<< Globally threatened species

Aquatic Warbler

Monitoring results, 2006

In 2006, the hydrological conditions for Aquatic Warbler were favorable during all breeding season in Central and Western Ukraine. During May and first half of June 2006, the water level in Central Ukraine (Chernigiv and Kyiv regions) in floodplains of the rivers was the highest since 1997. In mid June, there were strong rains in Western Ukraine, which have caused small rise of water on habitats of Pripyat population group. This small rise has not affected the AW nesting.

During this season, the number of the Desna-Dnipro population was estimated at 468 - 503 males (Annex 1, Tabl. 4). In comparison with 2005, the number of AW in the key breeding habitats in Supoy River valley has essentially decreased – by nearly 30 %. A small decrease was also observed on the key breeding habitat in the valley of Uday River. A new breeding habitat was found in the hydrological zakaznik of local importance "Svidovetsky”. 13 singing males were counted during evening counts. The area of this territory is 15-20 ha. It is possible to assume that AWs have stopped nesting in mire “Zamglay”.

The total number of the Ukrainian part of Pripyat population was estimated at 3000 - 3605 males (Annex 1, Tabl. 5). These numbers are a little lower than in 2005, even with accounting for discovering new habitats of AW. The total area of new sites is about 500 ha. In comparison with 2005, the number of AW in the key breeding habitats in valleys of Pripyat and Lower Tsir has essentially decreased – by almost 35 % (~ 500 males). The number of AW in other monitoring sites was the same as last year or even higher.

The total number of the Ukrainian population is 3500 - 4100 (3468-4108) males.

During the breeding season of 2006, survey of 67 new potential sites was carried out in Chernigiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Lugansk, Volyn, and Rivne regions. The most part of these areas does not present any interest as potential AW habitats. They were either drained or substantially transformed. No Aquatic Warblers were found on these sites.

Now there is a real threat for AW habitats in the valley of Pripyat. Volyn State Department for Water Resources Management has adopted a new flood abatement program. The title of the programme is "Ecology-2010", though it might cause severe ecological damage. Volyn State Department of Ecology and Natural Resources has approved this program. One of the key activities under this program is indentation of river-bed between Rechitsa and lake Lyubyaz. In 2005, similar work was already done on the part of Pripyat valley between Schedrogir (Pidgirya) and river Turya mouth. As a result of this work, the water level in river has decreased and in May and June 2006, it was 1 meter lower than on other sites and in comparison with previous years. The water goes away from the floodplain. The level of water has dropped below the level of baseline years at the sites of floodplain that are located on a distance of more than 1 km from the river. Therefore, urgent actions are needed to prevent indentation and such habitat deterioration between Rechitsa and lake Lyubyaz.

© The Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds  
2002-2007