|
|
|
SITE NAME
|
Khabuika Lake, Russky Zavorot Peninsula, Russia
|
|
| Contact
details (phone/fax//e-mail//address): |
| // // Aride Island Nature Reserve, via Grand Anse, Praslin, Seychelles |
|
PROJECT DETAILS
|
Project name:
|
|
WWT Bewick's Swan Expedition 1994 |
|
Start of survey:
|
End
of survey:
|
Team
size:
|
|
8.08 |
30.08 |
5 |
|
WEATHER CONDITIONS
|
|
|
|
Weather conditions: |
| Weather conditions in spring were characterized by rather low temperatures, slow snow-melt and little precipitation. Snow disappeared in the lowland tundra in the last third of June, and shallow lakes became ice-free in mid-June. In general, spring was about ten days late and this resulted in delayed wader display activity (the first Ruff lek was seen on 9 June and first displays of Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago on 13 June), as well as in late breeding (no wader nests were found until 18 June). Period of strong, cold NE wind (Beaufort 5-8) known as a 'morianas' occured on 17 Aug - 20 Aug, with associated rain, and extensive flooding of tundra. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date of ice-break
on rivers: |
|
|
| Date of final loss
of snow: |
|
|
BIOTIC CONDITIONS
|
| Rodents abundance evaluation: |
average |
|
Breeding conditions:
|
| Arctic Foxes were extremely scarce, although they did breed. Long-tailed and Arctic Skuas were as common as usual, Snowy Owls were few on movements, and some Short-eared Owls were also observed. Rough-legged Buzzard in this area is always rare, Merlins Falco columbarius, Peregrine Falcons and Goshawks Accipiter gentilis bred in single pairs. The abundance of Common Snipe, Little Stint, Dunlin and Ruff was lower than usual. For the first time in spring and in autumn Knots Calidris canutus were observed. Autumn migration of waders was intense, in particular that of Red-necked Phalarope and Ruff; Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus and Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea migrated in larger numbers than in the previous year. |
|
|
Rodent dynamics:
|
| Lemmings were almost absent (only single animals in human buildings), but Root Voles were quite numerous.
|
|
Rodent species recorded:
|
| Latin | Abundance |
|---|
| Microtus oeconomus | common |
|
|
|
Summary
of fauna studies: |
| See enclosed document. More detailed information concerning ecology of Bewick's Swans Cygnus columbianus bewickii on the breeding grounds will be published in due course. |
|