Osprey in Northern Belarus. - V.V. Ivanovsky. - Berkut. 9 (1-2). 2000. P. 23-27.
During 1991-1999 there were 105 cases of nesting of the Osprey observed in Belarus, 135 nestlings were ringed. The main breeding habitat of Osprey in Belarus are high bogs – 91,7 %. Osprey build their nests on pines – 98,2 % and on spruces, from 4 to 23 m high (on average 13,2 ± 5,5 m). The laying period is from April 18 to May 5, hatching is from May 26 to June 13. Youngs leave their nests from July 10 to July 27. There are 2-4 eggs in a clutch (n = 40), in average 2,97 ± 0,42 eggs. There are 1-3 chicks in nests with freshly hatching youngs (n = 26), on average 2,34 ± 0,79 nestlings. The number of fledglings varies from 1 to 3 per successful nest (n = 65), on average 2,32 ± 0,68 fledglings and on average 1,86 ± 1,11 fledglings per active nest (n = 81). During the breeding period the main enemies of the Osprey are the Raven and the Goshawk. In 1991-1999 the breeding success made 81,6 % (n = 87). The population of Osprey in Belarus is stable and contains 150-180 breeding pairs. [Russian].
Key words: Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, Belarus, ecology, breeding, habitat, breeding success.
Address: V.V. Ivanovsky, Pobedy str. 15-4-87, 210032 Vitebsk, Belarus.