The press service of the Kuril Nature Reserve has announced the discovery of two new bird species nesting on Kunashir Island. This island is home to a vast array of avian species. Every year, reserve staff conduct ornithological monitoring, categorizing birds into nesting, migratory, resident, wintering, and vagrant groups. This year, the nesting status of two new species has been confirmed.
Scientists have observed a great crested grebe with chicks on the lakes of Veslovsky Peninsula. Previously, this bird was considered a rare migrant on the Southern Kuril Islands. Now, its nesting has been confirmed. Additionally, there is evidence of potential nesting by the Kamchatka leaf warbler. This small bird, belonging to the leaf warbler genus, primarily inhabits Kamchatka and the Northern Kurils. Previously, it was classified as a rare migratory species. This year, scientists managed to record and photograph a singing male near Yuzhno-Kurilsk, suggesting the possibility of this species nesting.
The mandarin duck also brought good news to scientists this year. Specialists had only recorded the nesting of this beautiful duck once before – in 2017. This is because mandarin ducks on Kunashir lead very secretive lives. However, this year, a female mandarin duck with ducklings was captured by a camera trap.
"The facts of bird nesting in specific territories are not only an indicator of favorable conditions and suitable food sources but also a clear indicator of the effectiveness of the protected natural area, the real results of its staff's work, and the responsible attitude of local residents," the message reads.
It is during the nesting period that scientists can get an effective idea of the species diversity and population of various bird species. The locations of nests are largely determined by the availability of sufficient food. Therefore, having chosen a nesting site once, birds return there year after year.
When confirming the fact of nesting, scientists not only search for nests and chicks. They also use indirect signs and observe the behavior of birds, for example, recording the singing of males or mating calls of birds. When a male constantly sings in the same place, he informs other males that the territory is occupied. It is quite likely that there is already a nest somewhere nearby or, at a minimum, that he has quite serious intentions.
In total, this year, the reserve staff recorded 83 bird species during the nesting season. Of these, nesting is possible for 26 species, probable for 30 species, and confirmed for 29 species this season.
Thus, scientists have confirmed the nesting of the barn swallow, common pigeon, mallard, mandarin duck, tufted duck, great crested grebe, little grebe, coot, brown dipper, coal tit, great tit, Kamchatka wagtail, bluethroat, eastern black-headed warbler, and red-faced bunting. The list of nesters also includes the Japanese cormorant, white-tailed eagle, sand martin, house sparrow, Japanese robin, skylark, great reed warbler, Japanese crane, common raven, bamboo partridge, masked bunting, Blakiston's fish owl, great spotted woodpecker, and Japanese shrike.
