Branta Issues > Issue №3 (2000)

Change in the status of pelicans in the Northern Black Sea coast on the border of millennia.

Zmud M.E.

Current status of White and Dalmatian Pelicans in the South of Ukraine is analysed based on the published data and own observations made in 1983- 2001. The Danube populations of these species show some increase and expansion, which were stipulated by the reservation of the deltaic wetlands both in Ukraine and Romania. Evident advancement of the White Pelican to

the East along the Black Sea coast started in 90s. The birds renewed their nesting in the South of Ukraine in the second half of the 90s for the first time after the 40s. In 1996 nesting birds were recorded in the Black Sea Reserve. From 1999 they breed regularly on the LebyazhiIslands in Crimea. In 2001 their breeding was recorded in the Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta.

From 3 to 14 pairs of Dalmatian Pelican have been sporadically nesting on the lakes adjacent to the Danube river from 1985. Their number in the Ukrainian part of the delta are gradually growing. And a forecast can be made that the White Pelicans will be regarded as nesting waterfowl of the South of Ukraine in the nearest future. Further expansion of Dalmatian Pelican to other wetlands of the South of Ukraine is expected.