VI. Class Aves-09. Excursions with Tetiana Atemasova. Birds of Waterside Habitats and Meadows

Birds on the shores of water bodies, floodplains, and dry meadows. River floodplains with their meadows and shrubs are rich in birds due to the great variety of habitats. A river floodplain includes the riverbed itself with sandy shallows and steep banks; floodplain water bodies (lakes and oxbows), overgrown with reeds, cattails, emergent aquatic vegetation, nettles, and small shrubs; in addition, there are occasional tree clumps on the floodplain meadows. All these habitats create a great mosaic. There are specific groups of birds characteristic of each of these habitats. Among the reeds and cattails on the water surfaces of lakes and oxbows, one can see the Mallard. In June, females usually lead broods, while males hide in dangerous places because they are molting and unable to fly. Mallard

In the reeds around the water bodies, the Little Bittern and the Eurasian Bittern nest - birds of the genus Botaurus, related to herons. The Little Bittern, colored in yellow and black, is more often seen flying between individual areas. The Eurasian Bittern is heard in spring when it marks the boundaries of its territory with a loud, deep 'Boo-oo-oo' sound (it dips its beak into the water and exhales). It rarely leaves the reed beds. It feeds on aquatic invertebrates. Eurasian Bittern

The reed beds around lakes and oxbows are feeding grounds for herons - the Grey Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Egret, and Squacco Heron. They hunt fish, freezing above the water and then, almost imperceptibly, with a sharp movement, catch the fish, skillfully turning it headfirst into their beak. When swallowing, the heron's neck expands almost twofold. Herons nest both in trees (Grey Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron) and in shrubs in the reeds (Squacco Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron), forming colonies. The Western Marsh Harrier sometimes flies over the reeds of lakes and oxbows, nesting right here. The male and female are colored differently. The harrier nests in reeds, slightly above water level, and feeds on eggs, chicks, and small vertebrates in lakes and surrounding meadows. Over the riverbanks, one can often see the Black Kite, soaring low over the water's edge. It collects food here - fish, frogs, other small vertebrates, and invertebrates. The Black Kite can be distinguished by the notch in its tail. Other birds of prey have a straight tail edge. The Black Kite nests in trees in floodplain forests, often several pairs together - which is rare for birds of prey. Over the lakes and oxbows in the floodplain, as well as over river bays with standing water, one can usually see gulls - the Black-headed Gull and the Slender-billed Gull, and terns - the Common Tern, Black Tern, and White-winged Tern. They hunt fish, catching it on the fly from the surface. Gulls and terns nest in colonies on sandy islands, on the ground. Black-headed Gull

Common Tern

Where the riverbank or lake shore is devoid of dense vegetation, one can find a small wader - the Common Sandpiper. It constantly flies from one section of the bank to another, its wings almost touching the water. The Common Sandpiper can be found everywhere: on the seashore, on the bank of a lake or river, on forest rapids and streams. It is distinguished by its dull grayish coloration, sturdy build, and relatively short blue legs. The Common Sandpiper nests on sandy shallows along the riverbed, in a hollow on the ground. Common Sandpiper

If there are sandy or pebbly shallows on the banks of rivers and lakes, the Little Ringed Plover can always be seen. It runs rapidly with a jerky gait along the shore, uttering its characteristic call "yip-yip-yip-yip...". In river backwaters near reeds, some rail birds from the order Gruiformes can be found – the Coot, colored in dark tones, and the Water Rail. They nest in reeds, building a tall nest from last year's stems. Coot

Water Rail

On lakes and oxbow lakes of the floodplain at night, one can hear the most secretive of the rails – the Water Rail and the Corn Crake. They are distinguished by their song. These birds nest in reeds, carefully hiding their nests. They feed on aquatic invertebrates and rarely venture beyond the reed beds. Corn Crake

Pastushok

The loudest of all rails is the Corn Crake. Its song "crex-crex" can be heard far over the floodplain meadows at night. It nests in floodplain meadows, among the grass. A displaying bird may allow one to approach closely, but it is not easy to see it, as it always hides in the grass. It takes flight extremely reluctantly. Corn Crake

The oscillogram of the Corn Crake's song (on the slide) is well amenable to analysis. It has been proven that based on the song structure, one can identify a specific bird (it may occur in the same area for several years in a row) and a distinct group (even a population), determining the boundary between geographically different Corn Crake songs. On the banks of small rivers, and sometimes in the floodplain of the Siverskyi Donets, one can encounter the Common Crane – when the birds finish their nesting season and raise their young, which can already fly, in open meadows. The Common Crane nests in forest bogs and reed beds on the riverbeds of steppe rivers, building its nest at water level with last year's reed stems. Common Crane

Walking along the riverbed, one can see a bright blue bird flying low over the water with a loud whistle. When the bird lands on a branch overhanging the bank, its bright orange belly and long beak are visible. The Common Kingfisher nests in separate pairs in riverbank cliffs, sometimes in steep roadside slopes or ravines, usually near water, but sometimes at a distance of several hundred meters. The burrow is dug by the birds themselves and may be used year after year. It feeds on small fish, catching them in the surface layers of water. One can often see a kingfisher sitting over the water on a protruding branch with a fish, which it stuns by hitting it against the branch. Common Kingfisher

