NEW DATA ON RARE BIRD SPECIES IN THE NORTH OF ZABAIKALSKY KRAI

Abstract

Aim. The purpose of the paper is to analyze original data on rare birds in the poorly studied mountainous territory of the north of Transbaikalia. Methodology. The study was conducted mainly in the summer of 2019-2020 in mountain ranges: Udokan, Kodar, Kalarskiy and intermountain basins. Use was made of binoculars and photo registration. Results. Nine protected bird species (Red Data Books of Russia and Zabaikalsky krai) were observed: black-throated loon Gavia arctica, whooper swan Cygnus cygnus, harlequin duck Histrionicus histrionicus, crested honey buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus, golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos, common crane Grus grus, Eurasian wren Troglodytes troglodytes, yellow-browed bunting Ocyris chrysophrys and yellow-breasted bunting O. aureoles. We also report the first confirmed case of nesting of lesser whitethroat Sylvia curruca and an unusual summer meeting of ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula in the Charskaya depression. For the lesser whitethroat, this is the easternmost point of the nesting area. Research implications. The data on the state of populations of rare species in mountainous areas in the north of Transbaikalia is important due to the threat of their extinction from the actively developing mining industry and the need to update the List of Protected Species of the Transbaikal Territory.

Keywords

• rare species
• birds
• Transbaikalia
• Kodar
• Udokan