Ecology of the Long-legged Buzzard in Mykolayiv region (South Ukraine). - K.O. Redinov. - Berkut. 19 (1-2). 2010. - P. 116-132.
Breeding of the species was confirmed in the region for the first time in 1991. The actual number is estimated in 100 breeding pairs. Data about ecology were obtained on three study plots during 2000–2010. Buzzards nest near steppe areas. They arrive to breeding territories in February – March. A part of birds stay in environs of nests during the whole year. Some breeding territories were occupied by birds 9–10 years. The minimal distance between nests of neighbouring pairs was 1,4 km. The breeding territories had from 2 to 6 nests (3,8 ± 0,4; n = 10; ± se). Nests (n = 45) have been built in gleditschias (35,5%), oaks (15,6%), locusts (15,6%), maples (15,6%), sophoras (6,6%), etc. Height of nest location (n = 37) – 7,4 ± 0,4 (2,5–13,5) m. Long-legged Buzzards built nests themselves or occupied old buildings of Buzzards, Rooks, Ravens. Parameters of nests (cm): D – 78,8 ± 2,4 (45–100; n = 17); d – 26,1 ± 0,6 (22–31; n = 10); H – 51,4 ± 2,9 (27–100; n = 16); h – 9,2 ± 0,7 (6–11; n = 9). Eggs were laid during 3rd ten-day of March – 1st ten-day of April. The interval between laying of eggs made about 48 hours. The regular brooding began since 2nd egg. The incubation period of the first egg lasted 36,5–38 days (because of irregular brooding), other ones – about 36 days. The incubation period of a full clutch with 5 eggs (from laying of the first egg to hatching of the last chick) stretched till 43–44 days. Full clutches had from 3 to 5 eggs, on average 3,7 ± 0,1 (n = 31). Parameters of eggs (n = 45): 59,63 ± 0,31 (55,0–65,0) × 47,06 ± 0,23 (42,9–49,9). First hatchlings were found between 29.04 and 31.05. Chicks stayed in nests 47–55 days. Fledglings left them since the second ten-day of June till the first ten-day of July. 80,4% attempts of breeding were successful. Birds raised on average 2,2 ± 0,15 youngs per successful pair (1–4; n = 45). 21 prey species were found in feeding. Sousliks, mole-rats and hamsters were the most important part of the prey. Timing of breeding of the Long-legged Buzzard is connected to the phenology of life cycles of these rodents. [Russian].
Key words: Long-legged Buzzard, Buteo rufinus, number, breeding, migration, wintering, feeding.
Address: K.A. Redinov, Regional Landscape Park Kinburnska kosa, Shkreptienko Str. 16, Ochakiv, Mykolayiv region, 57500, Ukraine; e-mail: borisfenida@och.mk.ua.