Branta Issues > Issue №9 (2006)

Modem state of Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) and Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) in the Crimea.

Tsvelykh A.N.

The information of Whinchat and Stonechat in the CrimeanPeninsula is given. The Whinchat is a common migratory and very rare breeding bird in the Crimea. The spring migration of this species begins in the second half of March (the earliest observation date is 19 March) and finishes in the second half of May (the latest observation date is 20 May). The autumn migration begins in the first half of August (the earliest observation date is 11 August) and finishes in late September (the latest observation date is 27 September). Presumably the bird breeds accidentally at the shore of SivashLake. However, the only record of proved breeding is at the boundary of the steppe area and the north-eastern foothills.

The Stonechat is a common migratory and rare breeding and wintering bird in the Crimea. The spring migration begins in the first decade of March (the earliest observation date is 5 March) and finishes by the beginning of May (the latest observation date is 1 May). Most of birds migrate in the second and third decades of March. Non-breeding pairs or single birds are sometimes recorded after the end of the spring migration - mainly in May. The autumn migration begins in late September or early October (the earliest observation date is 25 September) and finishes in November (the latest observation date is 17 November). Most of birds migrate in the second and third decades of October. Occasional wintering of the species is registered in the steppe area and in the mountains of low altitude. This species breeds occasionally and irregularly in the mountains of low altitude. There is the only not numerous isolated breeding population  in the steppe area of the Crimea, namely in the north-eastern part of the KerchenskiyPeninsula.