Branta Issues > Issue №10 (2007)

Modern state of Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros in the Crimea

A.N. Tsvelykh, M.M. Beskaravayny

The Black Redstart was known by now as a migrating and rare irregular wintering bird of the Crimea. To-date the Black Redstart is a migratory, breeding and regular wintering bird in the Crimea. The spring migration begins in the second decade of March (the earliest observation date is 11 March) and finishes by the end of this month or at the beginning of April (the latest observation date is 2 April). Most of birds migrate in the second and third decades of March. Some single birds are sometimes recorded after ending spring migration - in the second half of April or in May.

The autumn migration begins in the first decade of October (the earliest observation date is 3 October) and finishes in the third decade of November (the latest observation date is 27 November). Most of birds migrate in the second and third decades of October. The species winters in a small number at the south seashore of the Crimea between Sevastopol and Feodosia. At present the Black Redstart breeds in some populated areas of the Crimean peninsula. The southern border of the species breeding range extends up to the line Saky-Bakhchisarai district – Simferopol - KerchPeninsula. It is known about several summer meetings of this bird (mainly of territorial males in natural habitats) - in rocky sites of Crimean mountains.