shore. The only other bird of prey we saw was a White-tailed Sea Eagle, which flew along the island shore. In the northern part of the island there was an old eagle nest on a wooden tower.
Numerous geese were breeding, mostly Bean and White-fronted geese, but also some Barnacle Geese in the northern part of the island. Goslings were hatching in the third week of July. Of 33 nests we followed, there were 17 with eggs or goslings at the end of the two weeks period. Thus, the predation rate during incubation seemed moderate. Larger flocks of non-breeding geese and ducks were seen regularly. Common waders were Turnstones, Grey Plovers, Little Stints, and Dunlins. The most common passerine was the Lapland Bunting, but Red-throated Pipits, Shore Larks, and Snow Buntings were also regularly seen.
Although Dolgi Island is not currently inhabited by humans, there were numerous traces of human activity. There were two houses, boats, fishing nets, reindeer sledges, several crosses and a lot of things washed in by the sea.
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