Nearby on steep riverbanks, the Bank Swallow builds its burrows. It nests in colonies (up to several hundred burrows) near water, but under favorable conditions, it can also build colonies at a distance (in the walls of a clay quarry up to 1 km from water). The burrow, 1 m deep, is constructed by the birds themselves, and a nesting chamber is lined with grass at the end. It feeds, like all swallows, on insects. It drinks water in flight. Bank Swallow

Where the banks of rivers or lakes are devoid of dense vegetation, the familiar White Wagtail is found. They have a habit of constantly wagging their tails. Wagtails sit on stones protruding from the water or run with a light step on the shallows. They nest under the eaves of riverbanks, building their nests on protruding roots. However, recently, White Wagtails have become more common in settlements, specifically at the biological station, nesting under roofs, in artificial nest boxes, and foraging for insects on asphalted roads. White Wagtail

Riverine floodplain meadows and hummocks can sometimes be very large. Yellow Wagtails are most often encountered here. Sitting on tall stems of meadow grasses or on the branches of bushes, they emit short calls or chirp softly. Yellow Wagtail

The Yellow-headed Wagtail is increasingly found in meadows – it is considered an indicator of meadow steppification, as it usually inhabits drier southern areas. All species of wagtails nest on the ground, in a shallow depression, carefully lined with grass. In the first half of June, various species of warblers and reed buntings display and sing in the reed beds around lakes, oxbow lakes, and river bays. Near the water, on the stems of reeds or cattails, sings one of the representatives of the family Locustellidae – the Savi's Warbler. Its song is also often heard during the day, although it, like all other reed buntings, is a nocturnal singer. Its closest relative, the Eurasian Reed Warbler, resembles a cricket in its song. Savi's Warbler

Eurasian Reed Warbler

The largest of the warblers is the Great Reed Warbler, which stays near rivers or lakes and sings while perched on reeds or in waterlogged bushes. The song always begins with low croaking sounds, which, alternating with shrill cries, gradually become higher. It consists of 5-6 groups of sounds that follow one another: "kere-kere-krakra-kru-kru-kiri-kiri-Ki-ki". Great Reed Warbler

During the daytime on the banks of rivers and lakes overgrown with aquatic vegetation, one can most often encounter the Marsh Warbler, or "borsuchok" (badger-like). The bird was named so for the dark and light longitudinal stripes on its head, "like a badger's". The song of this warbler consists of high whistles, crackling and shrill cries that rapidly change and are emitted in a chaotic sequence: "Tsiri-Tsiri-tere-tere-tere... chip... chip... chip... tr-tr tr... kli-lili-li- kli-lili-li.. chi... chi... tere...". Often, in the song of the Marsh Warbler, one can catch sounds borrowed from other birds – waders, yellow wagtails, etc. While singing, this warbler climbs onto elevated branches of bushes or perches on the tallest reeds. The Marsh Warbler is one of the most actively singing birds of the floodplain. Its song can be heard both day and night, from the moment of arrival until the end of July. Another warbler, the Sedge Warbler, is quite common in river floodplains. Its song is a hurried, very diverse, and melodious chirping, consisting of combinations of whistling and crackling syllables, as well as accurately copied calls of various birds. It inhabits the shrub zone of the floodplain. Nocturnal singing is characteristic of it, but its voice can often be heard during the day as well. Warblers and reed buntings build basket-shaped nests on reeds, weaving reeds or nettle stems into the nest walls. Sedge Warbler

Where the reed beds in the floodplain merge with willow bushes, the Bluethroat nests. In our floodplain, one can see birds with a white and red star in the middle of a blue-colored throat. These are different subspecies. The Bluethroat builds its nest near the base of a willow bush in a fork of the trunk. Bluethroat

In dense reeds, one can see the rather brightly colored Bearded Reedling. Males have clearly visible black "mustaches" that stand out against the overall light orange coloration. Bearded Reedling, Bearded Reedling

Over the riverbed, on thin willow branches, the Penduline Tit builds its nest. The nest resembles a "glove", carefully woven from the fluffy down of reed inflorescences and interwoven with grass for strength. The bird builds a new nest like this every year. Penduline Tit

On the bank of a river or lake, in reeds or willow bushes near the water, one can often hear unhurried sounds resembling a sparrow's chirping: "Jee-Jee-tri-tyuri-dzi-tri". They are repeated regularly at equal intervals. This is the song of the Reed Bunting. Reed Bunting

