Branta Issues > Issue №15 (2012)

Current status of birds of prey in the Berestova River Basin

D. S. Oleynik

The paper presents the data on species composition and relative numbers of diurnal birds of prey in the BerestovaRiver Basin (Kharkiv Region) collected in 2009-2011. The counts were taken from the second decade of May to the end of June. A total number of count days is 15, of them 9 days are in May, and 6 days in June. Main types of counts were automobile (over 300 km) and pedestrian (approx. 150 km) routes. The counts covered not more than 50% of the study area. The upper and middle parts of the river were investigated the most completely. A total of 207 territorial pairs of 10 birds of prey species were recorded. The dominant was the Buzzard (Buteo buteo). The Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) was numerous. The Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) and Black Kite (Milvus migrans) are recorded rather often. Possibly, the Goshawk is a common species (Accipiter gentilis). Other species are rare. To our judgment, the BerestovaRiverValley is an important area for the conservation of such rare species as the Long-legged Buzzard, Montagu’s Harrier, Booted Eagle and Black Kite.