Wintering waterfowl in the area of the Kremenchug reservoir during the winter seasons 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 years

Abstract

The results of long-term monitoring of wintering groups of waterbirds are presented. Censuses were carried out during two winter periods. They were conducted at the ice-free parts of the Kremenchug reservoir near Kaniv and Kremenchug hydroelectric power and also at Cherkasy’s treatment plant. The total number of wintering birds was 4800–6500. They belong to 25 species. There were 19 species of waterbirds observed in winter period of 2012/2013. In 2013/2014 18 species were observed. This is explained by more extreme weather conditions. The Mallard is dominant in birds associations at the beginning of wintering period. The Goldeneye becomes dominant under the conditions of lasting and severe frosts. There were observed some wintering birds that are rare for the Middle Dnieper: the Shelduck, the Red-breasted Merganser, the Scaup and the Great Black-headed Gull. It was found out that there is a greater similarity between the avifauna areas of the Kaniv and Kremenchug hydroelectric power, than between the hydroelectric power and the treatment plant. These differences exist due to the different wintering conditions. The quantity dynamics and species composition of wintering birds in their dependence on weather conditions is discussed