If there are bushes on the floodplain meadows, in river valleys, and lake floodplains, then on their branches or nearby on the ground, one can find nests of birds typical of forest edges and clearings. These are the Common Shrike, the Eurasian Blackcap, and the Common Bunting. In separate areas of meadows, the Common Quail, Grey Partridge, Eurasian Skylark, and Meadow Pipit also nest. Mostly, among the dry meadows outside the floodplain, one can find representatives of the order Galliformes – the Grey Partridge, the Common Quail, and the Common Pheasant. The Grey Partridge stays in coveys of up to 15 birds, prefers the edge of agricultural land, bushes, and dry meadows. After raising young birds, they migrate, even in winter, until the next nesting season. It nests on the ground. The Common Quail is usually heard in fields with agricultural crops; it nests on the ground and manages to raise 2-3 broods per season. The Common Pheasant has been widely reintroduced in recent times – young birds are released in places where they once lived. In warm winters, some birds survive and remain – it can be found in dry or even floodplain meadows, in fields and gardens. It nests on the ground. The pheasant, like all galliformes, has an "explosive" flight: the bird takes off, clucking, vertically (startling potential predators), and then transitions to horizontal flight at a low altitude. Grey Partridge

Quail

Pheasant

Typical predators of floodplain and dry meadows are harriers: the Montagu's Harrier and the Pallid Harrier. They soar at a low altitude, looking for prey on the ground – small vertebrates. The Montagu's Harrier can also be seen over agricultural lands, fallow fields, rich in small mouse-like rodents. Harriers are easily distinguished by their wings held at an angle (in a V-shape) and long tails. They nest on the ground. Among dry meadows, on cliffs, and any depressions in the ground (even tractor tracks), one can find the burrows of the European Bee-eater. Adult birds usually rest on nearby trees. The European Bee-eater feeds on large insects in flight (bumblebees, dragonflies, etc.). Usually, the birds soar high in the air and emit calls of "fru-fru". After the nesting season, a substrate is formed in the nesting chamber, consisting of chitinous remains. European Bee-eater

Over agricultural lands, fallow fields, and drylands, especially in spring, one can often hear the song of the Eurasian Skylark. It builds its nest on the ground, in a small depression, lining it with grass. It marks its nesting territory with song, rising high into the air, singing continuously. A related species, the Greater Short-toed Lark (calandra lark), is more often observed on the outskirts of villages, where it gathers seeds along roads. Greater Short-toed Lark

Eurasian Skylark

The Grasschat – the Black-headed and the Common Grasschat – are found in both floodplain and dry meadows, but more often in the latter. The male usually sits on a low bush or a sturdy grass stalk (chicory, mullein) and sings or watches for danger. The female incubates the clutch in the nest at the base. The Black-headed Grasschat can have 2 or even 3 broods per season. Common Grasschat

Black-headed Grasschat

If there are bushes in the meadows, then here one can hear the song of the Eurasian Blackcap, the Common Rosefinch, the Common Bunting, and encounter the Common Shrike. Its strong hooked beak allows it to handle prey such as lizards, voles, and small birds. The Common Shrike impales its victims on sharp twigs and tears off their heads. The predatory activity of the Common Shrike intensifies in bad weather, when the activity of insects, which it mainly hunts, decreases. This shrike does not have a regular demonstrative song, only during courtship of the female. Individual clumps of trees in the open space of floodplain and dry meadows often provide a haven for purely forest species (here one can find tits, European Greenfinch, thrushes), but they also have their own set of species. The European Turtle Dove, or Turtur, is found both along the edges of forest massifs and along the edges of forest patches in open spaces. Here it builds a loose nest (like all pigeons). Often, in trees among meadows and forest edges of oak groves, one can observe the Long-eared Owl (especially in winter – in large flocks). It is attracted here by abandoned nests of corvids, particularly the Hooded Crow, as it does not build its own nest. Currently, the Long-eared Owl more often nests in urban areas, occupying old magpie nests. European Turtle Dove

Long-eared owl

Groups of trees in the floodplain or on dry meadows are where the family trio of cuckoos is found – this is where they meet, control a certain territory, where they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds (reed buntings, warblers, Eurasian Robin, Bluethroat, shrikes, wagtails, etc.). The male and female have differently structured mating calls: the familiar "coo-coo" is the male's song. The female emits a quiet "gurgling". Common Cuckoo

Groups of trees in open spaces (most often in floodplains) are the natural nesting sites of the Hooded Crow. In mid-summer, one can observe family groups here – adult birds and 2-3 young that have already acquired full plumage. Here they rest, and from here they fly out to feed on small vertebrates in the meadows and grain – in the fields. In general, all corvids are omnivorous. Hooded Crow

Bushes and small trees in floodplain and dry meadows are the nesting sites of the Common Shrike. Common Shrike

In places where open spaces connect with forest areas, in bushes, one can usually hear the entire "repertoire" of warblers: Eurasian Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Great Warbler. Great Warbler

Garden Warbler

Eurasian Blackcap

In addition to the birds mentioned above, some species that nest in hollows, among stones, or in human buildings in more northern latitudes also settle in burrows, mainly on the steep banks of steppe ravines. These are the Common Starling, the European Robin, and both species of sparrows.