Home – Home – Jornals – Contemporary Problems of Ecology 2005 number 2

On the basis of results of the author"s long-term observations and censuses of 1976-2003 (using the literature data), a review of anseriform species in the Baraba lowland for the last 28 years is presented. At present, here every year 14 anseriform species (whooper and mute swans grey-lag goose, Sheldrake, mallard, teal, gadwall, widgeon, pintail, garganey, shoveller, tufted duck, Netta rufina and golden eye) nestle and migrate. Three species - ruddy Sheldrake, red-crested pochard and white-headed duck - nestle not every year and on a small number of lakes. Five species come every spring and autumn - bean goose, white-fronted goose, smew, goosander and red-breasted merganser. Two species are found in autumn flights (Aythya marila and long-tailed duck). There are literature data on very rare incidence of five species (Bewick's swan, red-breasted goose, less white-fronted goose, Aythya nyroca and scoter). For the last 28 years, the numbers of nestling anseriform birds (especially pintail and garganey) within the limits of the Baraba lowland has decreased significantly. The main causes thereof are the cyclic decrease of swamp areas, low fires, cattle grazing, net fishing in nestling and brooding water bodies, clutch death caused by predator birds and animals, and hunting.