Materials on distribution and ecology of the Purple Heron in Sumy region. - N.P. Knysh, A.V. Sypko. - Berkut. 6 (1-2). 1997. P. 23-28.
Data were collected in 1970-1996. The present number of the Purple Heron in Sumy region is no more than 20-25 pairs. Number decreasing and expansion of the species were being observed in the middle of 1970s and later, but colonies formed in forest-steppe part of the region (Sumy district) turned out vulnerable and short-term. Relatively stable centres of breeding are situated in reed growths on rivers Vorskla (Okhtyrka and Trostyanets districts) and Sula (Romny district). The largest colony in a nature reservation in Romny district had 14 nests in 1993 and 13 in 1996. Here purple herons nest in reed on the periphery of the colony of grey herons. The spring migration goes in the first half of April. Early May the majority of nests already have clutches. The full clutch has from 3 to 7 eggs, on average 5,71 ± 0,30 (n = 14). In 1996 59 nestlings hatched from 62 eggs in 11 nests (95,2 %). Broods have 3-7 nestlings (5,36 ± 0,41). The main food are little fishes. Purple herons leave their breeding places during July. The autumn migration ends early September. [Russian].
Key words: Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea, Sumy region, distribution, number, migration, breeding, nest, egg, feeding.